BaystateParent Magazine June 2021

BaystateParent MASSACHUSETTS’

PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES SINCE 1996

JUNE 2021 | PRICELESS

+

Summer Splash Park Guide Hiking with Kids Celebrate Pride Month!

Home run

WooSox bring family-friendly baseball to Bay State

Maternal care that centers on you.

Receive expert care, support and attention from nationally recognized physicians and staff

heywood.org WM-0000461686-01

2 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440

978-630-6228

contents Table of

June 2021

volume 25

number 14

in every issue 5 5 6 8 15

Editor’s note

23

Take Five: Lady Sabrina and Dahlia Page

Finally Forever Herding Goofballs Good to Know DIY: Tie-Dye Beach Towels

Use this month’s bounty of berries for a delicious dessert!

on the agenda 16

June Adventures: 13 things to do with the kids

19

The List: Splash pads and spray parks

bites 20

Goose’s Goodies: Homemade strawberry shortcake

21

Nutrition: Are you making your picky eater worse?

features

12

BaystateParent MASSACHUSETTS’

Cover Story: WooSox pitch to families

PREMIER MAGAZINE

FOR FAMILIES SINCE

1996

JUNE 2021 | PRICELESS

+

Summer Splash Park Guide Hiking with Kids Celebrate Pride Month!

Home run

WooSox bring family-friendly baseball to Bay State

on the cover

22

5 ways to make museums, zoos and aquariums more fun

Cooper, 7, and Milo Farnsworth, 4, cheer on the WooSox at the newly opened Polar Park. ASHLEY GREEN/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 3

BaystateParent

We’re Wide Open

Spring Outdoors March 20 - June 20 and joins us for a season of adventures!

Executive editor Dave Nordman

CREATIVE Editor in chief Amanda Collins Bernier

Designer Kayla Filion

ADVERTISING Sales manager Brittany Prendiville 774-420-4095 bprendiville@localiq.com

Account executive Kathy Puffer 508-767-9544 kpuffer@localiq.com

National Heritage Corridor

Visit TheLastGreenValley.org or call 860-774-3300

A hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. !

Sale

ded n e t ex

Account executive Regina Stillings 508-767-9546 rstillings@localiq.com baystateparent is published monthly and is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

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editor’s note

U

June’s Children: Meet Allen and Alvin

FINALLY

forever

Hi, our names are Allen and Alvin and we want to stay together!

Allen and Alvin, twin boys of African American and Native American descent, are 10 years old. Allen has a very outgoing personality. He likes video games, outdoor sports, coloring, and being active in the community. He has a special gift when you engage in conversation with him. Allen has the ability to make you feel special and optimistic, and he also has a contagious laugh. Allen reports that he loves school.

He enjoys keeping busy and does well with listening and following directions.

Alvin is known to be very courageous and daring. He can be very curious at times and asks a lot of questions.

He is very interested in how things work. He is also very aff ectionate and does well with lots of one-on-one attention, hugs, and kisses.

Some of Alvin’s interests

are using his iPad and playing sports. His favorite sport is soccer, and he’s very good at it!

Legally freed for adoption, Allen and Alvin should be placed with a single-parent or two-parent family with or without other children in the home. Pets are okay as long as they are outgoing and friendly just like them. It is very important to Allen and Alvin that they are able to maintain their connection with their fi ve siblings which requires six in-person visits per year and other communication between visits.

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child.

Adoptive parents can be

single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

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

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

sually, an infl ux of emails right as we approach deadline would stress me out, but as my inbox blew up as presstime approached, I couldn’t help but feel happy.

Outdoor concerts. Summer festivities.

Family-friendly adventures. Each email off ering another thing to do this season felt one step closer to normal.

Is it too soon to call this “post-pandemic life?” I’m not sure, but if my inbox is any indicator, this summer is shaping up to be pretty diff erent than the last. And thank goodness for that.

Even in “precedented” times, summer off ers so much to look forward to: boundless sunshine, hot nights, and a break from the hustle of academics and extracurriculars.

But this year, many of us are looking forward to the season with even more gusto. After weathering an upheaved school year and everything that came with it, we need a break, we need fun, and we need normalcy.

While this might not look like Summer B.C. (before Covid) -- when we’d never worn masks or even heard the term “social distancing” -- there will at least more places to go and things to do than in 2020.

On page 16, there are more than a dozen awesome events

you can take the family to, from farm festivals to kidfriendly museum exhibits. On page 19, you’ll fi nd 13 cool places to cool off in our splash pad and spray park guide.

And then there’s the newly opened home to the Worcester Red Sox, Polar Park, for some summer fun. It’s perhaps more manageable and defi nitely cheaper than a trip to Fenway, but still off ers that classic ballpark adventure. As Josh Farnsworth writes in his story on page 12, “with an option in Worcester, the long drive to Boston for residents in central and western portions of the state brings the baseball stadium experience that much closer.”

So here’s to summer 2021. I hope it off ers the rest, fun, and new normal your family needs.

— Amanda

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BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 5

HERDING

goofballs DIY sendoff party - done from the safety of your home - is in order to properly celebrate.

Celebration for students

Pomp and (unusual) circumstance

By Josh Farnsworth

Pure joy.

Every June, that’s the emotional outpouring from schools as the rows of buses line up one last time and the children march triumphantly aboard to return home for the next couple months.

When I used to work in newspapers, the fi nal sendoff was always a great event to cover and take pictures. Some schools made it such a cele-

bratory occasion that music, funny hats and ticker tape was involved. It was like the Fourth of July parade celebrating an independence from the perils of homework.

There are hugs. There are tears. There is excitement that can hardly be contained for the days and weeks to come.

And that’s just the school staff .

In many ways, those long,

6 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

yellow vehicles pulling out of the school parking lot are the fi rst visible signs of summer like a fl ock of birds making their way north.

The offi cial closing ceremony for the 2020-2021 academic year will be with far fewer busses and fanfare, for certain this month. Still, there has never been a year more deserving of kids, teachers, school staff and parents cele-

brating a complex job well done than this one.

