baystateparent magazine March 2020

PRICELESS

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

MARCH 2020

THE

CAMP ISSUE

2 MARCH2020

contents

ta b le o f

m arc h 2020

v olu me 2 4

16 23

n u mb e r 1 1

Adventure in the trees

What is a ‘Baby-Friendly’ hospital and is it right for you?

on the cover: Zip lining through the trees is just some of the fun kids will have Boundless Adventures in Berlin.

features 13 DIY Ornaments for the Birds 14 Children’s Books for Women’s History Month

18 Tips for First Time Campers

27

20 Allergies at Camp: How to be

How to get the most out of college visits

Prepared

in every issue

bites

the agenda

6 Editor’s Note 7 Freebies 8 Good to Know 10 Finally Forever 11 Herding Goofballs 12 Fave Four 18 Very Special People 26 Cyber Savvy Mom 39 Take Eight

24 Goose’s Goodies: Easy

28 Adventures: 75+ Things To Do

Homemade Gummies

This Month

25 Nutrition: New Labels Help

36 The List: 15 Sweet Ways to

You Make Better Choices

Enjoy Maple Month

37 Check This Out: New PlaySpace at Boston Children’s Museum

BAYSTATEPARENT 3

baystateparent president

What is (or was) your favorite book to read to your child?

‘‘

“Where The Wild Things Are.” I love it because my son’s name is Max, and he is a Wild Thing, indeed.

associate publisher

’’ ‘‘ ’’ ‘‘ ’’ “The Cat In The Hat,” or anything

by Dr. Seuss. I read these books as a child and then to my own kids. So imaginative and fun.

I used to read “Goodnight Moon” to my son every night.

KATHY REAL BENOIT 508-767-9525 kbenoit@gatehousemedia.com

CREATIVE AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER editor in chief 508-767-9526 acollins@gatehousemedia.com SHIELA NEALON creative director 508-793-9121 shiela.nealon@telegram.com

sales manager

ADVERTISING

‘‘ ’’ ‘‘ ’’ ‘‘ ’’ ’’

JEREMY WARDWELL 508-767-9574 jwardwell@gatehousemedia.com

account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-767-9544 kpuffer@gatehousemedia.com

account executive REGINA STILLINGS 508-767-9546 rstillings@gatehousemedia.com

baystateparent is published 100 Front Street, 5th Floor monthly and is distributed free of Worcester, MA 01608 charge throughout Massachusetts.

ONLINE

do you have a story idea?

We want to hear from you!

Email your suggestion to baystateparent.com acollins@gatehousemedia.com

4 MARCH2020

8

PAUL M. PROVOST

I loved to read “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” to my son when he was young. And every night we’d end with the book “I Love You As Much.”

“The Baseball Player and the Walrus.” My son loves baseball and animals so it’s a great combo.

“Love You Forever.” As a single mom I really related to the story of the mother and her son through the years. Now 22 years later, I still sing the verse with the melody I gave it: “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

My s g n i h T e t Fa vo ri

editor’s note

My 2 ½-year-old and I spent a chilly morning making these easy bird feeders. All you need is pipe cleaners and some Cheerios (yes, you can use those stale ones sitting in your pantry -- the birds don’t care!). Thread the cereal onto the pipe cleaners and bend into any shape you’d like. We hung them from trees using twine.

Holy cuteness! My son can’t get enough of this sea turtle-themed outfit from Doodle Pants. He calls the super-soft cotton leggings his “yoga pants,” but he especially digs the matching 3D sweatshirt. It has a built-in turtle shell “backpack” that he can stuff full of all sorts of random toddler things.

6 MARCH2020

Though it’s not necessarily the most beautiful season (I’m looking at you bare branches and mountains of mud) there is something special about spring in the Bay State. Slowly, the days get longer, warmer, and sunnier as winter melts away, and there’s an anticipation in the air for what’s to come.

Sure, in Massachusetts we never really know what spring will bring. We could be ready to pull out our shorts one day and buried in snow the next, but one thing is for sure: the transition is here; summer is coming. And while that hot, sticky season may still be months away, now is the time to start planning for it.

Especially if you’re thinking about summer camp.

Is it possible to get your kid into camp the day before it starts? Sure, but you may be dealing with limited options if you wait too long. According to the American Camp Association, summer camp enrollment has experienced steady growth over the last five years, so give yourself time to find a camp that meets your child’s needs before it fills up. In the spring, it’s still early enough to have plenty of options. From traditional day camps, to overnight or sports or specialty camps, you’ll find tips in this issue to get prepared whatever you choose for your child this summer.

Without getting too ahead of ourselves, we’ve also got plenty of ideas for you to savor spring. March is Maple Month in Massachusetts, and there is plenty of maple-themed fun to enjoy. You can find some of the sweetest things to do this month page 36. (Pancakes, anyone?)

Looking for more springtime fun? How about adorning those bare tree branches with some ornaments for the birds? You’ll find an easy nature DIY on page 13.

As always, our extensive calendar, Adventures, has even more ideas for family fun. Turn to page 28 to see what’s happening this month, and be sure to check baystateparent.com for updated listings.

Happy planning, and happy spring!

Amanda

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is visit a Sugar Shack for a stack of pancakes and fresh maple syrup. But syrup’s not just for flapjacks. Head to baystateparent.com for our recipe for Maple Pecan Chicken Tenders. It’s one of my family’s all-time favorite dinners!

This new little board book from Highlights is so sweet. From A to Z, it illustrates the many ways young children can make the world a kinder place, whether it be donating blankets to the animal shelter, helping with chores, or standing up for what’s right. “ABCs of Kindness” is by Samantha Berger and available at highlights. com.

MARCH

Freebies!

Check out some of the goodies we’re giving away in March! Make sure you follow us on Facebook for your chance to win and to be in-the-know for other surprise freebies throughout the month.

Harlem Globetrotters tickets The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their new “Pushing the Limits” World Tour to the DCU Center in Worcester on March 22. Want to check out this one-of-a-kind family entertainment? We’re giving away a 4-pack of tickets!

Chalkboard t-shirt Your kiddo can get creative with a Chalk of the Town t-shirt. The shirt features a customizable “chalkboard” and comes with stencils and chalk markers. Once the chalk marker ink dries, the design stays on until you are ready to erase… then decorate it again! So cool!

Museum tickets Toys: The Inside Story is a new exhibit at the Discovery Museum exploring the inside world of toys and the pulleys, cams, gears, circuits, and linkages that make them work. We want to send you to check it out… and all the other kid-friendly fun there. We’re giving away two 4-packs of tickets to the museum in Acton this month.

Nick Jr. Live!

Sing, dance, clap, and cheer with friends from your favorite Nick Jr. shows in an unforgettable musical spectacular! We’re sending two families to see Nick Jr. Live! on March 14 at the Boch Center in Boston!

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

good to know FDA approves new peanut allergy medication A new study ranks Massachusetts as one of the best states for families.

In WalletHub’s 2020 Best & Worst States to Raise a Family, the Bay State took second place, just behind Minnesota. Our home state scored high in the areas of health and safety, education and family fun.

Terrible twos? More like stressful sixes.

In a national survey of parents conducted by Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, moms and dads said children are the most difficult to handle at age 6.

Massachusetts has the highest vaccination rate in U.S. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Immunization Survey, researchers at expertinsurancereviews.com examined how many children in each state have completed the combined 7-vaccine series, which includes DTaP, Polio, MMR, Hib, HepB, Varicella, and PCV. Not only was the Bay State in the top spot, New England was the only region with consistently high combined vaccination rates in the country.

8 MARCH2020

As the number of children with food allergies continues to rise, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the approval of the first medication to treat the second most common food allergy among children peanuts.

The new medication, called Palforzia, was approved by the FDA on Jan. 31 and can be used in children ages 4 to 17. Although it is not a cure, the new medication is designed to minimize the incidence of severity of a child’s allergic reaction to peanuts. Palforzia works by exposing children to controlled dosages of peanut protein over time, which allows the chance for kids to build up a tolerance.

Although peanut allergies are one of the most common, one in 13 children suffer from potentially life-threatening food allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children with food allergies increased by about 50% between 1997 and 2011.

Here are a few ways you can keep your children safe from food allergies, according to EatRight.org: • Get to know your child’s support team: Introduce yourself and your child to the adults he or she sees every day - teachers, nurses, coaches, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and administrators. Clear up any misconceptions they may have about food allergies. Provide them

with specific information about your child and how they can support him or her.

• Know the epinephrine plan: Make sure your child’s epinephrine and written plans - such as the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan and a 504 Plan - are up-to-date and on file. This means asking where your child’s epinephrine auto-injectors are stored, who has access to them, how easily they can be accessed in case of an emergency and that they are stored properly.

• Volunteer at your child’s school: Maintain frequent contact with a room parent and get involved. Sign up to volunteer or chaperone for classroom events or field trips. If you are unable to attend, ask a trusted friend, neighbor or family member who is comfortable administering epinephrine.

• Involve your child: Read books about food allergies with younger children. Help them practice with auto-injector trainers and make up fun hand-washing songs before and after meals. Teach older children to read food labels, avoid non-labeled (including homemade) foods, how to recognize symptoms of a reaction and to report bullying.

• Make safe meals and snacks fun: Try to treat allergies as a chance to teach children about healthful and safe eating. Read allergy-friendly cookbooks and blogs for inspiration, and get your child involved in safe food planning, shopping and preparation.

1 in 4 children with autism could go undiagnosed Children whose lives might be improved by getting services for autism could be falling through the cracks, according to a new study conducted by Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. The study, published in the journal Autism Research, found that one-fourth of children with autism spectrum disorder might go undiagnosed.

Researchers also found that children whose autism is not recognized are more likely to be black or Hispanic.

“There may be various reasons for the disparity, from communication or cultural barriers between minority parents and physicians to anxiety about the complicated diagnostic process and fear of stigma,” Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers and study co-author Walter Zahorodny said. “Also, many parents whose children are diagnosed later often attribute their first concern to a behavioral or medical issue rather than a developmental problem.”

Zahorodny advocates that every child should be screened at 18 and 24 months, 30 or 36 months and again at 40 or 48 months.

According to Ada.com, the most common signs of autism include: • Avoiding eye contact • Delayed speech and communication skills • Reliance on rules and routines • Being upset by relatively minor changes • Unexpected reactions to sounds, tastes, sights, touch and smells • Difficulty understanding other people’s emotions • Focusing on or becoming obsessed by a narrow range of interests or objects • Engaging in repetitive behavior such as flapping hands or rocking • Children not responding to their name by 12 months • Children not pointing at distant objects by 14 months

Many parents mistaken about their child’s video game behavior Eighty-six percent of parents agree that teens spend too much time gaming, but many may be mistaken about the extent of their own child’s video game habits, a new national poll suggests.

Parents also report very different gaming patterns for teen boys than girls, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Twice as many parents say their teen boy plays video games every day compared to parents of teen girls. Teen boys are also more likely to spend three or more hours gaming.

