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NOV. 2014

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Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

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HAVE THE BEST PARENTTEACHER CONFERENCE INSIDE JORDAN’S ADOPTION AWARENESS INITIATIVE

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Each month, Clinton Savings Bank honors students of distinction. We recognize the accomplishments of a new CSB Champion on clintonsavings.com, Facebook and Twitter, in ads in their hometown newspaper and baystateparent magazine - even spots on AMP 103.3 Radio!

If you know an individual or group of students who deserve recognition for their success in school, sports, the arts or community, honor them as a CSB Champion. Simply email marketing@clintonsavings.com to nominate them today.

Presented with:

888-744-4272(4CSB) • clintonsavings.com Berlin • Bolton • Boylston • Clinton • Sterling • W. Boylston

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Cornerstone Academy Educating all learners in grades K-6

An elementary preparatory school that celebrates the individual.

OPEN HOUSE November 16th • 2-4 p.m.

At Cornerstone, our curriculum is engaging and personalized.

We don’t teach to a test, we teach to inspire!

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• Offering Transitional Kindergarten and full day Kindergarten through Grade 6 curriculum.

• Small class sizes, personalized attention.

• Solid academic foundation complemented by art, Spanish, music and physical fitness.

Positive Socialization

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• Highly qualified faculty trained to adapt curriculum to your child’s ability.

• Intellectually enriching environment.

• State of the art technology utilized in all classrooms.

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25 Peter and the Wolf along with Hansel and Gretel: Classic Tales Told Through Music and Dance 28 Wild Kratts Live!

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table of contents NOVEMBER 2014

VOLUME 19

1.

3

NUMBER 7

things we learned

while making the november issue

Boston printer Louis Prang is known as the “father of the American Christmas card” as his company produced the first commercially printed holiday greeting cards in 1875. On page 40, professional photographers share their tips for taking a great holiday card family photo.

2.

There are currently 2,438 Massachusetts children in foster care waiting for forever homes, the majority between the ages of 6 and 12. Head to page 26 to learn how furniture powerhouse Jordan’s longstanding partnership with adoption officials has changed the lives of hundreds of families across the state.

3.

Through nearly 10,000 volunteer hours in 2013, The Community Harvest Project in Grafton produced 324,000 pounds of produce, fresh fruits and vegetables for food banks. Turn to page 53 to see how two high schools settled their differences on the football field and met at the farm to lend a hand.

features

12

What’s New in Laurie Berkner Land?

30

How to Have the Best ParentTeacher Conference Ever

53

RIPE: Urban, Suburban High Schools Smash Stereotypes Through Farming

50

Manners (Still) Matter: Simple Ways to Instill Good Manners in Your Children

55

DISHIN’ WITH THE DIETITIAN: Is Frozen as Good as Fresh?

58

Eat Your Heart Out, Tom Brady

56

RIPE BITES: Turkey Talk: Take Leftovers Beyond a Sandwich

68

Groceries Go Green: Inside Atkins Farms’ Green Commitment

in every issue 8

WELCOME: A Letter from Our Editor

8 9 11 15

MEET OUR SPECIAL GUEST: Cover Model Riley Jean

22

LET’S GO: Family Holiday Happenings

26

FINALLY FOREVER: Jordan’s Furniture Brings Marketing, Much More to Advance Adoption Awareness

28

NOVEMBER’S CHILD: Meet Timothy

28

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Area Adoption Events

34

WOMEN’S HEALTH: Holiday Stress: Practical Tips for Worrying Less and Enjoying More

74 78

OUR NOVEMBER FAVORITES: Facts, Finds and Freebies

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS bsp ONLINE OUT & ABOUT: November Calendar of Family Events

TAKE 8: Meet Chef Laura Watkins

Our Holiday Featured Articles

32

Daily Thanksgiving: Your 7-Step Recipe for a Happy Family

38

Turkey Trots: A (Ful)Filling Family Thanksgiving Tradition

40 44 47

Create a Fantastic Holiday Card: 4 Tips from the Pros

62 66

Have Yourself an ”Un-Commercial” Christmas

Dress Up Your Table With a Fun, New Tradition Thanksgiving Twists: Cultural Influences Deliver New Holiday Favorites

Bright Nights Turns 20 BAYSTATEPARENT 6 7

meet team

baystateparent

welcome to

baystateparent

publisher KIRK DAVIS

creative

I don’t remember much about my early childhood, but one memory that stands out clear among the haze is the day my parents picked up my brother from his foster family and brought him home with us for good. I can still feel the anticipation, waiting with my grandmother, and running when I heard the screen door open, only to be disappointed that it was just the mailman. But soon my parents were home, carrying a fair, blue-eyed, 6-week-old, the pale green terrycloth onesie far too big for his small frame.

Now nearly 40 years later, I can still feel that happy day as if it was this morning, and it’s a lovely memory that every foster child, prospective adoptive sibling and parent deserves.

That’s why I so enjoyed interviewing Eliot Tatelman – the Eliot – of Jordan’s Furniture. We talked about his company’s longstanding partnership with state adoption officials, which has resulted in 285 adoptions across Massachusetts. Read the inspiring story on page 26.

November is National Adoption Month, and it’s also very famously the start of the slippery slope that is the holiday season. The minute the kids get back from trick-or-treating, it feels as if we’re all lacing up our shoes for the endurance race to January 1. And while most of us are figuratively toeing the start line of the seasonal sprint, many families are literally doing just that as they enjoy a Thanksgiving Day fun run or walk. Trish Reske, who has run 5Ks with her four children, takes you inside the rise of this fun, healthy, family tradition on page 38.

In addition to a big family meal, the end of November is steeped in tradition, which for many of us includes watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. But did you know Massachusetts has its own mini-version? Parade of the Big Balloons is held in Springfield every Black Friday and this year boasts seven large inflatable characters, in addition to floats, bands and much more. Amanda Roberge got the inside scoop on the parade and its seasonal sister event, Bright Nights at Forest Park, which turns 20 this year and boasts 650,000 sparkling lights. Learn more about both events on page 66.

Another favorite fall tradition for many families is the Annual Taking of the Holiday Card Photo — an event held in such high esteem I capitalized it. If the exercise has stressed you out in the past, have no fear. Writer Joan Goodchild mined tips from professional photographers that will help you capture a fantastic image and great memories — with no yelling!

And don’t miss our gallery of readers’ cards, as well as one pro’s favorites. It all starts on page 40.

Want more holiday survival tips?

We’ve got you covered. Gary Kelley shares secrets of lowering holiday stress on page 34; Mary Jo Kurtz examines the power of gratitude on page 32; and Jennifer Bouchard shares a 5-step fix for your child’s manners shortcomings on page 50.

Here’s wishing you a healthy, happy Thanksgiving filled with friends and family. And remember, there is always room for pumpkin pie.

M e li ss a Melissa Shaw, editor

Riley Jean

Our fabulous 7-year-old cover model Riley Jean lives in Arlington.

This busy second-grader kindly took the time to tell us a little bit about herself:

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Hershey Park because I want to go in the chocolate factory and eat all of the chocolate.

What's the best part about modeling? I like to do sassy poses.

What do you like to do on weekends? Gymnastics, have playdates outside with my friends, play video games, and go swimming with my family at the sports club

Do you have any hobbies? Arts and crafts, acting, singing and dancing, and especially snuggling with all of my stuffed animals!

What is your favorite book? "Black Lagoon" because I like looking at the creepy monsters, and then I like to see what the teachers really look like at the end.

8 NOVEMBER2014 9

What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving? The big food buffet, especially eating the mashed potatoes, which are my favorite, and being with my cousin Alanna.

editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com

advertising director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com account executive MARIE COREY 508-735-0503 marie@baystateparent.com account executive DEBORAH MEUNIER 508-450-9718 deb@baystateparent.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS photographers STEVEN KING SHAWNA SHENETTE ASHLEY VASSALLO copy editor BRYAN ETHIER

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

www.baystateparent.com cover photo

BY

Shawna Shenette PHOTOGRAPHY

shawnashenettephotography.com

It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

Meet Our November Contributors Western Mass. native Amanda Collins is a writer and editor who grew up in Belchertown and now resides in Sturbridge. She is the proud aunt of six nieces and nephews, and is the editor of baystateparent's sister publication, The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle. In Groceries Go Green on page 68, she takes at look at fall favorite Atkins Farm’s extensive commitment to sutainable living. baystateparent Creative Director Paula Monette Ethier has been with us since Day 1 and is responsible for our award-winning design and gorgeous covers. On page 44’s Dress Up Your Holiday Table With a Fun, New Tradition, Paula walks us through two classic, timeless, fun – and fast – projects she created for you to enjoy with your family.

When not on the job as chief editor of a business publication serving security and risk professionals, Joan Goodchild is posting to her Cyber Savvy Mom blog at baystateparent.com and is now joining us in print! This month, the mother of two got professional photographers from across the state to share their secrets for taking a great family photo. The shooters even share an easy way to get your dog in on the action!

Get the inside scoop in Creating a Fantastic Holiday Card on page 40.

Jen Bouchard is a writer and editor for a large insurance company…and also a mom, which made her a great choice to pen Manners (Still) Matter: Simple Ways to Instill Good Manners in Your Children on page 50. Check out the 5 tips she discovered for brushing up your children’s etiquette.

Bellingham writer, blogger and mom of two Heather Kempskie is back from her family’s summer adventure — swapping a house with a Danish family — and back in print writing for baystateparent. This month, Heather researched and wrote about a topic that’s long been a goal for many: Have yourself an ‘un-Commerical’ Christmas. Learn how on page 62.

Writer and Westborough mother of two Mary Jo Kurtz reports that a regular dose of gratitude can improve a child’s self-esteem, reduce family stress, and increase overall optimism for everyone — parents, too! Ready to give it a try? Read Daily Thanksgiving: Your 7-Step Recipe for a Happy Family on page 32.

Get your head in the game!

Writer Gary L. Kelley tackles a topic that’s news you can use: Keeping Holiday Stress Under Control. On page 34, he gets experts to weigh in on a priority that’s higher than “holiday fun,” and also speaks with parents on how they’ll handle seasonal challenges such as spending budgets, gift giving, shopping, gathering extended family in one place and much more.

Blogger, writer, mom of four and (phew!) runner Trish Reske talks to families who enjoy a little activity before their big meal on page 38’s Turkey Trots: A (Ful)filling Family Thanksgiving Tradition. She checks in with families across the state that have made Thanksgiving morning races a favorite part of their holiday. Make sure you check out our sampling of area races in which you can participate.

If you’re looking for something to do before – and after – Thanksgiving, writer Amanda Roberge has you covered. In Bright Nights Turns 20, she takes a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary attraction, which opens for the season the night before Thanksgiving. Amanda also spoke with the folks who run Parade of the Big Balloons, a Black Friday tradition for thousands of families. Learn new, fun facts about both in this interesting article.

In columnist Jon McGrath’s house, Thanksgiving is about a lot more than turkey, there’s the matter of the traditional post-dinner football game. Be prepared to smile as you read through the family’s non-traditional playbook and international roster, and don’t be surprised if you find McGrath’s Uncle Charley suiting up for the Patriots when #12 hangs ’em up. Find Eat Your Heart Out, Tom Brady on page 58.

Whoops! Our Bad! CORRECTION: Page 7 of our October issue contained an error. The sentence should have read: “The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that one in three children are at risk for serious complications from the flu.”

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FAMILY FUN

It’s been a busy October at baystateparent.com, on our Facebook page and on Twitter. If you’re not Liking or Following, what are you waiting for? You’re missing out on all the fun, all the talk, and all the giveaways!

facebook.com/baystateparent twitter.com/baystateparent

• Trains • Rockets

We had a ton of contests this month! Here are just some of the readers who won:

4-Packs of Tickets to: Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular 2014 • Nickhole Boardman of Sterling • Sandra McNally of Leicester • Jen Mueller of Carver

“Annie” video contest • Stacey Clarkin of Norwood • Susan Doherty of Westford • Sherry Rotondo of Rutland • Janice Sheehan of Quincy

Wheelock Theater “Alice in Wonderland” artwork contest • Emily Fulling of Holden

Canobie Lake Park Screemfest 2014 • Michelle Tricomi of Holden

Our Facebook community had a lot to say about our October article, “Flu Shot: Yea or Nay?” Here are just a few of the many comments: Jen V.: “The flu shot is my only nay as far as shots for my son.

He got it his first two years and both times ended up hospitalized overnight for respiratory stuff, so now I pass. (Could be a coincidence, I know, but I'd rather not chance it.)”

Maria G.: “Nay. Knock on wood, never had the shot. My kids haven’t, either. We still get sick, but it hasn’t been a knock-youout-for-two-weeks sick.”

• Radio Controlled: • Planes • Helis • Trucks • Boats

Kerrie M.: “Taking my 6-year-old and 3-year-old to the pediatrician's tomorrow. My husband and I get ours through our work. My oldest has asthma and has been hospitalized with pneumonia. I just feel better knowing we are all vaccinated.”

• Pinewood Derby • Science Kits • Models • Paint

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Susan W.: “We have a juicer, lots of immune-boosting foods, good hand washing habits, and natural immunity and homeopathic methods to fight off a flu (echinacea, apple cider vinegar, oil of oregano, ginger...) The vaccine is based on a best-guess of the predicted strain. The year we got the flu shot, we all got horribly sick.”

OPEN HOUSE November 15 1:00 pm applewild.org/ preregister

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authors • Illustrators • books • Storytelling • music @ mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner

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Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter at the top of our home page: www.baystateparent.com

e Book F

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November 15 9 am – 4 pm

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Applewild. Take a look.

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Curriculum-based preschool and preK on two sites: Fitchburg and Devens BAYSTATEPARENT 10 11

Kids music superstar Laurie Berkner is back in Boston this month in support of her latest – and ninth – CD, The Ultimate Laurie Berkner Band Collection. It’s a wonder she can hit the road at all given her workload. In addition to performing, she’s creating a program of preschool music classes and writing songs for musicals, the latest of which – The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess – is opening off-Broadway this month. Luckily, we got the woman crowned “The Queen of Children’s Music” to chat and catch us up.

What’s new in Laurie Berkner land?

by Melissa Shaw

T

his is the first semester of the music classes I started, called “The Music in Me”. It’s set up as a me-and-my-grownup type of program where I’m training teachers to work with kids [ages] 1 to 4 where they use my music to introduce kids to the super-loving, creative and movement-based joyful connection to music.

Q.

What makes “The Music in Me” an appealing project?

It’s really how I started. I was a music teacher in a few different preschools. I started writing my own songs when I realized it was easier to write music that worked than it was researching it.

I had this arsenal of songs that were written exactly for that purpose. I get email after email from people all over the country saying, “I use your music in my classes all the time!” And I realized, “Well, that’s great, but I don’t know that anybody would necessarily know what I imagined the songs would do and how that would work.” I see a lot of people work with kids and some of them are fantastic, and some of them still work with kids in a way that I don’t love. I felt like I have something I could actually teach people that if I don’t do it soon maybe I’m going to forget it! I felt like it was something that could be very cool to pass on to other people.

12 NOVEMBER2014 13

Q.

Are you surprised you needed a second greatesthits compilation, The Ultimate Laurie Berkner Band Collection, so soon?

When I did the first one [in 2010] I thought, “This should be a double album.” So I already started writing out what the second one would be when I put the first one out! I’m still always surprised when I do a concert, and I talk to kids afterwards and I ask, “What was your favorite song in the concert?” Then I ask, “Was there any song you wished I had sung?” And with every kid it’s different. You find out there’s so much music that can touch people in so many different ways.

When I ask on Facebook, “What’s your favorite Laurie Berkner song?” some people will say, “Well my kids’ favorite is… and my favorite is…” I love hearing that there are songs that also touch the parents.

did I did by myself, and then I said, “I don’t ever want to play solo again!” which of course has totally changed - now I play solo all the time.

Now there’s this wonderful feeling of looking out and seeing I’m not alone,

Q.

How is the performing dynamic touring with just keyboardist Susie Lampert as opposed to a full band?

I find when I do a solo gig or with just one other band member, it’s a little bit more intimate. And while it may be a little bit of a less rockin’, jam-band feeling than it is with the band, we’re doing mostly the same set list. I think the first show I ever

Photo by Jayme Thornbton

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every single person who came to this show came because they love this music, and we are all experiencing it together. It’s been interesting going back to that.

As soon as I started, I asked Susie to play with me. I said, “Oh, you have to come play these kids gigs with me ’cause it’ll be really fun and I know you will make it a blast.” She’s been on board ever since and that was 1997.

Q.

You released your first album, “Whaddaya Think of That”, in 1997. How has children’s music evolved since then? What changes have you seen?

When I started, the Internet was a baby. I don’t even know if I put an email address on my first cassette, the more important thing was that I had a toll-free number!

When I started I didn’t know of many other children’s musicians.

Everything was very localized because you had to drive somewhere in order to be able to sell your albums. Even if you did a show, you would only be able to sell your albums at that show. It was very hard to get your music out and there were not a lot of venues to do that. Radio was really local, there wasn’t satellite radio.

I saw this change because I got on the Today Show for the first time [in 2001] - four years after I made my first album. By then, suddenly Amazon was very big. When I played on the Today Show, I played three songs, they did a little bio on me.

I think I had four albums at that time, and they all were on the Top 5 selling [items] in Amazon within a 24-hour period - all at the same time. It was unbelievable. One of the reasons was because that was the only place anyone could buy them. You couldn’t download from iTunes, you couldn’t get it in a store that was near you because I wasn’t distributed across the country.

There was this confluence of stuff happening where you would suddenly get access to music both because of television and because of the Internet that absolutely didn’t exist before. I started before that, I rode that wave; the kids music world exploded. When I started, a lot of people were doing it, but nobody knew about anyone except the ones within 100 miles of their home. [Now] you don’t have to be signed to a record label; you can do it yourself and make a decent living.

I think a lot of people started doing it. Interestingly I now feel like the market is so saturated things are changing back again.

Little V Designs a children’s boutique

Westborough, Massachusetts www.littlevdesigns.com

Q.

Aside from CDs, what are some everyday ways parents can bring music into their children’s lives and encourage a love of music?

The main thing is to participate in anything musical with them. If they’re listening to music, listen with them, sing along with them, dance with them. Make it so that you create a memory that’s bound to that music that feels like it’s also bonding you and your kids. That to me is one of those ways you make sure that music and feeling loved are connected. That could be if you’re in a car and everyone’s listening to the same music and singing along to it or making up songs as you’re doing something just to make it more fun. I think that’s a really awesome way.