The school year was tumultuous - forcing all involved to cling to their last delicate strand of patience at several junctures. The pandemic forced all of our hands. We could only play the best cards we had access to.

In honor of this tradition of sending off everyone into the summer months, I believe a

This part is just for the kids.

I will assume all adults will scroll down this column to their appropriate place… ….I’ll wait…

Hi kids, are the adults gone? Good.

You guys and girls had to make quite the adjustments this year. You had to learn via screens for much of it. I know you are probably more tech savvy than the adults when it comes to using screens, but still, kudos to you.

You had to be more responsible for paying attention. After all, you probably had some cool toys or your pet or something else within eyesight that probably sounded like more fun than schoolwork.

To celebrate your sendoff , follow these steps…

Step 1: Find a Halloween costume, super fancy shirt or something you don’t always wear and change into the special outfi t to get in the spirit.

Step 2: Gather the people you live with and have them stand outside. Encourage them to wear silly hats. The zanier, the better Step 3: Announce to everyone that you fi nished your grade and are now in grade ____.

Step 4: Walk in the most hilarious-yet-confi dent way by those people you live with like you just won a Grammy Award and make sure to slowly wave to all like you are the queen in a parade.

Step 5: Take a bow.

Celebration for parents This section is dedicated to the parents, who needed to adapt, learn and adapt some more to all the curveballs coming your way. The constraints of work (and work changing venues for many of you) and managing a household that for months became a makeshift classroom was something to behold.

You, parents, are a testament to fortitude and hustle in the name of making sure your kids got the best experience possible.

My hat is off to you - so off that I’ll keep it in the other room while I write this column.

After the kids march around during their ceremony, make sure they stick around to honor you in your part of the festivities...

Step 1: Have kids grab fi stfuls of confetti and streamers and let them shower you with these tiny paper goods as they yell, “Thank you for everything you do!”

Step 2: Instruct the kids to go grab a trash bag and clean up all this confetti and these streamers. Just be aware and be ready for the rush of that “thank you” to lose its charm with your kids at this moment.

Step 3: Take part in the ceremonial uninstalling of Zoom from your laptop.

Step 4: Inform children that after months of getting them up and fed for school, this summer it is their turn to get up, prepare your breakfast and get you ready for the day.

And don’t be stingy with the maple syrup on those pancakes, Junior!

you fi t into, there is one more step to take. Thank each other.

Really.

This academic year has been a long hard road. For everyone. Some of you might be a bit tired and worn from having to make school work. Understandable. Some of you might even be tired of each other as you all tried to make the best of a diffi cult situation.

Just know that you were all in this together.

Now, go enjoy that summer.

And rest up, because school is just a couple months away.

And here’s to hoping there are many celebrations to follow in the 2021-2022 school year to make up for lost time.

And maybe a celebratory sendoff to cap it all off the following summer?

Now that’s pure joy.

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

HELL !

In this odd year, try a DIY sendoff party at home. GETTY IMAGES

We’re welcoming new pediatric patients in our Holden office!

Celebration for teachers/staff The craziest of school years is offi cially in the books. You survived. Your dexterity in making learning happen amidst all the pandemic-induced chaos is admirable.

Heroic, really.

Step 1: Take a nap.

Step 2: Break that class planner in half (unless you can use it again next year; school supplies are getting pricey, you know).

Step 3: Go outside and grab your work bag/briefcase/etc. and throw your paper fi les into the air - letting the pages wash over you like giant confetti.

Step 4: Go back to sleep. If you have kids at home, have them fan you with giant grape leaves and serve you any pastries in your house like you are some sort of VIP at a ritzy resort.

I hope this exercise put all of you in some form of celebratory spirit.

No matter what category

Christina Stille, NP is welcoming new pediatric patients in Holden!

Learn more about her at reliantmedicalgroup.org/holden

64 Boyden Road, Holden Call (508) 425-5857 to register as a patient.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 7

GOOD TO

know

You kids can help researchers track fireflies this summer.

Meet Massachusetts’ State Dinosaur.

Scientists have long been looking into the decline of lightning bugs, and for over a decade, have been enlisting the public’s help.

The Podokesaurus, a lightweight, 3-to-6 foot carnivorous dino, is set to become Massachusetts’ “official” state dinosaur.

The Citizen Firefly Watch, first launched by the Museum of Science in 2008, combines summer fun with scientific research as “citizen scientists” around the country observe the insects in their own backyards to help researchers map fireflies. In 2018, Mass Audubon took over the project, teaming up with researchers from Tufts University to track the fate of fireflies.

After more than 35,000 total votes were cast in an online poll, the dinosaur was crowned the winner in a virtual event hosted by the Museum of Science earlier this year. It beat out the Anchisaurus polyzelus, a slightly larger herbivore, and the only other dinosaur species that’s been excavated in Massachusetts.

To get involved, you’ll need to spend ten minutes outside observing lightning bugs in one location (your backyard or a nearby field), once a week during firefly season. You’ll need to keep track of the activity and record it on the Citizen Firefly Watch website.

State Rep. Jack Lewis hatched the idea for a state dinosaur “to help my Cub Scout den earn their ‘Digging in the Past’ pin,” and as a way to get kids interested in the legislative process, he said on Twitter. He launched the online poll in January to determine which dino deserved the honor, before filing legislation in February to declare a Massachusetts State Dinosaur.

To take part in the Citizen Firefly Watch, go to massaudubon.org/getinvolved/citizen-science/firefly-watch.

10 Billion That’s the number of donuts Americans eat every year. Are you, or your kiddo, a donut lover? Be on the lookout for deals and freebies on National Donut Day -- Friday, June 4!

8 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

Sensory-friendly Saturdays are back at Springfield Museums.

Families looking for sensory sensitive fun can enjoy less noise, less bright light, and cool-down spaces on the second Saturday of each month from 9-11 a.m. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Springfield Science Museum open early, with some exhibits modified to provide an opportunity for people with a range of abilities to experience their offerings. Sensory-friendly crafts for all ages are available in the Cat’s Corner. If visitors find the museums too overwhelming and need to leave before 10 a.m., they can get a voucher to try again on another Sensory Friendly Saturday.

