0514bspwest

MAY 2014

baystateparent FREE

Massachusetts’ Premier

Magazine For Families Since 1996

WESTERN MA EDITION

HAIR BOWS AND BOW TIES ADD ZING TO SPRING! BABY NEWS IN A DIGITAL WORLD

TEEN FRAMES DOWN SYNDROME IN A NEW WAY A GIRLFRIENDS’ GUIDE TO SEX AFTER PREGNANCY BEFORE YOU GIVE YOUR CHILD A PHONE, HAVE THE SEXT TALK

our annual CELEBRATIONS! ISSUE

2 MAY2014 3

are you ready for summer? summer fun The Arbors Camp offers children ages 5–12 a diverse camp experience including the opportunity to try new activities, be creative, learn skills and have fun. Staffed by the area’s best camp counselors dedicated to creating a great camp experience for each camper. We also offer a Counselor In Training program for teens ages13–15.

traditional camp

Our traditional summer camp offers FUN activities that keep campers engaged in a variety of activities: • Swimming • Waterslide • Sports • Arts and Crafts • Camp Songs • Specialty Days • Cooperative Games • Team Building • Scheduled Entertainment • Field Trips

register today!

Registration information, forms and rules can be found online:

arborscamp.com

The Arbors Camp at Chicopee 999 Memorial Drive Chicopee, MA 01020 (413) 593-6311

The Arbors Camp at East Longmeadow 126 Industrial Drive East Longmeadow, MA 01028 (413) 224-1770

arborscamp.com

we are! summer camp is enrolling now BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 2 3

BIG Y WORLD CLASS MARKET 速

速

THANKS

YOU FOR MAKING EDUCATION EXPRESS SO SUCCESSFUL! 速

With your support, Big Y was able to give nearly $800,000 in FREE educational materials to more than 2,000 of our local schools. Because of your help, our schools received almost 14 million dollars of muchneeded supplies and equipment over the years through the Education Express program.

Here is just a few of the items our schools received:

27,128 .................. Pencils 2,236 .... Playground Balls 579 ... Musical Instruments 97 .......... Digital Cameras 222 .............. Flash Drives 59........................Tablets 412 ......... Safety Goggles 975 ....................... Books

Thank you for your support and participation in the Big Y Education Express Program!

4 MAY2014 5 45439_3_BY_Newspaper_Ads_FNL.indd 1

4/7/14 4:14 PM

FAMILY EVENTS AT THE FINE ARTS CENTER 2014-15

We’ve just wrapped up our spectacular 2013-14 season of fun family-friendly events.

Here’s a sneak peek of next season’s events for the whole family.

NATIONAL ACROBATS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

SHAOLIN WARRIORS

Thursday, November 6, 7:30 pm

Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.

MUMMENSCHANZ

TAIYUAN PUPPET THEATRE FROM TAIWAN

The National Acrobats are poised to balance, swing, and soar through the Fine Arts Center for an unforgettable performance, set to a combination of traditional and modern music.

Adults $40, $35, $15; Youth 17 & under $10

Sunday, December 7, 4 p.m.

In the wordless universe of Mummenschanz, the ordinary becomes extraordinary when everyday objects and colorful abstract shapes like the famous “Clay Masks,” “Slinky Man” and “Giant Hands” spring to life.

Adults $40, $30, $15; Youth 17 & under $10 JUST FOR FUN! Join us for a Family Fest celebration in the lobby at 3 p.m.

China’s Shaolin Warriors perform with the precision of Olympic gymnasts and the grace of ballet dancers, showcasing the time-honored rituals of Kung Fu in a dazzling theatrical display for the whole family.

Adults $40, $35, $15; Youth 17 & under $15, $12, $10

Sunday, March 1, 2 p.m.

‘A Sea of Puppets’ is a traditional Taiwanese glove puppet show, performed by a five-member ensemble from the Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company.

Accompanied by traditional music, the show uses no dialogue and is suitable for all ages.

Adults $15; Youth 17 & under $10

Thanks to our FAC Season Sponsors:

For more information, visit www.fineartscenter.com/1415preview, or call to request a brochure at (413) 545-2511.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 4 5

table of contents MAY

VOLUME 1

1.

2.

5

2014

NUMBER 3

things we learned

while making the may issue

7

24

There is sex after pregnancy. The Holding Pattern: A Girlfriends’ Guide to Sex After Pregnancy, page 36.

4.

It’s time for the sext talk. Just Don’t Hit Send, page 38.

5.

Before you bring home a new boyfriend, think on this. Daring to Date: Challenges for Newly Single Parents, page 40.

Notice the little things today because you will miss them tomorrow. Things I Miss, page 44.

Our Annual Celebrations! Issue

17

BOWS & BOWS: local designers add zing to spring

13 15

HEALTH FIXES FOR FAMILY MEALS

18

EVERYONE “LIKES” A BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: baby news in real time

DISHIN’ WITH THE DIETITIAN: vegetarian diets for growing bodies

19

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: 3 moms share tips and tales

16

BITES: adorable baby rattle cookie recipe, local kielbasa festival, and more

22

6 MAY2014 7

7 8 10 23

A Shrewsbury teen photographer gives focus to Down Syndrome.

A Future for Tucker, page 26.

3.

in every issue

IN LIEU OF GIFTS: the rise in charity giving

25 25 28 34 42

WELCOME: a letter from our editor OUR SPECIAL GUEST: meet cover models Waylon and Easton Charles MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS BSP ONLINE TAKE 8: meet Executive Director of Children’s Museum at Holyoke FINALLY FOREVER: 6 things to do while waiting for your adoption CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: area adoption events MAY’S CHILD: meet Isabella OUT & ABOUT: May calendar of family events LET’S GO: Knights! opens at the Worcester Art Museum OUR MAY FAVORITES: facts, finds, and freebies

advertising directories

49

DANCE, GYM & ENRICHMENT HEALTHY KIDS & FAMILIES PARTY PEOPLE PRESCHOOL & CHILD CARE

50

ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY

voted

e st BPARENTING PUBLICATION

in North America

Local Media Association

welcome to

baystateparent

meet team

baystateparent publisher KIRK DAVIS

creative

Welcome to our annual Celebrations! issue of baystateparent. This is the edition that features stories on birthday parties (In Lieu of Gifts, page 22), high school graduations (Caps Off to the Class of 2014, page 19), new babies (Everyone “Likes” a Birth Announcement, page 18) and party fashions (Bows and Bows, page 17). It rejoices in warmer weather, friends, family, and motherhood.

But as I sit to write about the joyful stories in this magazine, there is one article that makes my heart overflow in celebration. In A Future for Tucker, page 26, you will meet my new friend, Tucker Collins.

He is a 16-year-old Shrewsbury photographer who is redefining how many see Down syndrome.

His enthusiasm for life is itself a celebration.

Tucker asked to use his mother’s camera when he was just 10-yearsold. At the time, his mother thought that it was a fun diversion for him.

But when she saw the artistry of the resulting photographs, she discovered one of Tucker’s many talents. From that day forward, Tucker has been photographing people, places, animals and an array of items that you may not have previously considered artistic — deli meat, license plates and motorcycle parts, for example.

His work is catching the attention of friends and family, and he is selling it at art shows. It hangs at the State House and is on display this month at the College of the Holy Cross. Last year, he launched tuckercollinsphotography.com.

In short, he isn’t just reaching for stars, he is catching them.

I spent an afternoon with Tucker and his mom, Paula, chatting and

looking through photographs.

There was palpable love and respect between them, and Tucker was a notably friendly and confident young man. I asked Paula how having a child with Down syndrome changed her life. She told me to Google A Trip to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley, and I did.

I won’t spoil the short story for you because I hope that you will Google it, too. But I will tell you that, since we’re talking about celebrations, Holland is also a place to celebrate.

It has windmills and tulips — and it looks beautiful this time of year.

Pour your Mother’s Day cup of tea and pull up a chair. We have much to celebrate together this month in baystateparent.

Happy Mother’s Day,

MaryJo Kurtz, Editor

meet our special guest

Waylon and Easton Charles New England brothers Waylon, 7, and Easton, 9, share a secret on our May cover. While they would not tell us what was said, they did share some fun facts with us!

What are your favorite things to do outside of school? Both boys play hockey. Waylon plays right wing and Easton is the goalie for his team.

Do you have any brothers or sisters? The boys have a 5-yearold sister, London.

Do you have any pets? The boys have three dogs: 2 English Bulldogs (Denali and Kenai) and one French Bulldog (Willow).

What grades are you in? Easton is a fourth grader. Waylon is in first grade.

What are your favorite subjects in school? “My favorite subjects are math and science,” said Easton. “My favorite subjects are math and reading,” added Waylon.

What are your favorite school activities? Waylon said he likes library and computer. “My favorite school activities are gym and computer,” said Easton.

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com

advertising director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com western mass. sales manager JESSICA O’MALLEY 413-437-4673 jessica@baystateparent.com

In Association With advertising director BETH BAKER 413-283-8393 ext. 245 bbaker@turley.com presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS

photographers SARAH GALLAGHER STEVEN KING SHAWNA SHENETTE

copy editor BRYAN ETHIER

illustrator KOURTNEY WILSON

baystateparent • Over 50,000 readers • 25,000 copies distributed monthly • Find us in ALL Big Y stores PLUS 400 other locations • distribution manager TOM SIGNA 508-865-7070 ext. 112 tsigna@holdenlandmark.com

How long have you been modeling? “This is my first time modeling,” said Easton.

What tips can you offer others who are interested in getting the perfect cover shot? “To get the perfect cover shot, do what the photographer tells you,” Waylon said. “Be yourself.”

editor in chief MARYJO KURTZ 508-865-7070 ext. 201 maryjo@baystateparent.com

baystateparent cover photo

BY

Sarah Gallagher

studios

Longmeadow

is published monthly with a main office at 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527

www.baystateparent.com

sarahgallagherstudios.com

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 6 7

meet our may contributors Sandra Gordon is an award-winning writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting and consumer issues.

Her most recent books are Save Dollars on Diapers and Save a Bundle: 50+ Ways to Save Big on Baby Gear. This month, she shares information on small meal changes that make a big difference in your family’s diet. See her article 12 Healthy Fixes for Family Meals on page 13.

After reading Things I Miss on page 44, you will likely never again miss an opportunity to hold your child’s hand. Longtime local columnist Jon McGrath grew up in Westborough and still calls the town home.

He and his wife, Jen, have three kids (ages 14, 12, and 10). The Little League baseball coach previously wrote for The Westborough News and Westborough Patch. He invites you to follow him on Twitter, @Jon_McGrath.

Award-winning writer Trish Reske recently spent a morning at the new Knights! exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum. She takes us behind the scenes of the new show, and explains how the former Higgins Armory displays have a new look. See her review on page 34. In addition to being an award-winning writer, Trish is business owner, running coach and Westborough mom of four kids ages 12- to 22-years-old.

Amanda Roberge, a busy Leominster mother of three, squeezed in a little time this month to have a sex talk with us.

In The Holding Pattern: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Sex After Pregnancy, page 36, Amanda and her friends dish on what to expect in the bedroom once the baby arrives. And speaking of Baby, read Amanda’s article on how the web has changed baby announcements in Everyone “Likes” a Birth Announcement on page 18.

Michelle Shirk has advice for future adoptive parents: stay busy. Her article Waiting for Your Adoption Placement: 6 Ways to Pass Time is the voice of experience, as she and her husband are adoptive parents of their beautiful daughter. Michelle is an attorney and journalist. She writes about adoption, family, travel and other topics for a number of publications.

Kathy Sloan is one of the most popular bloggers on baystateparent. com, writing on how current events impact modern day parenting. In her article Daring to Date: Challenges for Newly Single Parents on page 40, she shares stories and advice from single parents and experts about dating while raising children. In addition to writing, Kathy enjoys yoga, reading, and she dreams of one day living on a beach.

In his article, In Lieu of Gifts on page 22, Peter Stilla writes about children and families who ask guests to donate to charity instead of giving birthday gifts. He finds out how children come to choose a charity and how guests respond to the request. The father of two young daughters lives with his wife in Westborough. A Cambridge native, Peter frequently writes for a number of online and print outlets.

If you are an experienced journalist interested in writing for baystateparent magazine, email editor@baystateparent.com.

If parents are your primary audience, then you’re ours.

Please join us for a fun-filled evening at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA on Wednesday, May 14th, beginning at 5:00 PM. We'll have fabulous food, great entertainment, and a free raffle of awesome prizes-including tickets to see the Boston Red Sox, gift certificates

to area restaurants and family-friendly attractions, and a chance to win print and digital ads (and ad design services).

Be sure to bring along your family--as the art studio, reading room, galleries and bookstore will all be open during this private event.

baystateparent has been voted "Best Parenting Publication in North America" 6 out of the past 9 years, and now offers a monthly edition dedicated to parenting in Western MA. It's available at over 400 locations throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, including all Big Y stores. For more information, please contact stephen@baystateparent.com or call 413.530.9500.

8 MAY2014 9

Great Wolf Lodge® New England is here!

Or should we say, heah?

America’s premier indoor waterpark resort has finally come to Central Massachusetts.

Families can whip down waterslides, play MagiQuest®, our interactive adventure game, and get manicures at Scooops® Kid Spa. Waterpark passes, as well as use of our Howlers’ Peak Ropes Course, are included free with your stay. It’s fun on top of fun on top of fun.

Everybody in.

TM

greatwolf.com/newengland

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 8 9

bsp

From Our E-mail

online

Winners

Our list of giveaway winners is growing!

Get details on some of this month’s giveaways by turning to page 42 for Our May Favorites calendar. For even more chances to win, sign up for our weekly newsletters by visiting baystateparent. com. Here are just a few of our March and April prize winners.

• Ba Ba Bling Baby Designer Boys’ T-shirt Veronica Gold, Worcester Braden Larson, Douglas

• MIT Museum Passes Aiste Dacys, Shrewsbury

• Cranky Pants, by Stephen Sanzo Alexzandra McBeth, Phillipston

Hello!

I live in Granby, CT and picked up your issue at the Big Y in Southwick.

I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the issue. It had a lot of interesting articles. My favorite was Discover Western Mass (March 2014). I am always looking for somewhere new to take my kids. Please continue letting us know about different places to go.

Anna Rzecinski Editor’s note: You can find both of these stories today on baystateparent.com!

10 MAY2014 11

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTS WITH

Follow us on Twitter @baystateparent for more chances to win!

nce a l e e r F

Dear MaryJo, I was truly touched by your article What Makes Joey Tic in the February 2014 issue of baystateparent magazine.

Usually, I look through the events pages while skipping the articles.

However, your son’s story had me glued to the chair until I had read it to the end.

My eyes were full of tears as I could almost feel your pain while fighting for your son’s health. I applaud you for your courage and willingness to try what may have seemed too simple and too unrealistic a way to help in your seven years of struggle.

Thank you for sharing your story as there are so many kids who are suffering right now and they don’t have to! I hope your article got many parents to look for the very trigger that makes their kids unwell and, as a result, find their own solution that might be just as ‘simple’ as yours.

Irene Drabkin IreneHealthCounselor.com

s r e t i Wr

You are a family, parenting, or women’s blogger.

You are looking to create or expand your audience.