Laurie Berkner and special guest Susie Lampert will bring the “Rock Till You Drop Tour” to The Shubert Theatre in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 8. Visit citicenter.org for more information.

We had such a great interview with Berkner we ran out of room to share it all. Visit baystateparent.com to read the unabridged interview, in which she discusses writing songs for musicals, her surprise phone call from Barnes & Noble, her favorite Pandora stations and more.

“If they’re listening to music, listen with them, sing along with them, dance with them. Make it so that you create a memory that’s bound to that music that feels like it’s also bonding you and your kids."

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Photo courtesy MIT Museum

OUT& ABOUT

Celebrate with Kambri as she turns 4 on Sunday, November 2, at Franklin Park Zoo.

Photo courtesy Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Photo courtesy Stone Zoo

Photo courtesy Franklin Park Zoo

Teams ranging from children to engineers will build devices to form one giant machine at MIT’s Friday After Thanksgiving Chain Reaction event on November 28.

Thousands of holiday lights turn on for the season on Thursday, November 27, at Stone Zoo.

Like tubas? Head to Faneuil Hall on Saturday, November 29, to hear more than 150 play the songs of the season at the annual Boston Tuba Christmas Concert.

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

OUT&ABOUT 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…

Photo courtesy Community Harvest Project

MFA Playdates. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.11:15 a.m. Story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making.

Recommended for children ages 4 and younger with adults. Free with admission. Adults $25, children 6 and under free. mfa.org.

Check out food, hayrides, a pumpkin trebuchet and an apple cannon at the Harvest Home Festival on November 1.

1 Saturday

2 Sunday

16th Annual Classic Cartoon Festival.

Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston. Kids of all ages will enjoy their favorite Warner Bros. cartoons set to classical music and much more.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $15. wgbh.org.

Celebrate Kambri’s Birthday. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. 10:30 a.m.2 p.m. Watch Kambiri, the youngest of the soo’s western lowland gorillas, celebrate her fourth birthday. Guests can sign a birthday card and enjoy cake. Adults $17.95, children (2-12) $11.95, children under 2 free. franklinparkzoo.org.

Feed the Animals. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell. 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Watch the naturalist feed the animals and learn more about them. Free with admission. $7 adults. $5 children (2-15), under 2 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Kids’ Shows: Tim. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Brooklyn-based Tim (of Tim and the Space Cadets) plays songs about the important things in life: pizza parties, snow days and summer vacations. Tickets $8-$11. coolidge.org.

Circus Minimus. 14 Summer Street, Natick.

11 a.m. From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, the boisterous ringmaster and more. Adults $10, children $8. natickarts.org.

Halloween Candy Buy Back. Framingham Dental Center,1283 Old Worcester Road, Framingham. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Come meet The Tooth Fairy, and trade your collected candy for a chance to win an iPad Mini and other great prizes. This program supports Operation Gratitude. Free. framinghamdentists.com.

16 NOVEMBER2014 17

Harvest Home Festival. Community Harvest Project, 37 Wheeler Rd., North Grafton. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Food, hay rides, pumpkin trebuchet and apple cannon, pony rides, music, kids activities and much more. $5 per person, 12 and under free, $20 cap per family. community-harvest.org.

A Magician for Non-Believers. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. 1 p.m.

Master magician Peter Boie will amaze you with his simple and mind-bending tricks. Ages 3+.

Tickets: $12. wenhammuseum.org.

3 Monday Book Babies. Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree. 9:15 a.m.-9:35 a.m. Ages 3-24 months. Children will listen to short books and simple songs and have fun.

Come meet other little ones and adults who live in the area, while improving the child’s early learning skills. Free. thayerpubliclibrary.org.

Boston Public Market. Above the Haymarket Station, along the Rose Kennedy Greenway,136 Blackstone Street, Boston.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. More than 30 local producers of staples, specialty and prepared foods. bostonpublicmarket.org.

College Athletics Recruitment Process.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Learn about when to start looking at colleges, how to contact coaches and what to ask them, the recruitment process and more. newtonfreelibrary.net.

4 Tuesday Project Runway Inspired by BeForever Tour. American Girl, 1245 Worcester Street, Natick Collection, Natick. Through Nov. 5, the store will be hosting an exhibit of BeForeverinspired fashion designs as seen on a recent episode of the hit television show “Project Runway.” View a select assortment of actual outfits from the show. Free. americangirl.com.

Fall Knitting Club. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 3:30 p.m.4:30 p.m. Children in Grades 4-6 will learn the basics of knitting and create a final project to take home. Supplies included. Registration required. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Grade 7-8 Book Discussion Group. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton.

7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.. Monthly book discussion group for parents/children. Online registration is required. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

5 Wednesday Coffee Tasting. Blue State Coffee, 957 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Free coffee cuppings and tastings. bluestatecoffee.com.

Children’s Dance & Movement Class.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. The Joanne Langione Dance Center presents a music and movement class for children ages 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Free Wednesdays @ The MFA. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.

4 p.m.- 9 p.m. Free admission after 4 p.m. mfa.org.

Annie. Wang Theatre, 279 Tremont Street, Boston. 7 p.m. Daily through Nov. 16. The timeless musical theatre family classic. Tickets $35-$125. citicenter.org.

School Writing Assignments: How Parents Can Help. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Lead by professional writing tutor Jane Hirschhorn. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

6 Thursday Toddler Time. Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central Street, Natick. 10:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m.

For walkers under age 2. Each program includes 20 minutes of songs, rhymes, stories, and stretches for toddlers and grown-ups. No other siblings, please. Free. Registration required. morseinstitute.org.

QPR Training for Teens. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 4 p.m.6 p.m. QPR is a simple educational program that teaches ordinary citizens how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get a person at risk the help they need. Participants will learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope, get help and refer. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Scratch Club. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. Kids in Grades 3-6 explore and work with Scratch (a free programming language designed at MIT) to create games, animation and stories. Online registration required. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Parenting Workshop-Instrinsic Motivation.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Learn how to foster intrinsic motivation in your children, led by Danya Handelsman, pediatric physical therapist and parent coach. Online registration required. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

7 Friday Tales from the Wild. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell.

10 a.m. Join us for a half-hour of storytelling that will delight young listeners. Extend your stay to explore the EcoZone or take a walk on the trails to observe the sights and sounds of the season, or enjoy the Discovery Trail. Free with admission. Adults $7, children (2-15) $5 children, under 2 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Play Group. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 11 a.m.- noon.

Enjoy toys and books with other families at the library. For 12- to 36-month-old children and their families. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

OUT&ABOUT

8 Saturday Fertility Treatment, Donor Choices and Adoption Conference. Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road W., Marlborough. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The largest educational infertility consumer conference in the country with 20+ exhibitors, top expert fertility presenters and experienced parent panels. $190. resolvenewengland.org.

Roslindale Village Farmers Market. Upper MBTA Commuter Rail Parking Lot S. Conway Street, Roslindale. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 22. Boston’s oldest, largest and best neighborhood farmers market. A range of fresh produce and food goods, live music and kids’ activities. roslindale.net.

Clowning Workshop. South Shore School of Theatre, 62 Wendell Avenue, Quincy. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Children ages 9-12 are invited to pop on a red nose and explore of the art of clowning. $40. southshoreschooloftheatre.com.

Full Moon Owl Prowl for Families.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Ages 6+. Come with the whole family under the moon to learn about owl calls, behavior and habitat, and search for our frequent evening owl visitors - the Screech Owl and Great Horned Owl. Registration required. Adults $13, children $8. massaudubon.org.

9 Sunday Family Poetry and Drawing Session.

Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover.

2 p.m.-3 p.m. Explore nature and creative writing through the exhibition Dwight Tryon and American Tonalism, followed by hands-on material exploration at the Addison Gallery of American Art. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Free. andover.edu.

10 Monday

Movie: The Parent Trap. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The original Haley Mills classic: Twin sisters, long separated, meet accidentally and concoct an outrageous scheme to switch places in an effort to get their parents back together. Adult $7, child $5. coolidge.org.

Suzuki Musical Afternoon. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 1 p.m.1:45 p.m. Join the Suzuki School of Newton for a musical afternoon for children ages birth to 3. Space is limited; pick up a ticket at the Children’s Desk starting a half-hour before the program begins. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Laurie Berkner: The Rock Till You Drop Tour. Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston. 11 a.m. Children’s music superstar and preschool television favorite performs in support of her new CD. Tickets start at $29.75. citicenter.org.

Crafts for Kids, Ages 5-10. Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree.

3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Come have fun making a craft. Free. thayerpubliclibrary.org.

Free Drop-In Family Days at Emerson Umbrella. The Umbrella Community Arts Center, 40 Stow Street, Concord. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Families can enjoy art-making activities designed and taught by instructors using a variety of art materials, mediums and professional artists’ tools. Free. theumbrellaarts.org.

@

Photo courtesy Citi Performing Arts center

Boston Christmas Festival. World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. 12 p.m.7 p.m. Also runs Saturday and Sunday. This annual festival features the distinctive work of more than 300 master American craftsmen and the Gingerbread House Competition, showcasing Boston’s top chefs. $15, children under 14 free. bostonchristmasfestival.com.

Family Games. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Bring the family to play games and spend quality time together. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Poetry Writing Workshop: Ages 1011. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Online registration required. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The world’s most famous orphan and her dog return to Boston November 5-16 at the Wang Theatre.

11 Tuesday The Hess Mobile Museum. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore the mobile museum while viewing 50 years of Hess Toy Truck history. The mobile museum will be accompanied by outdoor activities for kids – including a photo op, Kids’ Zone and a bank of toy truck computer games.

Free admission for veterans this day. Adults $17.95, children (2-12) $11.95, children under 2 free. franklinparkzoo.org.

Puddlestompers Vacation Program.

Puddlestompers Nature Center, Bridge Street, Newton. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The day includes hands-on exploration, active movement, outdoor play, crafts, stories and songs. Ages 3 to 6. $60. puddlestompers.com.

Crazy About Cranberries. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane,

Norwell. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop-in for a day of exploration and learning about our favorite regional fruit. Members $4, $6 nonmembers. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

12 Wednesday Story Time, Ages 3-5. Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree. 10 a.m.11 a.m or 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Come meet other little ones and adults who live in the area, while improving the child’s early learning skills.

Free. thayerpubliclibrary.org.

Teen Depression Workshop. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton.

7 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Learn how to recognize depression in teens and how to help, presented

by Families for Depression Awareness.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

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Your family can share in the holiday magic of

THE NUTCRACKER presented by dancers of

Saturday, December 6th • 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 7th • 2:00 p.m.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg, MA Special Guest Appearances

by Alan Alberto and Ilya Burov of Festival Ballet Providence

Children & Seniors $13 Adults $16 Ticket sales from these performances help to fund our free public performances for 2,000 local school children each year.

For ticket information call

978-422-6989

Last Year’s Performances “Sold Out” Parents – bring a camera and take a photo of your Sugar Plums with our Sugar Plum Fairy, 1/2 hour prior to each performance.

Dance • Voice • Piano • Theatre 50 Leominster Road, Sterling, MA 01564 www.paulameoladance.com 978-422-6989

18 NOVEMBER2014 19

OUT&ABOUT

13 Thursday Baby Storytime. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 10 a.m.10:15 a.m. Stories and songs for babies up to 12 months. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Magnet Fun. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Come experiment and play with magnets.

Children ages 3 to 5 and their adults. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Ski & Snowboard Show. Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Runs through Sunday. Live acts, interactive exhibits and ongoing giveaways provide visitors with non-stop entertainment and deals on gear, lift tickets and more. Adults $15, children 12 and under free. skisnowboardexpo.com.

14 Friday Preschool Storytime (3-5 years). Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 9:30 a.m. Longer, more complex stories form the basis for this program.

Participation plays a big part as children now have the language and confidence to join in on refrains and songs. Limited to Quincy residents.

Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

Play Group. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 11 a.m.- noon.

Enjoy toys and books with other families.

For 12 -to 36-month-old children and their families. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Pippi Longstocking. Arlington Center for the Arts, 41 Foster Street, Arlington. 7 p.m.

Performances also Nov. 15 & 16. ACA’s School Show program, a collaboration with Arlington Children’s Theater. Tickets: $10. acarts.org.

15 Saturday Festi-Fall and Craft Fair. Jackson-Mann School and Community Center, 500 Cambridge Street, Allston. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop from local artisans from throughout New England, enjoy the children’s area, and grab some treats from the bake sale. Free. jacksonmann.org.

Brookline Marketplace Craft Fair. The Park School, 171 Goddard Avenue, Brookline.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop from 90+ craft artisans that specialize in handmade and one-of-a-kind items. Adults $5, children free. 617-277-2456.

Drop-in Crafts. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 10:30 a.m.11:15 a.m. Enjoy crafts projects, parent or caregiver must attend. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Gustafer Yellowgold’s “The Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom” Concert. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington. 10:30

a.m. Equal parts pop rock concert and animated storybook, Gustafer Yellowgold concerts are a truly different multimedia experience that entrances children and adults alike. Adults $10, children $8. regenttheatre.com.

‘Frozen’ Ice-Skating Themed Party & Open House. Cape Ann Skating Club. Talbot Rink, O’Maley Middle School, 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester. Noon-2 p.m. Goodies and demonstrations, used skate sale and lots of skating fun. Free. cafsc.org.

Movie: Maleficent. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 3 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Come watch Disney’s Maleficent to learn the bad fairy’s side of the story. Rated PG. Running time 97 minutes. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Busy Beavers. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Ages 7+. Families will visit different beaver sites, discover what life is like as a beaver and how to recognize signs that a beaver has been in the area. Registration required. Adults $13, children $8. massaudubon.org.

Crepuscular Creep and Crawl. North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main Street, Marshfield. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Ages 4+. Join us for a crepuscular hike through the sanctuary to learn what makes this time of day special and which of our favorite animals take advantage of twilight time. Adults $10, children $10. massaudubon.org.

16 Sunday Vanessa Trien & The Jumping Monkeys.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Vanessa and her band perform songs off their new album, “Bubble Ride”, as well as old favorites.

Adults $11, children $8. coolidge.org.

17 Monday Just for Twos (24-36 months). Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 10 a.m. Songs, rhymes, fingerplays and felt board activities will be used to reinforce concepts. Registration is required, limited to Quincy residents. Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

MFA Playdates. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.11:15 a.m. Story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making.

Recommended for children ages 4 and younger with adults. Free with admission. Adults $25, children 6 and under free. mfa.org.

Poetry Writing Workshop: Ages 12+.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Online registration required. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

OUT&ABOUT

18 Tuesday Mother Goose on the Loose (12-24 months). Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 11 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and creative movement for young children accompanied by an adult.

Registration is required, limited to Quincy residents. Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

Fall Knitting Club. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 3:30 p.m.4:30 p.m. Children in Grades 4-6 will learn the basics of knitting and create a final project to take home. Supplies included. Registration required. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Africa Fun Time. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Enjoy activities that highlight the culture of Africa. Today’s topic: “My First Trip to Africa.”

Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Wenham Museum, 132 Main Street, Wenham.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also runs Saturday and Sunday.

The finest New England artisans present quality handcrafted gifts at this festive craft fair. $10 donation suggested. wenhammuseum.org.

Play Group. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 11 a.m.- noon, Enjoy toys and books with other families at the library. For 12- to 36-month-old children and their families. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Tales from the Wild. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell.

10 a.m. Join us for a half-hour of storytelling that will delight young listeners. Extend your stay to explore the EcoZone or take a walk on the trails to observe the sights and sounds of the season, or enjoy the Discovery Trail. Free with admission. Adults $7, children (2-15) $5, under 2 free. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

Believe in the Magic Friday, Nov 14, 5pm - 7pm Here Comes Santa Claus

Join us as Santa magically appears in his Toyland and gets ready to visit with all of his friends Enjoy a magic show, make reindeer food, send a letter to the North Pole and receive $5.00 off select photo packages

Believe in the Wonder

Preschool Storytime (3-5 years). Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 9:30 a.m. Longer, more complex stories form the basis for this program.

Participation plays a big part as children now have the language and confidence to join in on refrains and songs. Limited to Quincy residents.

Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

Wednesday, Nov 19 & Nov 26 11am - 12pm Story time with Santa

Neverland Theatre’s Broadway Kids Revue. Temple B’nai Abraham, 200 E. Lothrop Street, Beverly. 6:30 p.m. Featuring songs from Disney’s Frozen to Broadway’s Wicked, this show is sure to please the entire family. Tickets $12. neverlandtheatre.com.

Castleberry Holiday Arts & Craft Festival. DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester. 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. Also runs Saturday and Sunday. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans. Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com.

Enjoy a snack while Santa reads his favorite stories. Make & Take Craft courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

Teen Author Event: Kendall Kulper.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.. Young adult author Kendall Kulper will be reading a short excerpt from her new published book, “Salt & Storm”.

Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Winter Fire Celebration. Wachusett Mountain, 499 Mountain Rd., Princeton.

5 p.m.-11 p.m. Enjoy the screening of two new ski and snowboard movies, watch an outdoor fire performance, and experience food, drink, music and firepits. Admission $7/$12 at the door. wachusett.com.

20 Thursday

Kids’ & Families’ Friday Shabbat Service. The Boston Synagogue, 55 Martha Road, Boston. 6 p.m. Join us for a special Shabbat service modified for families with children that includes singing, Torah theater, play & lots of fun. Free. bostonsynagogue.org.

19 Wednesday Songs & Stories For All Ages. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton.

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Songs, short stories and finger plays for all ages. Space is limited; pick up a ticket at the children’s desk starting half an hour before the program begins. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Rock-a-Bye Babies (4-12 months).

Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 9:30 a.m. An introduction to stories, songs, nursery rhymes and gentle movement exercises for very young children accompanied by an adult. Limited to Quincy residents. Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

21 Friday Children’s Dance & Movement Class.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. The Joanne Langione Dance Center presents a music and movement class for children ages 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

42nd Annual Sleigh Bell Artisan Fair.

22 Saturday Parent and Child Pottery Workshop.

Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St., Brookline. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn fundamental hand-building skills, collaborate and make meaningful artwork together. Cost: $55.50. brooklineartscenter.com.

