www.volusiaparent.com / November/December 16 • 3
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Contents
November/December 2016
features 29 32
12 14 16
17 18 22 24
38
24
features
10
34 39 44 46 52
2016 Exceleence in Education Challenge
54
Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia To Grandmother’s House We Go!
2016 Holiday Gift Giving Guide Thanking Your Child’s Teacher A Dream is a Wish Their Hearts Make 2016 Hottest Toys! Holiday Fashion Holiday Events Directory Heroes & Legends at Kennedy Space Center 2016 Cutest Kids! Dietary Lessons from Diabetes
education 48
Holiday Countdowns
51
Holiday Favorites
Start Saving for College Now FUTURES Foundation
every issue 20
Adoption Resource Directory
26
Community Partnership fro Children
28
Winter Camp Directory
50
4 Twists on Thanksgiving
November 2016 Calendar of Events December 2016 Calendar of Events Reel Life with Jane Movie Reviews Volusia County Library Events
Coming Up... January 2017
February 2017
Family Health & Wellness
Education/College Issue
Education Weight Loss Guide
Romantic Getaways Children’s Dental Health, Black History Month
4 • November/December 2016 / www.volusiaparent.com
www.volusiaparent.com / November/December 2016 • 5
with
What’s New in Print & Online
Volusia Parent
The 2017
New In Schools, On Newsstands & Online
Details Coming Soon!
Special Child A bi-monthly magazine dedicated to special needs families and care-givers. Parents and caregivers of children with special needs often face a whole different situation and set of challenges and joys. They require more resources, education and support. Special Child Magazine is a resource dedicated to providing just that. Filled with educational articles, local resources, easy-to-use directories, product reviews, shopping guides and much more. Special Child Magazine does the research and provides the resources available in our area for special families. Special Child Magazine will give you all the tools you need to be informed and proactively parent and care for your special child, Our expert advices helps you make the best decisions that are right for your family. Inside you’ll find: product reviews; local resources; ask an expert; recopies’ DIY decor ideas and much, much more!
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Parent to Parent Publisher / Editor Charlene Michaux charlie@bradymediainc.com 386-547-0161
Mom and Brady Charlene Michaux Publisher/Editor charlie@bradymediainc.com The holidays are here! I love this time of year! As our staff prepares for the holiday season, we are full of gratitude for the abundant support that we have received from you. Our readers, whom without you, we would not have a product to produce; so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for picking up your copy, and calling when the shelves are empty and you missed your issue! Our advertisers, whom without you we could not produce a quality publication with the editorial content our readers have come to expect from us. We are celebrating our 7th year this month and as we strive to continue to bring you the quality of content that you trust, we reflect over the years on our accomplishments and know that we could not have done it without each and everyone of of you. In this issue, we have brought you once again our Annual Holiday Gift Guide! In this guide you will find a list of the 2016 Hottest Toys to help you with your holiday shopping. Our Holiday Calendar of events is the most comprehensive list that you will find published locally. From St.Johns County to West Volusia, you can find a detailed list of family friendly holiday happenings in your neighborhood. As we prepare for 2017, we are moving forward with exciting new changes! We’re working on developing our new website along with, enhancing our user friendly apps so that our readers can reach us anytime, anywhere, and on any device. We are anxious to provide more digital content to simplify the process for our readers to reach us. As we head into holiday season, no one more that I’ know how hectic it can get with shopping, preparing holiday meals, readjusting our normal routine with the kids being on holiday break from school, etc.. So take a moment and a deep breath, relax and enjoy this month’s issue! And from our family to yours, have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Charlie
Associate Editor Deb Wind 386-299-6684 debwind@bradymediainc.com Photography Marina Pierre 386-283-8005 marina@marinas-photography.com Contributing Writers Christina Katz Deb Wind Lara Krupicka Amy Lukasik Allison Miller Sara Marchessault Sue LeBeton Ashley Talmadge
Flagler Parent, Volusia Parent, and St. Johns Parent Magazines are published by Brady Media, Inc. and are copyrighted 2008. Brady Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Brady Media, Inc. is prohibited. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent reserve the right to reject advertisements or listings that are not in keeping with the publication’s satndard. Submissions are welcome, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited materials. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent do not endorse or assume responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The Flagler County or Volusia County School Boards are not affiliated with these publications in any manner, nor do they endorse ro assume any responsibility for any of the information or advertisements contained in therein.