We have a popular website platform.

Let’s partner. maryjo@baystateparent.com

You are a creative, curious, experienced reporter.

You understand Western Mass communities and moms.

We have assignments available.

Let’s talk. maryjo@baystateparent.com

You are o t You want o h

ggi

Pla ng tfor Ope m n

a talented, artistic, professional. to share your work with Massachusetts families. have an award-winning creative magazine.

P aphers We Let’s meet. gr

Blo

paula@baystateparent.com

We Want

YOU

In Our June Issue!

We are looking for pictures of Massachusetts kids and families to feature in our

Ultimate Guide to Summer coming out in June!

This special issue of baystateparent is your complete guide to summer fun in Massachusetts — with ideas for places to go and things to do.

A special issue like this calls for special photos of special families — like yours!

How do you celebrate summer? Show us!

Amateurs and professionals alike are welcome to submit high-quality photos.

Include the names of the people in the photo, where it was taken, and the name of the photographer. Send as many as you like! We will be featuring your photos in our print editions and on baystateparent.com!

Send your fun summer photos to: paula@baystateparent.com.

Deadline is Saturday, May 10

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 10 11

Westfield • Caring for your children since 1986

REG FOR ISTER FAL ING N LN URS OW ERY

Offering Full And 1/2 Day Preschool For Ages 15 Months - 6 Years Old Open Year Round 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Creative Curriculum • Pony Rides • On-Site Conservation Area • Special Monthly Events

OPENINGS ARE AVAILABLE NOW! 1251 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085 413-568-9822 • www.creativekidswestfield.com

“Be part of a school where your success is everyone’s goal.”

• Academic Excellence • Community Involvement • Drama/Music

• Outstanding Sports Program • Faith & Gospel Values

“No one lights a candle and places it in hiding, nor under a bushel basket, but upon a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”

“What I love about being a student at St. Mary’s is that I know I am going to graduate completely prepared for college and have many great memories to take with me!”

Jessica Forest, 12th grade “I enjoy learning at St. Mary's. With such a friendly environment, there's no reason not to like it here! There is so much potential for students enrolled here because there are many activities that every student can have achance to participate in.”

Kieran O'Donnell, 11th grade “What I like about St. Mary's is how accepting the school community is.”

Mariah Suarez, 10th grade “St. Mary’s is an accomplished school where you’ll be comfortable around teachers and other students. The high caliber of the education you receive here truly prepares you for the college of your choice.”

Padraig Smith, 9th grade

“I like St. Mary’s because instead of pushing you to reach the curriculum, the teachers give you actual information that will help you to reach your goals when you are out of high school and in life.”

Faith Wang, 8th grade “I like that all the teachers are very welcoming and explain their lessons in easy and fun ways. All the kids know each other and are friends.”

Cole Viamari, 7th grade “I like that St. Mary’s gives you a jump start on college, so when you get there you are a step ahead.”

Jessica Crosby, 6th grade

Accredited by NEAS&C

12 MAY2014 13

“I like all my friends here and the teachers are very nice.”

Amir Kashou, 3rd grade

“ Everyone is always kind and nice to each other. It is fun to hang out with my friends.” Calaeb Vieweg, 1st grade

Lighting the way to the future PreSchool - 8th Grade Patty Schweitzer 568-2388 • 9th - 12th Kim Jaszek 568-5692 Bartlett Street, Westfield • 568-5692 •www.stmsaints.org

“I like to learn and I like the projects.”

Liam Ramos, pre-kindergarten

12 Healthy Fixes for Family Meals

BY SANDRA GORDON

Sure, you can just get take-out, zoom through the drive-thru or zap up some frozen dinners. But if you really want to eat healthier and save money — get chopping, stirring and sautéing.

“With home cooking, you know what’s in it, you can adjust it to taste and it’s a good way to keep your portions under control,” said JoAnn Cianciulli, TV food programming producer.

If you are skeptical about the power of DIY meals, consider this: over the past 30 years, the number of restaurants in the U.S. increased 89 percent. Not only that, but the average calorie intake rose by a whopping 615 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Can you say “obesity epidemic”?

The good news is that homemade eats can reverse the trend.

To help you jam-pack your family’s meals with better-for-everyone fuel — and think outside the take-out container — we polled top chefs, bloggers, registered dietitians and other foodies for their healthiest cooking tips.

The gist? Small cooking changes can make a big diet difference. Here’s the dish on their top practical food tweaks that can easily become part of your recipe for success.

1. Bring home the bacon (flavor). In recipes that call for bacon, such as lentil soup or quiche, substitute smoked Spanish paprika or chipotle powder (add it when you’re sautéing the onions and other ingredients). “You’ll get the smoky flavor without the calories and saturated fat,” Cianciulli said.

2. Makeover mashed potatoes.

“Replace some of the potatoes with steamed cauliflower for a lighter texture, a boost of nutrients and fewer calories,” said dietician Natalia Strasenko.

potato or nachos) that calls for sour cream, saving 45 calories per a two tablespoon serving.

Greek yogurt’s creamy texture and tangy taste mimics sour cream with little or no fat and as much as 50 percent more protein, compared to sour cream. “You’ll never know the difference,” said Rene Ficek, a certified dietician.

3. Go Greek. Substitute plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt for just about any recipe (dips, sauces, dollops on a baked

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 12 13

4. Secret sauce: balsamic vinegar reduction. “It’s a healthy substitute for buttery, salty sauces or sugary BBQ sauce,” said Ficek.

Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil, then simmer until it’s reduced by half (about 20 minutes). Add a tablespoon or two of fruit-infused flavored vinegar for an additional layer of flavor, such as strawberry vinegar for chicken, or pomegranate vinegar for fish.

5. Whip up a dream cream. “When you’re making whipp-ed cream, use one cup skim milk plus one tablespoon cornstarch instead of heavy cream to reduce saturated fat,” said Jenna Allen, a registered dietician and dairy industry spokesperson.

6. Cut the cheese. To reduce a recipe’s saturated fat and calories, forget swapping in low-fat or nonfat cheese. Yuck! Instead, “cut the amount of cheese a recipe calls for in half and substitute a sharper cheese that’s naturally low-fat, such as parmesan, romano, asiago or manchego to intensify the flavor,” said chef Jonas Falk.

7. Slash sugar, get zesty. With desserts, such as pudding or even your grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe, “cut the sugar in half and add orange or lemon zest or a teaspoon of vanilla, hazelnut, rum, caramel or almond extract,” said Jennifer Iserloh, chef and owner of skinnychef.com. Zest can emulate sweetness and halving the amount of sugar won’t change a recipe’s texture or diminish its nutrient content. At 16 calories per tablespoon of sugar, you’ll save 256 calories per omitted cup. “You’ll put any dessert recipe on an instant diet,” Iserloh said.

8. Thickening trick: “Use pureed chickpeas or white beans to thicken soups and sauces rather than flour and butter,” said Amanda Skrip, a natural foods chef and health coach.

9. Get picky. While preparing meals, stop and look at the recipe, or what’s on your plate and think, “how can I make this meal healthier?” “Pick one thing; it could be to add a vegetable, increase protein, use a leaner meat or switch from a refined grain like white rice to whole grain like quinoa,” said naturopathic physician Samantha Brody.

10. Sneak in produce. The next time you’re making a batch of tomato sauce for pasta, lasagna or meatballs, give it a nutrient and fiber boost by adding pureed white beans, frozen spinach, finely chopped mushrooms and pureed zucchini, Strasenko said.

11. Don’t rinse chicken. Don’t rinse raw chicken before cooking. “Any bacteria present can be splashed around your kitchen, potentially contaminating other foods that don’t get cooked, such as fresh produce,” said Dr. David Acheson, a food safety expert and former chief medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration. Any po-

tentially harmful bacteria on chicken will be destroyed during cooking anyway. Poultry can go from package to baking dish, pan or grill.

The same goes for beef, pork and fish. Similarly, consider prewashed, ready-to-eat lettuce good to go. But do rinse all other produce. “Anything that comes from a field that isn’t prewashed should be washed, including heads of iceberg lettuce and whole cantaloupe,” Acheson said.

12. Say yes to the dressing. Forget bottled salad dressing, with its long list of iffy ingredients. Make your own with lemon or lime juice or apple cider, red wine or balsamic vinegar and olive oil. “An acidy ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar helps the body absorb the iron and minerals in greens while the oil allows us to absorb fat-soluble compounds, such as vitamins and antioxidants,” said Ali Miller, RD, certified diabetes educator. To curb salad calories, “chop lettuce and vegetables finely. The small pieces will meld, creating a flavor explosion in your mouth and you’ll need less dressing,” says Devin Alexander, chef of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and author of The Most Decadent Diet Ever.

Celebrate At The Carle Eric Carle Book Signing Saturday, May 24, 10:00 am (9:00 am for Members) Meet the beloved children’s picture book author and illustrator! Check website for book signing guidelines.

Photo by Kristin Angel

2014 Children’s Book Festival: What’s Your Favorite Animal?

Saturday, June 7, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Grab your favorite stuffed animal and go wild at The Carle!

• Meet artists Nick Bruel and Peter McCarty • Get a doodle of your favorite stuffed animal

• Go on an animal scavenger hunt • Meet therapy dogs and other amazing animals!

Face painting, storytimes, games, and art making complete this day of family fun. Plus, every child will receive a free copy of the book What’s Your Favorite Animal? Animal costumes welcome!

Both events free with Museum Admission

125 West Bay Road, Amherst MA 01002

www.carlemuseum.org 14 MAY2014 15

413.658.1100

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Dishin’ with the Dietitian

Easy Meal Planning for

VEGETARIAN

TEENS

Q:

by Andrea Luttrell, RDN, LDN

My two daughters, ages 12 and 15, want to eat vegetarian. I have never planned a vegetarian diet before and am not sure if they are getting all of the nutrition they need. Can you please recommend the best way to begin a vegetarian diet? And is it safe for developing bodies?

— Shayna K., Fitchburg

A:

The teenage years are a time of rapid growth and development, but with a little planning, a vegetarian diet can provide all the necessary nutrition your daughters need.

In fact, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegetarian teens tend to have lower intakes of cholesterol, saturated fat and total fat, with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and fiber than non-vegetarian teens. This helps build a strong foundation against obesity and chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Since vegetarian diets are often defined differently depending on personal views, it’s important to look at what your daughters will eat as part of their new meal plan. For example, will they continue eating dairy, eggs and seafood? Or will they only include dairy? After learning this information, you’ll be surprised to see just how effortless meal planning can be.

The first step in planning balanced meals and snacks is to become familiar with your daughters’ individual Food Group goals. To do this, visit USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov website and click on “Daily Food Plans” located under the “SuperTracker & Other Tools” section. There, you’ll be able to enter age, height, weight and activity level to learn their individual needs.

Based on an estimated 1,800-calorie meal plan, here is a breakdown of what their daily needs might look like: • Fruits – 1 ½ cups • Vegetables – 2 ½ cups • Grains – 6 ounce-equivalents • Protein Foods – 5 ounceequivalents • Dairy – 3 cups For a vegetarian meal plan, the only substitutions that would need to be made would fall into

the Protein Foods and perhaps the Dairy Food Groups. For Protein Foods, instead of options like chicken, pork and beef, you would incorporate beans, peas, nuts, nut butters and soy products (i.e.: veggie burgers, tofu, tempeh.) If including eggs and/ or seafood, these would be considered Protein Foods as well.

If your daughters are still incorporating cow’s milk, yogurt and cheese into their meal plans, their Dairy Food Group choices would remain the same.

If they’re avoiding these foods, easy substitutions include calcium-fortified soymilk, soy cheese and soy yogurt.

Next, plan your menus using regular family meal ideas as your base. If having taco night, simply use ground soy crumbles or beans in place of ground beef or turkey. Likewise, if barbecuing burgers and hot dogs, serve veggie burgers or soy hot dogs in their place. Also remember many main dishes are naturally meat-free like pasta primavera, veggie pizza and cheese lasagna.

The last thing to keep in mind is the following five nutrients.

These nutrients are primarily found in animal-based foods and may fall short in a vegetarian diet when a variety of foods are not incorporated.

• Protein – As long as your daughters are enjoying plenty of beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, nut butters and soy foods (and dairy, eggs and seafood if appropriate), protein intake should not be a problem.

• Calcium – Dairy foods are the primary source of calcium, so if avoiding these, incorporate fortified sources like soymilk, breakfast cereals and orange juice, tofu made with calcium sulfate and dark leafy vegetables like collard greens and kale.

• Vitamin B12 – This nutrient may be difficult to obtain through food if avoiding dairy, eggs and seafood. Look for it in fortified cereals and soymilk, veggie burgers and nutritional yeast. If not getting adequate amounts through food, a supplement may be necessary.

• Zinc – While research is mixed when it comes to zinc intake and vegetarians, it’s important to monitor intake nonetheless. Incorporate soy products, beans, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ and fortified cereals for adequate intake. If consuming dairy, cow’s milk is another source.

For more information on vegetarian meal planning, visit the Academy’s Vegetarian Nutrition webpage at http://vegetariannutrition.net.

Andrea Luttrell is a registered dietitian nutritionist for the Living Well Eating Smart program at Big Y Foods.

She can be reached at livingwell@bigy.com.

Your question might be featured in a future issue of baystateparent and Dishin’ with the Dietitian!

Send it to: editor@baystateparent.com.

• Iron – Iron sources for vegetarians include beans, lentils, spinach, blackstrap molasses, soybeans, fortified cereals and certain dried fruits such as dried apricots, prunes and raisins. Enjoying iron-rich foods with foods that contain vitamin C (i.e.: citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, berries) can help boost iron absorption, too.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 14 15

Bites

Eat Fresh Veggies According to pickyourown.org, both spinach and asparagus are ready to harvest in Massachusetts during the month of May.

Oh, Baby!

Look at These Sweet Rattles

You’ll be surprised how simple these little rattles are to make and how great they taste. Oreo cookies are dipped in vanilla candy melts, sprinkled and tied with a bow. Stand them in Styrofoam covered in baby shower mints.

Makes 24 pops

Ingredients You will need: • 1 14.3-ounce package Oreo cookies • Styrofoam • 2 12-ounce packages white candy melts • 24 Pink and White striped straws • Pastel star sprinkles • 24 pieces blue ribbon

DIRECTIONS 1. Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments at 40% power for about 1 1⁄2 to 2 minutes, stirring as needed until smooth.

Improve Your Family Diet with 3 Easy Tips Recent research from St. John’s University in New York shows that having a healthy, balanced diet improves brain capacity, maximizes cognitive capabilities, and improves academic performance in school-age children. To inspire your family to make healthy choices, FuelYourDreams.net offers these 3 tips: 1. Teach your kids about the connection between what they eat and drink and what happens inside their bodies. Once they learn that 100 billion neurons in their brain send thousands of messages so they can run 16 MAY2014 17

2. Insert paper straws into the middle of Oreo cookies.

3. Dip the Oreos into the melted candy and decorate the bottom half of each with pastel star sprinkles while still tacky. Stand the cookie rattles up in a sheet of Styrofoam to dry.

4. Tie bows around the straws with blue ribbon.

This recipe was printed with permission from: EAT MORE DESSERT: 100 Simple-to-Make & Fun-to-Eat Baked Goods From the Baker to the Stars, by Jenny Keller. Page Street Publishing.