The voter favorite lived during the mid-Jurassic period, and it’s full name, Podokesaurus holyokensis, can be translated as "swift-footed lizard of Holyoke." The first fossil was discovered by the geologist Mignon Talbot near Mount Holyoke in 1910. Talbot became the first woman to ever name a newfound dinosaur.

If the two bills submitted by Lewis pass, Massachusetts will become the 13th state to have an official state dinosaur. They are currently being reviewed by the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 9

ACCESSIBLE

hiking

By Danielle Ray

A

plethora of hiking spots and trails across the state and around the region are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, making them a good place to take the whole family.

Many of Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries feature universally accessible trails, giving everyone the opportunity to get out and explore nature. Their All Persons Trails are designed and constructed fi rst to physically meet or exceed Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and then to incorporate universally designed interpretive features including educational stops, wildlife viewing boardwalks and platforms, picnic and play areas, and navigation resources including audio directions, guide ropes, curbing, and handrails.

All Persons Trails are typically less than a mile long and may include smooth, gentle grades for improved access by foot, stroller, or wheelchair, sensory-rich audio tours available by cell phone or audio players, braille texts and tactile maps, wider boardwalks with bumpers as needed, accessible outdoor wildlife observation structures, specialized gardens, seating, play areas, and picnic areas, and more.

“All Persons Trails are designed for everyone, including visitors with limited mobility for whom hiking is not an option,” said statewide education manager Lucy Gertz.

Mass Audubon’s fi rst All

Persons Trail was developed in 2008. Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester, Attleboro Springs in Attleboro, and Drumlin Farm in Lincoln are a few of the dozen Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries in the state that have ADA-compliant interpretive trails with universally designed trail materials.

According to Gertz, new All Persons Trails are being constructed and trail tours and materials are being planned at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth, Wachusett Meadow in Princeton, and Tidmarsh in Plymouth.

Interested visitors can access trail information and listen to interpretive tours be-

e bsit ars r we webin u o t g Visi comin p u r fo

Wheelchair- and stroller-friendly trails that are perfect for families

fore their visit and an 80-page manual is available for free on the Mass Audubon website, “Mass Audubon’s Accessible Trails Guidelines Manual.”

“We suggest people call ahead and ask about the current trail conditions,” Gertz said. “Sometimes the natural trail surface material has been impacted in some areas dur-

ing extreme precipitation events. We also invite trail visitors to provide feedback on how we could improve the trail or our customer service.”

Gertz said All Persons Trails are “very popular” and used by many of the 500,000 annual Mass Audubon visitors.

“We also use the trails for

our environmental education classes, programs, camps, and nature pre-schools,” she said. “Mass Audubon is committed to connecting people to nature for the benefi t of both.”

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts

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TIPS FOR

hiking WITH KIDS

One of the best ways to get kids to be active and connect them with the outdoors is take them on a hike. Not only does hiking get them outdoors, it helps with building stronger muscles and bones, improves their sense of balance, and is a natural stress reliever.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you take your kids on a hike, according to Wilderness.org: 1. Keep it easy and feature-friendly: For at least the first few times, select a hike that isn’t too long or too strenuous - remember that for kids, the hike is about the experience. Picking a trail that has some features, be it a lake, stream, waterfall or something else, will keep kids occupied and give them a goal to reach.

2. Time is your fiend -so plan for lots of it: Kids are natural explorers and want to pick up and touch everything. This is one of the greatest things about hiking - there’s so much of the natural world for kids to discover and examine.

Make sure they have time to get their wilderness fill.

3. Prepare for anything: Some kid-friendly supplies are: wet wipes or tissues; lip balm; binoculars; magnifying glass; field guides (to point things out to kids); camera; and safety whistles for each child (and teach them what they are for and when to use them).

state parks for visitors of all abilities such as paved rail trails and accessibly designed hiking trails in scenic, natural settings that are either paved or made from stone dust and are usually under a mile long.

Universal Access Program trails have a fi rm, stable surface without large roots or rocks and are at least 36 inches wide, and usually wider.

The slopes on these trails may be higher than the slopes you fi nd on an accessible route, as the trail winds through the landscape. Many of the accessible trails follow the U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines for sustainable trails for all.

Universal Access Program is working on updating information about the trails to help hikers plan their outing. Volunteers are welcome, and help the program fulfi ll its mission to bring outdoor recreation opportunities to park visitors of all abilities.

The Trustees off er wheelchair accessible trails at some properties in the state including Doyle Community Park in Leominster and Doane’s Falls in Royalston, and Governor Oliver Ames Estate in Easton.

DCR Accessible Trails MetroWest Loop at Beaver Brook, Belmont Farwell to Elm St. Loop, Charles River Reservation, Waltham/Newton Spot Pond Loop, Middlesex Fells Reservation, Malden/Medford North Accessible Trail, Ashland State Park, Ashland Accessible Trail, Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfi eld Central Blackstone River Greenway, Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge Woodland Trail, Dunn State Park, Gardner John Tinker Trail, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer Mill Pond Trail, Wells State Park, Sturbridge

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4. Dress for success: Make sure your kids have adequate hiking shoes, depending on terrain, this could range from sandals to tot-sized hiking boots. Always pack a change of clothes for each child and leave them in the car for your return from the trail.

5. Plan frequent energy stops: Keep your child happy and motivated by taking numerous small breaks for fluid and food.

6. Leave no trace: When out on a hike, make sure that all of your trash is collected - taking a gallon size zip-top plastic bag always works well for this - the “pack it in, pack it out” concept is fully embraced on the trails.

Follow the UMass Memorial Simply Well blog today:

www.umassmemorial.org/simplywell

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 11

cover story

The

pitch to families

The youngest fans will fi nd plenty to cheer about at Worcester’s new Polar Park.

