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JULY 2016

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

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table of contents JULY 2016 VOLUME 21

If you want to know where to eat, shop, visit, or patronize: Ask a parent. They’re major consumers of almost any service a community can offer and frequently network with their peers to determine where their money and time will be well spent.

3

1.

NUMBER 3

Ask any business or organization and they will tell you that word of mouth is critical to their success. So, consider this, our inaugural Best issue, the ultimate word of mouth from Massachusetts parents. Our readers weighed in, naming their favorites in more than 80 categories. Check out our Best of 2016 winners starting

on page 35. Thank you to those who voted and congratulations to this year’s winners!

Melissa — Melissa Shaw, editor in chief

Features

things we learned

while making the july issue

Last year, more than 9.3 million people visited the 15 National Park Service sites throughout Massachusetts.

Turn to page 18 and check out how NPS is celebrating its 100th birthday, as well as the presents it has for families.

2.

3.

Do your children answer your requests with, “In a minute”?

Research shows there are two underlying and related factors that contribute to procrastination: motivation and anxiety. On page 62, discover how procrastination develops and learn how you can help your children change their tendency to procrastinate.

Did you know most children don’t require a daily multivitamin? On page 64, discover why, as well as key precautions parents should take when considering multivitamins.

owner and publisher KIRK DAVIS associate publisher KATHY REAL kreal@baystateparent.com

12 14 18

What Kids Need for a Mentally Healthy Summer

47

Three Eighth Graders Vie for Same Girl’s Attention in Fun, Funny Novel

48 50

“Security Mom” Juliette Kayyem on Making Tough Choices

56

No Power, No Problem: 5 Creative Outlets for Your Young Artist

61 66 68

Free Program Teaches Heimlich Maneuver to Children

The Best Amusement Parks and Roller Coasters on the East Coast National Park Service Centennial Offers Special Events, Family Fun

Your Guide to Brain-Drain Busting Family Games

Twenty Years of Pride: The Evolution of LGBT Rights Birthday Wishes Brings Celebrations, Joy to Homeless Children

multimedia editor MONICA HAMILTON monica@baystateparent.com ADVERTISING

director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 editor in chief regina@baystateparent.com MELISSA SHAW editor@baystateparent.com account executives creative director KATHY PUFFER PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 pethier@holdenlandmark.com kathy@baystateparent.com senior graphic designer SHAUNA WHARTON STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-963-7154 design@baystateparent.com shauna@baystateparent.com CREATIVE

22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527 • 508-865-7070

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

in every issue 9 10 22 33 58

62

THE THINKING PARENT: ‘In a Minute’ — Understanding Procrastination

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: July Calendar Of Family Events

64

ASK THE EXPERT: Key Children’s Vitamin Precautions for Parents

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: Author, Mother Offers Advice for Transitioning to Autism Adulthood

65

DIVORCE AND SINGLE PARENTING: Co-Parenting Babies and Toddlers

FINALLY FOREVER: Adoptive Families Together: A Support Network for Parents

70

OUR JULY FAVORITES: FACTS, FINDS & FREEBIES

74

TAKE 8: Boston Duck Tours Driver Mrs. Florence Waters

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS BSP ONLINE

59

JULY’S CHILD: Meet Maleki

60

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: July area adoption events

Ripe 35

baystateparent’s Best of 2016

52

One Bite at a Time: Massachusetts Natives Take Bagel Industry By Storm

54

Bites: Grow your own pizza garden with an app; a sweet Bug Juice recipe; inside the FDA’s new Food Nutrition Labels; and more.

This month’s cover model: Gavin, age 6.

Photography by Barnes Portrait Design Photographed at Nick’s Bar & Restaurant, Worcester Trophy provided by Guertin’s Graphics & Awards, Worcester

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JULY CONTRIBUTORS Michele Bennett Decoteau is a writer and mom to a tween and a teen in central New England. In addition to writing on science, nature, and parenting topics, she is a hiker and beekeeper. You can find her at MicheleDecoteau.com or @MBDecoteau.

Dr. Mary Brown is a pediatrician at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. She specializes in general pediatrics and adolescent medicine, and has an expertise in caring for children with special health care needs.

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is a freelance writer, blogger and homeschooling mother of three who grew up in Chicopee and has called Springfield home for many years.

Beth Greenberg, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychology and coordinator of the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program at Becker College. Dr. Greenberg is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years’ experience in the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. In addition to teaching graduate students, she provides supervision in the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College, which provides counseling services to the community. For more information about the graduate program and the clinic, email Dr. Greenberg at beth. greenberg@becker.edu or visit the clinic website: mhcclinic. becker.edu.

Marshal D. Haneisen is a freelance journalist, writer, and creative writing instructor.

She lives in Fitchburg with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. Her son has a dualdiagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, and her experience as a parent of a child with special needs inspires some of her writing for various publications, as well as for her blog, thespecialneedsfiles.com.

Information about Marshal’s writing and workshops can be found at marshaldhaneisen.com.

Heather Kempskie is a freelance writer and mother of two from Bellingham. In her spare time, Kempskie enjoys speed walking and collecting vintage lunchboxes.

Michelle Perras-Charron is a freelance writer and mother to four school-aged boys in Western Mass. A Navy brat and also the wife of a retired Air Force Captain, she loves writing about people and all topics related to parenting.

She also enjoys running and a strong cup of coffee.

Tanya J. Peterson, MS, is a Nationally Certified Counselor, public speaker, novelist, and columnist. She uses writing to increase understanding of and compassion for people living with mental illness. Peterson also currently writes for HealthyPlace.com, America’s Mental Health Channel, and their accompanying blog, Anxiety-Schmanxiety, which was dubbed one of the “Top 10 Blogs of 2014”.

Attorney Irwin M. Pollack is founder and lead attorney of Pollack Law Group, P.C. (PollackLawGroup.com) and a divorced father himself. He shares insights and information about co-parenting on his weekly radio talk show, Talking About Divorce, which can be heard weekends on WRKO in Boston (AM 680), WTAG in Worcester (AM 580/94.9 FM), WXTK on the Cape (95.1 FM), and WHYN in Springfield (AM 560).

Massachusetts mom Leslie Reichert is known as the Green Cleaning Coach and is aiming to change the world — “one spray bottle at a time.” A national lecturer and author of The Joy Of Green Cleaning, you can find her at greencleaningcoach.com, on Facebook (GreenCleaningCoach), Twitter (@GreenCleanCoach), and Pinterest (cleaningcoach).

Alexandra Townsend is a freelance writer based in the Berkshires who covers LGBTrelated topics. She’s a proud geek and loves talking about superheroes.

Kacy Zurkus is a freelance writer contributing to a variety of publications from CSO Online to K12 Tech Decisions and Meetmindful.com. She also writes a regular blog, Security Newb, for CSO Online covering a variety of topics on security and risk. In addition to being an avid runner and part-time yogi, Zurkus is a mother of two and also volunteers as a group facilitator with Parents Helping Parents. She can found on Twitter @KSZ714 or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ ksz714.

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S

chool’s out and summer is in full swing. Before you head up to the mountains or down to the shore, be sure to take us with you.

You’ll find tips for keeping kids’ minds happy and healthy over the summer, as well as special events — and free admission for 4th graders — to national parks across the country in celebration of the National Park Service’s Centennial year. And don’t forget to congratulate the winners of our first-ever baystateparent Best Of 2016 competition. Are your favorite places on the list? Find out! And you can always find the latest parenting news, contests, and giveaways — and me — at baystateparent.com, Facebook (baystateparent), Twitter (@baystateparent), and Instagram (baystateparent).

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Webster readers Elaine and her daughter Kate, pictured, both enjoyed reading the young adult debut novel, Of Better Blood, by Susan Moger.

This month, there are loads more prizes on tap, including a fabulous horseback riding lesson package with a gift basket including a horsethemed insulated bag containing one bottle of 14 Hands red wine, English caramels, and grooming tools: scrub mitt, squeegee, small brush, horse comb, rubber bands, and sponge. A little something for kids and parents, valued at $190 from Lindstedt Show Stables in Lancaster! Entrants must be 21 or older for this one. Make sure you visit baystateparent.com frequently, subscribe to our email newsletter, and Like us on Facebook to stay on top of the latest giveaways and contests.

Congrats to our winners!

Thanks everyone who voted in our first-ever baystateparent Best of 2016 ballot. Michelle of West Boylston, Paula of Shrewsbury, and Cathy of Leominster were randomly selected from voters to win prizes, including a season pass to Davis Farmland in Sterling, a family 4-pack of tickets to Old Sturbridge Village, and a gift certificate to Nancy Chang Restaurant.

Congratulations to Jennifer of Uxbridge, Mary of Sutton, and Donna of Douglas, winners of last month’s newsletter-subscriber-only giveaways! We are adding more contests and giveaways just for our Facebook and newsletter followers, so make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at baystateparent.com/ newsletter/ and Like us on Facebook (baystateparent) to stay on top of the latest chances to win.

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Win an EcoTarium family four pack!

Visit native animals you rarely see, take in a planetarium show, and hop on the Explorer Express Train. We have family four packs to give away to the EcoTarium in Worcester this summer! Email win@baystateparent.com with the subject line EcoTarium by July 22 for your chance to win, and be sure to include your mailing address in your entry. Good luck!

-- Monica Hamilton, Multimedia Editor

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

What Kids Need for a Mentally Healthy Summer

BY TANYA PETERSON

ith summer underway, parents likely have a checklist of summer necessities to keep kids healthy. Sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, BandAids, and other such necessities will help kids stay physically healthy and well through the summer. But what about a checklist for kids’ mental health? What’s necessary to help kids be mentally healthy during the summer months?

W

12 JULY2016

When we care for our children (whether they’re our own or someone else’s), it’s natural to want them to thrive. “Have a great summer” can take on a new level of meaning, and there can be a great deal of pressure behind that command-style wish.

There are certain things all children need in order to experience mental health and well-being and, thus, have a great summer. Think of the following as a checklist for a mentally healthy summer.

Kids need a sense of belonging in the summer to enhance mental health Psychologists such as Abraham Maslow, William Glasser, and others have demonstrated through copious amounts of research that a basic human need is love and belonging.

It’s essential for mental health and well-being.

For most of the year, school is a major source of belonging for kids of all ages. While kids don’t feel close to everyone at school (and there are some people they’d love to get far away from), school in gen-

eral provides an important sense of belonging and human connection.

When the doors close for the summer, some kids can have a hard time adjusting to a sudden void in their network of connections.

network that contributes to the development of resilience.

Here are tips to help children adjust and maintain a sense of belonging:

As much as kids grumble about homework or their classes in school, these things are actually very good for them in a number of ways. Academics aside, school helps kids develop a sense of purpose. A universal question, worded differently across the lifespan, is: Why am I here? We answer that question by discovering a sense of purpose.

School-age kids need to feel a drive, a motivation, and a sense of purpose in order to be mentally healthy.

Sometimes, the summer months can contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety because of their lackadaisical days. To help kids maintain a sense of purpose and, thus, mental wellness, consider these ideas:

• Help them know that if they’re feeling lonely or down, they’re not alone. It’s normal to need some time to adjust to a change, even a good change.

• Plan some special activities together. A picnic in a park, a game of catch in the backyard, a night of stargazing — anything that allows your child to connect with you is excellent.

• Allow your child to have friends over, go to friends’ houses, and otherwise connect with kids of the same age. For optimum mental health, kids need connections with peers. It fulfills the need for belonging, and it creates a support

A sense of purpose gives kids a mental health boost throughout the summer

• Let them help decide and plan activities (with age-appropriate limitations, of course).

peers — summer vacation can become a drag. Kids can become listless and apathetic or irritable and prone to getting into trouble.

Introduce fun for a mentally healthy summer. Fun is a balancing act. Kids need structured fun, such as involvement in sports, clubs, classes, and camps. Structure provides routine and a sense of safety.

Too much structure, though, can be stifling and stressful, even contributing to anxiety. Kids also need unscheduled time for free play to enhance their mental health.

To find this balance: • Decide how much you can spend on structured activities, and research what is available in your area. The older your child, the more input she can have in this process (other than the budget, of course).

Let her help you choose one or a few structured activities.

• Allow them to brainstorm things to do, and have them make the plans for it. This can apply to the lunch menu or to a weekend outing. Kids thrive when they are allowed to have some responsibility for what the family does.

• Give them age-appropriate chores.

Sure, they’ll likely grumble, but behind the rolled eyes is a kid who is developing a sense of purpose, a sense that there are things to do during the summer and that they can contribute to getting them done. That develops self-confidence, an important component of mental health.

Summer fun is essential to kids’ mental health Like belonging and a sense of purpose, fun is actually essential to mental health and well-being.

Experiencing fun reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and it increases our connection to others. For kids who are out of school — away from their normal routine, network of supportive adults, and

• Put together a kit or box for free time. Again, let your child contribute. Being set loose for free time can be overwhelming for kids, resulting in the complaint that there’s nothing to do. Having things on hand for your child to do is helpful in getting them into the fun.

You might have noticed that belonging, purpose, and fun are interconnected. They exist together, contributing to each other positively. Together, belonging, purpose, and fun help your child have a mentally healthy summer.

Children, like adults, are complete and complex creatures. Their skin must be protected from the sun’s rays. Their bodies must be properly nourished and hydrated. And their mental health needs to be cared for as well to help them thrive through the summer and well into next school year.

Tanya J. Peterson, MS, is a Nationally Certified Counselor, public speaker, novelist, and columnist. She uses writing to increase understanding of and compassion for people living with mental illness.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

Scream

Your Way Through

Summer Inside the

Best amusement parks

and roller coasters on the East Coast

Photo Courtesy Knoebels Amusement Park

BY SARA POKORNY

It

may be almost exactly 700 miles from his front door, but Hopkinton’s Patrick Gross and his family have made the trek to rollercoaster mecca Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, numerous times — even when the ride once took over double the usual 12-hour trip time due to a freak October snowstorm.

“We like the rides, the roller coasters,” Patrick said of his family: Nellie, 21, Marissa, 19, Devin, 12, and wife Maria. “I like the atmosphere of the parks, too, and how there’s usually something for everybody.”

And he’s not talking just about Cedar Point. Since the kids were young, the family has traveled to an amusement park every year (sometimes more than once), from Cedar Point to Hersheypark, to Six Flags Great Adventure New Jersey and Connecticut’s Lake Compounce.

They’ve got great taste, too, as all of these parks appear on national roller coaster expert Pete Trabucco’s 2016 Top Amusement Parks list. Trabucco, author of America’s Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks, releases a list of his top picks annually. His criteria for making the list takes every facet of the park into consideration, and he understands that not everyone follows the same guidelines he does.

“If you ask 10 people what makes a good park, they’ll come up with 10 different things,” he said. “I look at many things.”

Trabucco weighs not only the types of rides, but also their rerideability, meaning you want to go on them again and again.

“It’s the difference between running to get back in line or saying, ‘I think one time was enough,’” he said.

He also looks at the cleanliness of the park, the culture and friendliness of people who work there, the food, and the shows offered.

Here’s how Trabucco rates some East Coast favorites, as well as the No. 1 spot in the U.S. No. 1: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio: Known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, the Ohio institution (cedarpoint.com) is also the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States, and home to one of Trabucco’s top ride picks, Millennium Force.

“There are 18 coasters and they are just the top throughout the country; each one is better than the next,” he said. Cedar Point coasters are wooden, steel, racers, twisty, tall, floorless — everything a coaster aficionado could dream of. That’s not all, though. The scen-

14 JULY2016

No. 8: Hersheypark, Hershey, Penn.: “It really is the sweetest place on earth,” Trabucco said. Not only does the park (hersheypark. com) have fantastic coasters like Lightening Racer and the Great Bear, but it also offers old ones, like the Super Dooper Looper, one of the first looping roller coasters. It’s also quite magical in its own way, and that begins with the Hershey Kiss-shaped streetlights that greet you as you drive closer to the park.

“Milton Hershey built this park for his workers at first; it was there to bring them joy,” Trabucco said.

“There are beautiful mountains surrounding it, and it also offers some of the best shows around.” He even compared the show caliber to that of Dollywood.

The working chocolate factory is also right around the corner, though there is a simplified version of that offered as a tour ride at the park entrance. There’s also a nearby zoo and a trolley ride excursion that takes you through town. Plus, where else can you buy a 1-pound Hershey Kiss or the world’s largest Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?

No. 25: Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, Penn: Knoebels (knoebels.com) is a family-owned and operated park outside of a city with a lot of culture — and a unique payment system: Admission is free.

“Most parks, you have to pay one price, but here you can pay as you go [per ride],” Trabucco said. “If you’re not an amusement park aficionado or a roller coaster junkie, it’s a great system.”

Knoebels’ wooden roller coaster, Phoenix, (as seen on previous page) is also one of Trabucco’s Top 10: “It’s got a great feel to it. Laughter is universal, so when you can see people smiling and having a good time on that ride, it’s hard not to enjoy it yourself.”

Knoebels also has a museum and bald eagle habitat, a large area for picnicking and camping, many classic amusement park games, and free parking.

26. Lake Compounce, Bristol, Conn: “It’s one of the oldest amusement parks in the country,” Trabucco said. Like Cedar Point, it’s situated on water, offering great views. One of the best comes out of The Sky Ride, a ski lift-type ride that goes up and over the mountains for a view that Trabucco called “breath-

taking.”

A noted thrill ride is Boulder Dash, a wooden coaster that keeps riders guessing and was voted the world’s No. 1 wooden coaster.

“It follows the contours of the hills and valleys and the trees,” Trabucco said. “When you’re on the ride, you don’t know what’s coming next. Everything is far enough away that it’s safe, but it may not feel that way.”

New for 2016 is the Phobia Phear Coaster, which sits 15 stories tall, hits speeds of up to 65 mph, and offers a cobra roll inversion at 150 feet in the air.

For a more gentle experience, the Antique Carousel is also a beautiful part of the park. Built in 1898, it was moved to Lake Compounce in 1911 and is one of America’s oldest carousels.

29. Six Flags New England, Agawam, Mass.: Trabucco said Six Flags establishments are known to be not quite friendly, but he finds the total opposite at the Massachusetts park (sixflags.com/ newengland).

“The culture is amazing, the people are so nice,” he said. “They spend a lot of time training their people to do an amazing job. They take care of the grounds, they have some great shows, the food is excellent.”

The park also offers great coasters, one of which is also a Trabucco favorite. Formerly known as Bizarro, Superman The Ride is a steel coaster with a 20-story drop.

Other superhero-themed thrill rides include Gotham City Gauntlet: Escape from Arkham Asylum, and Batman: The Dark Night. The New England Sky Screamer is a wellloved thrill attraction — swings that rise 400 feet in the air and spin riders around at 35 miles per hour.

A family affair Hopkinton’s Gross and his family have hit up amusement parks since their oldest was 10. In addition to Cedar Point, they’ve visited Six Flags New England; Lake Compounce and Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Connecticut; Hersheypark, Dorney Park, and Knoebels in Pennsylvania; King’s Island in Ohio; Darien Lake in New York; and Disney World in Florida.

They drive to most places and try to make a whole trip out of it, exploring nearby attractions as well. Sometimes they venture to only one park, and others they set off on a journey.

“We did Dorney, Hershey, King’s Island, and Cedar Point in one week.

I was very dizzy by the end,” he said, with a laugh. “It looks good on paper, but by the time we were done it was, like, ‘Oh my God, why do we do this?’”

And yet…

“Oh, yeah. I would do it again.”

While the girls and Patrick aren’t averse to any rides, mom Maria prefers to sit most out. However,

as Patrick points out, that’s fine because parks aren’t just about the rides.

“Walking around is nice, the atmosphere is nice. My wife doesn’t do the rides at Cedar Point, but she’ll go any time because she just likes to walk around,” he said.

And Cedar Point is home to Patrick and the girls’ favorite ride: Millennium Force.

“It’s tall and it’s fast and it’s fun,” 12-year-old Devin noted.

And she’s not exaggerating: This “giga coaster” is 310 feet tall and hits speeds of 93 mph. It’s also situated on Lake Erie, providing riders with a nice view of the city as they scream.

“It’s controlled chaos,” Patrick said of why he likes coasters so much.

“You’re there, you know you’re safe, but it scares the living snot out of you.”

Touting a large family may seem daunting (especially to the wallet), but Patrick said there are tricks to employ to make the experience better: “Go when it first opens and schools are still in session, presummer. It’s quieter, and the prices may be lower.”

He also pointed out that some parks are owned by the same company, and a ticket to one may allow entrance into several. For example, season passes at Six Flags are good for any Six Flags park around the country.

And, he added, always keep the experience in mind: “We like being with the family, hanging out and having a good time.”

Photo Courtesy Hersheypark

ery you catch as you ride is spectacular.