Believe that You can Make a Difference Saturday, Nov 22, 10am - 4pm 2014 Day of Cheer

A special day for non profit groups within our community to increase awareness of services, recruit help, and promote events. See how you can help someone believe this season Burlington, JC Penney, Macy’s, Sears, Toys R Us & more than 60 specialty stores 100 Commercial Rd. Leominster, MA At the junction of Route 2 & I -190 978.537.7500

Songs & Stories For All Ages. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton.

10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Songs, short stories and finger plays for all ages. Space is limited; BAYSTATEPARENT 18 19

Photo courtesy Drumlin Farm

OUT&ABOUT The Polar Express Train Ride. Edaville USA, 5 Pine St., Carver. 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Runs through Dec. 30. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole. Reservations recommended. $38 per person, under 2 free. All park rides and attractions included. edaville.com.

pick up a ticket at the Children’s Desk starting a half-hour before the program begins. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Silly Sally’s Bubble Show. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline.

10:30 a.m. Little bubbles, medium bubbles and ginormous bubbles collaborate to tell stories, sing and dance, recycle and come to life.

Recommended for ages 3+. Adults $11, children $8. coolidge.org.

Tree Lighting Ceremony. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. 8 p.m.-9 p.m.

Ceremony features Mayor Martin J. Walsh along with national and local celebrities during a live broadcast on WBZ-TV. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

Crabgrass Puppet Theatre’s Jack & The Beanstalk. TCAN, 14 Summer Street, Natick.

11 a.m. A hilarious retelling of the tallest of tales that is full of fun and loaded with laughs. Adults $10, children $8. natickarts.org.

23 Sunday Great Train and Toy Show. Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Rd, Wilmington.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. The largest train and toy show in the northeast. Adults $8, children under 12 free. greenbergshows.com.

Thanksgiving Parade. Main Street, Plymouth. 11 a.m. One of America’s only historically accurate chronological parades brings to life America’s rich heritage representing each century from the 17th through the 21st. Free. usathanksgiving.com.

New England Food Festival. Pilgrim Memorial Park, 79 Water St., Plymouth.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event features the very best soups, chowders, desserts, party foods, entrees and décor in the region. Adults $12, children under 12 $7, under 5 free. usathanksgiving.com.

Baystate.2014_Layout 1 9/17/14 4:12 PM

Harvest Market and Crafters Village.

Pilgrim Memorial Park, 79 Water Street, Plymouth. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. usathanksgiving.com.

24 Monday Just for Twos (24-36 months). Thomas Crane1Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Page

C O M M O N W E A LT H BA L L E T P R E S E N T S

Nutcracke r The

CHIP MORRIS Ar tistic Director

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School

Quincy. 10 a.m. Songs, rhymes, fingerplays and felt board activities will be used to reinforce concepts. Registration is required, limited to Quincy residents. Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

5 p.m. Daily through Jan. 4. The Museum’s galleries are filled with 38 fanciful trees of all shapes and sizes, decorated with original ornaments inspired by acclaimed children’s storybooks and contemporary picture book favorites. Adults $15, children $6; children under 4 free. concordmuseum.org.

Lego Club. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 3:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

For Grades 3-5. Registration required. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

27 Thursday

Blink! A Light & Sound Extravaganza.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Performances start at 4:30 p.m. Nightly through Jan. 5.

Featuring the music of the Holiday Pops, Blink! is a state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

25 Tuesday Mother Goose on the Loose (12-24 months). Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy. 11 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and creative movement for young children accompanied by an adult.

Registration is required, limited to Quincy residents. Free. thomascranelibrary.org.

26 Wednesday Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature. Concord Museum, Cambridge Turnpike at Lexington Road, Concord. 9 a.m.-

Zoo Lights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Nightly through Jan. 4. Get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa in his castle and enter a magical holiday world filled with fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals. Adults $14.95, children (2-12) $10.95, children under 2 free. stonezoo.org.

28 Friday The 19th Annual Castleberry Faire. Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Also runs Saturday and Sunday. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans.

Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com.

Play Group. Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham. 11 a.m.- noon, Enjoy toys and books with other families at the library. For

Leominster Events!

November 30-December 14

Festival of Trees

Leominster City Hall

Vote for your favorite tree ~ Bid in the silent auction Weekdays: 9-4 • Weekends: 11-3

November 28 – 6PM November 29 – 1PM & 6PM November 30 – 1PM

Saturday, December 6

Winter Stroll & Gingerbread Festival

Downtown and City Hall 2-5 pm

Lighted Parade

Regis College, Weston

Downtown Leominster, 5 pm

December 12 –7PM December 13 – 1PM & 6PM December 14 – 1PM

Order online at CommonwealthBallet.org or call 978-263-7794 Tickets starting at $20 20 NOVEMBER2014 21

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Monument Square Downtown Leominster, 5 pm Following lighted parade

PHOTO: MIKE NYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Free parking

For more information on these and other events, please call the Mayor’s Office (978) 534-7500 and visit www.leominsterevents.com

OUT&ABOUT 12 month to 36 month old children and their families. Free. waltham.lib.ma.us.

Friday After Thanksgiving (F.A.T.): Chain Reaction. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. MIT Rockwell Cage Gymnasium, 120 Vassar Street, Cambridge. Local artists will mastermind the choreography of this Rube Goldberg machine, assisted by more than 20 teams that range from Girl Scout troops to engineers. Adults $15, children (5-18) $5, under 5 free. mit.edu.

Movie: Sleeping Beauty (1959). Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 3 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Fall under the glorious spell of Disney’s ultimate princess fairy tale. Rated G. Runtime 75 min. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

29th Annual Boston Tuba Christmas Concert. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston.

2 p.m. More than 150 tuba players serenade the crowd with holiday classics. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

Fall Owl Craft. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Ages 6 to 10 will be making super cool, cute and funky owls. Space is limited; please pick up a ticket at the Children’s Desk starting a half-hour before the program begins. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

LEOMINSTER’S ONLY INFLATABLE GYM!!

Fun Friday Classes in November

Includes fun fall themed crafts 2 hour open Hop session!

30 Sunday

29 Saturday The Muppet Movie (1979). Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline. 10:30 a.m. Kermit and gang star in their first full-length movie. Adults $7, children $5. coolidge.org.

City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration. Downtown Lowell. Stroll the city streets and enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and the Annual Hot Chocolate Competition! The daytime fun leads to the nighttime extravaganza - The City of Lights Parade and City Hall Lighting. Free. lowell.org.

The 62 Annual Quincy Christmas Parade.

Downtown Quincy. 12:30 p.m. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway and runs up Hancock Street to North Quincy. The largest Christmas parade in the state. quincyma.gov.

November 7th Creative Tree Craft (9:30am-12pm) November 14th Create-a-Cupcake Class (9:30am-12pm)

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting. Downtown Gloucester. Parade starts at 3 p.m. from the State Fish Pier and winds its way through Main Street and Western Avenue to Kent Circle. At Kent Circle, enjoy the wonderful tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for 4:30 pm. Free. rockportusa.com.

Parents' Night Out 3rd Friday of EVERY month Drop off your 3-10 year old for supervised fun.

We will tire them out with our energy burning bouncies and activities!

Visit baystateparent.com to post your family event.

Email listings to editor@baystateparent.com.

Drop-n-Shop Pancake Breakfast

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Family Holiday Happenings Let’s Go

W

hile the big winter holidays fall in December, there’s so much to do and see these days, the fun really starts the minute the kids’ Halloween costumes go back into the closet.

Here’s just a sampling of the fun fairs, events, performances and day trips your family can enjoy through November and the first half of December.

Boston Christmas Festival. World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9.

This annual festival features the distinctive work of more than 300 master American craftsmen and the Gingerbread House Competition, showcasing Boston’s top chefs. $15, children under 14 free. bostonchristmasfestival.com.

Holiday Craft Fair. Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, 251 Stonehaven Road, Fall River, Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Featuring over 75 local crafters and vendors. Jewelry, candles, candy, pet treats, homemade treats and much more. Free.

Castleberry Holiday Arts & Craft Festival. DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans. Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com.

22 NOVEMBER2014 23

Elf. Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 21-23. The Broadway musical production of the holiday hit movie. Tickets start at $39. thehanovertheatre.org Dickens Festival & Victorian Holiday Craft Fair. All Souls Parish Hall, 196 Elm Street, Braintree, Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crafters, costumed characters, homemade apple pies and fudge, carolers and more. allsoulsbraintreechurch.org Methuen Festival of Trees. Valley Office Park, 13 Branch Street, Methuen, daily Nov. 22-Dec. 6.

The event will display more than 240 spectacularly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths.

Children’s events include visits and photos with Santa, Polar Express reading, BJ Hickman Magic Shows, Mad Science Show and more. methuenfestivaloftrees.com The Polar Express Train Ride.

Edaville USA, 5 Pine St., Carver, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2 p.m.-9 p.m.

Runs through Dec. 30. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole.

Reservations recommended. $38 per person, under 2 free. All park rides and attractions included. edaville.com.

Tree Lighting Ceremony. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, Saturday,

Nov. 22, 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Ceremony features Mayor Martin Walsh along with national and local celebrities during a live broadcast on WBZ-TV. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

Blink! A Light & Sound Extravaganza. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Performances start at 4:30 p.m. Nightly Nov. 24Jan. 5. Featuring the music of the Holiday Pops, Blink! is a state-of-theart light and sound extravaganza. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

Zoo Lights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, Thursday, Nov. 27, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Daily through Jan. 4. Get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Visit with Santa in his castle and enter a magical holiday world filled with fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals. Adults $14.95, children (2-12) $10.95, children under 2 free. stonezoo.org.

Festival of Lights. La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St, Attleboro, Nov. 27-Jan. 4, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. daily. More than 300,000 lights illuminate over 10 acres. Free. lasalette-shrine.org The 19th Annual Castleberry Faire.

Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 28-30. This three-day shopping bonanza includes more than 250 of the nation’s finest craftsmen and artisans. Adult $8, under 12 free; one admission good for all three days. castleberryfairs.com.

Worcester Common Oval.

Behind City Hall, 455 Main Street, Worcester. Opens for the season Friday, Nov. 28. Runs Fridays-Sundays, public skating through February. Admission $2, children 6 and under skate free. worcestermass.org Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

The Boston Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston, Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Tickets start at $45. bostonballet.org.

Polar Express. 1 Fitzgerald Drive, Hopedale. Friday-Sundays, 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28-30; Dec. 5-7; Dec. 12-14. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Tickets start at $36. 508-866-8190 City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration. Downtown Lowell, Saturday, Nov. 29. Stroll the city streets and enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and the Annual Hot Chocolate Competition. The daytime fun leads to the nighttime extravaganza - The City of Lights Parade and City Hall Lighting. Free. lowell.org.

29th Annual Boston Tuba Christmas Concert. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m. More than 150

tuba players serenade the crowd with holiday classics. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com.

Holiday Tree Lighting. Lappin Park (intersection of Essex and Washington streets), Salem, Saturday, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. Bring the whole family out for carols with the Paul Madore Singers, cocoa, and snacks. salemmainstreets.org The 62 Annual Quincy Christmas Parade. Downtown Quincy, Sunday, Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway and runs up Hancock Street to North Quincy.

The largest Christmas parade in the state. quincyma.gov Santa Parade and Tree Lighting.

Downtown Gloucester, Sunday, Nov. 30. Parade starts at 3 p.m. from the State Fish Pier and winds its way through Main Street and Western Avenue to Kent Circle. At Kent Circle, enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Free. rockportusa.com.

Essex Holiday Festival Tree Lighting. Thursday, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, Martin Street, Essex. visitessexma.com Santa Arrives By Boat, Friday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m., Town Landing, Essex.

Friday evening Santa arrives on the Essex River by boat and walks up to the shipyard with a cast of Toyland characters. visitessexma.com Breakfast With Santa. Essex Elementary, 12 Story Street, Essex, Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 a.m.-11 a.m.

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, take a photo with Santa and make a holiday craft. Cost: $5 per person or $25 for the family. visitessexma.com Holiday Fair. Waldorf School of Lexington, 739 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10

a.m.-4 p.m. Events and activities include a Mummers Play, a marionette show, crafts for young children, live music, and artisan vendors who sell unique items for holiday gift shopping. Adults $5, children $3 or $15 per family. thewaldorfschool.org Holiday Pops Kids Matinees.

Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave, Boston, Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 6, 7, 13, 14 & 20, 11 a.m. These special family concerts include a children’s sing-along and postconcert photos with Santa. Tickets start at $37. bso.org Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 3:45 p.m., Bradley Wharf on Bearskin Neck and Dock Square, Rockport. Santa will arrive following a lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay then proceed to the Tree Lighting. rockportusa.com Santa Arrives in Salem. Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square, Salem, Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m.

With help from the Salem Fire Department, Santa arrives on the hotel roof, followed by a short stop for cocoa and caroling at the gazebo on the Salem Common.

The parade continues to Museum Place Mall for pictures with Santa. salemmainstreets.org Gingerbread Express Train Exhibit. Wenham Museum, 132 Main Street, Wenham, TuesdaysSundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 7-14.

The holiday favorite Gingerbread Express model train layout brings spirit of the season to life in this winter wonderland of candycovered cottages created by community members. Adults $10, children 1+ $6. wenhammuseum.org Christmas on the Common.

Bridgewater Town Common, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Bring the family to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, pony rides, holiday BAYSTATEPARENT 22 23

of L e o t s c al a T November 15th & 16th 10 am to 6 pm

music, craft fair, food and hot drinks.

Free. bridgewaterbiz.biz

Sample all of our delicious pies to select the perfect one for your holiday dessert!

Also, try local products including cheeses, tortillas, Dancing Deer Cookies & Brownies, McCrea’s caramel and more!

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294 Chase Rd Lunenburg 978-582-6246 www.lanniorchards.com Open daily 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. The Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston, Dec. 9-14. The original television classic comes to life onstage. Tickets starts at $28. citicenter.org.

MetroWest Festival of Trees. Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, Friday-Sunday, Dec. 12-14. More than 100 decorated trees, Candyland, Santa’s Workshop, North Pole Playland, entertainment, artisans and crafters and much more. metrowestfot.org

Middle Street Walk. Middle Street, Main Street and surrounding area, Gloucester, Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Open houses, concerts, special programs and traditional decorations will be featured throughout the afternoon, focused in and around historic Middle Street. Locations include Cape Ann Museum, Sawyer Free Library, Trinity Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, Sargent House Museum, and more. gloucesterdowntownassociation.org Holiday Pops Concert. Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, Plymouth.

Performances Dec. 13-14. Tickets start at $20. plymouthphil.org

November At The Carle!

Elephant and Piggie Book Party!

November 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Join Mo Willems for an exclusive preview of his new book, Waiting Is Not Easy!

Meet Mo, get your books signed and enjoy special art projects and films.

See website for details and signing guidelines.

Free with Museum Admission.

Picture Book Theatre Presents

Tico and The Golden Wings and Geraldine The Music Mouse by Leo Lionni November 8, 15, 22, 2:00 pm November 28 & 29, 2:00pm & 3:00 pm See Leo Lionni’s stories come to life with puppets and young dancers. $6 Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum’s Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126.

Tico and The Golden Wings Copyright © 1964 by Leo Lionni; Copyright © 1992 Renewed by Leo Lionni; Geraldine, The Music Mouse Copyright © 1979 by Leo Lionni

Madeline Family Day November 16, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Meet Madeline and see our new exhibition Madeline at 75: The Art of Ludwig Bemelmans. Plus gallery tour, special art activities, storytimes, films and Madeline tattoos! Free with Museum Admission.

Support for this exhibition has been generously provided by Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce and The Walton Family Foundation

125 West Bay Road, Amherst MA 01002

www.carlemuseum.org 24 NOVEMBER2014 25

413.658.1100

“Bring your kids...and start a new kind of holiday tradition” CHICAGO DAILY HERALD

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” animated television special adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks, music and lyrics by Johnny Marks. All elements © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC.

DECEMBER 9–14 CITI SHUBERT THEATRE

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F inally Forever

Jordan’s Furniture Brings Marketing and Much

By Melissa Shaw, Photography by Steven King

He

walks through his store without fanfare or selfpromotion, but the going is slow for one of the most famous faces in Massachusetts.

Eliot Tatelman, president and CEO of Jordan’s Furniture, makes his way across the floor of his Reading store, which though two hours away from opening to the public, is currently jammed with children and adults.

He’s stopped seemingly every 5 feet, pausing to crouch down and talk with a face-painted child here, shaking hands happily thrust at him by wideeyed well-wishers there. At one point, he tries to walk by a small crowd and gets pulled into a ring-juggling act.

There’s a party going on, for sure, and it has nothing to do with furniture.

Early one Sunday morning last month, Jordan’s Reading store hosted The Adoption Option, its annual informational event/party for prospective adoptive families and waiting children. Now in its ninth year, The Adoption Option is the most successful and well-attended event of a partnership between Jordan’s, the Department of Children and Families, 26 NOVEMBER2014 27

and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE). The union, which turns 16 in December, has placed 285 children in adoptive homes through its combined efforts.

The Jordan’s Initiative, as it’s known, has modest roots. In 1998, the company was approached by MARE officials, who proposed the idea of doing a joint fundraiser around its famous MOM Ride in the Avon store.

“Eliot and his brother Barry did what now I know — and love — they do often,” says Lisa Funaro, executive director of MARE, a 57-year-old private nonprofit that serves as the central link between families interested in adoption, DCF, and its contracted adoption agencies. “They said, ‘We want to understand who you are and what you do and why we should partner with you.’”

The meeting between MARE and Jordan’s went so well that they – along with DCF – entered into a formal agreement, the Jordan’s Initiative, pledging time, energy and resources toward spreading awareness of fostering and adoption.

“It’s easy to write checks,” Tatelman says. “It’s giving of time, energy and making things happen. When you give of time, you’re really giving of

something because you can’t get it back. When you give time like this to try and help kids, to make a difference, to make a match – to make a family – it doesn’t get any better than that.”

“Money’s really not the problem, it’s exposure to the cause,” adds Heather Copelas, Jordan’s Public Relations/ Marketing Communications Manager.

“Once you start, you meet these kids, you meet these families, you start to see the successes of the initiatives that we do, how do you stop doing that?”

“Do you know many places I go, I’m at the supermarket buying something and somebody will come over to me and introduce me to their kid and say, ‘We have him because of you,’ that we met this kid at one of your events,” Tatelman adds. “And they’re a family! It doesn’t get any better than that.”

One prime example of time and resources is The Adoption Option, an event Tatelman promotes heavily via TV and radio interviews preceding the date. More than 250 prospective parents who were drawn by the message sat in the Reading store’s IMAX Theater last month to hear a presentation about how the adoption

process works. After the session, social workers, adoption agencies and veteran adoptive families were clustered in various show rooms throughout the store, ready to answer questions and share their experiences with those seeking more information.