Food Bank Seeks Volunteers The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is holding volunteer orientations on Tuesday, May 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, May 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Volunteers are a crucial part of the food bank’s work. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at 413-247-9738.setts, visit foodpantries.org.

fast, they may be motivated to eat avocadoes and sweet potatoes so they can be the best they can be.

2. Don’t make broccoli a 4-letter word.

Find ways to include fruits and vegetables in creative and varied ways.

Extra veggies on a pizza not only look colorful, but they taste good, too.

3. Be transparent with your kids.

Rather than hiding, pureeing, or masking vegetables, prepare and present them properly. With the right attitude, a piece of fresh fruit becomes a tempting dessert.

2014 World Kielbasa Festival Opens in Chicopee A genuine Chicopee tradition, the annual World Kielbasa Festival takes place at Szot Park on May 15 through 18. The event includes: 12 vendors competing for “King Kielbasa” • Kielbasa eating contest • Polka tent • Polish food • Carnival rides • Games

• Beer and wine café • 100 vendors • Fireworks on Thursday and Sunday nights

The festival runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on all other days. For more information, visit k-fest.com.

B

Bows and Bows CELEBRATIONS

Luke Ryan, 6, Scituate Worcester designer Kayleigh Lucci is the artistic talent behind these clever bowties. With the use of magnets, the ties snap into place securely without snagging or piercing fabric — and no tying!

The Magnetic Bowtie is handmade in whimsical patterns to suit all styles and personalities. “They are just really fun,” Kayleigh said.

For more information, visit themagneticbowtie.com.

Hallie Williams, 9, Shrewsbury

Olivia Davis, 7, Chicopee

Maya Ward, 8, South Hadley

Cecilia Shenette, 7, Auburn

2 Local Designers Add Zing to Spring

Jameson Simoncini, 5, Worcester

Shane Ryan, 5, Scituate

Brendan Meehan, 7, Tyngsborough

Austin Ryan, 10, Scituate

Malena Torres, 5, Waltham These colorful hair bows are handmade by 12-year-old Ashley Girouard, a designer from Shrewsbury and owner of The Bitty Boutique. The vibrant colors and clever designs add a splash of fun to every outfit and hairstyle.

A sixth-grader at Sherwood Middle School, Ashley sells her bows at Epiphany Children’s Boutique in Northborough and takes custom orders at ashleytayloe@gmail.com.

Shawna Shenette Photography • Hair and makeup by Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, Worcester • Clothing provided by Epiphany Children’s Boutique in Northborough and Coco’s Closet in Worcester BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 16 17

CELEBRATIONS

Birth Announcement EVERYONE “LIKES” A

BY AMANDA ROBERGE

“Last year was the year of creative gender reveals, but this year, parents will be upping the ante with their pregnancy announcements,” said Rebecca Dolgin, editor-in-chief of The Bump, a digital magazine devoted to all things pregnancy. So far, she added, popular methods include rap videos, carefully staged photographs and “Coming Soon” movie posters personalized to the family.

These news items are not broadcast individually or sent out via snail mail, of course, but rather shared with the click of a button and released to the web – which is fast becoming the easiest and most logical way for women to share everything from their pregnancy news straight through to the birth itself.

I, for one, find myself greatly disappointed in this trend. I’m a sucker for a handwritten note. I really am. I also happen to loathe social media, even though I keep up with it as best I can.

These two small facts made my friend Jess’s birth announcement a treasure when it arrived in my mailbox, a classy throwback to a time I hadn’t even known I was missing. She’d had a baby – I knew this because not only did I sit poolside with her and her adorable bump one summer, but I had also received a text from her sister when little Logan was born.

Jess is a 38-year-old Haverhill resident who also happened to live in my dorm at the University of Rhode Island before we both found ourselves dating – and subsequently marrying – members of the same band. Though she once sported goth garb, multicolored hair and piercings and still likes to set herself apart from your average moms, she shares my antiquated values when it comes to snail mail.

Her reasoning for refraining from the latest trend in technology – posting your pregnancy or birth as 18 MAY2014 19

"The labor posts were a pleasant distraction – eliciting continual replies throughout her labor that were far more enjoyable than her contractions. another status update in a long line of social media blurbs – was simple.

“I don't think it's very personal and not all the grandparents Facebook or are tech savvy. I still like to do some things old school.

I think it has more thought behind it,” she explained. “And I like to put that stuff in my scrapbook.”

But according to 20-something Leominster resident Lynden Laundry, I am a dinosaur. (To be fair, she didn’t say it in so many words, but I can own the truth.)

“Kids these days” are posting ultrasound pictures to births and everything in between via social media outlets to keep friends and family updated on their lives.

There is a new way of doing things, she said, and I can either turn into a bitter old hag or I can get with the program. Again, my words, not hers.

“I have a lot of family on Facebook and it really is the best way for me to get them in the loop,” she said of her frequent updates, which are not limited to kid stuff but are likely to include everything from snippets of a funny conversation to her latest, an ultrasound photo

with a pink bow drawn onto the fetus. For friends of the young mom who already has three small boys under the age of six, the post was a popular one, garnering more likes than any of her posts in the eight years prior.

Laundry is just one of millions of women using Facebook, Twitter and blogs to keep friends and family in the loop. For all of her children, the social media announcement of their birth followed status updates hinting at an impending labor.

“It was fun,” she said, a sentiment shared by her good friend Katie Bergstrand, who agreed that the labor posts were a pleasant distraction – eliciting continual replies throughout her labor that were far more enjoyable than her contractions. As an added bonus, it allowed her to complain to friends and get support without annoying her husband, who had grown weary of the whining.

And of course, when the baby was born, their loved ones were already on the edges of their computer chairs and it was a simple way – not to mention cheap – to announce their bundle of joy.

“I reached hundreds of people when my last baby was born, within minutes of the birth,” she said. “At 49-cents a stamp, it saves me money. It’s no small thing.”

For new mom Georgiana Cicma Mihalek, using social media was a way to lighten her load as she tried to keep everyone up on the happenings, which she did using a combination of social media and good old-fashioned mail.

“I don't have time to deal with writing out addresses and stamps right now, but that’s just me being a tired new mommy,” she said.

But according to Diana Hagan, a Librarian and Coordinator of Computer Applications at the University of Florida (and an avid user of social media herself) there are a few problems with relying on it – particularly Facebook – for communicating important information.

“Not everyone would receive it depending on whether they are spending time online when it is posted, and Facebook's algorithm for what is news would leave it out of some people's feed,” she explained.

The more common trend, which doesn’t compromise stodgy values of tech-a-phobes like myself is the pregnancy announcement. Even I have to admit that some of them can pretty pretty stinkin’ adorable.

I get it, I’m old school. I like to feel special and feel like someone made time just for me – whether a phone call, a handwritten card or even an email. That’s about how far I have come around.

But Lynden and Katie taught me a bit about what it means to go with the flow, get with the times and adapt my thinking for the virtual world. In the end, a baby is a blessing and there is no arguing that they exist very much in real life. The messenger has changed a little since my heyday, but the message itself is always worth a “like.”

Caps Off CELEBRATIONS

TO THE CLASS OF 2014 3 MOMS OFFER TIPS AND TALES FROM THE JOURNEY

BY MARYJO KURTZ

Nancy and Hannah Miller

Hannah in preschool

When my oldest son, Sam, graduated from high school, I recall a lot of noise. High school noise.

Party noise. College noise. Noise from friends, relatives, teachers, and neighbors. Cards, gifts, food, music, pictures and laughter filled the house. It was an exciting time for Sam and for our family.

But even as the noise kept our house in a flutter, there was a quiet place in my mind as I watched him. It was that place that moms go when moments get poignant — and it creates silence in the chaos.

We moms gaze at our growing and grown children while thinking about firsts: first preschool, first tooth, first bike, first date. We think on the many things that we shoulda, woulda and coulda done.

And, we think on the privilege of parenthood. It’s that last one that gives us the smile and the little glisten in our eyes.

As we celebrate a new generation of high school graduates, baystateparent asked three mothers to share some of those quiet thoughts and offer tips and

tales for parents who are just beginning school years with their children. Their insight offers something for moms and dads at all stages of parenthood.

Nancy Miller, Sterling Nancy’s daughter Hannah is 18 and a 2014 graduate of Wachusett Regional High School. Thinking back on Hannah’s life, Nancy offers these thoughts, “in no particular order of importance.”

The top things I wish I had done differently: • Hiked and gone to the beach more with Hannah.

• Been better at “play.” I’m a list maker and all too often I prioritized “getting something done” over relaxing and playing with Hannah.

• Wish I had made it a point to teach her more practical “life skills,” like personal finance, advocating for oneself, cooking and laundry.

• Wish we had more sit down dinners and less peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

• Wish she had the opportunity to have more play dates than she did at our house when she was young. Because I worked, there was less opportunity for that than if I had been a stay-at-home mom.

The top things I am happy I did: • Let Hannah get her driver’s license as soon as she was eligible. It was a big adjustment to have her suddenly become so independent but well worth it and a big step on her road to maturity.

• Instilled in her the joy and insight to be had by travelling. Though our travels were not extensive by any means, we had some great trips together within the United States and went together to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. It encouraged her to explore the world.

• Taught her that there are far more important things in life then money and possessions.

• Named her Hannah.

• Created a stable, calm, reliable home life for her.

My top tips for a new generation of parents: • Do not be a helicopter parent.

Kids need freedom to make their own decisions and mistakes. You do nobody (your child, yourself, society) any favors by hovering and doing everything for them.

• Surround your children with positive role models, and do not be jealous if they gravitate to adults other than you for advice/support.

Be happy they have those people in their lives.

• Teach values such as empathy, respect, gratitude and personal responsibility.

• Never let your job consume you at the expense of your children and family.

• Try hard to stay married, but only if you can be happily (relatively — all marriages have challenges) married.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 18 19

Mary Bonaparte-Cerone, Arlington Mary’s son James is 17 and a 2014 graduate of Arlington High School. He is preparing to attend Middlesex Community College in the fall. Mary said she thanks “God every day I have such a wonderful son.”

The things I wish I had differently: • To be honest, I have only one. I wish that I had listened to his first grade teacher when she told us she thought James had an attention problem. We argued that he did not. We did not want to see it or hear anything of it other than he was just “being a boy.” As a result, although so very smart and a very talented musician and writer, he struggled in school and it resulted in counseling just months before graduation. So the most important thing for me to say is for parents to listen when their teachers tell them something just isn’t right. Because more often than not, they’re on the right track.

The top things I am happy I did: • Introduced James to music very

early on. He loves it and plays guitar, keyboards, mandolin, and banjo. He's written his own songs and performed them.

Blues Clues. We had Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Fools, and Hank Williams. Expose them to different things.

• Put James #1. His father and I divorced when he was 11, but all of our decisions in the process were about James and how he would react to them.

Maureen Ambrosino, Westborough

• Kept the lines of communication open between relatives. I still see members of my ex-husband's family because I know it’s important for James to see that.

• Got down on the floor and played with him as a child. Puzzles, trains, books — I put myself down to his level and spent hours with him playing Thomas the Tank Engine, doing puzzles. I miss it.

My top tips for a new generation of parents: • I only have one. Make sure they see that you have interests, too.

Music, books, hobbies — let them see you reading your own books, listening to your own music.

My son likes all kinds of music because, in addition to listening to what he liked, we listened to what I liked, too. It wasn't 24/7 Arthur or

Potterville Pottery

413-739-9998 1702 Riverdale Street, West Springfield www.potterville.com

Leah Ambrosino starting school

“Here I am at the end of the high school journey and thinking way, way back to when Leah was a preschooler. Man, that seems like ages ago sometimes, and other times it feels like it was five minutes ago,” said Maureen Ambrosino of Westborough. Her daughter Leah, 18, is a 2014 graduate of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.

“I am so incredibly proud of

the amazing person she has become and so excited to see what she’s going to do next, but it’s bittersweet at times,” said Maureen. “You remember that feeling you had when you put your child on the bus the first day of kindergarten? It’s like that all over again, but this year we’re doing the ‘last’ of everything. Last first day of school, last concert, last Parent’s Night — you get the idea.

It’s sad sometimes, but exciting, too.”

The top things I wish I had done differently: • I wish I had encouraged my daughter to spend more time writing. She always loved making up her own stories, drawing, and creating. There’s so much “prescribed” writing in school that she lost the motivation of writing just for the fun it. I think she would have been a better writer if I had helped foster that love of writing when she was younger.

• I wish I had made a file folder for each grade in school and filed Leah’s papers in it. I planned to do it every year and never seemed to get it organized. Now I have a couple big fat file folders stuffed

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of homework, extracurricular activities, and everything else that kept us so busy. It was hard to imagine that someday my daughter wouldn’t need my help so much. Now that we’re at the end of high school, I can’t believe how fast the time flew. It seemed like she’d be little forever, but the older she got, the faster the time went. Be the beaming parent in the auditorium, in the bleachers or wearing the coach’s uniform.

You won’t believe how fast the time goes by.

Maureen and Leah Ambrosino

full of papers that I can’t seem to decipher. (Was that second grade or third grade? Who is that teacher? Is this how they do math now? Wow.) The top things I am happy I did: • I kept reading to my daughter, even after she was able to read on her own. Some of my favorite memories of her time in elementary school are the hours we spent reading books together and talking about the books we read. Now that she’s older, we don’t always like the same books, but we always talk about the books we read. She introduced me to manga — Japanese graphic novels that you read from right to left — and taught me how to read them.

That led us to attending Anime Boston together for years, dressed as our favorite characters. There’s nothing better than bonding over books!

• I am happy that I spent some time volunteering at my daughter’s school. I’ve always worked fulltime, so it was hard to find time to fit in volunteering. But I’d take time off from work for events where a lot of adult help was needed. We moved to Massachusetts when she was starting 4th grade, so I didn’t know a lot of her classmates’ parents, and volunteering gave me a chance to meet them. In Texas, I worked some weekends, so I’d spend time helping shelve books in the school library on my weekdays off. It was fun to walk through the halls and hear “Hi, Leah’s mom!” from the kids and to know the teachers by name.

My top tips for a new generation of parents: • Take time to enjoy the little moments. I remember how hard it was to see past the everyday stress

• Encourage your child to be welcoming to the “new kid” in class — and be the same way to that child’s parents. I lived in the same town and went to school with the same kids all the way through high school, but my daughter’s experience was very different. She went to preschool and K-3 in Texas before we moved to Westborough when she was starting 4th grade. It’s hard for kids (and their parents) to start out all over in a new place and make all new friends. I’m glad we had the chance to live in different places with people from all corners of the globe, and I think that experience will help her as she becomes an adult. She made great friends here

because of the kids who made her feel included and part of the group.

• Take pictures. And videos. A lot.

You will be so glad you did when your child gets to the end of high school and you can look back at all the things they did and how they changed over the years.

• Make a file folder for each grade in school, and file their papers in it. When you get that big “first day” packet of paperwork, make the file folder and vow to put homework, report cards, teacher notes, certificates and artwork into it. It’s difficult (okay, impossible) to go

back and figure it out years later.

Especially when you come across essays written in their scrawly beginner printing about how much they love their mom.