“Not only do you have the amusement park, but it’s surrounded by water on three sides, so you also have a nice beach where you can lay out and enjoy the waters of Lake Erie,” he added. (Check out the view on page 16)

Hersheypark’s Skyrush BAYSTATEPARENT 15

Overcoming Coaster Anxiety

Photo Courtesy Hersheypark

Though you can find a whole section in his book about overcoming the fear of rollercoasters, Trabucco shared some tips with us. As a former pilot, he knows what it takes to deal with heights and G forces.

Don’t hold it in: Scream! “Keep the blood flowing into your upper extremities,” he added. This also helps to keep you from becoming nauseous.

Photo Courtesy Cedar Point Amusement Park

Take a look: Contrary to what you believe,

you should keep your eyes open: “It’ll help stop vertigo,” he noted.

Hersheypark’s Great Bear

Pete Trabucco’s 2016 Top Amusement Park List 1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio 2. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla. 3. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, Calif.

4. Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla. 5. Disneyland/California Adventure, Anaheim, Calif.

6. Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ. 7. Busch Gardens (Africa) Tampa, Fla. 8. Hersheypark, Hershey, Penn.

9. Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas 10. Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, Penn.

11. Wonderland Park Toronto, Canada.

12. Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ. 13. Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio.

14. Knott’s Berry Farm, Anaheim, Calif.

15. Worlds of Fun, Kansas, City, Miss.

16. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

17. Holiday World, Evansville, Ind. 18. Silver Dollar City, Branson, Miss.

19. Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. 20. Michigan Adventure, Muskegon, Mich.

21. Carowinds, Charlotte, NC.

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22. Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va. 23. Busch Gardens (Europe), Williamsburg, Va. 24. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, Penn.

25. Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, Pa. 26. Lake Compounce, Bristol, Conn.

27. Luna Park, Brooklyn, NY 28. SeaWorld, Orlando, Fla. 29. Six Flags New England, Agawam, Mass.

30. ValleyFair, Shakopee, Minn.

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National Park Service Centennial Offers Special Events, Family Fun

BY MICHELE BENNETT DECOTEAU

T

he National Park Service (NPS) celebrates 100 years of protecting our nation’s natural and cultural history this year with free programs and a special Every Kid in A Park initiative.

NPS (nps.gov) was created by President Woodrow Wilson on Aug. 25, 1916, and began with just one park, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana.

Yellowstone had been established via an act signed by President Ulysses S. Grant 44 years earlier, created with the idea that it be kept “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” That vision grew into more parks and monuments becoming protected open space.

Originally, most National Parks were found in the western U.S., but over time not only did the National Parks program become its own department, but it also began to include historic landmarks. Today, the NPS (a bureau of the Department of the Interior) includes 411 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every

18 JULY2016

state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. In 2015, more than 307 million people visited NPS sites.

Massachusetts’s National Parks Massachusetts is home to 15 different NPS sites (nps.gov/state/ ma), ranging from the Cape Cod National Seashore to the state’s western-most border with New York and Connecticut. Last year, more than 9.3 million people visited NPS sites in the Bay State.

There are historic sites, like the Adams National Historic Park in Quincy, home to both Adams presidents, to the Revolutionary Mecca of Boston, with the NPS based out of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet is exactly what you

might expect from a National Park — a visitor center, trails, and lots of open space. There are many special programs NPS rangers offer just for children, but older kids might enjoy some of the historical or lighthouse tours. The Three Sisters Lighthouse tour is an excellent short undertaking — about an hour — where visitors learn about the role these unassuming lighthouses played in the local history.

Other sites include National Historic Trails, like the Appalachian Trail that stretches from Maine to Georgia and is maintained, in part, by the NPS; the Essex National Heritage Area based in Salem; John F. Kennedy’s birthplace in Brookline; and the Springfield Armory, a historic site with a substantial small-arms collection.

The NPS is not just about trees, mountains, and open spaces, but also the history and culture of our nation. Many of the sites preserved in Massachusetts have a cultural or historical significance, such as Minute Man National Historic Park in Concord. As is typical of many NPS sites in New England, this park combines history and open

spaces, sprinkled with culture.

At the Hartwell Tavern, families can enjoy 18th century music and instruments, or for older children, there is a ranger-led 3.5-hour walking tour of historical and natural spaces that starts at the Minute Man Visitors Center.

Many of the Commonwealth’s NPS sites will offer special programming throughout the summer. Visit nps.gov/state/ma and pick your park: each has its own website and calendar of events listing.

Massachusetts’s rich history really shines in some of the special programs being offered at NPS sites. The Lowell National Historic Park is reaching local residents where they live and will be hosting pop-up museum events all year. The moving museum will be visiting festivals, gatherings, and neighborhoods, sharing the rich industrial heritage of Lowell. More information can be found at nps. gov/lowe/planyourvisit/parktothepeople.htm.

Other NPS sites are providing more traditional experiences.

“One special event we are hosting is Free Ferry Founder’s Day,” says

Giles Parker, Boston Harbor Islands superintendent (bostonharborislands.org). “This is a great day for folks new to the ferries to try it.

We do expect 3,000-4,000 people to travel to Georges and Spectacle Islands.”

Georges and Spectacle are two of 34 Boston Harbor Islands that incorporate the area’s history, culture, and natural resources, and represent the largest recreational open space in Eastern Massachusetts. Public ferries shuttle visitors to Georges and Spectacle islands each spring through fall.

“These tours really only give you time to visit one of the islands,” Parker says. “You get a taste of them. You’ll be on the island for about two hours, plenty of time.”

Not sure which to try the first time? Parker says Georges Island is best for first-time visitors because it is centrally located, and you can view the other islands. Located 7 miles and 45 minutes from Boston, it offers the Civil War-era historical site, Fort Warren, its reputed ghost, The Lady in Black, and two hills to hike.

“Visitors should check out both hills,” Parker says. “They have different views and everyone comes back with their personal favorite.”

There are also places to picnic, grill, or purchase snacks, as well as bathroom facilities on the island.

Every Kid in a Park In celebration of its birthday, NPS is giving away presents. The Every Kid in a Park program (everykidinapark.gov) encourages fourth graders and their families to visit America’s public lands, including national parks. Visit everykidinapark.gov to receive a voucher for free entrance to all parks, including national seashore beaches, through August 2016. If you have a third grader, they will be able to get their certificate for a free pass starting Sept. 1.

The NPS also offers the Junior Rangers program (nps.gov/kids/ jrRangers), an activity-based experience offered in almost all parks nationwide. Children between the ages of 5 and 13 are tasked with completing a series of activities during their park visit and sharing their answers with a park ranger. Those who do receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. For its birthday, the NPS has rolled out a special Centennial Junior Ranger Activity Book, which can be downloaded at nps.gov/kids/ pdf/Centennial-JrRangerBooklet.pdf.

“The Centennial Mission is to get new visitors to the parks,” Parker says, “and there are lots of ways to do that.”

The Boott Cotton Mill Weave Room at Lowell National Historic Park.

Photo Courtesy NPS

Inside Massachusetts’s 15 National Parks Adams National Historical Park, Quincy nps.gov/adam Historic houses open April - early November. Offseason visitor’s center open November-April.

Appalachian Trail, Sheffield to Clarksburg nps.gov/appa National scenic trail open year-round (check weather and conditions before hiking).

Adams National Historical Park was designated as part of the National Park Service in 1946 to commemorate the men and women of the Adams family who dedicated their lives to the development and service of the United States. The park is comprised of the birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams; the Old House at Peacefield, home to four generations of the Adams family; and the Stone Library.

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180-plus-mile-long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine. In Massachusetts, the AT runs 91 miles north-south through Berkshire County, including Mount Everett in Sheffield, several state forests, and Mount Greylock in Adams, the state’s highest peak.

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Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor and National Park, Worcester to Providence, RI nps.gov/blac Open year-round

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The waters of the Blackstone River powered the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, America’s first successful cotton spinning mill. This began the nation’s transformation from farm to factory. The Blackstone River Valley is a special type of National Park — a living landscape containing thousands of natural and historic treasures. In Massachusetts, that includes 15 walking and driving tours, as well as the site of the future Blackstone Valley National Park.

Boston National Historic Park nps.gov/bost Open year-round

Shop over 60 specialty and department stores, plus select dining options and more at The Mall at Whitney Field.

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Boston is the cradle of the American Revolution. Every year, thousands visit Bunker Hill Monument, the U.S.S. Constitution and the many sites along the Freedom Trail.

In downtown Boston, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, and Old North Church bring to life the American ideals of freedom of speech, religion, government, and self-determination.

Boston African American National Historic Site nps.gov/boaf Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 19th century Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice.

There are 14 sites commemorating this rich history along the Black Heritage Trail. The Museum of African American History’s Abiel Smith School and African Meeting House are open to the public year round, Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area nps.gov/boha bostonharborislands.org Over Boston’s nearly 400-year history, the Harbor Islands have housed military forts, lighthouses, prisons, hospitals, grazing land, and landfills. Today, its 34 islands and peninsulas offer hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking and swimming, along with beautiful views of the harbor and the Boston skyline. The park is accessible by ferry from downtown Boston.

Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet nps.gov/caco Beaches, parking areas, and trails are open year-round between 6 a.m. and midnight. Park headquarters is open weekdays year-round.

20 JULY2016

The star attraction of the national seashore is its 40 miles of sandy beach along the Outer Cape’s Atlantic coast, but there are also walking and biking trails to explore, along with marshes, ponds, and uplands that support diverse species.

Essex National Heritage Area, Essex County nps.gov/esse Stretching from 10 miles north of Boston to the New Hampshire border, the Essex National Heritage Area covers 500 square miles, including hundreds of historical sites, miles of intact landscapes, glistening coastal regions, and lifetimes of rich experiences that chronicle the history of the region and the U.S. Frederick Law Olmstead National Historic Site, Brookline Site open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wednesday through Sunday; Fairsted grounds open dawn to dusk. nps.gov/frla Olmsted is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture. In 1883, after supervising the design and construction of such landmarks as Central Park and the U.S. Capitol grounds, Olmsted moved his family from New York City to Brookline and re-established his office, which he named “Fairsted.” It served as a home and the world’s first full-scale professional practice of landscape architecture. The historic site maintains many of the working records in the interest of understanding and preserving the special places Olmsted’s firm created.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, Brookline nps.gov/jofi Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with guided tours available.

Visitors travel back in time through Rose Kennedy’s memories to understand the family’s early years and how she helped Americans memorialize her son following his assassination.

Longfellow House — Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, Cambridge nps.gov/long Visitor Center is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday; gardens and grounds open daily dawn to dusk.

The home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the world’s foremost 19th-century poets, also served as headquarters for Gen. George Washington during the Siege of Boston, from July 1775 through April 1776. In addition to its rich history, the site offers unique

opportunities to explore 19th-century literature and arts.

Lowell National Historical Park nps.gov/lowe Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m.

- 5 p.m. year round, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Boott Cotton Mills Museum open 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Mill Girls & Immigrants Exhibit open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Boat Tours offered Memorial Day through Columbus Day (see website for complete schedule).

Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era.

Nearly 200 years later, visitors can tour the mills and waterways to see how changes that began here still reverberate in our shifting global economy.

Minute Man National Historical Park Concord, Lincoln, Lexington nps.gov/mima North Bridge Visitor Center (174 Liberty Street, Concord) open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The opening battle of the American Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of Wayside authors Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Harriett Lothrop.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park nps.gov/nebe Open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Discover how New Bedford became the whaling capital of the world and a center of the abolitionist movement, as well as how the whaling industry grew to provide important products, connect, and impact cultures around the globe — while depleting the world’s oceans.

New England National Scenic Trail, Southwick to Royalston nps.gov/neen newenglandtrail.org Check weather conditions before hiking.

The New England National Scenic Trail is a 215-mile hiking trail route that has been in existence for over half a century. The NET travels through 41 communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and is comprised primarily of the historic Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock trails.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site nps.gov/sama Park grounds open 24 hours; visitor center open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ships from Salem helped a young nation’s economy by carrying cargo back and forth from the West to Asia. The historic buildings, wharves, and reconstructed tall ship tell the stories of the sailors, Revolutionary War privateers, and merchants who brought the riches of the world to America. Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, the site consists of 9 acres of land and 12 historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a downtown visitor center.

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site nps.gov/sair Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

May 1 through Oct. 31.

The birthplace of the American iron and steel industry, this 9-acre National Park resides on the site of the first sustained, integrated ironworks in British Colonial America, which operated on the Saugus River from 1646 to 1670. The site includes working waterwheels, hot forges, mills, historic 17th-century home and a lush river basin. Visitors can tour the iron works house and industrial site and see live demonstrations.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site nps.gov/spar Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Guided and self-guided tours available daily.

For nearly two centuries, the U.S. armed forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world’s largest historic U.S. military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.

Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail nps.gov/waro In 1781, Gen. Rochambeau’s French Army joined forces with Gen. Washington’s Continental Army to fight the British in Yorktown, Va. The trail follows the route Rochambeau’s forces took from Newport, R.I. to Yorktown, and their victorious return through Massachusetts to Boston.

BAYSTATEPARENT 21

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! - dr. seuss

Photo courtesy Old Sturbridge Village

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

GO IMAGINE Storytime.

Concord Museum. July 5.

22 JULY2016

Photo courtesy Thread Communications and the Prudential Center

Photo by Tim Porter

Photo courtesy Concord Museum

GO MARCH Independence Day Celebration. Old Sturbridge Village. July 4.

GO CREATE Maker Faire.

Boston Children’s Museum. July 23.

GO OUT Free Film Festival.

Prudential Center, Boston. July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

1 Friday

MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination.

Although we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy at press time, things can and do change.

Fourth of July at the Concord Museum.

Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate the Fourth of July through colonial games and patriotic crafts.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Nature Playgroup.

Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy games, songs, special art projects, and exploration of the museums’ neighboring conservation land. Designed for ages 2 to 6. Fridays. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

5 Tuesday

Stomp Rockets. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Blast off into a fun-filled holiday weekend by making stomp rockets and straw-powered rockets. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Whispers of Revolution. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 11 a.m.11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Travel back in time as a Patriot and a Tory share how the Boston Tea Party was planned in backrooms, during this performance by costumed re-enactors.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $6, children ages 5 to 17 $1, children under 5 free. oldsouthmeetinghouse.org.

Teen Game Day: Telestrations. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton.

1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Swing by the library to enjoy this visual version of the classic ‘telephone game’ where you draw what you see, then guess what you saw in a chain of writing alternating with drawing. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Action Art. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Experience art in motion, as you paint a song, tap out a beat for a comic, and use science to make your art even better. For ages 10 to 17.

Free. mywpl.org.

Outdoor Dance Party. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 5:30 p.m.7 p.m. Enjoy a live DJ on the boardwalk in front of the Museum for a night filled with dancing.

Free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

2 Saturday Families @WAM Tour. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Photo courtesy Worcester Art Museum

Free Friday Fun. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy the Museum inside across its three floors of interactive exhibits and outside with boardwalk play and lively performances. Free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

GO EXPLORE Families @WAM Tour. Worcester Art Museum. July 2.

Explore the Worcester Art Museum galleries with your family on a docent-guided discovery tour, as you hear fun facts and stories, and enjoy sharing observations and time together. Free with admission.

Free. worcesterart.org Slugs and Snails. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 10:30 am–12 p.m.

Slimy, slow moving, and stealthy – slugs and snails inhabit wonderful hidden habitats at the BNC. Learn what they are, about the differences between the two, their importance for the ecosystem, and more. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

Families @ WAM Make Art. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11 a.m.11:30 a.m. Drop-in for fun, intergenerational time in the Worcester Art Museum galleries, as you get inspired by our art and try making something uniquely your own. Free with admission. Free. worcesteart.org.

Miracle. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-4:15 p.m. A retelling of the Miracle on Ice, in which the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team defeated the Soviets during the 1980 Winter Olympics. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Minions. South Garden, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. 6 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, children’s activities, and giveaways, before settling down to watch this movie following the origins of Gru’s mischievous workers.

Free. prudentialcenter.com.

3 Sunday Volunteer Morning. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 10 a.m.12 p.m. Drop-in and give us a hand with the gardens and invasive plant control. Free. massaudubon.org.

LEGO Zone. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Bring your imagination and we will supply the LEGOs, as you try your hand at one of our LEGO challenges or build your own unique vision. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Scholastic Summer Reading Bus Tour. An Unlikely Story, 111 South St., Plainville. 12 p.m.2 p.m. The publisher’s Summer Reading Bus pulls into Plainville, with crafts, activities, author signings, and giveaways. Free. anunlikelystory.com.

4 Monday Independence Day Celebration. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate the best July 4th in history through a citizens’ parade, 19th century baseball, marching with the militia, pie-eating contests, a summer barbecue, the chance to sign your ‘John Hancock’ to a giant copy of the Declaration of Independence, and more. Free with admission. Adults $28, children 3 to 17 $14, children 2 and under free. osv.org.

Make a Mess: Ice Art. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Cool off and create with ice paint. Slide frozen paint popsicles across your paper and watch them melt into colorful works of art right before your eyes. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Storytime. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Spark your child’s imagination at the Concord Museum with a morning of stories and crafts. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

Icy Investigations. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Experiment with ice and investigate the effects of salt, ice melt, and Magic Salt on the cold stuff. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Teen Game Day: Superfight. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy this game where you argue with your friends over ridiculous fights, designating characters with a variety of powers and weaknesses. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Jeff Boyer Presents Bubble Trouble.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Watch Jeff Boyer create the craziest, most creative bubble show around, as he juggles, sculpts, and builds with bubbles. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Space Jam. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Watch as NBA Legend Michael Jordan is recruited onto a basketball team consisting of Looney Tunes characters to save freedom for all time. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.8:20 p.m. Watch as SNL alumna Tina Fey steps into the well-worn shoes of journalist Kim Barker, a journalist covering the Taliban. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

BAYSTATEPARENT 23

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

6 Wednesday

free, nonmember $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Free First Wednesday. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Point Rd., Lincoln.

10 a.m. Explore the grounds, trails, sculptures, and museum on your own or through one of our tours on this day of embracing nature and art.

Free. decordova.org.

Puppets! Puppets! Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Bring your imagination as we use a variety of craft materials and ideas to create your own unique puppets to bring home. For ages 7 to 12.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

KIBO Robots. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Build your own robot, decorate it, and program it to do what you want. For ages 5 to 6. Register ahead.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Preschool Storytime: Creepy Crawlies.

Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 10 a.m.11 a.m. Learn about creepy crawly insects through stories, activities, and an outdoor investigation live at Gore Place. For ages 3 to 4.

Register ahead. Member children $5, nonmember children $10. goreplace.org.

Baseball Celebration. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.3 p.m. Celebrate our national pastime, as we play baseball, dress up like a ballplayer, and design our own team uniforms. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Tween Crafternoon: Water Bottle Decorating. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1 p.m.2:30 p.m. Personalize your own 16 oz. stainless steel water bottles to bring home. For ages 8 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Exploring Nano: Rays Awareness. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

1 p.m.-4 p.m. Learn about ultraviolet light and do simple experiments to see how sunscreen protects you by blocking harmful rays, before you make your own simple UV detector bracelet to take home. Free with admission. Members

7 Thursday Peep Science Adventures: Reusing.

Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore the possibilities of reusing what we usually throw away or recycle, and see what kind of treasure we can create out of what people generally consider trash. Free with admission. Members free, nonmember $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.4 p.m. Join us for a baseball-themed story and craft time as we decorate our own #1 Fan Giant Hands. For ages 3 to 7. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Teen Movie Night: Minions. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy snacks and good company as we watch Minions Kevin, Stuart, and Bob set out to find the Minions a new villain to serve. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

The Rookie. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.-8:40 p.m. Watch this inspiring story following Dennis Quaid portraying real-life Jim Morris, a briefly fielded Major League baseball player. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

An American Salute Outdoor Concert.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Load up the car with

blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets during this Patriotic Celebration, from the National Anthem, Beauty and the Beast, to Stars and Stripes Forever, and Seventy-Six Trombones.

Member cars $10, nonmember cars $15. fruitlands.org.

8 Friday Sing Me a Song with Fran Friedman. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Come enjoy a morning of musical fun, as Fran Friedman presents a series of uplifting, fun-filled songs. For ages 2 and 3.

Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Mario Kart Tournament. Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg. 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Join us for a fun Mario Kart tournament. Free. fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

Teen 3D Printing. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Print your own choice of a popular Minecraft character. For ages 11 to 18. Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

FortNight. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Design, build, and explore as we fill the outdoors with one-of-akind structures using blankets and boxes as they become castles, rockets, and more. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

9 Saturday July Birding at Fruitlands. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard.

6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Join us on the Fruitlands landscape as we look for a variety of birds including Indigo Bunting, Veerys, Scarlet Tanagers, and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers. Free. fruitlands.org.

Boston Area Beekeepers Association.

Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in at the Boston Nature Center and learn all about honeybees from the Boston Area Beekeepers, as we host an apiary on the sanctuary. Free. massaudubon.org.

