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SEPTEMBER 2017

Massachusettsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

PRESENTING

THE BEST OF

2017

2 SEPTEMBER2017

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BAYSTATEPARENT 3

Because it takes expert care to deliver a miracle

Bringing miracles to life is our passion at the LaChance Maternity Center at Heywood Hospital. Our expert team of physicians, nurses and doulas, provide personalized attention in a state-of-the-art environment that promotes a tranquil and natural birthing experience, resulting in the lowest caesarean birth rate in the state. And our specialty services â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from our post-birth celebration dinner to our rejuvenating spa treatments including relaxing whirlpool hydrotherapy, post-partum massage therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will leave you feeling just heavenly. To find out more about the services offered at the LaChance Maternity Center visit www.heywood.org. To register for a Childbirth Class or schedule a tour of the LaChance Maternity Center call (978) 630-6216.

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6 SEPTEMBER2017

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

table of contents SEPTEMBER 2017 VOLUME 22

Gas Up the Van! 62 Fall Fairs and Festivals on Tap

NUMBER 5

Keys to Safe Car 54 9Seat Travel

The Developmental Magic of Music and Children

Noah, 9

Mackenzie, 4

This month’s models Photography by Barnes Portrait Design, East Brookfield

in every issue 8 20

ADD TO CART: Our favorite September product picks

FINALLY FOREVER: Survey: More Americans Considering Children in Foster Care When Looking to Adopt

45 45 46

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: September Area Adoption Events

55 57 62

THE THINKING PARENT: Fidget Spinners: Distraction or Helpful Tool?

www.BarnesPortraitDesign.com

features

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

baystateparent’s Best of 2017 Winners

SEPTEMBER’S CHILD: Meet Robert

14 16 18

REEL LIFE WITH JANE: September Movie Releases TAKE 8: ESPN Reporter, Author Tom Rinaldi

president and publisher KIRK DAVIS

associate publisher KATHY REAL 508-749-3166 ext. 331 kreal@baystateparent.com

Back-to-School Food Safety Tips Making Lunch Fun and Healthy: Back-to-School Bento Boxes Ripe BItes: Tools for a Safe, Healthy Lunch; Survey: Most Parents Unaware of How Many Calories Children Should Eat in Restaurants

creative

10 48

Ripe

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: Inside Two Housing Options for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

meet team

The Best of 2017

50 52 53 54

30 Massachusetts Museums Offer Free Admission on September 23 Gas Up the Van! 62 Fall Fairs and Festivals on Tap The Developmental Magic of Music and Children Key Guidelines for Administering Medication to Children 5 Ways to Incorporate Physical Activity Into Your Family Routine FBI Warns Parents About Smart Toys 9 Keys to Safe Car Seat Travel

advertising

editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com

director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com

creative director and events coordinator PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com

account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com

senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com

account executive MICHELLE SHINDLE 508-865-7070 ext. 212 michelle@baystateparent.com

account executive CHEYRL ROBINSON 508-865-7070 ext. 336 crobinson@holdenlandmark.com

baystateparent is published monthly 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527 508-865-7070 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

add to CART The coolest stuff we found online this month

Provide old-school fun in a whole new way with the PinBox 3000 from the Cardboard Track Instantute. This DIY kit is the first tabletop pinball system made of recycled cardboard. Equal parts craft kit, creative canvas, and gaming fun, it takes about an hour to assemble the pre-cut pieces; all you need are two hands and the instruction manual. After assembling, the PinBox is a blank slate: Kids can customize it however they like, adding ramps, spinners, designs, and more. Then it’s ready to play, powered only by gravity and their imaginations. $49.95. pinbox3000.com.

Get ahead of this hot trend early and grab a Color-Changing Sequin Mermaid Pillow from the Mermaid Pillow Co. Available in a variety of colors, themes, and styles, the pillows feature an illustration and inspirational message on one side and reversible, color-changing sequins on the other. Once you pick it up, it’s impossible not to move the sequins around to draw patterns or write letters. At 12”x20” it’s an armful of fun and a relaxing, soothing addition to your child’s bedtime routine. $34.99 and up. mermaidpillowco.com.

Make your bedside table a lot more fun and functional with the BEDDI Style Intelligent Alarm Clock. More than just a time-teller, BEDDI features a USB charging port, Bluetooth speaker, LED clock display, white noise generator, and multi-colored mood lighting. Instead of a nasty alarm, kids — or parents — can be awakened by their Spotify or Apple Music playlists. $49.99. wittidesign.com.

Just a few short years ago, we were lulling resistant babies and children to sleep with car rides, vacuuming, and white noise CDs but — yay, technology — here’s a far-easier solution: the Baby Oasis Sound Machine. This small unit provides eight hour-long uninterrupted tracks, including White Noise, Prenatal, Lullaby, Dolphins, Car Ride, and Heartbeat. $59.99. soundoasis.com.

There are two things you always need in a home with children — more storage space and an uncluttered place to sit. With the Tufted Folding Storage Ottoman from Fresh Home Elements, you get both in one space-saving package. The 15” ottoman is available in a variety of colors and sets up in 5 seconds and 3 simple steps — no tools necessary. It provides a deep space to store toys, books, homework, and more, as well as a sturdy place to sit. If it’s not needed, the ottoman folds up flat, making storage a breeze. It’s an affordable addition to any home that will be well-used. $34.99. thefhegroup.com.

8 SEPTEMBER2017

30 Massachusetts

MUS

E UM S

Offer Free Admission on September 23 BY JUSTINE O’BRIEN

Thirty Massachusetts museums will open their doors for free on Saturday, Sept. 23, thanks to Smithsonian magazine and its 13th annual Museum Day Live. For one day only, participating museums across the United States will offer free admission to those who download a Museum Day Live ticket. To get your ticket, visit smithsonian.com/museumdaylive. Each ticket Participating Massachusetts museums:

Mead Art Museum 41 Quadrangle Dr., Amherst College, Amherst amherst.edu/museums/mead The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst carlemuseum.org John Cabot House 117 Cabot St., Beverly beverlyhistory.org Gibson House Museum 137 Beacon St., Boston thegibsonhouse.org Museum of African American History 46 Joy St., Boston maah.org Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 465 Huntington Ave., Boston mfa.org

Harvard Art Museums 32 Quincy St., Cambridge harvardartmuseums.org

Martha’s Vineyard Museum 59 School St., Edgartown mvmuseum.org

Eustis Estate 1424 Canton Ave., Milton historicnewengland.org

Harvard Museum of Natural History Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge hmnh.harvard.edu

Cogswell’s Grant 60 Spring St., Essex historicnewengland.org

Forbes House Museum 215 Adams St., Milton forbeshousemuseum.org Durant-Kendrick House and Grounds 286 Waverley Ave., Newton newtonma.gov

Photo by Jim Gipe/Pivot Media, Inc. @The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College 11 Barrett Hill Dr., Amherst amherst.edu/museums/ naturalhistory

grants the ticket holder and a guest free access to participating museums. The limit is one ticket per household, per email address. Museums in all 50 states have signed up to participate in this year’s event, and more than 1,300 museums are expected to join in. The complete list of participating museums can be found at smithsonian.com/ museumday/venues.

Jackson Homestead and Museum 527 Washington St., Newton historicnewton.org Salem Witch Museum 9 1/2 Washington Sq. North, Salem salemwitchmuseum.com Springfield Museums 21 Edwards St., Springfield springfieldmuseums.org Merwin House 14 Main St., Stockbridge historicnewengland.org Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 11 Divinity Ave., Harvard University, Cambridge peabody.harvard.edu

The Mary Baker Eddy Library 200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston mbelibrary.org

USS Constitution Museum Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown ussconstitutionmuseum.org

Cooper-Frost-Austin House 21 Linnaean St., Cambridge historicnewengland.org

Concord Museum 53 Cambridge Tpke., Concord concordmuseum.org

Falmouth’s Museums on the Green 55-65 Palmer Ave., Falmouth museumsonthegreen.org

Old Colony History Museum 66 Church Green, Taunton oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org

Garden in the Woods 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham newenglandwild.org

Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History Regis College, 241 Wellesley St., Weston spellmanmuseum.org

The Gardner Museum 28 Pearl St., Gardner gardnermuseuminc.com The Museum of Printing 15 Thornton Ave., Haverhill museumofprinting.org

Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, holycross.edu BAYSTATEPARENT 9

Photo by Melissa Shaw

Gas Up the Van! 62 Fall Fairs and Festivals on Tap BY JUSTINE O’BRIEN

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to! Fall brings pretty leaves and cozy sweaters, as well as some of the most festive outdoor activities the season has to offer. Be sure to check out the websites of the events that interest you so your family can get in on the action! SEPTEMBER Downtown Gloucester Block Party. Sept. 1, Main St., Gloucester. Artisans, kids activities, music. Free. gloucesterblockparty.com Gloucester Schooner Festival. Sept. 1-3, Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester. Annual maritime and sailing event. gloucesterschoonerfestival.net Spencer Fair. Sept. 1-4, 48 Smithville Rd., Spencer. Traditional agricultural exhibits, derbies, rides, games, food, and more. General admission $10; Children ages 7-12, Senior Citizens (62 and over), & Military, $7; Weekend Pass, $25. spencerfair.org Saint Anargyoi Greican Festival. Sept. 2-4, 9 Central St., Marlborough. Greek food, drinks, entertainment, music, children’s activities, auctions, vendors, and marketplace. stsanargyroi.org

Gloucester Block Party, Sept. 1. Photo courtesy Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce 10 SEPTEMBER2017

King Richard’s Faire. Sept. 2- Oct. 22, 235 S Main St., Carver. New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance Festival. Adults $31; Children (4-11), $16; Children 3 and under free. kingrichardsfaire.net

Wachusett Mountain Musicfest. Sept. 2-4, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Rd., Princeton. Country Day Saturday. Rock/Blues Day Sunday. Classic Car Show, Sunday. Adults $30 at the door; Children 6-12; $9 at the door. wachusett.com Appleseed Country Fair. Sept. 3-5, Red Apple Farm, 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston. Old Home Day. Sept. 4, Charlton. Entertainment, craft fair, art show, flower show, contests, food, soap box derby, road race, parade. Free. townofcharlton.net Boston Brazilian Independence Day Festival. Sept. 5-10, DCR Herter Park, 1175 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston. Children’s activities, crafts, food, music. Free. verdeamarelo.org Bread and Roses Heritage Festival. Sept. 5, Campagnone Common, Lawrence. Trolley and walking tours, portrait drawing, exhibits, children’s activities at the Kidz Zone, pony rides, arts and crafts fair, and more. Free. breadandroses heritage.org

Sterling Fair. Sept. 8-10, Sterling Airport, Sterling. Livestock, crafters, farmers market, midway, fireworks, exhibit hall, arts and crafts, food. sterlingfair.org BSV Oktober Fest. Sept. 9, 8 County St., Walpole. Music, dance, games, pony rides, food, drink. $10 per person, children under 12 free. germanclub.org Jamaica Plain Music Festival. Sept. 9, Pineback Baseball Field, Jamaica Plain, Boston. Music, food, kids’ activities. jpmusicfestival.com Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Sept. 9, 34 Codman Rd., Northeast Lincoln. Artisans, live entertainment, food court. Admission $5, free for kids under 12. zapplication.org 7th Annual Swampscott Arts & Craft Festival. Sept. 9-10, Linscott Park, Monument Ave., Swampscott. Opening at 10 a.m. Free. castleberryfairs.com

northboroughapplefest.com 22nd Annual Marlborough Heritage Festival. Sept. 15-17, Downtown Marlborough, Marlborough. Music, Oktoberfest, chili & chowder challenges, and farmer’s market. General admission and parking are free. marlboroughchamber.org Fresh Grass Music Festival. Sept. 15-17, 87 Marshall St., North Adams. Three-day music festival featuring dozens of top-notch acts, plus workshops, food and family music-making, and art-making events. Adult 3-day pass, $99; Student 3-day pass, $89; Children 7-16 3-day pass, $46. Singleday passes may be released closer to the festival date. freshgrass.com The Big E. Sept. 15- Oct.1, 875 Memorial Ave., Springfield. Adults $15; Children (6-12) $10; Children 5 and under free. Massachusetts’s state fair features a midway, crafts, entertainment, exhibition halls, and more. thebige.com

Boston Arts Festival. Sept. 9-10, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston. Covered artists’ village, two stages of performing arts, and family activities. Free. thebostonartsfestival.com

Volksfest by Harvard Lions. Sept. 16, Harvard Library Field, 4 Pond Rd., Harvard. A “Festival for all People” featuring traditional German food, beer and wine, live music and dancing. Bed races, kid’s activities, and craft vendors. Admission and parking are free. e-clubhouse.org

Salem Spice Festival. Sept. 9-10, Forest River Park, 98 West Ave., Salem. Exhibits, storytelling, talks, colonial recipes, music, open hearth cooking, demonstrations, vendors, and crafts. Free, but donations accepted for Pioneer Village. salemspicefest.com

South Boston Street Festival. Sept. 16, East Broadway, South Boston. Live entertainment on two stages, over 100 local merchants, artists and organizations, food, dance performances, children’s activities, pooch-friendly. Free. southbostonstreetfestival.com13th

Vegetarian & Vegan Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. Sept. 10, Arsenal Project, Watertown. Twenty food trucks serve up a variety of vegetarian favorites, including Asian-fusion, soft serve treats, warm hand pies, and much more. Advance tickets $5; onsite tickets $10; Children under 12 free. 10times.com

Annual Endless Summer Waterfront Festival. Sept. 16, Nantasket Beach, Hull. Food, art, games, contests, music, sand castle competition. hullchamber.com2

Cambridge Carnival International. Sept. 10, Cambridge. Festival rooted in African and Caribbean traditions, the event includes a grand costume parade. Free. cambridgecarnival.org Somerville Dog Festival. Sept. 10, Trum Field, Somerville. Dog sports demonstrations, silent auction, and more. Free, but donations appreciated. somdogfest.org Longfellow’s Autumn Arts and Crafts Festival. Sept. 13, Wayside Inn, Wayside Inn Rd., Sudbury. Exhibitors, music, food. wayside.org Applefest. Sept. 14-17, Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Fields. 5K road race, BBQ, music, street fair, parade, craft fair, fireworks, bake-off, book sale, and more. Free.

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2017 Boxford Apple Festival. Sept. 16, Topsfield Rd. & Elm St., Boxford. Artisans, food, activities. sunnywindow.com edbrook Harvestfest. Sept. 16, Redbrook, Greenside Way South, Plymouth. Scenic wagon rides to the cranberry bogs, demonstrations of the water harvest, kayak rentals, cranberry products, nature walks, vendors, face painting, jugglers, and live music. Free. eventbrite.com 41st Annual Corn Festival. Sept. 16-17, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell. Corn-themed food, games, crafts, hayrides, animals, activities. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org 36th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair. Sept. 17, Town Common, Routes 119 and 113, Townsend. Juried arts show. Rain or shine. BAYSTATEPARENT 11

Spirit of Shrewsbury. Sept. 23-24, Oak Middle, School, Shrewsbury. Over 100 exhibitors, crafts, parade. Other events, including pancake breakfast, fishing derby, historic walking tour, and 5K, are at other locations around town. Free. spiritofshrewsbury.org

Marion Oktober Fest. Sept. 17, 465 Mill St., Marion. German food, music, dancers, and more. Adults $10; Children under 12 free. funtober.com Boston Local Food Festival. Sept. 17, The Greenway, Boston. Nation’s largest local and sustainable food hub features farmers, restaurants, food trucks, demonstrations. Free. bostonlocalfoodfestival.com

The Craft Festival at Fruitlands. Sept. 23-24, Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. Handmade ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, and more, live music and food. Admission $5 for members; $10 non members; Children under 12 free. Admission includes admission to the museum. fruitlands.org

14th Annual Revels RiverSing. Sept. 17, Harvard Sq., Cambridge. Join thousands of voices in song as Revels waves goodbye to summer and welcomes in the fall, during this puppet-filled and song-filled parade. Free. revels.org 24th Annual Soule Homestead Harvest Fair & Joe Davies Folk Festival. Sept. 19, Soule Homestead, 46 Soule St., Middleborough. Animals, children’s games and crafts, hay rides, family activities, food, drink. plymouth.wickedlocal.com Cape Cod Scallop Festival. Sept. 22-24, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, East Falmouth. Arts and crafts show, live music, inflatable ride park, food court, and more. Adults $7; Children 6-12 $2. Combo admission and meal ticket costs vary. capecodscallopfest.com Boston Teen Author Festival. Sept. 23, Cambridge Public Library &

North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, Sept. 23-24 Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 449 Broadway, Cambridge. Boston celebrates young adult literature with speakers and readers. Free. bostonteenauthorfestival.com River Ruckus 2017 and the Annual Rubber Duck Regatta. Sept. 23, Riverfront Park, Riverfront Cultural District and Washington Street, Haverhill. Family activities, entertainment, “duck drop,” children’s activities, live music, craft fair, classic car show, and fireworks over the Merrimack. discovernewengland.org

What The Fluff? Marshmallow Festival. Sept. 23, Union Sq., Somerville. Three stages of entertainment, with events including Sticky Musical Chairs and Fluff Jousting, cooking and eating competitions, a kids’ area, and live music. flufffestival.com 27th Annual KidFest. Sept. 23-24, 499 Mountain Rd., Wachusett Mountain, Princeton. Music, food, games, performances, characters, entertainment, and the baystateparent Cover Model Talent Search. Adults $14; Children 3-12 $10 at door. wachusett.com

North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival. Sept. 23-24, Foster’s Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Rd., Orange. Hundreds of booths featuring farmers, artists, and community organizations. Raw garlic eating contest and chef demos, art and adventure activities for kids and families. Adults $5, weekend pass $8; children 12 and under free. Free shuttle and parking. garlicandarts.org Grotonfest. Sept. 24, Groton Town Common, Groton. Featuring Fiddlin’ Quinn and His Big Folks Band, with crafts, food, entertainment, animals, dancers. Free. grotonfest.com Amherst Apple Harvest Festival. Sept. 24, Amherst Town Common,

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Allston Village Street Fair. Sept. 24, Harvard Ave., Allston. A family-friendly event with two outdoor stages, live bands, street performances, international food court, artists, and an amusements area. allstonvillagestreetfair.com

9th Annual Oktoberfest and 12th Annual HONK! Parade. Oct. 8, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Beer garden, food, live entertainment, vendors, family activities. harvardsquare.com

Bread and Roses Heritage Festival, Sept. 5.