Overall, parents surveyed say gaming often gets in the way of other aspects of their teen’s life, such as family activities and interactions, sleep, homework, friendship with non-gaming peers, and extracurricular activities.

“Although many parents believe video games can be good for teens, they also report a number of negative impacts of prolonged gaming,” says Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Gary Freed, MD, MPH. “Parents should take a close look at their teen’s gaming behavior and set reasonable limits to reduce harmful impacts on sleep, family and peer relationships and school performance.”

But parents may not always have the most accurate perception of their teen’s gaming tendencies. Among parents of daily gamers, 54% report their teen plays three or more hours a day (compared to only 13% of teens that do not play every day.)

Just 13 percent of these parents believe their teen spends more time gaming than others, while 78% believe their teen’s gaming is less than or about the same as their peers.

“Many parents of frequent gamers have a misconception that the amount of time their teenager spends playing video games is in line with their peers,” Freed says.

While 71% of parents believe video games may have a positive impact on their teen, some try

to restrict video game content.

Parents of teens ages 13-15 (compared to those with older teens) are more likely to use rating systems to try to make sure games are appropriate, encourage their teen to play with friends in person rather than online and to ban gaming in their teen’s bedroom.

Freed notes that while gaming may be a fun activity in moderation, some teens -such as those with attention issues - are especially susceptible to the constant positive feedback and the stimulus of video games. This may lead to prolonged play that is disruptive to other elements of a teen’s life.

He recommends parents show interest by playing video games with their kids while also communicating healthy limits and ensuring that they have strong privacy settings. In some situations, he notes, games can help parents connect with older kids and may occasionally help open the door to other conversations and interactions.

But parents should also help teens understand that limits and rules around gaming are tied to safety, health, school and relationships.

“Parents can play an important role by setting clear rules about appropriate content and how much time is too much time spent on video games,” Freed says.

“While many parents see benefits in gaming, the activity should not be at the expense of face-toface time with family, friends, and teachers who play a pivotal role in promoting a teen’s learning and healthy development.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

finally

forever

March’s Child: Meet Raul Hi, my name is Raul and I love sports!

Raul is a very funny, witty 12-yearold boy of African American and Hispanic descent. Raul is very athletic and currently plays flag football, tackle football, and enjoys going to the gym with his sports team. He also likes to play video games and to cook.

Raul is currently on grade level at school and particularly enjoys math. He is working on writing and reading comprehension. Raul interacts well with his current foster family and gets along with his foster brother, although the two can sometimes egg each other on.

Raul is legally freed for adoption. He would do best in a two-parent family. Raul can do well with older children in the home or should be the only child. He will thrive in a family that can give him structure, routine, and guidance. It

is important that a family be open to maintaining contact with Raul’s two siblings, who are placed separately.

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for.

To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-964-6273 or visit www. mareinc.org.

New program pairs foster children with weekend host families The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) has rolled out a new program that pairs foster care youth awaiting adoption with host families on weekends.

The Weekend Family Connection program provides youth with opportunities to meet with adults in their lives, such as co-workers, neighbors, members of their faith-communities or even sports teams. In turn, the goal is to build connections that will ultimately result in the identification of an adoptive family, while allowing the youth a positive experience with family life.

The process for families to become involved in acting as a host family is not dissimilar to applying to be a foster or adoptive parent and/or family. Host families must either already be fully licensed foster/adoptive families or be willing to complete the necessary steps to become a licensed family. This includes completing an application, going through MAPP training, and participating in a home study.

Once approved to be a host family, a team of workers supporting the youth will make a match. The family hosts the youth a minimum of two weekend days/nights a month for one year.

If your family is interested in becoming a host family, contact MARE at 617-964-6273 or info@mareinc.org.

10 MARCH2020

Herding

Goofballs

Redacted Letters Home

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH ILLUSTRATION BY KIRA BEAUDOIN

Dear lucky person, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for agreeing to endure the crying of put my kids to bed tonight. My wife and I will have an amazing, cryfree time miss them dearly as we go out.

To make your time watching the boys more sane helpful, I drafted this letter.

Cooper and Milo are filled with the never-ending energy of a thousand burning suns energy before bedtime on most nights. I am laughing to myself thinking how whiny filled with enthusiasm they will be for you.

They have their pajamas laid out. When they hear that it is time for bed, they will likely scream bloody murder and deploy any and all stalling tactics they have in their arsenal express their fondness for remaining awake, but be afraid don’t fret. Once they brush their teeth, feel free to have them grab a book or two to read before they need to lay down.

Whatever you do, allow them to each have one book

selection or they will test you all night. May I suggest letting them share the book selection load?

Please ask them to use the bathroom. They will throw an emotionally-charged fit as if you have asked them to burn all their toys should comply just fine.

If they have been playing with their hundreds upon hundreds of small toys that will surely litter the entire first floor of the house a small batch of favorite toys, you have my permission to have them pick them up. Don’t worry about picking up after them. My wife and I can put away the clutter when we get back home as my kids believe my wife and I moonlight as janitors sometimes in our own house.

At this point, there is 100 percent certainty an outside chance they will beg like they have never been fed before politely ask for a snack or nine two. Feel free to repeatedly gently remind them that they can have a couple sips of water and proceed to bed.

Now, both of my kids enjoy

being accompanied to bed by their small army of handful of stuffed animal friends. If corralling all of their friends seems to be taking too much time, fear that they will spiral into a dizzying state of despair just do the best you can.

They will want to stall for as long as they can chat a little bit, which is fine. I usually give them a couple minutes to ask a last question and then carry them over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes escort them to bed.

As you may come to find out, they are scared stiff a touch timid when it comes to the light going out. You will find an egg-shaped nightlight that emits enough light to be seen from a distant solar system without a telescope a generous pop of light.

When If they are having trouble falling asleep after the first five minutes awhile, it is fine to talk with them a bit to calm their fears. We are a close knit bunch, so they will plead ask when the two of us their mom will be home. You can always tell them that mommy

is borderline desperate rooting for them to get a good night’s sleep.

One of the more ruthlessly deviant creative ways Cooper and Milo may try and stay awake a bit longer is TV. They may ask to indulge in a marathon session of cartoons some of the finest pieces of young storytelling. If they gang up on you or give you the deep and weepy puppy dog eyes still seem a little awake, one quick show will win you Babysitter of the Year in their eyes won’t hurt.

Feel free to help yourself to any food we have in our house once they go to bed although we will certainly throw you under the bus if you eat the kids’ snacks.

After all, our house is your house this evening.

If you do need to reach us, don’t hesitate to call the number we left on the fridge if there is any emergency. Other than that, please refrain from calling unless the rapture is clearly upon us.

Once again, I can’t ever repay you for the few hours

of freedom you are helping us win thank you for allowing us everyone to have a fun-filled night.

Godspeed.

May the odds ever be in your favor.

Have a great night! I know you will be sure to be too busy the next time we ask you.

Good luck out there Sincerely, Josh P.S. There should be money on the counter as a way of saying thanks unless the kids spotted the dollar bills, decided to play with them, got bored after five minutes, and immediately lost where they put them. It happens.

Josh Farnsworth is a husband, father of goofballs Cooper and Milo, goofball himself, and award-winning writer and columnist living in Worcester. He can be reached for column ideas at josh.farnsworth@ yahoo.com.

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

our fave

4

1.

Time to ditch those snow boots. Check out these four fun finds to take your kids’ kicks to the next level.

2.

3.

4.

1.

Your little fashionista can elevate her sneaker game with Fringe, a fun accessory that puts a twist on everyday shoes. The attachable shoe fringe lets her update and customize her favorite pair of lace-up footwear. Starting at $25. fringeyou.com.

3.

2. This innovative footwear is made just

4. Make an old pair of shoes fly with

for those sweet little baby feet. Komuello combines a sock and shoe in an easy pulloff and pull-on design. The slip-resistant rubber soles have tiny holes for air circulation.

Machine-washable, with sizes ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Starting at $32. komuellousa.com.

12 MARCH2020

Have a Crocs lover? They can customize their favorite kicks with Jibbitz shoe charms.

From well-known characters to popular emojis to messages you can type, there’s something for everyone. $3.99 each. crocs. com.

Shwings, a fun footwear accessory available in more than 150 styles. Go for the Hermes look with some classic wings, or jazz shoes up lightning bolts, flames, butterfly wings, mustaches and more. Starting at $6.95. shwingsonline.com.

Looking for more nature projects?

DIY Ornaments for the Birds

It’s never too early to start teaching children to appreciate and protect wildlife, and you can start right in your backyard. If you’re looking for some nature-themed projects you can do at home with your littles, check out “Wildlife Ranger Action Guide”, a new book coming out just in time for World Wildlife Day on March 3. Learn how to track and spot creatures close to home, and fun DIYs to make your yard a better place for wild animals. Available on Amazon and at storey. com, $18.95.

Nothing brightens up bare branches like a collection of birdfood ornaments. You can smear nut butter on pinecones or toilet paper rolls and coat with wild birdseed or thread oat cereal loops onto pipe cleaners. As an extra special treat for your feathered friends, hang up a few of these homemade bird cookies.

MATERIALS Water Microwaveable mixing bowl and spoon

1

Pour 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl. Add both packets of gelatin and stir. Heat 1/2 cup water in the microwave until boiling. Add it to the mixture and stir until the gelatin dissolves.

2

Add the sweetener and birdseed. Mix well. Set the bowl in the refrigerator to cool down for about 30 minutes.

3

5

Carefully pop the cookies out of the molds and remove the straws. Thread yarn or string through the holes and tie to make loops. Hang them outside and see who comes to visit.

When the mixture has firmed up, spoon it into the molds or cookie cutters.

Press the mixture in firmly.

2 packets of unflavored gelatin 2 tablespoons (35 mL) corn syrup, molasses, or honey 2½ cups (600 mL) wild birdseed mix Several large cookie cutters or molds Scissors Plastic drinking straws cut into short pieces Yarn or string

4

Poke a straw into each mold to create a hole near the center. Let the bird cookies set overnight in the refrigerator.

Excerpted from Wildlife Ranger Action Guide© by Mary Kay Carson.

Photography by Tom Uhlman. Used with permission from Storey Publishing.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

Children’s books for

Counting the Stars Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or astronauts walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used their knowledge, pencils, adding machines and writing paper to calculate the orbital mechanics needed to launch spacecraft.

Katherine Johnson was one of these women.

“Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician,” follows her from a 6-year-old schoolgirl in the segregated South all the way to NASA. This inspiring picture book biography with dreamy illustrations is geared to ages 4-8. (By Lesa Cline-Ransom; Illustrated by Raul Colon)

Women’s History Month What better way to mark Women’s History Month than with a fun, informative history lesson — all while snuggled up on the couch. Here are some of our favorite books inspired by trailblazing ladies.