Brady Media, Inc. 800 Belle Terre Parkway, Ste. 200-207 Palm Coast, FL 32164 (386) 437-0300 Office (386) 246-2950 Fax www.BradyMediaInc.com Proud Member of
8 • November/December 2016 / www.volusiaparent.com
www.volusiarparent.com / November/December 2016 • 9
feature
Excellence in Education Enters Its 9th Year
The beginning of the 2016-17 school year also rings in the 9th year of Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM FIAT’s Excellence in Education Challenge, Presented by Bright House Networks and Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM FIAT, an incentive based program open to all high school juniors and seniors who attend Volusia and Flagler County Schools, both public and private. The program recognizes good grades, attendance and school sponsored extracurricular activities by awarding multiple prize entries based on proficiencies in each of those categories. New this year is an activities component that will recognize participation in programs outside of the classroom that contribute to a more rounded individual. At the end of each grading period a name is drawn from those entered, with the winning entry awarded a new laptop. At the end of the 2016-2017 school year a name will be drawn from each school from all entries submitted throughout the year. These selected students will attend an end of the year reception on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at LPGA International, with one lucky winner driving away in a brand new 2017 car! Last year’ grand prize winner was Bianca Santos of University High School but several of our 16 high schools have been represented as preliminary grading period winners and grand prize winners during our 9-year history. The program is the brainchild of Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM FIAT owner Randy Dye, “We are delighted to be able to reward some of the future leaders of our community. We continue to be impressed by the character and dedication of these young people and hope that, in some small way, this program will encourage other students to excel.” For additional information on the Excellence in Education program contact Krissy Chalk at(386) 274-0571, ext. 2108 or kchalk@daytonadodge.com. 10 • November/December 2016 / www.volusiaparent.com
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To Grandmother’s House We Go!
by Allison Miller, Community & Provider Relations Manager
As the holiday season approaches you may be planning travel to, and even overnight stays at, friends or relatives homes. Without a good plan in place, travel with your preschool child may prove challenging. However, you can avoid some of the pitfalls by thinking ahead. Let’s look at a few ideas. Then add some of your own and make your holiday travels happy for all! • Plan your route: If you are traveling a distance by car, consider stopping points. While you may rather hit the road and keep going until you reach the destination, your preschooler will need to take breaks, get out of the car, and release some pent-up energy. Consider planning your stops around scenic, historic, or play areas. A few minutes of freedom from car seats will work wonders for your child’s attitude. • Plan activities: Children will want something to do during travel time in the car or time in planes or airports. Consider surprising them with a new game like travel bingo. Something new will keep your children interested and allow them to place attention on the game rather than back-seat boredom. Make up fun games of your own. How many
colors can they see in a minute (the person timing must be a passenger, not the driver)? How many animals can they see before reaching the next stop sign? Who can make up the funniest rhyme? For children who are not prone to car sickness, books may also fine during the ride. • Plan the stay: If you’ll be spending the night, understand that by the time you reach the destination your child will likely be both excited and exhausted—a combination that can lead to crankiness. Someone else’s house will have different sounds, beds will be unfamiliar, and rooms may seem strange. Plan to take some comforting, familiar items along. A favorite blanket and pillow or a treasured bedtime toy, doll, or book, may foster a level of back-home comfort to help your child fall asleep. Remember, too, that your child will need things to do while being a guest. Be sure you have activities and toys available for them. • Plan the food: Preschool children and unfamiliar foods don’t necessarily make great companions. In order to make mealtimes in your host’s home pleasant, talk with your child beforehand about what is appropriate. Trying something new is a very good thing; quietly leaving it on the plate is okay, too, if
12 • November/December 2016 / www.volusiaparent.com
the child doesn’t like it. You may want to take along some of your child’s favorite food items to supplement meal times if you have a particularly finicky eater. Someone else’s home during the holidays is not the best time to make food an issue. Also keep close tabs on between-meal food intake. Holidays often lead to an abundance of goodies that can leave your child with no meal-time appetite at all. • Plan to be on your toes: The house you are going to may not be child-proofed. You may have to talk with the host about moving some items out of your child’s reach. Being proactive about safety may save a holiday trip to the emergency room. A little planning ahead goes a long way toward making holiday travel more pleasant and stress-free for both you and your preschooler!