Animal Beach Party. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Watch as some of the animals receive beachthemed enrichment including novelty foods, sounds, smells, boxes, bags, and toys to provide activities that excite all the senses. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $19.95, children ages 2 to 12 $13.95, children under 2 free. franklinparkzoo.org.

Beyond the Spectrum: Constructing Cities.

Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Explore what makes cities and epicenters of the art world, and get a chance to design your own miniature city, during this morning program designed to bring children on the Autism Spectrum through an adventure in art. For ages 8 to 12. $9. mfa.org.

Exploring Science Together: Bugs. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Take a closer look and explore the world of miniscule bugs, as you learn together through hands-on activities including collecting some of your own invertebrates outside, creating your own scientific equipment, and more. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Register ahead. Includes museum admission. Members $10, nonmembers $20. hmnh.harvard.edu.

Backyard Birds with Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Drop-in and enjoy a unique opportunity to see some feathered friends up close with a trained naturalist from the Blue Hill Trailside Museum. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! The Human History of the BNC. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan.

1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Travel back in time to learn about the earliest occupants of the land that is protected by the BNC, as we take a walk and learn about plants and animals used by the Native Americans in their everyday lives. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

Ugandan Kids Choir. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. Jump up and dance to the energetic performance of this talented group touring from Uganda. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Especially for Me: ASD Evening. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton.

5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Explore both museums during this special evening for families with children on the autism spectrum, with dinner provided.

Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Wizard of Oz. South Garden, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. 6 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, children’s activities and giveaways, before settling down to watch this classic MGM movie following Dorothy Gale as she saves her friends from the Wicked Witch of the West.

Free. prudentialcenter.com.

10 Sunday Nature Walk. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Join a BNC naturalist for a stroll on the trails and enjoy the fresh air and beauty all around us. Members $5, nonmembers $7. massaudubon.org.

Hummingbirds. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton.

1 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy a hands-on introduction to ruby-throated hummingbirds — the only hummingbird species found in Massachusetts — through short hikes to some of our monitoring sites. Register ahead. Member adults $9, children $5; nonmember adults $14, children $7. massaudubon.org.

Hands-On-History. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. An afternoon for kids and families to learn together through hands-on demonstrations. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, children 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

11 Monday 3D Hot and Cold Theory Art. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Use watercolor paper, water-

FAMILY FUN FOR

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soluble markers, pencils, and brushes to create one-of-a-kind artwork that will jump out with a pair of 3D glasses. For ages 12 to 14. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Sensory Play. Worcester Public Library: Frances Perkins Branch, 470 West Boylston St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Enjoy this interactive program for children to explore different textures, substances, and tools, from moon sand to color rice, to toys and more. For infants to age 5. Free. mywpl.org.

Reading is Magic. Milford Town Library, 80 Spruce St., Milford. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Enjoy this exciting magical program to start off the 2016 Summer Reading Program. Register ahead. Free. milfordtownlibrary.org.

Teen Crafternoon: Water Bottle Decorating. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Personalize your own 16 oz stainless steel bottles. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Minecraft Monday: Teens. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

4 p.m.-5 p.m. Play on the library’s own Minecraft server, where you can share your best tricks, learn new ones, and make friends. For ages 13 to 17. Free. mywpl.org.

Wild Edibles Walk. Fruitlands Museum,

102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Join author and expert forager Russ Cohen during this two-hour, early-evening ramble to encounter at least two-dozen species of edible wild plants. Bring a notebook and an adventurous appetite. Members $10, nonmembers $15. fruitlands.org.

3D Printing Workshop. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Drop by the museum to design and print your own 3D created masterpiece. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Sophisticated Stories. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7:30 p.m.-8:15 p.m.

Enjoy cool, strange, weird, and wacky picture books, proving that you are never too old for picture books. For grades 3 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

12 Tuesday Take Aparts, Jr. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Grab tools and discover resistors, capacitors, gears, and more as you uncover the inner workings of household gadgets and gizmos. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Take Aparts. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Grab a

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! screwdriver and discover resistors and capacitors as you uncover the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Smartphone Photography. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 2 p.m.5 p.m. Learn to take better pictures with your smartphone during this 3-hour workshop. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Pen & Ink Drawing. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Join us as we learn to do pen and ink drawings in the traditional fashion—using metal nibs and India ink—to create a beautiful nature still life.

For ages 8 to 12. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Pinto Bella Hoops. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Learn and try out hula hooping through instruction and games right here in the library. For ages 5 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Goosebumps. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. Enjoy snacks and watch this film following what would happen if the monsters and creatures of the Goosebumps series entered our world. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

13 Wednesday Play in the Park. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Play, experiment, and engineer together in the Sculpture park, and collaborate to construct large-scale temporary structures across deCordova’s landscape. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

Tween Crafternoon with Lauren Scheuer.

Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Join local artist Lauren Scheuer to design and create your own pennant.

For ages 8 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Teens: Molly Apothecary. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Learn about natural skincare as you make a luscious hand and body lotion, and an aromatherapy foaming bath soak. For ages 11 to 18.

Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Teen Crafternoon with Lauren Scheuer.

Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Join local artist Lauren Scheuer to design and create your own

logo. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Bingo. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Bring your friends and family for the group favorite game of Bingo. Free. mywpl.org.

Get Ready, Set…Exercise. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Shape up on Wednesday with some exercise and fun, as we read, and make our own giant exercise dice game to bring home. For ages 3 to 7.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Read, Move, Laugh & Play. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. Comic mime Robert Rivest entertains audiences of all ages. Free. mywpl.org.

Million Dollar Arm. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.-8:35 p.m.

Enjoy this true story retelling how an American scout recruited Indian cricketers to become professional baseball players. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

14 Thursday Peep Science Adventures: Dropping Objects. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore a variety of objects of different shapes, weights, and materials, as we drop different objects and look at how each item moves at it falls. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Toto the Tornado Kitten. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A special story-time starring Toto, a kitten rescued after being deposited in a tree during the 2011 Brimfield Tornado. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

What Can You Do with a Sandwich?

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Join us for delicious stories, games, and activities. For ages 3 to 6. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Everyday Engineering: Air Time. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 1 p.m.4 p.m. From parachutes to whirligigs to hoop gliders, craft some simple contraptions that harness the power of air to float and glide. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Teen Minecraft Tournament. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 2 p.m.-

For more events, visit baystateparent.com 26 JULY2016

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! 4 p.m. Take Minecraft to space, as your ship and crewmates are stranded in the void with no signs of other human life. Your mission: find supplies to survive and rebuild your ship before you run out of time. For ages 11 to 18. Register ahead.

Free. morseinstitute.org.

Hexbugs. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. & 4:15 p.m.5 p.m. Enjoy these little robotic creatures that react to their environment, as we create habitats for our Hexbugs, before setting them off for a race. For ages 5 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

FPL 2016 Olympic Games. Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg. 5:30 p.m.7 p.m. Test your skills at the 2016 Fitchburg Public Library Olympic Games. Free. fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

Teen Movie Night: Ghostbusters. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton.

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Enjoy snacks and good company as we follow a team of Ghostbusters as they tackle a ghoulish rampage coming upon New York City. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Cry Baby. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 200 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. Enjoy this special showing as a rich, beautiful high schooler finds herself drawn to a juvenile delinquent and rockabilly music, fast cars, and women, with a preshow performance by Diablo Gato. Adults $11.25, children $9.25. coolidge.org.

Wonderfully Warm Outdoor Concert.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Load up the car with blankets, lawn chairs, and food during this outdoor concert presentation with music ranging from South Pacific to Copacabana to Disney Around the World medleys. Member cars $10, nonmember cars $15. fruitlands.org.

15 Friday

4:30 p.m. Take a break from the summer heat and enjoy jumbo games and free play in the library. Free. mywpl.org.

Community Dinner. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and join our outdoor Community Table, with facilitated conversation and activities for children and grown-ups. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Cinderella. DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston. 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy games and giveaways, before settling in to enjoy this live retelling of Disney’s classic take on the tale of Cinderella. Free. boston.cbslocal.com.

Mr. Kim Concert on the Common. Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join one of the library’s favorite musicians for a special concert on the common. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Pajama Party in PlaySpace. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston.

7:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Toddlers and the young at heart are invited to wear your pajamas for games, songs, and picture-stories. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

16 Saturday Discovery Woods Grand Opening Celebration. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy music, food trucks, a giant treehouse, explorations through the woodland nook, rain garden, beaver lodge, acres of forest, and more fun, during this opening of a new, inclusive, fully-accessible nature playscape at the Museums. Through Sunday. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children 12 and under free. discoverymuseums.org.

Star Wars Jedi Knight Training. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Enjoy this interactive program as children learn through a series of challenges, from Jedi Force Magic to Last Balloon Barrage, to be fully trained as a Jedi. For ages 4 to 9.

Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Butterfly Walk at Broad Meadow Brook.

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join us to learn about the natural history of the beautiful and graceful pollinators as we gently explore butterfly habitats on the sanctuary. Register ahead.

Member adults $6, children $3; nonmember adults $8, children $5. massaudubon.org.

Make It and Take It. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop in to spend quality time with your children and other patrons, as we make a craft, read a book, schmooze, and relax. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Teen Program: Nerdfighters. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Play Super Smash Bros on our WiiU or bring your favorite nerdy items to play. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Playspace. Worcester Public Library: Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St., Worcester. 3 p.m.-

STEAM Expo. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Come to this gath-

For more events, visit baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 27

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Experience the magic of hands-on animal encounters, award-winning discovery play areas and so much more…It’s a full day of fun for families with younger ones!

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Magic Man DJ, Steve Charette is hosting our Splash Bash Weekend with fun, games, sing-alongs and prizes.

ering of tech enthusiasts, traditional crafters, artists, musicians, educators, tinkerers, engineers, and students, as they show their work and interact with the community during this interactive afternoon. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Doctor Who Night. Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join us for our 4th Annual Doctor Who Night filled with trivia, British snacks, a life-sized Tardis, prizes for best costume, and more. For ages 11 to 18. Free. fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

The Good Dinosaur. South Garden, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. 6 p.m.

Enjoy entertainment, children’s activities and giveaways, before settling down to watch this Disney movie following the unlikely pairing of a dinosaur and his human friend. Free. prudentialcenter.com.

17 Sunday Yoga in the Park: Kids. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Get moving as a family, as teachers from Stil Studio lead kid-friendly yoga in the Sculpture Park. For ages 3 to 12 with a caregiver. Members free; children $5. decordova.org.

PJ Library Goes to the Beach. JCC Grossman Camp, Dover Rd., Westwood. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Come to a PJ Library family beach party, as we splash in the lake, go down the waterslide, build sandcastles, and enjoy a summer sing-a-long.

For families with children ages 2 to 6. Register ahead. Members free, nonmembers $10. bostonjcc.org.

PLAY & SPRAY NOW OPEN!

ZooBabies Day. Southwick’s Zoo, 2 Southwick St., Mendon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate all of this year’s new arrivals here at the zoo, as you explore through a variety of special baby animal-themed events and activities. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, children 3 to 12 $18, children under 3 free. southwickszoo.com.

Yoga in the Park. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Activate your body and mind as teachers from Stil Studio lead vinyasa yoga surrounded by sculpture and nature. For ages 13 and up. Members free, nonmembers $15. decordova.org.

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The Wonderful Water Cycle. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan.

1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Rain, rain go away…but where does it go? In this program we will learn about that very important resource — water, and how it flows through our world. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

MAKEmobile. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Take your imagination for a spin with activities that explore artistic material processes through amusing prompts and challenges. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

Sunday Volunteer Days. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Learn about nature as you assist with a variety of property, maintenance, and ecological management projects such as gardening, trail cleaning, and animal care.

Free. massaudubon.org.

Boston Area Chantey & Maritime Sing.

USS Constitution Ship Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Listen, learn, and lift your voices as you participate in your maritime heritage by joining a rousing chorus of sea chanteys. Free. ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

18 Monday Recycle-O-Rama. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your imagination and creativity as you utilize tons of recycled materials to create whatever you like. For ages 7 to 12. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

MFA Playdates: Crazy Cool Color. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries followed by art making, with tours leaving on a rolling basis through the morning.

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

Discover Discovery Woods: For Little Ones. Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop in and excite your senses of sight and touch. Look closely and experiment with some of the most interesting textures found in Discovery Woods, from fuzzy and scratchy to smooth and rough. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Teen Crafternoon: Pixel Pots. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Create a beautiful flower or video game related plant with Perler beads. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Animal World Experience: Ani-Motion.

Leominster Public Library, 30 West St.,

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Leominster. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a fun, interactive animal program as we learn how animals stay fit and healthy. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Henna for Kids. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton. 2:30 p.m.3:30 p.m. Stop by and get a breathtaking temporary henna tattoo. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Teen Henna Alchemy. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Create your own recipe for henna and learn how to roll and fill your own cone, then take it home for later use, before getting your own henna tattoo. For grades 6 to 12.

Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org Knucklebones. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Experience an array of high-quality, unique athletic games and activities that promote gross motor development, from giant tubes, double-sided basketball, fitness machines, a ball pit, and more. For ages 2 to 10.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Family Poetry. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Bring your family members and write some poems about movement. For ages 10 and older. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

19 Tuesday Family Sing Along. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Join the children’s librarians for songs and movement. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Discover Discovery Woods: Let’s Move.

Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Learn about the surprising and amazing ways that some animals move, and explore all the fun places to climb, balance, lift, and jump in Discovery Woods. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Let’s Gogh Art. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a step-by-step painting process to recreate a LOVE sports painting. For ages 8 to 12. Register ahead.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Playspace. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. 3 p.m.4:30 p.m. Take a break from the summer heat and enjoy some jumbo games and free play in the library. Free. mywpl.org.

Hercules. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Over snacks, enjoy this Disney animated film following demigod Hercules after he is taken from the gods as a newborn and subsequently attempts to reclaim his position. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Teen Crafterhours. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Come as we make Perler bead creations based on the summer reading theme ‘Get in the Game, Read’.

For grades 6 to 12. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

20 Wednesday Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 11 a.m.11:45 a.m. Join the Joanne Langione Dance Center as it presents a music and movement class for toddlers and preschoolers. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Discover Discovery Woods: Observe.

Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy simple activities to practice observing nature with all of our senses. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Tween Crafternoon: Pixel Pots. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Create a beautiful flower or video game related plant with Perler beads. For ages 8 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

The Day the Crayons Quit. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Enjoy as Watertown Children’s Theatre’s Break A Leg Troupe presents ‘The Day the Crayons Quit.’ Discover what happens when crayons decide to go on strike. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Discover Discovery Woods: Build. Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Drop-in and use natural and man-made materials to build forts, from structures small enough to house a bug, to a lean-to to big enough to fit a human. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Wizard Chess. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

The world of Harry Potter comes to the library, as we bring our pieces alive by being the pieces on the chessboard ourselves. For ages 13 to 17.

Free. mywpl.org.

Summer Song Fest. Milford Town Library, 80 Spruce St., Milford. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

A musical performance inspired by the Summer Reading Theme. Free. milfordtownlibrary.org.

Teens: Queer Ice Cream Social. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick.

1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Join us for make-your-own sundaes, a movie, board games, temporary tattoos, and more during this afternoon in partnership with OUT MetroWest. For ages 11 to 18.

Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

The Whalemobile. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Learn all about marine life during this fun rotating program. Go inside Nile, a life-sized Humpback Whale, who is 43 feet long. For grades kindergarten through 6. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Record Setting. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Challenge yourself to see how quickly you can recite the alphabet, jump the highest in the library, move 36 beads from one cup to another, and more. For ages 5 to 8. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Minute to Win It. Worcester Public Library: Goddard Branch, 14 Richards St., Worcester.

3 p.m.-4 p.m. Test your skills through 1-minute challenges from stacking cups to balancing a balloon on a spoon and more. Free. mywpl.org.

KidsJam. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Enjoy this all-ages dance party featuring a live DJ, dance lessons, games, and of course, lots of dancing. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Teen Movie Night: Pixels. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton.

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Enjoy snacks as we watch this movie following former geeks turned heroes, as they are tasked with saving the earth after aliens begin attacking the planet as classic video arcade characters. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

The Greatest Game Ever Played. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join us as we screen this biographical sports film based on the life of golf champion Francis Ouimet. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

21 Thursday Doggy Days: Tail Tales. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Observe, touch, and read to Abby — a certified Therapy Dog — before we try on tails ourselves and see how it feels. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Broadway’s Best Outdoor Concert.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Load up the car with blankets, lawn chairs, and food during this outdoor concert presentation covering the best of Broadway, including selections from ‘Cats’, ‘Chicago’, Gershwin, and Rodgers and Hart.

Member cars $10, nonmember cars $15. fruitlands.org.

Rock Off Main Street. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m. Watch teen and young adult bands from around the region as they perform an eclectic mix of music from pop, emo, punk, ska, hardcore, and indie music onstage for all to enjoy. $8. natickarts.org.

FREE

Fun Fridays July 2016

Eight cultural destinations throughout Massachusetts are opening their doors free each Friday this month, courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation. Here’s July’s lineup, visit highlandstreet.org/freefunfridays for more information.

July 1 Boston Children’s Museum The Sports Museum Heritage Museum & Gardens Falmouth Museums on the Green Cape Cod Maritime Museum Amelia Park Children’s Museum Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Wenham Museum July 8 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Plimoth Plantation Peabody Essex Museum Cape Ann Museum Buttonwood Park Zoo Children’s Museum in Easton The Hall at Patriot Place Provincetown Art Association and Museum July 15 Edward M. Kennedy Institute Boston Athenaeum Larz Anderson Museum Cape Cod Children’s Museum Edward Gorey House Danforth Art Museum/School Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History Fitchburg Art Museum July 22 Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University New Bedford Whaling Museum Cape Cod Museum of Art Pilgrim Hall Museum The Eric Carle Museum Fruitlands Museum Museum of Russian Icons July 29 John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum Commonwealth Museum Battleship Cove Marine Museum at Fall River Sandwich Glass Museum Nantucket Whaling Museum Tower Hill Botanic Garden Commonwealth Shakespeare Company BAYSTATEPARENT 29

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

Photo courtesy Fruitlands Museum

Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing as we move, make music, listen and learn as guided by a professional musician. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

GO LISTEN Outdoor Summer Concerts. Fruitlands Museum, Harvard.

July 7, 14, 21, 28

22 Friday Stuffed Animal Sleepover Drop-Off. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Drop off your stuffed animals in the Children’s Room and have them spend a fun-filled night at the library before picking them up Saturday over breakfast. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Discover Discovery Woods, Hunt for Habitats. Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn about some of the different habitats, big and small, in Discovery Woods, and learn how to find ‘microhabitats’ in your own backyard. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Library Quidditch. Worcester Public Library: Main St., 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. The magical sport of Quidditch leaps off the pages of Harry Potter and into the library. For ages 13 to 17. Free. mywpl.org.

Teen Program: Dungeons & Dragons.

Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Come play D&D at its finest, with pizza, snacks, and friends. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org Inside Out. DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston. 6 p.m. Bring

a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy games and giveaways, before settling in to enjoy this Pixar animated film following emotions Joy and Sadness as they leave Central Control to save a young girl’s memories. Free. boston. cbslocal.com.

Movie in the Park: The Secret Garden. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 8:30 p.m. Pack a picnic dinner and your family for a spectacular Sculpture Park sunset and an outdoor screening of this family-friendly tale of adventure.

Members free; nonmember adults $10, children $5. decordova.org.

23 Saturday Are You a Dragonfly? Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of story, activity, and a naturalist-led walk. For ages 3 to 5. Adults free; member children $3, nonmember children $4. massaudubon.org.

Animalympics. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. In celebration of the upcoming Olympic Games, come enjoy as animals across the zoo receive sports-inspired enrichment novelty foods and activity elements

Before furry hugs become first loves It’s the perfect time, and they’re the perfect age, for Sesame Place®.

So before little kids become big kids, come whirl on rides, splash down slides and get great big hugs from everyone’s favorite furry friends.

Save on admission at sesameplace.com

Go before they grow® ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street® and associated characters, trademarks and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. © 2016 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.

30 JULY2016

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! allowing them to leap, swim, jump, and show their athletic prowess. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16.95, children ages 2 to 12 $11.95, children under 2 free. stonezoo.org.

Maker Faire. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Join tech enthusiasts, crafters, artists, students, and more, as they present their creative endeavors.

Meet a robot, build something with your bare hands, and see what a 3D printer can do. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Acton. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Explore the great outdoors, as we sing songs, take a nature walk, read a story or make a craft. Designed for ages 2 to 4. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Pond Life Exploration. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends to the BNC for a relaxing afternoon of pond exploration and activities, and learn about all the creatures that live in and around our pond. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

Make a MESS: Bursting Bubbles. Discovery Woods, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Add a little paint to the classic, sunny, summer day activity to make unique bubble prints as you make one-of-the-kind prints. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Natick Bubble Soccer. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. & 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Come get into a big plastic suit and play soccer as we celebrate the game of bubble soccer or bubble football, which acts as a physical exercise, stress reliever, and team building activity.