Work It, Girl series Ordinary People Who Changed the World Each picture book biography in the Ordinary People Who Changed the World series tells the story of a significant historical figure in a simple, conversational, playful way. The Strong Girls Gift Set features four heroic women–Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, Jane Goodall, and Sacagawea. Other female icons in the series include Marie Curie, Sonya Sotomayer, Billie Jean King, and Rosa Parks. For ages 5-8. (By Brad Meltzer; Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos) 14 MARCH2020

Work It, Girl is a series of biographies featuring modern women in the world of work, from designers and musicians to CEOs and scientists. Each book tells the heroine’s story in ten chapters that highlight transformative moments in her life. At the end, ten key lessons show what we can learn from these moments, and self-reflection questions help the reader apply these lessons to their own life. Oprah, Beyonce, Ellen Degeneres, J.K. Rowling, Michelle Obama, and Mae Jemison are among the women featured. The biographies, which feature bright illustrations, 3D paper artwork and inspiring quotes, are geared to ages 8-12. (By Carline Moss; Illustrated by Sinem Erkas)

Shaking Things Up In this book of poems, you will find Mary Anning, who was just 13 when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave 6-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at 21 won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create. “Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World” is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history. (By Susan Hood, and featuring 13 female illustrators)

Malala’s Magic Pencil There are a slew of children’s books about Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl whose work as an education activist made her the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, but this book is by Malala herself. It focuses on her childhood, and handles sensitive subjects like violence in a gentle way, saying only that “dangerous men tried to silence me, but they failed.” This beautifully illustrated book tells Malala’s story for a younger audience, providing a child-friendly introduction to this contemporary Muslim female role model and her work. For ages 4-8. (By Malala Yousafzai, Illustrated by Kerascoet)

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

She Persisted “She Persisted” and its followup, “She Persisted Around the World,” give readers two collections of 13 remarkable, diverse and tenacious women. Showing how they struggled and ultimately persevered, the books celebrate 26 women from America and across the world who proved persistence is power. For ages 4-8. Sold individually or as a box set. (By Chelsea Clinton; Illustrated

by Alexandra Boier)

Shark Lady “Whale sharks. Nurse sharks. Tiger sharks.

Lemon sharks. Eugenie wanted to know about them all.” In “Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist,” we see how a childhood fascination can develop into a life’s work.

Despite many obstacles in her path, Clark was able to study the creatures she loved so much. Find out about the discoveries and scientific contributions that led to Clark being nicknamed “Shark Lady.” (By Jess Keating; Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens)

Leave it To Abigail!

While there are countless books available about America’s founding fathers, there aren’t many about the equally impactful women from this period. But “Leave it To Abigail! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams” tells the true story of one of America’s founding mothers, who instead of leaving governing to men, insisted they “remember the ladies.” This spirited biography with fun illustrations follows Abigail from farm girl to First Lady and presidential advisor. For ages 4-8. (By Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley)

This children’s book is packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 female artists from all over the world. Each woman’s story is written in the style of a fairy tale. Each story has a full page, full color portrait that captures the spirit of the portrayed hero. Once you finish the book, you can move on to Volume 2 and meet 100 more incredible women from around the world. For ages 6 and up. (By Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli)

I Dissent This biographical picture book about the notorious RBG proves that disagreeing doesn’t make you disagreeable. In “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark,” you’ll get to know the Supreme Court justice who has spent a lifetime disagreeing. This book, for ages 4-8, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements. (By Debbie Levy; Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley)

The Only Woman in the Photo Most people know about President FDR, but do you know about the woman behind his groundbreaking “new deal?” Meet Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in the presidential cabinet and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s righthand-(wo)man. “The Only Woman in the Photo” tells the untold story of the mastermind behind the Social Security Act, unemployment insurance, child labor laws, and more. Gorgeously illustrated and peppered with Perkins’ powerful quotes, this book is for ages 4-8. (By Kathleen Krull; Illustrated

by Alexandra Bye)

Women in Science Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but certainly no women were doctors. “Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors” follows Blackwell’s path to becoming the first woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S. For ages 5-8. The author also wrote a book “Who Says Women Can’t Be Programmers.”

(By Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman)

A gloriously illustrated celebration of trailblazing women, “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World,” highlights the contributions of 50 notable women to the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from both the ancient and modern worlds. The book also contains fascinating infographics and an illustrated scientific glossary. Women profiled include well-known and lesser-known figures.

(Written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky) BAYSTATEPARENT 15

Adventure in the trees

My experience at Boundless Adventures, and why your kid will love it

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

I

t wasn’t the typical end to my workday, but then, it wasn’t a typical workday, either. All I had to do was jump off a two-story platform.

No big deal.

When my co-worker, Becca, and I decided (in the name of journalism) to try out Boundless Adventures in Berlin, we weren’t quite sure what we were getting ourselves into. The aerial adventure park – a sort of treetop obstacle course with wobbly bridges, dangling ladders, rolling elements and ziplines – looked

both exciting and daunting from the ground. Once we were up in the trees, we found our first impressions were right.

The sprawling 5-acre park at 154 River Rd. West, just north of Worcester and about 45 minutes from Boston, opened in 2018. It features nine color-coded ropes courses that vary in difficulty: yellow, green, blue and black.

Participants wear a full-body harness and are locked on to a safety line through an always “on belay” system. Two carabiners are connected together and do not allow users to fully disconnect from the

safety line. Basically, once you’re hooked in, you’re not going anywhere.

We got started on a yellow beginner’s course, which is generally appropriate for ages 7 to 9 (or 30 something). At 10 feet elevation, these obstacle courses let you unleash your inner-monkey with low-speed zip line, easier bridges and unique balance beams.

Each course features a number

of elements, or obstacles, that will test your balance, bravery and boundaries. I was surprised at the courage it took me to tackle even the easiest course.

The green level courses (ages 10-11) took things up a notch.

The guides at Boundless Adventures say the key to traversing these moving obstacles 15 feet off the ground is keeping “mind over matter.” Sure, the intermediate course is a mental challenge, but don’t be fooled -- it’s a physical one, too.

Perhaps I was feeling overconfident after tackling two green courses, or maybe it was all that zipline

Becca Humphrey and Amanda Collins Bernier take on Boundless Adventures in Berlin.

16 MARCH2020

adrenaline, but somehow I was talked into finishing our adventure on a blue course. There are two of these “advanced” courses for ages 12+ at Boundless Adventures, where at 22-26 feet, you’ll test your strength and agility with wobbling ladders, harder rolling elements, and swaying bridges.

For me, this was the ultimate challenge. Two stories above the forest floor, hanging on to swinging ropes suspended from a cable, I panicked as my foot searched for the next tiny, wobbly spot to put it as I made my way across the obstacle. I froze, held on for dear life, and let out an embarrassing, high-pitched yelp.

“You can do it!” Becca called out. “Just one foot at a time. You can do it!”

It took a mental pep talk and one last push, but I made it.

By the time I got to the free fall straight off a ledge to end the course, I was more than ready to jump.

Back safe on the ground, I felt tired but accomplished.

“Should we try the Black?”

Becca asked.

“No,” I told my childless companion. “It’s late. I have to get my kid.” Always a perfect excuse.

While my toddler son is too young to take on Boundless Adventures with me, the park is a perfect day venture for children and families. It’s open to kids ages 7 and up, and with the course’s varying difficulties, there is something for everyone. It’s also self-guided (but don’t worry, trained monitors are stationed throughout the park) so you can go at your own pace and take breaks as the kids (or you, really) need to.

Owner Brian Funtleyder said his children were part of the inspiration for opening the park. “My kids were very young and we decided to try an adventure park,” he told WCVB’s Chronicle. “And I found that once they climbed

they found a confidence we never knew that they had. And we kind of looked at ourselves and said, how can we bring this closer to home?”

A three-hour climbing pass is $50 for children 7-11, or $56 for ages 12 and up. Spectators get in free of charge, making it easy for parents or grandparents to watch even if they don’t want to try the course themselves.

The park opens for weekends only in early April, and will be open daily in the summer.

Boundless Adventures will also offer a summer program for children ages 8 and up, July 20-24.

Over the week, the program will meet daily from 3-6 p.m. The cost is $250.

Kids with limited experience will be given the opportunity to improve on the basics, while more advanced climbers will be able to traverse harder courses than they would be allowed to do with their parents. There will also be team-building activities and guided support.

“It’s something a little different from the traditional summer day camp,” said owner Lorrie Funtleyder.

More information is at boundlessadventures.net.

BAYSTATEPARENT 17

Tips for first time campers and their parents

S

BY MELISSA ERIKSON

leep-away camp is a big deal for both campers and their parents, and it often brings feelings of excitement and anxiety.

Is your child ready for it?

“One way to gauge a child’s readiness for overnight camp is if the child has had successful overnight experiences away from home, at a friend’s or relative’s,” said Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association. “Beyond those experiences, parents should involve their child in the search and preparation process. Reach out to the camp director and ask questions. If possible, tour prospective camps in person prior to choosing.”

18 MARCH2020

Missing home is normal “Homesickness is not a sickness. It’s normal for kids to miss home. Kids can have the most wonderful time at camp and still feel homesick,” said Corey Dockswell, director of Camp Wicosuta, a traditional four-week sleep-away camp for girls in Hebron, New Hampshire. What’s most important is to take your cues from your child, Dockswell said. “If they’re excited about camp, talk about what fun they’re going to have. Don’t put negative thoughts in their head,” she said.

What to look forward to “The best thing is for families to stay positive,” said Jared Shapiro, director of Camp Winadu, a boys summer camp in the Berkshire Mountains. “Talk about all the friends they’re going to make, all the fun activities they’re going to do.

What’s unknown is what often makes kids nervous, so discuss what they should expect.”

“Parents should discuss the info they’ve gathered in the search process,” Rosenberg said. “Discuss the answers

that camp directors have given the family.

Check out the camp’s website as a family and look at packing lists, maps of the camp, photos from last summer.”

No pick-up deals Avoid any suggestions that you will pick up your camper if he feels homesick or unhappy, all experts agreed.

“This conveys a message of doubt and pity that undermines children’s confidence and independence,” Rosenberg said. “The camp director and camp staff are your partners. If your child is homesick, feel free to call the camp and discuss ways in which you can work together to solve the problem.”

very

special people

BIKE CAMP

brings simple joy to kids with special needs

BY JOAN GOODCHILD

F

or children with disabilities, there are some milestones that parents understand may not be met. Physical or cognitive limitations can make it difficult or nearly impossible to do certain activities that so-called typical children do daily without a thought. One of those is learning to ride a bike.

But a camp sponsored by Emerson Hospital’s Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies wants to change that. The camp, run by iCan Shine, a national non-profit organization, teaches individuals with special needs to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through its iCan Bike program.

“It’s a creative and safe environment for those who don’t learn in the typical way that other kids do,” said Sarah Attridge, DPT, Pediatric Physical Thera-

iCan Shine Facebook photo. pist, Emerson Hospital, a coordinator of the program.

The camp is in its fifth year and will take place during April school vacation week, April 20-24. Held at Lawrence Academy in Groton, the camp is open to those who are at least 8 years old, have special needs and are able to walk without an assistive device.

Trained counselors and spotters work individually with campers to teach them how to ride a conventional bike.