The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia (ELCFV) administers subsidized School Readiness early learning child care programs for children birth to age five and the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year olds. For information about ELCFV programs and services, call 386 323-2400 or toll free 877 352-0065 or visit www.elcfv.org. Follow the ELCFV on Facebook: search ELCFV.
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Holiday Countdowns You Can Count On For Fun
by Lara Krupicka
"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." ~ Andy Warhol Try telling a child that waiting is half the fun. At best you'll get an eye roll. It's not that kids can't generate enthusiasm for a distant event. It's that sustaining excitement is not their forte. They want the good stuff now. But as Walter Mischel's infamous Marshmallow Test demonstrated, the ability to wait - to delay gratification - is a beneficial skill that can be learned. It's up to you as the parent to help your child grasp that the process of waiting can be exciting too. And what better time to practice this than at the holidays using a holiday countdown. Whether you're new to counting down or simply looking to spice up the way you pass the days remaining until the Big Event in your household, why not try one or more of these methods for making the waiting fun.
Anticipation With your child, compile a list of your favorite aspects about the anticipated event. This could include traditions observed, people who will be present and meals shared. You may be surprised to learn what your child looks forward to most. Often kids key in on less-than-obvious details: being allowed to stay up late or reading a certain story. Not only does discussing what you enjoy about a holiday 14 • November/December 2016
help savor the anticipation, it also allows you as a parent to take care not to squash your children's hopes by accidentally forgetting or eliminating something important to them.
Preparation Use the time leading up to the holiday to prepare together. Designate certain holiday preparations for different days. One day for baking. Another for decorating. If you'll be traveling, make one day "packing day." Involving your child in the tasks of holiday preparation helps them pass the time and heighten their anticipation, while allowing you to make steady progress on getting ready. You'll be less overwhelmed and you can enjoy the time together! Celebration Extend the cheer across multiple days. With holidays, especially big ones, the allat-once of celebrating can overwhelm kids. And although it can feel like cheating, as adults it is up to us to decide what aspects of celebration could be better savored if spread out. Don't be afraid to move some of your holiday traditions ahead a day or two as part of your countdown.
Exploration Plan to experience something novel. Take
the kids to their first performance of The Nutcracker ballet or Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Pick a festival such as a Christkindl Market to attend. Volunteer at a food pantry. Whatever new experience you choose, write it on your calendar so it can serve as an intermediate countdown a treasure to look forward to during the wait for the Big Event.
Appreciation The holiday season also offers the perfect backdrop for reminiscing. Whether it be about holidays past or about what has transpired in the year since you last observed the holiday, taking time to share the stories of good times in your family has a way of deepening bonds and cementing memories. Ask your children what they are most proud of from the past year. Invite them to tell you what makes them joyful, who they are most thankful to know, what experience has remained most vivid in their mind. Create an atmosphere of appreciation in advance of the holiday through intentional conversations like these. With options like these for your holiday season, who says waiting can't be fun?
Countdown Apps for Mobile Devices
It's easy to track the days remaining until multiple events using a free app on a mobile device. Here are some of our favorites: Days Since An appealing graphic design, easy import from smartphone calendars and unlimited events make this a good choice for counting down. The full version also displays the number of days remaining until your favorite event via a home screen widget. One drawback? Days Since doesn't allow users to set annual events as repeating. Full, ad-free version: $3.99.
Unique Countdowns For Winter Holidays Advent Calendars abound. Most familiar are German calendars containing pieces of chocolate hidden behind windows cut in a wintery scene. But here are two others we like that can sweeten the wait as well:
Dreamdays Lite Add new events with a click. Categorize by type, set to repeat annually, and customize the background. Dreamdays will tell you how many days until an event or how many days since an event occurred. Event limit: 3. Full, ad-free version: $.99.
Event Ticker Event Ticker allows you to count up or down for an event and includes a "To Do" list function for tracking tasks related to an event. Event limit: 3. Full, ad-free version: $.99.