Register ahead. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Yoga at the Sanctuary. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Experience yoga surrounded by the serenity of nature and connect with your own inner sanctuary.

For ages 16 and older. Register ahead. Members $15, nonmembers $17. massaudubon.org.

25 Monday Under the Sea. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Join us for some fishy fun as we make some under-thesea crafts, including sea horse mobiles and colorful fish exploration. For ages 7 to 12. Register ahead.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Teen Crafternoon: DIY Slime. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Come drop-in as we create our own slime. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Infants • Toddlers • Preschool Full Time Part Time

Fun in the Sun Party. Nelson Park, 6 Prentice St., North Grafton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Join the Grafton Public Library and the Grafton Recreation Department for a town-wide summer celebration.

Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Casey at the Bat: Baseball Fun with Morton Soule. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 2:30 p.m.3:30 p.m. Enjoy a dramatic reading of the classic ‘Casey at the Bat’ poem, followed by the presentation of little-known facts about the early days of baseball during this delightful and nostalgic look.

Free. mywpl.org.

Wizard Wrock Concert. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. It’s time to rock out as part of Tonks and the Aurors, and Tianna and the Cliffhangers’ tour during this two hours of awesome music inspired by Harry Potter. For ages 13 to 17. Free. mywpl.org.

Tangled. South Garden, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. 6 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, children’s activities and giveaways, before settling down to watch this Disney moving following the unlikely story of Rapunzel when she leaves her tower. Free. prudentialcenter.com.

Moonlight Hike and Campfire for Families.

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Join us for a chance to listen for owls or coyotes, catch a glimpse of beavers on the pond, walk among lightning bugs, and enjoy s’mores around a campfire. Register ahead. Member adults $10, children $5; nonmember adults $14, children $7. massaudubon.org.

24 Sunday Nature and Nurture with Miss Bernadette.

Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St.,

rly e v e B n i r e t n e Cummings C Enrolling Now! 78 Call (617) 838-68

ion.

for more informat

Kindercam in every classroom!

We have cameras in every classroom that parents can log onto throughout the day and watch their children at the center!

• Structured curriculum beginning at 15 months • All staff members are infant/child CPR and first aid certified • Weekly visits from The Story Teller, Music Man, My First Yoga, The Tumble Bus, Happy Feet and Hoop It (Kids Basketball)

Owner operated since 1994 Very competitive rates

www.thelearningzoneonline.com Woburn (781) 932-1070 23 Warren Ave.

Framingham (508) 872-3600 63 Fountain St.

Belmont (617) 489-1161 279 Belmont St.

Waltham (781) 891-3600 295 Weston St.

Weston (781) 642-6787 101 River Road

Beverly (978) 969-6679 600 Cummings Center BAYSTATEPARENT 31

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MOS Presents Blizzards: Outwit the Elements. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-3:50 p.m. & 4 p.m.-4:50 p.m.

Learn how to engineer a treat to withstand high winds, and save skiers from a wild mountain avalanche through two exciting activities, as we plan, build, and test designs against the forces of nature. For kids entering grades 1 to 6. Register ahead. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Creatology: Drum Circle. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Express yourself and find your personal beat as you experience the rhythms of the summer in a circle of friends. For students in grades 4 to 6. Free. morseinstitute.org.

Trivia Nite @ the Library. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. Join the fun and test your mastery of useful and useless information as you are challenged through four rounds of questions from a variety of categories. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

26 Tuesday Fairyborough. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Design, build, and explore a mysterious forest environment of fairy houses, gnome homes, and sprite skyscrapers constructed out of natural materials and creativity. Through Saturday. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Sparky’s Puppets. Milford Town Library, 80 Spruce St., Milford. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Cheer the race between the tortoise and the hare, watch Jack’s speedy escape from a giant, and see more fast-paced adventures during this performance from a leader having delighted audiences for more than 30 years. Free. milfordtownlibrary.org.

Tween Nature Print Workshop. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Learn how to carve a relief plate, add texture, apply inks, and print, using black and colored inks before being mounted to white paper. For ages 10 to 14. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy snacks as we watch the first of this book series’ adaptations, following an orphan rescued from the neglect of his aunt and uncle who learns his magical abilities and faces off against one of the most infamous wizards of his time. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

27 Wednesday Play in the Park. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Play, experiment, and engineer together in the Sculpture park, and collaborate to construct large-scale temporary struc32 JULY2016

tures across deCordova’s landscape. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

Ani-Motion. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. Join us for this live animal show from Animal World Experience featuring animals such as degu, a tortoise, and a lizard. For ages 12 and under. Free. mywpl.org.

Teen Crafternoon: DIY Slime. Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton.1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Drop in as we make our own slime. For ages 8 to 12. Register ahead.

Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Kidz Cupcake Wars. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 1 p.m.2:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Test your baking and decorating skills as kids are divided into teams with older children helping younger ones as they work together to bake, decorate, and compete to make great cupcakes. For ages 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

3D Printing Class. Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg. 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Learn how to use our 3D printer during this fun interactive afternoon. For ages 8 and up.

Register ahead. Free. fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

28 Thursday Teddy Bear Checkup. Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., Leominster. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Bring your teddy bear or favorite stuffed animal for a medical check-up with one of our stuffed animal veterinarians on hand, before receiving a certificate of good health for their furry friend.

Free. leominsterlibrary.org.

Berklee Summer Sessions. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 1:30 p.m.

Enjoy as students from Berklee College of Music present a live interactive performance showcasing the creative talents of its students. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Museum of Science Presents Reptiles.

Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Become acquainted with some of the incredible animals from the Museum of Science’s Live Animal Care Center.

Free. fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

Teen Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy snacks as we watch the first part in the two-part conclusion to this magical epic, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes. For grades 6 to 12. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Summer Retrospective Outdoor Concert.

Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Load up the car with blankets, lawn chairs, and food (or buy some from us) during this outdoor concert presentation with music that evokes the summer season as expertly performed by the 65-piece Concord Band. Member cars $10, nonmember cars $15. fruitlands.org.

29 Friday Storytime in the Park with Diane Edgecomb. Grafton Common, Grafton. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch and join us as we share stories, songs, and summer fun with storyteller Diane Edgecomb. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Fandom Friday. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Join us for trivia, crafts, snacks, and games, all centering on your favorite fandoms, from comics, anime, BBC shows, or whatever your fandom may be. For ages 10 to 17. Free. mywpl.org.

Let’s Race. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Join us as we see how many ways we can get from start to finish, including through three-legged races, a cartwheel race, egg race, and more. For ages 4 to 7. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Teen Program: League of Legends. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton.

5 p.m.-9 p.m. Come play League of Legends, through a casual tournament and random teams, with pizza and snacks served. For grades 6 to 12. Register ahead. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens. DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston. 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy games and giveaways, before settling in to enjoy this continuation of the Star Wars space opera, beginning 30 years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire. Free. boston. cbslocal.com.

Star Gazing Night. Moose Hill, 293 Moose Hill St., Sharon. 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Join local astronomers for a look at the stars and other night objects through big telescopes in one of Mass Audubon’s best sites. Free. massaudubon.org.

30 Saturday Women In The Outdoors. Auburn Sportsman’s Club, 50 Elm St., Auburn. The National Wild Turkey Federation offers a full-day of outdoor exploration for women and girls ages 13 and up. Participants choose four classes from more than 30 offerings, from archery and fly fishing to kayaking and self defense. $80 adults, $45. masswito.com.

Sun Safety. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Play and learn about ways you can be safe in the sun.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmem-

bers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Go Fly a Kite. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan. 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Learn all about flight through feather races, learn about wingbeat patterns, and make your own kites. Feel free to bring your own kite for some quality flying time as well. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

Cool Runnings. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3:40 p.m.

Enjoy this comedic portrayal as a group of Jamaican athletes join together to become the first Jamaican bobsled team during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Especially for Me: Deaf or Hard of Hearing Evening. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join in all the fun during this special free evening for families with deaf or hard of hearing children in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program of Children’s Hospital Boston, with ASL interpreters and dinner provided. Register ahead.

Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Inside Out. South Garden, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. 6 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, children’s activities, and giveaways, before settling down to watch a Pixar movie that looks at what happens when your emotions go on an adventure to save your memories. Free. prudentialcenter.com.

31 Sunday Worms and Worm Bins. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan.

1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Learn all about the amazing worm and how it can turn food scraps in to rich and fertile soil, as we create a soil recipe, investigate life inside a compost pile and make a tea for plants in the garden. Adults free; member children $5, nonmember children $7. massaudubon.org.

MAKEmobile. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Take your imagination for a spin with activities that explore artistic material processes through amusing prompts and challenges. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

Harry Potter Celebration. Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton. 1 p.m.4 p.m. Join us for a celebration of Harry Potter, through cupcakes and Quidditch with the Boston University Quidditch team. Free. graftonlibrary.org.

JCC Day at Grossman. JCC Grossman Camp, 294 Powissett St., Dover. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Experience the magic of camp with your family, including swimming, boating, fishing, arts and crafts, rock climbing, and sports. Register ahead.

Free. bostonjcc.org.

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Author, Mother Offers Advice for Transitioning to Autism Adulthood

BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN

M

assachusetts author and mom Susan Senator has released her third book offering insight and encouragement to individuals with autism and their families. Autism Adulthood provides readers with a close-up look of her experience of helping her son, Nat, transition to adulthood.

“I wanted to write the book because when I first started trying to find out what to do for his adulthood he was 17. I couldn’t find any answers,” she said. “The adult services system had not kicked in yet. The school system was not very helpful. Now I know that is not the way it should go. Planning for transition should begin earlier.

You can’t wait for the state agency to get it started. It is just the way it is.”

Not only does Autism Adulthood share Senator’s personal and often emotionally raw details of her research into housing, employment, social skills, and support solutions, it also includes interviews with many adults with autism, their parents, caregivers, researchers, and professionals. Nat was only a couple of years into adulthood when Senator was writing the book, so she knew it was important to interview many who have been through this life phase first. Each chapter ends with a list of resources, including books, agencies, websites, and support groups. With all of these voices and resources, Senator’s underlying message to parents is

one of encouragement.

“I would say they are not alone and, therefore, can take actions that can help them realize that. In other words, the first thing they can do is find their community,” she said.

“Knowing you have these other families, that feels good and, more importantly, you learn from each other. Community helps in so many ways. Keep in mind further down the line, these people might be your ‘in-laws’ because your kids might live together.”

Senator has shared her journey as a parent of a child with autism throughout her son’s life. Her previous books, Making Peace with Autism and The Autism Mom’s Survival Guide, covered her son’s

earlier stages in life, with some material originating from her journals when Nat was born and later diagnosed with autism. With Autism Adulthood, the journey continues.

Senator gives talks to parent groups based on the community concept and encourages people to get involved with programs where they can meet other people.

Programs such as Special Olympics, even if your child doesn’t choose to join a team, can provide opportunities to meet new friends and cultivate relationships.

Senator encountered good and bad surprises when researching her son’s planning and in writing the book. For example, she was impressed by the number of cottage industries, started mostly by parents and their loved one with autism.

These small businesses are providing ways for adults with autism to support themselves or earn spending money so they are not attending traditional day programs.

“There is a lot of creativity going into these businesses,” she noted.

“State agencies are typically supportive of these approaches because they fit under the self-directed funding model, where the individual and family decides how to spend the support funds.”

Senator also learned how difficult it can be to find good caregivers.

Fortunately, she and her husband found a wonderful caregiver for Nat. Today, Nat is doing well. He lives in an apartment with a roommate caregiver during the week.

This approach is more of the ideal Senator envisioned; it is a more independent setting and more inclusive than a group home. Nat has even gone on a vacation with his roommate; they spent a week together in the Dominican Republic. Nat has a job at a grocery store collecting shopping carts, which she believes is perfect for him because he gets to walk outside and put things away.

“I feel like he has a good life. I feel like people could learn from him. I tried to have him be a voice in this story as much as possible,” Senator said.

Indeed, his voice is clear in the last pages: “Feel happy love nat.”

While Senator’s books are about autism, they are also relevant for parents of children with any intellectual or developmental challenges.

The opportunities available for these children and young adults are being influenced by the hard work and commitment of parents who are determined to create a good life for their child.

“There is so much more uniting us than separating out,” Senator noted.

“I came across a great example of a dad who is creative and came up with an amazing business for his son, and maybe many others, teaching hotel services in Indianapolis.

And his son has Down syndrome.”

Autism Adulthood is published by Skyhorse Publishing and is available through Amazon. Read more about Senator at susansenator.com.

A Commitment That Lasts a Lifetime The Special Needs Practice Group at Fletcher Tilton PC offers years of experience providing comprehensive legal services in a caring and concerned environment. We help individuals and families with: • Special Needs Planning • Guardianship & Considering Alternatives • Transition Planning & Adult Services • Advocacy For more information call our Special Needs Practice Group leader, Frederick m. misilo, Jr., at 508.459.8059 or email him at fmisilo@fletchertilton.com. We’re here to help!

Worcester | Framingham | ca p e co d | www.fletchertilton.com BayStateParent-new size.indd 1

5/28/2015 9:04:04 AM

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

e c n e i r pe

Ex

This summer, experience Meow: a cat-inspired exhibition!

Through July 24: Community Cats: A Public Art Show Through Sept. 4: The Captivating Cat: Felines and the Artist’s Gaze Cat Walk July 13 – Sept. 4: Cats-in-Residence Program Saturday, August 20: Meow Community Day

Enjoy

FREE

admission

throughout t

he month of

August.

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM Sponsored by:

34 JULY2016

Supporting sponsors:

Media Partners:

Free August is sponsored by:

Photos by Steven King

Best Family Indoor Attraction Winner: Great Wolf Lodge New England, Fitchburg BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 35

Runner-up: Start on the Street Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 Park Avenue, Worcester startonthestreet.org Best Movie Theatre Winner: Blackstone Valley Cinema The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley 70 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Millbury (800) 315-4000 Runner-up: Elm Draught House 35 Elm Court, Millbury (508) 865-2850

Family Fun Best In-State Vacation Winner: Cape Cod Runner-up: Great Wolf Lodge New England 150 Great Wolf Dr., Fitchburg (866) 678-9653 greatwolf.com/new-england Best New England Vacation Winner: Cape Cod Runner-up: StoryLand 850 NH Route 16 Glen, NH (603) 383-4186 storylandnh.com Best Massachusetts Beach Destination Winner: Dennis Beaches

Best Museum Winner: Museum of Science, Boston 1 Science Park, Boston (617) 723-2500 mos.org Runner-up: Boston Children’s Museum 308 Congress St., Boston (617) 426-6500 bostonchildrensmuseum.org Best Hiking Trail Winners (tie): Wachusett Mountain State Reservation 345 Mountain Rd., Princeton (978) 464-2987 Purgatory Chasm 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton (508) 234-3733 Runner-up: Blue Hills Reservation 695 Hillside St., Milton (617) 698-1802

Runner-up: Salisbury Beach State Reservation Rd., Salisbury

Best Place to Picnic

Best Family Indoor Attraction

Winner: Purgatory Chasm 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton (508) 234-3733

Winner: Great Wolf Lodge New England 150 Great Wolf Dr., Fitchburg (866) 678-9653 greatwolf.com/new-england Runner-up: Sky Zone, Westborough 290 Turnpike Rd., Westborough (508) 870-5867 skyzone.com/westborough

Runner-up: Breezy Picnic Grounds 520 Northwest Main St., Douglas (508) 476-2664 breezysummer.com Best Pick Your Own Orchard

Best Family Outdoor Attraction

Winner: Tougas Family Farm 234 Ball St., Northborough (508) 393-6406 tougasfamilyfarm.com

Winner: Davis Farmland 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling (978) 422-6666 davisfarmland.com

Runners-up (tie): Honeypot Hill Orchard 138 Sudbury Rd., Stow (978) 562-5666

Runner-up: Purgatory Chasm 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton (508) 234-3733

Red Apple Farm 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston (978) 249-6763 redapplefarm.com

Best Fair, Festival or Special Event Winner: The Big E 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield (413) 737-2443 thebige.com 36 JULY2016

Sholan Farms 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster (978) 840-3276 sholanfarms.com

Best Ice Cream Stand Winner: Rota Spring Farm, Best Campground Winner: Jellystone Park 30 River Rd., Sturbridge (508) 347-9570 campjellystone.com/park/ 22-sturbridge

Runner-up: Pine Acres Family Camping Resort 203 Bechan Rd., Oakham (508) 882-9509 pineacresresort.com

Runner-up: Nashoba Valley Ski Area 79 Powers Rd., Westford (978) 692-3033 skinashoba.com

Parties, Activities, Learning

Thank You to All the Readers for Voting Us the #1 Dance Studio

Best Local Gym or Exercise Facility Winner: F3 – Westborough 227 Turnpike Rd., Westborough (508) 898-3362 f3ma.com Best Skating Rink Winners (tie): Buffone Skating Rink 284 Lake Ave., Worcester (508) 799-0910 fmcicesports.com/rink/worcesterbuffone-skating-arena/ Horgan Arena 403 Oxford St N, Auburn (508) 832-7201 fmcicesports.com/rink/auburn-horgan-arena/ Runners-up (tie): Roll-On America 90 Duval Rd., Lancaster (978) 537-4010 rollonamerica.com

REGISTERING NOW for Fall and Summer Dance classes 175 West Main St., Millbury 508-865-0083 • hhdanceacademy.com Co Owners: Heather Gerardi & Heidi Sulminski Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructors BA in Early Childhood Education: Members of Dance Masters of America

Skylite Roller Skating Center 648 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 757-8640 skyliterollerskatingcenter.com Best Birthday Party Venue Winner: Sky Zone 290 Turnpike Rd., Westborough (508) 870-5867 skyzone.com/westborough Runners-up (tie): Claytime 124 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (508) 798-9950 claytimestudio.com Zoink’s Fun Factory 7 Pioneer Dr., North Oxford (508) 987-1141 zoinksfunfactory.com Best Birthday Party Entertainer

Sterling Best Ski/Boarding or Tubing Place Winner: Wachusett Mountain 345 Mountain Rd., Princeton (978) 464-2987 wachusett.com

Winner: Happy Kids Entertainment (617) 596-2743 happykidsentertainment.com info@HappyKidsEntertainment.com Runners-up (tie): Magic World 149 Memorial Dr., Shrewsbury (508) 842-2177 magicworldamuse.com

MCU – #1 CREDIT UNION FOR 2016 We’re honored that our members chose to vote us number one credit union this year. At MCU, we’re always working to develop new products and services built to meet the needs of our community. We want to thank our dedicated employees for their hard work and commitment and extend a special THANK YOU to our members for recognizing our efforts!

Personalize Your Banking

Your Community Credit Union! www.millburycu.com

508-865-7600 Auburn | Millbury | South Grafton | Worcester /MillburyFederalCreditUnion

@millburycu

BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 37

Best Childcare

Best Gymnastics Studio

Best Art Studio

Winner: Childworks Holden 456 Wachusett St., Holden (508) 829-7479 childworksdiscovery.com

Winner: Sterling Gymnastics 15 Industrial Dr., Sterling (978) 422-ROLL sterlinggym.com

Winner: ArtReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com

Runners-up (tie): Goddard School 14 Richards St., Worcester (508) 799-3594 goddardschool.com

Runner-up: Giguere’s 148 Main St., Cherry Valley (508) 892-3797 gigueregym.com

Runner-up: Art on the Rocks 76 Franklin Rd., Fitchburg 96 Main St., Gardner (978) 503-9340 artontherocksma.com

Step In Time 347 Greenwood St., Worcester (508) 792-0200 stepintimechildcare.com

Best Parent/Child Class Winner: Music Together musictogether.com

Best Theatre Program/Camp Winner: Apple Tree Arts 1 Grafton Common, Grafton (508) 320-9755 appletreearts.org

Robo the Clown 17 Hemlock Rd. Southington, Conn.