29th Annual Autumn-Fest. Sept. 30, Bridgewater State University, 45 School St., Boyden Hall Quad, Bridgewater. Raffle, food, drink, music, family activities, kids’ events. bridgewaterbiz.biz New England Indonesian Festival. Sept. 30, Copley Square, Boston. Indonesian cultural, arts, performances, and food. neindofest.com 8th Annual New England BBQ Fest. Sept. 30-Oct.1, 499 Mountain Rd., Wachusett Mountain, Princeton. Crafters, farmers market, entertainment, Oysterfest. $9 adult, $6 children 6 to 12. wachusett.com Berklee Downtown Jazz Festival. Sept. 30, Columbus Ave, Boston. Music, arts, crafts, instrument petting zoo. Free. berklee.edu

OCTOBER Douglas Octoberfest. Oct. 7, Main St., Douglas. Street fair includes vendors, crafts, food, games, entertainment, rides. douglasoctoberfest.com Cranberry Harvest Celebration. Oct. 7, 158 Thionet Rd., Wareham. Juried crafters, activities for children, animal shows, cooking demonstrations, food, pony and wagon rides. Admission $10; $5 for Seniors and Military; Children under 7 free. festivalnet.com

NIVERSARY

2017

New England Blues Festival. Sept. 24, Middleboro Lodge, 24 High St., Middleboro. General admission $20; Children under 12 free. nebluesfest.com The Topsfield Fair. Sept. 29-Oct.9, 207 Boston St., Topsfield. Agriculture exhibits, entertainment, rides, games, shopping, food. Tickets start at $9, free for Children under 8 with an adult. topsfieldfair.org

1 5 t h AN Photo courtesy Bread and Roses Heritage Committee

Amherst. Rain or shine. Arts & crafts, local food, children’s games, and silent auction. 413-545-0865.

12th Annual New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival. Oct. 8, City Pier 3, New Bedford. Chowder and soup from more than 20 area restaurants, live music. Adults $18, Children 6 to 12 $5; free for ages 5 and under. newbedfordchamber.com

#1 Art, Music + Cultural Festival in Central MA

SUNDAY,

SEPTEMBER 17th 11am - 6pm

RAIN DATE: SEPTEMBER 24th

34th Annual AppleFest. Oct. 14-15, 499 Mountain Rd., Wachusett Mountain, Princeton. Over 75 craft fair & farmers’ market booths, family entertainment, pony rides, jugglers and magicians, and more. Adults $11; Children 6 to 12 $6. wachusett.com Rockport Harvest Festival. Oct. 14, T-Wharf & Downtown Rockport. Food, music, family activities. Free. rockportexchange.org 37th Annual Mass Audubon Farm Day. Oct. 21, Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Winslow Cemetery Road, Marshfield. Tractor drawn hay rides, live bluegrass music, educational presentations, games, crafts, artisans, delicious food. massaudubon.org

250+ vendors | live music street performers | kids’ activities interactive demos | local non-profits the best food vendors (food trucks, vegetarian + vegan options)

Westminster Cracker Festival. Oct. 21, 10 Village Sq., Westminster. Live music, arts and crafts, beer garden, kids activities, and more. Free. crackerfestival.com Chatham Oktoberfest. Oct. 21, Gould Park, Chatham. Featuring beers, kids’ crafts and games, entertainment, and food trucks. chathaminfo.com BAYSTATEPARENT 13

Chances are you worry more about whether your children will eat the food in their lunch boxes than about whether that food will be safe to eat. But children are the most vulnerable to food poisoning, so it makes sense to take extra precautions when preparing the lunches they take to school.

Estimated annual hospitalizations from foodborne illnesses

Approximate number of Americans stricken with food poisoning each year. Of the estimated 42,000 annual salmonella infections, almost

Because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of salmonella infections may be 29 or more times greater. That’s more than

of those are infants and school-age children.

Estimated annual reports of salmonella infections, the most frequent cause of foodborne illness

estimated cases annually.

Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for meat and poultry.

Cook foods to the right temperature using a food thermometer.

If you’re making lunch the night before, be sure to wash your hands and use clean cutting boards, utensils, and countertops. Making lunch on the same surfaces you used to prepare raw meat or poultry for dinner may result in cross-contamination and lead to salmonella-related illness.

Frozen juice boxes can also be used as freezer packs. By lunchtime, the juice should be thawed and ready to drink!

14 SEPTEMBER2017

Perishable food can be unsafe to eat by lunchtime if packed in a paper bag. Use an insulated box or bag instead.

Children should wash their hands for 20 seconds with warm soapy water before eating. Have them sing the ABCs twice while washing if they sometimes finish early.

If possible, your child’s lunch should be stored in a refrigerator. But leave the lid of the lunchbox or an insulated softsided bag open in the fridge so that cold air can circulate and keep the food cold.

If you’re packing a hot lunch, like soup, chili or stew, use an insulated container to keep it hot. Fill the container with boiling water, let stand for a few minutes, empty, and then put in the piping hot food. Tell your child to keep the insulated container closed until lunchtime to keep the food hot — 140° F or above.

If the lunch contains perishable food items like luncheon meats, eggs, and yogurt, make sure to pack it with at least two cold sources (e.g., freezer packs and frozen water bottles).

After lunch, discard all leftover food, used food packaging, and paper bags. Do not reuse packaging because it could contaminate other food.

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

Making Lunch Fun and Healthy: Back-to-School Bento Boxes BY ALLYSON GREGORY

Let’s set the record straight: You don’t need to be able to carve emojis out of sticky rice and prawns, parent a child who will eat exotic foods, or even understand what a Pokémon is in order to get in on the fun and hop on the bento bus! In fact, if you ride it back to its origins in fifth-century Japan, the bento can be traced to farmers who needed to carry food with them into the fields. It was simply a nutritious, home-packed meal in a lunch box with multiple compartments designed for traveling and eating onthe- go. Brush off the intimidation factor! This is a culinary tradition worth adopting for developing your child’s healthy, whole-food-eating habits and fueling them with the slow release of energy and staying power they need for their school day — because you are what you eat — and so are they. So, if you’re still standing in the grocery store aisle staring at a dizzying assortment of Ziplocs while trying to conjure up the distant memory of last school year’s lunchpacking routine, it is without a doubt time for a makeover. Breathe a sigh of relief, ditch the plastic bags you know are leaching chemicals into your kids’ food and dangerously pol-

16 SEPTEMBER2017

luting the environment, and move on down the aisles toward these surefire, healthy bento box lunch recipes. Your children will feel special, your conscience will lighten (you’re one step closer to breaking up with disposable plastic), and, hey, you’ll have some DIY Pinterest material for those run-of- the-mill weeks leading up to Halloween, if that’s your thing! Head online and you’ll find a host of companies that offer bento boxes of many shapes and sizes (many even specifically designed for children), as well as tools to create cute food shapes and figures, like molds that turn rice or hard-boiled eggs into smiling animal faces, reusable food picks, heart- and star-shaped food cutters, and more. Popular vendors include Bentology (bentology.com), PlanetBox (planetbox. com), Yumbox (yumboxlunch.com), ECOlunchbox (ecolunchboxes.com), and many others.

Bento Box Salads Kids love to eat salad when it’s deconstructed. Get rid of the wilted lettuce (we don’t like it either), aim for exciting colors and textures, and let your kids assemble these healthy salads themselves. They will love

sticking cute-faced panda food picks in their veggies and feel proud and satisfied all the way through lunch.

Cross the Border

en strips, and squeeze some lime onto the avocado to keep it green. A blue corn tortilla cut into wedges and a quick honey-lime dressing they can drizzle come lunchtime completes this balanced meal.

Go Greek

• Southwest cubed or shredded antibiotic-free chicken • Grape tomatoes • Ripe avocado • Corn kernels (use leftovers from a steamed cob) • Black or kidney beans drained and rinsed • Cubed Monterey Jack cheese

• Whole grain pasta • Cucumber (1/2 diced, 1/2 saved for peeling a cucumber ribbon) • Greek or Kalamata pitted olives • Crumbled feta • Diced tomatoes • Fresh lemon juice

Mexican flavor combinations are for everyone. Ready to introduce a new spice? The corn and beans can be mixed together with a pinch of cumin. Turn the avocado into stars and hearts with veggie cutters, and use ladybug food picks for the tomatoes. Shortcut prep with ready-toeat, natural, fajita-style grilled chick-

This quick pasta salad can be neatly separated into a bento and mixed together for your lunch. Combine the tomatoes and feta with lemon juice, and box the olives and pasta on their own. Don’t forget the bento food picks for the olives, and top with a fancy cucumber ribbon elegantly laid out across their lunch.

Buddha’s Bento Break out your most adorable food molds for this power-packed Buddha bowl. Similar to a rice bowl, this nourishing ratio of whole grains, roasted and fresh veggies, and protein has endless options to take you right through the school year and eat seasonally from your local farmers market. Transform your child’s food into delightful characters, like a bunny or bear, using a rice mold and let the fun begin. • Grains/carbohydrates (wholewheat couscous, brown rice, bulgur wheat, wheat, berries, millet, roasted sweet potato) • Protein (chickpeas, lentils, edamame, cannellini beans, preservative-free chicken or turkey) • Veggies (cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, peas, cucumbers, radishes, green beans, carrots) • Toppings (nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, tahini yogurt dressing, creamy avocado dressing)

Classic Bento Bring any classic sandwich favorite to life with a few tweaks and fun

shapes. You can even make a fabulous “ham flower” blossoming out of your child’s lunch with a few simple cuts. Swap your usual bread for a whole wheat rollup or handheld lettuce wrap (perfect for tuna salad or hummus), and make a “smoothie bowl” lunch dessert out of yogurt and toppings. Bento box containers are leak-resistant, so you’re covered. Try these bento mainstays, go for the colors of the rainbow with fruit and veg, and get creative: • Hard-boiled egg (use egg/rice mold for shaping) • Meatballs • Zucchini pancakes • Rice cake • Tuna salad with craisins (swap mayo for avocado) • Egg salad • Preservative-free hummus • Preservative-free turkey/ham • Cheese (forget the sticks, go for the shapes) • Nut butter • Yogurt • Seasonal fruit • Shredded coconut • Chocolate chips • Nuts • Dried fruit • No-bake energy bars • Homemade oatmeal cookie • Peanut butter-banana muffin

Dyslexia Awareness Month Parent Night Event

Assistive Technology: An Overview for Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities What is assistive technology and how can it help your child or student? Come learn what assistive technology is, how to determine if your child or student would benefit from it, and how to team with your school district to determine the right tools.

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wilson Language Training® 47 Old Webster Rd., Oxford, MA Free, with light dinner included. Seating is limited, reservations required. For more information and to register, please call 800-899-8454 or email info@wilsonlanguage.com BAYSTATEPARENT 17

Bites Back-to-School Tools for a Safe, Healthy Lunch Now, sure, that lunchbox may be new right now, but it’s going to get gross in a hurry if food leaks out or is left behind, potentially resulting in mold, yeast, and non-food borne bacteria. Parents can keep the inside of lunchboxes healthy and safe by wiping them out every day with a General Purpose Cloth from e-cloth. e-cloths are made out of millions of tiny fibers and are clinically proven to remove over 99% of bacteria, as well as heavy dirt, grease, and anything else, using just water — no chemicals or harsh cleaning products. To clean the e-cloth, just toss it in the washing machine; each cloth is guaranteed to last for 300

washes, retails for $7.99, and can be purchased at ecloth.com. Aren’t you sick of buying and filling plastic bags for snacks and lunches? It never ends, not to mention the guilt of them hanging out forever in a landfill. If so, check out the Perfect-Seal Bento from Russbe. It offers three compartments (one for a main dish and two for sides), a clear lid, and a simple yet effective seal that makes it leak- and spill-proof. When it comes home, wash it out by hand or in the dishwasher, and it’s ready to roll once more. Priced at $8.99 and up, it can be found

at russbe.com. For snacks or sandwiches, you can ditch plastic bags once more for stasher, the first self-sealing, airtight, reusable non-plastic bag. Dishwashersafe and made from 100% pure platinum silicone, stasher can be reused thousands of times and contains no BPA, BPS, phthalates, vinyl, petroleum, or other chemicals found in plastic. Available in different sizes, colors, and patterns, it can store snacks or lunches with no leaks thanks to its self-closure. Pricing starts at $9.99, more information can be found at stasherbag.com.

Survey: Most Parents Unaware of How Many Calories Children Should Eat in Restaurants A new study published in Public Health Nutrition reveals that parents overwhelmingly under- or overestimate how many calories to feed their children, and those who made accurate estimates were not confident in their answers. Researchers, led by Dr. Christina Economos, conducted an online survey of about 1,200 parents of 5 to 12-year-olds in July 2014. Parents were asked to estimate the number of calories recommended for a child’s restaurant meal (including an entree, side dish, and drink), and to rate how confident they were in their response. The accurate response range was 400-600 calories, while parents responded as follows: • 35% answered in the accurate range • 33% underestimated the number of recommended calories (less than 400 calories) • 32% overestimated the number of recommended calories (more than 600 calories) Only 26% of parents were confident in their answers, and just 10% were accurate and confident. 18 SEPTEMBER2017

“Parents are the greatest influencers of their children’s eating habits. We want to help them understand that they can make simple changes in their ordering patterns to keep children’s meals within the recommended caloric range and encourage healthy habits overall,” said Economos, director of ChildObesity180 and professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. “What we’ve seen in this study suggests that parents may not yet have the necessary context to put calorie information to good use, so it will be important to couple this information with additional outreach to parents.” Experts say these findings highlight the need for public health efforts to go beyond the numbers in helping parents make informed choices in restaurants. Last fall, ChildObesity180 piloted You’re the Mom, a public health campaign that educates and empowers moms to choose healthier options for their children when ordering at quick-service restaurants. Advocating for simple swaps like choosing water over soda, You’re

the Mom celebrates mothers for the important role they play in their family and community. The campaign includes a digital resource hub at yourethemom.org. Based at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, ChildObesity180 consists of top national leaders

from the private, public, nonprofit, and academic sectors committed to developing, measuring, and implementing evidence-based solutions to reverse the alarming epidemic of childhood obesity in America. For more information, visit childobesity180.org.

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

Courtesy of the Somerville Dog Festival.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

Backyard and Beyond: Walking Sticks. Sept. 11. The Discovery Museums, Acton. 20 SEPTEMBER2017

Boston Mini Maker Faire Sept. 17. Boston Children’s Museum

Courtesy of Wachusett Mountain

Courtesy of The Discovery Museums

Photo by Karin Hansen, courtesy of the Boston Children's Museum

Somerville Dog Festival. Sept. 10. Somerville.

KidsFest. Sept. 23-24. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! 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.

1 Friday

5 Tuesday

Courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations

Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Discovery Museums, 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 with our favorite Kindermusik educator. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Walking Stick Workshop. Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton. 2 p.m.4:30 p.m. Decorate an unfinished walking stick for future excursions. For ages 8 and up. Register ahead. Members $30, nonmembers $36. massaudubon.org. Free Friday Night Fun. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Explore the Children’s Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods at night as we collect donations for Open Table of Concord and Maynard, and the Acton Food Pantry. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

For ages 2 to 6. Register ahead. Members $5, nonmembers $6. massaudubon.org.

#popscope. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Come outside and look up, as we join the folks from #popscope and use a telescope to look for stars, planets, and other features of the night sky. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Labor Day Backyard Olympics. Rock Woods, 64 Rocky Woods Reservation Entrance, Medfield. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring the family for backyard competitions galore, including canoe races, disc golf, cornhole, and a survival skills relay. Members $9, nonmembers $15, children under 5 free. thetrustees.org.

2 Saturday Militia Weekend. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Join our Labor Day weekend showcasing the sights and sounds of the training days that were required of all men ages 18 to 30 in the 1830s, including cannon and musket demonstrations, martial music, live firings, and sham battles. Through Monday. Adults $28, youths ages 4 and up $14, children age 3 and under free. osv.org. Dirtopia. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Scoop, sculpt, squish, dig, climb, and burrow as we discover the infinite potential of dirt. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Families @ WAM Tour. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore the Worcester Art Museum galleries with your family on a docent-guided discovery tour, as you hear fun facts, stories, and enjoy observation time together. Free. worcesterart.org. Tiny Trekkers: Monarch Migration. Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 108 North St., Norfolk. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Start your morning off right with a fun and knowledgeable teacher on the trails, with crafts, activities, and lots of laughter.

Family Farm Day: Fall Festival. Sept 16. Appleton Farms, Ipswich

Arms + Armor Demonstrations. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. Learn all about different kinds of arms and armor used by Roman soldiers, Medieval knights, and more in this interactive program. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youth ages 4 and up $6, children 3 and under free. worcesterart.org.

battle in 1812 by writing a message home with a quill pen, playing a board game, or getting a nautical tattoo. Saturday through Monday. Free. ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

4 Monday Morningstar Access. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Enjoy a time when the museum has fewer visitors to create a welcoming and fun experience for children with special needs. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, ages under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Beauty and the Beast. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. An enchantment has turned a handsome prince into a hideous beast, and the only way to reverse the spell is for someone to fall in love with him despite his beastly appearance. $12. puppetshowplace.org.

Labor Day Family Campout. Rocky Woods, 64 Rocky Woods Reservation Entrance, Medfield. 5 p.m. Learn all the essentials of camping, from pitching a tent to building a fire, before we enjoy a campfire dinner and s’mores, and Sunday morning breakfast. Register ahead. Member families $60, nonmember families $75. thetrustess.org.

Frank Hatch Free Day: Sounds of Blue. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston. 11 a.m. Enjoy a free day of art, music, and family fun with hands-on artmaking, activities in the galleries, and performances. Free. gardnermuseum.org.