Digital Delights If you're looking for a creative digital option that delights both children and adults, check out Lacquie Lawson's Victorian Advent Calendar. Each day reveals a new scene, with animation, games, puzzles and more. Costs less than $5 and is available at www.jacquielawson.com/advent.
Budding Builders
Countdown Activity-Style
Write/print enough activities for the number of days in your countdown. Place the activity slips in numbered envelopes and clip the envelopes to a yarn or string hung atop a doorframe or looped along a mantle as a decorative swag. Or cut the slips into shapes and hang on a tree or branch as ornaments - numbered or not. Then remove one each day and complete the activity.
LEGO® Calendar. For a budding builder, check out LEGO®'s Advent countdown. Opening a calendar window reveals a new mini figure or model each day, for a total of 24 LEGO® creations. At a cost of $29.99 or $39.99 each, they are not cheap, but the fun keeps giving long after the holidays are over. For 2016 LEGO® is selling Star Wars, City, and Friends versions of its Advent calendar.
November/December 2016 • 15
Holiday Favorites
5 Fun Apps for the Holidays
Picks from our staff that we know you’ll enjoy!
Classic Holiday Books for Children Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Children ages 3-6 will love to read this Little Golden Book retelling of the classic 1964 holiday TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. All of the other reindeer make fun of Rudolph and won't let him play in their reindeer games because he's different. But when Christmas is almost cancelled because of a huge snowstorm, Rudolph comes to the rescue with his wonderful shiny red nose.
Frosty the Snowman Everyone's favorite snowman with a magic hat, a button nose, and eyes made out of coal comes to life on Christmas every year. Based on the beloved 1969 television special, this Little Golden Book retells the whole magical story of Frosty the Snowman for boys and girls 2–5!
The Christmas Story First published in 1952, this classic Little Golden Book retelling of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. Its simple but poetic text gently invites children to hear the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
The Littlest Elf Oliver may be the littlest elf in the North Pole, but he has a big desire to discover his very special job in Santa's workshop! But after getting lost in the toy shop, making a mess at the book shop, and falling in the mixing machine at the bakery, is the littlest elf just too little? Perhaps he just needs the littlest reindeer to remind him what Christmas is all about!
The Christmas Baby This beautiful retelling of the Nativity story that celebrates the timeless joy of Christmas and of welcoming a new baby into the world. When Mary and Joseph’s child was born, the good tidings spread from the animals in the manger, to the shepherds in the fields, to the kings in distant lands, and even to the angels in the heavens! Filled with lyrical text and lush illustrations, this Classic Board Book is the perfect gift for baby’s first 16 • November/December 2016
Dr. Seuss Camera, The Grinch Edition $0.99 Create “Grinchmas cards” by inserting your photo into Grinch backgrounds and faces, and adding Seuss stamps and borders— then email the results to friends and family.
Letters to Santa free Your kids can send a "letter" to Santa using this app, and get a personal reply.
Lights Finder $1.99 “The most comprehensive Christmas light directory” contains over 1750 locations across the country that are specially lit for the holidays. Even if there’s no location near you for you to visit in person, even just looking at the included photos is fun.
Christmas Cookies $0.99 Over 300 cookie recipes for the holiday.
The Christmas List $0.99 Stay organized while planning Xmas gifts. Track spending, plan shopping trips by store, and count down the number of shopping days you’ve got left.