Attridge said the camp has 38 riders every April vacation and there are 140-150 volunteers working with participants for a ratio of 2-3 volunteers per rider.

Using adapted bicycle equipment, volunteers and trained professionals, including pediatric physical therapists from Emerson, work closely with each camper to help them meet their goals of biking independently.

Most riders come from surrounding

towns, but there are also campers from as far away as New Hampshire and Cape Cod. Attridge said annually about 80 percent of campers leave with the skills to ride a bike independently. The other 20 percent make significant gains and sometimes return the following year to continue their progress.

“Parents testimonials have been great,” said Attridge. “We usually have four to eight returning riders. And we have a lot of adults and children who come back to volunteer, which speaks to the camaraderie of the camp.”

Attridge said many volunteers come from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, but the camp also needs teen volunteers who can run for about 20-30 minutes at a time. Student athletes are ideal, can earn community service hours, and will enjoy the experience of making a positive impact on helping

someone learn to ride a bike.

“The overall goal is to increase the self-esteem of the rider and provide them with life-long activity they can participate in in the community,” says Attridge. “Whether on the beach or in the neighborhood, riding a bike is one of the most exciting developmental milestones - it gives children a wonderful outlet for exercise and freedom and is an activity that families can enjoy together.”

Participants must be able to attend the same 75-minute daily session during each of the five days of camp.

Parents and caregivers are required to stay during their camper’s 75-minute session where they can observe from the sidelines. For more information and for campers and volunteers to register, visit: https://icanshine.org/ican-bikegroton-ma, or call 978-589-6922 or email icanshinebike_rehab@emersonhosp.org.

BAYSTATEPARENT 19

Allergies at camp How parents and campers can both be prepared

F

BY MELISSA ERIKSON

rom food allergies to insect stings, allergic reactions can spoil a summer camp experience. Parents may be concerned, but finding the right camp for a child with allergies allows the camper to enjoy the experience while trained staff make sure the right protections are in place. Most camps are well prepared to manage both food and environmental allergies at camp, said Tracey Gaslin, executive director of the Association of Camp Nursing.

“Camps generally have protocols in place for the identification and treatment of allergies often with epinephrine and diphenhydramine,” Gaslin said.

Do your homework “A camp’s preparedness for food allergies depends on the staff’s diligence and policies that have been put into place to protect campers who do have food allergies,” said Geoff Vetter, spokesman for the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education. “We recommend that parents and guardians make direct contact with the camp’s administration well before camp begins, sharing details of a child’s allergy and ensuring there is documented and comprehensive awareness around any and all allergies.”

All staff who will be responsible for a child and anyone who may offer food or plan events needs to be aware of a child’s allergy, Vetter said. This can include lifeguards, transportation drivers, cafeteria workers, camp nurses and counselors.

Kids can help The best plan is to educate a child about his or her condition.

“This does not happen at one point in time but is a continuous developmental effort to encourage the young individual to recognize symptoms and know how to respond in the event of an allergic response,” Gaslin said. In addition to providing a camp with a child’s complete medical record, children with allergies should have an emergency action plan, which is developed with the child’s primary care doctor, allergist and parents.

20 MARCH2020

“For camps, an action plan is typically an agreed upon plan for managing symptoms of allergy,” Gaslin said. “In having a mutually discussed plan, the parents feel confident that they have been heard, and the camp can share what their capabilities are for response to events.” Visit foodallergy.org to download FARE’s Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, as well as a list of camps that are either designed specifically for children with food allergies or that welcome campers with food allergies.

Two kinds of reactions Common allergic reactions present mostly in two ways: a more localized response and anaphylaxis, Gaslin said. Localized reactions include itching, swelling at the site and redness. Serious and possibly life-threatening, anaphylaxis has a generalized response including skin rashes or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, throat and eyes; vomiting or diarrhea; dizziness or fainting.

“If anaphylaxis occurs, immediate response is required, and it is helpful for camp staff to know if a child has had a previous anaphylaxis experience,” Gaslin said.

Campers should be instructed in the use of personal emergency medications or medical devices, such as inhalers or epinephrine autoinjectors, before arrival at camp.

Follow these guidelines “Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room in the United States,” Vetter said. Symptoms may start out mild, but they can worsen quickly.

• Never trade food with other campers.

• Do eat anything with unknown ingredients.

• Read every food label and double-check with a counselor (if age appropriate).

• Be proactive and seek help for all allergic reactions, even suspected ones.

• Tell an adult if feeling a reaction starting, even if there are no visible signs.

• Do not go off alone if experiencing allergic symptoms.

• Know where the emergency care kit is located or which camp counselors have access to it.

The value of

letter writing

BY MELISSA ERIKSON

N

o matter how traditional or 21st century, all summer camps have one thing in common: letter writing.

Letters from camp or letters from home can be a powerful form of communication and become treasured keepsakes.

Even though putting pen to paper may seem an antiquated effort that both kids and adults find challenging, the act of composing and sending a message helps kids learn real life lessons, said Dr. Christopher Thurber, a clinical psychologist, educator and author of “The Summer Camp Handbook.”

“Letter writing is asynchronous, meaning the communication is not happening in real time,” Thurber said. “It’s not a phone call or a text message. It forces you to wait. It helps kids develop patience, but it’s also an opportunity for younger people to bolster their coping skills.”

A child may feel homesick or unhappy while at camp, but that distress has a silver lining, Thurber said: “It’s a reflection of the closeness we feel.”

When a person feels distressed they are motivated to change something, but if a letter writer is waiting for a reply they are motivated to cope with the situation.

“If you’re allowed to call home, that instant gratification eliminates distress from the

equation but a child is also not allowed to learn how to cope with a situation,” Thurber said.

While waiting for a parent’s reply campers have the experience of turning to others, such as a camp counselor or cabinmate for support, which is a positive coping skill.

Another benefit of letter writing is that it allows people to gain an understanding of what they’re feeling.

“There’s no delete key. Even little kids are more thoughtful writing a handwritten letter,” Thurber said. “When we reflect we understand. When we understand we cope better.

When we cope better we do better.”

Letter writing is a skill, and parents may wonder how they will get a letter from a child more used to texting than talking. To start, put together a basic stationary kit using a ziptop plastic bag. Include plenty of paper, pens or pencils, and stamped and addressed envelopes, Thurber said. Use the peel-and-stick kind because kids may dislike the taste of envelope glue.

“Before camp give them some practice. You can start with an index card. Over breakfast, write a note they can respond to. It can be short, one line. Then, have them flip the card over and write a note back,” Thurber said.

For the most part it doesn’t really matter what’s in the letter, but it’s the act of keeping in touch. “Be encouraging. Tell them it’s going to be a fun way

to communicate,” Thurber said.

Ask the camp how long it typically takes mail to be sorted and delivered so a child knows what to expect, Thurber said. Explain how letters cross in the mail. Ask kids to share the news of camp and what they’re doing.

“The point is to keep each other posted about what’s going on. The best letters are newsy updates,” Thurber said.

Avoid guilt trips or sad stories, such as writing that the dog misses the camper. “Don’t give kids a reason to miss you more,” Thurber said.

Include items your child will enjoy, such as clippings or printouts from the newspaper or magazines. If sending a care package, avoid food (which many camps won’t accept) and send a book that can be donated to the camp’s library,

a board game or something cabinmates can do together.

If a camp offers an email service, skip it.

“Letter writing is a true awayfrom-home experience. Email is not as good as a handwritten letter where you can see their penmanship. Summer camp nurtures a child’s independence, but that doesn’t mean you’re severing the connection from home,” Thurber said.

BAYSTATEPARENT 21

22 MARCH2020

What is a

‘Baby-Friendly’ hospital and is it right for you?

BY DEBBIE LAPLACA

T

he Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched nearly 30 years ago with an eye toward motivating hospitals and birthing centers to become more supportive of breastfeeding.

Since then, more than 6.5 million babies have been born in BabyFriendly designated facilities in the U.S. The initiative isn’t new, but it is a growing trend. However, some are cautioning against it.

Lactation support was the goal when the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched Baby-Friendly in 1991.

Its key tenet says breastfeeding is the natural biological conclusion to pregnancy and an important mechanism in the natural development of the infant.

The initiative promotes the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which includes allowing mom and baby to bond by rooming together around the clock, breastfeeding encouragement, and the training of staff in skills that support breastfeeding.

While it sounds like a win for both mom and baby, Dr. Joel Bass of Newton-Wellesley Hospital says the program does not guarantee breastfeeding success.

Bass, a practicing pediatrician for more than 40 years, was the lead author of an October 2019 paper published in the Journal of Pediatrics that criticized aspects of the initiative, including the assertion that moms in states with many Baby-Friendly hospitals are more likely to start breastfeeding than those in places without.

His study, he said, used data from all 50 states and three territories to compare the success of the Baby-Friendly program on breastfeeding outcomes at 3,

6, and 12 months after hospital discharge.

“Our findings were consistent with other findings: the Baby-Friendly process is discouraging to both the parents and providers,” he said. “The program is complex with lots of requirements and there are a lot of criteria that would be really problematic for a lot of mothers.”

Newton-Wellesley Hospital sees more than 3,700 births per year.

“We’re tremendous breastfeeding advocates,” Bass said. “We are really committed to supporting breastfeeding even though we are not Baby-Friendly. Every one of our mothers sees a lactation specialist while in the hospital.”

The only Baby-Friendly designated birthing site in Central Massachusetts is Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, where more than 2,000 families welcomed babies last year.

The hospital’s Center for Women and Infants sought the BFHI designation in 2014 with a goal of offering the best care for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.

Dr. Michele Sinopoli, OB/GYN department chief at Saint Vincent, says some of the program criticisms stem from misinterpreting the initiative.

“Our approach is truly baby friendly,” she said. “Our faculty have really taken the true meaning of the initiative with the understanding that not one size fits all.”

Lisa Beaudry, director of the center for women and infants at Saint Vincent, agreed.

“A lot of people think Baby-Friendly means babies are pushed on their mom. We support mom’s decision. If that decision is formula feeding, then we support it. What’s unique about St. V’s is we staff a nursery so we can give care centered on mom’s needs,” she said.

In 2007, less than 3 percent of U.S. births occurred in approximately 60 Baby-Friendly designated facilities. By 2019, it rose to more than 28 percent of births in more than 600 facilities across the country, according to BFHI. Today, more than 20,000 maternity facilities in 150 countries

have earned the Baby-Friendly designation.

“Since its inception over two decades ago, we have seen maternity wards transform from places historically infused with enormous influence from formula companies and maternity care and infant feeding practices that undermined breastfeeding, to environments in which evidenced-based care is provided, education is free from commercial interests, and mothers are supported in reaching their infant feeding goals,” says the BFHI website.

The nonprofit Fed Is Best Foundation, comprising volunteer health professionals and parents, studies scientific literature on infant feeding and real-life infant feeding experiences to provide advice and resources for safe infant feeding with breast milk, formula, or a combination of both.

The organization cautions mothers about feeding complications in exclusively breastfed newborns who don’t receive enough breast milk. Those complications include excessive jaundice hypoglycemia, and dehydration, which can threaten a newborn’s brain.