What are your tips and tales leading to your child’s high school graduation?

What advice do you have for parents who are just beginning the school journey?

Visit this story on baystateparent.com and add your thoughts to our comments section!

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CELEBRATIONS

Party for a Cause In Lieu of Gifts:

BY PETER STILLA

The trend to “pay it forward” is making its way into children’s birthday parties, where a growing number of families are asking for charitable donations in lieu of gifts. While families often work together to choose a charity, many times it is selected by the birthday child.

‘A Whole Different Energy’ In Shrewsbury, a young girl named Carolyn Salvemini had a party for her 7th birthday. In lieu of gifts, she asked for donations for the family of a classmate who suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a connective tissue disease that causes painful lesions and blisters of the skin.

“My mom said to me, ‘How would you feel about raising money instead of getting birthday gifts?’”

Carolyn explained.

“I just threw out there… our kids, they have everything they need. We’re always encouraging them to think a little differently.

But [Carolyn] didn’t miss a beat.

I suggested it and right away she said yes. And then I said, ‘OK you can choose a cause,’” said Sue, Carolyn’s mom.

According to Sue, Carolyn didn’t hesitate. “She said, ‘There’s a boy in my school who has EB,’ and she went online to show me the disease and the EB Foundation.”

“I wanted to give the money directly to his family to help pay medical bills or for presents, just so he could feel better,” Carolyn said.

The reaction of guests was memorable. “They were surprised and happy for me I guess,” Carolyn said, before nervously giggling — clearly reluctant to reveal how much her guests admired her for her idea.

So her Mom did it for her. “She got 22 MAY2014 23

a great response and the parents were thrilled. I had a lot of them tell me that they thought of doing something like this. There was a whole different energy with the parents and the kids at the party.”

Despite Carolyn’s request that gifts were to be for her schoolmate, some of her guests thought otherwise.

“Some brought presents [for Carolyn] and a donation,” Sue smiled and said. “They wanted to make sure that she had a little gift, too.”

Carolyn’s party raised over $250 for the boy’s family.

When asked if she regretted missing out on gifts, she said, “No, not really. I felt better helping someone else instead of getting my own presents.”

The party created a buzz with her friends and the family’s social circle. It wasn’t long before a few of her friends also held charity themed parties.

‘I Felt Really Good’ One of these girls is Elise Siciliano, also of Shrewsbury, who for her 9th birthday last October turned her party into a benefit for a nearby Animal Rescue League shelter.

“I wanted to do it, and I was really happy about it,” Elise said about her party.

Her mother Deanna elaborated, “We’re an animal family. We have two cats and wish we could have more. When we went to the shelter to see the animals, the kids could really see what the need is.”

The party idea belonged to Elise.

“I already have a lot of toys, so I asked Mom if I could [hold a party for the shelter].”

Elise didn’t ask her guests for cash donations. Instead, she asked them to bring needed supplies for the animals at the shelter, such as blankets and food. The donations filled many boxes and bags that

Elise and Deanna personally delivered to the shelter. “I felt really good when we dropped off the stuff,” Elise added.

Elise left no doubt when asked if she would advise other kids to do what she did. “I would recommend that,” she smiled and said in her understated way.

‘She Was All For It’ Corinne Sciarappa and her mother, Pauline, heard in church about a family that had a birthday party in which donations were accepted for Heifer International.

“I asked Corinne what she thought of the idea, and she was all for it,” Pauline said. That started the party plans for this Westborough family.

The first grader invited her entire class of about twenty kids, and the invitations included a description of what Heifer International does and suggested a $5 donation for the cause. Corinne’s friends responded enthusiastically and, as with Carolyn Salvemini, some of Corinne’s friends brought gifts for her in addition to their $5 donations. “I was definitely glad about the arrangement and raising money for Heifer International,” Corinne said. She explained that the party raised about $150 for the organization and that some families donated more than the suggested $5.

Share Your Story!

Have you participated in a charity party? baystateparent would like to hear about it!

Visit baystateparent.com and tell us about your party in the comments section for this story.

Share your tips for other families and children considering this new spin on the traditional birthday party.

take eight

with Susan Kelley

Executive Director of the Children’s Museum at Holyoke The joy of a children’s museum is that it takes away the stuffiness of traditional museums and allows for hands-on exploration. For families in Western Mass, the Children’s Museum at Holyoke has been a regular favorite, offering up fun and interactive exhibits for curious young minds. baystateparent caught up with Executive Director Susan Kelley to find out what families will discover this summer at the Children’s Museum at Holyoke.

1

What is the most appropriate age group for the museum? The best age group is children from 1 to 9. As soon as a child learns to walk, he can navigate through the museum. There is a Tot Lot for little ones to crawl around in, too.

2

JENNIFER ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

4

How much time should a family plan to spend to fully enjoy the museum? That really depends on the ages of the children. I think three to four hours is great. If naps aren’t an issue, families can bring lunch, eat upstairs and spend the day.

3

What is the most popular exhibit at the museum?

Probably the famous Curvy Climber. That is an enclosed climbing structure which reaches the ceiling. Next would be the water table and the newest exhibit, The Amazing Air Maze, which is a wall of tubes that take in scarves and balls and then they flow through the air.

What special events do you have coming up at the museum? We are planning for a busy field trip season as well as summer groups and Free Fun Friday on August 8.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Seeing little babies grow into curious toddlers at the museum. We are so connected with our families here How has the museum changed in the and share so many past 30 years? It started by a small group memorable moments of Junior League volunteers in a store with them. front in Holyoke. After years of moves, it finally stabilized in a permanent building in downtown Holyoke. Over the past few years, it has experienced a tremendous growth in number of visitors, allowing for improvements and new exhibits. It has truly become a destination spot. We see over 50,000 visitors a year!

6

5

7

What is your most memorable experience as director of a children’s museum? Being able to work with a wonderful Board who allows me to use good judgment and the creativity to bring the museum to new heights.

8

What can families look forward to at the museum over summer vacation?

The summer allows families to enjoy Heritage State Park where we are located. They can spend the day inside and out and take a ride on the beautiful Merry Go Round and visit the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

The Children’s Museum at Holyoke is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is $7 per person, $3.50 for seniors, and free for children under one.

The museum is located at 44 Dwight Street in Holyoke.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 22 23

you plan, do keep in mind that some vendors do charge for last minute cancellations. Those concerned with losing money due to a sudden placement should carefully review all applicable policies.

5. Volunteer. The options for helping others are practically limitless.

If you love kids, consider signing up to mentor a grade-schooler or serve in your church nursery. If you (understandably) feel that snuggling babies while trying to grow your own family might be a challenge, turn your energy toward saving endangered species, cancer research or any other cause that inspires your passion. It’s unlikely you’ll regret time spent helping others, even if increased family commitments force you to cut back on your volunteer time once your new addition arrives.

FINALLYFOREVER

Waiting for Your Adoption Placement: 6 Ways to Pass Time

BY MICHELLE SHIRK

“Hurry up and wait” could easily be the official slogan of the adoption process. Those wishing to adopt often experience an initial flurry of activity including agency research, homestudy interviews, educational sessions, background checks and more. After the preliminary “to dos” are completed, though, prospective adoptive families often find themselves with little to do except wait weeks, months, or even years for a placement depending on the type of adoption selected and various other factors. Estimated timeframes may be provided, but the world of adoption offers few guarantees.

My husband and I are now happily on the other side of the wait, having finalized the adoption of our amazing daughter. For those of you still in the trenches, I wish you luck and offer the following tips for keeping your sanity during the often difficult and tedious process of waiting.

1. Assume the glass is half-empty. I spent the beginning of our domestic adoption process constantly checking my cell phone and email inbox for news. A failed match followed by several months with no real action cooled my heels a bit. By our second year on the wait list, becoming adoptive parents began to feel like a pipe dream. Ironically, my pessimism actually made the process easier because I stopped expecting each and every day to be “the day.”

Don’t lose hope in the adoption process, but do go into it expecting things to take a while. If you end up experiencing a quick placement, you can enjoy being pleasantly surprised!

certainly still eat out and see movies once you have kids, it’s reasonable to expect that you’ll be doing a bit less of both for a while after you welcome a new child into the family.

2. Eat out and watch new releases.

If you are waiting to be a parent for the first time, relish your freedom to enjoy an impromptu 8:00 p.m. dinner followed by a 9:50 p.m. showing of the latest film based on a Marvel Comics superhero. While you can

4. Book an exciting vacation. If finances allow, start planning an action-packed trip to a place on your travel wish list that might be challenging to visit with a young child. After your vacation comes and goes, repeat the process! As

3. Take on an athletic challenge.

Interested in taking up indoor rock climbing or participating in your first triathlon? Now’s the time to do it! I finished two half-marathons and started training for a third during our wait. Preparing for and traveling to these races provided with me with stress-relief, time with supportive friends and family members, and something fun to focus on besides adoption.

6. Prepare for your new arrival – at least a little bit! In an effort to be protected financially and emotionally, many potential adoptive parents purchase very few baby items during their wait. I began to question this laid back approach as my husband and I were running through Babies ‘R Us at around 9:15 p.m., frantically tossing baby washcloths in our cart and asking each other, “What’s a sleep sack?”

There is, of course, a middle ground between embroidering personalized pillowcases and refusing to buy so much as a diaper ahead of time. At minimum, consider picking up a few gender-neutral basics and storing them in a plastic tub. You can always donate any items you don’t use to friends or a local women’s shelter.

To Sum It All Up . . .

Most of these tips can be boiled down to one basic concept: Don’t stop living your life! Once you have completed the tasks necessary to start your adoption process, kick back, relax, and try to make the most of your wait — hopefully with some late midnight movie premiers, mud runs and/or cross-country road trips.

CIRCLEOFFRIENDS Foster Care/Adoption Informational Meeting. Department of Children and Families, Western Regional Office, 140 High St., 5th floor, Springfield. Tuesday, May 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Learn how you can change the life of a child in need by becoming a foster parent with the Department of Children and Families. Free.

Registration not required. For information, call 413-452-3351.

Conspicuous Families: Supporting Your Child’s Racial/ Ethnic Identity. Webinar at www.chsfs.org/livewebinars.

Thursday, May 15, 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. An adoption series from the perspective of adopted adults. The intended audience includes prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents, adopted adults, and child welfare professionals. $15. For more 24 MAY2014 25

information, contact welcome@chsfs.org.

Creating Our Families Through Adoption: The Real Strengths and Challenges of the LGBT Family. Webinar.

Thursday, May 15, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Creating a well-balanced, emotionally healthy family can be a challenge for all families. However, same-sex adoptive families face unique strengths and challenges. Moderator, panel of parents and youth join for discussion. $25. For more information, visit adoptionsupport.org.

Adoptive Families Together (AFT) Parent Group. Worcester MSPCC Office, 335 Chandler St., Worcester. Thursday, May 17,

7 to 9 p.m. AFT groups include parents who have adopted children of all ages and races, domestically and internationally, children of kin, and children with special needs. Free. Drop-ins welcome.

For information, call 617-587-1522 or lbaeumler@mspcc.org.

MARE (Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange) 2014 Walk/Run for Adoption. Jordan’s Furniture, 450 Revolutionary Dr., East Taunton. Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at MAREWalkRunForAdoption.org.

To list your adoption-related event information in baystateparent, email editor@baystateparent.com, or visit baystateparent.com to add your listing to our interactive calendar of events.

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MAY’S CHILD ISABELLA

With brown eyes and chinlength brown hair, 10-yearold Isabella is a beautiful girl of Caucasian and Hispanic descent. She is a bubbly girl with a bright smile who loves animals and would like to try gymnastics one day.

Isabella is currently placed in a regular education classroom but has an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for pullouts in reading as well as math. She struggles with anxiety and expresses that anxiety by picking at her skin.

This anxiety can also cause her to be distracted and unfocused.

Isabella is legally free for adoption. There is an open adoption agreement in place with her birth parents for two visits per year.

For more information about Isabella, please contact Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Development & Licensing Unit Supervisor Patricia Savelli at 508-929-2143.

The Worcester DCF Office hosts monthly informational meetings for those wishing to learn more about the adoption process in general. Call 508-929-2143 for specific information about the next meeting.

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Students attend Kumon twice a week (Monday & Thursday) for about 45 minutes, between 2 and 6 PM. They also do exercises every other day of the week—to help them become strong, purposeful students.

Kumon Amherst #1 Kumon Center in New England Average SAT of our 7th-8th grade algebra students is above 75% of North American 11th graders. Average MCAS of our 3rd graders in Reading: Advanced.

7 Pomeroy Lane, Suite 5, Amherst, MA 01002 • 413-256-6700 Visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/KumonAmherst Visit our website: www.kumonamherst.com BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 24 25

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A Future for Tucker

Photographer Puts Focus on Life with Down Syndrome

BY MARYJO KURTZ, STEVEN KING PHOTOGRAPHY

W

hen Paula Collins gave birth to Tucker, she said, “We’re gonna change people’s ideas about Down syndrome.”

The spunky, no-nonsense Shrewsbury mom recalled the first few days of Tucker’s life in the hospital, as counselors and doctors met with her and her husband to warn them of what life would be like for Tucker.

“I didn’t want to hear about institutions. Everyone in the hospital thought I was in denial,” she said.

“But I kept thinking that all children have special needs. Tucker’s needs were just going to be different.”

Now 16-years-old, a ninth grader at 26 MAY2014 27

Mercy Centre in Worcester, Tucker is an accomplished photographer with his own business. His trademark charm fills a room, and he is confident, funny and loving.

With a huge grin, Paula watched Tucker as he explained what he thinks makes a great photograph.

“Places, things, people, dogs,” he said, thoughtfully. Then laughing, he added, “And dog butts.”

One of his most popular photographs features a dog crossing a city street. “There’s the dog butt,” Tucker chuckled, pointing to his work.

“It’s a great picture. I put it on Facebook and a lot of people wanted a copy of it,” Paula said. “That’s

when I thought maybe we could do this as a business.”

Really Cool Stuff Tucker started taking photographs when he was 10-years-old.

“He asked to use my camera, and he just picked it up and started shooting,” Paula said. “I didn’t think anything of it until I looked at the pictures. I went through them and said, ‘He’s got some really cool stuff.’”

Paula then shared his photographs with a friend who is an interior designer and the friend said, “He has an amazing eye. I’ve seen a lot of gallery shows that aren’t as

good as this.”

Since then, Tucker has explored the world through the lens of a camera, finding his art in unique places. He crops photos within the frame of each shot, a signature talent. While he thrills at taking pictures of people, Tucker also has a portfolio filled with photos of the unexpected, such as meats in a deli counter and motorcycle parts. His older brother, McKegg, noted that, “Tucker makes you look at things you might have gone by otherwise.”

“He loves to shoot people. People think they will placate him and pose for some photos, and then I send them the photos and they say,

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‘Are you kidding me?’” Paula said.

“When we went to New York, he took pictures of couriers, people in business suits, people coming out of stores. It was a real lesson in sociology to watch how people responded to Tucker.”

Creating a Buzz Responding to Tucker is inevitable. His personable energy is disarming. At the MDSC (Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress) 30th Annual Conference held at Worcester’s DCU Center in March, Tucker worked a table selling his photographs. He shared 5” x 7” prints and photographs on 16” x 20” canvas. He invited people to look at his work and encouraged them to buy it, often heard asking, “You want one?” He inspired people with his excitement and talent, and he attracted parents with his story.