Super Dreidel $0.99 This app allows up to 8 people to play the dreidel game together. See the dreidel spin
Adoption Resource Directory
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Adoption Resources Serving Central and North Florida
A Guardian Angel (877) 742-6435 A Chosen Child Inc. 1516 E Colonial Dr #200 (407) 894-1599 http://www.achosenchild.com/ Adoption and Family Support Center, LLC Call or Text Angela 709 Hills Blvd., Port Orange, FL (386) 852-9098 http://www.adoptfloridafamily.com/ Adoption & Surrogacy Michelle Hausmann and Amy Hickmam Board Certified Adoption Attorneys Call/Text (386) 405-5501 www.adoptionandsurrogacy.com Adoption Support Services of Florida lori@adoptionsupportservices.com 407.366.6436 http://adoptionsupportservices.com/ American Adoptions of Florida (800) 230-7846 Bethany Christian Services 29 W Smith St., Winter Garden, FL 34787 (407) 877-4006 https://www.bethany.org/central-florida
Children's Home Society of Florida 1485 South Semoran Blvd., Suite 1448 Winter Park, Florida 32792 (321) 397-3000 info@chsfl.org http://www.chsfl.org/ Community Based Care of Central Florida Administrative Support Center 4001 Pelee Street Orlando, FL 32817 http://www.protectandinspire.org/ Community Partnership for Children 135 Executive Circle, Second Floor Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 (386) 238-4900 http://www.communitypartnershipforchildren.org/ Connecting Hearts Adoption Services 9373 Wickham Way Orlando, Florida 32836 (407) 733-8642 http://connectingheartsadoption.com/ Embraced by Grace, Inc. 620 North Wymore Road, Suite 220 Maitland, FL 32751 (407) 628-9051 http://www.embracedbygrace.org/
Catholic Charities of Central Florida Caring Choices & Adoption Programs Director Geralyn Ryan, LCSW (386) 255-6521
Family Support Services of North Florida 1300 Riverplace Blvd., Suite 700 Jacksonville, FL 32207 (904) 421-5800 http://www.fssjax.org/portal/adopt-a-child
Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Augustine Serving Flagler, Volusia, & St. Johns 1701 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609 352-224-6425 gryan@catholiccharitiesgainesville.org http://cflcc.org/adoption-services/
Florida Adoption Council 411 Edgewater Dr #200, Orlando, FL 32804 (407) 843-3300 http://floridaadoptioncouncil.com/
Catholic Charities Bureau Adoption Program (866)901-9647 www.adoptionsdosafl.com Celebrate Children International Serving all of Central Florida P.O. Box 621387, Oviedo, FL 32762-1387 (407) 977-2810 http://www.celebratechildren.org/
Heart of Adoptions, Inc. 1604 South Bumby Ave Orlando, Florida 32806 (407) 898-8280 http://www.heartofadoptions.com/ Jewish Families & Community Services First Coast Adoption Professionals Dupont Station Court East Jacksonville FL. 32217 (904) 448-1933 https://jfcsjax.org/adoption-services/
Law Office of Richard S. Jackson 101 North Woodland Blvd. Suite 217 Deland, Florida 32720 (386) 738-1111 http://centralfloridaadoptionservices.com/ Life for Kids 315 North Wymore RD., Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 629-5437 http://www.lifeforkids.com/ Love and Hope Florida Office (407) 374-7483 http://loveandhopeadoptions.org/ McCreary & Hancock, P.A. Adoption Attorneys (407) 730-5682 http://www.mikemorrislegal.com/Adoption/ Orlando Adoption Network 13460 Tanja King Blvd., Orlando, FL 32828 (407) 282-4054 http://www.orlandoadoptionnetwork.com/ Rick Brown Law Office 555 Ballough RD., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 255-0932 http://www.1brownlaw.com/familylaw Shepherd Care Orlando, Florida (407) 265-9599 http://adoptabsc.org/ Shorestein & Kelly Board Certified Adoption Attorneys 140 South Beach Street, Suite 302 Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 (386) 673-1234 www.adoptionusa.com St. Gerard Campus 1405 U.S. 1 South St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 829-5516 http://www.stgerardcampus.org/Adoption.html Sunshine State Adoption and Home Study Services (407) 422-9136 http://www.sunshinehomestudy.org/
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Community Partnership for Children A Lead Agency in Volusia, Flagler, and Putnam Counties In 1996, the Florida Legislature passed legislation to begin the comprehensive redesign and privatization of child welfare. The new community-based care model allows the state to contract with respected local, non-profit agencies to provide child welfare services in their local communities for children who have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned. Currently, there are 19 lead agencies in Florida. Since 2001, Community Partnership for Children has been the lead agency selected to serve Volusia, Flagler and Putnam Counties. Under the community-based care initiative, child protective services are transitioned to local providers and directed by the lead agency and a community alliance of stakeholders. This leadership is in partnership with Florida's Department of Children and Families. Community Partnership for Children is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit agency. We have built a System-of-Care using 23 contracts with 13 local providers. Our System-of-Care overview shows the relationship between us and our contracted partners. It is through the efforts and involvement of the community that we are able to keep children safe and build strong families. Our robust community-based network also includes the partnership and support of other stakeholders including the 18 • November/December 2016
Department of Children and Families, county governments, the faith-based community, local businesses, volunteer mentors, foster parents, the Center for Business Excellence, and the Community Alliance. Community Partnership for Children is governed by a 100% community-based board of directors. Under the direction of the board and chief executive officer, Community Partnership for Children has designed and implemented a System-ofCare that draws on many local community business partnerships and has led the development of new service options in response to the ever-changing needs of children and families in the communities we serve.