“We have found that mothers often feel immense pressure by society and by current breastfeeding protocols to only breastfeed their newborns, even when they do not have enough milk to do so. Insufficient breast milk production affects at least 1 in 5 women in the first days of an infant’s life,” says Fed Is Best.

Saint Vincent received its BFHI designation in 2019 after a five-year journey that included educating and training the staff to assist in breastfeeding.

Mary Randolph, lactation consultant, said the baby’s pediatrician monitors feeding, daily weight, and stools to decide whether mom is successfully breastfeeding. If not, she said, staff give mom the option of donor milk or formula.

“It’s the pediatrician’s decision,” Randolph said.

Pam Dolan-Smith is the nurse manager for the mother/baby and nursery areas at Saint Vincent.

“Moms who delivered here before the initiative and again after appreciate the amount of care provided in the patient rooms,” she said The International Code of

Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981 to promote good infant nutrition through breastfeeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes when necessary.

The WHO and UNICEF administer the program internationally.

Baby-Friendly USA Inc. is the accrediting body and national authority for the initiative in the U.S. Both organizations agree that “breast is best” for nutrition in the first six months because it offers health benefits to both mom and baby.

“Before the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative began…commercial interests significantly influenced infant feeding practices in ways that undermined breastfeeding. Baby-Friendly facilities are centers of support in which evidenced-based care is provided, education is free from commercial interests, all infant feeding options are possible, and individual preferences are respected,” says BFHI. Bass said his greatest objection to the growing trend toward the BFHI is a U.S. Surgeon General recommendation that all hospitals should pursue the designation.

“My concern is in making it a government-recommended goal for the whole U.S.,” he said. “The government should be encouraging people to breast-feed but to make every hospital in America Baby-Friendly is a terrible mistake.”

Bass’ advice to expectant mothers is to do their homework before selecting a birthing facility because some Baby-Friendly practices, such as rooming together when mom needs rest, could be difficult for some.

“Stress is not compatible with breastfeeding,” he said. “My feeling is that mothers generally have a good sense of what they need to support their babies.”

Other Baby-Friendly hospitals in Massachusetts include Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Emerson Hospital in Concord, Cambridge Birth Center, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and Holyoke Medical Center.

Debbie LaPlaca is a veteran journalist, photographer, and joyful mom of two living in Central Massachusetts.

BAYSTATEPARENT 23

You’re probably used to seeing yummy gummies in the shape of a little bear, but you can use this recipe to make any shape you’d like. These green shamrocks are a perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day. Any silicone mold will work, and you’ll find a wide variety of shapes and sizes at any craft store.

Easy Homemade Gummies Ingredients 1 3-oz. package of Jello (any flavor/color) 1 tablespoon gelatin ½ cup water Silicone mold

Directions Pour ½ cup of water into a saucepan set on low heat.

Add 1 package of Jello, then add the 1 tablespoon of gelatin. Mix until dissolved, then remove from heat.

Using a dropper, add the mixture into the mold.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until solid.

Once the gummies are hard you should be able to easily pop them out of the mold. If you find them hard to take out, keep them in the fridge a bit longer to be sure they are fully solidified.

The gummies will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Bites

goose’s

goodies 24 MARCH2020

Laurie Silva Collins, known affectionately as Goose by her grandkids, is a nurse, mother and grandmother who is happiest when she’s in the kitchen, cooking and baking for those she loves. She learned to cook from her parents, and has perfected her recipes over the years while raising three daughters… and spoiling seven grandchildren.

Bites nutrition

New nutrition labels help you make better food choices H ave you looked at the nutrition label on your groceries lately? You might notice some changes.

In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced new rules for nutrition fact labels for packaged foods to help consumers make better informed choices.

Although some manufacturers began issuing new nutrition fact labels after the new rules were published, the mandate officially went into effect on Jan. 1 with manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual sales switching to the new labels.

Manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual sales have until Jan. 1, 2021 to comply. The FDA also exempted producers of certain sweetened products like honey and cranberries until July 1, 2021.

Here are some of the highlights of the new nutrition fact labels: Foods with multiple servings in a single package will now have a two-column label. The label will list the nutrition information in a single serving alongside the calories, fat, cholesterol, protein, sugar and sodium in the entire package.

Foods that have between one and two servings will carry a single label that treats the package as a single serving.

Serving sizes and calories will now appear in larger, bolder type, and most products will also show how much sugar has been added during processing.

BAYSTATEPARENT 25

cyber savvy mom

Giving girls the tools for an online world New Worcester-area group aims to help young women navigate social media, texting and cyber-bullying

BY JOAN GOODCHILD CYBER SAVVY MOM

M

ost of us parenting tweens and teens today know that spending time online is a passion for many kids in this age group. A recent report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps kids, parents and schools navigate media, finds U.S. teens spend an average of more than seven hours per day on screen media for entertainment, and tweens spend nearly five hours.

A lot of those hours are spent online – using social media and texting with friends. But research also finds time spent online and on social media may be impacting girls differently than boys.

A study published in the Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine journal looked at more than 11,000 14-year-olds in the UK, and revealed that girls who are depressed tend to use social media more than boys. The nearly 40 percent of girls who spent more than five hours a day on apps like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp showed

26 MARCH2020

signs of depression. That compared with just 14.5 percent of boys Mindful of this, and other impacts online media is having on young women, three of Worcester’s largest girl-focused organizations have developed a new program to help girls and their parents navigate the world of social media, texting and cyber-bullying. The program, called All About MEdia, is made possible by a $225,000

“It’s an intimidating world as a parent, and social media is only one area that can affect our girls - and it’s always changing. But the reality is, that’s how kids communicate these days.” ­— Melanie Bonsu

grant from the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation to the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Girls Inc. of Worcester, and YWCA of Central Massachusetts.

“We chose this age of girls to focus on because middle school is one of the toughest, but formative times for girls; coupled with the fact that we are living in a digital age and many girls are either already online or close to receiving their first phones or devices,” said Melanie Bonsu, a spokesperson for Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. “Research has also shown that there is a real need for this program. The Investing in Girls Alliance’s 2019 status update on middle school girls in greater Worcester shows that online use for non-school activities has steadily increased as well as cyberbullying, depressive feelings, and lack of sleep amongst middle school girls.”

All About MEdia is free and open to all girls in grades 5-8 in greater Worcester. For girls who don’t have a prior membership to one of the three organizations, membership will be covered by the grant.

Girls who take part will attend an eight-week series where they will explore online advertising, cyber-bullying, and creating healthy relationships. Bonsu says the program was borne out of a need for girl-specific programming in this space.

“All About MEdia was developed due to the lack of programming around social media in greater Worcester, specifically the lack of girl-only programming. This program will address staying safe online, healthy use of social media, risky behavior

online, and media reality while educating parents and guardians on why and how their girls are using social media and how to ensure their girl is staying safe online and what behaviors to watch for.”

Bonsu notes the message of the program is not about shaming or warning kids off of social media use, which is unrealistic in the digitally-fueled social life many teens are living today.

“The program does not use scare tactics to prevent social media use,” said Bonsu. “Social media is a major part of a girl’s life and is not going away. Instead we aim to have girls understand healthy relationships, build empathy, develop conflict resolution and coping skills, know that what they see on social media is a curated life of the poster, and practice safe, healthy behaviors that aren’t affecting their emotional well-being.”

Among some of the recommendations the group makes is for parents to get involved and develop a digital compact with their kids so everyone in the family has a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not.

“We felt really strongly in engaging parents and guardians in this program – from knowing what platforms their girls are on, and how to use them, why they’re always using them, to modeling healthy positive healthy behavior on their own accounts,” said Bonsu. “The social media compact is a way for parents and guardians to engage in a conversation with their girls about social media.

Together they work on setting rules that they both agree upon, like no phones at the dinner table. A compact can be changed

overtime, but it lays the groundwork for discussion and expectations of both parties.”

The kick-off meetings for several sessions took place in January. The program format is broken into several eight-week series during the school year, or one full week at camp during the summer, where the girls will work with a trained facilitator who will deliver two hours of programming each week – topics include reality vs. fantasy, boundaries, cyberbullying, safety, empathy, peer pressure, and repercussions – and all sessions include time for reflection.

The group has a website with resources for parents at www. allaboutmedia.org. Bonsu said it’s all about educating families to help girls make smart decisions about online media.

“It’s an intimidating world as a parent, and social media is only one area that can affect our girls -- and it’s always changing. The kids aren’t on the platforms we are so the mystery can oftentimes be scary. But the reality is, that’s how kids communicate these days. You’d be shocked at how many girls responded to our survey that they are well aware to not give personal information out online. We need to equip the girls with the tools to safely and positively exist online.”

Joan Goodchild, aka the Cyber Savvy Mom, is a writer and editor and mom of two living in Central Massachusetts. Have a topic you would like to see discussed? Reach her at cybersavvymom@yahoo.com.

Get more advice for staying smart, secure and civil online at cybersavvymom.com

How to get the most out of

college visits Tips for teens scoping out schools

M

BY CASEY NEAR, COLLEGEWISE

ost students approach college visits and planning in a fairly rinseand-repeat model: check in at the admissions office, go on a tour, sit in on the info session, leave with a handful of college swag. But what if, after all that, you don’t leave with much else?

Here’s the dilemma: some students get all they need out of a tour. Some of us were former campus tour guides, and we’d love to think we were the one-stop-shop for all college questions. But as counselors, we know that all students are different. And what they need out of a visit is equally different. So, how can we apply that logic to the college visit?

First, think long and hard about what you’re grappling with in your college search. Maybe you’re unsure about the size of some of the bigger schools, or you’re not sure if you’ll fit into the social scene of a rah-rah sports school. How can you make the most of your visit to answer those questions?

Here’s a list of some non-traditional ways to approach a visit— to truly fit the visit to you, not the other way around.

Ask to sit in on a class. Most admissions offices will have a list of classes open to visitors... see if there’s one that aligns with your interests. This is especially helpful if you’re wary (or unsure about) bigger classes, and it gives you a glimpse of what it’s really like to be a student there.

Eat a meal in the dining hall.

Other than testing out the quality of the food (and getting infinite waffles), this is a great one to do solo. As weird as it sounds, just observe people around you. Are they studying, goofing around, or heatedly discussing string theory? You can tell a lot about students on campus by the social scene at lunch time.

Go to the big game. If you’re around on a weekend, bring the family to a big event on campus: the football game, acapella concert, or political rally. It’ll give you a feel for what’s popular on campus. (Make sure to wear the right school colors to fit in!)

Think outside the box.

Whatever you do on campus, do make sure to check into the admissions office so they can note that you visited. But beyond that, start to think outside the box about how best to spend your time on your visit—be it in the football stands, in line for the waffle maker, or listening to a tried-and-true tour guide.

One of the ways to get the most out of your limited time on a college visit is to ask meaningful questions. The two most common on-campus experiences for prospective students (the college tour and the information session) can often be missed opportunities to get a real feel for what type of student thrives on that campus if a prospective student doesn’t know what questions to ask.