Movie Night Under the Stars. Francis William Bird Park, 41 Rhoades Ave., East Walpole. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Join us for a family-friendly movie under the stars, as we enjoy the big screen with informal seating. Free. thetrustees.org.

PYO Tomatoes & Potatoes. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Get your hands dirty as we pick our own tomatoes, potatoes, and a few other veggies to take home over the long weekend. Members $9, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org.

3 Sunday All Hands to Mischief. USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Experience how sailors spent their time between chores and

Jaws. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. Enjoy this classic 1975 Steven Spielberg flick filmed off Martha’s Vineyard, following a small oceanside town terrorized by a massive shark. Adults $12.25, children $10.25. coolidge.org.

Tuesday Volunteer Days. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about nature as you assist with maintaining our grounds, from trail cleaning to wildlife monitoring, to animal care. Tuesdays. Free. massaudubon.org. Suzuki Music. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Join teachers from the Suzuki School of Newton in a music and movement class, as we explore instruments such as drums, glockenspiels, and xylophones, and sing and dance. For toddlers and younger. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Zumba Kids. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Get active and participate in a family friendly Zumba class for kids, featuring a blend of cumbia, salsa, merengue, reggaetón, and tango. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

6 Wednesday Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Help us care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun, and fulfillment. Wednesdays. Free. massaudubon.org. WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy this docent-led tour as we look at art, light refreshments, and enjoy a special story afterwards. Designed for children up through age 3. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths ages 4 and up $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org. Full Moon & Folklore Hike. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Hike up and down dunes through soft sand, as we celebrate the Full Corn or Barley Moon, named as it ripens the harvest. Suggested for ages 13 and up. Register ahead. Members $9, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org. The Wonder of Worlds End: Full Moon Hike. World’s End, Martins Ln., Hingham. 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Discover the full moon’s light spread across our paths, as we look for white tailed deer, red fox, raccoons, barred owls, and other nocturnal wildlife. Register ahead. Member adults $5, nonmember adults $10, children free. thetrustees.org.

BAYSTATEPARENT 21

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

7 Thursday

learning about other fall butterflies, and finding out how you can help monarchs in your own backyards. For families with children ages 5 and up. Register ahead. Member adults $7, children $4; nonmember adults $9, children $5. massaudubon.org.

Boston Charter Day. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 9:30 a.m.5 p.m. Come celebrate Boston’s 387th birthday. Free. osmh.org.

Courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village

Free First Thursday. Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy this monthly celebration when we open the doors to the museum for the entire family to enjoy. Free. fitchburgartmuseum.org.

8 Friday Friday Morning Birds. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Enjoy a leisurely birding experience and help document the sanctuary birds over the season, as we explore different corners of the sanctuary. Fridays. Register ahead. Members free, nonmembers $5. massaudubon.org. Hascon. Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center, downtown Providence. Hasbro’s FANmily Event will give fans and families a chance to see their favorite Hasbro brands come to life, from Star Wars and Marvel to My Little Pony, Magic the Gathering, Nerf and more. Featuring interactive games, celebrity panels, and more. Through Sunday. Single-day tickets, adults $60, youth (ages 3-15) $30. Three-day and VIP tickets available. hascon.hasbro.com. Second Fridays: Think Outside the Box. Smith College Museum of Art, 20 Elm St., Northampton. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy art making as we uncover the art of Japanese lacquer in the museum’s Asian Art Gallery and design your own miniature container. Free. smith.edu/artmuseum. Block Party @ Boston Black. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy an awesome block party at Boston Children’s Museum, featuring music, arts and crafts, dance, storytelling, and hanging around with staff and friends. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Festival of New England Makers. Sept. 23. Old Sturbridge Village.

9 Saturday Kids in the KITCHEN. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Learn about spices and flavors during this interactive workshop engaging kids in games and tasting that introduce them to the science of flavors and aromas. Register ahead. Members $9, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org. Butterfly Census. Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 1280 Horseneck Rd., Westport. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Savor the last remnants of summer, enjoy some time outdoors, and learn about butterflies at the annual Allens Pond Butterfly Census. For ages 2 and up. Register ahead. Free. massaudubon.org. Choate Island Day. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 310 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore an amazing island where deer, foxes, osprey, and other magnificent creatures roam. Register ahead. Member adults $12, children $6; nonmember adults $20, children $10. thetrustees.org.

Looking for parenting support? UMass Memorial Medical Center and New England Prenatal and Family Education offer classes for expecting women, new moms, their families and support persons. Call 1-855-366-5221 or visit www.umassmemorial.org/healthymoms

Dog Day at Bird Park. Francis William Bird Park, 41 Rhoades Ave., East Walpole. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Bird Park goes to the dogs, featuring Best in Show competitions, Disc Dog Demonstrations, vendors, and more. Free. thetrustees.org. Kitchen Science. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mix, experiment, and predict using things you can find at the grocery store, from oil to food coloring to straws. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. The Kingdom of Riddles. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. A knight journeys to capture a unicorn by solving riddles in this fun and very interactive show, where we meet a king, a jester, a witch, and even a dragon. Through Sunday. $12. puppetshowplace.org. Helping Wildlife: Monarch Butterflies. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of tagging monarch butterflies,

Collection Spotlight. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The museum shares the history and stories behind objects in its collection. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, youths $5, children age 5 and under free. concordmuseum.org. Afternoon Chores and More. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Feed chickens, collect eggs, bring hay to the sheep, goats, and cows, and then treat yourself to a farm-fresh snack. For families with children ages 4 to 12. Register ahead. Members $13.50, nonmembers $16.50. massaudubon.org. Edgewater Road Concert. Francis William Bird Park, 41 Rhoades Ave., East Walpole. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy the entertaining local band Edgewater Road as they specialize in fun and quirky medleys of your favorite songs, so the best dance beats never stop. Free. thetrustees.org.

10 Sunday Somerville Dog Festival. Trum Field, Somerville. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dog sports demonstrations, silent auction, and more. Free, but donations appreciated. somdogfest.org Boston Agricultural Exposition. Haley House Bakery Café, 12 Dade St., Roxbury. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Join us for the second annual Boston Agricultural expo featuring live animals, hands-on activities, old-time games, contests, a farmers market, pie eating, and more. Members free, nonmember adults $2, children free. thetrustees.org. Sunday Concert Series: A Far Cry. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston. 1:30 p.m. Enjoy this delightful concert following the program of ‘Violin Hero’ as we embrace the weekend afternoon. Ages 7 and up. Members $19-$24; nonmembers $31-$36, ages

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! 7 to 17 $12. gardnermuseum.org.

art inventions. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Celebrate Grandparents Day at The Carle. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Bring along your grandparents, family members, or adult friends to celebrate collaboratively and share stories together, as we read grandparentinspired stories and make creative books. For ages 4 and up. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Backyard and Beyond: Walking Sticks. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop in and hop out onto the Great Hill Conservation Land, as we find the perfect walking stick, decorate it, and take it on a test drive on the conservation land or through our Fairyborough. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

11 Monday

13 Wednesday

Puppet Pals. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Join Morgan for a puppet-filled time with songs, stories, puppets, and crafts. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

ASL Night. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 4 p.m.-10 p.m. The MFA invites the deaf community and friends to celebrate the art and language of deaf culture, with artmaking, spotlight talks, performances, ASL tours, and more. Free. mfa.org.

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 over brownies. For grades 3 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Backyard and Beyond: Listening Walk. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m. Make predictions about what sounds you will hear, before venturing out to the Conservation Land at 10:30 a.m. to take a listening walk. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Upbeat Music. Discovery Museums, 177

12 Tuesday Tinker Tuesday: Kinetic Art. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore the possibilities of reusing what we usually throw away to make your very own kinetic

Main St., Acton. 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Enjoy this exciting rhythmic music and movement class, as children practice rhythm by learning multicultural drumming patterns, playing a variety of instruments, and exploring movement and dance. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

14 Thursday Make a Mess: Paint like Seurat. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in as we explore some of Seurat’s masterpieces deploying little dots called pointillism, and then try your own work of art inspired by the master. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Nature Adventures for Children. Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcester. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Join us for a hands-on nature program as we focus on a new nature topic through investigations, crafts, activities, and the natural world across our 430-acre wildlife sanctuary. For ages 5 to 7. Register ahead. massaudubon.org. Take Aparts. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in and find out what’s inside telephones, computers,

radios, and more, as you grab a screwdriver and discover resistors, capacitors, and circuit boards through the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Spanish Bilingual Storytime. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.4:30 p.m. Enjoy a special bilingual storytime with stories, songs, and movement in English and Spanish. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

15 Friday Family Game Day. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Drop in for family games and activities as you spend time with your children and other patrons. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Evening Hayride and Campfire. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Join us for a hayride around the farm as summer moves into fall, as we watch for birds, and stop at our campfire for stories, s’mores, and a special nighttime visitor. For ages up to 14. Register ahead. Members $16.50, nonmembers $19.50. massaudubon.org.

Sholan Farms Meet the Artists - Johnny Appleseed Homecrafters September 16th & 17th Cream of the Crop “Macoun” Weekend September 23rd-24th Annual Harvest Weekend Festival October 7th-9th

Entertainment on Sundays throughout the season

U Pick Apples, Blueberries and Raspberries • Hiking • Seasonal Produce & Pumpkins Free Wagon Rides • School Tours & Outings

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Twilight Hikes (Weather permitting) Sept. 8th & Oct. 13th • 8pm

Sholan Farms

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Sponsored by the Friends of Sholan Farms BAYSTATEPARENT 23

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Especially for Me: Free Autism-Friendly Evening. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Join in all the fun during this special free evening especially for families with members on the autism spectrum, with dinner provided. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

16 Saturday Fall Harvest Day. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, tastings, a tour of our fields, garden activities, and up-close encounters with some of the animals that love to visit the garden. Free. massaudubon.org. Harvest Festival. Powisset Farm. 37 Powisset St., Dover. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Join The Trustees to celebrate the bounty of local Massachusetts food, as we discover how farms have modernized, make a “stone soup,” enjoy a hayride, meet the local community, and more. Register ahead. Members $9, families $24; nonmember $15, families $30. thetrustees.org. Family Farm Day: Fall Festival. Appleton Farms, 299 County Rd., Ipswich. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate the fall harvest with some good old-fashioned fun on America’s oldest working farm, as we feed cows, decorate a round bale, paint our own pumpkins, play games, do crafts, and more. Member families $24, nonmember families $30. thetrustees.org. 4th Annual Corn Festival. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy this annual event celebrating the fall harvest, and natural and cultural heritage of New England. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $5, children under 2 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org. MFA Playdates. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.-11 p.m. Bring your toddler to enjoy storytime and looking activities in the galleries, followed by artmaking inspired by the theme of “Music Band.” Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths 7 and up $10, children 6 and under free. mfa.org. Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a time that teaches age-appropriate poses, breathing exercises, simple mindfulness activities, and relaxation techniques. For ages 3 to 12 with caregiver. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Tiny Trekkers: Fall Bird Migration. Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 108 North St., Norfolk. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Start your morning off with fun and knowledgeable activities, crafts, and more fun around the fall travels of birds. For ages 2 to 6. Register ahead. Members $5, nonmembers $6. massaudubon.org. Exploring Science Together: Owls. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., 24 SEPTEMBER2017

Cambridge. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Study the secretive world of owls as we learn together with hands-on activities about bird beaks and feet, and examine real specimens from our museum collections. Designed for elementary-age children. Register ahead. Members $10, nonmembers $20. jmnh.harvard.edu. Squishy Circuits. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Join us on National Play-Doh Day as we discover the conductive properties of this childhood favorite through LEDs, buzzers, and motors. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Hey Day. Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Join us for farm-related demonstrations, exhibits, and hands-on activities for all ages, including cider pressing, hayrides, and canoeing. Individuals $10, cars $20, children 3 and under free. massaudubon.org. Myers + Chang Cooking Demonstration. KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy as awardwinning and beloved Chef Joanne Chang of Flour bakery and acclaimed restaurateur Christopher Myers cook up delicious recipes for you to learn and try. Register ahead. Members $12, nonmembers $20. thetrustees.org. Jack and the Beanstalk. Puppet Showplace Theater, 32 Station St., Brookline. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Join No Strings Marionette Company as they retell this classic tale from Britain with a sense of adventure, optimism, and magic. Through Sunday. Members $8, nonmembers $12. puppetshowplace.org. Flower Field Soiree. Stevens-Coolidge Place, 92-128 Andover St., North Andover. 4 p.m.7 p.m. Join us at the Flower Fields to enjoy a relaxing social evening of live music in a sea of colorful blooms, as we play lawn games, with refreshments available. Register ahead. Member adults $9, nonmember adults $15, children free. thetrustees.org. Family Campout: River Camping. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield. 4:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening by setting up tents and an evening canoe trip looking for otters, beavers, and owls, before cooking up some s’more, playing games, and settling in for a morning of breakfast and paddling. For families with ages 4 to 14. Register ahead. Member adults $26, children $23; nonmember adults $31, children $28. massaudubon.org.

17 Sunday Boston Mini Maker Faire. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Meet amazing robots, see a 3D printer in action, build a model car, create your own piece of art, and more, during this day featuring 100 makers, performers, and speakers from across New England. Free with admission. Members

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Boston Local Food Festival. Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Sustainable Business Network transforms the Greenway into the nation’s largest local and sustainable food, with markets, activities, chef demonstrations, and music. Free. thetrustess.org.

NEW L L AVIS ! A D ★

presents a music and movement class for your child to enjoy. For ages 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

★

Everyday Engineering: Sinking Ships. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in as we use tinfoil to build a boat and load it up with a bounty of pennies to see how many we can stack before the boat sinks. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

MEGA FARM

F A A R G M E M

Wild About Turtles. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Visit turtles found around Broadmoor in an up-close-and-personal nature, and learn about our wonderful shelled friends. For families with children ages 4 to 16. Register ahead. Member adults $13, children $7; nonmember adults $15, children $9. massaudubon.org. ARTfull Explorations. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Investigate ideas and materials inspired by the themes and artists on view in the Sculpture Park. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $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. Free. massaudubon.org. Hands-On History. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon for kids and families to learn together through hands-on demonstrations. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $10, youths $5, children 5 and under free. concordmuseum.org. Art that Moves. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop into the Art Studio to enjoy an additional project that gets you experimenting with materials and exploring art-making techniques. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org. Boston Area Chantey & Maritime Sing. USS Constitution 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.

19 Tuesday A Swashbuckling Storytime. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m. Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day as we enjoy some thrilling pirate stories. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.10:45 a.m. The Joanne Langione Dance Center

★F ESTIVAL ★

20 Wednesday Preschool Story Hour: Ladybugs. 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 featuring a story, an activity, and naturalist-led walk. For ages 3 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $3, nonmember children $4. massaudubon.org.

PREMIERS SEPT 22 ★ OVER 40 FAMILY FUN EVENTS INCLUDING:

WAM Stroller Tours. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy this docent-led tour as we look at art, light refreshments, and a special story afterwards. Designed for children ages up to 3. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $14, youths ages 4 and up $6, children ages 3 and under free. worcesterart.org.

21 Thursday Doggy Days: Out for a Walk. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Certified therapy dog Abby shows us how she gets exercise; help her walk on her leash. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Visit DavisMegaFarmFestival.com for dates, rates & times. *4 Drink limit on beer per person.

DavisFarmland.com

GOT KIDS?

Storytime Surprise: Apples. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy this special story time with a mystery story and thematic fun. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The Ultimate Children’s Discovery Farm

Special Farmland Events For Sept.

22 Friday Make a Mess: Kitchen Chemistry. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in as we try our hands at a few simple experiments to uncover the special color-changing properties of some common household ingredients. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Apple Honey Harvest. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Visit the bees and taste delicious honey-and-apple combinations, as we share stories and songs, and finishing the afternoon with apple crafts. For families with children up to age 8. Register ahead. Members $12.50, nonmembers $15.50. massaudubon.org.

Grandparent’s Day Sept 10: Kids bring your grandparents FREE* (*applies to general admission) Pirate & Princess Weekend Sept 16 & 17: Dress as a princess or pirates. U-Pick Apples & Pumpkins opens Mid-September Birthdays Groups Private Outings & More Visit *DavisFarmland.com for more info, or call (978)422-MOOO (6666). Adults must be accompanied by a child 12 years or younger at Davis Farmland

$2 OFF! General admission at either Farm park Good for up to 4 people. Exp 9/30/17 Not valid with other offers, discounts, packages or special events. BSP9 S T E R L I N G ,

M A S S A C H U S E T T S

BAYSTATEPARENT 25 DFL BSP9 4.5x11 AD 8-16-17.indd 1

8/16/17 8:27 PM

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

23 Saturday Museum Day Live. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. An annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine, as we open the museum for exploration. Free with tickets. smithsonianmag. com/museumday/museum-day-live-2017. Festival of New England Makers. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. A celebration of artisans, as the Village showcases New England trades from the 19th century from blacksmiths and potters, to coopers and printers. Through Sunday. Free with admission. Adults $28, youths ages 4 and up $14, children age 3 and under free. osv.org.

live animal demos, and more. Free with admission. Adults $25, youths 3 to 17 $13, children under 3 free. springfieldmuseums.org. Everyday Engineering: Stomp Rockets. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials simple stomp rockets. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Be Well Series: Relaxation. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come take a deep breath, try yoga, create peaceful art, and explore ways to relax and manage stress. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Elephant & Piggie Art-ventures with Mo Willems and Tom Warburton. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd., Amherst. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mo and Tom share projects from their new first-ever activity book, meet Elephant and Piggie, watch films, and create art in the Art Studio. Reserve for special programming. Free with admission. Adults $9, youths $6, children under 1 free. carlemuseum.org.

Sir George and the Dragon. Puppet Showplace Theater, 32 Station St., Brookline. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. An adventurous princess journeys to Mystery Mountain to visit the Great Green Dragon, before getting ready to move and groove with Pumpernickel’s extraordinary walk around puppets. Through Sunday. Members $8, nonmembers $12. puppetshowplace.org.