And while the adults were talking, 96 foster children waiting for homes were playing in the store’s Beantown section, getting temporary tattoos, caricatures, personalized airbrushed caps, or face paint. Jugglers, balloon artists and stilt walkers entertained them while waiters worked the rooms offering trays of breakfast food and drink. Jordan’s foots the bill for the whole thing, just one of many adoption-promotion programs they support, staff and pay for every year.

“We’re trying to bring awareness, get people interested,” says the selfproclaimed “marketing guy.” “I don’t think everybody understands what the process is, that if they’re single, that if they’re not rich, that if they’re gay, that they can adopt. The goal is to keep it out there so they realize they can, so once we do that, that piques their interest and the next thing you know they get involved. It’s been very successful in that respect.”

“W 16 we sa m an ca wo co be th pu on th ca th B th go th ho th ch ico se

th fai th a of wh Th

d Much More to Advance Adoption Awareness

“What they’ve been doing for the last 16 years is helping us reframe how we can get our message out,” Funaro says, noting Initiative stakeholders meet every 6-8 weeks to review, analyze and plan future projects and campaigns. “And it’s working. We wouldn’t have learned as much about consumerism, and we wouldn’t have been able to get that huge net out there that Eliot provides for us with public awareness. He’s able — with one radio ad — to make an impact that years and years [of other efforts can’t]. We’ve hit a different market than we were able to do before.”

But Initiative officials aren’t naïve; they know they have a long way to go. The minute Tatelman gets on the subject of children waiting for homes, beauracracy that bogs down the process, or cyclical, societal challenges, the smiling, happy, fun icon you know from TV gets very serious.

“There’s too many kids out there that don’t have homes, and it’s not fair,” he says. “That’s why we do this. No kid should grow up without a parent. If you look at the statistics of those who don’t get adopted and what happens to them, it’s awful.

They don’t accomplish anything for

society, and it’s not their fault. So these kids, through no fault of their own, have been put in this position.

It’s our obligation, and we look at it as Jordan’s and as human beings, to not let that happen.”

“We don’t profess to be the professionals in this, we do what we can to bring attention to it,” Copelas adds. “We’re constantly going to the staff of DCF to say, ‘We’ve been doing this for 16 years, what do we need to change? What are some new things that we need to do?’”

The out-of-the-box thinking is welcome and highly valued, Funaro says.

“The one thing that I find incredible about this partnership is they’re always, always, always open to new ideas,” she adds. “Eliot wants to reprocess everything: ‘Should we do this another way?’”

Tatelman has another take: “I drive them crazy.”

But it pays off, as he points to the Plus One Challenge from several years ago. The Initiative wanted to find more foster families, given that statistics show 60% of foster families will adopt that child. They had Tatelman do a mass-market media blitz pushing the message, but

it didn’t work. So they went back to the drawing board, with Tatelman realizing they needed to narrow their focus.

Over a 13-month period, he traveled throughout the state meeting foster parents, realizing they were the best people to recruit and evangelize.

He challenged foster parents to talk to their friends, coworkers and acquaintances, and recruit one other foster parent. Anyone who was successful would be invited to a party.

“And I know how to throw a party,” he notes with a smile. “We had an amazing party and the only way you could come is if you recruited another foster parent.”

The party featured performances from The Marvelettes, The Coasters and The Drifters, but the star of the show may have been the then-DCF commissioner, who announced that the Challenge produced 600 new foster families.

“It was amazing because that’s what can happen if you think a little bit differently, a little bit out of the box,” he says. “I realized what it was; it was the same thing we do in furniture. If I’m sending you a special on a mattress and you just bought

a mattress last week, it’s a waste of money and time. So today in the world of communications and the Internet, everybody knows everything about you. So you focus it in: You bought a mattress eight years ago, it’s time for a new one. Now I’m going to send you something to get a mattress. So it’s the same thing: Focus in on how do you get what you want, and in that particular case, it worked.”

And while many organizations that have a commitment to adoption have a personal connection to the cause – either as an adoptive parent, sibling or child – there is no personal hook for Tatelman, aside from an obvious belief in finding permanent homes for children.

“As long as there’s a kid out there that’s not in a permanent home, we need to find homes for them,” he says. “Every child deserves to be brought up with a parent, somebody to guide them through life; life is tough enough as it is. And not to have somebody to help you and guide you through life is wrong – and that’s why we do this. We want to get every single child that’s out there into a home and with a parent.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 26 27

NOVEMBER’S CHILD

TIMOTHY

Timothy is a smart, thoughtful, and funny 13-year-old Caucasian teen. He likes to be active and spends a lot of time outdoors. He enjoys baseball, golf, swimming, music and video games. Tim can sing, although it is not a talent that he often shows off. He also is artistic and enjoys drumming.

Now in the eighth grade, Tim has done well in school this year. He has an IEP, which details very specific accommodations, but he remains in a mainstream

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS We make every effort to keep this list of adoption events current at publication. But because things can and do change, we encourage you to call ahead to verify that there are no changes or cancellations to the program you plan to attend.

Thursday, November 6 — Healthy Eating Habits and Beyond. 8 p.m. Katja Rowell, M.D. explores why a child may be struggling, how stress and conflict negatively impact eating and weight regulation, and what foster and adoptive parents can do right away to address challenges. $15. adoptionlearningpartners.org.

Saturday, November 8 — "W.I.S.E UP" For Grade School Students ages 6-12.

MSPCC office, 3815 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Jamaica Plain. 10 a.m.-noon. W.I.S.E. Up is

an award-winning curriculum to teach children how to respond to questions about their adoption experience. While children are meeting, parents will be trained on the curriculum in order to support their children using these newly learned strategies. $25 per family. Call 857-728-2157 to register. mspcc.org.

Monday, November 10 — Northern Region Adoption Info Meeting. Jordan’s Furniture, IMAX Conference Room, 50 Walker’s Brook Drive, Reading, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. RSVP at 508-894-3830. mareinc.org.

Wednesday, November 12 –Adoption Learn and Play. First Connections, 11 Old Road to 9 Acre Corner, Concord. 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

This month’s theme examines celebrating holidays

classroom. Tim is able to maintain positive behaviors at school but has several diagnoses that have not been effectively addressed.

Legally free for adoption, Tim wants to be involved in conversations about his placement. He has expressed that he would like to live in the country (outside of the city) with a family that has a dog. Tim has periodic, supervised visitation with a grandmother that he would like to maintain. His social worker feels he would do well in a two-

and starting family traditions, including your own and your child’s cultural heritage. For parents and their adopted children ages 5 and under.

Free. 978-287-0221.

Monday, November 17 — Southern Region Adoption Info Meeting. Canton Police Station, 1492 Washington Street, Canton.

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Presented by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. RSVP at 508-894-3830. mareinc.org.

Wednesday, November 19 — Northern Region Adoption Info Meeting. DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. No registration required.

Friday, November 21 — National Adoption Day Celebration. Edward Brook Courthouse, 24 New Chardon Street, Boston.

Opening ceremony, 9 a.m. Finalization

parent or single-parent home with no other children.

For more information regarding Timothy, please call Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adoption Supervisor Rukaiyah Saforo at (508) 929-2095. DCF hosts monthly informational meetings about the adoption process in general at the Worcester Adoption Office, now located at 13 Sudbury Street. For specific details about the next meeting, please call (508) 929-2143.

ceremonies, speakers, and special events for adoptive families.

Friday, November 21 — National Adoption Day Celebration. Worcester Trial Court, 225 Main Street, Worcester. Opening ceremony, 9 a.m. Finalization ceremonies, speakers, and special events for adoptive families.

Friday, November 21 — National Adoption Day Celebration. George N. Covett Courthouse, Brockton District Court, 215 Main Street, Brockton. Opening ceremony, 9:30 a.m.

Finalization ceremonies, speakers, and special events for adoptive families.

If your group or organization is holding an adoption information or support group, and you would like to have information posted for readers of baystateparent, please email editor@baystateparent.com.

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Holiday Fun For Kids of All Ages!

Sign up today for performance classes beginning Dec 29, 2014 - Jan 2, 2015

Ages 5-6: WHOOPIE! A Celebration of the New Year! A festival of fun!

Students explore traditional characters who lead New Year’s festivities in various cultures, then create their own versions!

Ages 7-8: Wizards, Jesters & Other Magicians! Students act out folktales and scenes from children’s literature, adding dances, poems, and magic!

Ages 9-11: To Infinity and Beyond!

Using improvisation and problemsolving skills, students imagine and create a future story of what the New Year will bring!

Ages 12-16: Goths & Ghostly Apparitions: A Radio Play.

Using special effects, students create a dark, supernatural world of the mind. Put the audience on the edge of their seats!

A Season You Can’t Miss!

Professional, Affordable Theatre for Every Member of the Family!

Alice Oct. 17-Nov. 16, 2014

The Taste of Sunrise

A new coming-of-age musical based on the books by Lewis Carroll.

Performed in ASL and spoken English, a mythical tale about a Deaf boy’s journey to self-realization.

PINOCCHIO

SHREK the MUSICAL

Influenced by Japanese traditions of Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku puppetry, but with a modern edge!

The beguiling “happily-ever-after” story is turned upside-down in this singing and dancing extravaganza.

Jan. 30-Feb. 22, 2015

March 13-22, 2015

April 17-May 24, 2015

Wheelock Family Theatre’s Family FUNdraiser The classic MGM film on the big screen!

The Wizard of Oz

Friday December 26 & Saturday December 27 • 1:00pm A family event that is more than just a movie • Costumed Characters • Interactive Games • Surprise Performances!

200 The Riverway, Boston Box Office: 617-879-2300 tickets@wheelock.edu

www.WheelockFamilyTheatre.org

BAYSTATEPARENT 28 29

How to Have the

t s e B

Parent-Teacher Conference Ever

By Melissa Shaw For many Massachusetts school districts, the days of Fall and Spring parent-teacher conferences are over, leaving a child’s most important personal champions just 20 minutes a year with the student’s most critical educational advocate.

It’s not a lot of time, but teachers say parents can make the most of it and establish a solid relationship of communication and support with just a few simple steps.

1. Don’t be nervous “When parents come in to the conference you have to understand as a teacher there’s always a level

of anxiety,” says Jennifer Hunt, mother of four, a former first- and second-grade teacher, and current principal of Clarke Elementary School in Swampscott.

Many parents are well aware of benchmark testing, Common Core standards, MCAS results and the plethora of assessments today’s students undertake, which Hunt believes leads to conference concerns, i.e.: Is my child where he should be?

“You want to talk about where students are, where instructionally we want them to be,” she notes.

“But I really do think parents come with much more anxiety than

Here to Help You

“On the soccer field or in the waiting room at ballet class, you hear people talking about, ‘Who do you have next year?’ ‘Mrs. So and So.’ ‘Oh, she’s awful!’” notes Heidi Richard, a mother of two and a second-grade

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2. Leave preconceived notions about the teacher at the door

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teachers do.”

Valerie Sousa, a kindergarten teacher in Ludlow, sees another side of parents: those who are sitting in a conference for the first time.

“Because kindergarten is very different today, parents are often shocked at how much we actually do now,” she says. “Sometimes it can be extra overwhelming for the new parents coming in because they don’t know what to expect.”

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teacher in Shrewsbury. “As a parent of school-aged children, I can see this from the other side.”

She encourages parents to form their own opinions of teachers for one simple reason: “Different kids interact differently with different adults – just like some adults we meet, we hit it off, and some we immediately can’t stand. ” And Richard takes her own advice professionally, when it comes to students’ reputations.

“For the same reason, teachers need to form their own opinions,” she says. “Most schools have some kind of transition meeting between the grade levels at the end of the previous school year. I always tell the teachers that I’m meeting with from the first grade, ‘I don’t want to know your opinion.’ I always tell them that I want to know things that were helpful to you in the classroom, things that will help me be successful with this student, but I don’t want to know, ‘He’s a trouble maker.’”

And this she understands from firsthand experience.

“Especially at the elementary age, a summer can make such a difference in maturity for a child. Who they were in June isn’t necessarily who they will be in September,” she adds.

“My child, for example, one year in school had meltdowns every single day and then the next year it never happened once. She was just not mature enough the year before to handle not napping and being in school the whole time. Kids change.”

3. If you have concerns, send them in advance Sending your child’s teacher an email ahead of the conference outlining concerns or areas you want to discuss is invaluable – and essential – to a satisfying, efficient meeting.

“I appreciate that because it just makes things easier for me to meet with those parents once and have everything they need rather than leave a meeting and not really solve the problem,” Richard says. “It’s easier for the parent because they get what they need, and it’s easier for me because I can provide what the parent needs. And a lot of times the things the parent needs are things that are going to make my job easier.”

The same concerns pop up year after year, she notes: lack of readinglevel-appropriate materials at home, homework struggles or learning math facts.

“Those are common things that come up every year, and it’s easy for me to provide materials for parents or point them in the right direction,” she adds. “I can make sure I have everything they need ready to go. I can have those things there instead of having to set up another meeting and make the parents wait or

possibly forgetting about it because you’re dealing with 25 to 30 families.”

If parents can’t send an email, Sousa – a mother of two –- says even bringing a written list of questions is helpful.

“Now as a parent, I realize it can be crazy because there’s so much information given,” she notes.

“Parents who come in with written questions ahead of time are really helpful. I find that when you’re on the spot, you forget things.”

Adds Hunt: “The key to parentteacher conferences is being able to hone in on those areas where parents feel like they need support.”

4. Be a partner Educators say viewing the relationship with the teacher as a partnership will greatly benefit a child.

“If that’s the first time you’re meeting, it’s really going to frame your relationship for the entire year,” Richard says. “I like to get off on the right foot the first time around.”

For Sousa, the key is “going in there with the attitude that we can both learn off each other.”

“I’ve found out things from parents I didn’t realize before that explain some things and vice versa,” she

adds. “It’s nice to work off each other.”

5. Don’t be afraid to talk “Sometimes parents come and say ‘Hi,’ then I do all the talking and they leave,” Sousa says. “I don’t want to be the center stage, I want us to both share the stage. I’m showing what I notice at school, and they tell me what they’re noticing at home, instead of me just saying something about school. I want a back and forth.

I want to know what is happening at home because it’s definitely intertwined.”

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effect of grateful thinking on middle school students. His research shows that middle school students who counted their blessings regularly reported higher levels of gratitude, optimism, and life satisfaction (Froh, Sefick & Emmons, 2008). And, as an added bonus, these students increased their pleasure with school.

According to Froh, children as young as 7 years old may grasp the concept of gratitude.

“As children become less egocentric and enter early adolescence, the ability to empathize strengthens,” he explained.

Daily Thanksgiving: Your 7-Step Recipe for a Happy Family

by Mary Jo K urtz

G

iving thanks seems like such a simple idea, tossed freely about by habit.

We teach our children to thank their friends for sharing toys, we thank coworkers for lending a hand on a job, and we squeal our thanks when opening birthday gifts. But when given sincerely and contemplated daily, those two little

But it is not just children who benefit from being thankful. In an experiment involving those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis, researchers found that adult participants reported feeling better about their lives as a whole and were more optimistic about the upcoming week when compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, revealed that in the span of just two months, people who exercised gratitude were more likely to make progress toward personal goals, including academic and health based goals, when compared to others.

words — thank you — have the power to change a household.

Research reveals that a regular dose of gratitude can improve a child’s self-esteem, reduce family stress, and increase overall optimism for everyone. In short, saying “thank you” can put us all in a good mood!

A Positive Change for All Ages Dr. Jeffrey Froh, assistant professor of psychology at Hofstra University, studied the

Counselor, entrepreneur, and speaker on gratitude, Dr. Laura Trice, M.D., is not surprised.

In her work with adults recovering from addiction at both Promises and the Betty Ford Center, she has noted the relationship between gratitude and positive thinking. “There is a saying in the recovery setting that 95% of the problem is negative thinking. The only remedy for that is gratitude,” she said. “It strengthens the part of the brain that sees what is right and good.”

7 Steps to Help Your Family One of the most important ways to help children feel grateful is to help them recognize the efforts of others. “Recognizing others’ behaviors as intentional is the core thought behind generating gratitude,” said Froh. “So if a friend helps with homework, pitching a ball, perfecting a dance move, or getting over a breakup, I think the parent should emphasize that the friend did not have to go above and beyond like this.”

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To get your children started on the path to grateful thinking, Froh and Trice offer these easy exercises: 1. Ask everyone to share one thing they are grateful for at the dinner table each night. Trice notes that this is a simple act and can involve the entire family.

2. Occasionally, take a minute to ask for thanks.

“Maybe a mom wants her kids to thank her for dinner or clear the dishes as their way of saying thank you. Maybe a dad wants to be thanked for planning a vacation. Maybe the child wants his parents to say thank you for remembering to take the dog for a walk,” said Trice. Acknowledging these sometimes overlooked accomplishments can help family members feel appreciated and generate an attitude of gratitude.

3. Keep a gratitude journal. Trice suggests each member of the family keep a private journal in which each writes two or three gratitudes at bedtime.

4. Send thank-you notes. Make a habit of writing thank you cards for relatives, friends, teachers and coaches. If your child is too young to write a card, consider having her draw a picture for the recipient.

5. Take time for a gratitude visit. “This is when the kids think of someone who did something kind for them, write them a thank-you letter, and read it to them face-to-face,” explained Froh.

6. Recognize your child’s achievements. As a child makes progress toward a goal, note the achievement. “If the kid does not do as well as they wanted to in x, y, or z, remind them how far they’ve come,” said Froh, noting that progress toward a goal is something to be grateful for.

7. Identify the people who help your child. “Our individualistic culture instills in us a sense of, ‘I did this on my own.’ That’s hogwash! Interdependence is integral for success. So, if your kid wins the spelling bee, help him list all of those who helped along the way. Grateful people…recognize the contributions of others responsible for specific achievements,” said Froh.

Froh agrees, saying that modeling grateful behavior and using grateful language are two ways we lead our children by example. He also stresses the importance of watching for grateful behavior in our children and identifying it. “Saying thank you for cleaning the table, for example, reinforces cleaning the table. Thus, the child is more likely to do it again in the future,” he said.

As parents, we have the power to lead our family on a healthy and happy path with two simple words. It is a gift we give ourselves. And it is worth a hearty, “Thank you!”