The questions below can help you learn what you could truly only learn in person, on a campus visit. And when we talk about “better questions,” we’re not talking about questions that will somehow magically get you into your dream school. No one got into MIT because they asked a great question on their tour.

These are just good ways to be a more astute college observer and get a better sense of fit. (Plus, the answers can help you to eventually narrow your list and write your supplemental essays).

What type of applicant do you get excited about? This is a great question for an information session and/or to an admissions counselor. It gets to the heart of the process—the human part of it all. What students catch their eye? Now, this isn’t meant to be asked to unlock some sort of

secret formula to get into the school of your dreams. Think of it as a litmus test. When they list those qualities, do they sound like you or the people you tend to like? If they don’t, perhaps it’s a sign that this college isn’t a fit.

And if they do, jot those qualities down. It’s a reminder of what you’re looking for.

What are the latest most popular or exciting events on campus? This question gives you a pulse of the campus as it is right now, and it’s a good one for tour guides and admissions officers alike. Maybe it’s a protest about a political issue, a big rival basketball game, or a dance marathon. Whatever it is, it’ll give you a sense of what people do for fun, what people care about, and

what gets attention. And if it’s a food-based event, remember that free food is pretty universally popular at colleges, so I’d ask for the next most popular event.

What qualities would you say your peers here have in common? If I’d been asked this question as a tour guide, I could have waxed poetic about my peers--social-justice-oriented, deep-thinking, creative, empathetic, and bold. (If it isn’t obvious, I went to a women’s college.) And my guess is the words that any tour guide would use to describe their peers may not appear on the website. But they’d capture the essence of the student body. All too often, we tend to assume that the tour guide is an example of all the people at a college. Sure,

they were selected to represent the school, but they don’t represent everyone. Get them to open up about the student body as a whole, not just themselves. What do they notice as a common denominator?

Taken together, these answers paint a picture of the type of student that the college looks for and the type of student that thrives there. And, with those answers, you can decide if you fit what they’re looking for. If you don’t, don’t try to reverse-engineer yourself to fit that mold. But if it sounds like you’d fit, you’ll walk away with a stronger, more specific vocabulary to describe what you want in your college applications and throughout the college admissions process.

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A Carnival of Animals. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m.

Join the Worcester Chamber Music Society during this annual family concert of storytelling, music, and dance.

Free. thehanovertheatre.org.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical.

The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Tuesday, March 3-Sunday, March 8, various times. Grab your golden ticket to this joyful music adaptation of Roald Dahl’s amazing tale following a young boy who enters Willy Wonka’s marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory. $39-79. Thehanovertheatre.org.

Worcester Irish Festival. St. Spyridon Greek Othodox Church, 102 Russell St., Worcester. Saturday, March 7, 12-9 p.m. A day of Irish food, dancing, food and drinks.

Live entertainment, corned beef and cabbage, kids crafts and more. Free. spyridoncathedral.org.

Day of Exploration. WGBH, 1 Guest St., Brighton.

Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Travel through the worlds of music, science, art, engineering and more at the WGBH Studios. Kids will enjoy interactive craft projects, learning about instruments and photos with PBS costume characters Arthur, Curious George, Clifford and Word Girl. For ages 8 and under. The first hour caters to guests with special needs. Free. wgbh.org.

Block Party. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. Friday, March 20, 6-8 p.m. Experience an awesome Block Party with music, dance, games, art, and more, all in a relaxed setting where visitors can meet, play, and enjoy family time together. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

ADVENTURES 1 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

The 8-Bit Big Band. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Enjoy this high-energy, immersive, multimedia big band concert celebrating the richness of music from globally popular video games from Zelda to Super Mario to Pokémon. $37-147. berklee.edu/events.

Peter and the Wolf. First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon St., Newton. 3 p.m. Newton’s New Philharmonia presents Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic fairy tale with a special reading by Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. The family concert will allow children to experience all the musicians and instruments that make it come to life. Adults $18, students $10. newphil.org.

Railers v. Reading. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 3:05 p.m. Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Reading Royals. $15-35. Dcucenter.com.

2 MONDAY MFA Playdates: Celebrate Spring. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m. Enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making to celebrate the coming of Spring.

Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7-17 $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

3 TUESDAY Take Aparts, Jr. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Grab some tools and discover resistors, capacitors, gears, and more as you uncover the inner workings of gadgets and gizmos. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Especially for Me: Sensory-Friendly Afternoons. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Come explore the accessible Discovery Museum and Woods during this afternoon with limited crowding and support access to exhibits. Register ahead.

Free. discoveryacton.org.

setts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Experience this rich tradition featuring folk music from around the world performed by Berklee students and special guests. Advance $10, day-of $15. berklee.edu/events.

4 WEDNESDAY ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Fill your morning with art and play through experiences in the current Museum exhibitions, featuring stories, nature, multi-sensory activities, and new friends. Recommended for ages 2-5. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org.

Backyard and Beyond: What’s the Weather Wednesday. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11-12 p.m. Celebrate whatever weather Mother Nature decides to give us in the Discovery Woods. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Chinese Tradition Music. Oliver Colvin Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. 7 p.m. Enjoy this performance combining Chinese and Western music performed solo, dup, and in small ensembles. Free. berklee.edu/events.

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11-11:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2-6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Family Yoga. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:15 a.m. Enjoy a fun, energizing yoga sessions specifically designed for young children and grown-ups together. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

First Friday Nights Free. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 4:30-8 p.m. The free evening features a special performance of ‘Into the Woods’ by Open Door Theater at 6 p.m.

Non-perishable food donations for local pantries will be collected. Free. discoveryacton.org.

um’s observatory or, if overcast, a planetarium show. $3. springfieldmuseums.org.

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properties. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Fruitlands Bird Walks. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7-10 a.m.

Enjoy a morning at the Fruitlands and look to see early migrants and local avian residents including red-tailed hawks, woodpeckers, the black-capped chickadee, and song sparrows.

Free. fruitlands.org.

Zumba Kids. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 & 11:30 a.m.

Kids and adults join in a short family friendly Zumba class featuring exercise through cumbia, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and tango dance styles. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Frozen II. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff on another adventure learning what lies beyond the land of Arendelle. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

First Fridays Artswalk. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 5-8 p.m. Join Berkshire County’s talented young artists with their families and teachers to celebrate Youth Art Month at the Berkshire Museum. Free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate beloved children’s author and Springfield native Dr. Seuss on his 116th birthday with character meet-andgreets, magic, crafting, and more. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3-17 $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Stars Over Springfield. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Join members of the Springfield Stars Club for skygazing in the Science Muse-

Everyday Engineering: Air Play. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Build creations that float and fly in a tunnel of swirling air. Explore materials with different

We Shape History. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 2:30-4 p.m. Travel from farm life to mid-century and explore the extraordinary stories of the many women featured in ‘She Shapes History.’ Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Full Moon Owl Prowl. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Set off on a winter trek to see who-whowho might be out and about in the dark winter woods. Register ahead. Members $9, nonmembers $15, children free.fruitlands.org.

Lil’ SMART Gals: Mary Anning. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Learn about Mary Anning’s childhood passion for collecting fossils as we dig for our own. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

SMART Gals: Mary Anning. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m.

Celebrate Women’s History Month and uncover your inner paleontologists with this celebration of Mary Anning. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

6 FRIDAY Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30-10 a.m. Move, make music, listen and get a multi-sensory workout with this special session led by a Kindermusik educator. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

6-7:30 p.m. Celebrate Bay State-native Dr. Seuss with stories, craft, a sing-a-long, and goodie bags. Recommended for ages 7 and under.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Book Corner with Mary Westgate. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. A fun, music-filled story-time, featuring a selection of readings from braille picture books. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

34th International Folk Music Festival.

Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachu-

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

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Railers v. Reading. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7:05 p.m. Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Reading Royals. $15-35. dcucenter.com.

8 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Winter Tracking with ‘PrimiTim.’ Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join primitive skills expert, Tim Swanson to learn and practice the ancient skills of tracking through the adjoining Discovery Woods. Register ahead. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

The Wizard of Oz. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy one of the best-loved movies of all time, following the heartwarming story of a young girl transported from Kansas to the magical land of Oz and must go on a quest with newfound friends to find her way home. Adults $10, children $8. coolidge.org.

Marko Djordjevic Interactive Concert. Berk Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. 1 p.m.

Innovator drummer Marko Djordjevic performs original music and engage in a discussion about art, music, and our place in the world. Free. berklee.edu/events.

10 TUESDAY

Spring in My Backyard. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3-4 p.m. Celebrate Spring by planting seedlings, making a pinecone bird feeder, learning about earthworm composting, and meeting animal friends. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Make a Mess: Paint Press. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Use everyday art supplies and explore the process of printmaking. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

7:30 p.m. Celebrate the anniversary of ‘Abbey Road,’ during this note-for-note theatrical event recapturing the magic of The Beatles. $44-74. thehanovertheatre.org.

11 WEDNESDAY WeeMuse Parent/Child STEM Session.

Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield.

10:30-11:15 a.m. Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun activities designed for appropriate ages. For ages 2-5, siblings, and caregivers. Register ahead. Free. berkshiremuseum.org.

12 THURSDAY Lil’ SMART Gals: Rosalind Franklin. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Play with a DNA-inspired scavenger hunt to find all the ways you look the same or different from your grownup and then create a face of your own design as we celebrate scientist Rosalind Franklin.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

SMART Gals: Rosalind Franklin. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Celebrate Rosalind Franklin’s groundbreaking work on DNA and make strawberry DNA necklaces and other DNA-inspired creations. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn.

The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7:30 p.m. Join WGBH in this concert bringing the best talent from the Emerald Isle to stage as we celebrate the season through song and sound. $25-45. thehanovertheatre.org.

Berklee Greek Ensemble. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8 p.m. Traditional Greek music from the mainland to the islands, and from Asia Minor to Cyprus combine are performed with accompanying dancers. Advance $10, day-of $15. berklee.edu/events.

13 FRIDAY Open Book, Open Play. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 10:3011:30 a.m. Enjoy an interactive story-time followed by time to move, play, and explore art materials. Designed for ages 2-5. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Family Yoga. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:15 a.m. Enjoy a fun, energizing yoga sessions specifically designed for young children and grown-ups together. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Take Aparts. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Grab a screwdriver and uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics from resistors to capacitors to circuit boards. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Meet Yuyi Morales. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 4:30 p.m. Join Caldecott Award winning author and illustrator Yuyi Morales during this special afternoon session. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Festival of Hina. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Make your won giant origami Hina-ningyo to celebrate the Japanese March Festival of Hina. Free with admission. $1. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Railers v. Maine Mariners. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7:05 p.m. Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Maine Mariners. $15+. dcucenter.com.

Giselle: Ballet. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 8 p.m. The Russian National Ballet brings this romantic tale featuring intrigue, heartbreak, and ghosts to the Hanover for all to enjoy. $2959. thehanovertheatre.org.

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children $11. coolidge.org.