ASHLEY GREEN/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

WooSox aim to offer parents entertaining alternative to Fenway

12 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

By Josh Farnsworth

T

he buzzing of a television with limited channel selection in Kristi Fritscher’s home growing up in the Leominster-Fitchburg area was routinely affi xed to sports. Sometimes basketball or football. Other times, NASCAR or wrestling.

And then there was baseball. But not just baseball.

Red Sox baseball.

Those warm, summer nights Kristi and her dad spent side-by-side watching the likes of Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon and her favorite and unoffi cial Red Sox muse - Mo Vaughn - forged a passion for baseball and gave a strong daughter-father bond even more fortitude.

It’s the type of instilled passion that has Kristi never missing a game if she can help it. She takes in every inning she can on TV or on the radio - spring training included. It’s why visits to Fenway Park on her birthday and anniversary with husband, Scott, have become annual traditions.

It’s what she also uses as a way to connect as a parent now herself to Adam, who turned fi ve this month.

“It’s something we do together,” said Kristi, who is now a resident of Barre. “He hasn’t found ‘his Mo Vaughn’ yet, but we have been to Fenway Park a couple times, gone to see the (Future Collegiate Baseball League of New England team) Worcester Bravehearts and Pawtucket Red Sox, and he just has so much fun when we go.”

It’s no wonder that back in 2018, as the Red Sox organization’s beloved Triple-A affi liate in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was announced to be relocating to Worcester for the 2021 season, Kristi took notice.

She has been a booster club member since 2019 - long before a fi rst pitch would be thrown by a member of the Worcester Red Sox (quickly now becoming known aff ectionately as the WooSox) or before a single shovel of dirt was ceremoniously unearthed at their newly built Polar Park.

“I wanted to make sure I had every update,” she said. “I hope it’s a team Adam gets ex-

cited to go see - to get that feeling when you walk into a stadium and get excited for baseball.”

While she is more diehard than most, Kristi is one of many Bay State residents whose admiration for the Boston-based ballclub carries so much weight in this area. And with an option in Worcester, the long drive to Boston for residents in central and western portions of the state brings the baseball stadium experience that much closer.

WooSox fans cheer during Opening Day at Polar Park May 11.

The show beyond the show The names are only familiar to diehards like Kristi those promising prospects that she is excited to see progress such as Tanner Houck and Jeter Downs. But to the casual fan, the Worcester Red Sox are not selling the same star-fueled, baseball-centric show as their fl ashier big brother in Boston.

In Worcester, much like anywhere a minor league stadium stands, the extra energy needed to make a season a success goes into an overall ballpark experience outside

ASHLEY GREEN/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

the white, chalky lines.

“Families are the lifeblood of this organization,” said Steve Oliveira, Director of Worcester Operations for the Red Sox. “In Worcester, we pride ourselves on being a fun, aff ordable option, especially for families. When people hear, ‘Red Sox’, their mind goes one way: to Boston and Fenway Park. This is a whole diff erent product. We want people to come to Worcester multiple times a year, and

bring their families to experience Polar Park with them.”

Ticket prices play into the value proposition the WooSox look to strike. Oliveira said single game tickets start at $8 for kids, $9 for everyone else prices much more favorable for families attending a game than the parent club in Boston.

For parents of many young kids, the greatest opponent in any ballpark is attention spans. The average length of a

minor league game in 2018 even with newer rules aimed at moving games quicker to their conclusion - clocked in at two hours, 45 minutes.

That puts a premium on teams providing entertainment value in between innings and around the fringes of Polar Park to retain young fans as long as possible. Sure, there will be an assortment of classic ballpark amusements, like face painting, balloon artists and more. Oliveira said he believes all the advanced options of things to do will help parents keep their kids well entertained whether they are into the game or not.

“We know the challenge of having kids sit through a nine inning game,” he said. “It’s about the experience and the atmosphere. We know the number of people who come to a minor league game and leave without knowing the score or who even won is signifi cant. They are coming to just get outside in the summer sun and be entertained.”

The WooSox are launching a kids’ club aptly dubbed the “WooCrew Kids’ Club,” a loyalty program that produces points for members whenever

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they perform a task, such as follow the WooSox on social media. The WooCrew is free to join, but does also include a paid tier portion of its membership with additional incentives.

“We feel like the WooCrew will be able to take engagements with young fans to a whole new level,” said Oliveira.

Oliveira said the WooSox are looking to partner with local little leagues as well. Their hope is to be able to host little league parades and opening ceremonies and involve youth baseball and softball to reinforce to kids that the Worcester Red Sox are a neighbor and active member of their community baseball scene.

Polar Park will have some specifi c amenities to help all family members get something positive out of the ballpark experience. There is a sensory-friendly room at the park designed to help some fans, especially those on the autism spectrum, “get away from the hustle and bustle” of an otherwise energetic stadium, according to Oliveira.

There will also be some game experiences in the works with considerations towards fans

“We’ll provide music you can get up and dance to, and having a well-trained staff that is focused on making a family’s experience better.”

Reconnected

Fans fi le into Polar Park May 12.

ASHLEY GREEN/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

with peanut allergies.

“We want our games to be accessible to all fans,” said Oliveira. “This ballpark is for everyone.”

Some of the family-friendly benefi ts of Polar Park are still being completed. A berm beyond the leftfi eld fence will be used for a picnic area for fans

and a kids playground area just a short baseball’s throw past centerfi eld are two projects the WooSox hope to complete some time around Independence Day. As for Oliveira, his favorite feature of Polar Park - and one he feels kids will enjoy, too happens to be a product of its

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location to nearby transportation.

“We are close enough to where an active train goes by and my two-and-a-half-yearold loves trains,” he said, noting that it is similar to a train that drives across the top of the fence in the Houston Astros’ major league park after a homerun is hit by the home team, only these trains in Worcester are the real deal.

“You can feel the train passing by. I can’t wait to see that happen. I think it’s a really cool feature.”

Worcester will continue some of the same traditions when pandemic restrictions allow, such as having the kids run the bases after games or play catch on the fi eld pregame - standby traditions that started in Pawtucket.