Littlefest 2017. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A day of family entertainment, including STEAM projects, family science adventures, PBS’s Peg + Cat, songs,

Descendants 2. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m. A Saturday afternoon screening of the Disney Channel original movie exploring the offspring of some of Disney’s most villainous characters. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Apple & Pumpkin Festivals Lots of Fun Family Experiences Check out these dates:

Sept. 2 & 3 Grand Opening of Happy Apple Corn Maze Sept. 16 & 17 Apple Festival PYO hayrides Sept. 23 & 24 Taste of Local Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 Fall Festivals Oct. 7, 8 & 9 Columbus Weekend Apple Festival Oct. 13, 20 & 27 Halloween Nights in Happy Apple Corn Maze! Oct. 14 & 15 Fall Festival & Taste of Local Oct.21 & 22 Pumpkin Festival Oct. 28 & 29 Halloween in the Maze Nov. 4 & 5 Doggie Maze Weekend

Featuring

• Games • Hay Rides • Bouncy House • Caramel Apples • Cider Donuts • Chocolate Apples • And So Much More! • Crafts • Pyo Apples

“by the pound”

Check out our website or facebook for more info about each event. Info & events change without notice, everything is dependent on the weather. “YOU WANT FRESH YOU WANT LOCAL”

294 Chase Rd Lunenburg 978-582-6246 • www.lanniorchards.com 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week 26 SEPTEMBER2017

Endless Summer Picnic Concert. StevensCoolidge Place, 92-128 Andover St., North Andover. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. End the summer with a bang at this exciting outdoor concert, featuring live music from a series of bands and plenty of food to keep you satiated throughout the day. Register ahead. Member adults $12, nonmember adults $20, children free. thetrustees.org. Family Screech Owl Prowl. Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Explore the world of owls as we discover unique adaptations, practice owls, and meet some of the museum’s resident owls before going on a night hike. For ages 6 and up. Register ahead. Members $8, nonmembers $10. massaudubon.org. KidsFest. Wachusett Mountain, 499 Mountain Rd., Princeton. Music, food, games, performances, characters, entertainment, and the baystateparent Cover Model Talent Search. Through Sunday. Adults $14, children 3-12 $10 at door. wachusett.com.

24 Sunday Fairborough Trail Hunt. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Head to the path to see if you can spot some of the strange things that have been popping up in the Fairyborough, as we get outside and put our skills of observation to the test. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children

under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bradley. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 Washington St., Canton. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Celebrate Mrs. Bradley’s birthday with delicious local food from her Kitchen Garden, as we sample some of her favorites and take some home from the kitchen garden’s farm stand. Register ahead. Members free, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org. 7th Annual Craft Festival at Fruitlands. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy original handmade crafts by 48 New England artisans during the outdoor tented show, featuring stunning views, live music, and food. Members $5, nonmembers $10, children 12 and under free. fruitlands.org. Down on the Farm Fall Concert Series. Appleton Farms, 299 County Rd., Ipswich. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, lawn games, and an opportunity to meet our dairy cows and farm animals. Member cars $20, nonmember cars $30. thetrustees.org.

25 Monday Chessmates. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Have fun playing chess with general instruction, and open play, where all levels are welcome. For ages 6 to 9. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

26 Tuesday Matt Heaton Family Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. The Toddlerbilly Troubadour brings an infectious energy to his sing-alongs peppered with wellknown classics and a few soon-to-be classics. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Tree Textures. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop in as we explore Discovery Woods to search for and collect natural items with different textures before creating a rubbing of these treasures. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Sea Story Puppet Show. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Rosalita’s Puppets presents Sea Story, an adventure under the sea featuring pirates, a mermaid, and plenty of sea creatures. For ages 4 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net. Backyard and Beyond: Engineer a Traveling Seed. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop in to learn about the ways that seeds travel. Engineer your own traveling seed and see how far it gets, during this season when trees and plants release their seeds to grow a new generation. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

27 Wednesday ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30 a.m. Engage with art, stories, material, nature, and new friends during multi-sensory activities. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $14, children 12 and under free. deCordova.org. Backyard and Beyond: Nature Journaling. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m. Celebrate the signs of the season. Make nature journals and then take them out on a walk through the Great Hill Conservation Land. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

28 Thursday Take Aparts, Jr. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Grab tools and discovers the resistors, capacitors, gears, and more as you uncover the workings of household gadgets and gizmos. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Nature Impressions. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Drop in as you find patterns across Discovery Woods in search of natural objects with different patterns, before preserving some of your newly discovered patterns through clay impressions. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Reads the Newspaper. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 7 p.m. Join this renowned astrophysicist as he explores the world through an illuminating, funny, and scientifically driven lens. $49 and up. thehanovertheatre.org.

29 Friday Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Enjoy a fantastic way to enjoy nature, as we perform a nature-based activity based on the weather and enter Discovery Woods or on the adjacent conservation land. Recommended for ages 2 to 6. Fridays. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org. Preschool Story and Nature Hour: Hawks in the Sky. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a nature-themed hour as we listen to an engaging storybook, make a craft to take home, and go for a walk on one of the sanctuary’s beautiful trails. Designed for ages 2.5 to 5. Register ahead. Member children $2.50, nonmember children $3.50, adults free. massaudubon.org. Hawks Aloft. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy as we meet a migrator and hike to the top of the drumlin while searching the skies before making flying bird crafts to take home. For ages up to 8. Register ahead. Members $12.50, nonmembers $15.50. massaudubon.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 plenty of dancing. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. ostonchildrensmuseum.org. Star Gazing Nights. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 239 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Join local astronomers for a look at the stars and other night objects through big telescopes. For ages 6 and up. Free. massaudubon.org.

30 Saturday What Do You See? South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Aerial photographer Margot Cheel leads you on an adventure to explore outdoors with your phone or camera and answer the question, “What do you see?” Recommended for ages 4 and up. Member families $18, nonmember families $23. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Washington St., Canton. 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Join spinning instructor Betsy Alspach as she takes us through the steps of making our own drop spindle for spinning wool for weaving, knitting, and other crafts, Register ahead. Members $40, nonmembers $48. thetrustees.org. Play Date: Painting Your World. Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit our galleries, find artwork to remember, and try new gallery games during this day where kids rule at the ICA. Members free, nonmembers $15, youths 17 and under free. icaboston.org. Fall Farm Festival. Weir River Farm, 164 Turkey Hill Ln., Hingham. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the fall harvest season with some good old fun, including a visit with our farm animals, pumpkin painting, fresh-pressed apple ciders, farm tattoos, live music, and more. Member cars $24, nonmember cars $30. thetrustees.org. Shinrin-Yoku Forest Breathing Guided Sanctuary Walks. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn to connect with the natural world in a healing, calming, grounding, and replenishing way through a series of gentle guided walks. Register ahead. Member adults $3.50, children $2; nonmember adults $4.50, children $3. massaudubon.org. Let’s Go Fly a Kite. Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop in as we head outside and experiment with simple materials to create one-of-a-kind kites, and test out basic kite designs or come up with your own. Free with admission. Members free; nonmembers $12.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Sept. 23, 24,30 + Oct. 1

Monarch Tagging at Allens Pond. Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 180 Horseneck Rd., Westport. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Learn about the amazing monarch butterfly, how to properly handle and tag them, and perform additional scientific investigations aimed at understanding their migration. For ages 5 and up. Register ahead. Members $10, nonmembers $12. massaudubon.org.

A SCAVENGER HUNT, APPEARANCES FROM KAI AND SKILLS COMPETITION

Snow White and Other Stories. Puppet Showplace Theater, 32 Station St., Brookline. 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Watch as three fairy tales come to life as you have never seen them before in this imaginative production from Little Red Riding Hood, to the Princess and the Pea, and Snow White. Members $8, nonmembers $12. puppetshowplace.org. Smurfs: The Lost Village. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Enjoy this adventure following a band of white-capped, blue Smurfs as they return to the real world on a mischievous adventure. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Visit our website for more information BOSTON.LEGOLANDDISCOVERYCENTER.COM LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2017 The LEGO Group.

Homestead Fiber Arts: Pop, Drop, and Spin. Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468 ninjagoedit.indd 1

8/21/17 BAYSTATEPARENT 272:30 PM

fun f o s y a d o w T e for the whol family! The Life is Good Kids Foundation is the official charity partner of Kidsfest

27th Annual

Troy Wunderle Stilt Walking, Stage Shows and Circus Area

Rainforest Reptile Show

Flying High Frisbee Dogs

Rainforest Reptile Showsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; one in a million traveling program engages kids of all ages at a hands on level. You will have the chance to come into direct contact with our live reptiles, artifacts, and their incredible stories.

An act that is youth and family friendly, performing a variety of frisbee and other entertaining tricks throughout the show using incredibly athletic border collie dogs.

Entertainment

Josh & Other Highlights

Play wi featur samp

Proud Sponsors

Gramma Potts

Juggles & Glitter

Magic Steve

Balloon Animals

Balloon Animals & Face Painting

Stage & Walk Around Magic Shows

28 SEPTEMBER2017

eptember 23-24, 2017 10am-5pm

Activities Ninja Warrior Course presented by Sterling Gym Field Game Zone

Maximum Velocity BMX Team

Ninja Tarzan

Maximum Velocity Stunt Team has been providing high-energy, full-out entertainment all over the United State and the World. Each show/performance is a full-on, action-packed experience.

Music

Saturday

& The Jam Tones All Weekend

Nicholas Coolridge and Travis Brewer are pushing the limits of the human body to create inspiring art for the world. These movement artists consider themselves modern day super heroes using their powers for good.

Sunday

Sequence Bradley James

Slope Learning Area

Bungee Jump Climbing Wall Pony Rides Baby Animal Petting Zoo Moonbounces Princeton Firetruck More than 50 vendors

ith your Food Tent baystateparent Wachusettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous food court ring food vendors, Cover Model Contest & additional specialty food trucks pling and activities sign up for a photoshoot during the event Scenic SkyRide to the Wachusett Summit

And much more!!

Adults (12yr and up), $10 Advance, $13 Door; Children 3-12, $8 Advance, $11 Door, *Children 2& under are FREE Admission PLUS (Admission plus one trip on the SkyRide) Adult: $18 Advance, $21 Door, Ages 6-12: $14 Advance, $17 Door

Details & Tickets at www.wachusett.com 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA

978-464-2300

Wachusett Mountain operates in cooperation with the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation BAYSTATEPARENT 29

30 SEPTEMBER2017

baystateparent PRESENTS THE

Best of the Best!

Photography by Barnes Portrait Design, East Brookfield www.BarnesPortraitDesign.com BAYSTATEPARENT 31

Best Family Indoor Attraction Winner: EcoTarium Winnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Photos by Elizabeth Brooks

Family Fun 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 Best Fair, Festival or Special Event Winner: The Big E Sept 15-Oct. 1 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield (413) 737-2443 thebige.com Runner-up: stART on the Street Sunday, Sept. 17 Park Avenue, Worcester startonthestreet.org

Best Family Indoor Attraction Winner: EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way, Worcester (508) 929-2700 ecotarium.org Runner-up: Sky Zone, Westborough 290 Turnpike Rd. (508) 870-5867 skyzone.com/westborough Best Family Outdoor Attraction Winner: Davis Farmland 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling (978) 422-6666 davisfarmland.com Runner-up: Old Sturbridge Village 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge (800) 733-1830 osv.org Best Hiking Trail Winner: Purgatory Chasm 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton (508) 234-3733 mass.gov/locations/purgatorychasm-state-reservation

Best Ski/Boarding or Tubing Place Winner: Wachusett Mountain Runner-up: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation 345 Mountain Rd., Princeton (978) 464-2987 mass.gov/locations/wachusett-mountain-state-reservation Best Massachusetts Beach Destination Winner: Cape Cod Runners-up: Salisbury Beach, Salisbury Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester Best Movie Theatre Winner: Blackstone Valley 14: Cinema de Lux The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley 70 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Millbury (800) 315-4000 showcasecinemas.com

Best Afterschool Program Winner: Girls Inc. of Worcester

32 SEPTEMBER2017

Runner-up: West Boylston Cinema 101 W Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-8888 wbcinema.com

Best Museum Winner: Museum of Science 1 Science Park, Boston (617) 723-2500 mos.org Runner-up: EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way, Worcester (508) 929-2700 ecotarium.org Best New England Vacation Winner: Cape Cod Runner-up: North Conway, NH Best Pick Your Own Orchard Winner: Tougas Farm 234 Ball St., Northborough (508) 393-6406 tougasfamilyfarm.com Runner-up: Brookfield Orchards 12 Lincoln Rd., North Brookfield (508) 867-6858 brookfieldorchardsonline.com

Best Place to Picnic Winner: Purgatory Chasm 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton (508) 234-3733 mass.gov/locations/purgatorychasm-state-reservation Runner-up: Moore State Park 1 Sawmill Rd., Paxton (508) 792-3969 mass.gov/locations/moore-state-park Best Ski/Boarding or Tubing Place Winner: Wachusett Mountain 345 Mountain Rd., Princeton (978) 464-2987 wachusett.com Runner-up: Ski Ward 1000 Main St., Shrewsbury (508) 845-1797 skiward.com

(508) 755-3922 shrewsburychildren.com Runner-up: God’s Little Children Preschool & Kindergarten 574 Lake St., Shrewsbury (508) 792-3535 Best Children’s Library Winner: Shrewsbury Public Library 609 Main St. shrewsburyma.gov/344/Library Runner-up: Worcester Public Library 3 Salem Square, mywpl.org Best Dance Studio Winner: Greendale Dance Academy 15 Ararat St., Worcester (508) 854-1434 greendaledanceacademy.com

Runner-up: Gymnastics Learning Center 574 Lake St, Shrewsbury (508) 792-1551 gymnasticslearningcenter.org Best Local Gym or Exercise Facility Winner: Greendale Family Branch YMCA 75 Shore Dr., Worcester (508) 852-6694 ymcaofcm.org/locations/greendalefamily-branch Runner-up: Fitness Asylum 56 Summer St., Shrewsbury (Also in Boylston, Hudson) (617) 967-0042 fitness-asylum.com

Best Parent/Child Class Winner: Metrowest Yoga 69 Milk St. #100, Westborough (Also in Worcester) (508) 366-5025 metrowestyoga.net Runner-up: Gymnastics Learning Center 574 Lake St, Shrewsbury (508) 792-1551 gymnasticslearningcenter.org Best Parochial School Winner: 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

Parties, Activities, Learning

Best Party Rental Winner: Magic World 149 Memorial Dr., Shrewsbury (508) 842-2177 magicworldamuse.com

Best Afterschool Program Winner: Girls Inc. of Worcester 25 Providence St. (508) 755-6455 girlsincworcester.org

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

Runner-up: artReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com

Best Preschool Winner: Saint Peter Central Catholic School, Worcester 865 Main St., Worcester (508) 791-6496 stpetercentralcatholic.com

Best Art Studio Winner: Claytime 124 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (508) 798-9950 claytimestudio.com

Runner-up: St. Mary’s Schools 50 Richland St., Worcester (508) 753-1170 stmarysworcester.org

Runner-up: artReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com Best Birthday Party Entertainer Winner: Magic World 149 Memorial Dr., Shrewsbury (508) 842-2177 magicworldamuse.com Runner-up: Magician Steven Craig (800) 345-8335 kidshowmagician.com Best Birthday Party Venue Winner: artReach 322 West Boylston St., Worcester (774) 262-3953 artreachstudioafs.com Runner-up: Playtown Express 150 Cordaville Rd., Southborough (508) 480-0022 playtownexpress.com Best Childcare Winner: Shrewsbury Children’s Center 138 N Quinsigamond Ave., Shrewsbury

Best Birthday Party Entertainer and Best Party Rental Winner: Magic World, Shrewsbury Runner-up: H&H Dance Academy 175 W Main St., Millbury (508) 865-0083 hhdanceacademy.com

Best Martial Arts Studio Winner: Sterling Martial Arts 15 Industrial Dr., Sterling (978) 422-7655 sterlingmartialarts.com

Best Day Camp Winner: WPI Sports Camps Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Rd. (508) 831-4900, wpi.edu

Runner-up: MJA Martial Arts 559 Main St., Sturbridge (508) 455-4253 mjamartialarts.com

Runner-up: Girls Inc. of Worcester 25 Providence St. (508) 755-6455 girlsincworcester.org Best Gymnastics Studio Winner: Giguere Gymnastics, Leicester 148 Main St., Cherry Valley (508) 892-3797, gigueregym.com

Best Music School Winner: Worcester Music Academy 9 Irving St., Worcester (508) 635-6900 worcestermusicacademy.com Winner: Pakachoag Music School 203 Pakachoag St., Auburn (508) 791-8159 pakmusic.org

Best Private School Winner: St. Peter-Marian 781 Grove St., Worcester (508) 852-5555 spmguardians.org Runner-up: Saint John’s High School 378 Main St., Shrewsbury stjohnshigh.org Best Skating Rink Winner: Buffone Skating Rink 284 Lake Ave., Worcester (508) 799-0910 fmcicesports.com/rink/worcesterbuffone-skating-arena Runner-up: New England Sports Center 121 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough (508) 229-2700, nes.com Best Sleep Away Camp Winner: WPI Frontiers Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Rd. (508) 831-4900, wpi.edu BAYSTATEPARENT 33

Special Needs Services Winner: Seven Hills Foundation 81 Hope Ave., Worcester (508) 755-2340 sevenhills.org

Runner-up: Camp Putnam 141 Rutherford Rd., New Braintree (508) 867-6895 campputnam.org Best Theatre Program/Camp Winner: The Hanover Theatre Youth Summer Program 2 Southbridge St., Worcester (877) 571-7469 thehanovertheatre.org

Runner-up: The Whole Child, Inc. 2 Maple Ave, Upton (508) 603-1711 thewholechildmatters.org Best Speech-Language Therapy Winner: Speech & Language Specialties 364 Boston Turnpike Road, Suite 1A, Shrewsbury (508) 757-6981, slspecial.com

Runner-up: Apple Tree Arts 1 Grafton Common, Grafton (508) 839-4286 appletreearts.org

Special Needs Best Advocacy Organization Winner: Seven Hills Foundation 81 Hope Ave., Worcester (508) 755-2340 sevenhills.org Runner-up: The Whole Child, Inc. 2 Maple Ave, Upton (508) 603-1711 thewholechildmatters.org Best After School Program Winner: The Children’s Workshop (multiple locations) childrensworkshop.com