Sensory Friendly Saturday. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 9-11 a.m. Enjoy the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss and Springfield Science Museums as they open early with modified exhibits and provide sensory friendly crafts for guests of all abilities. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3-17 $13, ages under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org.

Special Storytime: Space Mice. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Join illustrator Priscilla Alpaugh and author Lori Haskins Hourin as they read from their new picture book, Space Mice!, following two hungry mice on a mission to take a bite out of that big ball of Swiss cheese in the sky.

Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Pi Day. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Help decorate numbers and string them up while exploring the many digits of the Pi sequence. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Pi Day Celebration. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A celebration of 3.14 with fun math activities and crafts, create a Pi paper chain, make Pi jewelry, and of course eat pie. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Wayne Potash and The Music Fun Band. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy dancing, sing-a-longs, and action tunes during this fun and interactive show for families with young children and the young at heart. Adults $14,

Wingmasters: Birds of Prey Live.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 2-3 p.m. Come experience and learn all about New England birds of prey right in front of your own eyes during this special afternoon presentation by Wingmasters. Register ahead. Member adults $9, children $6; nonmember adults $15, children $10. fruitlands.org.

15 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

St. Patricks’ Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore culture, identity, and stories of imagination through arts, crafts, and live performances. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

ARTfull Explorations. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

1-3 p.m. Investigate new ideas and unique materials inspired by the themes and artists on view. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org.

Asobouyo! Explore the Songs and Toys of Japan. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-10:45 a.m. & 2-2:45 p.m. Join student teachers from Showa University in Tokyo to explore classic Japanese children’s songs and toys. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Little Women Tea Party. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 2-4 p.m.

Step into the story of Little Women with an afternoon tea party featuring 19th century activities and special tea service. Register ahead.

Member adult/child pair $24, nonmember adult/child pair $30. fruitlands.org.

Folk Open Mic. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 8:00 p.m. Enjoy as the area’s most vibrant folk and acoustic community around during this welcoming community event featuring musicians and spoken word performers. Members free, public $5. natickarts.org.

Railers v. Admirals. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 3:05 p.m. Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Norfolk Admirals. $15+. dcucenter.com.

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16 MONDAY

Railers v. Maine Mariners. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7:05 p.m. Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Maine Mariners. $15+. dcucenter.com.

National Geographic Live. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7:30 p.m. Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim introduces listeners to the largest predatory dinosaurs yet discover (even bigger than the T Rex) and the incredible story of this prehistoric giant was almost lost to science. $35+. thehanovertheatre.org.

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SMART Gals: Katherine Johnson. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Celebrate NASA physicist and mathematician Katherine Johnson and build your own landing pods worthy of a moon landing. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

LittleBeats Dance. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10-10:30 a.m. Join friends from LittleBeats for creative dance designed to stimulate our busy brains and bodies.

For ages up to 4. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Doggy Days: Abby Gest a Check-Up. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Find Therapy Dog Abby’s heartbeat, look in her ears, and more. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

20 FRIDAY Won’t You Be My Neighbor. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Mr. Roger’s birthday with puppetry and other activities inspired by everyone’s favorite neighbor. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

11-11:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2-6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Family Yoga. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:15 a.m. Enjoy a fun, energizing yoga sessions specifically designed for young children and grown-ups together. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Backyard and Beyond: International Day of Forests. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m. Celebrate all the important things that healthy trees provide us and enjoy a short forest adventure. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

21 SATURDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from

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tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Mr. Roger’s birthday with puppetry and other activities inspired by everyone’s favorite neighbor. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

MFA Playdates: Celebrate Spring. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15-11 a.m. Enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making celebrating the coming of Spring.

Recommended for ages 4 and under. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7-17 $10, ages under 7 free. mfa.org.

Saturday Morning Cartoons. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 10:15-11 a.m. Enjoy classic Warner Brothers cartoons with the family during this Looney Tunes laughfilled morning. Members free; nonmembers $3, ages under 3 free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. When kids accidentally get shrunk down they must face incredible journey through their front yard-turned-jungle, during this family favorite film. Adults $10, children $8. coolidge.org.

Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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Enjoy cooperative games, age-appropriate poses, partner poses between parent and child, breathing exercises, simple mindfulness activities, and relaxation. For ages 3-12 with caregivers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Happier Family Comedy Show. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 3-4 p.m. Enjoy this show about letting creativity flourish, during this family-oriented improv show based on audience suggestions and featuring audience participation. Recommended for ages 5-12. Member adults $9, youths $4.50; nonmember adults $10, youths $5. carlemuseum.org.

ImagArena: The Ultimate Imagination Experience. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Combine the spirit of an art program, the materials of a building workshop, and the framework of a video game in this energetic challenge activity. For ages 6+. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Especially for Me: Autism-Friendly Evening. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 5-8 p.m. Explore the accessible Discovery Museum and Woods during this evening event for families with members on the autism spectrum, with a music therapist on site at 5:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m., and dinner provided.

Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

Railers v. Adirondack Thunder. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 7:05 p.m.

Join the Worcester Railers hockey team as they take on the Adirondack Thunder. $15+. dcucenter.com.

22 SUNDAY Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.4:00 p.m. See the entire sugar-making process from tree tapping to sugaring off, during this special day celebrating maple syrup. Adults $28, youths 4-17 $14, ages under 4 free. osv.org.

Swan Lake. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10 a.m. Enjoy this live broadcast of Tchaikovsky’s essential masterpiece following the legendary love story between a prince and a magnetic swan-woman. $25. coolidge.org.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Mr. Roger’s birthday with puppetry and other activities inspired by everyone’s favorite neighbor. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Tinkering with Toys: Build-A-Truck.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Race, vroom, and whiz on toy tracks of your own design as we build and test out roads and raceways using recycled and repurposed materials. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 12-4 p.m. Celebrate the Caterpillar’s special day at The Carle with special art studio projects, a museum-wide scavenger hunt, story-times, films, and a dance party with the Very

Hungry Caterpillar. Free with admission.

Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Harlem Globetrotters. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. 2 p.m. Get electrified as the world famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their hilarious stuns, magical ball-handling, soaring slam dunks, trick shots, and wild and interactive family fun to Worcester. $33+. dcucenter.com.

Handel and Haydn Society Singers.

Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 2:30 & 3:30 p.m. Join a special choral performance by this ensemble of 35 children singing in a variety of musical styles. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Gala Flamenca. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 3 p.m. Enjoy the beauty, power, and passion of flamenco during this concert featuring dancers, singers, and musicians performing together on-stage. $40-79. berklee.edu/events.

24 TUESDAY Make a Mess: Paper Mache Pots. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-12 p.m. Drop in and get your hands dirty as we use flour and water paste to dip, drip, and design a 3D vessel.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

25 WEDNESDAY Backyard and Beyond: Eat Like a Bird.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

10-11 a.m. Use tweezers, pliers, and more as we practice eating like a bird, before creating some tasty and nutritious snacks to keep our feathered friends full through the winter. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

WeeMuse Parent/Child STEM Session.

Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield.

10:30-11:15 a.m. Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun activities designed for appropriate ages. For ages 2-5, siblings, and caregivers. Register ahead. Free. berkshiremuseum.org.

ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30--11:30 a.m. Fill your morning with art and play through experiences in the current Museum exhibitions, featuring stories, nature, multi-sensory activities, and new friends. Recommended for ages 2-5. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, ages 12 and under free. deCordova.org.

Woodwind Concert. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St., Boston. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy performances by faculty and students from the Woodwind Department at Berklee. Free. berklee. edu/events.

Ron Reid: Rituals of Drum, Song, and Spirit. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 8:00 p.m. Enjoy this concert exploring Caribbean folk, kaiso rhythms, and jazz explorations by bassist, composer, and arranger Ron Reid. Advance $10, day-of $15. berklee.edu/events.

26 THURSDAY Lil’ SMART Gals: Beatrix Potter. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m.

Become inspired by Beatrix Potter’s work as a self-taught botanist and author and dissect flowers and plants, and use special tools to make our own observations. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

SMART Gals: Anna Atkins. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m. Make sun prints and explore different materials from nature as we celebrate the work of botanist Anna Atkins during Women’s History Month. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

27 FRIDAY Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1111:45 a.m. Enjoy a nature-based activity based on the weather and season either in the Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2-6. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Word Play with Center Dance Studio. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Join The Center Dance Studio for creative movement and narrative dance inspired by picture books. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Register ahead. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, ages under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Family Yoga. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:15 a.m. Enjoy a fun, energizing yoga sessions specifically designed for young children and grown-ups together. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Make a Mess: Foamy Fun. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2-4:30 p.m. Experiment with shaving cream and paint to create unique, marbleized masterpieces. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

KidsJam. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:30-8 p.m. Monthly family dance party, featuring dance lessons, games, and a live DJ. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

28 SATURDAY Play Date: Shape Makers. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy fun, creative, and even zany activities for kids and adults to do together. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Free. icaboston.org.

Healthy Kids Festival. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit the teddy bear clinic, experience medical tools in non-threatening ways, play and learn about healthy habits, and partake in this Be Well Series festival. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $18, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Princess and the Frog. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. Enjoy this Disney film following hardworking Tiana through New Orleans as she transforms into a frog alongside Prince Naveen. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

We Shape History. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield. 2:30-4 p.m. Travel from farm life to mid-century and explore the extraordinary stories of the many women featured in ‘She Shapes History’. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $13, youths free. berkshiremuseum.org.

Dino Dig. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3-4 p.m. Join Catch the Science Bug during this activity where students can compare human bones to dinosaur bones, sorting bones, sequencing the size of bones, and digging for bones. For ages 4-8. Register ahead.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

29 SUNDAY Celtic Woman Celebration. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 3 p.m. Celebrate 15 phenomenal years of Celtic Woman during this concert bringing together your favorite songs from the journey so far. $45-156. thehanovertheatre.org.

30 MONDAY Especially for Me: Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing & KODA Children. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Come for a special morning at the museum with early intervention groups, ASL interpreters, and space to explore, play, and experiment. Register ahead. Free. discoveryacton.org.

Mini Maker Day. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10-11 a.m. Decorate a top hat using art supplies, stamp a spring masterpiece, and paint with Dot Painters. For ages 3-7. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Berklee Loves Disney. Oliver Colvin Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St., Boston. 4 p.m. Enjoy this Disney-themed recital from film scoring major Kyulee Choi. Free. berklee.edu/events.

31 TUESDAY Matt Heaton Family Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

10-10:45 a.m. Enjoy as Matt Heaton the Toddlerbilly Troubadour as he brings an infectious energy to his sing-along on banjo and guitar.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Lil’ SMART Gals: Marie Tharp. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10-11 a.m. Celebrate geologist and oceanographic cartographer Marie Tharp with investigations of map and the ocean floor. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $15.50, ages under 1 free. discoveryacton.org.

Folk Open Mic. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 8 p.m. Enjoy as the area’s most vibrant folk and acoustic community around during this welcoming community event featuring musicians and spoken word performers. Members free, public $5. natickarts.org.