Community Partnership for Children cares for children and families in crisis. Our staff and our Board of Directors make a professional and personal commitment to the organization, giving time, talent and treasure. Caring for our children could be left at a state level, but we believe it is an opportunity for us as a community to band together and help. This is our community and these are our children. As we carry out our mission to protect children and foster family stability, we join in partnership with businesses and residents alike. Each and every one of our treasured partners helps by giving and supporting in the effort to helping children and saving families. We thank you for your support!
Info For more information visit our website at http://www.communitypartnershipforchildren.org.
PPGA Tour Academy Winter Junior Golf Camp Ponte Vedra Beach, FL This holiday season, give your aspiring junior golfer the chance to learn from the country’s top instructors, and experience a day in the life similar to a touring professional. TOURAcademy Winter Junior Golf Camps offer a variety of programs for boys and girls of all abilities, ages 7-18. Visit http://www.pgatourexperiences.com/touracademies/junior-golf-camps/winter-camps/
Ace Gymnastics Themed camps are offered when public schools are closed. Half/Full: Full Day 4431 Eastport Parkway, Port Orange, FL (386) 760-1445 www.acegymnastics-daytona.com All Saints Lutheran Church Grades: Elementary Age: K-5th Grade 751 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL (386) 846-1150 www.afterschool-aslcpo.org/after-school.html Child's World of Learning School Holiday Camps 2700 Enterprise Road, Orange City, FL (386) 775-7866 www.childsworldoflearning.com Elite Full-Day Winter Camp The Elite Full-Day Winter Camp is for boys and girls, ages 9-16, for advanced and tournament-level juniors. Schools are a 4:1 student to teacher ratio. Half/Full: Full Day Age: ages 9-16 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (904) 273-3235 First City Baseball Prospect Camp Limited to the first 60 who register. Coach/Player ratio 1:6 December 27 - 30, 2016 Hours: 4:00pm Tuesday - 12:00pm Friday Grades: High School Age: 15 - 18 years Option 1: $575 Option 2: $395 3955 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL (904) 471-8010 Flagler College Baseball Winter Prospect Camp December 27-30, 2016 SATURDAY, JANUARY 31st http://firstcitybaseball.com/?product=4 Florida Tennis Center Kids 10 and Under Tennis Holiday Camp Crafts ~ Tennis ~ Soccer ~ Basketball ~ Baseball 20 min private lesson with JJ 20 min hitting lesson with Junior Academy Player Nutrition and Healthy Snacks! 1 Deuce Court, Daytona Beach, FL (386) 671-8901 Gateway Center for the Arts Winter Break Camp 880 U.S. 17, DeBary, FL (386) 668-5553 www.gatewaycenterforthearts Gemini Springs Winter Break Program for children ages 6-12 Dec 21 -23 and Dec 28 - 30 7 Dirksen Dr., DeBary, FL (386) 736-5953 Marine Discovery Center School Holiday Camps 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach, FL (386) 428-4828 www.marinediscoverycenter.org
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iBuild Academy School's Out - Day Camp iBuild Academy provides an interactive learning environment where students engage in out-of-the-box thinking, where the possibilities are endless. Grades: Elementary, Middle School 1495 S. Volusia Ave., Orange City, FL (386) 218-0072 Kindercare Learning Center School Holiday Camps 1320 Beville Rd., Daytona Beach FL (386) 252-7193 Ages: 6 Weeks to 10 YEAR-OLDS Open: 6:30AM to 6:00PM, M-F Ormond Beach KinderCare 151 Sagebrush Trail, Ormond Beach (386) 673-4740 Ages: 6 Weeks to 12 Year-Olds Open: 6:30AM to 6:30PM, M-F www.kindercare.com
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Lyonia Environmental Center School Holiday Camps 2150 Eustace Ave, FL From Parents Shopping Day out to Holiday Wreath Making. Visit our website for the most current schedule of our holiday programs being offered. (386) 789-7207 www.volusia.org Montessori School-Port Orange School Holiday Camps 3749 S Nova Rd., Port Orange, FL (386) 788-1088 info@montessoriportorange.com www.montessoriportorange.com Palm Coast Community Center 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast, FL (386) 986-2323 Jack Frost-ivities Holiday Break Camp for Kids Register your K-8th grader to enjoy camp during this December holiday break from School. Frost-ivities will be held Dec 21-23 and Dec 28-30. Registration is required 48 hours before your requested days. Daily camp fees are $15. www.palmcoastgov.com Palm Coast Tennis Center 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast, FL (386) 986-2550 Winter Break Tennis Camp Dec 21 – 23, 11:30AM-2:30PM $75 for all 3 days OR $30 per day AGES 7 thru 13 Campers will need to bring a water bottle, towel, hat and a lunch. Campers should wear comfortable clothes and smooth soled tennis shoes. Racquets will be provided if needed. There are NO refunds and Registration & Payment deadline is Thursday, Dec 17 at 12PM. http://www.palmcoasttenniscenter.com