(860) 621-2713 tailstheclown.com

Runners-up (tie): Vanilla Box Productions (774) 239-1438 vanillaboxprod.com

Best Party Rental

Bancroft School 110 Shore Dr., Worcester (508) 853-2640 bancroftschool.org

Winner: Toomey’s Rental 35 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 791-2383 toomeysrentall.com

Best Music School Winner: Pakachoag Music School 203 Pakachoag St., Auburn (508) 791-8159 pakmusic.org

Runners-up (tie): Mike’s Moonwalk Rental 144 Shrewsbury St., Boylston (774) 614-1300 mikesmoonwalkrentals.com

Runner-up: Apple Tree Arts 1 Grafton Common, Grafton (508) 320-9755 appletreearts.org

Paul’s Rental 999 Central St., Leominster (978) 537-7285 paulrents.com

Best Martial Arts Studio Winners (tie): New Horizon Karate 360 West Boylston St., West Boylston (508) 852-3333 horizonkarate.com

Best Private School Winner: Bancroft School 110 Shore Dr., Worcester (508) 853-2640 bancroftschool.org

Cormier’s Self Defense 53 Jeffrey Ave., Holliston (508) 429-6688 cormierselfdefense.com

Runners-up (tie): Venerini Academy 27 Edward St., Worcester (508) 753-3210 veneriniacademy.us Assumption School 17 Grove St., Millbury (508) 865-5404 assumption-cs.org Best Parochial School Winners (tie): Assumption School 17 Grove St., Millbury (508) 865-5404 assumption-cs.org St. Peter-Marian 781 Grove St., Worcester (508) 852-5555 spmguardians.org Runner-up: St. Mary’s Schools 50 Richland St., Worcester (508) 753-1170 stmarysworcester.org

38 JULY2016

Best Local Gym or Exercise Facility Winner: F3, Westborough

Launch and Learn 304 Cambridge Rd., Woburn (781) 369-5860 launchandlearn.com

Runner-up: F3 – Westborough 227 Turnpike Rd, Westborough (508) 898-3362 f3ma.com

Best Preschool

Best Dance Studio

Winner: Jack and Jill First Baptist Church 693 Main St., North Oxford (508) 987-3085

Winner: H&H Dance Academy 75 W Main St., Millbury (508) 865-0083 hhdanceacademy.com

Runner-up: Franklin Children’s School 900 Chestnut St., Franklin (508) 528-9378

Runner-up: Diane Kelley Dance Studios 76 Central St., West Boylston (508) 835-2678 dianekelleydance.com

Runner-up: Hanmi Tae Kwon Do 98 W Boylston St., Worcester (508) 770-1187 hanmitaekwondo.com Best After School Program Winner: ArtReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com Runners-up (tie): Whitin Community Center 60 Main St., Whitinsville (508) 234-8184 whitincommunitycenter.com Gymnastics Learning Center 574 Lake St., Shrewsbury (508) 792-1551 gymnasticslearningcenter.org

Photo Courtesy Bancroft School

Best Private School and Best Day Camp Winner: Bancroft School, Worcester.

Best Children’s Library Winner: Beaman Library 8 Newton St., West Boylston (508) 835-3711 Runners-up (tie): Oxford Public Library 339 Main St., Oxford (508) 987-6003 Gale Free Library 23 Highland St., Holden (508) 210-5560 Best Day Camp Winner: Bancroft School 110 Shore Dr., Worcester (508) 853-2640 bancroftschool.org Runner-up: Camp Woodhaven 55 Campground Rd., West Boylston (508) 835-9883 campwoodhaven.com Best Sleep Away Camp Winner: Camp Putnam 141 Rutherford Rd., New Braintree (508) 867-6895 campputnam.org

Runner-up: Whale Camp 100 Red Point Rd. Grand Manan, NB, Canada (888) 54-WHALE whalecamp.com

Special Needs Best Museum/Attraction Winners (tie): EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way, Worcester (508) 929-2700 ecotarium.org Boston Children’s Museum 308 Congress St., Boston (617) 426-6500 bostonchildrensmuseum.org Runners-up (tie): Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury St., Worcester (508) 799-4406 worcesterart.org Boston Museum of Science 1 Science Park, Boston (617) 723-2500 mos.org

Best After School Program

Best Therapy Facility

Winner: YMCAs of Massachusetts ymca.net

Winners (tie): Brain Balance Center 1472 Riverdale St., West Springfield (413) 693-2500 brainbalancecenters.com/locations/ west-springfield

Runners-up (tie): ArtReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com The Durham Center for Education 270 Airport Rd., Fitchburg (978) 353-3489 ippi.org/massachusetts /massachusetts-the-durham-centerfor-education/ Best Camp Winner: Camp Putnam 141 Rutherford Rd., New Braintree (508) 867-6895 campputnam.org Runner-up: The Bridge Center 470 Pine St., Bridgewater (508) 697-7557 thebridgectr.org

Worcester Center for Expressive Therapy (774) 243-7992 wcetherapy.com Best Advocacy Organization Winner: Autism Resource Central 71 Sterling St., West Boylston (508) 835-4278 autismresourcecentral.org Runners-up (tie): Diamond Is The Sky (774) 823-5016 dits.org Mass Down Syndrome Congress 20 Burlington Mall Rd., Suite 261, Burlington (781) 221-0024 mdsc.org BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 39

Businesses & Services Best Car Dealer Winner: Lundgren Honda 163 Washington St., Auburn (866) 675-0467 lundgrenhondaofauburn.com Runners-up (tie): Harr Toyota 100 Gold Star Blvd., Worcester (844) 316-6061 harrtoyota.com Best Speech-Language Therapy Winner: Speech & Language Specialties 364 Boston Turnpike Rd., Suite 1A, Shrewsbury (508) 757-6981 slspecial.com Runner-up: Mass Eye and Ear (617) 523-7900 masseyeandear.org Special Needs Services Winner: Child Development Network 76 Bedford St., Suite 12, Lexington (781) 861-6655 cdnkids.com

Imperial Cars 8-18 Uxbridge Rd., Mendon (800) 526-2886 imperialcars.com Linder’s 211 Granite St., Worcester (508) 756-5125 lindersinc.com Best Tire Store Winner: C & R Tire 111 Randolph Rd., Worcester (508) 852-6464 crtire.com Runner-up: Harding Tire 180 Harding St., Worcester (774) 670-5137 hardingtirecoinc.com

Summer Dance CALL 508.791.3233 FOR DETAILS

OPEN CLASSICAL BALLET CLASS Ages 14 to adult • 7:00-8:30 pm JULY 5-AUGUST 25: Tues & Thurs Ages 11 to 13 • 5:15-6:45 pm JULY 5-30: Tues & Thurs Ages 8 to 10 • 4:00-5:15 pm JULY 5-30: Tues & Thurs

SAVE THE DATE

THE YOUNG DANCERS’ SUMMER DAY CAMP–ages 5-12

For an audition reservation

Best Pediatric Dentist Winner: Dr. Tony Saito, West Boylston

VOTED

baystate

parent

Best

OF 2016

We are honored and so pleased that baystateparent readers have voted us as the preferred special needs services for your families.

OPEN AUDITION CALL

Thank You!

Saturday, September 10th

CALL 508.791.3233

Aug 1–5 • Mon–Fri, 9:00 to 12:30

SUMMER POINTE CLASS JUNE 13-AUG 22 Mon 5:00-7:00 pm Beginner (at least one year) to advanced dancers

BAW

inc

BALLET ARTS WORCESTER

Jennifer Agbay, Director 508.791.3233 BALLETARTSWORCESTER.COM REGISTRATION REQUIRED Dance classes subject to change without notice.

40 JULY2016

The CDN network of doctors provides expert clinical care for...

Diagnostic Evaluations & Education Consultation/ Advocacy: • Autism Spectrum Disorders • Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity • Dyslexia/Learning Disorders • Executive Function Skills

Treatment and Therapy: • Executive Function Skills Training • Coping Skill Development • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Child Development Network, Inc. Lexington, MA • 781-861-6655 www.CDNKids.com

Southbridge Savings Bank (800) 939-9103 southbridgesavingsbank.com

Best Health Insurance Company Winner: Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA (800) 262-BLUE bluecrossma.com

Runners-up (tie): Commerce Bank (508) 797-6842 bankatcommerce.com

Runner-up: Fallon Community Health Plan (800) 868-5200 fchp.org

Clinton Savings Bank (888) 744-4272 clintonsavings.com

Best Home/Auto Insurance Company Winner: Mapfre (800) 221-1605 mapfreinsurance.com

Best Credit Union Winner: Millbury Federal Credit Union 50 Main St., Millbury (508) 865-7600 millburycu.com

Runners-up (tie): The Hanover Insurance Group 440 Lincoln St., Worcester (508) 855-1000 hanover.com

Runner-up: Leominster Credit Union 20 Adams St., Leominster (800) 649-4646 leominstercu.com

Amica 1 Research Dr. #401b, Westborough (888) 702-6422 amica.com

Best Mom’s Salon or Spa Winner: GQ Salon and Spa 1105 Main St., Holden (508) 829-9446 gqhairsalonholden.com

Best Bank Winners (tie): Millbury Savings Bank 109 Elm St., Millbury (508) 865-5811 1001 Millbury St., Worcester (508) 757-0057 millburysavings.com

Runners-up (tie): Cut Loose Hair Studio 158 Main St., Grafton (508) 839-1119 facebook.com/CutLooseHairStudio/

Slide Swing explore learn Come on a nature adventure!

tion!

Under construc

Opening Celebration July 16-17

Acton, MA

■

What will YOU discover in Discovery Woods?

Solomon Pond Mall 601 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough (508) 303-6255 simon.com/mall/solomon-pond-mall

Tu Moda 574 Pleasant St., Worcester (508) 754-1513 tumodaspa.com Women’s Boutique Winners (tie): French Twist 1098 Pleasant St., Worcester (774) 437-9192 facebook.com/shopfrenchtwist

Haircut for Kids Winner: GQ Salon & Spa 1105 Main St., Holden (508) 829-9446 gqhairsalonholden.com

Jenny Boston Boutique 45 E. Main St. #4, Westborough (508) 545-0060 jenny-boston-boutique.myshopify. com

Matt’s at the Buzzer Barbershop 118 Elm St. Millbury (508) 865-2047 mattsatthebuzzer.com

Runner-up: Frugal Fannie’s 24 Wilson Way, Westwood (781) 329-8990 frugalfannies.com

Winner: Cutie Patutie’s 1021 Central St., Leominster (978) 534-6604 cutiepatuties.com

Consignment Store

Shopping Center/Mall Winner: Shoppes At Blackstone Valley 70 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Millbury (617) 232-8900 shopsatblackstonevalley.com Runners-up (tie): Natick Collection 1245 Worcester St., Natick (508) 655-4800 natickmall.com

Come see why we were voted

Best Women’s Salon & Haircuts for Kids

The coolest, biggest treehouse you’ve ever seen, by DIY Network’s The Treehouse Guys— and much more!

Discovery Woods is inclusive and fully accessible.

978.264.4200

■

discoverymuseums.org

508.829.9446 or Text 774.479.1212 1105A Main Street, Holden, MA www.GQHairsalonholden.com or www.facebook.com/GQHairsalon BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 41

Pebbles & Polka Dots (860) 810-7607 pebblesandpolkadotsphotography. com Bike Shop Winner: Trek Stop 49 North Main St., North Grafton (508) 839-9199 trekstop.com Jewelry Store Winner: Pucci’s 205 West Boylston St., West Boylston (508) 835-6855 puccisjewelers.com Best Veterinarian Winner: Holden Veterinary Clinic, Holden

Runners-up (tie): Children’s Orchard 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-5437 childrensorchard.com/stores/ westborough-ma Smartypants Consignment 850 Southbridge St., Auburn (508) 832-0066 smartypantsstores.com Store for Kids’ Clothes Winner: Little V Designs 5 Milk St., Westborough (508) 836-5458 littlevdesigns.com Runner-up: Children’s Orchard Westborough 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-5437 childrensorchard.com/stores/westborough-ma Flower Shop Winner: Perro’s 284 Grafton St., Worcester (508) 755-7744 perrosflowers.com Runners-up (tie): Windmill Florist 448 Mechanic St., Fitchburg (978) 342-2347 windmillfloristandgifts.com

Millbury Towne Florist 4 South Main St., Millbury (508) 865-5831 millburytowneflorist.com Danielson Florist 660 Main St., Shrewsbury (508) 842-8992 danielsonflowers.com Book Store/Independent Winner: Tatnuck Booksellers 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-4959 tatnuck.com Runner-up: An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Café 111 South St., Plainville (508) 699-0244 anunlikelystory.com Children’s Photographer Winner: Shawna Shenette Photography (508) 685-0885 shawnashenettephotography.com Runners-up (tie): Michelle Vergari (978) 833-0623 michellevergariphotography.com Mandi McCormack Photography (508) 834-9984 mandimccormackphotography.com Best Credit Union Winner: Millbury Federal Credit Union, Millbury

42 JULY2016

Runner-up: Sach’s Jewelers 180 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (508) 792-2300 sachsjewelers.com

Runner-up: The Burger Grille 316 North Main St., Uxbridge (508) 372-9090 theburgergrille.biz

Car Wash

Pizza Place

Winner: Ernie’s 579 Millbury St., Worcester (508) 753-2115 erniescarwash.com

Winner: Pizza Chef 32 Main St., Millbury (508) 865-3700 pizzachefmillbury.com

Runner-up: Scrub a Dub 172 Worcester Rd., Natick (508) 650-1155 scrub@scrubadub.com

Runner-up: Tony’s Pizza 146 Boston Rd., Sutton (508) 865-9544 tonyssuttonpizza.com

Pet Store

Bakery

Winner: Ellie’s Pet Barn 785B Main St., Holden (508) 829-8200 elliespetbarn.com

Winner: Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 339 West Boylston St., West Boylston (508) 853-3434 232 Turnpike Rd., Westborough (508) 366-1845 gerardositalianbakery.com

Runner-up: Gibson’s Pet Store 994 Grafton St., Worcester (508) 926-8628 gibsonsnaturalpet.com Home Appliances Winners (tie): Percy’s 19 Glennie St., Worcester (508) 438-6800 percys.com Whitco 140 Main St., Spencer (508) 885-9343 whitcosales.com

Runner-up: Crown Bakery & Cafe 133 Gold Star Blvd., Worcester (508) 852-0746 crownbakeryandcafe.com Ice Cream Stand Winner: Rota Spring Farm 117 Chace Hill Rd., Sterling (978) 365-9710 rotaspringfarm.com

Runner-up: Better Electric 190 Grafton St., Worcester (508) 753- 3860 betterelectricappliances.com

Runner-up: Kimball Farms 400 Littleton Rd., Westford (978) 486-3891 1543 Lunenberg Rd., Lancaster (978) 534-9800 343 Bedford Rd., Carlisle (978) 369-1910 kimballfarm.com

Home Heating

Buffet

Winner: Harrington Oil 752 Main St., Holden (508) 829-0044 harringtonoilinc.com

Winner: Nancy Chang’s 372 Chandler St., Worcester (508) 752-8899 nancychang.com

Runner-up: Old Man Oil (508) 886-8998 oldmanoil.com

Food & Dining Hot Dog Stand Winner: Coney Island 158 Southbridge St., Worcester (508) 753-4362 coneyislandlunch.com Runner-up: Hot Dog Annie’s 244 Paxton St., Leicester (508) 892-9059 Burger Place Winner: The Fix Burger Bar 106 Grove St., Worcester (774) 823-3327 thefixburgerbar.com

Runners-up (tie): Sky Buffet 340 E Main St., Milford (508) 478-8878 skybuffetmilford.com Jasmine 711 Southbridge St., Auburn (508) 832-8869 jasmineauburn.com Frozen Yogurt Shop Winner: Wooberry 141 Highland St., Worcester (508) 907-2482 wooberryyogurt.com Runner-up: T-Wisted Frozen Yogurt 410 Boston Rd., Sudbury (978) 261-5959 facebook.com/TWistedFrozenYogurt

THANK YOU For voting us BEST Therapy Facility For Special Needs

255 Park Ave, Suite 412, Worcester 774-243-7992 wcetherapy.com

Now Open For the Season Full line of fresh fruits and vegetables • Beautiful hanging plants, annuals • Bakery Deli Ice Cream now open 7 days a week 11am-9pm

500 Church St., Northboro 508-393-3444 www.davidianbros.com Open 7 Days: Mon.-Fri. 9-6:30, Weekends 9-5:30

BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 43

Best Mom’s Salon or Spa and Best Haircut for Kids Winner: GQ Salon and Spa, Holden

Best Bike Shop Winner: Trek Stop, North Grafton 44 JULY2016

Best Restaurant Winner: O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar, Worcester

Best Pick Your Own Orchard Winner: Tougas Family Farm, Northborough

Restaurant Winner: O’Connor’s 1160 W. Boylston St., Worcester (508) 853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com Runners-up (tie): The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester (508) 756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com

Twist Bakery 30 Milliston Rd., Millis (508) 376-1163 twist-bakery.com Place For Family Dinner Winner: Il Camino 555 Central St., Leominster (978) 537-5083 ilcamino-restaurant.com

Bocado Tapas Bar 82 Winter St., Worcester (508) 797-1011 45 Church Street, Wellesley (781) 772-2390 60 Valley Street, Providence, RI (401) 270-6080 bocadotapasbar.com

Runner-up: O’Connor’s 1160 W. Boylston St., Worcester (508) 853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com

Kids’ Meals

Winner: Dr. Tony Saito 67 West Boylston St., West Boylston (508) 835-6752 drtonysaito.com

Health &Wellness Pediatric Dentist

Winner: Peppercorn’s 455 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 752-7711 epeppercorns.com Restaurant for Families With Allergies Winner: The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester (508) 756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com

Runner-up: Lahair & Gallagher 102 Shore Dr., Suite 302, Worcester (508) 854-9994 fightingdecay.com Orthodontist Winner: Dr. Davis Witt 42 Auburn St., Auburn (508) 721-7900 44 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury (508) 845-6818 wittorthodontics.com

Runners-up (tie): Depot Street Tavern 45 Depot St., Milford (508) 488-6844 depotsttavern.com

Runner-up: Dr. Roland Nentwich 1084 Main St., Holden (508) 829-4309 506 Main St., Shrewsbury (508) 845-6712 orthodonticsolution.com Pediatrician Winner: Child Health Associates 105 Millbury Suite., Auburn 604 Main St., Shrewsbury (508) 832-9691 childhealthassociates.net Runner-up: Worcester Pediatrics 123 Summer St., Suite 690, Worcester (508) 363-9530 Optometrist or Ophthalmologist Winner: D’Ambrosio Eye Care (800) 325-3937 dambrosio-eye-care-boston.com Runner-up: Dr. Robert Gise 210 Lincoln St., #1, Worcester (508) 755-4922 Fertility Practice Winner: Brigham and Women’s (888) 761-3413 infertility.brighamandwomens.org Runner-up: Mass General 32 Fruit St., Suite 10A, Boston (617) 726-8868 massgeneral.org/fertility

OB/GYN Practice Winner: Women’s Health of Central MA 325 Thompson Rd., Webster (508) 949-3600 340 Maple St., Suite 125, Marlborough (508) 485-1056 328 Shrewsbury St., Worcester (508) 755-4861 whcma.com Runner-up (tie): Reliant Medical Group (508) 368-3110 reliantmedicalgroup.org Neary & Hunter 67 Belmont St., Worcester (508) 752-1491 nearyhunterobgyn.com Hospital Winner (tie): UMass Memorial Health Care Hahnemann Campus: 281 Lincoln St., Worcester Memorial Campus: 119 Belmont St., Worcester University Campus: 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester (508) 334-1000 umassmemorialhealthcare.org St. Vincent’s Hospital 123 Summer St., Worcester (508) 363-5000 stvincenthospital.com

Fitness & Enrichment for the Whole Family!

FALL 2016 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Art Dance Gymnastics Mad Science/STEM

Music Sign Language Sensory Exploration Weekly Playgroups & More!

PLUS...

BAYSTATEPARENTBEST 45

Runner-up: Newton-Wellesley 2014 Washington St., Newton (617) 243-6000 nwh.org

Boarding/Kennel Winner: Barkwood Inn 462 Worcester Rd., Charlton (508) 248-7474 thebarkwoodinn.com

Veterinarian

Runner-up: TLC 68 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Sutton (508) 865-3180 tlcpethaven.com

Winner: Holden Veterinary Clinic 11 Industrial Dr., Holden (508) 829-6368 holdenvet.com Runner-up: Westside Animal Clinic 262 Mill St., Worcester (508) 756-4411 westsideanimalclinic.vetstreet.com

Animal Hospital Winner: Cummings Veterinary Medical Center 55 Willard St., North Grafton (508) 839-5395 vet.tufts.edu/cvmc

Dog Groomer Winner: Bark-N-Bubbles 154 Riverlin St., Millbury (508) 865-8155 barknbubblesmillbury.com

Runner-up: Riverlin Animal Hospital 287 Riverlin St., Millbury (508) 865-4075 riverlinvet.com

Runners-up (tie): TLC Pet Haven 68 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Sutton (508) 865-3180 tlcpethaven.com Bark of the Town 17 Riverlin St., Millbury (508) 865-2898 barkmillbury.com Best Special Needs Services Winner: Child Development Network, Lexington

art classes & workshops

Summer Fun at WAM! July 11 – August 12

Choose from over 90 engaging, hands-on classes for children and teens 3 – 17 offered in one-week sessions. Inspired by the Museum’s galleries, children learn to express themselves through a variety of mixed media in an encouraging and supportive environment.

Lunch and extended day available.