“Parents with young Down syndrome children notice Tucker.

They want to see that there is hope in the future,” said Paula. “That’s what I was looking for when Tucker was young: hope in the older kids.”

Paula explained that Tucker created a buzz at the conference among families. “I don’t think he had any idea the impact his work made,” she said.

Among those taking note of the up-and-coming photographer was State Representative Tom Sannicandro (7th Middlesex District), a longtime advocate for people with intellectual disabilities.

“He saw one of Tucker’s photographs and said, ‘Hey, I have that very motorcycle,’” Paula said. He bought the piece and it now hangs in his office at the State House. Sannicandro invited the Collins family for a reception at his office in Boston at the end of May.

Also in May, Tucker’s work will be on display at As Far As the Eye Can See, an art exhibit presented

by Seven Hills Family Services and the Cantor Art Gallery at the College of the Holy Cross. The exhibit showcases creative talents of people with disabilities. It runs May 3 through August 16, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The photography canvas contributed by Tucker features a parking meter against a brick building.

It was at this same art show a year ago that the idea for Tucker Collins Photography started. “Everything in the show has a price, and it is sold there,” said Paula. After Tucker initially sold his work, Paula helped him to establish a website, tuckercollinsphotography.com.

Paula said that buyers for Tucker’s work include “a lot of 20-somethings,” friends and family. “[His work] either hits you or it doesn’t.”

Future Focus Tucker and his family are still working to establish his business, trying to understand the best practices of running a photography website. For Paula, it is an important time. “Our next challenge is school to work, thinking about his future. It was much easier when he was younger because you saw the needs and could meet them. Now, we have a challenge,” she said.

“What’s important to remember is that every one of these kids has something to offer. You’ve just got to find it. Whether it’s a child with Down syndrome or a disability or a normal child,” Paula said. “I think about that saying, ‘If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.’ I never wanted that to be the case for Tucker.”

Upper left: Tucker refers to this photograph as his "dog butt" photo, the picture that inspired the idea for his business.

through August 16 at the College of the Holy Cross. The display showcases the creative talents of people with disabilities.

Lower left: This Tucker Collins photograph appears on a 16" x 20" canvas as part of As Far As the Eye Can See, an art exhibit running May 3

Above: Tucker identified "the blue chairs" as one of his favorite photographs.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 26 27

Photo courtesy Norman Rockwell Museum

OUT& ABOUT

LUMA illuminates the stage of The Hanover Theatre in Worcester on Friday, May 2. Tickets start at $12.

28 MAY2014

The Beautiful Butterflies Homeschool Program takes place on Thursday, May 8 at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester.

Photo Courtesy of Mister G

Photo Courtesy of Mass Audubon

Photo Courtesy of The Hanover Theatre

It’s free admission for moms at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.

Mister G takes his lively bilingual family show to The Carle for two performances on Saturday, May 24.

MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to assure accuracy at press time, things can and do change…

$3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

Sibling Preparation Class. Baystate Health, Wesson Women’s and Infants’ Unit, North Administrative Conference Room, 759 Chestnut St., Springfield. 6 to 7 p.m. This class prepares children for the arrival of a new brother and sister.

Ages 8 to 12. $15. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Photo Courtesy of Springfield Museums

Photo courtesy Norman Rockwell Museum

Photo Courtesy of Mister G

OUT&ABOUT

Planetarium shows for all ages are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Springfield Museums’ observatory.

1 Thursday Drop-In Playroom. Amherst Family Center, 1200 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon. For caregivers and their children ages 5 and under. Free. 413-256-1145. umass.edu/ofr.

Playgroups. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 and 11 a.m. No playgroup on Memorial Day. Socialize and interact with other families.

All ages welcome. Free. 413-245-9977. hitchcockacademy.org.

Melha Shrine Circus. Eastern States Exposition, Coliseum, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m.; Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 4, 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Children 3 and under are free if sitting on parent’s lap. www.melhashrinecircus.com.

Drop-In Parent/Child Playgroup. Worcester Family Partnership, 130 Leeds St., Worcester.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Playgroups offer children a safe, leader led time where they can explore their world and develop new friendships. Free.

508-799-3136.

2 Friday “Stuart Little.” Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington.

10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. the Dallas Children’s Theater performance is based on E.B. White’s beloved book that tells the story of an unusual mouse who happens to be born into an ordinary New York City family. Adults $10, students $6.

413-528-0100.

Parents of Toddlers Support Group. First Church, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

Fridays at 10 a.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in discussing potty training, setting limits, temper tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more.

Free. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

The Big East Youth & Jackpot Cattle Show. Eastern States Exposition, Mallary West, 1305 Memorial Ave., Springfield. Friday, May 2, 1 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, May 4, 8 a.m. to noon. a junior beef cattle show and family event with shows, demonstrations and other educational activities.

Free. thebige.com.

Planetarium Show: Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Fridays in May, 2 p.m.

With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of

LUMA: Art in Darkness. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7 p.m. LUMA plunges the audience into a darkened space where a tapestry of illuminated illusions fills the stage. $12 to $32. thehanovertheatre.org.

Family Feature Film. Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester. 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Ages 12 and under, 5 and under with caregiver.

Free. worcpublib.org.

3 Saturday Northampton Community Music Center Family Concert Series: Shiprock & Anchordog. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

11 a.m. Music adventure based on a story created by Evan Curran in collaboration with various local artists and children. In addition to regular museum admission fees, the show is $8 for adults and $6 for children. carlemuseum.org.

Storytime with Elizabeth Rose Stanton.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 2 p.m. Author and illustrator Elizabeth Rose Stanton shares her debut picture book Henny. Book signing to follow. Adults $9; youth ages 18 and under, students, teachers and seniors $6; family (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50. carlemuseum.org.

Spring Primrose Show. Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston. Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The American Primrose Society presents a premium selection of primroses. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for children ages 6 to 18.

Hitchcock Free Academy Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local vendors selling starter plants, herbs, flower packs, honey, and more.

413-245-9977. hitchcockacademy.org.

Andrew Dawson: Space Panorama. Mass MoCA, 1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams.

11:30 a.m. A hypnotic solo recreation of the Apollo 11 moon landing using only Dawson’s hands. $5. massmoca.org.

1st Annual Mental Health Educational Fair.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Dakin Conference Room, 30 Locust St., Northampton. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. cooley-dickinson.org.

Walk MS: Northampton 2014. Look Park, North Main St., Northampton. 9 a.m. checkin; 10 a.m. start. Two and four mile routes.

Minimum fundraising amount $25.

800-344-4867. walkmam.nationalmssociety.org.

Angiosarcoma Awareness 5K Race & Walk. Starting line at intersection of Main Street and Federal Hill Road, Oxford. 9 a.m. The purpose of this race/walk is to raise awareness and money to fund angiosarcoma research.

Registration fee $25. cureasc.org.

May Art Walk. Throughout Shelburne Falls.

2 to 8 p.m. Local artists, live music, community art projects. shelburnefalls.com.

Planetarium Shows. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Shows are featured Saturdays and Sundays in May at 11:15 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

Monster Movie Night. Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge.

5 p.m. Meet Dracula, Frankenstein, King Kong, Godzilla and other favorite monster movie stars of the 1930s and 1940s through the art of Murray Tinkelman, and enjoy this familyfriendly evening with a classic monster film and refreshments. Adults $7, children $5. nrm.org.

West Springfield Spring Craft Fair. First Congregational Church, 20 Lathrop St., West Springfield. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafts, baked goods.

Pileated Woodpecker Program. Boynton Park, Worcester. 8 to 10 a.m. Natural history guide and birding instructor Sheryl Farnam leads search of the largest woodpecker in Massachusetts. Suitable for children ages 8 to 16. Adults $8, children $6. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

4 Sunday Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Northampton. Look Park, North Main St., Northampton. Registration opens at 9 a.m., walk begins at 10 a.m. Participants walk for inclusion, friendship, leadership and opportunity for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. bestbuddiesma.org/westernwalk.

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 28 29

OUT&ABOUT Worcester. 1 to 3 p.m. Natural history guide Jody Barnard leads hands-on nature program which includes investigations, crafts and outdoor activities. Children $12. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Race of Rams Duathlon. Balmer School, 21 Crescent St., Whitinsville. 8:30 a.m.

Includes 5K and kids’ run. Entry free $50 to $80. mramultisport.com/raceoframs.

Drop-In Parent/Child Playgroup. Worcester Family Partnership, 130 Leeds St., Worcester.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Playgroups offer children a safe, leader led time where they can explore their world and develop new friendships. Free.

508-799-3136.

5 Monday

9 Friday

Playgroups. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 and 11 a.m. No playgroup on Memorial Day. Socialize and interact with other families.

All ages welcome. Free. 413-245-9977. hitchcockacademy.org.

Parents of Toddlers Support Group. First Church, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

Fridays at 10 a.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in discussing potty training, setting limits, temper tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more.

Free. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

6 Tuesday Parents of Toddlers Support Group. Baystate Health Education Center, BRL Conference Room, 361 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Tuesdays at 6 p.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in discussing potty training, setting limits, temper tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more. Free. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

7 Wednesday Motherwoman Group. Amherst Family Center, 1200 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Wednesdays, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Does not meet with public schools are closed or delayed. A free group for mothers and expectant mothers. Childcare provided fro children up to age 4. 413-256-1145. umass.edu.

Breastfeeding Support Group. Baystate Health Franklin Medical Center, OB Classroom of The Birthplace, 164 High St., Greenfield.

Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon. Meet other breastfeeding mothers and seek advice from expert lactation consultants. No registration required. baystatehealth.com/fmc.

8 Thursday Beautiful Butterflies Homeschool Program.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1 to 3 p.m. Natural history guide Kristin Steinmetz leads this program. Suitable for children ages 8 to 16.

Parents are welcome to attend, or students may stay on their own if a medical form is on file with the sanctuary. Children $12. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Nature Adventures for 5 to 7 Year Olds.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 30 MAY2014 31

Free Second Friday. Smith College Museum of Art, Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton. 4 to 8 p.m. Featuring landscape photographs by Anne Shiston Spirn and an artmaking session for children ages 4 and up with an adult (while supplies last). Free. smith.edu/artmuseum.

Preschool Story Hour Featuring Turtles.

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Program includes book, craft and walk. Suitable for children 2.5 to 5 years. Adults free, children $3. Register at 978-464-2712.

Experiments with Water Homeschool Program. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 1 to 3 p.m.

Discover the fascinating properties of water through experiments. Suitable for children ages 5 to 12. Free. Register at 978-464-2712. massaudubon.org.

Planetarium Show: Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Fridays in May, 2 p.m. With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

Children at Birth Class. Baystate Health, Wesson Women and Infants’ Unit, North Administrative Conference Room, 759 Chestnut St., Springfield. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This class is aimed at children whose parents want them present at the birth of a sibling. Cost $15.

Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Photo courtesy of Mass Audubon

Boot Camp for Dads. Baystate Health, Wesson Building, 759 Chestnut St., Springfield. 1 to 4 p.m. This class is for expectant fathers and covers such topics as forming a new family, the changing role of fathers, and how to meet the needs of the new mom. $20. Register at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Thursday, May 8, at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester, natural history guide Jody Barnard leads a hands-on nature program for children ages 5 to 7.

10 Saturday Cinco de Miles 5K. Look Park, 300 North Main St., Florence. 11 a.m. $30. 413-364-2323.

8th Annual Walk/Run for Autism. Neary School, 53 Parkerville Rd., Southborough.

Registration at 8:30 a.m., race starts at 10 a.m.

The New England Center for Children fundraiser. $35. 508-658-7535. necc.org.

Free Admission for Mothers. Old Sturbridge Village, One Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All mothers receive free admission to Old Sturbridge Village and will also receive a gift (while supplies last). osv.org.

Mother’s Day Tea and Tour. Stanley Park, 400 Western Ave. Westfield. 2 to 4 p.m. Tea in the Carillon Tower and a tour of the park.

413-568-9312. stanleypark.org.

11 Sunday

12 Monday

Mother’s Day at the Yiddish Book Center.

Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West St., Amherst.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a day of family events including an oral history workshop, tours and an afternoon performance of A Musical Salute to Molly Picon, Star of the Yiddish Theatre. Performance cost $18. yiddishbookcenter.org.

Playgroups. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 and 11 a.m. No playgroup on Memorial Day. Socialize and interact with other families.

All ages welcome. Free. 413-245-9977. hitchcockacademy.org.

Wildflowers and Spring Changes. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox. 10 a.m. to noon. Walk and learn natural history of spring wildflowers and other signs of spring. Registration not required. Adults $7, children free. massaudubon.org.

Mother’s Day at Look Park. Look Park, North Main St., Northampton. Moms ride the train and play mini golf for free. lookpark.org.

Free Admission for Moms. Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery talks will share family themes in Rockwell’s paintings. nrm.org.

13 Tuesday Brimfield Antique and Flea Market. Route 20, Brimfield. May 13 through 18. Antique show known as the largest seasonal, outdoor event of its kind in North America. brimfieldexchange.com.

Ask a Pediatrician and Car Seat Safety Class. Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St., Greenfield. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Meet Dr. Orlando Sola Gomez, pediatrician at Greenfield Pediatrics.

Free. Registration is required. 413-773-2454. baystatehealth.com/fmc.

Child Car Seat Clinic. Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St., Greenfield.

OUT&ABOUT Second Tuesday of the month, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Learn about proper car seat installation and have your child’s car seat inspected by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Appointments required. 413-773-2359. baystatehealth.com.

Make This Summer About Music!

Register For Our Summer Classes Now

PRIVATE YEAR ROUND MUSIC LESSONS ON ALL INSTRUMENTS

Photo courtesy of Mass Audubon

Register online and receive 2 FREE lessons!

14 Wednesday Keeping Baby Safe Class. Baystate Health, 361 Whitney Ave., 1st floor, BRL Conference Room, Holyoke. 6 to 9 p.m. This class teaches basic life support, infant CPR, first aid for choking, poison prevention, baby-proofing your home and car seat safety. $35 per couple.

Register at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Evening at the Beaver Ponds. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Suitable for children 3 and older. Search for beavers and other kinds of wildlife that are attracted by the series of ponds that the beavers have created. Adults $7, children $4. Registration not required. massaudubon.org.

15 Thursday

SUMMER ROCK AND JAZZ CAMPS Play in a band, write a song, record, and HAVE FUN! A week long camp that lasts 2 hours each day with a performance at the end of the week. For ages 9 and up.

Flexible dates & times, call for availability.

Rockin’ Kids • Rockin’ Tweens • Rockin’ Teens

GROUP MUSIC CLASSES 4 WEEK SESSIONS June 23 - July 18 and July 28 - August 22 Perfect for beginners, or a student who wants to try out a new instrument. (For All Ages)

Piano • Guitar • Violin • Drums

FALCETTI MUSIC GARAGE BAND 8 Week Summer Session

June 23 - August 22

TOTS ‘N TUNE PRESCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM For Ages 2-5 - Morning And Afternoon Classes

Falcetti Music

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Drop-In Parent/Child Playgroup. Worcester Family Partnership, 130 Leeds St., Worcester.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Playgroups offer children a safe time where they can explore their world and develop new friendships. Free.