Runner-up: Worcester Center for Expressive Therapy (774) 243-7992 wcetherapy.com

Best Private School Winner: St. Peter-Marian, Worcester Runner-up: Oakham Country Day School 971 Old Turnpike Rd. (508) 882-3198 oakhamcountryday.com Best Camp Winner: WPI Summer Camps Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Rd. (508) 831-4900, wpi.edu

Runner-up: YMCA of Central Massachusetts (multiple locations) ymcaofcm.org

Best Therapy Facility Winner: Seven Hills Foundation 81 Hope Ave., Worcester (508) 755-2340, sevenhills.org Runners-up (tie): The Whole Child, Inc. 2 Maple Ave, Upton (508) 603-1711 thewholechildmatters.org

Best Museum/Attraction Winner: Davis Farmland 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling (978) 422-6666 davisfarmland.com Runner-up: Museum of Science 1 Science Park, Boston (617) 723-2500, mos.org

Worcester Center for Expressive Therapy (774) 243-7992 wcetherapy.com

Thank You baystateparent Readers! It was SWEET of you to vote us BEST BAKERY! Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 339 W Boylston St. West Boylston 508-853-3434 Gerardo’s European Bakery 232 Turnpike Rd. Westborough 508-366-1845 Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 125 Still River Rd. Bolton 978-779-5200

Visit us at all four locations 34 SEPTEMBER2017

Now Open - Our New Location Gerardo’s Cupcakes Galore and More Quinsigamond Plaza, Shrewsbury 508-925-5151

gerardositalianbakery.com

Businesses & Services Best Bank Winner: Commerce Bank (multiple locations) bankatcommerce.com Runner-up: Webster Five Bank (multiple locations) web5.com

Patrick Motors Inc. (multiple locations) patrickmotors.com Runner-up: Mill Street Motors 253 Mill St., Worcester (508) 799-2622 millstreetmotors.com

Best Car Wash Winner: Ernie’s Auto Wash (multiple locations) erniesautowash.com Runner-up: ScrubaDub Car Wash (multiple locations) scrubadub.com

Runner-up: Katrina Lawton Photography 99 Shrewsbury St., Worcester (508) 713-6684, katrinalawton.com Best Consignment Store Winner: Children’s Orchard 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-5437 childrensorchard.com

Best Bike Shop Winner: Landry’s Bicycles (multiple locations) landrys.com Runner-up: Barney’s Bicycle 582 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 799-2453, barneysbicycle.com

Runner-up: Smarty Pants Children’s Consignment, Auburn 850 Southbridge St. 508-832-0066 smartypantsstores.com

Best Book Store/Independent Winner: Tatnuck Bookseller 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-4959, tatnuck.com

Best Credit Union Winner: Digital Federal Credit Union (multiple locations) dcu.org

Runner-up: Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester 65 James St.(508) 796-5613 anniesbooksworcester.com Best Car Dealer Winners (tie): Lundgren Honda of Auburn 163 Washington St. (855) 230-0305 lundgrenhondaofauburn.com

Best Children’s Photographer Winner: Tiny Toes and Little Bows Photography 177 Gardner Rd., Hubbardston (978) 754-1054 tinytoesandlittlebows.com

Runner-up: Worcester Credit Union 520 West Boylston St., Worcester worcestercu.com

Best Childcare Winner: Shrewsbury Children’s Center

Best Flower Shop Winner: Danielson Florist 660 Main St., Shrewsbury (508) 842-8992 danielsonflowers.com

THANK YOU BAYSTATEPARENT READERS FOR RECOGNIZING US AS THE BEST CHILD CARE!

Fall 2017 Enrollment – Limited Spots Available. Kindergarten Program Fall 2017 - Enrollment OPEN. Call us today to book a tour and see our Center! Let our family care for Yours.

Infant (from 12 wks) • Toddler • Preschool • Pre-Kindergarten • Full Day Kindergarten

Conveniently located in Shrewsbury 138 North Quinsigamond Ave. • 508-755-3922

www.shrewsburychildren.com

R VE E O R G TINOF CA A R S LEB R C E 5 YE A 3 BAYSTATEPARENT 35

Runner-up: La Jolie Fleur 263 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 752-2272 lajoliefleur.com Best Haircut for Kids Winner: Snip-its Haircuts for Kids (multiple locations) snipits.com Runner-up: Matt’s at the Buzzer Barbershop 118 Elm St., Millbury (508) 865-2047 mattsatthebuzzer.com Best Health Insurance Company Winner: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (800) 262-BLUE bluecrossma.com Runner-up: Fallon Community Health Plan 20 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (800) 868-5200 fchp.org Best Home Appliances Winner: Percy’s 19 Glennie St., Worcester (508) 438-6800 percys.com Runner-up: Whitco 140 Main St., Spencer (508) 885-9343 whitcosales.com

Best Theatre Program/Camp Winner: The Hanover Theatre Youth Summer Program, Worcester

Best Home Heating Winner: Peterson Oil 75 Crescent St., Worcester (508) 368-1000 petersonoil.com Runner-up: ckSmithSuperior 99 Crescent St., Worcester (508) 753-1475 cksmithsuperior.com Best Home/Auto Insurance Company Winner: The Commerce Insurance Company, Webster 211 Main St. (800) 922-8276 mapfreinsurance.com Runner-up: Sullivan, Garrity & Donnelly/Marshall & Diggins (multiple locations) (800) 287-8501 sgdins.com Best Jewelry Store Winner: Sach’s Jewelers 180 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (508) 792-2300 sachsjewelers.com Runner-up: Sharfmans Jewelers 19 Glennie St. B, Worcester (508) 791-2211

36 SEPTEMBER2017

Best Speech-Language Therapy Winner: Speech & Language Specialties, Shrewsbury Best Landscaping Winner: Woody’s Lawn Service, Millbury (508) 667-5033 woodys-lawn-service.com

Best Mom’s Salon or Spa Winner: Tu Moda 574 Pleasant St., Worcester (508) 754-1513 tumodaspa.com

Best Pet Store Winner: Gibson’s Pet Store 994 Grafton St., Worcester (508) 926-8628 gibsonsnaturalpet.com

Runner-up: Green Boys Landscapes 220 Sturbridge Rd., Charlton (774) 230-2940 greenboyslandscapes.com

Runner-up: Simple Indulgence Day Spa 598 Main St., Fiskdale (508) 347-5505 simpleindulgencedayspa.com

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

Best Shopping Center/Mall Winner: Shoppes At Blackstone Valley 70 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Millbury (617) 232-8900 shopsatblackstonevalley.com Runner-up: Natick Collection 1245 Worcester St., Natick (508) 655-4800 natickmall.com Best Store for Kids’ Clothes Winner: Children’s Orchard 18 Lyman St., Westborough (508) 366-5437 childrensorchard.com Runner-up: Button Tree Kids 1102 Pleasant St., Worcester (508) 926-8710 buttontreekids.com Best Tire Store Winner: C & R Tire 111 Randolph Rd., Worcester (508) 852-6464 crtire.com

Runner-up: The Queens Cups 56 Water St., Worcester (508) 459-9600 thequeenscups.com

THANK YOU for voting us BEST BANK

Best Breakfast Spot Winner: Lou Roc’s Diner 1074 W Boylston St., Worcester (508) 852-6888 Runner-up: BirchTree Bread Company 138 Green St. #5, Worcester (774) 243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com Best Buffet Winner: Nancy Chang 372 Chandler St., Worcester (508) 752-8899 nancychang.com Runner-up: Jasmine Restaurant 711 Southbridge St., Auburn (508) 832-8868

It’s really our customers that made the difference. Commerce Bank is proud to maintain the standard of quality which began when we opened our doors. We have a strong commitment to the well-being and vitality of the communities we serve. Enjoy our convenient locations, our convenient hours and our full offering of financial products and services.

VOTED

baystate

parent

Best

OF 2017

www.BankAtCommerce.com

Thank You baystateparent Readers for Voting us #1!

Best Bakery Winner: Gerardo’s (multiple locations) Runner-up: Harding Tire 180 Harding St., Worcester (774) 670-5137 hardingtirecoinc.com Best Women’s Boutique Winner: French Twist 1098 Pleasant St., Worcester (774) 437-9192 facebook.com/shopfrenchtwist Runner-up: Boutique Paisley 40 N Main St., North Grafton (508) 730-8585 facebook.com/boutiquepaisley

Food & Dining Best Bakery Winner: Gerardo’s (multiple locations) gerardositalianbakery.com

Best Burger Place Winner: The Fix Burger Bar 106 Grove St., Worcester (774) 823-3327 thefixburgerbar.com Runner-up: Wild Willy’s Burger’s 317 W Boylston St., Worcester (508) 459-2088 Best Frozen Yogurt Shop Winner: Wooberry 141 Highland St., Worcester (508) 907-2482 wooberryyogurt.com Runner-up: Swirls & Scoops 68 Worcester St., North Grafton (508) 839-9036 facebook.com/SwirlsAndScoops

Pet Supplies Daycare Grooming Training

Worcester • 508-926-8628

994 Grafton St. (Rt. 122) www.GibsonsNaturalPet.com BAYSTATEPARENT 37

Best Haircut for Kids Winner: Snip-its Haircuts for Kids (multiple locations)

Best Consignment Store, Winner: Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Orchard, Westborough

Best Tire Store Winner: C & R Tire, Worcester 38 SEPTEMBER2017

Best Frozen Yogurt Shop Winner: Wooberry, Worcester

Thank You for Voting Us Best Speech & Language Therapy!

We believe every child is unique and through specialized programs help your child achieve success in school and life. • Social communication therapy • Executive function coaching • Individual speech & language therapy • Parent education/Consultation • Ages 2 through 22 years Best Hospital Winner: UMass, Worcester Best Hot Dog Stand Winner: Hot Dog Annie’s 244 Paxton St., Leicester (508) 892-9059 Runner-up: Coney Island 158 Southbridge St., Worcester (508) 753-4362 coneyislandlunch.com Best Ice Cream Stand Winner: Meola’s Wayside Ice Cream (multiple locations) meolasicecream.com Runner-up: West End Creamery 481 Purgatory Rd., Whitinsville (508) 234-2022 westendcreamery.com Best Kids’ Meals Winner: Red Rock Grill & Bar 66 W Main St., Upton (508) 529-0500 redrockgrillandbar.com Runner-up: Annie’s Country Kitchen 140 Main St., Sturbridge (508) 347-2320 anniescountrykitchen.com Best Pizza Place Winner: Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice 268 Chandler St., Worcester (774) 530-6000 antoniospizza.com Runner-up: Rail Trail Flatbread Co. 33 Main St., Hudson (978) 293-3552 railtrailflatbread.com Best Place for Family Dinner Winner: Boynton Restaurant 119 Highland St., Worcester (508) 756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: O’Connor’s Restaurant 1160 W Boylston St., Worcester (508) 853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com

Best Restaurant Winner: The Sole Proprietor 118 Highland St., Worcester (508) 798-3474 thesole.com Runner-up: O’Connor’s Restaurant 1160 W Boylston St., Worcester (508) 853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com Restaurant for Families with Allergies Winner: Il Forno, West Boylston 65 W Boylston St. (508) 835-3700 il-forno.com Runner-up: Red Rock Grill & Bar 66 W Main St, Upton (508) 529-0500 redrockgrillandbar.com

Health & Wellness Animal Hospital Winner: Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts 55 Willard St., North Grafton (508) 839-5395 vet.tufts.edu/cvmc/ Runner-up: Putnam Veterinary Clinic 824 Main St, Shrewsbury (508) 842-6498 facebook.com/pages/PutnamVeterinary-Clinic Best Boarding/Kennel Winner: The Barkwood Inn 462 Worcester Rd., Charlton (508) 248-7474 thebarkwoodinn.com Runner-up: Daltons Cherrywood Kennel 780 Grafton St., Shrewsbury (508) 755-5551 cherrywoodkennel.com

Group Schedules School Year - Groups meet for 16 weeks, once a week for one hour Summer - Groups meet for 5 weeks, twice a week for one hour For further information, please visit our website at www.slspecial.com or contact Jessica Padula MS, CCC-SLP at 508-757-6981 or jpadula@slspecial.com 364 Boston Turnpike Road, Suite 1A, Shrewsbury MA 01545 www.slspecial.com

THANK YOU

baystateparent readers for voting us best of in two categories! Best Party Rental Best Birthday Party Entertainer

Walter Derosier, Mr Magic 149 Memorial Drive, Shrewsbury, MA

508-842-2177 magicworldamuse.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

Best Dog Groomer Winner: Woof Pet Resort 394 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury (508) 842-9663, woof-petresort.com

Fertility Practice Winner: Brigham and Women’s (888) 761-3413 infertility.brighamandwomens.org

Runner-up: The Pampered Pet 711 Pleasant St., Paxton (508) 799-6176 thepamperedpetpaxtonma.com

Runner-up: IVF New England (multiple locations) ivfne.com

Best Dog Groomer Winner: Woof Pet Resort, Shrewsbury

Thank you baystateparent readers for voting us BEST PEDIATRICIAN for the second year! Auburn Office 105 Millbury St., Auburn, MA 508-832-9691

Shrewsbury Office 604 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 508-842-1500

Visit us at www.childhealthassociates.net

THANK YOU

baystateparent readers for voting us

BEST ART STUDIO!

Best place for parties, adult and kids workshop, and getting your creative side on!

paint your own pottery & creative art studio Visit Claytime for pottery painting, glass fusing, beading, mosaics, holiday gift ideas and more. Route 9, Shrewsbury (Next to White City East) • (508)798-9950 Visit WWW.CLAYTIMESTUDIO.COM

40 SEPTEMBER2017

Best Hospital Winner: UMass Memorial Health Care (multiple locations) (508) 334-1000 umassmemorialhealthcare.org Runner-up: St. Vincent Hospital 123 Summer St., Worcester (508) 363-5000 stvincenthospital.com Best OB/GYN Practice Winner: Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health of Central MA (multiple locations) whcma.comâ&#x20AC;¨ Runner-up: Shrewsbury OB/GYN 555 Main St., 2nd Floor, Shrewsbury (508) 842-2010 shrewsburyobgyn.com Best Optometrist or Ophthalmologist Winner: Reliant/Southboro Medical Group 24-28 Newton St., Southborough (508) 481-5500 reliantmedicalgroup.org Runners-up (tie): Dr. Pamela Anderson, Worcester Ophthalmology Associates 25 Oak Ave., Worcester (508) 421-2010 woadocs.org

Shrewsbury Family Eyecare 58 Main St. # A, Shrewsbury (508) 845-6414 neilpcaseyod.com Best Orthodontist Winner: Central Massachusetts Orthodontic Associates, Worcester 100 MLK Jr. Blvd., Suite 500, Worcester (508) 753-2489, tightbite.com Runner-up: Lahair & Gallagher Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 102 Shore Dr., Suite 302, Worcester (508) 854-9994 fightingdecay.com Best Pediatric Dentist Winner: Dr. Tony Saito 67 West Boylston St., West Boylston (508) 835-6752 drtonysaito.com Runner-up: Lahair & Gallagher Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 102 Shore Dr., Suite 302, Worcester (508) 854-9994 fightingdecay.com Best Pediatrician Winner: Child Health Associates 105 Millbury St., Auburn (508) 832-9691 childhealthassociates.net

Thank you for voting us BEST OB/GYN Practice whcma.com 508-755-4861

Now offering Girls Hockey in Partnership with the ALL NEW Worcester Railers!

FALL OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 28th 9am to Noon Register at www.spmguardians.org or call 508-852-5555 x 114

325 Thompson Rd.

340 Maple St.

328 Shrewsbury St.

Webster Lake

Marlborough

Worcester

BAYSTATEPARENT 41

Best Pizza Place Winner: Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice Runner-up: Reliant Medical Group Pediatrics (multiple locations) (800) 283-2556 reliantmedicalgroup.org Best Veterinarian Winner: Sturbridge Veterinary Hospital 6 Cedar St., Sturbridge (508) 347-7374 sturbridgevethospital.com Runner-up: Riverlin Animal Hospital 287 Riverlin St., Millbury (508) 865-4075 riverlinvet.com

Thank You

for voting Gigueres

st e B gymnastics facility • GYMNASTICS • DANCE • KUNG FU • AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM • DISCOVERY SCHOOLHOUSE

FALL CLASSES REGISTERING NOW! www.gigueregym.com • 508-892-3797 148 Main St., Cherry Valley

42 SEPTEMBER2017

Our pediatrics department

TEAMKIDS makes every kid feel like a star player.

Our pediatrics department is currently accepting new patients. Find a pediatrician and learn more about our child- and family-centered services at reliantmedicalgroup.org.

Reliant-33403 Summer 2017 Pediatric Print_925x11.indd 1

BAYSTATEPARENT 43 8/21/17 10:57 AM

FINALLY FOREVER

SURVEY:

More Americans Considering Children in Foster Care When Looking to Adopt

By the time Olivia was 10 years old, she’d spent more than half her life in foster care. “It was painful because I never knew what was going to happen,” she said. “I never knew if I was going to get to stay or if I would have to move again.” Unfortunately for Olivia, she was forced to move from house to house for seven years while living in foster care. Just as she was getting settled, she’d have to pick up and leave. Until the day she met Dwain and Lorie Hargis. “I had never even imagined adoption, not at any point in my life,” said Lorie Hargis. “But this felt absolutely natural, like she belonged here and was meant to be a part of our family.”