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34 MARCH2020

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on the

agenda

the list

15 Sweet events for

Maple Month

Warm days and cool nights mean the sap is running! March marks Maple Month in the Bay State, and there is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy it. From pancake breakfasts to sap-to-syrup demonstrations, there is plenty of sweet fun to savor.

1. Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge

1.

Saturdays and Sundays, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 21 and 22 On weekends in March, the Village’s working sugar camp demonstrates maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England. You’ll see the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to “sugaring off.” Watch costumed historians cook period foods with maple products by the hearth in the village’s farmhouse, and see the potter and cooper make various maple related items. The Maple Days experience is included with the cost of admission. osv.org

2. Sugaring Off Tours - Topsfield Saturdays & Sundays, March 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 Learn how to identify a sugar maple tree, check out tapping and sap collection methods, watch as sap boils in the sugarhouse and taste the final result on a guided tour through the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Following your tour, you can warm up with hot beverages and goodies by the woodstove in the barn, then shop for maple products in the giftshop. Make sure you and the kiddos dress appropriately for this outdoor trek. Registration is required. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for children, or $11 and $9 for Mass Audubon members; kids under 3 are free. massaudubon.org

3. Sugar-on-Snow - Sharon

5.

Wednesday, March 4 This iconic maple sugaring tradition at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary involves sweet, hot syrup, ice cold snow, pickles and donuts. Sound odd? Keep an open mind! Maple syrup is cooled over snow (or ice) as a sweet dessert, then countered by a bite of pickle and a plain donut. You’ll also learn a little about the process of sugaring. Cost is $15, or $10 for Mass Audubon members, and registration is required. massaudubon.org

4. Maple Sugaring - Mattapan Saturday, March 7 Try your hand at tapping a maple tree at the Boston Nature Center. Collect the sap, and give it a taste, then see how it’s boiled down. You will learn about the different techniques and equipment used across New England and why Sugar Maples are so unique. Enjoy a tasty maple treat, as well! Registration is required. Cost is $9, or $6 for Mass Audubon members. massaudubon.org

5. Sugar Shack Saturday - Ipswich Saturday, March 7 Meet at the Carriage Barn at the historic Appleton Farm to learn all about the maple sugaring process, then take a short walk to the maple tree row to see how trees are tapped. Next, you’ll head to the sugar shack to see maple sugaring in action -- and get a taste of the sap and the syrup! Registration is required.

Cost is $40 per family, or $32 for Trustees members. thetrustees.org

11.

6. Maple Sugar Days - Uxbridge Saturday & Sundays, March 7-8 This sweet tradition at the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park’s River Bend Farm is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn about the art and science of tapping maple trees, gathering sap and producing syrup on a guided indoor-outdoor tour. Tours are about 90 minutes long. A free storytelling program for all ages will be part of the Saturday event. Free. blackstoneheritagecorridor.org

7. Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast - Lincoln Saturday & Sunday, March 7-8 Pancakes with maple syrup, potatoes and the farm’s own fresh sausage is served up in this annual breakfast feast at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. After breakfast, explore the farm and learn about traditional Native American sap-to-syrup techniques. Watch as sap is collected and boiled down into syrup at the sugar house. Samples available, of course! Cost is $17, $15 for Mass Audubon members; kids under 2 free. Advance tickets are recommended for this sell-out event. massaudubon.org 36 MARCH2020

13.

8. Maple Sugaring Celebration - Belmont Saturday & Sunday, March 7-8 Bring the whole family to the Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and learn how maple syrup is made from local trees. You’ll hear stories, learn to identify sugar maples, and taste sap right from the tree before seeing it boiled down for a yummy treat. Walks are just under two hours and led by a Habitat Naturalist. Cost is $20, or $15 for Mass Audubon members. massaudubon.org

on the

agenda

check this out

9. Maple Day - Norwell Sunday, March 8 Explore maple history, culture, and production at this daylong event at the South Shore Natural Science Center. Be part of the process from start to finish by helping tap the trees for sap and then watching how it is boiled into syrup. The day will include scheduled woodland walks for tree tapping, sweet treats, fun crafts, and lots of hands-on activities.Cost is $8, or $5 for museum members. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org

10. Sugar Shack Open House - Ipswich Saturday, March 14 Appleton Farms hosts this morning of maple goodness. Tour the sugar shack and see sap turned to syrup, warm up by a bonfire, visit the barnyard and enjoy their own maple syrup on a stack of fresh pancakes. This is an outdoor event, so dress accordingly. Registration required. Cost is $10 per family, or $5 for Trustees members. thetrustees.org

11. Maple Sugaring Weekends - Sharon Saturdays & Sundays, March 14, 15, 20 and 21 Experience the sugaring process from tree to table at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, and learn how sugaring has evolved from Native American to colonial times to modern-day methods. In this 90-minute outdoor tour, you’ll meet people portraying characters from the past as they go about their daily tasks, including sugaring, and end your tour at the operational sugarhouse to enjoy a taste of the final product. Registration required. Cost is $10 per person. massaudubon.org

12. Maple Harvest Day - Springfield Sunday, March 15 Storrowton Village Museum’s annual maple event highlights the history and tradition of maple sugaring in New England. Take a docent-led tour of the historic Gilbert Farmhouse, which turns into a sugarhouse for the day.

Visitors can watch 19th century open hearth cooking demonstrations of maple recipes. Gifts and goodies will be for sale at a maple-themed pop-up shop. Make a morning of it by joining the West Springfield Lions Club for their pancake breakfast. Breakfast is $5 per person, museum spaces free.

13. Sugaring Off & Pancake Breakfast - Weston Saturday, March 28 Non-profit Land’s Sake Farm hosts this annual spring festival at the Sugar House at Weston Middle School. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with sausage and fresh maple syrup that’s boiled and bottled by students in the after-school maple education program. Take a tour of the sugarhouse to see the process first-hand, and grab a bottle of syrup to take home. landssake.org

14. Spring Flapjack Fling - Topsfield Saturday, March 21 Enjoy a morning at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary and hearty breakfast of flapjacks drizzled with maple syrup right from their own trees. After feasting, join an hour-long sugaring tour to see the transformation from sap to syrup. A limited number of spaces are available for the sugaring tour only. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children. Registration is required. massaudubon.org org

15. Maple Sugar Days - Canton Saturday & Sunday, March 28-29 Join a more than 20-year-old tradition of making maple syrup at Brookwood Farm in the Blue Hills Reservation. This outdoor event features a self-guided tour down “Maple Lane” where you can handle sugaring tools and help tap trees, then watch bubbling sap be cooked into syrup in the sugarhouse. Kids games, a bonfire, skilled artisans, and food trucks are part of the event, plus free admission to the Trailside Museum. Registration required. Adults $10, kids $5, children under 2 free. massaudubon.org

Karin Hansen photos

Reimagined PlaySpace offers new adventures for museum’s littlest visitors Boston Children’s Museum opens playful new exhibit

A

growing body of research, including that from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, shows that birth to 3 is a unique period that establishes a foundation for all future development and learning.

At the Boston Children’s Museum, a playful new permanent exhibit reflects the need for these very young children to explore.

The reimagined and redesigned PlaySpace, which opened in February, is a collection of experiences for infants and toddlers to develop and practice their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills. There, the museum’s youngest visitors can explore in their own way and at their own pace, secluded from the energy and excitement of older children. They can take age-appropriate risks, engage in rich pretend play, experiment with sensory materials, and climb, slide, jump, and crawl, all in a safe space built just for them.

“PlaySpace is more than what one would think of as an exhibit. It is an ongoing experiment in play and learning that is responding to an increasingly complex and challenging world, where the proliferation of media and the lack of unstructured playtime are increasingly the norm,” said Carole Charnow, President and CEO of the

Museum.

The new exhibit is a revisioning of the museum’s original PlaySpace that opened in 1978, the first of its kind to be created exclusively for very young children. It’s seen four major renovations since then, with this most recent informed by current research in childhood development and early learning.

A wobbly bridge, noodle obstacle course and toddler-height hill encourage physical gross motor play, while pretend play activities like a playhouse and forest prompt play to move beyond everyday experiences to imagined scenarios.

Toddlers will also enjoy the train table, tot lab, and an area for early STEAM explorations.

There’s also a gated shoes-off area for infants and their caregivers called the BabySpace.

The PlaySpace encourages adults to relax, slow down, observe their children at play, and to discover and celebrate the new skills their children are developing.

BAYSTATEPARENT 37

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38 MARCH2020

take eight

with Zeus McClurkin

BY AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

He was cut from every basketball team he tried out for from seventh through tenth grade, but Julian “Zeus” McClurkin never gave up on his dream. Now, he’s one of the most decorated athletes on the Harlem Globetrotters’ roster.

McClurkin holds three Guinness World Records titles — most basketball slam dunks in one minute (16), most bounced three-pointers in one minute (5), and the most behind-the-back three-pointers (3). We caught up with the fun-loving baller before the Globetrotters’ next stop in the Bay State at the DCU Center in Worcester on March 22.

1.

2.

Where did the nickname Zeus come from?

With the Harlem Globetrotters, you have to earn your nickname. I got my nickname from my thunderous dunks so they gave me Zeus for the God of Thunder. Also, “Mr. Incredible” wouldn’t fit on the back of my jersey!

You didn’t “make the team” until your junior year of high school.

What motivated you to keep trying?

People telling me that I wouldn’t make it.

I used them as my motivation to go to the next level. I also grew five inches in the tenth grade so that helped out a lot. But ultimately it was staying true to who I am.

Someone who enjoys playing basketball because it’s fun.

3.

How did you get involved with the Globetrotters?

I actually used to play against the Harlem Globetrotters for the Washington Generals.

The Globetrotters got tired of me dunking on them so they signed me onto their team.

I didn’t try out like other players.

4.

What’s your signature trick?

I spin the ball on my fingers and make praying hands.

5.

What’s special about the new “Pushing the Limits” World Tour?

First, we have brand new rookies who are world freestyle champions in their own countries and they can do some amazing tricks. Second, we’re doing the Magic Circle in the beginning of the game with

a glow-in-the-dark ball and lastly, we’re going to be attempting a World Record at every game. We’re doing the furthest half-court trick shot ever attempted in a live event.

6.

Do you have a routine or ritual before a game?

I say a quick prayer and do my best to try and listen to some positive music. And always stretch, stretch, stretch.

7.

Is there anywhere you haven’t traveled to that you’re dying to visit on tour?

Australia and Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to go to Australia and Hawaii would be the last state I have not visited in the United States.

8.

What’s your best advice for young athletes?

Be coachable. Be the type of player the coach can depend on when he’s planning his philosophy and be able to carry it out on the court. I played against a lot of guys who were probably better basketball players than me, but because I listened and I was coachable, the coach would put me out ahead of them. And don’t just be coachable in sports. Be coachable in life. Listen to your parents, your teachers and other adults.

Anyone who has some type of advice to give you. It’s free for you to listen so you might as well hear them out because it can benefit you in the end.

Photo courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions BAYSTATEPARENT 39

40 MARCH2020