508-799-3136.

16 Friday Parents of Toddlers Support Group. First Church, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

Fridays at 10 a.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in discussing potty training, setting limits, temper tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more.

Free. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Planetarium Show: Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Fridays in May, 2 p.m. With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

Family Feature Film. Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester. 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Ages 12 and under, 5 and under with caregiver.

Free. worcpublib.org.

17 Saturday 3rd Annual Ashby Spring Festival. Ashby Town Common, Main St., Ashby. 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, May 18. Crafters, vendors, lunch, entertainment, prizes, bake sale, kids’ activities. Free. ci.ashby.ma.us/community/events.html.

A World of Slime: Slug and Snails of Massachusetts. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Rd., Easthampton. 10 a.m. to noon. Learn how to tell slugs from snails, how and why they produce slime, what they eat, and their life cycle. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

Admission $8. Registration is required.

413-584-3009. massaudubon.org.

Meet Jackie Robinson. Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge. 5 to 6 p.m. This first-person performance looks back at the life of Jackie Robinson, the American player who broke the color line when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15, 1947. Adults $7, children $5. nrm.org.

18 Sunday The Biggest Loser RunWalk. Six Flags New England, Route 159, 1623 Main St., Agawam.

A race for all fitness levels, this runwalk includes a 5K and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run. 815-464-1265.

Storytime with Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

2 p.m. Authors will share their new counting book, Count on the Subway, a story of a child and parent navigating the city together through the New York subway system. Book signing to follow. Free with museum admission. Adults $9; youth ages 18 and under, students, teachers and seniors $6; family (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50. carlemuseum.org.

Arbors Goes Pink 5K Run for Breast Cancer. Look Park, North Main St., Northampton. 9 a.m. Includes 1 mile, 5K, kids run. arborsassistedliving.com.

2014 NAMI Walkathon. King Philip’s Stockade, Forest Park, Springfield. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family-friendly event supports those affected by mental illness. namiwm.org.

19 Monday Playgroups. Hitchcock Academy, 2 Brookfield Rd., Brimfield. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 and 11 a.m. No playgroup on Memorial Day. Socialize and interact with other families.

All ages welcome. Free. 413-245-9977. hitchcockacademy.org.

Historical Lecture Series: Made in the Happy Valley — The Corn Broom Industry in Hatfield and Hadley.

Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke.

6 to 7 p.m. Learn about the rise and fall of this BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 30 31

OUT&ABOUT industry from lecturer George Ashley. $7.

413-322-5660.

20 Tuesday

Photo Courtesy of Hitchcock Free Academy

Child Car Seat Clinic. Greenfield Fire Department, 312 Main St., Greenfield. Third Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about proper car seat installation and have your child’s car seat inspected by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Call 413-794-2255 to schedule an inspection. baystatehealth.com.

21 Wednesday Third Week Wonders: The Tiny Seed. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 to 11 a.m. Story, activity, walk. Suitable for children ages 3 to 5. Adults free, children $4. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Explore the New Wilson Meadow. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1 to 4 p.m. Learn about the plants and wildflowers of a rare habitat. Suitable for children 8 to 18. Adults $12, children $8. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Burncoat Dance presents A Dance Interpretation of CATS. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7 p.m. The Burncoat Dance Department will perform. Tickets $12 to $26. thehanovertheatre.org.

22 Thursday Family Film Event: The Jungle Book.

Springfield Public Library, Mason Square Community Room, 765 State St., Springfield.

6 to 8 p.m. Free popcorn and refreshments will be served. Free. springfieldlibrary.org.

Third Week Wonders: The Tiny Seed. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 to 11 a.m. Story, activity, walk. Suitable for children ages 3 to 5. Adults free, children $4. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

Drop-In Parent/Child Playgroup. Worcester Family Partnership, 130 Leeds St., Worcester.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Playgroups offer children a safe, leader led time where they can explore their world and develop new friendships. Free.

508-799-3136.

23 Friday Parents of Toddlers Support Group. First Church, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

Fridays at 10 a.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in 32 MAY2014 33

AMHERST PEDIATRICS

discussing potty training, setting limits, temper tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more.

Free. Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Arabian Horse Club of Connecticut Horse Show. Eastern States Exposition, Coliseum, 1305 Memorial Ave., Springfield. Friday through Sunday, May 23 through 25, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. An all Arabian horse show rated by USEF/USDF/AHA. Free. thebige.com.

Planetarium Show: Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Fridays in May, 2 p.m. With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

24 Saturday Eric Carle Book Signing. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst.

10 a.m. Meet Eric Carle. Free with museum admission. Adults $9; youth ages 18 and under, students, teachers and seniors $6; family (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50. carlemuseum.org.

Mister G Performs Live at The Carle. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 and 3 p.m. Mister G is a Parents’ Choice Gold Award-winning artist whose music has been described as “irresistible” by People magazine and was recently named one of the “Best Live Acts for Kids and Families.” Tickets $8. carlemuseum.org.

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Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair.

Cummington Fairgrounds, 97 Fairgrounds Rd., Cummington. Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. Dog trials, vendors, sheep and fleece auctions, leadline and other fiber animals, food, workshops. $10 per car. masheepwool.org.

First Child in the Woods/Caregiver and Infant/Toddler Walk. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Rd., Easthampton. 10 to 11 a.m. Meet other parents and caregivers while getting exercise and learning about the natural world. Suitable for kids ages 5 and under with caregiver. Adults $7, children free. Registration required. 413-584-3009. massaudubon.org.

Kids Run. Tanglewood, Lenox. Noon. The Kids Run will be a .25 mile loop for kids 6 and under and a .5 loop for kids 7 to 10. Kids 10 and under welcome. memorialdaymarathon.com.

Paradise City Arts Festival. 3-County Fairgrounds, Route 9 and Old Ferry Rd.,

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OUT&ABOUT Northampton. Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fine crafts, paintings and sculptures. Adults $13, seniors $11, students $8, children under 12 free. paradisecityarts.com.

Wool Days. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. Saturday through Monday, May 24 through 26. The sheep get their yearly haircuts, costumed historians demonstrate the wool textile process. Adults $24, seniors (55 and over) $22, youth (3 to 17) $8, children 2 and under are admitted free. osv.org.

Memorial Day Ceremony. Stanley Park, 400 Western Ave., Westfield. 10 a.m. to noon.

Takes place at Veterans’ Memorial. stanleypark.org.

tantrums, new sibling adjustment and more. Free.

Registration and information at 413-794-2229. baystatehealth.com.

Planetarium Show: Splendors of the Night Sky. Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards St. Springfield. Fridays in May, 2 p.m. With the planetarium stars as the backdrop, find out how to locate and identify celestial objects and constellations as the seasons change.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. In addition to regular museum admission, there is a charge of $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 17. springfieldmuseums.org.

Family Feature Film. Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester. 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Ages 12 and under, 5 and under with caregiver.

Free. worcpublib.org.

31 Saturday

Celtic Woman: The Emerald Tour. The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

7:30 p.m. Celebrate Ireland and its spellbinding Celtic heritage through a presentation of traditional Irish anthems and pop standards.

Tickets are $45 to $75. thehanovertheatre.org.

Cultural Survival Bazaar. Amherst Common, Boltwood Ave., Amherst. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A festival of native arts and cultures from around the world. Free. bazaar.culturalsurvvial.org.

Southbridge Fest 2014. Downtown Southbridge, Main St. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For a more expansive list of family activities taking place in Massachusetts, and to post your group’s family events, visit baystateparent.com.

Third Week Wonders: The Tiny Seed. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 to 11 a.m. Story, activity, walk. Suitable for children ages 3 to 5. Adults free, children $4. Registration required at 508-753-6087. massaudubon.org.

25 Sunday Memorial Day Races. Tanglewood, Lenox.

Marathon and half-marathon start at 8 a.m., 10K and 5K start at 9:30 a.m. memorialdaymarathon.com.

26 Monday Katie’s 5K. Boylston Common, 10 Church St., Boylston. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

Annual Memorial Day event for all ages. Ages 12 and older $30, children under 12 $20. katies5k.com.

29 Thursday West Springfield Park & Rec Summer Concert Series. Eastern States Exposition, Gazebo on Storrowton Village Green, 1305 Memorial Ave., Springfield. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, this concert moves into the West Springfield Middle School Auditorium. Free. west-springfield.ma.us.

Drop-In Parent/Child Playgroup. Worcester Family Partnership, 130 Leeds St., Worcester.

12:30 to 2 p.m. Playgroups offer children a safe, leader led time where they can explore their world and develop new friendships. Free.

508-799-3136.

30 Friday Parents of Toddlers Support Group. First Church, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

Fridays at 10 a.m. This group meets in a fun, child-friendly environment and is open to all parents of toddlers who are interested in discussing potty training, setting limits, temper

The very talented Anne Marie Scheffler returns to CityStage in her one woman show, Suddenly Mommy! In this comedy about a selfconfessed bad mom, our ill-prepared heroine falls for a single dad. They get pregnant, they get married and before you know it, she is a step-mom, a mom of two little boys of her own, and a very desperate housewife.

Overtired but inspired, Anne Marie redefines the role of motherhood, in order to have it all, whatever that means!

Treat yourself to a Mommy’s Night Out! CALL FOR TICKETS:

(413) 788-7033

May 8 - 10

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BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 32 33

LETSGO

KNIGHTS!

WAM’s new collection combines history and art in a family-friendly way.

BY TRISH RESKE, PHOTOS BY STEVEN KING

The new Knights! exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) heralds in a new, fresh approach to the beloved medieval collection of arms and armor acquired from the Higgins Armory Museum, which closed its ornamental doors at the end of 2014.

While the collection is the same, the context in which it is presented is very different: arms and armor are paired with art and historical context to present various stories of Medieval and Renaissance Europe in a way that is intended to engage curious minds of all ages.

“We want to translate as much as we can from the audiences that went to Higgins – which was lots of kids and their very happy parents - into the context of an art museum,” said WAM Director Matthias Waschek.

Waschek said that a balance was needed to create an exhibition that appeals to both six 34 MAY2014 35

and sixty-year-old audiences. WAM’s approach is to literally place visual art, artifacts and learning tools for kids at a lower strata of each exhibit, while placing art, arms and armor in the context of social themes and aesthetics at a higher level in each gallery.

“The Knights! exhibition is basically a testing ground of what we can do,” he said.

The initial exhibit includes five thematic sections: Courtly Pursuits, a view into the “fashion” of armor; The Dance of Love and War, an exploration of medieval male/ female relationships; Knights of the Round Table, featuring 13 helmets of various time periods; The Triumphal Arch, a look at architecture in war; and Good + Evil, learning how arms and armor can be beautiful, but represent violence.

Parents should be aware that a room enclosed within the Good + Evil section features Guns Without Borders in Mexico and Central America, which draws on information from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. The projected and framed photographs by three well-respected documentary photographers may not be considered suitable for very young children to view.

Waschek believes that the inclusion of Guns Without Borders gives older

kids a perspective on arms that moves beyond fantasy. “In our time and age, kids are exposed to an avalanche of images. Violent images are everywhere. A museum is both a retreat from life sometimes, but it can also be a way of helping people embrace life differently. We embrace life with all of its wonderful and terrible realities. The world is not just a dream world,” he said.

While only a fraction of the 2,000 pieces acquired from Higgins are currently on display, WAM plans to have the entire collection installed by 2020.

“Knights! is very different from Higgins,” said Education Program Assistant Neal Bourbeau. “There are the same pieces, but they are shown in a different way. It’s an advantage because we aren’t just isolating the exhibit to the arms and armor technology; it’s a better chance to talk about the larger culture of the Medieval and Renaissance world.”

Katrina Stacey, Assistant Curator of Education at WAM said that the Higgins collection in its new environment is “a great opportunity for kids and for families because most people come to an art museum and don’t expect it to necessarily be a welcome place for families.

We really want to change that perception.”

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Helmutt the Dog Leads the Way for Families with Kids Families who visit the Knights! exhibit are guided by visual signs that feature the Higgins armored mascot dog, Helmutt. In each gallery, Helmutt invites children to engage in the exhibit by finding interesting objects, or exploring more information on different themes. The exhibit also features iPads with easy-to-access interactive information for both adults and kids. Every screen has a “Helmutt” character that explains the exhibit on a kid-friendly level.

The back of the exhibit area features Helmutt’s House, a family-friendly space where younger children can lounge on brightly-colored pillows, read books, try on costumes and props, and participate in medievalthemed arts and crafts.

Children can’t miss the full-size Batman suit in the main gallery – a reminder that medieval ideas of armor have been translated into modern cultural fantasy characters.

“We’re trying to make the tie between historical armor and contemporary armor, and also between reality and fantasy,” said Stacey. “Batman, who is called ‘The Dark Knight’ is a great example of that. His costume is actually inspired by armor.”

WAM plans to provide numerous educational programs for school groups similar to the programs that were at the Higgins Armory. Neal Bourbeau and Nancy Huntington, both previously program educators at Higgins, are now working at WAM to integrate new and innovative programs.

“Our main school audience at Higgins was middle school,” said Huntington.

“Our educational programs here at WAM will be similar to Higgins, but in a completely different context. At Higgins, we completely focused on armor. Here, you have a completely other context to look at the collection in. We’re bringing together art, armor and culture for students.”

Bourbeau added that another benefit is that families and school groups can explore Knights! as well as the larger context of the museum as a whole. “There’s so much more to really discover, even beyond the Medieval and Renaissance time periods,” he said.

WAM will continue its Friday dropin story hour, and new educational programs will be announced on the museum’s website, www. worcesterart.org.

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The Holding Pattern: A Girlfrie

BY AMANDA ROBERGE

According to Dr. White, 50 percent of women have had sex by the time they go in for their 6-week postpartum visit and the other 50 percent are likely to be waiting much longer.

36 MAY2014 37

L

ike most areas of motherhood, there are certain expectations of how it’s going to be in the bedroom once the baby arrives.

Maybe you expect that nothing will change. Maybe you expect that the baby will only slightly cramp your style. Maybe you haven’t given it a second thought and your new sex life will be a low concern on the totem pole of life. The extreme optimist might even go so far as to think that the baby will bring her relationship to a whole new dimension of intimacy.

Oh, how I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

Back during my first pregnancy 13plus years ago, there was a popular book by humor columnist Vicki Iovine, called The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy where she laid out the truth as she saw it. I appreciated the honest assessment of motherhood, which went about three miles beyond all that “I’m so over the moon with my new baby” crap I kept finding elsewhere.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but I know you can handle it. After all, by the time you have gone through childbirth, you will officially be a warrior and information can’t hurt you anymore – it will only strengthen your superpowers.

After a phone conversation with

the lovely Dr. Katharine White, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Baystate Health in Springfield, I called in my own troops (my girlfriends) to get the conversations flowing, aided by a box of wine.

What I am about to share with you is my own girlfriends’ guide to sex after pregnancy.

Dr. White calls this time of your marriage “a holding pattern,” and my girlfriends agree. But even as she decrees that it’s okay to scale it back and accept what it is, she warns against ignoring your intimate life completely.