Steps for Parents and Caregivers

“I feel that children are better imitators than listeners, so parents showing and demonstrating thankfulness is very important.”

Just as important as teaching our children these habits of gratitude is exercising them ourselves. “I feel that children are better imitators than listeners, so parents showing and demonstrating thankfulness is very important. A husband appreciating his wife for what she does during the day shows that he values her. A wife appreciating her husband for his contributions shows the children that she respects his efforts,” Trice emphasized, adding, “The impact of children seeing their parents appreciate one another, I would think, is providing them a sense of well-being.”

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women’s health

HOLIDAY STRESS: Practical tips for worrying less and enjoying more

by Gary Kelley

Describe your holidays.

Are your holiday memories scenes right out of a Norman Rockwell portrait? Strolls down the walk singing Christmas carols, sights of happy people bustling about in merriment, and the slightest hint of cold nipping at your nose as you enjoy the unique and welcoming tastes of the season.

Or are your memories more of logistical nightmares?

Driving between family homes in blizzardlike conditions, gulping down quick meals as you get to the next event with concern over: • Everyone getting along.

• Food preparation of entrees/sides/ desserts cooked only once a year.

• Gifts….and their size, color, features and cost.

The holidays can be stressful; no one knows this better than parents.

Dr. Charles Wolfson, a psychologist at Active Counseling Associates in Westborough, had one overarching message when it comes to avoiding holiday pressure: “Preserving the most important relationships around you is far more important than any holiday ‘fun’ you're trying to have.”

Spending quality time with people, whether folks you see daily or only once a year at the holiday, is the key to relationships. When completely focused on a task, and the task doesn’t go perfectly, tempers can surface, he notes. And when this happens, people need to remember why they are getting together.

34 NOVEMBER2014 35

The objective is spending time with the special people in our lives.

People should not fray relationships over a contrived event or task intended to bring friends and family together, “whether it's putting up decorations, attending gatherings or baking a particular goodie.”

April Hatfield of Florence shared techniques for helping her family look forward to holidays with her young daughter. First, she tries to stay out of the stores by shopping extensively online.

“Mall shopping is too crazy for me,” she says. “This year I am putting together an Amazon Wish List and an overall shopping list for my daughter.”

She’s also very aware of how the holidays can drain family funds, creating an unpleasant lingering holiday memory: “I'm going to try to stick to a budget this year, as well.”

One concern Hatfield still has is working the logistics of getting everyone together at the holidays.

“I’m hoping not to spend all the holidays on the road driving my daughter around, and it might be tough to get everyone together. I haven’t thought that through yet.”

Westborough mom Michelle Travis has a suggestion passed down from her family: “We really want to get together with people, and doing so on the exact holiday is just too much, especially when juggling multiple families. We plan a big family dinner and hold it on a non-holiday day.”

Knowing that getting people

together is the goal, Travis’ family uses planning to help spread the responsibilities and not create a burden for any one family.

“Rather than hold a random pot luck, we make it a planned pot luck,” she says. “Everyone with ‘specialties’ gets selected to bring them, and it becomes a ‘best-of’ holiday meal!”

Another suggestion Travis offers centers around gifts and budget: “People just go overboard with gifts.

It’s almost becomes a contest on who can give the most, and it takes away from the real holiday spirt.”

With that in mind, she established a rule to deal with that reality.

“We limit gifts to a single gift for every year of life,” she says. “So if the child is two, holiday gifts are two.”

She laughs when challenged about how this strategy will hold up in later years: “I suspect by the time the child is nearing 10 we’ll have modified the rule, and for now the simplicity works.”

Like many moms with young children, Travis lives in a ‘tight space’ and has developed strategies for holiday entertaining.

“Using Space Bags or plastic containers, I make a point of putting off-season clothes and toys away,” she notes. “For example, all summer clothes and toys are put away for the winter holidays. When the seasons change again, I rotate the summer clothing and toys out, and put winter things away. This makes our home

feel less cluttered and makes it more inviting for guests.” An added bonus: “It also helps with determining toys and clothes for passing along.”

Remembering Wolfson’s prime goal of preserving relationships is key as families strive to enjoy the holiday season thanks to a little upfront planning.

“Even with all our planning, we still have things come up we didn’t anticipate,” Travis says with a smile.

“We can’t let those ‘opportunities’ become disabling. We try our best to roll with changes, and make the best of them. I always remember in those stressful times, when things are at their worse, we can always smile and have some egg nog. In the end, it’s all about the egg nog.”

Tips for enjoying more, stressing less • Avoid stores, shop online when you can.

• Use an online wish list to streamline gift-buying.

• Limit gifts to one for each year of a child’s life.

• Make a gift budget and stick to it.

• Move your celebration with extended family or friends to a day other than the actual holiday.

• Make your holiday celebration a planned pot luck.

• Rotate your summer clothes, toys and gear out to make room for fall/winter.

• Expect and roll with the hiccups.

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Come late October, many feel the pull of a veritable weight maintenance/loss Bermuda Triangle: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As the calendar drops to two pages, your kitchen is filled with candy, then soon Thanksgiving groceries, the meal, and leftovers.

Then the holiday parties start — seemingly right after the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — and continue through to the new year.

If you find a calendar full of parties (and the accompanying abundance of food) challenging, you may think you only have two options: white knuckle it until Jan. 1 or let loose the reins and let it ride…again most likely until the new year.

But local nutrition and fitness professionals say there is a third option: Have a plan.

“Give yourself permission to enjoy, but be moderate and realize that the season — even though it’s just two or three days — tends to last for a month, month-and-a-half, and that’s not an excuse for you to abandon wellness,” says Carrie Taylor,

RDN, LDN, and the lead registered dietitian nutritionist for the Living Well Eating Smart program at Big Y Foods. “Give yourself a taste of what you want to eat instead of saying, ‘Oh, no, no, I can’t touch that.’ Most people who I talk to who [think they are] eating healthy are coming to me saying, ‘You’ll be so proud of me, I did so good. I didn’t eat _____’ Meanwhile, I think, ‘Why didn’t you?

It’s delicious.’

To enjoy holiday parties — and foods — in moderation, Taylor suggests easy ways to stack the deck in your favor.

1. Eat a healthy snack ahead of time.

A common mistake people make is eating little during the day so they can “enjoy” the party. However, that can lead well-intentioned people to hit a party filled with delicious foods on an empty, starving stomach.

“That’s not going to work,” Taylor says. “Make sure you nip hunger in the bud before it grows, [otherwise] your stomach is making the decision instead of your brain.”

Before a party, she recommends having a snack that curbs that ravenous feeling but leaves space for you to partake at the event.

“You want to choose something that gives you at least two to three food groups, the balance of carbohydrates, protein and a little bit of fat,” she notes. “A good idea would be an apple with some almonds or some crackers with lowfat cheddar cheese, snack size.”

Francesca Kotomski, a personal trainer in East Longmeadow, says you can extend that strategy to holiday hustle, not just parties. If you’re out shopping or running errands — activities that can disrupt your regular eating schedule — bring healthy snacks or small meals so you’re not tempted to hit easy, less-nutritious options.

“Bring a cooler full of food,” she says, “a variety of stuff: bananas, yogurt, a mini sandwich.”

2. Don’t hang out with the food.

Ever notice where everyone ends up at a party?

“Parties center in the kitchen because people tend to want to be near the food,” Taylor notes.

Make a conscious decision to step away from the table and don’t hover.

“When you hover you tend to pick, even if you’re not really hungry,” she says.

“Socialize with a plate full of fruit after. Every party is [food-related] because that’s what socializing is all about. So rather than take that out of it, why not have that as part of it?

And also have the exercise part first so you can laugh about the mistakes you made or the silliness.”

6. Remove labels from food.

And Taylor doesn’t mean the physical ones.

“I eat all foods, so when I hear someone at a party say, ‘No, no, I can’t have the pumpkin pie, I’m, like, ‘Are you kidding me? It’s Thanksgiving!’’ she says. “It’s become so common

to label things ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ If we just took the label off and said, ‘It’s a chocolate chip cookie and it’s good, and I’m going to eat it,’ it loses its sting. People start to learn how to eat more healthful instead of having this constant pull between what they think they should be doing and what they’re doing.”

Refusing to categorize foods along a hard line also helps avoid the traditional January pity party.

“If you gave yourself permission, you wouldn’t feel like you were being ‘bad,’ you say, ‘I gave myself permission today, I tasted some very good foods. Tomorrow I’m going to be active and I’m going to get my

meals back on a balanced track and eat that way in between parties,” Taylor adds.

She also points out an interesting aspect of holiday management.

“If you look at the studies, there isn’t much weight gain during the holidays,” she says. “It’s more of the psychological piece for people, checking out health-wise because they feel like it’s a permission slip.

“If you know you check out, just stop the cycle,” she adds. “Don’t make yourself feel guilty. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Just enjoy the party, the festivities in moderation, but know that the next day is a whole new start.”

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3. Choose or use a smaller plate.

Salad or dessert plates give people the perception of eating more, Taylor says. If you’re the host, use smaller plates. If you’re a guest, grab a smaller plate when you can.

4. Bring a healthful option.

“If it’s a potluck, definitely bring something you know is healthful and will help you maintain your goals,” Taylor says. “If you know the party you’re going to doesn’t typically have something with a good amount of fiber and lower in added sugar, you can be the one to provide that.”

Conversely, don’t bring a dish you know you love – but others may not.

“Be honest with yourself,” she says. “Maybe I don’t need to make gingerbread cake to bring to the party when I know no one else is going to eat it, and I’m going to have to bring it home and I’ll have to finish it myself.”

5. Have a different style of holiday party.

Kotomski suggests a new style of gathering “Why not do a girls’ night party with fitness?” asks the mother of two.

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Turkey Trots:

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A (ful)filling family Thanksgiving tradition

By Trish Reske

W

hen Jane Lizotte of Shrewsbury begins her Thanksgiving morning, she won’t be in the kitchen preparing a turkey. Instead, the Shrewsbury Middle School principal will be preparing for Turkey Trot for the Memory, a community race started

by Lizotte and her family in memory of her late father, Francis P. O’Connor, a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice.

Now in its fourth year, Turkey Trot for the Memory 5-miler and 2-mile fun run raises funds for the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter. Lizotte is one of 10 O’Connor children, and her extended family includes more than 31 nieces and nephews, many of whom volunteer their time at the

38 NOVEMBER2014 39

race or participate in the event on Thanksgiving Day. Each year, the race has grown in both the number of participants and the funds raised for charity. In 2014, it drew nearly 1,000 runners and walkers, and donated $16,000 to The Alzheimer’s Association.

“We continue to be amazed at the throngs of people who come out to volunteer, participate and contribute to the race proceeds,” Lizotte says.

“There are no words to describe the feeling I get when I approach the Shrewsbury Town Common on Thanksgiving morning and see hundreds of people gathered.”

Across the country, turkey trots are taking off – and are fast becoming a new Thanksgiving tradition for some families. According to Athlinks, a social networking site that tracks races across the country, the number of turkey trots grew 50% from 2010 through 2012. There are more kids on the chilly courses as well: Participants age 14 and younger nearly doubled in the same timeframe.

The most popular turkey trot in Massachusetts is the Feaster Five Road Race in Andover. The decadesold race draws more than 10,000 participants for the 5-mile, 5K and kids’ fun runs. Finishers feast on apple pie, and kids under 12 can participate at family-friendly registration prices.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, turkey

trots such as the Feaster Five and Turkey Trot for the Memory benefit local or state-based charities. Prize money is generally not the draw for participants – but rather a prize turkey, a long-sleeve race shirt, goodies like pie and mugs, and giving to community-based causes.

“The focus is to attract people of all ages and abilities to want to give of themselves so others may have better lives as a result of their efforts.

That is our mission,” Lizotte says.

Rich Allen, owner of PR Running in Westborough, has personally seen a growing number of customers in his store participate in turkey trots.

“There’s a genuine rise in excitement when we have customers talking about a turkey trot,” he says.

Allen, who has run the Thanksgiving Day-held Whitin 5 in Whitinsville, along with his wife Jess, believes that the social aspect and noncompetitiveness of turkey trots attract a lot of new runners.

“For many, this is the one time of year in which they will be pinning a bib number on their shirt,” he says.

The first-time enthusiasm of completing a turkey trot was what got Eric Loizeaux of Worcester out the door on Thanksgiving Day three years ago for the Holden Road Race, which began in 2011 as a re-birth of the Wachusett Fitness Turkey Trot under a volunteer-led group from Fellowship Church in Holden. Eric’s

wife Sarah and three daughters Mercy (9), Faith (8), and Hope (6) have participated in the race, and all will be at the start line again this Thanksgiving morning.

“It’s become a family tradition for us,” Loizeaux says. “We love supporting the community, it gives the girls something to look forward to, and it instills good healthy habits for our kids. It’s just an all-around great thing for us to do together,” he says.

Like other turkey trots, the Holden Road Race has rapidly grown in both size and community impact over three short years. The first year, the race had more than 800 runners and provided more than $14,000 to the Wachusett Food Pantry. Last year, the Holden Road Race hosted 1,200 participants and donated nearly $30,000 in total to four local charities – representing more than 90% of registration fees collected.

Loizeaux says that the race has become “a badge of honor” for Holden: “It’s not an easy 5K. It’s cold, it’s chilly, but everyone comes out, whether to run or cheer. The sponsors love being part of the event because they are part of the community.”

And, it’s gotten the Loizeaux girls, among many others, into the sport of running. “My daughters love running now,” he says. “This race started it all for us.”

Not every turkey trot is run on Thanksgiving Day, and some are longer distances. Jody Trembley of Palmer is planning to burn off some holiday-consumed calories when she runs the Talking Turkey Trot 6-mile Cross-Country Race in Holyoke, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

While Trembley’s younger son Ethan (11) has run two 5Ks with his mom, Jody will be running solo for the longer distance.

“I love the energy of this race,” says Trembley, who began running at age 39. “It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are – runners love to encourage each other. It makes me feel accomplished and thankful I can run.”

Trembley loves that her son now joins her in races. “It’s cool Ethan wants to run with me,” she says.

“Maybe he’ll run with his kids someday.”

Family-friendly road races and turkey trots have created an ideal environment for parents and kids to share fitness, fun, and community.

And for some families, Thanksgiving starts not around a table, but amidst

throng of runners on the town green.

“It can be like a family reunion when you go back year after year to the same race,” Allen says. “Our kids, Nate and Meg, are now at the point where they expect to be there and even know many of the runners.

It’s actually foreign for our family to think about Thanksgiving Day without going to a race first thing in the morning.”

Families and volunteers who dedicate themselves to organizing and running a turkey trot still make time to sit down and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Like organizing a race, it takes teamwork to pull it off, according to Lizotte.

“Everyone in our family brings plenty of food and beverages to share – the best way to ‘build’ our dinner,” she says. Her family is continually amazed at the success of Turkey Trot for the Memory, the generosity of people, and the ability to collectively “be part of the solution to end Alzheimer’s disease.”

“Our children say, ‘Papa would be so proud!’” she says. “What better way to spend Thanksgiving?”

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Turkey Trots: They’re for walkers, too!

November is a great month for Massachusetts runners - and walkers. Many 5Ks welcome walkers who get a race shirt, bin on a bib and enjoy just like the running crowd.

It’s a great option if you’d like to participate but don’t want to run.

Here’s just a sample of the many November road races in the area on Thanksgiving Day; dozens more are held throughout the month.

Registration and information can be found at running sites such as coolrunning.com or the event Web sites.

Thursday, Nov. 27 Dreamcatcher Classic, Weymouth 5-mile and 2-mile races, 8 a.m. dreamcatcherclassic.com Feaster Five, Andover Kids run, 7:45 a.m.

5K and 5-mile races, 8:30 a.m. feasterfive.com Franklin Park Turkey Trot, Dorchester 5K run and 5K kids divisions, 9 a.m. franklinparkcoalition.org

PR Running 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA 508-366-8101

Conversations to Keep You Healthy and Well

Gooble Wobble, Southborough Kids division races starting at age 3+. 5K run, 2-mile walk.

All start at 8:30 a.m.

Holden Road Race 5K run, 5K walk, 8 a.m. holdenroadrace.com Strides for Stroke, Lexington 5K run, 3K walk, 8:30 a.m. sthstrokefoundation.org Thanksgiving Day 5K, Plymouth 5K run and walk, 10:30 a.m. plymouthrockracing.com

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20 Things to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy

Thanks4Giving Road Race, Lowell 10K, 5K run, 5K walk, 8 a.m. thanks4giving.org Tiger Turkey Chase, North Easton 5-mile run, 2.4-mile walk, 8 a.m.

Turkey Trot for the Memory, Shrewsbury 5-mile run, 2-mile run/walk, 8 a.m. turkeytrotforthememory.org Whitin 5, Whitinsville 5-mile run, 2-mile walk, 8:10 a.m. home.townisp.com/~whitinfive

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BAYSTATEPARENT 38 39

1. DOGS: Sometimes you just have to go with it! This family loved this shot and we couldn’t stop laughing! Their dog was positioned exactly opposite from what we were going for, but we went with it, and now it’s a family favorite!

2. HOME: One of this family’s favorite places to hang out is in their backyard, so we just planned our session around that! As you can see, their personalities shine through as they are in the comfort of their own home, too!

3. OUTDOOR: This little man is a perfect example of real life! A childhood favorite - getting tossed by Mom or Dad, documented in one split second. It’s easy to see why these memories can bring back the emotion - just looking at this image can make anyone smile!

4. FAMILY: This is by far one of my most favorite shots — It’s something I ask a lot of my parents to do during a session - kiss! It almost always results in the kids making all kinds of reactions - ‘gross,’ ‘ew,’ etc. But this genuine reaction takes the cake!

1. DOGS

3. OUTDOOR 40 NOVEMBER2014 41

4. FAMILY

2. HOME

Create a fantastic family holiday card: Tips from the Pros

4

You want your family’s unique message and spirit to shine through in the annual holiday greeting card: Here’s how to do it.

By Joa n Goodchild Photography by K eri Gavin of kerijea nnephotography

By early December, they begin to arrive in your mailbox. These days, you may even get several in your inbox, too, as many have gone digital. The holiday greeting card is a tradition for many families. In fact, some historians claim the first holiday greeting cards were created in 1873, right here in Massachusetts,

by Boston resident Louis Prang.