Other minor league stadium favorites such as fi reworks displays are in the works for later this season. The return of Scout Nights - where boys scouts and girls scouts camp out on the fi eld and take part in activities such as watching a movie on the big video board - could happen by next year if a return to more normal, prepandemic times settle in.

Oliveira said they have other plans that will probably have to wait until next year based on pandemic and social distancing concerns.

“We are going to focus on what we can control,” he said.

The 2021 season comes after a year or so of great change within Minor League Baseball. The 2020 season at all Minor League Baseball levels was cancelled and the entire structure shifted and realigned- resulting in the demise of 43 minor league teams.

For Worcester baseball fans, 2021 represents a new beginning and a chance to connect with new fans or reconnect with avid ones. Oliveira said they are working on a mechanism to receive feedback for what is connecting with fans and what is not, but believe 2021 is a baseline they will use to measure how well families respond to the overall ballpark experience.

With pandemic restrictions in place, only a certain percentage of capacity will be able to attend right away. Oliveira admits that means 2021 could be an outlier when looking at the various books of programs and events and forms of entertainment they hope Polar Park can have as compared to when 100 percent capacity can be achieved.

For Kristi, the arrival of the Red Sox organization is already helping bring the family even closer together.

Her father has a physical disability that makes a car ride to Boston or Pawtucket unreasonable. With her dad close enough to Worcester, however, more Red Sox games are in their immediate future. Kristi, Adam and her dad represent three generations ready to affi x their attention on baseball once again.

Maybe Adam will fi nd “his Mo Vaughn.”

Either way, he’ll have plenty of family close by to continue a legacy of Red Sox memories forged on those warm, summer nights sideby-side.

“The experience and time together as a family is great,” she said. “You’ll never regret time spent together. It’s not just about baseball.”

DIY

Tie dye beach towels let kids show off their creative sides

Make it 1 Cover your work surface with a disposable tablecloth. Lay your towel down and smooth it out.

2

By Amanda Collins Bernier

P

erfect for the pool or a beach outing, this is a fun DIY project you will use all summer long. Kids love personalizing these colorful towels.

d

ou nee What y

h Large white beach towel h Duct tape h Scissors h Tie-dye spray kit h Disposable tablecloth

Using the duct tape, write out your child’s name across the towel.

3 Follow directions on your tie-dye spray kit to mix the colors. Put on the gloves, and start spraying!

4 If the colors don’t bleed through the towel, you can flip it over and spray the backside in the same pattern (optional). Allow to dry overnight, name-side up.

5 Once the towel is completely dry, peel off the tape. Rinse with cold water, then wash and dry it separately. Be sure to wash the towel separately from the rest of your laundry for the fi rst few washes.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 15

ON THE

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agenda

JUNE ADVENTURES:

13

fun things to do with the kids x Worcester Food Truck Festival

Saturday, June 5, 12-5 p.m.

Worcester Common - Worcester Dig in! The festival features some of the area’s most popular food trucks dishing out fan favorites such as fall-off -the-bone BBQ, wood-fi red pizzas, zesty tacos, sweet treats, plus dozens of regional and national craft brews. Enjoy outdoor games like cornhole, giant Jenga, and a bouncy house and face painting for kids. Tickets start at $5, children 12 and under free. Details at foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/worcester.

PATRIOT PLACE

x Patriot Place Pop-Up Drive In

Friday & Saturday, June 4-5 Patriot Place - Foxboro The Pop-Up Drive-In at Showcase Cinema de Lux Patriot Place returns this summer with showings of family-friendly fi lms. Catch “The Lego Movie” on Friday, June 4, or “The Karate Kid” on Saturday, June 5. Tickets are $25 per vehicle and all shows will start at sunset, approximately 8:30 p.m. Concessions will be available. Tickets can be purchased through the Showcase Cinemas mobile app or at showcasecinemas.com.

v GoPixelYourself

Fridays through Sundays CambridgeSide - Cambridge Rock the red carpet as the paparazzi snap your picture.

Become an action movie star.

Make your latest TikTok with a glam backdrop. This pop-up, 13,000-square-foot “Instagrammable museum’” off ers a 13-room immersive experience for photo enthusiasts and social media users of all ages. A next-generation in the selfi e museum genre, it also features 4,000 square feet of ever-changing animated digital video wall, automated cameras deliver animated movies, GIFs, and selfi es to each visitor. During the visit, every guest receives a website link to download photos and videos of their experience.

Tickets are $30 per person, $15 for children 10 and under.

Two and under are free. More at gopixelyourself.com.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM

x The Caterpillar Lab

COURTESY PHOTO

16 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

Tuesdays through Sundays, June 8-20 Discovery Museum - Acton The Caterpillar Lab, located in Marlborough, New Hampshire, takes over the museum’s Community Gallery and turns it into a mini version of their own lab space. Come see a huge variety of New England caterpillar species showcased on open-air displays of local plants. Get up close to enormous giant silk moth caterpillars, fi erce-looking snake-mimicking caterpillars, convincing twig-mimicking caterpillars, and bubbly butterfl y caterpillars. Witness rare moments of metamorphosis and watch ecological relationships play out fi rst-hand under a digital microscope. Included with general admission, $15.50; kids under 1 free. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time at discoveryacton.org.

w Family Farm Fun

Saturdays & Sundays Appleton Farms - Hamilton & Ipswich Appleton Farms is hosting two fun programs for children and families on weekends this month. Family Farm Chores is a unique program where families will get to be farmers together; learning all about the farm’s dairy herd, collecting eggs, feeding the animals, and performing other hands-on chores. Their Befriend the Barnyard program, best suited for families with young children, is a great chance to get close to the animals in a relaxed and guided setting. Barnyard staff will help families approach and pet the livestock animals.

Tickets required for both programs, and are available at thetrustees.org.

BOSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

x Summer of Play

Tuesdays through Sundays Boston Children’s Museum - Boston Boston Children’s Museum is welcoming back visitors with its Summer of Play. Families can enjoy a range of fun, hands-on, and social activities including outdoor programs under the tent, a new Fantastic Forts exhibit, and a new Turtle Tank. Kids can take part in everyday hands-on activities involving science, art, music, and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance for specifi c time slots at bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

BRUCE SILCOX

x Wild Kratts: Creature Power

Tuesdays through Sundays Springfi eld Museums Springfi eld Step into the world of Wild Kratts to explore the secret lives of amazing creatures in this brand new exhibit at the Springfi eld Museums, geared for children ages 3 to 9. You’ll be immersed in animal habitats from around the globe, discover incredible creature powers and go on a mission to foil the villains’ nefarious plans. Sneak through the forest using the stealth of a jaguar, swing through the trees like a spider monkey, test your hops against a kangaroo, and hunt for lunch like a platypus.

Adult museum tickets $25, youth $13, children under 3 free.

More info at springfi eldmuseums.org.

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y Jurassic Quest Drive Thru

Wednesdays through Sundays starting June 18 Gillette Stadium - Foxboro More than 70 lifelike dinosaurs return from extinction to delight families and dino fans at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium from June 18 through July 11. This contactless, family-friendly drivethru experience features lifelike dinosaurs, baby dinosaur and trainer meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and a chooseyour-own-audio-adventure tour. The herd of roaring and moving animatronic dinosaurs – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes guests will experience from the safety of their own vehicle as they drive through the tour. Each dinosaur was painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers. Assigned time-slot tickets are $49 per vehicle, and admission includes an audio tour and a safari-style digital souvenir photo of your vehicle and family transported back in time to a prehistoric setting. Tickets at jurassicquest.com.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

x Father’s Day Country Blues Bash

Saturday and Sunday, June 19 & 20, 3-7 p.m.

Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens - North Andover Get outside this Father’s Day and celebrate the dad in your life at this annual picnic concert in the gardens of Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens featuring Dwayne Haggins Band (Saturday) and Cold Chocolate (Sunday). There will be a live music for all to enjoy, as well as visiting BBQ and brewery vendors.

Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Timed tickets are split into 2 two-hour time blocks to allow for safe and spaced visitation.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Members $3$12; nonmembers $5-$20 available at thetrustees.org.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 17

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x Father’s Day BBQ & Blues

Sunday, June 20, 12-2 p.m.

Powisset Farm - Dover Bring dad and the family for a summer experience at the farm including authentic Blue Ribbon Barbecue, live bluegrass music, lawn games and visits with the barnyard animals. Bring your own lawn chairs and picnic blankets or sit at one of the farm’s picnic tables. Tickets include barbecue, sides and nonalcoholic beverages; beer and wine available for purchase.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Members $20$52; nonmembers $25-$65, available at thetrustees.org.

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x StoryWalk on the Trails

Daily Chestnut Hill Farm - Southborough Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes which are installed along one of the farm’s trails.

As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story. The event is free. Details at thetrustees.org.

STONE ZOO

x T. Rex Adventure

x Lavender Farm Fest

Weekends June 25 through July 5 The Farm at SummitWynds - Holden Spend some time in the farm’s lavender fi elds, overlooking rolling pastures and spectacular views of Mount Wachusetts at this annual family-friendly event. Enjoy lavender dishes and drinks, shop a pop-up artisanal market and hike the nature trail. Pony rides and various children’s activities will be off ered. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance; adults $10, children $8, ages 2 and under free. More info at lavenderfarmfest.com.

18 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

Daily Stone Zoo - Stoneham Take a prehistoric journey through time and walk among the giants that once ruled the planet. Come face-to-face with colossal creatures from the past, from a towering 42-footlong Tyrannosaurus Rex to the 20-foot long plant-eating Plateosaurus. Nestled within the trees, bushes and undergrowth awaits an array of moving and roaring animatronic dinosaurs, as well as realistic dinosaur skeletons. T. Rex Adventure runs through Sept. 6., and is included with general Zoo admission. Advance online ticket purchase is required; adults $19.95, kids $12.95, children under 2 free. More at zoonewengland.org.

THE

list

Beaver Brook Spray Deck in Belmont.

RUBY WALLAU

Belmont: Beaver Brook Reservation Spray Deck & Playground

13 cool places to cool off this summer

621 Trapelo Rd. Ponds and a waterfall make this 59acre park’s northern section a delightful place for a walk or picnic. The southern section features a soft-surface spray deck with multiple zones and different activation sequences.

Children can scramble across the rocks and splash in pop-up sprinklers at this woodsy retreat.

Boston: Christian Science Center Splash Fountain Massachusetts Ave. The long reflecting pool at this Boston landmark mirrors the Christian Science Church and the Back Bay skyline. The fountain at the northern end of the pool features 180 water jets that shoot directly out of the ground, providing endless fun for little ones.

Boston: Boston Frog Pond Spray Pool 38 Beacon St. Located on the historic Boston Common, Frog Pond Spray Pool is a favorite among city dwellers and visitors alike. Big kids can splash their way to the giant, spraying fountain in the middle of the wading pool, while littler ones can soak in the outskirts.

Topsfield: Bradley Palmer Spray Deck

Clinton: Philbin Memorial Park (The Acre) 42-62 Berlin St. Along with the Splash Pad, this park offers a playground, sandbox, shade structure and even a Free Little Library.

Fitchburg: Park Hill Splash Park 27 Franklin Rd., Fitchburg Kids can splash in geysers and run through colorful water-spraying rings.

Nearby in the park, enjoy a skatepark, play area and sports fields.

Hudson: Cellucci Park Splash Pad 15 Houghton St., Hudson Kiddos can run under fountains and through geysers to cool off at this park, which also features a playground and skatepark.

Marlboro: Artemas Ward Wading Pool 157 Orchard St. This gently sloped wading pool features a mushroom-shaped misting fountain in the middle.

40 Asbury St.

Northboro: Assabet Park Splash Pad 20 Gale St. Kids can cool off in bubblers, misters, geysers and more. After splashing, enjoy a picnic and more playtime at the adjacent playground.

Oxford: Carbuncle Pond Splash Pad

A play area, shady spots for picnics and a kid-activated spray deck make this a popular place in the summer.