“To some degree, you are just trying to survive these years,” she said. “But you can’t totally put your relationship on hold because, if you let it go too far, there won’t be a relationship to get back to when you come around looking for it.”

My girlfriends agree that Dr. White’s advice is important, and that remembering to nurture our role as woman and wife is crucial even as we explore the new role of mom. But they also agree that implementing it, like most sound and rational things that look good on paper, can be one of the more difficult aspects of adjusting to life as parents.

The bottom line is that this will probably not be the best sex of your life. The years after you start your family are not likely to be a

time when intimate life blossoms into deep connection and exquisite understanding between you and your partner. More likely, there will be tension, there will be sleep-deprivation and there will be physical changes you didn’t see coming.

My girlfriends and I, along with Dr. White, are here to help you get real about your new normal.

Ch-ch-ch-changes Much of your post-partum sexual experience will depend on the ease or severity of the physical birth experience. According to Dr. White, 50 percent of women have had sex by the time they go in for their 6-week postpartum visit and the other 50 percent are likely to be waiting much longer.

Case in point, my friend Victoria and I had babies at the same time and were both scheduled for our 6-week appointments during the same week. Walking our babies, she reminded me that this is the visit where the doctor gives you the go-ahead to resume intercourse.

At the very same moment, we blurted out our truths. “Yeah, because who waits that long?” I guffawed, as she made a disgusted face and said, “Because who wants to do that?” We looked at each other and burst into peals of

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laughter that echoed up and down my street. But the reality was that while she had endured an episiotomy and was still healing, I’d had a homebirth where my midwives were unexpectedly dedicated to preserving my perineum.

For my friends that had C-sections, six weeks was not nearly enough to time to fathom the idea of having sex. With a wound that was still very much healing which made even simple tasks difficult, reclaiming their role as a sexual woman was not exactly a priority.

“I couldn’t even drive a car,” said my friend Brianna, who went so far as to keep the baby in bed with them in order to shield her from the expectation that she might put out. She found herself in no hurry to get her infant into his nursery, and only when she was physically ready did she decide it was time to do some sleep-training.

But even more so, for some women, their postpartum figures can be as much a deterrent as their physical discomfort.

“I was way too self-conscious,” said my friend Kerry, to wild nods from my friends seated at my boxof-wine roundtable. “I felt like Jabba the Hutt.”

In short, the changes in your body are one thing, but the changes in your own self-image are another malady entirely.

Lubricant is your friend Listen. I want to put this delicately.

You are finally ready. You are healed up for the most part, your partner is willing to take it slow, and the baby is sleeping for more than five seconds at a stretch.

The bad news is that things might not be as they once were when it comes to your bits and pieces. You might need some help in making up for the changes that only hormonal imbalances can cause, like a condition medically known as vaginal atrophy, also called atrophic vaginitis, that is characterized by thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to your body having less estrogen.

According to Dr. White, even after the scars have healed and life resumes some sense of normalcy, the low estrogen levels that are typical during breastfeeding can provide a serious interruption to carefree sex. With painful sex being the only other option to no sex at all, it isn’t hard to see why women have a decreased desire in the months after their babies are born.

Some men – and I’m not naming names – take this a bit personal-

ly. Manhood is a funny thing like that, and for men who haven’t been getting stroked regularly like they once were, their inability to rev your engine might hurt the ego.

Not to worry, said Dr. White.

With the introduction of a good lubricant that will make sex much less painful and therefore more likely to happen, even the proudest man will come around and join the team.

“Whatever makes you more comfortable with sex will make you want to have it more often,” she said, “which will make him a big fan.”

Sleep vs. Sex My friends were unanimous about one important aspect of the difficulties of new motherhood. If the choice came down to catching some zzz’s and catching some nookie, sleep was going to win every single time.

“I actually totally wanted sex mentally,” said my friend Gabby.

“But as soon as we got to bed, I just wanted sleep.”

There is no question that even with the best little sleeper, the demands of new parenthood are physically exhausting.

One way for men to help their partners get in the mood is for

them to become super helpful in the area of baby care and housekeeping.

“I felt like all of the responsibility was on me,” said Kerry of life after her first baby – though her husband caught on quick and eventually learned how to help balance the scale. “I had to ask to take a shower, or take a walk, or a nap.

When he started taking control of some of the baby care, it freed me up to think about taking care of him.”

Dr. White also reminds women that intercourse is not the only way to scratch the itch for intimate connection.

“I’m in no way telling women to do whatever it takes to satisfy their husbands,” she laughed.

“I’m just saying that small gestures can keep everyone happy until you get through the roughest patch and get back to an even keel.”

My girlfriends and I have “babies” ranging in age from 7 to 16, and we want new mothers to know that it is going to get better.

Just realizing, acknowledging and accepting that you are in a holding pattern, as Dr. White calls it, is half the battle.

“Just wait it out,” advised my friend Gabby. “It will come back eventually and it will be well worth the wait.”

BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 36 37

Just DON’T Hit Send

BY MARYJO KURTZ

It

was an early Saturday morning in February when the texting began. Parents of my son’s friends were rapidly texting over news that some middle school girls in my town of Westborough were caught sexting. A high school boy was arrested for selling the pictures.

“I just feel so bad about this. What do you plan to say to Joey?” one parent wrote.

Joey is my 13-year-old, a seventh grader in town. Over breakfast that morning, my husband and I learned that he had heard rumors of the sexting. There was plenty of food at breakfast that morning, mostly for thought.

“Just don’t hit send,” my husband said.

“We can’t control what is sent to you, but you can control what you do with it. Just don’t hit send.”

“The girls could have been charged.”

Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon said that five Gibbons Middle School girls, ages 13 and 14, took inappropriate selfies together back in November. One of the girls forwarded a picture to her boyfriend in Southborough that was later emailed to a 15-year-old boy in Westborough.

The Westborough freshman then started selling the photo.

“He was arrested,” Gordon said. The boy will be summoned to Worcester Juvenile Court for disseminating obscene material of a minor. Gordon suspected that the boy will be placed on pre-trial probation.

“These are good kids, highly regarded in the schools, no problems with families or teachers,” Gordon said. “We aren’t looking to impact futures down the road.

We are looking to use this situation as a tool to teach what is right and what is wrong. Disseminating obscene material of a minor is a crime. The girls could have been charged.”

Westborough Public Schools Superintendent Marianne O’Connor said that the school must get involved when an incident happens on school property.

“This was between players of the baseball teams. One player showed some other players pictures of the girls, and one of the older students at the high school bought the picture,” she said. “That’s where the school gets involved because it happened in the locker room at the high school.”

38 MAY2014 39

“It’s absolutely a sign of the times.”

Both Gordon and O’Connor said that this type of incident is becoming more common. “It’s absolutely a sign of the times,” said O’Connor.

“This isn’t being done at home,” she said.

“What the girls do is go to the mall and into a store like Victoria’s Secret and they try on stuff in the dressing room. They are in a closed booth, laughing, giggling, taking pictures and being silly. They don’t realize that it is not private, that it can be dangerous.”

O’Connor said she spoke with many girls in the middle school and reminded them that they don’t know who might see these photos five or ten years later. “Once it’s out there, it’s out there,” she said.

“Parents need to be aware of it.”

“These behaviors strongly correlate with sexual activity.”

Rhode Island clinical child and adolescent psychologist Christopher D. Houck, Ph.D., lead a recent study on sexting behaviors among at-risk adolescents.

His work appeared in the January issue of Pediatrics. Houck said that while his study focused on at-risk youth, there are some takeaways that can be applied to all teens.

“It’s important for parents to realize that these [sexting] behaviors strongly correlate with sexual activity,” he said. “These incidents remind us that it is important to have an open line of communication with your child.”

Houck said that parents can use these naturally occurring moments, like the Westborough incident, to open up a conversation about sexting. “Tell your children that you are open and want to communicate about it.”

He continued, “The great thing in today’s society is that we have Miley Cyrus. She is constantly giving us a starting point

for these conversations. You might ask, ‘What did you think about how she performed on the awards show?’ Your kids might say she looked like a tramp or they might say that they loved it.

You can gage where kids are and where they differ or are the same as you.”

When asked the best age to begin a conversation about the sexting and its consequences, Gordon quickly responded, “As soon as a child has access to a cell phone.” O’Connor agreed, saying fourth and fifth grade is an appropriate age to discuss cell phone behavior.

“You need to set boundaries.”

When discussing cell phone responsibility with your children, the experts recommend five talking points.

1. Set up rules. If you plan to

randomly check your child’s cell phone, make that clear. “Yes, you want to honor a child’s privacy, but you need to set boundaries,” said Houck. “Every family has its own set of values and expections, but remember that you are the parent.”

2. Explain consequences for breaking the rules. “Parents must have consequences, and they should be explained clearly to the child,” O’Connor said.

3. Establish ownership of the phone. Houck said, “The child has the phone because you are paying for it.” He said that while

it may seem like a violation of privacy to inspect your child’s phone, you have a right to do so as both a parent and the owner of the phone.

4. Check phone activity. Gordon said that while you don’t want to snoop, it is reasonable to occasionally check a child’s cell phone use as well as the child’s computer history. “Be very clear that you will be looking at the phone. Families must set limits and boundaries,” said Houck.

“Set up guidelines for deleted messages, too. Tell them, ‘If I see a day of missing texts, I’m going to ask you about that.’ Talk about it in advance. If not, the child might feel it is a violation of trust.”

5. Explain the dangers of sexting.

Make sure your child understands what constitutes sexting, that it can be illegal for minors, and how it can affect those involved. “The phone is a tool just like a pen or pencil. If you wrote something bad, you would get called on it. You don’t use it to harass or abuse others. It can hurt. It can ruin adult lives,” said O’Connor.

Finally, Houck said that a conversation about cell phone use and sexting can open the lines of communication on family values and expectations. “Parents can use these publicized incidents to have an open conversation about sexual activity and sexuality.

What are your values? This is a time to discuss that,” he said.

“Communication is key.”

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daring TO DATE: challenges for newly

SINGLE PARENTS

BY KATHY SLOAN, KOURTNEY WILSON ILLUSTRATOR

“It is unfair to your child to ask them to accept a new person into their lives only to have them disappear shortly after.

If this becomes a pattern, children may begin to expect instability in future relationships.”

— mental health counselor Sara Godin 40 MAY2014 41

D

ating at any age can be grueling. As a single parent, though, dating has unique challenges. Before children, you only had to worry about yourself. But now, it’s not only you on that date, it’s your kids, too (figuratively, of course).

“Dating is a whole different world. I am essentially dating for myself and three kids,” said Jessica Perry, a Rutland mother of three. “I’m definitely more particular, because if I engage in a serious relationship, it has to be with someone I could envision my kids spending time with. And since they are, well, my everything, that’s no small responsibility.”

For newly single parents who are ready to date, the reasons are many. Some feel lonely. Others are looking for adult companionship — someone to share dinner and laughs. However, with children to consider, it is common to question when to start dating or how the kids will feel about it. You may even wonder how to get started.

When the TIME is right The good news is that just because one relationship ended,

does not mean you are destined to be alone forever — though it is normal to worry that your kids might not be ready for you to date.

“I was badly in need of fun, outings, and distractions when I didn’t have my kids. I don’t think anyone should be judged on that,” said Perry.

Stew Elias, a single father of three from Rutland, lost his job shortly before his wife died. He found that he was spending all of his time with his kids and knew that he needed to do something just for him.

“I began dating four months after my wife of twenty years passed away. Some people might say that was too soon, but it was something I had to do for me,” he said.

Like Perry and Elias, most know when they are ready to date. It is important to keep realistic expectations. It’s just dating, not a marriage proposal.

TELLING the kids “Some children may have more difficulty accepting their parent being in a new relationship compared to others. This is based on several factors, including age, maturity level, and if they are

still grieving over the loss of their nuclear family,” said Sara Godin, a licensed mental health counselor at Center Tree Counseling in Spencer, who specializes in cognitive behavior therapy with children.

Just like you, your children need time to heal. By keeping the lines of communication open and using age appropriate explanations about dating, you increase the chance that your kids will learn to accept it. For example, you might tell small children that you are going out with a friend. If your children are tweens or teens, you may find that they understand that you are dating — and may even be happy for you.

Elias, whose children were older, took an upfront approach with his kids. “I was very conscious about keeping their thoughts and feelings in mind. I talked to my kids about it, and they were very supportive.

Whether they were just saying that or not, I don’t know. But keeping them part of the process made it easier.”

For single mother Kirsten Creighton, it was important that her two young girls knew that she and her ex-husband were both free to date. “We (also) made

sure they knew Mom and Dad were always going to take care of them regardless.”

Godin suggests that parents reassure children that they aren’t replacing the other parent, but rather adding someone into their own lives. She also said, “Your child needs to feel like they are your top priority and that they will not need to fight for your time, attention, and affection. They need to know that a significant person in your life will not detract from your relationship with them.”

Take things SLOW Introducing a potential partner to your children should be given a lot of thought. There is no rule of thumb on when to introduce a suitor to your children. But waiting until you are sure the person you are dating is someone you have strong feelings for — and trust — will be an important factor in deciding when to introduce your children.

Godin noted, too, that not all relationships work out which is why care should be taken when introducing a new partnership.

“It is unfair to your child to ask them to accept a new person into their lives only to have them disappear shortly after. If this becomes a pattern, children may begin to expect instability in future relationships,” she said.

When the time is right, and you feel that you are ready to introduce your kids to someone, Godin advised, “Begin by slowly and sensitively talking to your child about your new partner and seeing how things progress. They may be very curious and ask a lot of questions.”

Godin suggested telling your

children about this person in your life, what he/she looks like or his/her interests. Respond to any questions they have and give them time to process whether they feel comfortable meeting anyone.

When they’re ready, plan a social event, like bowling or mini-golf, to make the introduction. Choose somewhere that the child will feel comfortable and conversations can be more relaxed.

If practical, inform your child’s other parent throughout the process so that he or she can help watch for variations in the child’s moods or behaviors regarding the new changes. If that is not possible, working with a therapist can also help.

BUCKLE up!

It is rumored that you should date a dozen people before choosing a long-term partner. While there is no correct formula for predicting a successful love match, it is a reminder to buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Being nervous to date is normal, but dating can be fun. For Elias, “I was shocked that I wasn’t nervous when I first started dating. I was more confident and comfortable with myself. I thought, ‘If this goes well, great. If not, oh well.”

He said that things were easier after the first date. He added that getting out, talking with another adult, and having some fun made him a better parent. “I was looking for companionship, not necessarily a relationship — someone to have fun with, to do adult things with.”

Creighton agreed, saying, “The world is your oyster. Take up that offer from the least-likely candidate.

You may end up having a blast.”

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Things I Miss

BY JON MCGRATH

You won’t miss…

W

hen my kids were younger, I didn’t spend a lot of time reading magazines like this one for two reasons. First, I wasn’t convinced that so-called “experts” knew much more about parenting than I did. And second, whatever time I did have to read, I wanted to spend reading stuff that had nothing to do with kids.

Our kids were sleeping. I wanted to read Roddy Doyle and Nick Hornby and David Halberstam. I didn’t want to read about how I’m supposed to play with my kid (if I couldn’t figure that out, I’d turn in my parenting license), how to avoid over-scheduling (I’m going with “schedule less stuff”), or dream family vacations I’d never be able to afford.