Youth Summer Classes are sponsored by:

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM 46 JULY2016

Enroll today! worcesterart.org/classes

How old are your kids and what do they read?

My daughters are 4 and 6. Frida, the eldest, wants to read every Nancy Drew book and she loves to have my wife and me read to her. Ada is very into Ivy and Bean, at the moment. Believe it or not, I have read passages from The Remains of the Day to her. I also have read to her Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One when she was younger, and last year read Annie Dillard’s American Childhood. My wife thinks I’m nuts to read those books to her, but sometimes I want to read something beautiful to her. And since I often write at night, reading a chapter from a great writer is certainly inspiring.

Three Eighth Graders Vie For The Same Girl’s Affection In Fun, Funny Novel

Me & Miranda Mullaly

BY MONICA HAMILTON

Finding a good book for your middle-grade reader can be difficult, as parents often worry about content and themes that may be too mature for their child. Yet debut author Jake Gerhardt’s Me & Miranda Mullaly may be just the answer to a parent’s literary search.

The novel tells the story of three eighth graders and their quest to win the title character’s heart. Told from the main characters’ different perspectives, Me & Miranda Mullaly is a comedy of errors meets coming-ofage story that will resonate with middle-grade readers who are wending their way through the tricky waters of school plays, basketball games, and first loves. The Los Angelesbased author, a husband and father of two young girls who has worked as a teacher since graduating from West Chester University, talks about his experience and his inspiration for his debut novel, recommended for ages 10 and up.

How did you get into writing?

I started writing fiction late in life, at least compared to writers who started at the tender age of 2 ½ weeks. And most of what I wrote in high school and college were horrible, pretentious short stories, basically me copying the inimitable style of Robert Penn Warren and other greats.

I started writing in this genre more recently. I was writing short pieces reminiscing on my childhood, often based on stories I would occasionally tell to my students. It took a few years to really understand exactly how to write for this age group. The most important thing was getting the old man (yes, me!) out of the stories and have the stories driven by the

young protagonists, experiencing life in the moment.

Why did you choose the middle grades to write about?

I really loved middle school. It’s such a wonderful transition for so many kids (not all, of course) where everything is new. I was also teaching girls who were living in a group home in Hollywood. My students had what I referred to as gaps in their education, to no fault of their own.

In order to help the girls enjoy reading (an important part of developing a love for reading), I was always on the lookout for humorous books that they could read quickly and enjoy.

They were often interested in what I was writing (the short pieces mentioned above) and I decided this was the genre in which I would write. At the time I was writing screenplays, and made the switch [to a novel] about four years ago.

What did you read when you were the characters’ age?

When I was in seventh grade, a classmate, Shari, and I read all of Paula Danziger’s books. Because I was sort of like a jock and a guy’s guy, we used to pass around the books almost like contraband. She knew I probably didn’t want my friends to know what I was reading. We did the same thing with Judy Blume books and other more female-driven books. We had a little informal, underground reading group, which I always look back on fondly.

In the eighth grade, I started reading Stephen King and my days of young adult and middle-grade reading were over until I became a teacher after college.

Did you have specific friends and crushes in mind when you wrote your novel?

Like many boys, I was falling in love weekly, if not daily or hourly.

There were too many to point at an exact instance. I was actually in The Pajama Game in the eighth grade, but that was because I was cut from the basketball team.

Was it hard to write from both a boy’s and a girl’s point of view?

I think it was probably a lot harder than I’m willing to admit. At the time I was writing the book, I taught at an all-girls high school. I also have four sisters and my mother, who are very strong women. Add to the mix my fetching wife and two daughters, and I may have a skewed view of the fairer sex.

It seems most middle-grade male authors in this genre are sci-fi writers: What made you choose a relationship story to write about?

I don’t think of Me and Miranda Mullaly as a relationship story as much as a story about growing up.

They all make mistakes along the way, which is the natural course for most young boys. And falling in love is a big part of growing up. In the next book, we will find out if [Me and Miranda Mullaly characters] Chollie, Sam, and Duke can keep relationships going.

Is there a message you’re hoping readers take away?

I hope this book helps kids who make mistakes while traveling through middle school. I guess I should say every kid who makes mistakes, because we all do. I hope another message is that middle school is fun, even when you’re struggling to make sense of it all.

Published by Penguin Random House Penguin Young Readers, Me & Miranda Mullaly is available from Penguin and Amazon.com. More about Gerhardt, including pics of him in The Pajama Game and other eighth-grade clubs, can be found on his website, jakegerhardt.com.

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‘I wish working women would be more forgiving of themselves’ ‘Security Mom’ Juliette Kayyem on making tough choices

BY KACY ZURKUS

The late Rev. Professor and Harvard minister Peter J. Gomes often said, “Get over it, get used to it, get on with it...Life is inherently messy, filled with unfinished business…if we are to live well and not just think about living, we had better take care of those things that are right before us and doable.”

After reading Massachusetts-based

security expert Juliette Kayyem’s newly released Security Mom: An Unclassified Guide to Protecting Our Homeland and Your Home, one might ask if this sentiment is at the heart of all curriculum at Harvard.

Kayyem, who began her work in public service in 1999, was appointed Massachusetts’ first Undersecretary for Homeland

Security in January 2007 and assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2009-2010. In her book, she talks about trying to avoid a single point of failure and the need for America to become a more resilient society.

“Resiliency is a constant learning curve,” she says. “The changes we make should create a new baseline for future catastrophes…All I can offer is that the pursuit of resiliency is often undertaken in the context of bad mistakes, and worse choices, at the most unpredictable times.”

Her words echo those of Rev. Gomes, reminding readers that life is messy: We need to stop being afraid of terrorism and learn how to get over it. In order to ensure the security of ourselves and our families, we cannot expect the government to design a panacea that will ameliorate all threats. Rather, we must learn how to protect ourselves.

In addition to her role with Homeland Security under the Obama Administration, Kayyem is also a former member of the National Commission on Terrorism. She’s currently a national security analyst for CNN, a faculty member at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and lives in Cambridge with her family.

Writing as both a mother and a homeland security expert, Kayyem talks frankly about what worries her most: “I have three kids and I’m in homeland security, and the capac-

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ity is infinite.” Recognizing that the potential for harm is constant, she decided that maybe that’s not how she should judge this conundrum of security.

While the term “Security Mom” gained popularity during the 2004 election and originally was ascribed to white, suburban mothers who were immensely worried about terrorism, Kayyem has redefined that phrase to mean: “Any woman who plans and prepares as she raises her children in a world where anything can happen.”

“Are we better prepared knowing that there is an infinite amount of things?” might be a better way to approach security for the home front and the homeland. In reality, all any of us can do is try to avoid the single points of failure, whether it’s a mom missing a birthday or contraband getting through undetected at airport security.

Some mothers will read this book and pass harsh judgment on Kayyem’s choices as a mother. In her narration, she makes clear that her devotion was to both her career and her family.

In one scene, she recounts a disrupted 2009 Christmas celebration caused by the intelligence failure with Umar Abdlmutallab, the man who managed to get through airport security with explosives in his underwear and board a U.S.-bound Christmas Day flight. Weaving

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working mothers are really hard on themselves in terms of every day has to be judged as a good day.

together stories about her family life with these intelligence disasters, she conveys the reality of the sacrifices one must make in a life of public service.

Kayyem describes herself tucked away in the bathroom trying to understand the security issue at hand when her daughter walks in on her. She starkly waved her daughter away. In hindsight, she writes, “It was harsh, unforgiving, but I was on the call with everyone else who had given up on Christmas.”

Later that evening, then Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano was on TV remarking, “The system worked,” in defense of the intelligence failure. Kayyem, though, goes on to note, “It was clearly a talking point, not really thought through, for how it will actually sound when it comes out of an administration official’s mouth.”

Ironically, when talking about her own family, Kayyem says she and her husband relied heavily on family and full-time help to balance home and career: “We weren’t happy all the time or very often all at once, but we rolled with the tumult. Which is why I am very proud to say: The system worked.”

Maybe, like Napolitano, she hadn’t thought about how that would sound to her readers.

For those who are tempted to judge the choices she made for her family, Kayyem offered these words as a further explanation of what she knows to be true because of the unfolding of time. Several years have transpired, delivering the gift of hindsight: “For me, it was that working mothers are really hard on themselves in terms of every day has to be judged as a good day,” she says. “That two to two-and-a-half years of our essentially not seeing our kids, of their being raised by a community, of my daughter unhappy most of the time

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judging from many years later, it worked.”

Noting that she has little time or patience for the “Mommy Wars,” Kayyem talked about the real emotional struggle for working mothers who believe that every day has to be the perfect day.

“We have to have it all or lean in.

In reality, maybe sometimes it’s not so good,” she notes. “Only years later when you can look back and say, yes, my marriage was under stress, but this was something important for us to do.” Her husband didn’t have these issues. Men aren’t made to feel that they are making a choice when their careers pull them away from their families.

Her choice to leave government life in fall 2010 came at a time when she and her family could no longer live with her being a commuter mom. “There was no question that I was absent, and I think we all have our rules,” Kayyem said. “I’m not judge-y about decisions women make and what they decide to do; these realizations that day after day I was not involved with my kids’ lives. I missed a birthday. That was breaking a rule, but part of it was the responsibility of my job at that moment.”

One of the most loaded and heartwrenching sentences in the entire book was after she had made the decision to leave her job: “I wasn’t plagued by lost ambition.”

“I wish working women would be more forgiving of themselves and each other. I think, looking back in those moments, we don’t recognize how long our life unfolds,” she said.

“I can say with total confidence that that period of time with three kids in five years, when you can’t breathe, that is intense and also thankfully short. Then you wake up and your daughter is 14 asking for $20 to go down to the mall. Lost ambition is a choice.”

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Brain-Drain-Busting Family Ga

BY MELISSA SHAW

New York 1901 Ages 8+, $37.35, blueorangegames.com Players race to acquire land, develop lots, and raise skyscrapers during 1901’s building boom in lower Manhattan. This is a fantastic 2- to 4-player strategy and resource management game for families.

Players have to think strategically, as they decide where and how to build, as well as how to fend off other developers. This is a very fun, engaging game that is gorgeously presented via artwork and high-quality game pieces. A game runs about 45-60 minutes — not too short, not too long. It’s also a great way to introduce younger players to the popular tabletop gaming category of resource management games.

Bananagrams Party Edition Ages 7+, $16.99, bananagrams.com Released last month and available exclusively at Target stores or target.com, Party Edition adds 14 new wrinkles into the classic game, via “chaos-inducing” Party Power tiles. You know that beautiful word grid you carefully constructed? Watch out: The Re-Gifter, The Thief, and Switcheroo are just some of the tiles opponents can use to wreak havoc on your hard work.

Yoga Spinner Ages 5+, $14.99, thinkfun.com Move your body while exercising your mind. Give the spinner a whirl and perform the pose on the corresponding Yoga Pose Card. If you can hold the pose for 10 seconds, you keep the card; the first player to collect a card in each color wins. This is a fun game of flexibility, balance, concentration, and luck. Yoga fans can also check out two other family fun offerings from Think Fun: Memory Yoga and Yoga Cards.

Tall Tales Ages 4+, $29.95, amazon.com

Rolling America Ages 8+, $10.99, gamewright.com The object of this dice game is to fill your map of the U.S. with numbers, depending on the number rolled and the dice color (which corresponds to a region). The trick? Neighboring states can’t have numbers that differ by more than 1. That sounds easy, but it’s challenging, and it will have your brain chugging. A super game that can be played solo or with any number of players. A must-have for number lovers!

50 JULY2016

This noncompetitive story-telling adventure offers five variations of game play, from solo storyteller to group. In the basic game, a player draws eight Story Pieces from the blind bag (for instance: a stoplight, unicorn, birthday cake, monster, deserted island, boots, skateboard, and a boy) and makes up a story incorporating all of them. Families can tell tales as a group and incorporate any of the 24 Story Place cards (from the White House to outer space) to provide a setting.

This is a great game for kids who have a hard time losing (as there are no losers) and also a fantastic way to keep young imaginations churning.

Wet Head

Ages 4+, $11.99, wethead.toys This water roulette game won’t stop brain drain, but rather cause water to drain on your brain.

Fill the helmet with water and give the red pins a spin. Players pull the pins one by one, until they hit the pin that unleashes the water onto the player wearing the hat. Families can also download a free Wet Head Challenge app for iOS and Android devices. A player wears the hat and answers a trivia question. If they answer correctly, they can pass the hat to the next player.

If not, they pull a pin and hope for the best. The app also offers a recording option to capture every drenching second.

ames

Go Away Monster!

Ages 3+, $14, gamewright.com

Math Dice Chase Ages 8+, $6.99, thinkfun.com

This is a fantastic first game for your soon-to-be Player 2. Two to four players take turns pulling pieces out of a bag to complete their bedroom game board. Anyone who draws a monster shouts, “Go away, monster!” and banishes it to the monster pit. The game ends when everyone has completed their bedroom board and all the monsters are in the pit. You can also play competitively, in which the winner is the first to complete his or her bedroom.

Families can keep math skills sharp with this very fast, fun game of hot potato.

Players sit in a group, handing a set of dice to two players opposite each other.

Players roll their dice at the same time, multiply their numbers, yell out the correct answer, and quickly pass the dice to the next player. The goal: Multiply correctly and pass your dice quickly so you don’t end up with both sets. Younger players can use Math Dice Chase to practice addition and subtraction skills.

Bring Your Own Book Ages 12+, $14.99, gamewright.com Grab a book, any book, and head to the table to play Gamewright’s Bring Your Own Book. One player pulls a prompt card and acts as the judge. The other two (or more) players search their books for the most entertaining answer. Prompt card examples run the gamut from “A line in a ransom note” and “The secret password to a magical cave” to “A one-liner from an action movie.” Grab a book — any book — right now and try to answer those yourself; you’ll be amazed how fun it is. While the suggested age range is 12+, we played with kids 8+ and they had a blast.

Dr. Eureka

Ages 8+, $19.99, blueorangegames.com Players have three test tubes and six colored balls. Pick a challenge card and be the first to maneuver the colored balls into the tubes to match the pattern on the card — without using your hands or dropping the balls. The game can be played solo or with up to four players for maximum racing fun. A fast game that’s fun for all ages; younger players can try, too, but you might have to look the other way on the no-hands rule. Easy to learn, but harder than it looks!

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

One Bite at a Time: Mass.

Natives Take Bagel Industry

By Storm

BY HEATHER KEMPSKIE

52 JULY2016

A middle-of-the-night epiphany eventually led Needham and Blanford natives Nick and Elyse Oleksak to quit their high-paying jobs in the New York financial sector and focus their sites on something much more, shall we say, bite-sized.

New Yorkers love their bagels, but Nick was convinced they (and the rest of the country) may love calorie-friendly, smaller, tastier versions even more. The couple created the product, Bagel Stuffins, and the company, Bantam Bagels, offering flavorful ball-sized bagels stuffed with various cream-cheese flavors, including Everybody’s Favorite (an everything bagel stuffed with freshly chopped vegetable cream cheese) and Cookies and Milk (a brown sugar walnut bagel with a sweet chocolate chip cream cheese).

An appearance two years ago on ABC’s Shark Tank, the criticallyacclaimed reality show for entrepreneurs, has launched these young parents into a whole new type of success with a storefront in the West Village and a partnership with Starbucks to sell their tasty treats (including in Boston). To date, the business has done over $2 million in sales, more than 10 times their

sales figures before they appeared on Shark Tank. Bantam Bagels will also be coming soon to all first-class Delta airlines flights leaving New York.

How do they run a growing business and juggle parenting 2-year-old Chase, who was born right around the time of their national TV debut? baystateparent recently caught up with the power couple to find out.

How did you come up with this idea?

Elyse: The idea for Bantam Bagels is literally a dream come true.

Nick had the idea in the middle of the night and wrote it down in his phone. We were so excited about the idea that we started baking bagels in our small Brooklyn apartment kitchen the next night!

What is a typical day for you like?

Elyse: We wake up early with Chase, get his breakfast started, and get right into starting our workday. On any given day we are answering e-mails, taking phone calls, going to meetings all over the country, really just managing all aspects of the business inside and out. It’s a lot of

work, but very rewarding, especially getting to have Chase right there with us for so much of it.

What are the challenges and rewards of working with your spouse?

Nick: Everyone always asks us whether it’s hard spending literally 24/7 together both personally and in business, and I think I speak for both of us when I say we would not have progressed as quickly or successfully if we weren’t doing this together. Working with your spouse accelerates decision-making; every issue that arises is resolved almost instantly because we do work so closely. We definitely feed off each other and motivate each other to keep pushing the business forward; it has been an unbelievable experience.

How do you juggle parenthood with a booming business?

Elyse: I think anyone who is a working mother knows that the idea of “balance” is more of an aspirational, even mythical, notion. I think we’ve come to terms with our own inter-

pretation of creating a work-life “balance” by following this mantra: Do what you can, when you can, and just make it work.

Nick: The juggling act of parenthood and trying to grow the business is not an easy one, but having the ability to spend so much time with Chase while working and having him right there every step of the way is amazing! We are very lucky that we get to spend as much time with him as we do.

What goes on behind the scenes at Shark Tank?

Nick: Shark Tank was to date the most intense experience we have had with the business. It is your opportunity to take your business to the next level almost instantly, and there is a lot of pressure to make sure you are prepared to walk down that hallway. The Sharks are as you see them on TV — smart investors who make sure you know your business inside and out in order to prove to them you deserve a deal.

[Shark] Lori [Greiner] has been a great business partner for us and we are so happy she invested in Bantam Bagels.

You live in New York now, but can you contribute any

of your current success to growing up in Boston?

Elyse: Needham was a very inspiring town to grow up in. I was surrounded by a very driven and smart group of peers who motivated me every day when I was younger, and my friends from home still inspire me today. We are a tight-knit group who have gone in many different directions in our careers, but I think our successes all stem from the work ethic engrained in us from growing up in Needham.

“I think anyone who is a working mother knows that the idea of ‘balance’ is more of an aspirational, even mythical, notion. I think we’ve come to terms with our own interpretation of creating a work-life ‘balance’ by following this mantra: Do what you can, when you can, — ELYSE OLEKSAK and just make it work.”

Any Boston-inspired bantams?

Nick: We don’t have any Boston inspired bantams yet, but there have been some requests for a Boston cream bantam, so that may be next!

What’s next for you?

Nick: Our main focus right now is growing the business and growing it smartly. We are launching in over 270 Safeway grocery stores in Northern California and Hawaii, and just recently expanded into over 1,500 Starbucks locations on the East and West Coast. We are working hard every day to change the way America bagels, one mini stuffed bagel ball at a time.

What would you say to other families who have a good business idea/invention?

Elyse: Honestly, starting this business has been the most exciting, grueling, exhilarating experience of our lives, and we wouldn’t change it for the world. If you believe in your idea, our advice is to go for it 100% — there is no time like the present — and there is nothing more fulfilling than being your own boss and making decisions every day that

impact the future of your family.

What is your biggest hope for your little boy?

Nick: We both grew up in families that put an emphasis on the benefits of a strong work ethic. That is our biggest hope for Chase, that we can instill in him the same work ethic that our families gave to us, the idea that no matter what, if you work hard enough you can achieve your goals.

Craft Breweries Day Trips New England has some of the best craft breweries in the country.

Take a day trip to visit a few highlighted here and enjoy!

Bill & Chris’ Excellent Adventure: The Story of the Newburyport Brewing Company Bill Fisher and Chris Webb met when Bill’s wife a crisp smooth witbeir Allison insisted Bill should join Chris’ 7-piece funk that just won bronze in band. She walked right up to Chris after his the prestigious band had played a gig World Beer Cup. wing re and said, “My husband The Melt Away B rt o p Newbury mpany is a great trumpet Session IPA, o C player!” which at 4.6% Turns out he’s an is perfect for summer days. average trumpet player but a fantastic person, The Newburyport Pale Ale, an home brewer and outdoorsmen. Bill and Chris American Pale Ale that tastes so became great friends, took their passion for beer good, it was chosen to be on Delta and music and, in 2012, started the Newburyport Airlines. If you are flying from Boston to Brewing Company.

NY, ask for a can of Newburyport Pale Ale! These two 40 year old Dads quit their day This spring they launched a 5th year jobs, mortgaged their homes, maxed out their round beer, Das Kolsch – a German beer that credit cards and raised money from friends and combines the best of a crisp lager with the body family to build a 8,500 sq foot brewery in beautiful of an ale. If you’ve enjoyed imports or a lighter Newburyport MA. They bought a canning line and American lager in the past, Das Kolsch is similar but became the first brewery in Massachusetts to can with more flavor and complexity. their entire line of beers.

The brewery is open for live music, tours, pints Why cans? They protect the beer from light and and food. Come hang out with Bill and Chris and air, are better for the environment and you can take their now 8-piece funk band! them on your outdoor adventures.