Ponte Vedra Ballet & Dance Company LLC Sugar & Spice Holiday Day Camp December 21, 22, 23 886 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Register online at www.fusionperformingartsacademy.com Rose Marie Bryon Children's Center Half/Full: Half Day Morning, Half Day Afternoon Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Grades: Elementary, Middle School, High School Age: 5-18 625 South Street, Daytona Beach, FL (386) 253-9798 St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum Winter Break Camp December 21 - 23 9AM – 1PM http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/ The Little Gym of Port Orange 4645 S Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange, FL Designed for children 3-8 years of age, each day of camp involves a fun, creative storyline that will incorporate opportunities for the kids to exercise their muscles, their imaginations and cooperation skills – working together to complete each Quest! Camp Days: December 21 - 23 December 28 - 31 10AM – 1PM (386) 304-1401 www.tlgportorangefl.com Volusia County Parks & Recreation 202 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, FL Winter Break Program for children ages 6-12 Dec 21 - 23 and 28 - 30 This is a fun alternative for youths during their holiday break. Trips include roller skating, movie and bowling. West Volusia / 386-736-5953 Daytona Beach / 386-257-6000, ext. 15953 New Smyrna Beach / (386) 423-3300, ext. 15953 Wild Coward Company Winter Break Camp 424 Luna Bella Ln., Suite 120 New Smyrna Beach, FL (386) 227-7444 Winter Break Day Camp during the weeks Volusia schools are closed! We'll be holding a day camp between Dec 21-23, and Dec 28-30! Your child may attend each week for only $150 each or both weeks for $250! There are discounts for siblings as well. We'll be holding the camp from 9am-4pm with the ability to have early arrival arranged. The camps will have a heavy influence of art, but we'll take breaks for fun, get-on-your-feet activities as well! For more information or to register your child, contact us at wildecoward@gmail.com YMCA School Holiday Camp Kids Fun Days and Day Camps for winter break! Our child care programs provide a safe, nurturing environment under the supervision of our qualified, professional staff. Check with your local Y for a list of all the special programs we offer for kids! For your local YMCA visit www.vfymca.org
November/December 2016 • 23
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4 Twists on Giving Thanks
by Sara Marchessault
Thanksgiving is an easy holiday to fall in love with. There is often a delicious meal with all the fixings. Travel to see people we love. And we get to focus on gratitude to open up the holiday season. Thanksgiving is an opportunity for meaningful quality time with loved ones, and one popular Thanksgiving activity is to share with our loved ones and dinner guests something for which we are thankful. Sharing what we are thankful for can be a fun tradition that helps us connect and bond with the people who are most important to us. This year, you can foster those connections even more by spicing up the way you express your gratitude. Here are four twists on the practice of giving thanks that will get your family talking and might even keep the kids busy while you’re cooking. Use the kids. Invite them to use what technology they have available to them to make a slideshow or video they can share with your dinner guests. They could make videos of what they are thankful for with a narrative component. Another option is to interview different family members asking questions about gratitude, favorite Thanksgiving memories, or even just asking what their life is like in November of 2015. This can keep kids busy, happy, and out of the kitchen, and in the end, they will have created something to keep and share for years to come. Make a gratitude wall or bulletin board. Choose an area of prominence in the house and leave sticky notes and pens close by. Invite family members to write down what they are grateful for so that it can be shared throughout the day. You can read them aloud later, or not, whatever feels right for you and your family. But definitely remember to take a photo. You might do it again next year and want to 24 • November/December 2016
the last 24 hours for which they are thankful. As each person shares, it’s sure to inspire conversations to unfold.