The wading pool is large and shallow — perfect for little ones.

Worcester: Cristoforo Colombo Spray Park (East Park) 180 Shrewsbury St.

Cool off at the fenced-in zero-depth splash area, or head over to the beach to swim in the pond.

This splash park also features a padded-surface playground, climbing structures, amphitheater and acres of undeveloped hillsides with trail connections to Bell Pond Park and Green Hill Park leading all the way to Lake Quinsigamond.

Sterling: Adventure Spray & Play at Davis Farmland

Worcester: Greenwood Spray Park

145 Redstone Hill, Sterling

14 Forsberg St.

This spray park features two spray pads — one for toddlers and one for multi-generational fun. Play in misters, sprinklers and geysers and cool off under the water tower or giant sunflowers. There’s also a kiddy car wash, slip and slide and inflatable waterslide.

Splash in the sprinklers to cool off at this park on the south end of the city, then enjoy a nature trail, picnic area and sporting fields.

12 Carbuncle Dr.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 19

BITES

goose’s goodies Ingredients Homemade strawberry shortcake AMANDA COLLINS BERNIER

3 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for hands and work surface ⁄ 4 cup granulated sugar

1

2 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt ⁄ 4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

3

1 cup cold buttermilk 2 Tbsp. heavy cream or buttermilk coarse sugar, for sprinkling For the strawberry topping: 6 cups sliced strawberries ⁄ 4 cup granulated sugar

1

Directions Stir the strawberries and 1⁄ 4 cup sugar together in a large bowl. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl until combined. Add the cubed butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form.

Pour 1 cup cold buttermilk on top. Fold everything together with a large spoon until it begins to come together, careful not to overwork the dough. The dough will be crumbly and wet in some spots.

Homemade strawberry shortcake There’s no better way to enjoy this month’s bounty of berries than piled onto an old-fashioned shortcake. It’s the perfect summer dessert!

Known as “Goose” to her grandkids, Laurie Silva Collins has perfected her recipes over years of cooking for her three daughters and eight grandchildren.

20 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

Pour the dough and any dough crumbles onto a floured work surface and gently bring together with floured hands. Using your hands or a floured rolling pin, flatten into a rectangle about 1⁄ 2 inch thick.

Cut the dough into circles with a 3-inch biscuit cutter. (Be careful not to twist the biscuit cutter when pressing down into the dough as this will seal the edges and prevent them from rising.) Re-roll any scraps until you have 10-12 biscuits.

Arrange the biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they are touching. Brush the tops with 2 tablespoons heavy cream or buttermilk and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before assembling.

Slice the biscuits in half and layer with strawberries and whipped cream.

BITES

nutrition

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Move your personal and business credit card debt in the right direction

Is your kid a picky eater?

YOU MIGHT BE MAKING IT WORSE

P

arents of children who are picky eaters could be making the problem worse according to a new study. Researchers at the Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that parents who demand that a child eat or restrict food are associated with some of the pickiest eaters, while lower levels of picky eating in children were associated with parents who impose few restrictions on food and a lack of pressure to eat.

The study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, found that about 15% of the children in the study fell into the “high” picky eater group - children who didn’t accept vegetables often or were highly nervous about new foods.

Here are a few ways to help your picky eater to be more comfortable with new or nutritious foods: Make a schedule: Children need to eat every three to four hours: three meals, two snacks, and lots of fl uids.

If you plan for these, your child’s diet will be much more balanced and they will be less cranky, because they won’t be famished.

Plan dinners: Try to plan two or three days worth of dinners at a time. A good dinner should be balanced: whole-grain break, rice, or pasta; a fruit or a vegetable; and a protein source like lean meat, cheese or beans.

Don’t become a short-order cook: Prepare one meal for everybody and serve it family-style so your kids can pick and choose what they want.

Bite your tongue: Try not to comment on what or how much your kids are eating

and be as neutral as possible.

Introduce new foods slowly: Sometimes kids’ taste buds have to get used to a fl avor before they like the taste.

Dip it: Experiment with condiments and dips for vegetables.

Get kids cooking: If your children become involved in choosing or preparing meals, they’ll be more interested in eating what they’ve created.

Cut back on treats: By having fewer junk foods around, you’ll force your children to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products.

Have fun: Being more creative with meals and the greater variety of foods will gets your kids excited about the foods they eat.

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BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 21

ways to make museums, zoos and aquariums more

By Cheryl Maguire

W

ho wants to go to a museum? If your family is like mine, you might get a mixed reaction to this question. One

child may jump up and down shouting, “ME, ME” while the other child says, “okay” and another child says, “no thanks.” ❚ Visiting a museum, zoo or aquarium is a fun educational way to entertain

your child. It can be challenging though if your children are diff erent ages and interests.

Once you get there, you may encounter long lines or crowds which can cause your kids to lose interest or become frustrated.

One way to engage all of your children with diff erent personalities and developmental levels is to play a

game. Here are a few games that I have found helpful to use in museums, zoos and aquariums: Scavenger Hunts: A great way to involve all your kids at a destination to off er them a scavenger hunt. I fi rst saw this used when I volunteered to go

Presenting puppets, princesses, pirates, storytelling and much more!

Call today for more information All Ages.

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

www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832

WM-0000468958-01

22 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent

on my child’s school fi eld trip to Plimoth Plantation. The teacher gave a scavenger hunt list to all the students. Even though I have visited Plimoth Plantation many times, I learned new things from participating in the scavenger hunt and the kids loved it. It was a way for them to learn and have fun at the same time.

To design your own scavenger hunt, before you visit the museum, zoo or aquarium, go to the website. Most websites have information you can use to create an appropriate scavenger hunt based on your child’s age and interests.

Write a list of items your child needs to fi nd while visiting the spot.

For example the Plimoth Plantation website has historical information and pictures. An item on the list could

be as simple as “fi nd a baby cradle.”

Passport Stamps: Everyone loves to get their passport stamped, right? I have seen this idea used at the Boston Harbor Islands and Disney World. My kids love getting a stamp and then they feel a sense of accomplishment when their book is fi lled with stamps at the end.