Newburyport Brewing Company They brew the Green Head IPA, a big west 4 New Pasture Road, Newburyport, MA coast style beer with plenty of hops and a rich Hours: Thursday and Friday 3pmmalty backbone. The Plum Island Belgian White, 9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm While in the area, visit Riverwalk Brewing Company, Newburyport, MA

Be Aggressively Laid Back with the Stony Creek Brewery Stony Creek is a brewery that has big ambitions in the New England Craft Beer scene, making Stony high quality beers that are both familiar and surprising – while always exceeding expectations.

What began as a dream of Ed & Peggy Crowley became a reality when the small but highly experienced team was brought together in 2014. They built a modern brewery right on the shore of the Branford River. The stunning, locally built taproom, beer garden and viewable brewery were designed to incorporate the community to celebrate the spirit of Aggressively Laid-Back Beer.

The term “Aggressively Laid-Back” refers to a team that is highly professional and understands that craft beer is meant to be fun, relaxing and enjoyed. This concept is how Stony Creek brews every beer with a West Coast, full bodied and flavored profile that embraces the East Coast’s

balance, cleanliness and drinkability. The flagship IPA is called Cranky, a beer that is defined by an assertive hop character enhanced by a smooth malt backbone, showcasing citrus and Creek Brewery tropical fruit notes. If you love a double IPA, seek out the Big Cranky, a beer that boasts 7 different hops that contribute to a complex and juicy hop character that is extraordinarily drinkable. If you love beer that is easily drinkable for summer games and when near the water, try Sun Juice – a Belgian Summer Ale hybrid that has a silky body, bright citrus flavors and a crisp finish. Stony Creek is also proud to brew Dock Time, a relaxing and easy amber lager that just won a Gold Medal at The World Beer Cup. Stony Creek Brewery 5 indian Neck Ave, Branford, CT Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 11am -10pm, Sunday 11am-8pm Come and enjoy great Next mon games, live music, and th, w e ’ll have m brewery tours with o g re at destina re Stony Creek! ti

While in the area, visit Two Roads Brewery, Strafford, CT

breweries on to visit!

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FDA Approves New Food Labels The FDA recently finalized the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease. The agency says the new label will make it easier for consumers to make better-informed food choices. Check out the new label:

Bites

Nutrition Facts

Smart Snacking In a Small Size Dietitian-created Zing Bars recently debuted a smaller sibling, the mini Zing, a 100-calorie bar packed with nutrient-dense, clean ingredients for on-the-go smart family snacking.

Zing Bars have a nut or seed butter base and contain real dark chocolate. The new mini bars have between 90 and 110 calories each and come in six flavors, from Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip to Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. Glutenfree, soy-free, non-GMO, kosher,

Olive Oil: A Powerful Household Cleaner

BY LESLIE REICHERT

54 JULY2016

8 servings per container Serving size 2/3 cup (55g) Amount per serving

230

Calories

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g

10%

Saturated Fat 1g

5%

Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 160mg

0%

Trans Fat 0g

Total Carbohydrate 37g Dietary Fiber 4g

7% 13% 14%

Total Sugars 12g Includes 10g Added Sugars Protein 3g Vitamin D 2mcg

10%

Iron 8mg

45%

Calcium 260mg

and with nine vegan options, Zing Bars are also low-glycemic and contain fiber from chicory or tapioca root. Mini Zing Bars cost $1.29 each and can be purchased online or at local stores. A store locator can be found at zingbars.com.

There’s nothing as good as “EVOO” (as Rachel Ray calls it) and fresh Italian bread.

But did you realize that olive oil is more than just a great dipping oil? It’s also a wonderful cleaner. Its uses around the house are amazing.

See how it can help you all around your home: • Olive oil is great for cleaning and polishing your stainless steel appliances. Olive oil removes fingerprints and keeps the stainless looking perfect. You’re wondering why you would put oil on your stainless steel? Oil actually respells the oils on your hands so that you don’t get those fingerprint marks all over your appliance. It also seals the stainless steel so that it doesn’t oxidize. Oxidizing is another reason why your fingers leave marks on stainless steel.

• Olive oil is also great for polishing dry wood furniture. Mix a touch of lemon juice with a tablespoon of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of olive oil and it will cut through any built-up polish and leave the wood looking wonderful. This works better than any furniture restorer you can purchase.

• You can also use olive oil on leather. Put a very light coat on the leather, let it sit for a minute, and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. The oil will fill in any scratches you may have in the leather and keep it soft and moist.

20%

Potassium 235mg

20% 6%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

• Use olive oil to season your cast iron pans. A light coating before putting the pan away will keep the cast iron from rusting and it will be ready for its next use.

• Olive oil is great to use on dry wicker or rattan furniture. If the furniture is in the sun, coat it with olive oil and let it sink in.

Wipe away the excess with a dry rag. Do this monthly to keep the wicker soft and prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking.

• Olive oil is great for removing paint on your hands. The oil actually gets under the paint and lifts it off your skin without using harsh chemicals. You can also use olive oil on a regular basis to keep your hands soft and smooth.

• Have a squeaky door or a difficult drawer? Use a touch of olive oil on both to remove the squeak and get that drawer working perfectly. The oil will remove built-up dirt and let the joints work again.

• Remove a price tag easily. Olive oil is the perfect remedy for those sticky price tags that just won’t come off. Just a drop or two of the oil will work its way through the sticker and let you wipe it right off — naturally.

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Scotts Miracle Gro has released the Gro app (getgro.com), which offers step-by-step instructions to make planting/gardening super simple.

It offers fun family projects like the “pizza garden,” in which it shows kids and parents how to plant and grow everything needed to make pizza; a similar “salsa garden”; and more.

Based on your location, the app will also tell you what will grow best in your area and when to water or feed your plants. The app works on iOS devices and is free via the App Store.

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Our friends at reCAP, the Mason jar company (masonjars.com), are always coming up with amazing new uses for the glass powerhouse. Check out this fun take on the summer classic beverage.

Ingredients • 1 64 oz. bottle apple juice • Several boxes Nerds candy (Grape and Strawberry work best) • Prepared Green Jell-O (Lemon-Lime flavor) • Ice

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• Sprinkle 2-3 small boxes of candy over the ice. Modify quantities according to taste.

• Pour apple juice over the ice mixture and serve in Mason jars with straws.

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NO POWER, NO PROBLEM 5 creative outlets for your young artist

BY MELISSA SHAW

A Kaiser Foundation Study says elementary-aged children spend 7.5 hours a day being entertained by screens, and it’s not unrealistic to think that figure only grows as kids become tweens and teens. Technology is a fact of life today, leaving parents on the lookout for fun, creative, screen-free ways children can use their minds and express themselves.

Check out this roundup of five artful books that share ways children — and, yes, you — can create.

By Deborah Green Check out 75 unique craft projects for all skill levels involving the iconic markers you’re usually taking away from the kids. Young artists — and grownups — can take their coloring to the next level with these Sharpieinspired projects for homewares and accessories, ranging from upcycled cups and saucers to sneakers, headphones, bags, and more.

By Marisa Edghill

By Ilona Molnar

By Mary Scott Huff

There are fewer crafting materials hotter than washi tape right now. Originally from Japan, the colorful paper tape is easy to tear or cut, can be written on, and is easily removable and repositionable, making it a fantastic creative resource.

Author Marisa Edghill offers up 75 washi tape-based projects, from baskets and beads to earrings and bags.

Creativity sits at the end of everyone’s fingers, thanks to this book, which teaches readers step-by-step how to make 30 classic fictional foes, including trolls, pirates, warlocks, famous superheroes, and more. Children need only a stamp pad (or watercolor paint), a pen, and their imagination.

It’s a hobby — and art form — that can span a lifetime, so why not start your knitter young? This guide offers clear instructions and full-color pictures geared toward the young beginner, as well as a host of projects that will appeal to kids as their skills increase. If knitting’s not your child’s interest, other titles in the Creative Kids series include Complete Photo Guides to Bead Crafts, Sewing, Crochet, and more.

By Lorie King Kaehler Parents and kids can take chalk beyond hopscotch and doodling into a whole new fun, messy arena — indoors or out.

Exploding Stomp Chalk, Sidewalk Chalk Paint, Chalk Bubbles, and Ice Chalk Volcanoes are just some of the 25 unique creations that offer fun, colorful, and interactive sensory ways to play in a whole new way.

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K

FINALLY FOREVER

Adoptive Families Together: A Support Network for Parents

BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN

brook Plaz

a . 12

Thank you to the Baystateparent readers and community for this vote. New Horizon Karate of West Boylston strives to provide the highest quality martial arts training and service to our families and the greater community.

w do

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Eastern Massachusetts. AFT groups are all parent-run and led by experienced adoptive parents. Meetings are free and are kept informal to be welcoming and allow newcomers to attend without feeling like they are joining a well-established club.

Each group has a wealth of knowledge and shares different ways of handling challenges encountered in adoptive families.

“AFT groups are open to anyone with a connection to an adoption,”

a

program of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (mspcc.org), AFT is a support network originally created by four families who needed a way to connect with other adoptive parents.

According to Ashley Pepoli, director of Adoption Services at MSPCC, nine in-person AFT groups meet monthly throughout Central and

Me

A

Ogres are like onions. Children are like onions. OK, perhaps it isn’t fair to compare children to green fairytale creatures. But, what wise Shrek was implying in his famous line from the animated classic is that ogres are complex creatures. Humans — children and adults — are complex, too. Layers of emotion, experience, subconscious, and intention all work together to make each person unique. When raising an adopted child, parents may feel their children have more layers and more sensitive layers. These parents can look to Adoptive Families Together (AFT) for guidance, understanding, and peer support.

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Our Motto: Do what is right for no other reason than it is the right thing to do!

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said Lori Bauemler, an adoptive parent herself, and MSPCC’s program coordinator for AFT. Emotional triggers for adopted children can be varied and unpredictable. Anniversaries, birthdays, tween and teen years, and visits with a birth family can all raise challenges. Behavioral problems and mental health issues arise often, Pepoli said.

“A lot of families think the initial placement will be the challenge.

bsp to go!

The real adjustment period is a little later. Things bubble up. It is not a sign of failure if stuff comes up. We want families to reach out during those times, as well,” she said.

AFT groups can provide precious support to families at every point in adoption.

“We actually welcome families to become involved with AFT as early as possible, even pre-placement,” Pepoli said.

Dana Lehman of Roslindale and

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her wife, Amanda, attended AFT meetings before being matched with children. They went to meetings on and off for almost a full year before adopting 4- and 6-year-old siblings through foster care in 2010, and an infant through private adoption in 2014. They continue to attend meetings regularly.

“AFT is a place families come when they are struggling, and also to celebrate,” Lehman said. “For us, coming with the struggling has been very important. We came into this with eyes wide open and we have had a lot of struggles. We credit AFT for putting us in touch with other people who have been through these situations.”

Some AFT groups provide babysit-

ters to care for children while the parents meet. Many AFTs have created friendships. Lehman’s family meets with other families for activities outside of the group meetings; AFT has served as a foundation for building a community.

Lehman is passionate about adoption. She understands the great need for more adoptive families and the importance of learning how many resources are available to help.

“There are still so many kids who do not have a safe place at home, and I don’t think that you can serve these kids well if you try to go it alone or don’t have your eyes wide open about the experiences they have been through,” she noted.

“Every challenge our kids have faced I can think of a similar challenge I heard of in AFT.” Knowing that no one will be shocked by challenges and experiences from adoption scenarios is important for those in the group, Lehman said. That’s because attending activities and school functions with parents in non-adoptive families can lead to encounters where one party simply can’t relate.

In the past six months, MSPCC staff worked with parent leaders to create an online support group for busy families that might not be able to attend the support group meetings. AFT is just one of the many services MSPCC offers around the topic of adoption. The

group maintains a list of personally recommended service providers, including doctors, therapists, and other specialists with experience helping families through the unique challenges related to adoption. In addition, five years ago MSPCC began offering Wise-UP workshops twice a year. This curriculum was developed by the center for adoption support and education. It is an opportunity for adoptees ages 6-12 to learn how to talk about their adoptions.

To learn more about Adoptive Families Together, including meeting locations, dates, and times, contact Lori Baeumler at (857) 728-2157 or lbeaumler@mspcc.org.

July’s Child — Meet Maleki Eleven-year-old Maleki is a sweet boy of African-American descent who loves to laugh! He is full of smiles and is thriving in his foster home, where he is given love, patience, understanding, and positive attention. Maleki is diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities. He needs a family committed to advocating for him throughout his life.

Maleki loves books and loves to read. He also enjoys playing with his toys and making puzzles. As he

reads stories, he will create his own stories to the pictures in the books.

Maleki loves going to school, where he is placed in a language-based classroom. He has a great relationship with his teachers and his peers.

Legally free for adoption, Maleki would do well in any type of family.

He will bring great joy and love to a family who is able to meet his needs and has a lot of love to give.

For more information regarding Maleki, please contact Department of

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Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Supervisor Eileen Griffin at (978) 3533629. The Worcester DCF Office hosts monthly informational meetings on the second Wednesday of each month for those wishing to learn more about the adoption process in general. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July13 from 6 -7 p.m. The DCF Adoption Development & Licensing Unit’s Office is located at 13 Sudbury St., Worcester.

Please call (508) 929-2143 to register and for specifics about parking.

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CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesday, July 5: Western Region Adoption Info Meetings — Department of Children and Families, 140 High St., 5th Floor, Springfield.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (413) 452-3369.

WE’RE G N I V O M

Friday, July 8: Brown Bag Session — Department of Children and Families, 151 West Boylston Dr., Worcester. Noon-1 p.m. A monthly informational meetings for those interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent.

Call (508) 793- 8000 to register.

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18 Lyman Street, Westborough • 508-366-5437 for updates childrensorchard.com • follow us on

Wednesday, July 20: Roslindale Congregational Church, 25 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Free childcare provided.

Wednesday, July 13: Central Region Adoption Info Meetings — ADLU Worcester, 13 Sudbury St., Worcester. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (508) 929-2413.

Thursday, July 21: Nu Café Conference Room, 335 Chandler St. (Same building as MSPCC), Worcester. 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Thursday, July 14: Foster parent informational meeting — South Central DCF Office, 185 Church St., Whitinsville 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. A monthly informational meetings for those interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent. Call (508) 929-1073 to register.

Sunday, July 24: Online meeting. 9 p.m.-10 p.m. Register at https://annettecreynolds.clickmeeting.com/aftonline/register or contact Lori Baeumler at lbaeumler@mspcc.org

Wednesday, July 20: Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-989-9209.

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parents, foster parents, Kin parents, pre-adoptive parents, and all those with a connection to adoption. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.

Visit mspcc.org/aft for more information.

July AFT Meetings:

Adoptive Families Together (AFT) are parentrun, confidential groups for sharing personal concerns and needs around adoptive parenting.

AFT provides education, advocacy, support, and more. They welcome adopted individuals, birth

Sunday, July 31: First Congregational Church, 18 Andover Rd., Room 4 (use door in rear), Billerica. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Free childcare provided.

If your group or organization is holding an adoption information or support group and would like to have information posted for readers of baystateparent, please email editor@baystateparent.com.

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free Program Teaches Heimlich Maneuver to Children

By Michelle Perras-Charron

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, 96, used his eponymous life-saving maneuver in an actual emergency for the first time several weeks ago, saving a woman who was choking on food.

While Heimlich has taught and demonstrated the procedure countless times since he developed it in 1974, he had never used it in a lifesaving situation until recently.

Heimlich Heroes, a three-year-old nonprofit, seeks to teach the Heimlich Maneuver to as many children across the nation as possible, free of cost, in hopes that this generation will grow up prepared and, like Dr. Heimlich, save a life if ever needed.

“Kids were not learning these procedures until high school when they learn CPR. However, there were many stories out there of kids helping,” says Terri Huntington, program director for Heimlich Heroes (heimlichheroes.com). “So the thought was, let’s give them more formal training to recognize the signs of choking and give them more confidence.”

With support from the Heimlich Institute of Cincinnati, healthcare services company Deaconess Associations, Inc. (DAI) launched a Heimlich Heroes pilot in spring 2013. The nonprofit provides free training materials, videos, and support to schools and youth organizations, such as the YMCA, Scouting, and Boys and Girls Clubs, with the goal of teaching children in grades 2-8 how to prevent chok-

ing, recognize the signs of choking, and properly respond with the Heimlich Maneuver.

Interested school administrators, teachers, parents, and group leaders can visit heimlichheroes.com to request free training materials.

Jamie Rame is a co-leader of the Worcester troop of American Heritage Girls, a faith-based character development organization for girls ages 5-18, similar to Girl Scouts. As a Tenderheart co-leader, Rame is responsible for helping first- and second-grade girls develop life skills and confidence, among other things. When another leader in her troop came across Heimlich Heroes, they knew it was something they needed to do.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful program,” Rame says. “It was enlightening to see that younger kids can do [the Heimlich Maneuver]. It’s a useful life skill that the girls learn.”

Rame explained that after requesting and receiving the training materials from Heimlich Heroes, three of the older girls in the troop were responsible for administering training to the younger girls as a way to work on their leadership skills.

Heimlich Heroes provided two videos (one for leaders to view beforehand and another for the kids to view during the presentation); coloring books for younger kids to help teach them about choking and the causes of choking; and two dolls on which to practice the Heimlich Maneuver. The training dolls, “Heidi” and “Hank”

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Heimlich, come complete with an internal diaphragm, lungs, and a windpipe.

The materials and information the troop received was very simple to use and straightforward, she says, and the girls learned two different ways to administer the procedure — standing and on the floor — as well as how to perform the Heimlich on themselves.

“This program is designed to be turnkey,” Heimlich Heroes’ Huntington says. Aside from the training videos, each packet also provides a script for trainers to use before and after the video.

Heimlich Heroes plans to launch a train-the-trainer webinar later this year to help trainers feel more comfortable presenting the material to their groups, she adds.

In its first year, Heimlich Heroes reached approximately 1,000 children. Last year, that number jumped to 17,000. Because of the growing number of requests from organizations across the country, Huntington says a $75,000 fundraising campaign is currently underway to help keep the materials free. Information about the campaign can be found on the Heimlich Heroes website.

“It never occurred to me that I would teach the Heimlich Maneuver to younger kids — that they can help out,” Heritage Girls leader Rame says. “It’s really wonderful, and it will save lives.”

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THE THINKING PARENT

‘In a minute’ — Understanding Procrastination How parents can help children change their tendency to procrastinate

BY BETH GREENBERG, PH.D.

In a minute.

I cannot begin to count the number of times I’ve heard these words in my own household. The response has typically been triggered by a request to complete some undesirable task. Please clean your room. In a minute. I think you should get started with your homework. In a minute. It’s time to get ready for bed. In a minute. Of course, a minute is never really a true minute, and I could easily find myself making the same request several minutes…or hours…later.

I wish I could tell you this tendency to procrastinate is something that dissipates as our children get older. In my family, that is not the case. My children, now well into their teens, still procrastinate when it comes to a variety of tasks and situations. And, to be fair, it’s something I continue to grapple with as well. Our most recent discussion at home was about my son’s summer reading and work assignments. While talking with him about developing a strategy to tackle the work, he proudly told me that he works well under pressure, apparently preparing me for the inevitable last-minute push to complete the assignments in the final days of August, before school begins.

Of course, this makes no sense to me. Why procrastinate? Why put off something when we know we will eventually be required to do it, but with less available time and, consequently, more pressure and stress? Intuitively, this makes no sense. Yet I’ve talked with dozens of parents over the years who tell the same stories about their children.

Procrastination research suggests that my son may be onto something. Most social science research about procrastination focuses on two underlying and related factors: motivation and 62 JULY2016

anxiety. Procrastination is viewed as a behavior related to low motivation, often because the avoided task is unpleasant, boring, difficult, or anxiety-provoking. It is our tendency to choose short-term relief over a long-term solution or benefit.

But motivation is not exclusively influenced by anxiety and avoidance. Self-determination theory suggests that there are different types of motivation that determine how a task is approached and completed. Someone with autonomous motivation completes an activity because it’s enjoyable, or because there is something about the task that is intrinsically rewarding. By contrast, controlled motivation leads a person to complete a task to earn a reward or avoid a punishment. Needless to say, household chores and other undesirable tasks are typically fueled by controlled motivation.

And although many adults would like to believe the motivation underlying summer reading assignments is autonomous, a quick survey of most kids will reveal that the motivation to complete this activity is also controlled.

It seems that time and self-confidence are also factors related to procrastination. In a recent issue of the journal Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, researchers examined the longitudinal relationships between procrastination, motivation, and anxiety. Their research was based on temporal motivation theory, which suggests that the amount of time available to complete a task, coupled with the desirability of that task, influences a person’s motivation level.