The transformation that took place in the Hargis home in Cecilia, Kentucky, reflects a shift in attitudes across the country when it comes to adopting children in foster care. According to a new national survey conducted by Nielson on behalf of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 25% of people who have not adopted in the United States have considered adoption. Of those individuals, nearly 80% have considered foster care adoption, which is up 7% from 2012, and an alltime high. “There is a much more robust conversation in this country about

children in foster care than in the past, which is giving more children hope,” said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “These children are just like any other child. They’ve simply had a rough start in life, but they are available for adoption and deserve a permanent family and a safe home.” Currently, there are more than 110,000 children in foster care in the United States waiting to be adopted. Sadly, each year more than 20,000 children age out of foster care without a family, putting them at risk for negative outcomes such

as homelessness and unemployment. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is unique in that it focuses on finding adoptive families for children in foster care, specifically older children, sibling groups, and children with special needs. Most of the children served by the foundation have been in foster care for more than five years. “Our caseworkers do an extensive analysis of these children, talking to their teachers, social workers who’ve had interactions with them, and even former foster families, trying to match the child with the perfect family,” Soronen said. “It is a very thorough approach, but one that’s extremely rewarding when we’re able to find them a permanent home.” Among the other findings from the survey, 80% of Americans understand that children are in foster care because of abuse or neglect, and through no fault of their own. Fifty-

September’s Child: Shane Shane is a sensitive 11-year-old Caucasian boy who can be gentle and caring. He is described as cheerful, loving, and playful. Shane enjoys playing football, as well as many other sports. He also likes playing with Legos and loves animals, especially dogs. Shane has an Individual Education Plan and attends a regular classroom with pull-outs for special education. Shane needs a lot of reassurance and support. He can tantrum when his 44 SEPTEMBER2017

routine is broken or he doesn’t get his way, but it has become less frequent. His social worker feels Shane would do well in a structured home environment with two parents who have a lot of patience. He would do well in any family constellation. Shane is legally free for adoption. For more information regarding Shane, please contact Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption

Supervisor Eileen Griffin at 978-3533629. The Worcester DCF Office hosts monthly informational meetings for those wishing to learn more about the adoption process in general. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 6 – 7 p.m. The DCF Adoption Development & Licensing Unit’s Office is located at 13 Sudbury St. in Worcester. Please call (508) 929-2143 to find out specifics about the next meeting as well as for parking.

eight percent also agree that every child is adoptable, up from 51% in 2012. Foundation officials say they are thrilled to see this particular shift in attitude and will continue their long-standing and passionate awareness campaign that is helping Americans to see that unadoptable is unacceptable. “Every child is adoptable,” Lorie Hargis noted. “Every child deserves to have a family to love and care for them. I don’t know where I would be without my adopted children because they have enriched my life so much.” In a few short years, The Hargises, who never considered adoption, now have a home full of adopted children. And Olivia, who’d spent most of her life moving from house to house, has never felt more at home.

“I now have my own family,” Olivia said. “And with the support of Mom and Dad, we can all achieve what we want to achieve. We can climb mountains.” “The Hargis family really personifies not only our mission, but the findings of the survey we conducted,” Soronen noted. “The change in attitudes we’re seeing when it comes to adopting children in foster care is encouraging and life changing.” For the first time, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption also included survey questions about

attitudes toward foster care in general. The results are available on the Foundation’s website: davethomasfoundation.org. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 100,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the foundation implements evidencebased, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns, and innovative grant making. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA. — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Support and Strategies for Parents of Infants Through Teens

Parenting Solutions • Discipline strategies that work • Sleep and bedtime problems • Changing disrespectful behavior • Helping children with behavior problems in preschool settings • Keeping your teen out of trouble • Dealing with parenting differences • Solving stepfamily problems

Circle of Friends AREA ADOPTION EVENTS: Tuesday, Sept. 5: Western Region Adoption Info Meeting — Department of Children and Families, 140 High St., 5th Floor, Springfield. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (413) 452-3369. No registration required. Monday, Sept. 11: Northern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Jordan’s

• Making divorce work for children

Furniture, 50 Walkers Brook Dr., IMAX Conference Room, Reading. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. No RSVP required. Email victoriat@mareinc.org for more information. Wednesday, Sept. 13: Central Region Adoption Info Meeting — ADLU Worcester. 13 Sudbury St., Worcester. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (508) 929-2413.

Visit our website for more information www.parentingsolutionsprograms.com

Monday, Sept. 18: Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting, Canton Police Department Conference Room, 1492 Washington St., Canton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: (508) 894-3830.

PARENTING SOLUTIONS

6 Colonial Drive Suite 2, Westboro, MA 508-366-7557

Sylvia Sirignano, Ph.D. Developmental Psychologist, Director

Wednesday, Sept. 20: Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-989-9209.

Individual Parent Consultations Marital Mediation • Divorce Mediation Post-divorce Mediation and Consultation

Over 75 Classes For All Ages

Conservatory Open House Wednesday September 6* Meet the staff and learn about classes.

FALL SEMESTER BEGINS SEPT 10

CONSERVATORY TheHanoverTheatre.org/conservatory

2 Southbridge Street • Worcester, MA

ACT SING DANCE DESIGN

*Email education@thehanovertheatre.org or call Kelly at 508.471.1765 to RSVP. BAYSTATEPARENT 45

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Two Housing Options for Adults with Developmental Disabilities BY MARSHAL D. HANEISEN, ILLUSTRATION BY JOAN SAVITT

Carl Baker of Leominster has worked in human services for the past 15 years. When he and his husband bought their first home, they had extra room — so much so, they enrolled in the Seven Hills Shared Living program, in which they provide independent living space for a woman with developmental disabilities. A common concern amongst parents of children with develop46 SEPTEMBER2017

mental disabilities is the worry of where their child will live in adulthood. One means of addressing that anxiety is to research and learn about the options — and there are many. Two housing options to consider are Shared Living and Adult Family (Foster) Care. “Shared Living and Adult Family (Foster) Care, or AFC, are both individualized approaches to housing and long-term care,” said Amanda

Maron, area director for Seven Hills. Maron is based out of the Fitchburg Family Support Center for Seven Hills; Seven Hills manages approximately 500 Shared Living and AFC arrangements in Massachusetts. Shared Living and Adult Family Care have many similarities, Maron said. One primary difference is the funding source. Shared Living is financially supported through

the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and any individuals seeking a Shared Living placement must be registered with that office. AFC is funded through Medicaid, and anyone approved for MassHealth Standard can apply. Both programs are person-centered, which means the goal is to meet the needs and wishes of the individual, allowing him or her to live in a home envi-

ronment providing opportunities for independence, as well as community inclusion.

Inside Shared Living In a Shared Living arrangement, the individual lives in the home of a trained provider. Providers, and sometimes members of the provider’s family, participate in extensive training in preparation for this important role. Trainings include, but are not limited to, human rights, first aid and CPR, and de-escalation and positive behavior supports, as well as administering medication, if applicable. In addition to the basic training program, Seven Hills provides more personalized training and guidance based upon the needs of the individual, Maron said. Sometimes, Shared Living providers are inspired to the role from their prior experience in the care field, like Baker. He started working in group homes in college and eventually ran them. He has an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology, and a graduate degree in public administration. “I love the idea of mission-driven work to help change someone’s life,” he said. When Baker and his husband bought their house it was the first time in their lives together that they had extra room. After learning about Shared Living, Baker mentioned it to his husband one day, almost as a joke. That joking suggestion planted a seed that grew. “The more we thought about it, the more I thought this could be something to look into further. I reached out to co-workers who had done it to ask what was good and what challenges they faced,” he said. Seven Hills worked with the couple to find a great match. The organization coordinated meetings, dinners, and overnight visits to ensure the dynamics were compatible. “We really got lucky, our match was unbelievably great from Day One,” he said. Shared Living providers typically

serve as occasional overnight respite providers for a period of time before transitioning to a full-time placement. The Bakers provided overnight respite for the young woman, who was in the process of selecting a permanent placement. Seven Hills is committed to the person-centered nature of the program, so individuals meet with multiple potential provider families. The individuals decide which provider family they would like as a permanent home. In January, she picked Baker and his husband to be her permanent providers, he said. “In the seven months we have

Seven Hills builds in overnight and day respite hours for an individual, as well as vacation time for the providers. The Seven Hills Family Support centers have a pool of trained respite providers available to help back up Shared Living and AFC providers. “We also encourage providers to connect with each other and organize events to bring providers together,” Maron said. Seven Hills Family Support Centers host activities allowing providers to build a social and support network. Maron sees many families seeking out Shared Living or other semi-

“We have gotten as much out of this as she has. There is a real excitement that comes along with expanding your family.” — Carl Baker, Shared Living Provider

been doing Shared Living, she has really grown — flourished. She has matured a lot,” Baker said. The couple even renovated their basement to provide the woman with a bigger, almost apartment-like space, affording her more independence. According to Baker, she inspires them to get out more and do fun activities with her, like going to the beach and Skyzone. They even started attending her church and see her mom there every week. “We have gotten as much out of this as she has. There is a real excitement that comes along with expanding your family,” he said.

independent housing options when an individual is between 22 and 28 years old. Shared Living can be discussed during the transition to adulthood planning with the DDS transition coordinator, who will then make the referral to a provider agency, such as Seven Hills.

Adult Family Care In the AFC program, an individual often lives in their home with their parents, however the family can obtain financial assistance for providing housing and living supports.

According to Jared Moore, Seven Hills assistant vice president, the AFC program was initially created to meet the needs of the elderly. Now, it also provides a housing model for adults with developmental disabilities. AFC is available from the time an individual is 16, however, the AFC provider cannot be the individual’s legal guardian. “Sometimes we see situations where an adult sibling is made guardian so mom and dad can be the AFC providers,” Maron said. Each agency has slight variations to their Shared Living and AFC programs, so parents should research options. Baker’s advice to parents is to reach out to other parents and families who have experienced the program. The anxiety around not knowing can be worse than finding out what is available, he said. He also emphasized the importance of allowing an individual to be as independent as possible. “I know from my past work experience, that it is really difficult for parents,” he noted, recognizing that parents spend their lives advocating for their children. But sometimes that advocacy might include letting people fail and learn through mistakes, because that is part of maturing and growing, he said. Moore and Maron have seen amazing success stories in both models. In some situations, the Shared Living relationship is more like peers or roommates. In other scenarios, the dynamic is similar to an individual becoming part of the provider’s family, they said. For more information on Shared Living and AFC program through Seven Hills, visit the Residential Options section under the Adults tab at sevenhills.org. The website provides contact information for the Seven Hills Family Support Centers located throughout the state. Another important resource when researching options around transitioning to adulthood is your child’s DDS Family Support Service Coordinator.

We’re Here to Help Whether your loved one with special needs is an adult or a child, we can help with: • Special Needs Planning • Guardianship & Alternatives • Transition Planning & Adult Services • Advocacy Visit FletcherTilton.com/seminars-events to learn about our October 28th seminar “How to Administer a Special Needs Trust.” Contact Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. 508.459.8059 or fmisilo@fletchertilton.com

Art by Dominic Killiany, an artist living with autism

WORCESTER | FRAMINGHAM | CAPE COD | PROVIDENCE BAYSTATEPARENT 47

The Developmental

Magic of Music and Children

BY MELISSA SHAW, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH BROWN

childhood music programs provide six distinct benefits:

Seven pairs of parents and preschoolers stand in a circle — but not for long. Soon they’re pretending to be squirrels, digging, swinging their tails, hopping…and singing. At the direction of music educator Jan Barlow, the group quickly becomes ducklings, foreheads on the carpet, posteriors in air, mimicking ducks underwater. The group is still singing, but now there’s a fair amount of giggling emanating from the 3- and 4-year-olds. As the song ends, the group sits, a relatively rare occurrence in this 45-minute early childhood music class, which at times looks more like a fitness class for all its movement. “If we were going to plant a garden, what do we need?” Barlow asks the children.

“Shovels!” “Seeds!” “Halloween!” You never know what you’re going to get from the preschool set, but here in this session at Apple Tree Arts in Grafton, a few things are clear. The kids are having fun, they’re moving and thinking, and,

48 SEPTEMBER2017

• • • • • •

perhaps unknown to their parents — who are matching them note for note and hop for hop — the children are developing their young brains in astounding ways that will benefit them through adulthood. Parent/child music classes are some of the earliest extracurricular activities families can enjoy together. Infants too young to sit up unassisted can perch in their parents’ lap, hold an egg shaker, and absorb

tonal and rhythm patterns. While moms and dads may view the outing as simply a welcome weekly get-together with other adults, music exposure and early childhood classes can be key investments in developing a child in myriad ways. Why Making Music Matters: Singing, Playing, Moving and Sharing in the Early Years, a research paper funded by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, reports that early

Building brains and bodies Forming relationships Communicating and imagining Sharing and managing feelings Being with others Belonging to a community

“Just as exercise builds physical fitness, music can ‘tone’ young brains and bodies,” the report states. “Just like language, music is a shared, expressive, inventive, portable way to be together. If put to work, it can be a powerful force in the lives of young families.” “Music really engages your entire being — your brain, your body, your fine motor skills, your gross motor skills. It’s a full educational development experience,” says Barlow, a 20-year veteran music educator, performer, and musician. “It creates a better whole being. We’re all born with a tendency to being left-brained or right-brained; we work toward that strength naturally. If you add a creative component to that, you’re using both sides of your brain and creating more brain activity.” And, she notes, the earlier exposure to music and movement, the

better: “The more neurons we cross in our brains before the age of 9, they’re ready for you for the rest of your life. At 11, those neurons that are being connected start to prune; the pruning goes on until they’re 25. If you continually expose your children to a positive creative environment — go to live music shows, go to plays, sing and dance every day at home — that can have a huge impact on a child.” Early, continual exposure to music develops the vestibular system, which plays a huge part in creating the whole child, Barlow says. “Your vestibular system — the inner ear — communicates to the rest of your body,” she explains. “It’s all about hearing. It starts 23 days after conception; the vestibular system is able to hear and translate sound. That is the system that creates your ability to move. It talks to your brain, which then talks to your spine. The vestibular system is talking to the brain, which is making all of the systems work. It also creates the development of your sight. Your hearing system is one of the most essential tools to help you grow and develop to the best of your ability.” So what on the surface may look like simple playtime fun — singing songs, clapping, or pretending to be a leaf floating on the wind — is a key building block in a child’s development. “A lot happens in there,” she says of the class. “Everything we do is very purposeful. It looks like a party, and it feels like a party to the kids and the parents, but there’s a beginning, middle and end to everything we’re doing.” Early childhood music classes, such as those offered in music schools across Massachusetts and the world, are paying off in ways far beyond knowing all the words to “Mister Sun,” parents say. “The changes I have seen in Willow from the first class to the last class were dramatic,” says Rebecca Baker, whose 4-year-old was a student in Barlow’s Apple Tree Arts class this year. “She is a sweet, confident little girl with adults, but was a bit shy with children her own age. Miss Jan’s class has truly helped her come out of that shell! It took her until about the last class to sing out loud when called on. What a gift, she was so proud and happy with herself! At home and in public she was just belting out all the many different songs she had learned. Willow would even correct me if I got some lyrics wrong, ‘No, Mom, it goes like this.’” Baker enrolled her daughter seeking an opportunity for more socialization with peers and says she was “surprised at just how much of an effect this class had on Willow’s developing self confidence. It is now a common sight to see her singing

out loud during the course of our day, even when we are out in public.” Danielle Wence’s son and daughter enrolled in Barlow’s class as preschoolers, several years apart, and each received different benefits, she reports. “Because Anna is very reserved, I never expected her to participate and open up so much,” Wence says. “She would get there and she was like a different child: She would sing, she would dance, she was very social. She’s very shy, but she really came out of her shell with the music.” Four-year-old Benjamin takes speech therapy to improve his enunciation, yet Wence notes: “When he sings, we can actually understand him. It’s helped both of my kids in very different ways, which as a parent is super cool to see. We’re going through the same curriculum we did with Anna, but he takes very different things away from it.” Writer Amy Nathan is author of the Music Parents’ Survival Guide and the mother of two sons who were captivated by music early on. Son Eric, a composer and assistant professor of composition and theory at Brown University, became entranced at 18 months old after watching an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood featuring famous musicians. Nathan wisely taped any future episodes featuring musicians, and those episodes — and repeated viewings by the toddler — led to Mommy & Me music classes, piano lessons at age 6, and later serious study of the trumpet. Today, Eric Nathan is an internationally renowned composer whose work has been performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and throughout the world. And it all started with a chance viewing of Mister Rogers. “Eric had to watch it over and over; he watched it so much he memorized the patter between Mr. Rogers and the musicians,” she laughs. “That really sparked it.” Her younger son, Noah, now a political science professor at the University of Michigan, fell in love with jazz and played saxophone up through college. While he no longer performs, Nathan says her son remains an avid jazz fan, who reports that music and participation in bands delivered many reallife benefits that continue today. “He thought he learned so much from jazz in terms of teamwork and cooperation, how to be a small piece of a much larger puzzle,” Nathan says. “The concept of doing your part, how that aggregates into something collective you would never achieve on your own.” Nathan says her son also notes that studying instruments and being members of bands yielded other practical benefits.

“From practicing, you realize new challenges in new fields are not insurmountable,” she says. “You think: If I can get to the point where I can learn this incredibly bizarre notation and come to the point where it comes naturally to me, it’s less daunting to learn other new complex things, like statistics.” Noah Nathan says the collaborative nature of bands proved beneficial in unexpected ways, like navigating group research projects in graduate school, and the improvisational nature of jazz and the spotlight of solos helped him learn to think on his feet. “He never has a problem now with

public speaking because he had this experience learning how to stand up and do your solo in a jazz band,” his mother says. Music even helped her sons handle the challenging years of adolescence. “Having music and being in ensembles and school bands gave them a sense that the cliques at school, those weren’t the only people that were important,” Nathan says. “It gave them a way to navigate the social situations of middle school and high school. They had their music friends. Socially, it helped both of them develop.”

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dministering medication to a child can be one of the most difficult tasks a parent faces. It can become downright daunting when a child is on multiple types of medication that must be dispensed at varying times of day. It does not have to be hard, however, and we want to share some of the advice we regularly give to parents in our pharmacies.

Is it safe?