Ranging from funny, to sweet, to sentimental, it’s how we often say “Seasons Greetings” to friends and family we don’t see regularly and give them a glimpse of how we’ve changed over the past year. There’s the family photo, the handmade card, the humorous letter detailing what’s going on with the family and, of course, the picture of the dog dressed like Santa.

We’ve seen so many over the years: What makes a truly great holiday card?

Gretchen Stephan, a Hopkinton mother of two and owner of Whitehall Farm Studios, says she doesn’t have to go far for inspiration - she just fires up her laptop.

“I love using Pinterest to come up with inspiration for holiday cards,” she says. “I also love to peruse boutiques and tag sales for unique ideas and items. Old books are always a huge inspiration.”

She also favors using pictures, but enjoys putting personal touches on her card that go beyond the standard family photo.

“I like to take my kids’ pictures and turn them into characters,” she explains. “Last year, I made the kids into elves; I love fun and lightheartedness when it comes to the holidays. It can be a very emotionally charged time for people, and I like to lighten things up a bit. I also love to root around my old books and cut stencils out of

old calendars and magazines.”

But if you’re pressed for time – or you’d rather just stick with the tried-and-true family photo – here are four ways you can make your picture fabulous.

Relax “My advice is to just be yourselves,” says Shawna Shenette, an Auburnbased photographer.

“In my sessions, I encourage interaction rather than just looking at me and smiling, and this really brings out and portrays personality in holiday photos.”

Shenette also notes one of the more common mistakes she sees in family photo cards: the obvious effort that went in to getting the picture assembled.

“While I know a lot of preparation and energy goes into holiday photo sessions – and as parents we definitely want the perfect photo – I think the biggest mistake that I see is letting stress get in the way.

It definitely shows in the photos.

Relax, have fun, and your family’s happiness will show through!”

Keri Gavin, an Essex photographer and mom of two young children, agrees.

“Forcing that smile and yelling and screaming for everyone to look at the camera is a surefire way to get images that do not reflect you as a family! Remember to make it fun and relaxed!” she advises. “That is the best way to get a natural moment.”

Consider your backdrop Gavin prefers shooting family photos outdoors because the light and surroundings naturally make for a beautiful shot.

“I always encourage families to take their photographs outdoors,” she notes. “Not only do you have beautiful options to choose from, but then you also don’t have to

worry about all the clutter inside your home, on the living room side tables, or all that laundry you didn’t get to yet! Step outside in the warm sunlight!”

Shenette says both indoor and outdoor photos work, with the right surroundings: “As long as the props for the indoor sessions are tasteful and timeless, I think they are a great option for families.”

Denise Smith, a photographer in Longmeadow, advises families to get away from the notion that your holiday card photo must reflect the current season.

“I do not think a holiday photo has to look ‘holiday-ish.’ It can be a great time camping, at the beach, picking pumpkins or at a great vacation destination,” she says. “What’s most important is everyone looks happy and healthy.”

Plan for pets If you’re planning to include the dog in your family photo, or perhaps you just want your pet photographed alone, it’s going to require some advance prep.

“Pets are just as much a part of the family as anyone!” Gavin notes.

“The number one thing we suggest is to always bring along someone else who is just in charge of holding the leash and tending to the dog.

Sometimes the dogs don’t have any interest in being in the photo, so having someone else to give them a break is helpful. Position everyone just right and bring the dog in lastminute. It helps to have someone there to give treats, call their name or even bring them for a quick walk.

When the rest of the family is ready, just bring the dog in and push that camera button!”

Smith says pet owners can get frustrated trying to get the animal to pose correctly, so keeping expectations in check is important if planning to include a pet.

“Just keep it simple, but have fun with it,” she adds. “Use a collar to help hold the pet in place and, of course, a treat in your pocket can be handy.”

Remember your manners If you’re a holiday letter writer, etiquette expert Jodi RR Smith has three rules she suggests people observe: keep it short, keep it light, and keep it honest.

“It shouldn’t be longer than a page,” says Smith, who runs Mannersmith, an etiquette consultancy in Marblehead. “And instead of gushing about how your son is the best player on his soccer team, offer specific examples instead, [such as] what he learned in soccer this year.”

Another thing to avoid: writing in a weird voice, like the family dog.

“Other than professional writers, most people just can’t pull it off, and it comes across as creepy,” she adds.

Also, remember that your holiday letter is meant to be lighthearted and happy; avoid sharing sad news.

If you’re in the midst of a difficult health battle or a divorce, that news is better shared in person and oneon-one.

Lastly, avoid airing your grievances, a common faux pas letter writers make, Smith says.

“I’ve been doing this for years and I’ve seen examples that would make your hair curl,” she notes. “People make nasty comments about a brother they aren’t speaking to or an ex-wife. If you’re in a feud with someone, that is your business and not something that belongs in a holiday letter.”

BAYSTATEPARENT 40 41

Every December, our kitchens, doors or archways fill with colorful, fun images of our family and friends. You read and saw what professional photographers recommend and love.

Enjoy this gallery of some of our readers' favorite holiday cards.

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A step-by-step guide to two timeless, inexpensive and easy Thanksgiving crafts to wow your guests

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN KING

.

Dress up your holiday table with a fun, new tradition

More than any other holiday, food is at the center of the Thanksgiving celebration, which is why many go the extra mile to set a nice table.

However, given the demands of the season, you may not have the extra time or money to make it happen.

No worries, we’ve got you covered. Paula Ethier, baystateparent’s resident craft expert and creative director, has created two beautiful, multipurpose, seasonal crafts that are classic, playful and fun.

Even better: Both are simple and can be tackled in less than 20 minutes - and each for less than $20 in supplies.

Fall “Acorn” Centerpiece

Sure, you can have the classic cornucopia or a

pumpkin dressed up like a turkey, but they’ve both been done. Why not start a new, festive tradition with this classic acorn-themed centerpiece?

44 NOVEMBER2014 45

Supplies • 2.5-inch plastic Easter eggs (Paula used silver, gold and purple) • Jute • Clear vase, any size • Glue gun • Scissors

Directions 1. Cut a 1-inch strand of jute, set aside.

2. Using the shorter half of the egg, begin gluing jute off the spool to the edge where it connects to the longer end. Wrap and glue in a flat pattern as you wind your way to the top. This is your acorn cap.

3. When you’re close to the top, take the piece of 1-inch cut jute and glue it to the center – that’s your acorn stem. Finish wrapping and gluing the jute until the entire end is covered.

4. Fill your vase with as many “acorns” as you desire. Our 14-inch vase held 18.

Now, the neat aspect of this versatile decoration is it can have various uses in addition to “pretty centerpiece”: Thankful Grab Conversation Starter: Fill each egg with a question, such as “What are you most thankful for this year?”, “Share the funniest thing that happened to you this year”, “What is your favorite part of the holidays?”, etc. Guests take turns during the meal picking and answering, or save it for dessert and coffee after the main meal.

Acorn hunt: If you have little ones, fill the acorns with small treats, and after dinner hide them around the house for the children to find.

Placeholders: Ditch the vase and, writing your guest’s name on each, use them as placeholders around the table.

Another great feature of this craft: It’s reusable: Make the acorns once and set them on your table every year. It’s also a fantastic hostess gift if you’re a guest at someone’s house.

Bird’s Nest Necklace

Another idea: Make matching nests - using a similar combination of beads, but different nest sizes - for mothers and daughters, grandmothers and daughters, the possibilities are endless.

It would also be an inexpensive but lovely teacher gift for the holidays.

There are several reasons to love this craft, one being it’s easy, but the result looks difficult and is sure to wow guests or a lucky recipient. And, given the safe nature of the supplies and skill level needed, any child over age 8 could join in the fun and make their own.

Supplies • Spool of 24-gauge wire • Package of beads (Paula bought two different styles and sizes for contrast) • Scissors

Directions 1. Keeping the wire on the spool, thread 3 to 5 beads on the wire and knot the end so they don’t fall off. The wire is very pliable, you can do this by hand.

2. Curl the beaded wire into a circle, then continue to wrap the wire around the beads in a growing circle, making your “nest.”

3. When you reach your desired nest size (Paula’s is a little more than 1-inch wide), leave 12 inches of slack wire and cut it from the spool.

The beauty of this project is your nest doesn’t have to be perfect because nature isn’t, Paula notes.

And every nest can be unique to suit the recipient.

You can vary the nest’s size: Make a larger nest for a statement piece – or add a pinback and make it into a brooch.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN KING

4. Take the long piece of slack and wrap it around your nest a couple of times in two to four different

areas to secure it. Use remaining wire to form a jump ring through which to thread the necklace.

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Thanksgiving Twists:

Cultural Influences Deliver

New Holiday Favorites

By Joan Goodchild

T

hose who love to cook relish the day. Those who love to eat great food eagerly anticipate it. Those who simply enjoy spending time with friends and family also look forward to the last Thursday in November. What’s not to love about Thanksgiving?

Families around the country celebrate Thanksgiving in both traditional and unique ways – and we all have our favorite dishes.

Some of the more adventurous

cooks enjoy putting new twists on tried-and-true Thanksgiving staples. Others bring a bit of their ethnicity and culture to the menu and prepare their foods to reflect their heritage.

Nihita Patel, a Westborough mom who was raised in India, said she enjoys cooking a traditional American turkey with Indian inspiration.

“I make a very flavorful turkey each year for Thanksgiving,” she said. “Turkey meat is usually very bland, so I marinade it with plain

yogurt, ginger, garlic, cilantro, salt and dry spices for two days and then cook it in the oven for 3-4 hours. So far everyone that has tasted it loves it.”

The Indian cuisine influences don’t stop with the turkey, and Patel loves to experiment with both eastern and western influences in her menu choices.

“I do a mix of both American and Indian side dishes,” she said. “Each year I look up new and different recipes for Thanksgiving. The turkey is the

same each year, but the salads, side dishes and desserts vary.

My family loves Thanksgiving because we celebrate with a few friends and my husband's parents, and they look forward to trying out new dishes. We do a potluck and it is a lot of fun to come up with a menu and try each other's preparations. “ Raquel Yzaguirre, a Natick mom who grew up with a Cuban father, remembers her childhood meals with that side of the family fondly.

“Cubans,” she laughed. “They BAYSTATEPARENT 46 47

love to eat!”

Thanksgiving with her father’s side meant plenty of Cuban dishes on the table.

“We would have a turkey, because you had to have a turkey. But the rest was much different. Yuca con mojo was our version of mashed potatoes. It’s a root vegetable that is boiled then smothered in olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and garlic.

We would have a platter of sliced tomato and lettuce. Roasted pork would be the real main dish. The pork would have whole cloves of garlic shoved into the skin.

My grandmother would baste it for hours until the skin was totally browned. Then she would remove the skin and cut it into chunks, then deep fry them in the pork fat then salt them. This was called chicharrones, and they were gone before any plate hit the table.”

These days, Yzaguirre mixes a bit of her Cuban-influenced childhood into the traditional American Thanksgiving spread.

“My version of Thanksgiving

dinner includes a few foods from each side. I do make the turkey but not the pork,” she noted. “I load my turkey up with garlic and lemons, as I do with the yuca. I explain to my kids that the yuca is ‘Cuban potatoes.’"

She also likes her two children to understand the significance of what she’s serving: “I tell them that my father’s side of the family doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving like we do because they aren't from this country.

But I also explain that this is their contribution, just like way back when Native Americans and Pilgrims got together. Everyone brought something to the table and they combined their talents. “ Even if you don’t want to experiment with food from other cultures, try mixing up traditional dishes with some new ingredients, said David McKenna, deli manager and head chef at Atkins Farms Country Market in Amherst.

“We do a twist on the traditional stuffing, we prepare ours with

store-made sausage, fresh apples, celery, onions, and our storebaked bread,” he said. “Another twist is a roasted butternut squash drizzled with local honey, instead of brown sugar.”

For vegetarians, Thanksgiving has often been the day when non-meat eaters would politely decline the main course and make do with Thanksgiving side dishes. But vegetarian fare has come far in the past decade, according to Mark White, executive chef with The Mill 185, a restaurant and lounge in West Boylston.

“There are many ways vegetarians can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Try dishes like a Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Vegetable Lasagna, Zucchini Soufflé, and Sweet Potato Casserole,” he said. “There is also Tofurky, which is made using tofu and seitan. Another popular product is Celebration Roast, which is Field Roast grain meat, fresh-cut butternut squash, mushrooms and Granny Smith

apples seasoned with a blend of rosemary, thyme and sage.”

White also encourages adventurous cooks to mix things up a bit by preparing the Thanksgiving turkey in new ways beside the usual oven prep.

“There are many other options.

Some people now try their hand at deep-fried turkey, which is usually injected with a marinade and seasoned before dropping into peanut oil,” he said. “This method allows the turkey to be seared on the outside, keeping all of the succulent juices confined within the meat. It also shortens the length of time it takes for the turkey to be thoroughly cooked. Another method, which is becoming popular in the United States, is to smoke the turkey using either a charcoal or electric smoker.

There are so many smoky flavors that can be infused into the turkey when preparing it this way by using different types of wood chips such as apple, cherry, hickory, pecan and maple.”

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Manners (Still) Matter: Simple Ways to Instill Good Manners in Your Children

We

might let a few things slide in our household, like running in the house and eating raw cookie dough (not at the same time), but one thing my husband and I are determined not to do is raise rude kids. Making eye contact, saying thank you, and not interrupting people are high on the long list of things we must teach our children before they leave the house for that great big world out there.

Good Manners Matter

In an age in which children and adults alike have their heads buried in their electronic devices, it is more important than ever for parents to help their children develop good social skills - and that includes teaching manners.

Aside from making their parents happy, research shows that good social skills are critical to happiness and success in life. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, children with poor social skills are more likely to struggle in school, have difficulty making friends and have strained relationships at home. Additionally, they are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety and aggression.

Renate Devin, founder of the Boston School of Etiquette, stresses the positive consequences of raising 50 NOVEMBER2014 51

by Jen Bouchard

well-mannered children: “Learning manners builds character through promotion of values such as consideration, honesty, respect and self-control. These qualities enable all of us to face whatever the future may bring with strength and integrity.”

Where Today’s Kids Fall Short While parents may differ on which manners matter most, you’d be hard-pressed to find a mother who couldn’t name an area in which her children need improvement.

“You name it, they do it,” says Micaela McDonald, a mother of three from Longmeadow. “No filter, eat with their hands, wipes fingers everywhere, leave messes, and make inappropriate noises in inappropriate settings.”

For Rebecca Kennedy of East Longmeadow, not interrupting others and table manners get the most attention in her home. Kennedy and her husband try to point out that their son’s behavior during dinner – getting up, spitting out food if he doesn’t like it, and grabbing food without permission – might turn off his friends if they were present.

But she admits, “I’m not sure if that technique is working!”

“I think our biggest challenge with manners is teaching patience,” adds Aimee Weidersham, a Christian education director and mom of three. “Whether it be waiting one’s

turn, or asking for something and then actually waiting for an answer, patience is always an issue. Maybe it’s the instant gratification world we all live in, but teaching patience seems to be a big part of my day.”

Devin notes that it is not the children, but the parents who sometimes fall short when it comes to manners.

“Children accumulate social skills,” she says. “A child with good manners does not happen naturally.”

Manners Must Be Taught Bill Corbett, a clinical psychologist from Western Massachusetts and author of the award-winning book Love, Limits, & Lessons: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Cooperative Kids, says that good manners are a skill children have to learn.

“Their natural state of being is egotistical, meaning that they naturally tend to be self-centered and don't easily understand manners,” he says.

In other words, children are not born polite or rude. They need to be taught to think of others. Encouraging good manners is one way to help kids develop empathy.

“I think children lack basic social skills: how to greet someone that has entered a room or a guest in your house. This is a skill that needs to be taught,” says kindergarten teacher Judy Bates. She believes parents are the first line of defense, but adds:

“Teachers play an important role in teaching social skills as well. I think teaching someone how to greet someone has to be explicitly taught, modeled and reinforced.”

And that, Devin says, should begin when kids are very young: “Parents need to be consistent, patient, and positive. It’s like losing weight; there are no magic pills or easy fixes…it takes consistent hard work.”

Where to Begin Teaching manners is no easy task.

After all, you are competing with the kids at school, the snark on television, and a whole world of distractions. But with a little effort and a lot of reminders, you can have your children saying please and thank you with the best of them.

1. Make sure your lessons are age-appropriate Asking a 2-year-old to say please when she asks for more cereal is appropriate. Expecting her to carry her bowl to the sink and wipe down the table when she's finished is not.

But in a few years, it might be.

“Don't inundate your child with too many manners at one time, especially if the child is young,” Corbett warns.

“Teach them one thing at a time.

Overwhelming them will not work.”

Once a child masters one set of manners, you can introduce another.

And when it comes to technology,

make sure your children are ready.

“Electronic devices alone don’t interfere with good manners, but how they are handled is what matters,” Devin notes. “Owning a cell phone and other devices is a privilege that requires maturity and the use of common sense.”

Like any other expectations you have for your children, set clear boundaries and discuss the consequences of misuse.

2. Be the Person You Want Your Kids to Be “Modeling the behavior you want your children to emulate is the single most powerful thing you can do to teach them anything,” Devin says. “We must show courtesy and respectful interaction with others.”

Say good morning to the people you pass on the street; thank employees of the businesses you patronize; hold the door for people as you enter a building. You may even want to, as Corbett suggests, over-emphasize your good manners for younger children. And don’t forget to speak to your child with the same good manners you use with others.

3. Show, Don’t Tell Praise your children when they exhibit good manners. But rather than just saying “Good job!” when you witness your children being polite, show them how these actions

make a difference to someone else.

“Children are generally eager to please and are inclined to conform,” Devin notes.

Therefore, it makes sense to highlight the people who are pleased by their good behavior. Likewise, point out examples of good manners on television and in public. You want children to see the positive effect of good manners.

4. Let Them Be The Teacher Have children teach others the manners they have learned. Corbett believes that third-person teaching is a very powerful tool in educating our children. That means you, too. If your child points out an instance in which you forgot to use your manners, “avoid getting defensive,” he advises.

“Instead say, ‘Thank you for bringing that to my attention.’"

5. Don't expect perfection Like most parenting feats, teaching manners is an ongoing process.

Chances are you didn’t potty train your kids in one day, so you’re not going to be able to teach manners that fast, either. Plan on giving lots of prompts and reminders until good manners become automatic. Even then, expect some lapses. We all have bad days. Praise the finer moments in your child’s mannerly education.

Don’t dwell on the negative, and don’t criticize. To do so would be, well, impolite.