I didn’t want my kids to be less rambunctious, as some articles had suggestions on doing. I wanted them to be more rambunctious, so when the puck dropped at the Boston Garden on NESN, the drool was dropping onto their pillows because they were wiped out from running around all day. I’d trade in hours of chaos, messiness, and (usually) accidental blows to my testicles for just a few hours of peace before my wife, Jen, and I went to bed.

Now that my kids (14, 12, and 10) and I are all a little older, I’m seeing the value of parenting magazines more clearly than I did 10 years ago.

Much content consists of parents 44 MAY2014 45

with a little experience sharing lessons they’ve learned with other parents going through the same stuff, different year. If I’d read some of this stuff then, maybe I’d have a better handle on how to assure my kids didn’t use our entire house as a closet (but I never would have discovered Joseph O’Connor).

That said, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not really an expert in any aspect of parenting.

I’m not even sure why I was asked to write for this magazine. I get up every day, go to work, do the best I can as a dad and husband, and hope I don’t come home one day to an unemployed kid with no ambition and a body full of tattoos with a chain connecting two nipple rings, watching a marathon of classic seasons of The Bachelor.

On my couch.

One thing I do know is that time goes by too quickly. I can hardly look at my kids’ baby books or old pictures and videos because I can’t believe how much they’ve grown and changed, and it makes me sad.

Although I’m thankful to be able to relive those moments, it’s almost like I’m watching someone else go through them. It doesn’t seem possible that they (or I) were that young.

So for you parents who still have young ones and are wishing away your diaper-changing days, I can tell you there are some things that you will miss, and others you won’t.

• Changing diapers. I’m nostalgic about a million things, but not this.

• The Bag. “Do you have The Bag? Is The Bag ready? Did you put everything in The Bag? Where’s The Bag?” Besides our actual children, The Bag was the most important thing in the world the moment we stepped out of the house.

• The Following. When toddlers toddle and you’re not in your own house, you have to follow them from room to room to make sure they don’t crash into anything that can do serious damage or destroy anything you can’t afford to replace. This makes visiting other houses not an actual visit, but a tour of any room that is not blocked off. You never have any conversation lasting more than three words because the kid is running around like a nut. I don’t miss this, even a little.

• Vomiting for no good reason.

If your kids are relatively healthy to begin with, vomiting has to be the worst part about parenting.

My kids had a knack for throwing up all over everything. It was a gift. They still do, but not nearly as often, and usually because of illness, not some inexplicable 4:00 a.m. vomit-fest followed by their waking up and eating breakfast three hours later like nothing ever happened.

• Kiddie birthday parties. Those were the worst. Sitting around a loud, smelly, germ-infested bouncy house, playground, or bland party room to watch a bunch of sugar-overdosed fouryear-old maniacs was not high on my list of how to spend 3 hours on a Saturday, but I did it anyway because the kids had fun. Plus, it upped the Vomit Possibility Meter (VPM) by about plus-infinity.

• Being woken up in the middle of the night. “Daddy! Daddy!!

DADDY!!!” I once heard in a bloodcurdling scream. I leapt from my bed and sprinted into the room, expecting no less than a confrontation with either a grizzly bear or an armed gang of crystal meth dealers. “I can’t find my Pooh Bear,” he said.

You will miss…

• Them sitting on your lap or cuddling up next to you on the couch. Now they don’t even want to be on the same couch as me if they can help it. When they fell asleep on my lap, I could have sat there all day long.

• First thing in the morning.

They used to be so happy to see me in the morning. Now I’m lucky to get more than a “good morning,” unless they’re hoping I’ll make them breakfast. Then I’ll get a “Good morning, and how would you feel about making me breakfast?”

• Playing. Sure, I still play with my kids. We play wiffle ball all summer long, and all sorts of board games and quiz games throughout the year. But it’s different. We try to keep it fun and non-competitive, but sibling rivalry almost inevitably kicks in and someone thinks something isn’t fair and gets dramatic. That

Every time I walk across a parking lot with one of my kids, I think back to the days when I’d hold their hands while doing so. I don’t know when the last time that happened was. I guess my point is that you never know when the last time anything will be.

Those little moments. The last time they run up to greet you when you walk in the door after work. The last

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never happened with “peeka-boo,” rolling a ball back and forth, or feeding our hand-puppet Bessie the Talking Cow different household items to see if she’d like them.

• Early bedtimes. We were very lucky to have three kids who slept through the night by the time they were about six-weeks-old. We knew that no matter how ridiculous the day was, at 7:30 we’d have a few hours of our own. Now we have to throw them out of the living room after “American Idol” so we get a few minutes of peace and quiet without listening to their impressions of what our guinea pigs would sound like if they could talk or their bickering about whose turn it is to do the dishes every night.

• Someone who needs your help finding his or her Pooh Bear to get back to sleep.

time you have to cut up their dinner.

The last time you have to help them wash their hair because they’re not sure how to get out all the shampoo before opening their eyes. The last time you have to get up when they do because they can’t make their own breakfast and need someone who qualifies as an adult presence with them from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed.

So enjoy those little moments, and take that hand in the parking lot whenever it’s offered, because one day you’ll miss those moments, as insignificant as they may seem now.

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(AGES 6-12)

โ ข Nature Adventure (AGES 6-12) (AGES 8-12)

โ ข NASA: Journey into Outer Space (AGES 6-12)

(AGES 6-12)

Locations throughout Western MA & CT including our NEW Northampton locations

(413) 584-7243

westnewengland.madscience.org CAMP DIRECTORS: We can provide your campers with โ In-Camp Field Trips,โ Spectacular Stage Shows & Fun Hands-On Workshops!

Birthday Parties โ ข Company Picnics โ ข Scout Programs Preschools โ ข Library Events โ ข and so much more!

Springfield JCC Summer Camps June 23 - August 15, 2014

โ ข Day Camps โ ข Travel Camps โ ข Specialty Camps (baking, circus, outdoor adventure, science, sports, theater and more!) โ ข Beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities โ ข Nurturing, well-trained staff Download a brochure at www.SpringfieldJCC.org We also offer Camp Kehillah for individuals with special needs June 23-July 3; August 4-15: Inclusion Camp August 18-22: Substantially Separate Camp JCC Summer Camps are part of the Springfield Jewish Community Center Neal Webber Building โ ข 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA โ ข (413) 739-4715 www.SpringfieldJCC.org โ ข facebook.com/JCCSummerCamp All Are Welcome!

JCC Summer Camps Director: Louis Lasko, llasko@springfieldjcc.org โ ข Camp Kehillah Director: Linda LaPointe, llapointe@springfieldjcc.org 48 MAY2014 49

Preschool Dance, Gym & Child Care & Enrichment §INTERBERRY ∫ARM A small family farm now in Colrain, MA Offering hands-on farm & fiber programs for kids, families, and adults.

Little Friends Child Care Center

• Follow MA learning frameworks • All staff CPR and First Aid certification • Caring for children 1-year up to 9 years of age • 2-day minimum for all programs (we fit your schedule) • Full Day Programs 7am-5:30pm available hours includes snow days/vacations/ holidays/summers if needed

See our schedule at www.winterberryfarm.org

Summer Fun 2014!

Kids love to learn in our fully air-conditioned, state-of-the-art facility! Built with safety in mind.

• Privately owned • Year round enrollment

217 Hubbard St., Ludlow, MA 01056 “All that you expect from a great pre-school program and more…”

An integral part of St. John the Baptist Elementary School, our pre-school benefits from the larger community by offering: Before and after-school care Hot Lunch program Computer, Art, Music, Gym We also offer flexible schedules and accept 3-year olds.

Call us at 413-589-7531 for information on fees and to schedule a personal tour. You’ll be glad you did!

• Before and after school -

(413) 624-3940 www.winterberryfarm.org info@winterberryfarm.org 340 Wilson Hill Road Colrain MA 01340

St. John the Baptist Nursery School

58 Daniel Shays Hwy., Belchertown, MA 413-323-8447

NEW FALL 2014 HOURS FOR MORNING PRESCHOOL 9:15am-1pm follows the Belchertown school schedule

Party People!

E-mail:

Littlefriends39@aol.com Website:

Weekly Tuition Payments $16.00 per day Your choice of any 2-5 day combination

Littlefriends39.com

A Dream Come True Learning Center (2 locations)

JHOULE’S

Balloon Sculptures & Party Decorating

INFANTS • TODDLERS PRESCHOOL 6 weeks to 8 years Part Time/Full Time Slots Available

Offering both gymnastic & educational camp programs.

Full day and 1/2 day Camp and Summer evening classes

New England Farm Workers vouchers accepted • We offer a 10% sibling discount and a 3% discount for monthly payment Visit our website for camp schedules and prices or call for more information.

65 Post Office Park ❙ Wilbraham, MA 01095 413-596-0089 allamericangymnasticacademy.com

6 Mainline Drive Westfield, MA 01085 413-562-3828 1029 North Road Westfield, MA 01085 413-650-0417

Western Mass Martial Arts Academy

ENROLL NOW

Karate and Judo/Jujutsu Come try a class or two at no charge.

Be part of a tradition that has spanned hundreds of years. We have been teaching both children & adults for 24 years.

Shobukan Karate and Judo/Jujutsu Children from age 4 through 12 Adults from 13 through ?

Training suitable for all ages.

Call Shihan Mark Pearlman 413-519-4574 for class schedules and locations.

www.shobukan.net

PRE-SCHOOL/ CHILD CARE

FEES (up to 9 hour day)

Infant–6 wks.-15 months............... $245.00 weekly Toddler–15 mos.-2yrs. 9 mos......... $215.00 weekly Pre-School–2 yrs. 9 mos.-5 yrs...... $185.00 weekly Accredited by the

National Accreditation of Early Childhood Programs

413-289-1242 735 River Street ❙ Palmer, MA

houle79@yahoo.com ❙ houle81@yahoo.com

www.facebook.com/JhoulesBalloonCreationsAndPartyDecorating

Ed Popielarczyk

★

Quality Entertainment for Your Special Event Comedy Magic Ballooon Sculpting Flea Circus Magic & Balloon SculptingWorkshops Face Painting

The accreditation division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children

411 Granby Road South Hadley, MA 01075 Call for an appointment (413) 532-5303

www.brighterbeginningcc.com QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE Established in 1987

We can ship balloon creations!

★

★

981 Burts Pit Road Florence, MA 413-584-7675 baloonpop@comcast.net edpop.com BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 48 49

Service Directory for Kids & Families Want to be a teacher?

You can with TIMELI.

Now accepting applications for summer 2014 Offered by The Teachers’ Loft in collaboration with Western New England University TIMELI is a part-time Post-baccalaureate Alternative Route Licensure Program for those interested in becoming a licensed secondary teacher in Massachusetts.

TIMELI is fully approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

info@teachersloft.org 413.221.0111 • www.wne.edu/TIMELI

Healthy Kids & Families

INDEX A Dream Come True Learning Center..............49 American Gymnastic Academy......................49 Amherst Pediatrics......................................31 Arbors Kids..................................................3 Baystate Health..........................................51 Belchertown Kidz Club.................................47 Big Y..........................................................4 Brain Balance.............................................46 Brighter Beginnings.....................................49 Brunelle’s Marina........................................52 Camp Half Moon........................................46 Chicopee Urgent Care..................................45 Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech..........46 Country Bank...............................................2 Creative Kids..............................................12 Ed Popielarczyk....................................43, 49

Eric Carle...................................................14 Falcetti Music.............................................30 Fenway Golf..............................................21 Funtabulous Inflatables................................21 Great Wolfe.................................................9 Greater Springfield YMCA.............................47 Holyoke Community College.........................45 Jhoules Balloon..........................................49 Kumon Amherst..........................................25 Little Friends Child Care Center.....................49 Little Sports Fitness.....................................20 MacDuffie School........................................48 Mad Science..............................................48 Michael’s Rentals........................................21 New Beginnings Child Care..........................39 Northampton Montessori..............................31

consignment corner Your savings are in the bag

at these top shoppes!

Pediatric Associates of Hampden County

“Treating your children as family since 1975”

Hurley’s Children’s Cottage

Promote your business for only $79 per month with a 2” x 2” square.

We have extended hours and accessibility to meet the needs of your family

www.PAHCpediatrics.com 477 Southwick Rd., Westfield, MA 01085 413-562-0710 373 Park St., West Springfield, MA 01089 413-781-2685

TO ADVERTISE Contact Jessica O’Malley 413-437-4673, jessica@baystateparent.com or Beth Baker 413-283-8393 ext. 245, bbaker@turley.com 50 MAY2014 51

Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.................45 Pediatric Associates of Hampden County........50 Potterville Pottery.......................................20 Roots Gymnastics.......................................39 Saint Mary’s..............................................12 Side By Side Preschool . .............................35 Sixteen Acre..............................................35 Springfield Jewish Community Center............48 St. John the Baptist....................................49 Teacher’s Loft.............................................50 Thompson’s Gymnastics...............................47 UMASS Fine Arts..........................................5 Western Mass Martial Arts Academy..............49 Winterberry Farm.......................................49

CONTACT Beth Baker 413-283-8393 bbaker@turley.com or Jessica O’Malley 413-437-4673 jessica@baystateparent.com

Gently Used Children’s Clothing, Footwear, Toys, Books & Baby Equipment

Shops Located at The Wilbraham Wilbraham Shops Wilbraham, MA MA 2341 Boston Rd, Wilbraham,

413-279-1707 LikeUs Uson on Like facebook.com/Hurley’s Children’s Children’s Cottage facebook.com/Hurley’s Cottage

Consignment Boutique Featuring:

NAME BRAND CLOTHES FOR WOMEN, JUNIORS, CHILDREN AND MATERNITY 562 Main St., (Rt. 20) Sturbridge, MA 508-347-0339 • www.childrens-crossing.com Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5pm • Sun. 10-5pm

49

Baystate Children’s Hospital Parent Education Series Join us for all or part of this free series.

Table Talk: Tips for a Healthy Family Wednesday, May 14 Dr. Chrystal Wittcopp, medical director, Pediatric Weight Management Program, presents creative and effective strategies to help children eat healthier and exercise more.

Bugs, Bites, & Sun: Tips for a Healthy Summer Outdoors Wednesday, June 4 Dr. J. Michael Klatte, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Dr. Stephanie Carlin, pediatrician, offer helpful hints to keep your children safe and happy this summer, including water and sun safety as well as protection against bugs and ticks.

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All seminars are held from 6-7 pm at the Baystate Children’s Specialty Center, 50 Wason Avenue, Springfield.

Child care will be provided and refreshments served.

Registration is required. To register, please call 1-800-377-4325. FREE!

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baystatehealth.org/bch BAYSTATEPARENTWEST 50 51 3/27/14 2:03 PM

Join Us For

Food and Drinks under the tent e o p R ening d n a r G Coming Soon

The Picturesque Connecticut River

Brunelle's Marina

52 MAY2014

Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday starting May 3rd until re-opening of Dockside & Brunelle’s Marina

Lady Bea Opening Day Cruise Schedule Friday, May 23rd 1:00, 4:00 & 7:00 Sunday, May 24th 1:00 & 4:00

1 Alvord Street South Hadley, MA 01075 413-536-3132 www.BRUNELLES.com