One of the most common questions we are asked is about the safety of over-the-counter pain relievers and cough and cold medications for children. This is definitely a topic you want to add to your checklist for your next pediatrician’s visit. Doctors vary in their approaches, so you will want general guidelines about using these medications when your child is sick. For children younger than 2, no medication should be administered without first checking with the doctor. It is important to note that most coughs and colds will run their course, and your child will recover naturally. There is very little science supporting medications and supplements that say they treat cold

symptoms. Even if a medication provides symptomatic relief, there is no medication that treats or cures the common cold itself. We wish there was! If you do use overthe-counter medications, it is very important to precisely measure dosages and follow the schedule for administering them. The package label is very important because the companies that manufacture the medications understand best how they are to be used. Make sure to check with a pharmacist if you are administering more than one cough/cold medicine to ensure the spacing between doses is appropriate and that there is no duplication of medication among the multiple products. Measurement can be very difficult because liquid medications are often administered by teaspoon or tablespoon, and it is important to understand that there are major variations in the size of kitchen utensils. You should only use the measuring tool that comes with the medication to ensure the dosage is precise. It is very important to pay attention to details. The difference, for instance, between 0.2 mg and 2 mg (or 2 mg vs. 2 mL) is enormous, and children can potentially overdose from medications. If over-the-counter medication is not working effectively and your child’s symptoms do not respond to the medication within two days, or get worse, it is important to get back in touch with the doctor.

Can you make that sweet like syrup? Prescription medications for a child can be challenging as well. Often children need a dose or a form that is not commercially

ELINES

ing Children available. For example, since small children have difficulty swallowing pills or are bothered by the taste, a flavored, liquid solution can be given more easily. Pharmacists who specialize in compounding can convert pills into a variety of flavored forms that are more pleasing to children, which can possibly include liquids, lollipops, and gummy bears. Regardless of form, some medications simply do not work the same in children as they do in adults and will not have the same therapeutic benefit. Before any prescribed drug is taken, it is important to ask your pediatrician how they expect the drug to work and what you, as a parent, should be looking for while your child is on the medication.

At home, medications should be kept out of a child’s reach in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature. While many people store medication in a bathroom, this is not the best location because of excessive heat and humidity and temperature fluctuations. If your child is on a medication that requires refrigeration, it is important that the medication stay refrigerated, even when travelling. Placing a vial of medication in a cup of ice will not necessarily ensure the

right temperature range. If you are injecting a medication into your child, it is important that you receive the proper training from a clinician. This training should not only include the best technique for administering a medication, but how to handle and store it, as well. Administering medication for a child of any age is not to be feared. But by following basic guidelines and using good judgment, your child will get the therapeutic benefit they need

with little disruption to their lives — and yours. Raied (Ray) Dinno, R.Ph, and Saad Dinno, R.Ph., FACA, FIACP, are co-owners of Acton Pharmacy, West Concord Pharmacy, and Keyes Drug in Newton.

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Stick to the schedule An even bigger challenge to administering medication to children is staying on schedule. This can be extremely difficult given the busy lives of families and the fact that children move between school, activities, and home — but it is important. Missed doses can result in “peaks and troughs” that can affect your child’s behavior and well-being. For pills, you can use a pill organizer, available at any pharmacy, which is a plastic tray with compartments for each day of the week, and morning and afternoon, to ensure medications are given on time. Keeping track of doses can be harder for liquids. Keeping a calendar in a central location, for example, a refrigerator door, and marking when the last dose of medication was given can help multiple caregivers keep track, eliminating extra or missed doses. When medications are given to a school or camp nurse to administer, they should be given in the original prescription container, so the nurse can reference the dose and schedule. Pharmacies can give you a second (or third) labeled bottle, and you can pour the amount of medication you wish to provide to a school or camp for administration.

Meet & greet tickets available. 2 performances • October 7

November 9 - 12

Did you know? We offer discounts for groups of 10+ to most shows! Call 508.471.1763 to reserve today.

New shows added all the time! For tickets call 877.571.SHOW (7469) or visit TheHanoverTheatre.org 2 Southbridge Street • Worcester, MA 01608 Worcester Center for Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts and Conservatory.

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

Gymnastics Learning Center 508-792-1551

Teaching Safe & Fun Gymnastics For Over 34 Years

5 Ways to Incorporate Physical Activity Into Your Family Routine BY DENISE LOCSIN

Classes for 3 months & up

Sign up Online for GLC’s Fall Classes God’s Little Children Preschool & Kindergarten 508-792-3535 Proud to be Nationally Accredited since 2005 FREE

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416 Boston Post Rd. East #5, Marlboro www.alphabetzlearning.com • www.Facebook.com/alphabetzlearning 52 SEPTEMBER2017

arents influence everything. We guide our kids to make good decisions, we sign them up for extracurricular activities, we bring them to sleepovers at their friends’ houses, and we set the standard for being a decent human being. Raising a family is one of the most difficult yet rewarding things in life. We, as parents, have the ability to create habits within our families that could last a lifetime. Our job is to make sure those habits are beneficial for our kids’ mental, emotional, and physical health. For many, finding time to exercise can be a challenge, and doing physical activity seems like just another chore to try and get done. My husband and I are both fitness coaches and even we have difficulty incorporating physical activity into our family routine. This is a problem all families struggle with. How do we find time to stay active? Working out together not only benefits physical health but can also improve relationships and relieve stress in a fun and healthy way. Stay active using these 5 tips to help your family create habits that will help you grow closer and create a healthier lifestyle. 1. Take advantage of having a routine. The one good thing about the end of summer is that it brings about a schedule. There are specific times when everything must get done, and this tends to stay generally consistent from one week to the next. It’s by knowing my family’s schedule that I can figure out the best times that everyone is free. I consider which activities are the best fit for that time of day and how long we have during that time to do something together. 2. Plan in advance. I have found this to be a critical component of successfully carrying out family activities. Tell the kids that you’re putting this time aside for family fun time.

This will help prevent conflicts from interfering with what little sacred free time the whole family shares. If you make a commitment to exercise with your kids, you’re more likely going to stick to it. 3. Learn from your kids. I find it helpful to ask my kids what they learned that day pertaining to exercise, whether it’s from gym or sports practice. This technique helps the kids feel more involved than if you were just giving them activities to perform. Kids feel like they have more say, and this gives you the opportunity to potentially learn a new form of exercise. 4. Don’t be afraid of the great outdoors. Despite that the weather gets chillier come fall, I don’t let this stop me from encouraging the whole family to get outside and take walks together. Stepping outside and getting fresh air can be a great way to embrace family bonding, as well as implement exercise in your children’s lives. 5. Integrate various activities into your child’s day. Children are known to have low attention spans. I use a variety of exercises in my schedule to help my kids stay engaged in daily activities. These tips allow for everyone to get involved in family activities. Following these simple steps will not only get your family to be more active and energized, but will also bring you closer to the ones you love most. Denise Locsin and her husband Danny are fitness experts who specialize in relationship and family exercise. They are the creators of the Yokebar Training System (yokebar.com).

FBI Warns

Join us for the event of the holiday season! Holiday Spectacular 2017

AUDITIONS - All ages! Singers, dancers and actors who sing

Parents

About Smart Toys BY SHAUN MURPHY

It can be tempting for parents to purchase the latest must-have toys for their kids, like interactive teddy bears or talking dinosaurs that can teach math and science. But before giving in to kids’ desires or buying a toy you think will be good for your child’s education, more research might be justified. The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it has updated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to specifically cover web-enabled products directed to children under the age of 13. While this regulation is a step in the right direction, parents should remain vigilant when it comes to web-enabled toys. The FBI said parents should “consider cyber security prior to introducing smart, interactive, internetconnected toys into their homes. These toys typically contain sensors, microphones, cameras, data storage components, and other multimedia capabilities, including speech recognition and GPS options. These features could put the privacy and safety of children at risk due to the large amount of personal information that may be unwittingly disclosed.” • When signing up for a toy's online component, don't give the company real data about your life. Perhaps the device could have your child's first name, but it should not require his or her last name. The toy should certainly never be provided with your real address and/or phone number. • When creating passwords or security questions, use approximate birthdays if you deem it necessary, but avoid if possible. Also, never connect these types of toys to social networks. This can allow the service

(and anyone who hacks in) to correlate your online/toy presence with your real identity. • As tedious as it may seem, be sure to read the terms of service and privacy policy before you activate any Wi-Fi-related service. Check to see what the company will do with your data, third parties, and any indemnification clauses. • Wi-Fi-capable toys can keep track of location just like GPS, though not as precise. If a toy has Wi-Fi, make sure it is turned off when you travel or are outside your home. Be aware that the toy can expose a rough location of your child when it is connected. • Don't buy your children any internet-connected toys that have a camera or microphone; until the recent COPPA updates, there was little-to-no protection or oversight on the provided service to keep that data safe. Even if the toy company has an excellent defense against outside threats, the employees inside these companies can access, store, and do whatever they want with the data. There's just too much risk in toys like this. Shaun Murphy is one of the nation’s leading experts in communication security with more than 20 years’ experience. He worked as a subject matter expert on high-level government communications software and hardware systems for numerous agencies. You can read more at sndr. com or on Twitter @privateshaun.

AUDITIONS: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at the Hanover Theatre. Times will be posted on our website Dianekelleydance.com or call the Diane Kelley Dance Studio at 508-835-2678 Save the date! Join us for this year’s Holiday Spectacular Saturday, December 2nd at Tickets will be available at thehanovertheatre.com beginning in September.

A Leader in Dance Education for Over 25 Years Dance Studios are not all the same. Our experienced instructors ensure that our students are taught proper dance technique.

Offering Progams for ages 2 - 18 in both recreational and competitive dance Open Enrollment Happening Now!

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9 Keys to Safe Car Seat Travel BY ALLANA PINKERTON As Global Safety Advocate for Diono and a certified Child Passenger Safety Instructor, you can imagine I get asked a lot of questions about keeping baby safe in the car. When you register online or at a retail store for your baby shower gifts, it can be overwhelming as to which products are best for baby. Keep in mind, the only baby product required by law is a car seat. That’s because car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury to children under the age of 14. And yet, most of these tragedies can be prevented. Keeping your little one safe does not have to be overwhelming. Here are just a few tips to help you get started. 1. If you’re pregnant, select your car seat and have a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) help you install it four to six weeks before your due date. Babies tend to have a mind of their own, arriving on their own schedule. You don’t want to be installing the car seat at the last minute in the parking lot when you’re being discharged from the hospital. 2. Read over the manual carefully, watch the manufacturer’s videos, and call them with any questions. If you’re lucky enough to live near a certified CPST, make an appointment and double check your installation skills. Most car seats are unknowingly installed incorrectly. It’s always a good idea to have someone else check your work. 3. Be sure to snug up the baby’s harness every time they are in the car seat, especially if they are in an infant-only carrier. Keeping the harness snug protects them while you’re carrying the car seat or if you happen to be involved in a crash. 54 SEPTEMBER2017

4. If you bring baby grocery shopping, place the car seat carrier into the large basket of the shopping cart where you put the groceries. Placing it on the cart handle can be dangerous and cause the cart to tip over, possibly injuring the baby. 5. Use only the infant cushions or pillows that come with the car seat. Manufacturers crash test with their products and know the results. They cannot verify or predict what may happen if you use another company’s product with your car seat. 6. Never nurse or feed your child while the car is moving. Even if they are screaming at the top of their lungs, never take your little one out of their car seat while the car is running. You can never anticipate when a car crash will happen. Find a safe place to pull over and turn your car off. 7. If you decide to take a long car trip with a newborn, be sure to take baby out of the car seat at a rest stop every two hours. Check with your child’s pediatrician to be sure they are healthy enough to take long trips or fly in an airplane. 8. Speaking of air travel, be sure to purchase a seat for your baby instead of carrying them on your lap. Infant-only car seats (carrier with or without a base) install easily in an airplane seat! Store the base in the overhead bin (or pack it in your luggage), and then simply install the carrier rear-facing with the lap belt. The car seat must go by the window so it doesn’t interfere with other passengers exiting the row to the aisle. Bring a small gift or a smile to the person sitting in the seat in front of your baby’s because they won’t be able to recline

their seat. Better yet, book a bulkhead seat so it doesn’t interfere with anyone. Plus, it gives you more room to easily access the car seat and baby. Prior to your trip, verify with each airline its seat spacing and policies on using an infant or convertible car seat onboard. 9. Many parents are puzzled when I suggest using a car seat on an airplane. It’s simple physics. Laws of gravity do not change on an airplane. They only increase when you are taking off and landing at roughly 250 mph. Most injuries occur on take offs, landings, and during turbulence. In addition, baby and you will be more comfortable for the duration of the flight. Traveling with baby takes some extra planning and coordinating, and most importantly, patience. Following these “Do’s and Don’ts” will help keep them safe and make the journey a little smoother. It can be exhausting, and sometimes it seems like the trip will never end, but you will make it!

Allana Pinkerton is the Global Safety Advocate for Diono (us.diono.com). She began her career in Child PassengerSafety as a National Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in 2001 and advanced into the position of a National Instructor in 2002. In 2004, she founded a non-profit organization, Sit Tight, which provided education and free car seats to underserved communities.

DIVORCE AND SINGLE PARENTING

The Do’s and Don’ts of Co-Parenting Best Practices BY ATTY. ANDY P. MILLER Whether you’re newly separated or already divorced, you’ll continue to have a long-term relationship with your former spouse as co-parents of your children. Your roles as husband and wife may end, but your roles as mom and dad last forever. That’s why it is critical to put your differences aside when it comes to co-parenting your children. Regardless of their age, your children deserve to have both parents in their lives from infancy through adulthood. Here are some dos and don’ts for successful co-parenting at any age:

DO Keep an open line of communication with your former spouse, through email, texts, phone calls, or conversations. Make sure your former spouse is kept informed about all issues concerning your child, from doctor’s visits to schoolwork. Create a shared calendar so both parents know the child’s schedule for doctor and dentist appointments, schoolwork, deadlines for projects, and after-school activities. Maintain consistent rules in both households, so your children have the routine and structure they need to achieve and succeed. Try to agree on consistent schedules and routines when it comes to things such as bedtime, schoolwork, and chores. It’s important to create and maintain a unified front when co-parenting. Celebrate important milestones together whenever possible, including birthdays, school events such as class parties or presentations, special moments in extracurricular activities such as plays, recitals or championship sports games, and life-changing events such as your child’s marriage or the birth of your grandchild. Recognize the positive traits your former spouse has to offer, showing your child that you respect your child’s other parent. For example, tell your child: “Your mom is really good at math, so ask her for help with algebra homework” or “Your dad is a really good writer, so make sure to work with him on your college essay.” Create a respectful, businesslike relationship with your former spouse, treating each other as you would any professional relationship.

DON’T Speak badly of your former spouse in front of your children, and don’t let your children speak badly of their other parent. They should be taught to respect both parents equally. Keep your differences with your former spouse between the two of you without involving your child. Forego your parental responsibilities by trying to be the “cool” parent, allowing your children to shirk their responsibilities when it comes to schoolwork, practicing musical instruments, attending practice sessions for sports, and other activities. Share with children intricate details of your separation and/or divorce, nor any post-divorce struggles you may be experiencing. Your child didn’t ask for the divorce, so leave him or her out of it. Also, don’t criticize your former partner’s new relationship in front of your children. Litigate your disagreements with your former spouse. Taking your former spouse to court costs each party the time, money, and expense of court appearances — not including what it costs the state to process, hear, and try any issues. Try to collaborate and agree outside of court, but always make sure to have the court sign off on any agreements because they’re not enforceable without a court order.

mom & Baby Expo Oct. 21 & 22 10am-4pm Tix only $5 DCU Center WOrcester

Presented BY:

The Nursing Nook

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Order your FREE Breast Pump at the Expo!

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Thank you for your support!

Sweat the small stuff. If your child wants to bring a favorite stuffed animal or pillow to the other parent’s home, let him. If your former spouse wants to change visitation to accommodate a business trip or vacation plans, work with him or her to do what’s best for your child. Remember: It’s never too late to change your approach to co-parenting to create a healthier relationship among all of you. Attorney Andy P. Miller is the founder and managing attorney of Miller Law Group, P.C. (apmillerlawgroup. com).

SAVE BIG ON BACK TO SCHOOL Clothing, Shoes, Accessories & Equipment all at up to 70% off Mall Prices!

18 Lyman St, Westborough | 508-366-5437 childrensorchard.com | Find us on

& BAYSTATEPARENT 55

6695 CHS_AD_4.5x11_6695 BayStateParent 7/17/17 11:36 AM Page 1

THE THINKING PARENT

Fidget Spinners: Distraction or Helpful Tool? BY SAMANTHA GODBOUT

Open House

Sunday, November 5, 2017 1:00-3:00 pm Beginners (Age 3) to Grade 6 Co-Educational Financial Aid Program Exceptional Secondary School Placement Afterschool Extended Day

The Chestnut Hill School

Educating. Engaging. Inspiring.

428 Hammond Street Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-566-4394

56 SEPTEMBER2017

www.tchs.org

Recently, a friend chaperoned a school field trip and remarked that every child appeared to have a fidget spinner. Before boarding the bus, the children sat in the cafeteria with a row of fidget spinners lining the table in every color of the rainbow, spinning and swapping them from child to child. On the bus rides to and from their destination, the children continued to play with their fidget spinners. My friend noted that it was the quietest bus ride she had ever experienced on a school field trip. The fidget spinners seemed like a miracle tool. But are these popular toys the miracle they promised to be? Do they really help children focus attention, or are they simply the latest gizmo to gain popularity — the newest distraction in a long line of fads, from Pogs and Tomagotchis, to Silly Bands and rubber band looms? Many teachers have cited fidget spinners as distractions in the classroom, and many schools have decided to ban the toy. But not all parents agree with these decisions, as many claim these toys really do help their child focus during classroom activity. Where does the truth lie? As is often the case, the answer is: It depends. In 2015 and 2016, several studies in premier psychology research journals demonstrated that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do perform significantly better on tasks involving working memory, organization, and other cognitive tasks when they are engaged in physical movement and allowed to “fidget.” However, these same studies found that children who were not diagnosed with ADHD performed significantly worse on academic tasks when allowed to “fidget.” “But my child doesn’t have ADHD and the fidget spinner really helps!” There will be cries of pro-

test, I am certain. And to these I wonder what symptom the spinner is addressing. For some children, inattention at school is a sign of stress or anxiety. When these are the sources of a child’s difficulty, a fidget spinner provides a temporary mask for the problem. The spinner appeals to the masses because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to implement, and touted as one-size-fits-all. But fidget spinners have no empirical evidence to support claims of their utility, and it is highly likely that the toy will lose its magic fairly quickly, and an anxious or stressed child will return to a state of struggle. If we are to help children who are struggling to “focus,” it is important to first understand why an individual child is having trouble. Once we identify the source of the struggle, we should rely on interventions that have more scientific support, such as cognitive behavioral strategies for anxiety or stress, than the current fad toy. There is no universal intervention or toy that will provide stress relief, anxiety reduction, and help for attention deficits. Our goal is to provide each child with an individualized toolbag of coping skills that will be long-lasting and apply across situations. In the meantime, if your child wants a fidget spinner to alleviate boredom, go for it! It’s a fun new toy. But, yes, it is just a toy. Samantha Godbout is a graduate student clinician at the Counselor Training Clinic at Becker College (mhcclinic.becker.edu), where she is available to provide counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families from Leicester and surrounding communities. For more information about low-cost counseling services at the CTC with Godbout or any of the other qualified counselors, contact Clinical Director Beth Greenberg at 508-373-9752.