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Urban, suburban high schools smash stereotypes through farming

By Melissa Shaw Tensions began on one field and were repaired on another.

Last fall, Lunenburg High School’s varsity football team squared off against Worcester’s South High Community School, a game during which racial slurs allegedly flew.

Three days later, the junior varsity teams met, a game that was ended early by referees after a late hit turned into a sideline fight, referees reporting that “racially insensitive language” was once again used.

Fast-forward nearly a year and 50 students from each school were

once again on the field, but this time it was bare earth of the Community Harvest Project (CHP) in Grafton, where crops they jointly planted in the spring had been picked, destined for hunger relief organizations via the Worcester County Food Bank.

In the wake of the games, South Principal Maureen Binienda and Lunenburg Principal Brian Spadafino began to brainstorm ways to turn a negative into a positive.

They decided to join forces by volunteering 50 students from each school for a day working side by

side in CHP’s fields in spring 2014.

“What happened was unacceptable, we both felt [it happened] because the kids had stereotyped ideas of the other kids. We wanted to show it wasn’t true,” says Binienda, whose school is one of the poorest in Worcester, even running its own food pantry to aid its students and their families.

Eighty percent of South High students are on free or reduced lunch, many struggling with a variety of very adult issues: poverty, unemployment, homelessness or

the ability to meet even their most basic needs. They’re issues that aren’t apparent on a football field and are far different from those of a typical small suburban high school, such as Lunenburg.

Both principals decided that putting the students to work together would benefit them far more than a class lecture on racial sensitivity. The farm would provide a setting where “it doesn’t matter their background, they get to see each other as kids,” Binienda says.

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us to know each other better, see different schools in a different light.”

Fifty students from each freshmen class worked the CHP fields in spring, planting crops for the summer, then returned this fall for more work - and to see their new friends.

“It was just more than I could have hoped for,” Binienda says. “I came away from it feeling like what had happened was such a powerful experience, and for our kids, too.

Sometimes teens don’t share their excitement, they can be guarded. But the kids on the bus started clapping and I thought, ‘Wow, they really like this.’ If we got them in a room and had them start talking about differences, it wouldn’t have had the same effect. It just shows you can provide opportunities for kids and they naturally gravitate toward each other and learn to accept each other as just another kid.”

The staff and students had so much fun in the spring, they returned this fall, the bright stadium lights and hostility of the past year replaced by laughing, joking and clear-blue fall skies as the students pulled up an entire field’s worth of agricultural plastic that surrounded acres of this year’s crops. It’s not the most glamorous task, just one of the hundreds performed by the thousands of volunteers who aid CHP every year.

“It’s part of our winter prep and also one of more team-oriented projects

on the farm,” says CHP volunteer coordinator Alicia Cianciola. “With pulling up that plastic, everyone has different roles.”

The organization is heavily reliant on volunteer help. In 2013, CHP hosted 9,500 volunteer visits for a total of 28,300 volunteer hours.

All that donated time produced 324,000 pounds of produce and 1.1 million servings of fresh fruits and vegetables for local food banks and hunger relief organizations.

“It’s been exciting to see the partnership develop between the two schools and the kids getting to know each other and see each other in a different light,” Spadafino says.

Binienda calls it “inspiring,” noting that the administration and staff bonded as much as the students.

Teachers who joined the trips also forged new friendships, sharing tips and strategies.

“We’ve established this nice relationship, now my teachers with their teachers, and we never knew each other prior to a football game,” Binienda says. “I had no idea that [the students] continued to have conversations on Facebook through the summer until we went back to the farm to harvest. It was just more than I could have hoped for. I just came away from it feeling like what had happened was such a powerful experience and for our kids, too.”

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Dishin’ with the Dietitian

Is Frozen as Good as Fresh?

How the Frozen Food Department helps make wholesome meals a cinch.

BY CARRIE TAYLOR, RDN, LDN

Compare for yourself: Ever find a mouthwatering recipe online you swear you are going to make immediately — only to forget and then subsequently find the fresh ingredients in your refrigerator well past their “use-by” dates? We’ve all done it. Luckily, there is one secret to saving your food dollars and recipe inspirations: your freezer.

If you haven’t perused the Frozen Food Department of your local grocer for more than ice cream in recent months, you’re missing aisles of instant meal solutions. Regardless of food restrictions you or your family members may have, a bounty of options is right at your fingertips.

Worried the selections in the Frozen Food Department aren’t as nutritious as the Produce Department? Don’t be. Frozen vegetables and fruit are simply fresh foods frozen to keep them fresh.

Item Broccoli Carrots Green beans Blueberries Strawberries Raspberries *No sauce or sugar added

Fresh NuVal Score 100 100 100 100 100 91

Frozen NuVal Score 100 100 100 100 100 91

NuVal Scores range from 1 to 100. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food!

Looking to add protein punch to meals without excess fat or salt?

My newest favorites in the Frozen Department are frozen beans.

Item Frozen Shelled Edamame (soybeans) Frozen Edamame in the Pod Frozen Kidney Beans Frozen Garbanzo Beans (chick peas) Frozen Black Beans

NuVal Score 100 100 100 100 100

Another great thing about frozen produce: All the prep work is done for you. Picked fresh on the farm, frozen fruits and vegetables are washed, chopped and flash frozen so all you need to do is add them to your recipes: Five-Minutes-Prep Chili: Toss frozen bell pepper slices, onion, garlic and beans into your slow cooker with canned tomatoes and spices.

Gluten-free Get-together: Offer a balanced meal with a delicious frozen gluten-free pizza, side of vegetables, and berries.

Carrie Taylor is the lead registered dietitian nutritionist for the Living Well Eating Smart program at Big Y Foods.

Have a nutrition question?

E-mail livingwell@bigy.com or write Living Well at 2145 Roosevelt Ave, PO Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102

Would you like to be featured in a future issue of baystateparent?

Send your question to editor@baystateparent.com and you might soon be Dishin’ with the Dietitian!

BAYSTATEPARENT 54 55

Turkey Talk:

A

fter spending hours roasting your turkey to perfection, it (and you) deserves more than a sandwich the day after. With a little creative pre-shopping and stocking of refrigerators and cupboards, you can take your Day 2 turkey from boring to amazing - and nutritious.

Enjoying delicious meals doesn’t have to mean blowing the bank on calories. Simple, fresh ingredients that are full of nutrition and flavor can take leftover turkey to a different level, says Marisa Paolillo, nutritionist with NuVal.

When planning for the big harvest meal (and the day-after dishes to follow), you can rely on tools such as the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System.

Many grocery retailers now provide these scores on the shelf tag to help shoppers find more nutritious food choices. Based on a scale of 1 to 100, foods and beverages are scored based on their nutritional content, with the most nutritious choices scoring highest.

The experts at NuVal suggest putting these power-packed foods on your pre-Thanksgiving grocery list.

Both fresh and nutritious, these ingredients can create new menu options for turkey leftovers.

Take Leftovers Beyond a Sandwich Inspired Ideas for Day 2 Turkey

Spice it: Pair reheated turkey with baked spiced apples. Core and slice fresh apples (NuVal 100) and combine with raisins (NuVal 88), chopped pecans (NuVal 71), cinnamon and lemon. Roast for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. No need to add sugar. The apples provide all the sweetness you need.

Wrap it: For a lighter take on the traditional leftover turkey sandwich, chop cold turkey in small pieces and layer with raw vegetables, avocado (NuVal 88), mustard, Romaine lettuce (NuVal 100), tomatoes (NuVal 100), sliced red or green bell peppers (NuVal 100), shredded carrots (NuVal 100) and cucumbers (NuVal 100) in a tortilla wrap.

Curry it: Need a quick 30-minute post-Thanksgiving meal that is both savory and sweet? NuVal’s pick is Curried Turkey with Raisins and Mushrooms. The recipe works really well with leftover turkey and it’s simple to make. The meal combines protein-rich turkey with the earthy flavors of mushrooms and the sweet, spicy tones of raisins and curry.

Find more recipes and ideas for nutrient-rich ingredients to spice up your holiday dishes at www.nuval.com.

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Bites

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teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (NuVal 18) ounces boneless, skinless turkey breast diced into one-inch cubes (NuVal 57) cups fresh white mushrooms (NuVal 100) cups sliced cremini mushrooms (NuVal 100) medium red or green bell peppers, chopped into squares (NuVal 100) cups chicken or turkey broth cup raisins (NuVal-88) cups instant whole grain rice (NuVal-91) tablespoons curry powder Basil leaves, chopped (NuVal-100)

Heat extra virgin olive oil in large saute pan.

With heat on medium high, heat up leftover turkey in pan.

If turkey is raw, cook turkey strips at least five minutes.

Add mushrooms and peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add broth. Mix in raisins, rice and curry powder.

Bring to boil then reduce heat and cover. Simmer until rice is done.

Fluff with fork, remove from heat.

Let sit 3 to 5 minutes and garnish with basil before serving.

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Eat Your Heart Out, Tom Brady

by Jon McGrath

I

understand the draw of high school football on Thanksgiving. Old rivals battling on the field. Seeing people from around town. Catching up with others you haven’t seen in years, and seeing how Father Time has treated (or mistreated) them.

But I’ve only gone to a couple games since I graduated. It’s just not my thing. If I can avoid sitting in freezing bleachers for a couple hours, I generally will.

Sometimes I’ll run in a Turkey

Trot to work up an appetite for the impending gluttony; other years I’ll just make some pumpkin bread and watch the Macy’s parade as the scents of baking fill the house.

That’s not to say our family is without our Thanksgiving football. Every year, with very few exceptions (usually due to snow), we’ve had our own gridiron tradition - a game of touch football between dinner and dessert.

The games have evolved over

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the years, and I’m probably not even the best person to tell this story. My uncle, Charley, is the Tom Brady of the family.

Really, I should say that Tom Brady is the Charley of the New England Patriots. While Brady has started to show signs of aging and - sorry Pats fans won’t play forever, Charley has been threading the needle to an unremarkable series of receivers (present company included) for over three decades every fourth Thursday in November.

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Brady throws to professional players who have spent their entire lives doing pretty much nothing else but play football.

They have playbooks designed by guys who have been drawing up plays for decades.

Charley’s receivers bring many skills to the table, but very few have anything to do with football. Their backgrounds can range from a 4-year-old Finnish kid who has never touched a football in his life to a guy in his mid-40s just hoping not to twist

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an ankle or get too sweaty during the game.

As for plays, the most intricate they usually get are “You go deep, you go short, and you run around the tree and I’ll hit you when you pop out on the other side.” An annual play is a handoff to whoever is the smallest person on the field and seeing how far he or she can run with it.

We make up teams randomly, usually just making sure no team has too much of a height advantage over the other.

Anyone who wants to play plays, whether or not they have any idea what to do. Kids usually start as soon as they can remain mostly upright.

Truth be told, adults have sometimes been challenged by this criterion, as well.

Through a program where I work, we’ve hosted a family from Finland over the past several years, and they have become as much a part of our Thanksgiving family as our

traditional family. They jumped right into the game the first year they joined us and haven’t looked back. One of them got a bloody nose last year, so I hope he’s not deterred. Injuries are a part of the game, just like at Gillette Stadium (although the odds of taking a pass to the face that was deflected off a tree, using a minivan as a pick, or accidentally falling off a small stone wall are probably considerably larger at our games than at The Razor).

My Dad used to play, but reassigned himself as official photographer some years ago.

Some video snippets exist, but they aren’t easy to find. One year, nearly the entire game was filmed and you can hear my cousin cheerleading in the background for the entire game. We’ve been sitting on the footage for years and have yet to rule out blackmail when the time is right. NFL Films has reached out on more than one occasion, but we’re waiting for

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The rare years we don’t play feel incomplete, somehow.

Sure, it gives us extra time for another piece of pie or something, but a bit of the day is missing.

Seeing my kids play now and realizing I remember playing in games when I was their age and younger makes me feel tremendously old. I remember wanting to play until it was too dark to see the ball, and being disappointed when my Uncle and Dad said that the game was over. Now I’m the one saying I’ve had enough, using dessert as the incentive to drag the kids into the house.

We stuff our faces again, watching players on TV play the game with much more skill, but having much less fun.

Until next year. And my money is on Charley’s career on the field lasting longer than Tom Brady’s. And my aunt is a way better cook than Gisele.

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Have yourself an ‘un-Commerical ’ Christmas

Local families have figured out how

By Heather K e mpskie

There’s a scene during National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation that captures the warped spirit many Americans (particularly Baystaters) hold dear during this festive time of year. We want perfection but end up on the brink of insanity.

In this 1980s classic, the Christmas tree has been incinerated along with any hope of a bonus to cover the expenses of the season, causing the family patriarch to lose his mind but not his sick desire to make the holiday just as he imagined it should be.

Sound familiar?

According to one study by Think Finance, nearly half of those polled admitted that the holiday season brings so much financial pressure and overall stress that they’d prefer to skip it all together.

No Christmas? There has to be another way.

“Most people have unrealistic expectations of the holidays - think Hallmark movie - so the best advice I have is: Don’t overreach and that pertains to your wallet and your time,” advises Chris Senechal, a licensed clinical social worker based in Franklin. “Think about what you can accomplish without making yourself crazy.”

“My family thinks I’m nuts” Jennifer DeLuca, of Bellingham, will not be one of the 249 million shoppers hitting the malls around

Black Friday this year. She’s making gifts for her extended family instead. “[When I announced my plan] my family looked at me like I had five heads,” says DeLuca, mom to a third- and fifth-grader. “I feel like

you go store to store and just end up buying something you’re not even sure they will like. This will require a bit more planning, but I think it’s a more resourceful way of giving gifts.”

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A novice crafter, DeLuca is planning on making earrings and matching bracelets from Scrabble board pieces for her nieces and stylish rope necklaces for her nephews. “I look at it as a fun challenge that will make things a little more enjoyable this year,” she notes.

Her children will each get one special gift to unwrap on Christmas morning and some sort of exciting family outing.

“I don’t sew or knit, but I’ve always wished I had more time to paint or craft so I’m going to stick with this plan,” she says. “Maybe next year the rest of the family will join in.”

There’s no have-to If you drive by the Koemans’ home in Whitinsville around Christmastime, you may or may not see a Christmas tree in the window, and there probably won’t be any blinking Christmas lights adorning the doorway. But rest assured, there’s likely something peaceful and pretty fun happening inside.

“For us, Christmas is about just spending time together,” says mom Jodi. “Christmas as a child (for me) was so not high-pressure compared to others. My family was very focused on the true meaning. We

read the Christmas story. It may sound boring but it really wasn’t. I loved it.”

Jodi, along with her husband Kent, have continued the tradition of keeping the holidays simple with their children – Jamison, 17, Arianna, 15 and Hadley, 12. They celebrate St. Nick’s Day on Dec. 5 to honor the legend of Saint Nicholas and his reputation as a gift giver.

“It’s a tradition in the Netherlands, so we can teach the kids about our heritage. We invite friends over, especially those who may not have family around or would otherwise be alone. We eat Dutch foods and sing a few Dutch songs,” explains Jodi.

The 20 days between St. Nick’s and Christmas Day are low-key, too. Christmas cards and a tree are always optional but not necessary.

And decorations are minimal at best. But that doesn’t dampen the spirit of the holiday at all.

“We kind of take it year to year and talk as a family,” she says. “I think it’s too easy to get focused on gifts and not enjoying people. Gifts go away but memories you make along the way, they last.”

And making memories has become part of the gift giving. Each family member has one person to buy for, which includes two gifts, one

experience and a poem or story about that person. An experience can be a special day of fishing or skiing or heading out to breakfast.

“We take turns giving each other the gifts and have so much fun with it,” said Jodi.

That’s not to say that the family doesn’t feel the occasional social push to do what the rest of the world seems to be doing. “Sometimes, we feel obligated and then we think it through and figure out the ‘why’ behind it. There’s no ‘have-to.’”

They can send a card to a friend or family member any time. And they can book a flight to visit family at a time of the year that’s not so expensive and chaotic.

“It’s never too late to make your holiday season a little less stressful,” encourages Jodi. “Make the decision together. Talk to your children about the expenses and stress. They will get it, and you’ll discover that they can be very giving.”

Koeman admits that she was blessed because simplicity around the holidays was the only thing she has ever known. And given the stress of finances and time, it sounds like a pretty good gift for other parents to consider giving to their kids.

An Early Christmas Who says Christmas Eve and Day have to be celebrated on particular days? Amy Brower, who grew up in Spencer and now lives in Auburn with her 2-year-old daughter Kaylee and husband Paul, says her extended family has found a way to keep Christmas meaningful and special.

Her parents, brothers and their families gather together the Saturday before the 25th for what they call “A Very Hanson Christmas.” Hanson is her maiden name.

“We have a big meal and actually spend the night,” Brower says. “The cousins love it and it’s very relaxed.

We’re in our pajamas, hanging out, laughing. And the next morning we wake up and exchange gifts.”

The gift exchange is simple, too.

Each adult buys for one person and each child buys for one cousin.

With a $25 limit it keeps the event reasonable, and it’s fun just to concentrate on buying for one person, she says.

“The really special part is that on the actual Christmas day, my husband and I can stay at home with Kaylee and just wake up and have a quiet day together,” she adds.

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• Talk with your family about the holidays. What brings you joy? If you love going out on Black Friday then keep going, but if it makes you want to crawl into a hole, skip it.

• Consider decreasing your shopping list. Opt to do swaps where you buy for one niece instead of all six.

• Create a budget and really stick to it.

• Volunteer or do something for someone else.

• Find ways to spend unhurried time together. Read a book as a family or take a walk to check out some Christmas lights.

DON’Ts

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• Stop comparing your holiday celebrations to others.

• No matter what the pressure, don’t agree to lengthy times spent with emotionally draining people.

Stop by for dessert or coffee – you don’t need to spend the entire weekend.

Join the 50,000 organizations across the USA, UK, Ireland, Germany, Canada and Holland that have earned over $20 million with BAG2SCHOOL fundraising – receiving Cash for Clothing and keeping used textiles out of landfills.

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• Don’t go to every party. Be reasonable with your time and energy.

• Don’t be afraid to start new traditions.

1. Set a date for your clothing collection 2. We help you organize and advertise your collection FREE of charge 3. We collect the textiles and pay you based on the weight collected 4. With Bag2School you do not have to worry about cluttering your school grounds with collection bins – all items are cleared on the day and converted to cash for your fundraising goal

Contact us today to book your Bag2School Fundraiser – and Don’t Trash it, Cash it!