Similar to creating the scavenger hunt, you can visit the places’ website before you visit. Create a passport book by stapling together some white pages of paper. On each page write either a place to visit such as, “see the lions at the zoo” or a challenge or questions such as, “Who is the mayor of the 17th Century Village in Plimoth Plantation?”

When your child has completed the task on the page, give them a stamp (you can bring one with you).

Bingo: My kids love playing Bingo and they have played it almost everywhere. This game is easy enough for young children to play and also entertaining for older children.

By using the game at an educational location, you are helping your child to interact with their surroundings.

Before you go to the site, create Bingo game boards for the whole family. Each square could be either a picture or a written word of something you plan to see during your visit. For example, if you are going to the aquarium you could have pictures (you could

even print pictures from the website or online) of a shark, octopus and sea turtle. The fi rst person to spot the shark marks off the square using a pencil with the shark in it. You win Bingo when you get 5 squares in a row.

ABC Game: The ABC game is when you write down all the things you can think of that start with the letter A in one minute. If two people have the same word that word gets crossed out. Whoever gets the most words wins. You then go on to the letter B and so on.

This is a fun, easy game you can play anywhere, you only need some pens and paper (or you could use the note pad on your electronic device).

You can play this game in the car if you are driving a long distance to the place you are visiting and try to think of topics related to the place for each letter. Or you could modify the game at the location by saying whoever sees something that starts with the letter A fi rst wins one point and then continue to B, etc. iSpy: Even though my twins are twelve-years-old they still like to play iSpy. And the great thing about this game is young children are able to play it as well. This is a fun waiting game, if there are long lines or if you have to wait to get into an exhibit. You can also play iSpy while you are at the museum, zoo or aquarium.

This game will increase your child’s observation skills while still having fun.

Take Five with

Dahlia Page and Lady Sabrina

by Amanda Collins Bernier

S

ince 2015, a nonprofi t program has been bringing together a somewhat unlikely pairing: drag queens and kids.

Drag Queen Story Hour, which originated in San Francisco, is just what it sounds like -- drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. According to the group, “DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fl uidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.” Today, there are more than 35 local DQSH chapters throughout the country, including a Boston chapter that’s read to children at libraries in the Boston area.

Two Worcester-based artists, Dahlia Page and Lady Sabrina, have brought their own version of story time with drag queens to an online audience. With kids and queens staying put due to the pandemic, the duo -- though not offi cially affi liated with DQSH -- is off ering fun monthly story times via Facebook Live. We chatted with them before their scheduled in-person story time, this month at the Worcester Public Library.

1. What inspired you to start a Drag Queen Story Time?

Drag Queen Story Time actually started locally at the Worcester Library a few years ago by two amazing artists, Poison Envy and Harley Queen. We’ll be reprising it at the library, but during the pandemic we also wanted to host something virtual. We brought it to Facebook Live in the spring. Our main goal is to be entertaining and have children leaving the experience looking forward to the next show.

2. What kind of books do you read and how do you select them?

The story time is fi lled with wonderful books supplied by Root and Press Café Bookstore in Worcester.

We choose children’s books that promote inclusivity and that teach lessons on kindness. During our fi rst story time, for instance, we read “Julian is a Mermaid.” It’s a book about a boy who wants to be a mermaid that celebrates individual expression.

3. How have children reacted to your story time?

The reaction has been incredible and positive! We have received fan emails from Maine to Florida and everywhere in between.

4. This might be one of the only opportunities children in your audience get to interact with someone in drag. What’s important about that?

We would like kids to see it as normal and entertaining. It’s great to expose children to diff erent cultures, ideas and lifestyles.

5. What are you hoping children – or their parents – take away from attending Drag Queen Story Time?

Tolerance and acceptance is handed down. If the parents are inclusive and accepting the child will be more open to new ideas.

4 new picture books to celebrate

PRIDE MONTH June is Pride Month! Check out these new picture books that celebrate all diff erent preferences and families.

My Shadow is Pink

By Scott Stuart This beautifully written rhyming story of love and selfacceptance touches on gender identity, equality and diversity.

Inspired by the author’s own son, the main character likes princesses, fairies and things “not for boys.” He soon learns, through the support of his dad, that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide. This book exemplifi es the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.

An ABC of Families

By Abbey Williams, Illustrator Paulina Morgan A is for Adoption, B is for Blended Family, C is for Co-Parenting. This little book celebrates families in every single shape and size, no matter what they look like or whom they include. Whether they have two dads, an adopted brother, three stepsisters, or divorced parents, every family is the perfect family. This board book helps the youngest children explore complicated concepts in an accessible and fun way.

Adventures with My Daddies

By Gareth Peter, Illustrator Garry Parsons Two fathers and their young child set off on a series of adventures as the stories they read together burst into life. From battling dragons and hunting treasure to fl ying in a hot air balloon, the child basks in wonder at the places the stories take them, including the story of their adoption. As the stories eventually wind down, the daddies tuck their little one in for a cozy bedtime ending. This joyful book celebrates diverse families, love, and the power of stories.

Llama Glamarama

By Simon James Green, Illustrator Garry Parsons Larry the Llama loves to dress in bright costumes and dance, but hides his love for fear that other llamas won’t approve of his raucous ways.

But the dancing llama learns to march to the beat of his own drum by strutting his stuff with Pride (and a funky feather boa) in this rhyming story with a powerful message about celebrating diff erences.

BayStateParent | JUNE 2021 | 23

Introducing our new IVF Center.

No matter how your path to pregnancy turns, we’re prepared for every step and every stage.

The path to pregnancy can be an overwhelming maze of emotions. You need the right team with the right capabilities. That’s why we’re pleased to announce the addition of our on-site IVF Center to round out our robust fertility services — ensuring convenient, state-of-the-art care, close to home. Reach out today to schedule your appointment.

For appointments, call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763) or visit umassmemorial.org/IVF. 24 | JUNE 2021 | BayStateParent