The research examined the study habits of 182 college students over the course of a semester. The researchers found that while there was a strong relationship between procrastination and anxiety at the beginning of

the semester, anxiety levels often decreased over time even when students continued to procrastinate. Additionally, the researchers identified another factor linked to procrastination that had nothing to do with motivation or anxiety: self-efficacy. They found that students who reported high levels of confidence in their abilities to complete the required assignments had lower levels of anxiety, regardless of whether they procrastinated.

Recent research indicates that parenting style can influence procrastination as well. Another study of 685 university students indicates that overly strict, punitive parenting styles are generally not effective strategies to decrease student procrastination because they adversely impact perceived self-efficacy. Instead, a firm but supportive approach is recommended.

So how do we help our children change this tendency to procrastinate? Set some limits, provide some tangible guidelines and support, and reiterate your confidence in your child’s ability to complete the task at hand. We can rely on some external strategies, like teaching our child to break the larger task into smaller, more manageable and less overwhelming tasks. For a messy bedroom or playroom, focus on and tackle one specific area of the room rather than the whole thing. For summer reading and other academic work, divide the number of pages to be read by the number of available days and set up a schedule.

We can offer praise and encouragement; maybe schedule some rewarding time off as our kids achieve the smaller goals leading to completion of the larger task.

Of course, these tasks will most likely still be driven by controlled motivation which, as we’ve established, contributes strongly to pro-

crastination.

The other approach we can adapt is more internal. Make an educated and informed appraisal of your child’s abilities. What is his track record for completing required tasks on time? Does she convey well-founded confidence in her ability to complete the project successfully? If so, then maybe we remind our kids of the benefits of long-term planning, but also accept that procrastination is a habit that’s hard to break.

So when my son proudly touts his ability to work well under pressure as a reason for postponing his summer reading and assignments, I will try to remind myself that his motivation to complete the work may be different from my own, and his confidence in his ability to get it done on time is a strength that will help him sidestep the anxiety I’m feeling as he tells me this. And maybe, freed from some of my own anxiety about his procrastination, I can focus on other projects I’ve been saving for the slower months of summer. Or maybe I’ll gather my thoughts a bit more and get started on those tomorrow.

Beth Greenberg, Ph.D. is an associate professor of Psychology and coordinator of the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program at Becker College. Dr. Greenberg is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years experience in the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. In addition to teaching graduate students, she provides supervision in the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College, which provides counseling services to the community. For more information about the graduate program and the clinic, email Dr. Greenberg at beth.greenberg@becker.edu or visit the clinic website: mhcclinic. becker.edu.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 63 7/11/14 10:09 PM

ASK THE EXPERT

Key Children’s Vitamin Precautions For Parents

BY MARY BROWN, M.D.

Are gummy vitamins a good choice for a daily vitamin for my child?

I see many other supplements for kids on the shelf.

Do children need anything other than a daily?

64 JULY2016

P

arents are often surprised to learn that most children do not require a daily multivitamin.

In the U.S., a number of kids’ foods, particularly cereal marketed to children, are fortified with the nutrients your child requires.

Even picky eaters are likely to be properly nourished.

This might not quell the fears of some parents worried about their child’s nutrient intake. If that’s the case, then giving your child a daily multivitamin is not harmful, as long as some key precautions are followed. Many parents worry about their children having deficiencies in iron or vitamin D. Parents should be vigilant about their children lacking these nutrients. However, a real deficiency is unlikely to be addressed by a multivitamin. Learning what multivitamins can and cannot do is an important first step for any concerned parent.

Assessing your child’s diet As a pediatrician, I often hear from parents concerned about nutrients because their children have not taken a liking to vegetables or meat. After learning more about the child’s diet, however, I am often able to reassure parents that the proper nutrients are being consumed. Children’s cereals are often a great source of vitamins, as many of them are fortified — except perhaps for certain organic brands. Luckily, this information is easily visible on labels.

From my experience, it is more common to find that children could be getting more protein, which can be obtained through foods such as eggs, milk, yogurt, beans, fish, chicken, and other dairy and poultry options.

Taking caution with multivitamins While taking a daily multivitamin will not have a negative impact alone, there are precautions that parents should take. Overdosing on certain vitamins such as iron can be extremely harmful and even deadly to children. Many children’s vitamins look and taste like candy, and parents need to make sure vitamins are stored out of children’s reach. I often recommend storing them with medicines to stress to children that vitamins are not candy. Some parents attempt to coax their children into taking vitamins by presenting them as candy, but this approach could be dangerous and is often unnecessary.

Further, children should also brush their teeth after taking a multivitamin that is not sugar-free.

Gummy vitamins are especially troublesome and not recommended when it comes to your child’s dental health.

Watching for vitamin deficiencies Two of the most common — and most commonly asked about — vitamin deficiencies in children are a lack of iron and vitamin D. These deficiencies often require supplements other than a multivitamin, which is unlikely to address the problem.

The U.S. has a standard newborn screening program that examines children for anemia.

Those shown to have certain risk factors, including a family history of anemia, are monitored closely for signs and symptoms of anemia; a pediatrician or hematologist might recommend an iron supplement. As children age, fatigue and pale skin can be anemia symptoms that appear over time. Routine screenings for

anemia take place at ages 1 and 2, and sometimes at age 3.

Lead poisoning can also lead to iron deficiencies and anemia.

In this scenario, children may be entirely asymptomatic or symptoms of lead poisoning may appear while anemia symptoms may not be seen right away.

Children are screened for lead at ages 1 and 2, and doctors may recommend iron supplements if children have elevated lead levels.

When it comes to vitamin D, signs of a deficiency can include bone pain and tenderness, as well as rickets, a condition in which the legs point outward.

(Knees pointing outward is normal for toddlers, but it should be watched as children age). Most baby formulas include vitamin D, but mothers who breastfeed are recommended to give their child a vitamin D supplement.

When children turn 1, we recommend that parents introduce whole milk (most 1-year-olds need the additional calories), and that they switch to low-fat milk at age 2. As girls become teenagers, they should be sure to take in foods rich in vitamin D and calcium to help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

Parents are advised to speak with their pediatrician about their child’s vitamin intake and any causes for concern. Keeping an eye out for common vitamin deficiencies is important, but parents should also be realistic about the inability of multivitamins to address such deficiencies, and be aware of multivitamins’ potential risks. Many parents considering multivitamins can benefit from discussing their child’s diet with a pediatrician first — it might contain more nutrients than you think.

Mary Brown, M.D., is a pediatrician at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

DIVORCE AND SINGLE PARENTING

Co-Parenting

Babies and Toddlers

At the heart of New England.

At the heart of the morning.

BY ATTY. IRWIN POLLACK

At the heart of the home.

At the heart of the kitchen.

Co-parenting after a separation or divorce can be challenging regardless of a child’s age, but it’s especially demanding during the stroller years — when you’re dealing with the physical and emotional needs of a baby, infant, or toddler.

Until recently, the vast majority of children of this age lived primarily with their mothers. Courts relied on the “tender years doctrine,” a legal principle that presumed the mother should have custody during the tender years — generally regarded as under age 3 or 4. This has been gradually replaced with the “best interest of the child” doctrine of custody, which can include sole or joint physical custody with either parent, and/or increased parenting time with the child’s other parent.

Of late, most experts now say most children need consistent interaction with both parents starting at birth to build healthy, long-term parent-child relationships.

Society has come a long way in this regard, even though certain logistical challenges still exist. For example, breastfeeding moms may be reluctant to offer dads extended overnight or full-day separations.

Ideally, dads should try to make accommodations for the breastfeeding schedule, but it should not be used as a reason to restrict his time or involvement with the child (nor as a way to pad or shrink child support orders).

Spending evenings and overnights with both parents is also critical, since these provide opportunities for critical interaction between parent and child — from bathing and bedtime rituals to snuggling in the morning. Ideally, parents should discuss the child’s sleeping arrange-

ments in both homes, including decisions such as whether to allow the child to sleep in the parent’s bed.

At the heart of it all.

Other basic tips regarding co-parenting younger children:

1. Make sure both homes have everything they need, from diapers, bottles, and binkies to car seats and cribs.

2. Try to keep the same routines, including feeding schedules, naptimes and bedtimes, bathing rituals, etc.

3. Make sure your child’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or other “lovie” goes with him or her to the co-parent’s house during visits.

Even if one parent assumes primary responsibility for caregiving, your parenting plan should allow the co-parent as much one-on-one time as possible, including frequent visits for the opportunity to bond and provide some of the caregiving.

Remember, basic, everyday interactions between an infant, toddler, or preschooler and his or her parent are the foundation upon which is built a loving, trusting parent-child relationship. And experts agree that the long-term benefit of healthy parent-child relationships supports the view that shared parenting should be the norm for all children — regardless of age.

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20 YEARS OF PRIDE:

The Evolution of LGBT Rights

BY ALEXANDRA TOWNSEND

Editor's Note: Just before this issue went to press, 49 people were murdered in an Orlando nightclub. It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history. It was also the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001. We will be addressing the after-effects of this attack on LGBT youth and families in a future issue.

The fight for LGBT rights has been prominent for decades. Every day there seems to be a news story about a celebrity coming out, an LGBT teen being discriminated against, or a new piece of legislation that could help or hurt the LGBT community. There are always new skirmishes in the long battle 66 JULY2016

for equality, but sometimes it’s important to take a step back and look at how much has changed, or not, since that fight began.

In the past 20 years, LGBT rights have gone from being a vaguely taboo topic to being a subject that is frequently spoken about in public with respect and nuance. For

some, the most obvious change from the 1990s is that the world now talks about “LGBT rights” instead of “gay rights.” Other orientations, such as bisexuality, pansexuality, and asexuality, have become more widely visible.

However, it is the transgender, gender queer, and agender communi-

ties that have really changed the face of LGBT politics.

“Demand is growing at a rapid pace for support around issues related to gender-identity,” said Tom Bourdon, executive director of the Greater Boston PFLAG (gbpflag.org), an LGBT support organization. “More and more young

people are coming out as queer, genderqueer, gender fluid, bigender, transgender, and the list goes on. Because there is more awareness around LGBTQ issues — and possibly even acceptance of the fact that gender is more complex than simply male/female — we’re seeing lots more people ‘come out’ in terms of their gender identity.

There is a lot of work to be done in this area.”

Visibility in general is an area in which the LGBT community has made great strides. Louis Mitchell, a minister and transgender father in Springfield, pointed out: “Twenty years ago, families comprised of people who would now identify as LGBTQ were more likely to be hidden, closeted, or known only to their closest family/friends. Terms like ‘trans’ and ‘queer’ weren’t in common use…they would have been ‘out of compliance’ to even speak of their medical transition outside of a medical environment.

While there have always been these families, many would have needed to be non-disclosed to preserve their jobs, children, and community support.”

The most obvious legal victory for America’s LGBT population is undoubtedly the recent nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.

Yet while this legislation is a great step forward, many point out that equal access to marriage licenses is not the same thing as equally respected marriages. “[T]here are many things that laws can’t solve,” noted Ellen Kah, Human Rights Campaign Children, Youth, and Families director (hrc. org). “For example, our families are still viewed by many as ‘less than,’ and we are not always welcome and embraced. We get ‘looks’ when we are out in public with our kids.

We may be shunned at the PTA meeting or at the soccer game, or we may be verbally harassed while walking down the street with our children.”

At the same time, it is now easier than ever for LGBT couples to have children.

“Reproductively, the last 20 years have shown an increase in LGBT couples choosing to have children,” explained Beverly PrinceSayward, assistant editor for Gay Parent magazine. “Some of this has been because of the advancements in reproductive technology, like artificial insemination, IVF, and surrogacy, while others have taken advantage of state adoption laws becoming more favorable to gay couples. Just recently, Mississippi’s ban on same-sex adoption was struck down, making it now legal in all 50 states for gay couples to adopt.”

Unfortunately, there have still been painful examples of discrimination both with new laws and through creative interpretations

of existing laws. Recently, North Carolina passed a law banning transgender people from using the public bathrooms that align with their gender identities. There has also been visible discrimination from individuals and business that cite religious freedom as a valid ground to discriminate against the LGBT community.

Prince-Sayward hopes that this particular tactic will soon be in the past: “We see this in the new discrimination laws being created, whereby it is legal to refuse service to people merely because we are LGBT. This may be seen in not selling us items, refusing us housing, denying us jobs, not accepting our children in their programs, and so forth. Hopefully these laws, disguised as ‘religious freedom,’ will be stuck down soon as the civil rights violations that they are.”

Of course, these are legal and social battles that need to be fought going forward, but over the past two decades the LGBT community has also started to work on their internal progress.

Traditionally gay white men have received the most attention in the world. Now LGBT activists are recognizing the fact that they are a group made up of many different kinds of people.

“Challenges [within the LGBT community] aren’t universal. If one is disabled, a veteran, of color, an elder, a youth, not a U.S. citizen, in custody, in an underground economy, utilizes government assistance — the primary challenges will be very different!” Mitchell explained.

“One thing that doesn’t seem to have changed is ‘trickle down’ political ethos of what has become the movement. It has largely focused on assimilationist, heteronormative patterns to attempt to fit into the dominant culture, leaving behind the majority of the community who don’t, or don’t wish to, fit into that narrative.”

As with any social movement, there is always more work to be done. A lot of progress has been made since the 1990s, even though at the same time it can be discouraging to see how much progress still needs to be made. For activists like PFLAG’s Bourdon, one of the greatest achievements is seeing all the people who now proudly participate in LGBT culture.

“We are so much more visible, and there is a lot of pride,” he says.

“Whether it’s parents with LGBTQ children or LGBTQ parents with their own children, we are everywhere, integrated into society, and it’s a beautiful thing. There is now so much more understanding that who we are or who we love might seem ‘different’ to some, but, ultimately, we are all people who share just as many similarities as we do differences, both within and outside of the LGBTQ community.”

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Birthday Wishes Brings Birthday Celebrations, Joy To Children Living In Homeless Shelters

BY PATRICE FAGNANT-MACARTHUR

It all began over a decade ago, with a little boy and a blank stare.

The child told a volunteer in a Massachusetts shelter that it was his birthday. She asked him how he was going to celebrate his special day and received a blank stare in response.

“That was the ‘a-ha’ moment,” said Lisa Vasiloff, executive director of Newton-based Birthday Wishes, a nonprofit with one goal: providing children in shelters the joy of a birthday celebration, surrounded by their family, friends, and others who care.

The organization was founded in November 2002 by Vasiloff of Newton, Karen Yahara of Waltham, and Carol Zwanger of Cambridge, three friends who had volunteered in several homeless shelters (Yahara, the subject of the a-ha moment above, passed away in 2006). The trio reached out to local shelters and state advocacy

groups and found that the financially strapped shelters and resource centers didn’t have the personnel or funds to provide birthday parties. Hoping to help homeless children build self-esteem, the three friends started to serve one local shelter.

The organization has grown exponentially since that humble beginning: Birthday Wishes now has regional offices and serves more than 200 shelters and transitional living facilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Long Island, New York.

“Once we start working with a shelter, we provide a birthday party once a month at that site for all the children who have birthdays in that month. All the other residents attend as well,” Vasiloff explained. “We send a request to each of our shelters every month asking for the first name, age, and gender of the birthday kids, as well as any interests they have. The shelters get this information from the moms, so all children receive a birthday celebration.”

For domestic violence shelters, which cannot allow outside volunteers for safety reasons, and other programs that cannot accommodate Birthday Wishes volunteers, the organization provides a “Birthday in a Box.” Party gifts and supplies are provided within a wrapped birthday box so the child may celebrate with family and friends.

Producing all these celebrations requires a large number of volunteers. All those who wish to volunteer at an on-site party must

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attend a volunteer information session and complete a background check. Many others are needed to donate gifts and supplies. Each month, the organization needs more than 1,800 gifts. Every birthday child receives four gifts: two toys, one book, and a pair of pajamas.

According to Vasiloff: “The most pressing need at the moment is gifts for toddlers and teens.”

A birthday party may seem like such a small thing, but for these children living in the difficult situation of homelessness, it can mean a great deal. Something as simple and normal as a birthday party helps a child feel special, important, and like a “regular kid.” It also helps the family and the environment at the homeless shelters.

“The families we serve have often had histories in which their birthdays for both themselves and their child have been fraught with disappointment and all too often not acknowledged or celebrated at all,” said Maureen Ward of Just-A-Start House in Somerville. “This program has been invaluable in contributing to positive memories of such a memorable day and thus has greatly contributed to the families’ ability to experience joy and hope.”

“It helps mitigate the trauma of homeless children’s daily lives by providing them with a positive, joyful experience that has lasting

developmental benefits,” Vasiloff added. “[It] empowers parents by involving them in the planning of the party; provides role-modeling through our simple party model; enhances the environment at homeless shelters by creating a sense of community; and contributes to the agencies’ family-strengthening programs.”

Despite the organization’s great success, there is always a need to do more. Vasiloff dreams of the day when Birthday Wishes is no longer needed: “However, the trend is going in the opposite direction.” In Massachusetts alone, approximately 2,000 families are living in homeless shelters. Even with all the children being served, there is still an unmet need.

“Our dream is to ensure that all children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts are celebrated on their birthday and know that the day they were born is a special day,” she said.

Birthday Wishes is succeeding in their mission. Perhaps the most important endorsement comes from the children themselves. As a young lady named Ashanee wrote: “Thank you for giving me a fabulous Barbie birthday party! I loved the beautiful Barbie cake with my name on it. I had a very special birthday.”

For more information, visit birthdaywishes.org.

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VOL’ offers Bra sizes 30-50 and cup sizes A-F,G,H & a select amount of higher cup sizes.

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TAKE EIGHT

with Mrs. Florence Waters Stay-at-home mom of three Mrs. Florence Waters regularly trades her minivan for a WWII amphibious vehicle and her kids for a group of tourists who want to see the city via the venerable Boston Duck Tours (bostonducktours.com).

Flo took a break from splashing into the Charles to tell us what it’s really like to be a ConDUCKtor.

1

How does a nice mom like you end up driving a DUCK? A nice mom winds up driving a duck when her entire life blows up at 37, with three small kids. She flounders from odd job to odd job while kids are in school until she’s approached by a guy who thinks she’s funny and he escorts me to the audition – saving my sanity and my kids' sanity.

How do you become a ConDUCKtor?

Is there a road test/interview/audition?

The first step is to go in for an audition in front of the drivers and owner (a la American Idol). It’s very nerve-wracking!

There is lots of comedic improv and theatrical exercises you go through. It’s honestly one of the scariest things I have had to go through. You leave the audition and pray to get a callback. If you get a callback, you sit with all the owners, answer questions, and pray they like you. I’m 6’2” and I wore a ridiculous tutu so they wouldn’t forget me.

3

Many parents begrudge driving a minivan, yet you’re driving an enormous WW II-style amphibious vehicle.

Is it hard to maneuver?

The DUKW, believe it or not, is easier to drive than my minivan. You get very used to all the mirrors, unlike my minivan, which is like driving a living room.

Is there much difference between driving groups of tourists through the streets and waters of Boston and ferrying your children around (other than the fact you get paid for the former)?

Who’s better behaved?

I much prefer driving complete strangers around for several reasons. They don’t talk back, take my money, generally don’t leave trash after they leave, or treat me like I’m their personal slave.

Last, but not least, I don’t have to lean back and break up fights while focusing on the road. Being in my DUKW is much safer than being in my van.

74 JULY2016

2

5

What’s the most surprising aspect about being a ConDUCKtor?

The most surprising thing about my job is how easy it is for me and how much I love it. Being at home is 1,000x more difficult than being at work. Being a stay-athome mom is the most challenging job I’ve ever had. Before kids, I drove a UPS truck and that was also a piece of cake.

Hats off to stay-at-home parents!

What’s the funniest/ oddest question you’ve ever been asked?

The weirdest question I’ve ever been asked? That’s a tough one. When I am out on the water with the DUKW, people sometimes ask if I’m really driving or is it on a track.

Some ask, “How do you do this tour everyday?” thinking I do one tour a day. I say, “Oh, no, I’ve got four more tours to go” and they almost pass out.

They also ask if my accent is real, and I get, “How tall are you?” a lot.

7

4

6

What’s your favorite part of the tour?

Favorite part of the tour is when it’s over! Just kidding — I love the tour. I love the water portion the most.

You cannot beat the amazing views of Boston and Cambridge skylines from the river. I won’t bring a tour back until every guest has laughed so hard they couldn’t stop. I love to see people laugh.

If you could choose any passenger to be on your tour, who would it be and why?

That’s a tough one!

Maybe the future Mr. Flo Waters? If he exists?

8

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855-UMASS-MD

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In today’s hectic world, who doesn’t love a time saver? At UMass Memorial, we realize that you don’t have time to check out every one of our exceptional doctors. So we’ve simplified the process.

Calling 855-UMASS-MD means speaking with a real person – a knowledgeable representative who will provide solutions to your inquiry. One call gets you to the doctor best suited for you.

We’re your connection to all of UMass Memorial Health Care.

Better is now easier with our personalized process.

Reach out today.

Call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763)

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