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Richard Pugsley, Director Ian Hale, Percussion Director

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Photo Courtesy Spirit of Springfield

Bright Nights Turns 20

By Ama nda Roberge

Surprising facts about Springfield’s holiday favorite and its sister event, Parade of the Big Balloons.

The holiday season is a festive time of twinkling lights and gatherings – a celebration of life and the fine art of finding camaraderie amidst the

darkening days.

Thanks to a non-profit organization known as Spirit of Springfield, the city likes to take the festivities to

the max – to the tune of 650,000 sparkling lights and an annual event that attracts 60,000 people.

Bright Nights at Forest Park, which

has become the largest holiday lighting display in the Northeast, and the Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons are two ways in which

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Photo Courtesy Spirit of Springfield

.

day ast, the ich

the industrial city has rung in the holidays for more than two decades – the former turning 20 this month.

Behind the scenes of these two milestone events – both of which attract thousands from up and down the Eastern Seaboard – there are plenty of hard-working elves.

Among them is Spirit of Springfield founder and President Judith Matt, who initiated the very first Bright Nights event in 1994 with the help of Patrick Sullivan from the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management.

“We just hoped it was as good of an idea as we thought it was,” she said. “Now, 20 years later, we think we did the right thing.”

And while the event has become more grandiose over the years – each season bringing new ideas for displays and new ways to delight visitors – the real change has been trying to keep up with technology.

For the past five years, organizers have been conquering one display each season as they convert all the bulbs to LED. The bulbs, which are more expensive, are also longerlasting – so the upgrade is a nobrainer as they mind their budget and work on it in due time.

The drive through Forest Park, which opens Nov. 26 and stays open through Jan. 4, 2015, takes cars and buses full of families and friends down a nearly 4-mile journey of joy.

The welded framework that serves as the base for all of the various lighting displays requires the hard work of both craftsmen and lay volunteers alike, demanding as much holiday spirit as blood, sweat and tears as each display comes to life. Following the drive through the luminescent park there is more fun to be had, whether you prefer shopping at a bustling gift shop or showing your kids the magic of horse-drawn carriage rides on the weekends. On the busiest nights, you might wait for an hour or so to begin your journey, noted Amy Barron-Burke, Spirit of Springfield vice president. But it is not uncommon to get lucky and cruise right through.

According Barron-Burke, funds raised during the six-week run help Spirit of Springfield run its other free programs year-round, which include a giant pancake breakfast and Parade of the Big Balloons.

Once again, with Springfield’s parade – which takes place each year on the day after Thanksgiving – there is much hustling going on behind the scenes to bring the magical event to life. Touted by locals as something of a miniMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the city has one special something that Manhattan will never have.

“We have the only Cat-in-the-Hat balloon that exists, and it is only licensed to be a part of our parade,”

said Barron-Burke.

The balloon was commissioned during the parade’s first official run under the sponsorship of Spirit of Springfield, with the cooperation of Dr. Seuss’s (otherwise known as Springfield native Theodor Geisel) widow, Audrey, following his death.

According to Matt, it takes 40 to 50 volunteers to guide the giant Cat down the parade route. Up to 300 volunteers will help walk the seven large balloons down the two-mile course. And while the balloons are amazing to look at, it’s costly to make them float. This year it will take 25,500 cubic feet of helium to

inflate the big balloons, which will cost an estimated $9,000-$10,000, she said. It’s an amazing, necessary expense, and one that sadly isn’t reusable, but released into thin air when the balloons are deflated at the end of the parade.

Barron-Burke and Matt agree the parade is an annual tradition for people of all ages, and it’s not unusual to see someone toting their kids along, having attended each year as a child themselves.

“We see people coming back year after year, continuing the tradition with their own families,” said Barron-Burke, adding that it takes

an hour for the parade to pass by and is a favorite for people who eschew the madness of Black Friday shopping, opting instead for the fun and excitement of the free event.

For Matt, all of the work that goes on behind the scenes is well worth it for the volunteers and staff members who have Bright Nights and the Big Balloon parade on their minds for the 364 days leading up to their kick-off moments.

“It’s a huge effort but one that is well worth it,” Matt added. “Once you see it, it will be a holiday tradition, there’s no question about it.”

November 30 – December 31, 2014

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Groceries Go Green: Inside Atkins Farms’ Green Commitment

By Amanda Collins ArtLitSol Photography

B

oasting shelves of local maple products, cases of artisan cheeses, fresh baked pies and homemade mile-high deli sandwiches, Atkins Farms in South Amherst is a grocery shopping Mecca for locals looking for a smalltown alternative for filling up the fridge.

For the regular shoppers, a stop in the farm store's bakeshop is often the way their grocery shopping trip gets started.

“We see a lot of the regulars on Sunday mornings,” says Rihana Hooten, Atkins public relations specialist. “Folks come for their morning coffee and a doughnut, then they shop for their groceries after.”

But around this time of year, it's not just locals you'll find perusing the produce shelves or browsing the bakery. Of the nearly 200,000 people who shop at the market on Route 116 every year, the majority comes in the fall – and some make quite the trek.

The biggest draws, says Hooten, are the apples and the “Atkins Famous Cider Doughnuts” – moist, spiced, sugared confections that are shipped all across the country, and that reputation brings in shoppers from far beyond the Pioneer Valley.

“As the local apples and cider start rolling in, so do the customers. Atkins really is a landmark – people travel from all over New England and marvel at this little farm stand hidden in Western Massachusetts, even though we are much more than a farm stand,” she says.

It's true that the business has grown immensely since its humble beginnings more than a century ago, when founder Howard Atkins's grandfather came to South Amherst and planted the region's first Macintosh trees. Over time, the orchards have expanded, the size of the store has swelled, and the variety of items sold has become more and more diverse.

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    Here's what our      customers are saying.... 

We love Mill Street Motors!

Thanks for all your help! We love our new car! ~ Meg, Erik and Ollie ~ But as they’ve focused on growth, there’s also been an effort to shrink one aspect of business – their carbon footprint.

As Atkins has added more products and offerings, they’ve also been adding more energysaving, earth-friendly practices.

The Green Blossom Just like the business itself, Atkins’s various green and sustainable initiatives started out small and have evolved over time.

“At first, decades ago, it was as simple as recycling,” says Harold Gould, the store’s retired part-owner, who is credited with spearheading the business’s green efforts.

In the 1980s, they started out by separating waste into four bins – cardboard, glass and bottles, compost, and garbage – a move that kept their recycled to trash ratio at 3-to-1.

Today, all clean cardboard is baled onsite and trucked away for recycling, cans and bottles are collected, and non-deposit items are recycled through the town landfill. All packaging from outside deliveries are saved and reused or passed along to local farmers to store their products.

And 80% of the store’s organic waste goes to a pig farm in Greenfield where it’s composted.

“I’m pretty happy to see that,” Gould says. “All of those little things add up to make a difference.”

Inside the store, customers do their shopping under the light of 400 LED bulbs that use less than 20 watts each. In the warehouse and even the parking lot, motion sensors keep lights off when they’re not needed.

“Every time we make a change, do a renovation or expand, it gives us a chance to look at what we can incorporate to make things a little greener. When we added the new warehouse, coolers were redesigned to include a system that uses heat generated from the refrigeration rack to heat our hot water,” Gould notes. “In our kitchens, we replaced low-flow faucets with high-velocity sprayers.”

Just behind the store is a 46-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system that generates clean, renewable electrical power to help offset some of the business’s energy costs. Installed in 2011, the solar panel system generates about 10% of the electricity they need to run daily.

Other green efforts include the use of a fuel-efficient delivery van, the installation of highefficiency fan motors in cooler cases, and a storewide transition from petroleum-based to cornbased plastics.

Thanks Ed and Beth for everything you do. I would not consider going anywhere else for my vehicles! And enthusiastically recommend your business any chance I get. ~ Karen ~ I just bought my second used car from Mill Street and I am so happy with the help I got from Ed and Beth. They catered to what I personally needed, were very honest and I would highly recommend them! ~ Amanda ~ Once you become a Mill Street Motors customer, you will never look for a car any place else. ~ Paul & Martha ~

 Quality, affordable pre-owned automobiles.   Family owned and operated. 

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

    BAYSTATEPARENT 68 69

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A Ripple Effect For Gould, green efforts at Atkins have become habit.

“To me it’s all just a natural thing to do after so many years,” he says. “It’s not so much about just us – it’s about getting others to see that it only takes a little bit. Maybe if people come shopping here and see it all, it will twist their arm a bit to make a little change in their own life. It doesn’t have to be on such a big scale.”

Tiny Tots Classes ages 2.5 - 4 Dance Introduction & basic concepts

Registration is ongoing in all of our 3 locations.

And it seems to be working in small ways. At checkout, Hooten says many customers take advantage of cash saving incentives for bringing in their own reusable shopping bags.

“It seems to just have become part of the culture here,” she adds.

More and more families are even taking their milk home in reusable glass bottles offered at the store.

“Glass milk sales keep increasing – in this day and age, imagine that!”

Gould says. “I think we’re rubbing off, and that’s a good thing.”

Water Ways, an NEW ! imaginative all-new water environment opens November 8!

Splash, discover and playfully experience water and investigate its properties in different forms:

NEW LOCATION! Mill Yard Marketplace 559 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA (508) 347-2332 Sturbridge@massmotiondance.com Boston Location 100 Holton St., Brighton, MA (617) 562-0550 • Boston@massmotiondance.com North Studio Location 36 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor Peabody, MA (978) 977-3262 • North@massmotiondance.com

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Transform billowing mist and water domes Send objects swirling through vortexes Investigate and sculpt ice using a variety of tools Form fountains that funnel the flow of mist “Paint” watery designs on a large slate wall Explore an expanded toddler play area with balls, ramps and spigots

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There are no adults in “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”. Not even the trademark off-stage WAH-WAHWAH teacher voice (which composer Vince Guaraldi created using a trombone).

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MAGIC TOUCH Nursery • Pre-School • Kindergarten

for 3, 4, & 5 year olds

ool

esch r P e c a r G azing

Am

Also Offering offering Vacation open Programs gyms

Year ‘Round Pre-K Program

• Full and Half Day programs available • Pre-Care and After-Care available • Low student/teacher ratio • Bible-based curriculum • Phonics, Math, Reading, Music, Art, Spanish & Sign Language!

• Experienced teachers with degrees in Education • Kindergarten to 12th Grade enrollment available

1000 Oak Hill Ave., Attleboro, MA (508) 431-8159 or (508) 222-8675 director: Lorraine Bailey

Stardust Gym offers a variety of children’s activities including: Gymnastics, Cheerleading & Toddler Classes (up to age 12) Visit us online for more information.

www.theamazinggracepreschool.org www.gracebaptistchristianacademy.org

612 Plymouth St., Rte. 106 ★ East Bridgewater 508-378-2223 ★ www.STARDUSTGYM.com

INDEX

To Advertise Contact Regina Stillings at regina@baystateparent.com Applewild School.........................................11 As You Wish Vacation..................................49 At The Buzzer .............................................9 Ballet Arts Worcester ..................................49 Backyard Adventures ..................................64 Bag2School ..............................................64 Bancroft School .........................................79 Bay State Skating School...............................9 Big Y..........................................................6 Braincore..................................................72 Casa Vallarta Family Mexican Restaurant ......46 Citi Performing Arts ...............................10,25 City of Leominster ......................................20 City of Worcester .......................................59 Clinton Savings Bank ...................................2 Colonial Figure Skating Club.........................29 Commonwealth Ballet ................................20 Cornerstone Academy ...................................3 Crocodile River Music .................................61 Curves of Holden .......................................57

Ecotarium .................................................23 Edaville ....................................................14 Eric Carle Museum .....................................24 European Wax Center .................................68 Fay School ...............................................63 FMC Ice Sports ..........................................61 Growing Room of Berlin ..............................62 Hanover Theatre .....................................4,51 Harrington Oil ...........................................57 Heywood Hospital .....................................37 Hop On In , Inc. ........................................21 Justice Resource Ins ...................................62 Karate School, Inc. ....................................58 Kidding Around...........................................28 Lanni Orchards ..........................................24 Legoland Discovery ....................................75 Little V Designs .........................................13 Mall At Whitney Field ................................19 Marini Farm ..............................................57 Mass Motion Dance ...................................70

Mill Street Motors .....................................69 Millbury Federal Credit Union ......................13 Museum of Russian Icons ...........................49 Music Together ..........................................48 NEADS .....................................................31 New Horizon Karate ...................................21 Next Generation ..........................................5 Nichols College ..........................................45 Parenting Solutions ....................................59 Paula Meola Dance ....................................18 PR Running ...............................................39 PROPEL Marketing......................................72 Providence Children’s Museum .....................70 Reliant Medical .........................................35 Roots Natural Foods ...................................54 SALMON Centers for Early Education ..............32 Seven Hills Charter ....................................63 Shakeology ..............................................36 Shrewsbury Children’s Center ......................64 Shrewsbury Montessori School ....................30

Signarama Worcester .................................60 Smuggler’s Notch Resort ........................42,43 Spirit of America.........................................65 St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital ........................52 Sylvan Learning ........................................30 The Learning Zone .....................................66 Tri State Speedway ....................................58 Trombetta’s Farm ......................................59 Turn 4 Hobbies ..........................................11 UMass Memorial ..................................39,80 Village School (The) ..................................11 Wachusett Mountain ..................................33 Wheelock Family Theatre ............................29 Worcester Art Museum ...............................67 Worcester Center for Crafts ..........................45 Worcester County Light Opera ......................71 Worcester Sharks........................................71 YMCA Central Branch .................................65

BAYSTATEPARENT 76 77

take eight

with Chef Laura Watkins

Chef Laura Watkins of Sterling left the kitchens of the restaurant world to form her own company, The Dinner Co., in which she cooks healthy take-out dinners for busy families in the Wachusett area. We checked in to talk food, cooking and the holidays with this small business owner and mother of three.

You cook for your family, you cook for clients, now it’s time to cook for the holidays.

Is the latter exciting or exhausting?

Definitely exciting. I love to have people over for the holidays, and in our home that means lots of food. There are years where we host Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Sometimes it seems like I start cooking two days before Thanksgiving and stop Jan. 2. It’s tiring, but a labor of love. I need to mention I have a husband that actually likes cleaning up, so that makes it a little less exhausting.

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Do you have a family speciality or food tradition around the holidays?

Every Christmas Eve we have an open house. Family, friends and neighbors stop by. We have guests that have been coming since I was a little girl and my Mom did all of the cooking. We do the traditional Italian Christmas Eve with seafood, but with our own family dishes: homemade Lobster Ravioli, Lobster-Stuffed Rice Balls, Frutti Di Mar with squid, mussels and clams in a spicy red sauce over homemade pasta. The best part is that my Mom and two sisters come over and we cook (and drink wine) for two days. The last couple of years my two daughters have joined in to help. We usually have 50 people or more stop by throughout the night. To me it is what the holidays are about.

What do you say to ease the mind of the nervous home chef who has to prepare a holiday meal and is unsure of his or her ability?

Relax. Start by making out a menu. If you are new to holiday entertaining, keep it relatively simple. From there, make a list of everything you will need. It is very easy to come unglued when you are knee-deep in making the meal and you realize you forgot to buy the turkey. Have a plan of attack.

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When you hear “holiday dinner” what first springs to mind?

Oddly enough, it is my dining room table.

I cook so much, but rarely get to set a pretty table and truly entertain in the classic sense.

If the same-old Thanksgiving staples are getting a little boring, how can families easily spice up their traditional meal?

Have a little fun and be creative. Think about the sides you usually make and prepare them differently. Last year instead of traditional butternut squash as a side dish, I did butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce as a course instead of a side. My daughter called it “Italianizing Thanksgiving.”

Gravy: Hard or hype?

Is it really that difficult to make a good gravy?

I can’t believe you asked me this question. The answer for me is hard - make that very hard. I think everyone who cooks has one thing that they really struggle with.

For me it’s making good gravy for Thanksgiving dinner.

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What is the most important thing to remember about holiday cooking?

I love the expression “food is love”. Try not to make it a chore or something you have to get through. Holiday cooking allows the people you care about to come together to eat a little, drink a little and spend time together. Don’t rush the preparation, the meal or the time when you are all cleaning up afterwards.

Most of us amateur cooks have a story or two of a recipe that went horribly awry. Do you have a fun food disaster to share?

The key to my business model is that I prepare hot, ready-to-eat, homemade meals for my clients. The key to making those meals is making sure I have gas in the tank that fuels my stove and oven. A lesson I learned my first year in business, when I was making 24 meals (each serving 5 to 6 people), and ran out of gas two hours before my first client was scheduled to pick up dinner. After panicking, I called three great friends who happened to be neighbors. I spent the whole afternoon running to three different houses in my neighborhood putting in and taking meals out of their ovens. Thanks Kat, Beth and Michelle!

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UPCOMING ADMISSION EVENTS

6

o t ou nk e are

NOV. 12 Pre-K, K, Grade 1 Open House • 4 p.m.

NOV. 18 Coffee & Campus Tour • 9 a.m.

Register Today 508.854.9227

Bancroft School.

Where kids are all kinds of smart.

Lower, Middle, & Upper Schools

110 Shore Drive Worcester, MA 01605 508.854.9227 www.bancroftschool.org

Bancroft students aren’t just intelligent, talented achievers—they are good people who are poised to do great things.

Our commitment to educate the whole child and respect various learning styles prepares students to explore their interests in greater depth and grow into well-rounded, globally aware adults.

BAYSTATEPARENT 78 79

Enter to win a UMass Memorial Maternity Center tote bag.

Visit www.umassmemorial.org/baby.

When it comes to babies, UMass Memorial delivers.

Expecting? You want — and deserve — the very best care for you and your baby.

Women in Central Massachusetts know that when it comes to babies, UMass Memorial delivers. Our obstetricians and family medicine physicians at UMass Memorial Medical Center and HealthAlliance Hospital are ready to partner with you for the very best pregnancy and birthing experience.

With nearly 5,000 babies born at our hospitals each year, you can be confident that we deliver. For added confidence, you have direct access to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Worcester.

Let UMass Memorial be your delivery destination. To learn more about your women’s health team and to make an appointment, call 1-855-UMASS-MD.

UMassMemorial Health Care

Member Hospitals: Clinton Hospital • HealthAlliance Hospital • Marlborough Hospital • UMass Memorial Medical Center 80 NOVEMBER2014