The Lego Ninjago Movie • Not yet rated; likely PG for mild action and rude humor • In theaters Sept. 22 • OK for kids 7+ • Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels

New movies coming to theaters this month By Jane Louise Boursaw

Close Encounters of the Third Kind Rated PG • In theaters Sept. 1 • OK for kids 7+ • Reel Review: 5 of 5 Reels

•

UNPLUGYOGA.COM

No, you haven’t timetraveled back to 1977, but you might feel like it when you see “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” again. The iconic movie is returning to theaters to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Here’s your chance to see it with your kids on the big screen. You know the story: After an encounter with a UFO, a line worker (Richard Dreyfuss) feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic movie also stars Francois Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Cary Guffey, and Bob Balaban.

This big-screen Lego adventure takes place in Ninjago City, where young Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja (Dave Franco), and his secret warrior friends are called into action. Led by wise-cracking kung fu master Wu (Jackie Chan), they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), aka the Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. The epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their true power. Olivia Munn, Fred Armisen, and Michael Pena also voice characters in this cute movie directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, and Bob Logan.

Battle of the Sexes • Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and partial nudity • In Theaters Sept. 22 • OK for kids 13+ • Reel Preview: 4 of 5 Reels The electrifying 1973 tennis match between tennis star Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the “Battle of the Sexes” and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With a supportive husband urging her to fight the establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Directed by Jonathan Dayton, and Valerie Faris, this movie also stars Elisabeth Shue, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming and Bill Pullman.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM

1 Reel - Even the force can’t save it. 2 Reels - Coulda been a contender. 3 Reels - Something to talk about. 4 Reels - You want the truth? Great flick! 5 Reels - Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Jane Louise Boursaw is the editor of reellifewithjane. com and oldmission.net.

Empower Our Youth YOGA FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS • • • •

Yoga Yoga Yoga Yoga

calms the mind and body strengthens muscles and lubricates joints moves the digestive and lymphatic systems increases balance Unplug & Be Mindful Yoga 696 Plain Street #5 Marshfield, MA 02050 | (339) 526-9234 BAYSTATEPARENT 57

Get

Fresh

at these Pick-Your-Own Farms & Orchards! September pick your own Apples & Blackberries

Open 5 days a week. Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday & Monday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

APPLE PICKING

& PUMPKINS TOO! in their seasons.

Visit our Farm Store & Kitchen

for delicious cider donuts, pies, apple crisp, ice cream, our own fudge & more.

www.charltonorchard.com 44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA 01507 (508) 248-7820 • info@charltonorchard.com

at SCHARTNER FARMS

corn maize!

279 West Berlin Road, Bolton MA ● 978-779-6293 Schartnerfarm.com

FREE adult ticket to the maze with purchase of a child’s ticket. Limit 2 per family

Also enjoy apple picking, hayrides and lions club cider donuts made fresh!

Opening Sept 9th for season 279 West Berlin Road, Bolton MA 978-779-6293 • Schartnerfarm.com Open Saturdays & Sundays 10 A.M. until 5 p.m. • Columbus Day 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

58 SEPTEMBER2017

Let’s Go...

Visit our New Barnyard & Children’s Playground Weekend Wagon Rides

www.tougasfamilyfarm.com Become a Facebook fan!

508-393-6406 234 Ball St., Northboro, MA

Pick your own apples & pumpkins, September 9th & 10th, then every weekend till Halloween, including Monday Columbus day. Free giveaways opening weekend Sept 16th - Live music • Sept 23rd - Minions visit Mechanical bull riding, rock wall, panning for gemstones, moo-choo rides, petting zoo, pony rides, moon bounces, horse back trail rides, picnic and play area. Relax at our Bad Apple Saloon with ice cold beer and BBQ.

Schools groups are welcome

Stowe Farm

15 Stowe Road, Millbury • 508-865-9860 • www.stowefarm.com/apples



(800) 628-4851 455 Highland Ave Phillipston, MA

  



  

 

U-Pick Raspberries, Blueberries, Apples and Seasonal Produce Call 978-840-3276 or visit website or facebook for hours www.sholanfarms.com • 1125 Pleasant St. • Leominster Like us on for exclusive offers!

Pick Your Own Fall Raspberries Open 7 days a week 9am to 6pm Children welcome, no fee to enter, easy picking. Our best tasting variety







Storytime

AT THE LIBRARY

FIRST and THIRD TUESDAY of each month 10:30-11:15 AM

“…Mary was a bookworm. Sometimes when her siblings went out to play, she’d stay at home reading. Other times when she joined them, as often as not she’d eventually slip away to a secluded spot where they’d find her later, engrossed in a book.” — From A World More Bright: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy by Isabel Ferguson and Heather Vogel Frederick

Friend us on Facebook for up to date info • Call 508-366-2644

80 Nourse St. (Rt. 30) • Westboro, MA 01581

Come and experience being on a farm and spend the day at Lanni Orchards!

Join us for our 1st Annual Tomato Festival September 2nd,3rd & 4th

Pick your own tomatoes! New this year Happy Apple Corn Maze

Pick your own Apples, Pumpkins “YOU WANT FRESH YOU WANT LOCAL”

In this children’s program, young visitors will not only listen to stories but also engage in playful activities. Recommended for bookworms 5 years old and younger with adults. No registration required.

Visit our website or Facebook for more fall events! 294 Chase Rd Lunenburg • 978-582-6246 www.lanniorchards.com for PYO information Open daily 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston MA 02115 For more information, please contact our Educational Programs Coordinator 617-450-7203 | palladinom@mbelibrary.org BAYSTATEPARENT 59

A GOOD PARTY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON

Big Joe

the Storyteller

Hostess Wanted!

Storytelling fun for Birthday Parties, Schools, Daycare Centers, Library Programs, Special Events and TV Featuring:

Host an online party and build a home library for FREE!

• Original & Classic Stories • Puppets, Props and Surprises For Bookings and Info Call: 617-713-4349 E-mail: BigJoe@BigJoe.com Visit me on the web at: www.BigJoe.com

All Ages. Birthday Parties, Schools, Fairs, Day Care Centers, Etc.

www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832

srmallard11@gmail.com 1109519.myubam.com

Children are fascinated with our collection of reptiles. We allow them to experience firsthand these special creatures.

• FACE PAINTING • BALLOON TWISTING • GLITTER TATTOOS

617-407-7533

Call us for Birthdays, Special Events, Educational Presentations. To see more of our animals follow us on Facebook under Reptile Circus

www.happyfacepainting.com 508-769-1620

RESERVE YOUR PARTY PAGE AD TODAY email regina@baystateparent.com 60 SEPTEMBER2017

October Index Alphabetz Learning Center................................ 52 Mom & Baby Expo............................................ 55 Bay State Skating.............................................. 61 Big Joe Productions........................................... 60 Big Y Foods, Inc................................................. 15 Boston Paintball................................................ 60 Central Mass Arts/stART on the street................ 13 Charlton Orchards............................................. 58 Child Health Associates...................................... 40 Children’s Development Network, Inc.................. 6 Children’s Orchard-Westboro............................. 55 Claytime........................................................... 40 Commerce Bank................................................ 37 Community VNA................................................ 22 Davis Farmland................................................. 25 Diane Kelley..................................................... 53 Ecotarium.................................................... 11,24 Fletcher Tilton PC............................................... 47 FMC Ice Sports................................................... 19 Gerardo’s Italian Bakery................................... 34 Gibson’s Natural Pet / Worcester....................... 37 Giguere’s Gymnastics........................................ 42 Gymnastics Learning Center.............................. 52 Hanover Theatre.......................................... 45,51 Happy Face Painting......................................... 60 Heywood Hospital............................................... 4 Karen Amlaw Music........................................... 50 KidsFest/Wachusett Mountain............................ 28 Lanni Orchards............................................. 26,59 Legoland Discovery Center Boston................ 12,27 Magic World...................................................... 39 Mall At Whitney Field........................................ 17

Mary Baker Eddy Library (The)......................... 59 Millbury Federal Credit Union............................ 11 New England Cord Blood Bank Inc..................... 51 Nourse Farm..................................................... 59 Pakachoag Music School....................................59 Parenting Solutions........................................... 45 Red Apple Farm................................................ 59 Reliant Medical Group....................................... 43 Reptile Circus.................................................... 60 Rosalita’s Puppets.............................................. 60 Schatner Farm...................................................58 Sholan Farms............................................... 23,59 Shrewsbury Children’s Center............................ 35 Speech & Language Specialties Inc..................... 39 St. Peter-Marian C.C. Jr./Sr. School.................... 41 St. Vincent Hospital............................................. 3 Steven Schwartz................................................ 50 Stowe Farm ..................................................... 58 The Chestnut Hill School.................................... 56 Tougas Family Farm, LLC................................... 58 Ultimate Obstacles............................................. 16 UMass Memorial Medical Center......................22,61,64 Unplug & Be Mindful Yoga................................ 57 Usborne Books.................................................. 60 Westminster Village Foundation......................... 26 Wilson Language Training.................................. 17 Women’s Health of Central MA.......................... 41 Worcester Art Museum........................................ 2 Worcester Childrens Chorus................................ 59 Worcester Railers HC......................................... 30 YMCA Central Branch........................................ 42

Simply Well Get recipes, parenting tips and more delivered right to your inbox.

Follow today: www.umassmemorial.org/simplywell

Do you STAND OUT in the crowd? baystateparent

is looking for a standout MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE who is a leader in the field Send your resume to Regina Stillings, director of sales at

regina@baystateparent.com and stand out with our award-winning print, online, and digital products Full and part-time positions available

Conversations to Keep You Healthy and Well BAYSTATEPARENT 61

TAKE EIGHT

with Tom Rinaldi Boston College alum Welles Crowther was 24 and working for an investment bank in the south tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. When the plane struck, Crowther, also a volunteer firefighter, helped injured and stranded people from the 78th floor to the lobby. His name was unknown to those he saved, but they remembered the red bandana he used to protect his mouth and nose from the smoke and dust. Instead of following people out of the building, Crowther headed back up the stairs to help evacuate more. His body was found two months later, in the tower lobby, next to 11 firefighters, just feet away from safety. ESPN Correspondent Tom Rinaldi made Crowther’s story famous when he produced a documentary about Crowther and his now-famous handkerchief for the sports network. He subsequently wrote a book about Crowther, The Red Bandana, which this month is being released in a Young Reader’s edition for children ages 10 and up.

How did you first hear of Welles Crowther, and what drew you to his story? Drew Gallagher, a producer I’ve worked with for years, was a friend of Welles at Boston College. He wanted to share his story — how Welles helped save the lives of several others who were badly injured after the second plane hit, guiding them to safety, before Welles died in the tower’s collapse.

You created an iconic short documentary for ESPN, “Man in the Red Bandana.” Why write a book? The feature, which first aired in 2011, was more than 13 minutes in length. That’s a long time on television, but there was so much more to tell about Welles — before the day his life ended and in the aftermath of his death. To build a fuller portrait of who he was, where he came from, the family who raised him and the experiences that shaped him, to build a context around the choice he made in the final hour of his life, that required a fuller telling. A book was the right venue for that.

How did you decide to adapt The Red Bandana for younger readers? For us as adults and parents, 9/11 is a day we lived through. For a generation of students, it is a day to learn about. How do young people begin to understand the day’s events and its meaning to our country? The book tells the story of that day through the lens of a single life — a life lost, but not before saving others. In reading about Welles, students might see someone not unlike themselves, in their flaws and in their aspirations. We wanted to adapt the book so a younger group of readers could discover his story and find their own meaning inside it.

9/11 was a seismic tragedy, one still hard to fathom for adults. How do you adapt a book centered around that day for readers who are as young as 10? While the scope of the day’s terror can be overwhelming for any of us to fathom, Welles’s story allows young readers a portal into viewing the day on a different scale. They are carried through the events by a young man they’ve come to know, through the dreams, mistakes, and successes he had up until that fateful day. We were careful in our language not to diminish the losses of that day, but to portray its horrors with sensitivity to the age of the audience. Children are more perceptive than we believe. The book doesn’t sanitize the terror, but doesn’t dwell on its darkest horrors. 62 SEPTEMBER2017

How long did it take to write the original edition of The Red Bandana? How did you juggle it with your full-time job and family? I keep a busy schedule with ESPN, as a correspondent telling feature stories and covering a range of live events. It’s a lottery-winning job in nearly every way, and I never broke away from my duties. I was able to write the book only with the incredible support of my wife Dianne and our children, Jack and Tessa. I asked them directly if they thought I should do this, and they were forceful in their answer: Yes. When I asked why, our daughter told me: “Because you were meant to, Daddy.” The entire reporting and writing process took roughly a year and a half.

What would surprise readers the most about Welles? Young readers may be surprised that Welles faced many of the same challenges they do. When we hear the word “hero,” it can make a person seem distant, separate from the rest of us. Welles was bullied, and also beat up a bully. He gave into peer pressure, but also took away friends’ keys at parties. He was on the cusp of a wealthy life on Wall Street, but was in the process of leaving a six-figure salary to become a firefighter. And Welles actually made it down to the lobby of the South Tower that terrible morning, and still, he didn’t leave. He helped, until the building collapsed.

How has Welles’s story affected you as a father? I carry a red bandanna most days, in my back pocket, as Welles did. I keep it there as a reminder and example in how I lead my life. I hope that manifests most in my most important role in the world: as a parent. Welles’s heroism took shape long before 9/11, and a lot of its soil was tilled by his remarkable father, Jefferson, who taught him the lessons he applied that day in saving others’ lives. If I can be a fraction of the father Jefferson is, I’ll know I’m teaching our children lessons they might use, when it matters most, in their lives.

What do you hope readers will take away from The Red Bandana? So much about September 11 exists in our collective memory, but a path to its understanding will forever lie in the individual stories of those lost and those saved. I hope the red bandana might exist as a red badge of courage for our time.

baystateparent

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Coming to KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain on Sept. 23 & 24! Registration Online Today

baystateparent.com/coversearch Photography taken by

10 Finalists will be chosen for a chance to be a bsp Cover Model! Online entry fee in advance (By Sept. 17): $20, includes 1 free child’s admission to KidsFest ($10 Value) Day-of entry fee at event: $25. Entrants will have their photo taken by a professional photographer during their pre-scheduled time. Search is open to Massachusetts children ages 6 months (must be able to sit up unassisted) to 14 as of June 1. Photography by Karen Moriarty, Kelsey Haley Media and Paula Swift baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search Official Rules Sponsored by baystateparent Magazine,a publication of Holden Landmark Corporation (“Sponsor”), 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527. 1. Eligibility: The baystateparent Magazine Cover Model Search (“Cover Model Search”) is open only to children who, as of the date of the Event, are Massachusestts residents between the ages of 6 months (who can sit up by themselves) and 14 years. Each such child (the “Entrant”) must be accompanied at the Event by his or her parent or legal guardian (“Parent”), who must be a resident of Massachusetts and at least 18 years of age. Employees and other representatives of Sponsor, and their immediate family and household members, are not eligible to enter. By participating in the Cover Model Search, Entrants and

Parents agree to these Official Rules. 2. How to Enter: Each Entrant and Parent must attend the KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain (the “Event”) on September 23 or 24, 2017 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to be photographed by Sponsor’s photographer (“Photographer”). • Entrants may either (a) pre-register by submitting an entry form and $20 entry fee, between August 1 and September 14, 2017, to www.baystateparent.com/covercontest, after which an Event ticket will be mailed to Entrant; or (b) register at the Event by submitting an entry form and $25 entry fee. Before Entrant is photographed, Parent must sign a photo release. Entrants who register in advance will be able to select a day and time to be photographed.

Registration fees are nonrefundable. Sponsor is not obligated to accommodate, reschedule, or refund an Entrant who misses his or her time slot. • Entrant’s registration and photo release, along with the photograph taken at the Event, will constitute entry into the Cover Model Search (“Entry”). Entries that Sponsor deems fraudulent or that violate these Official Rules will not be accepted, and the Entrant will be disqualified. • By entering, Entrants and Parents (a) consent to receiving email correspondence from Sponsor and Photographer and (b) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions regarding the Cover Model Search.

• At any time and for any reason, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, suspend the Cover Model Search or extend the Entry Period. 3. Finalist and Winner Selection: Sponsor and Photographer (“Judges”) will select 10 finalists (“Finalists”). Sponsor will invite Finalists to a second photo shoot at Sponsor’s office. Judges will select one Finalist as the winner (“Winner”). Judging will be based on Judges’ determination of the most photogenic Entries, based on criteria including but not limited to Entrant’s poise, appearance, and personality. The Judges’ decisions are final, non-reviewable, and at the Judges’ sole discretion. To see complete list of rules go to baystateparent.com/coversearchrules

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Come Learn. Come Play. New Location

Saturday, September 30 10 am – 3 pm EcoTarium, Worcester Admission is FREE!! Join us for this event to help children of all ages learn about health and safety with fun and interactive booths. Teddy bears and dolls are welcome to come with their owners for a physical exam.

Enjoy Interactive Booths on Health and Safety Games • Raffles

Learn more by visiting www.umassmemorial.org/teddybear. 64 SEPTEMBER2017