keep a record of the cool boards you create. 3-way thanks. If your family’s Thanksgiving tradition is to share aloud what you’re grateful for, consider a new approach on an old favorite. 3-way thanks invite’s each member of your Thanksgiving party to share three pieces of information: one object they are thankful to have, one person they are thankful to know, and one experience or event that happened in
Keep a Thanksgiving journal. If you are the writer or diarist in your family, this might be the role for you. Or you can assign this to a child with an interest in record keeping. Have a journal available for family members to write a gratitude entry. You can also leave it more general and invite them to write about what is going on in their life. If you want consistency in your responses or think your family would write more if given a prompt, choose one or two guiding questions. Write the prompts on an index card that doubles as a bookmark in the journal and place it inside. When each family member receives the journal, he or she has the option to respond to a question. Bring the journal to Thanksgiving celebrations year after year and watch the shared gratitude journal fill up with the details about the meaningful elements of your life and that of your loved ones.
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JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it. Two Reels – Coulda been a contender Three Reels – Something to talk about. Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick! Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Here’s a sneak peek at what's new in theaters and home entertainment this month. Note that release dates are subject to change. DOCTOR STRANGE Rated PG Reel Preview: Marvel’s "Doctor Strange" follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe. Directed by Scott Derrickson, this movie also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton and Michael Stuhlbarg.
TROLLS Rated PG Reel Preview: From the creators of "Shrek" comes this smart, funny, and irreverent comedy about the search for happiness, and just how far some will go to get it. This cute movie transports audiences to a colorful world populated by the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant dance in their step and a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomachs. After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy (Anna Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch (Justin Timberlake) set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Together, this mismatched duo embark on a rescue mission full of adventure and mishaps - trying to tolerate each other long enough to get the job done.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material
Reel Review: This all-new adventure from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter universe is directed by David Yates, who helmed the last four "Harry Potter" blockbusters. The movie opens in 1926, as magizoologist Newt Scamander (Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds. Rowling wrote the screenplay for this Harry Potter prequel, which also stars Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman and Samantha Morton.
THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN Rated PG-13 Reel Review: In the vein of "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club," this new coming-of-age movie offers an honest, candid, often hilarious look at what it's like to grow up as a young woman in today's modern world. Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, this movie also stars Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine's well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, and Woody Harrelson as Nadine's History teacher, mentor and reluctant sounding board.
Reel Preview:
MOANA
A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert ("Baggage Claim") and producer Will Packer ("Ride Along," "Think Like a Man"), this movie tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing each other, it will be a Christmas miracle. This movie stars Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover and Gabrielle Union.
Rated PG-13
ARRIVAL Most likely Rated PG-13 Reel Review: When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team lead by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and her team race against time for answers. To find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this action sci-fi also stars Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker and Michael Stuhlbarg.
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FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Rated PG-13
Reel Review: Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific Ocean, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes "Moana," a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) meets the oncemighty demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, this cute family movie also features the voice talent of Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Tudyk.
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Thanking Your Child’s Teacher: A-List Gifts for the Holiday
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by Ashley Talmadge
You’d like to give your child’s classroom teacher a special gift before the winter break. But what do teachers really want? Yes, most will graciously accept yet another “World’s Greatest Teacher” mug or a mini school bus ornament. But unless the teacher is collecting such items for a career-long assemblage project, they are best left on the store shelves. The following are some Can’t-Go-Wrong teacher gift ideas. (And be sure to check school policies—many districts limit the value and type of gifts received by their employees.) Personal notes. A hand-written note, along with a card made by your child is one of the best-loved teacher gifts. Teachers light up as they read “words of wisdom” imparted by students. These are keepsakes, cherished and saved for years to come. If you write a letter to your child’s teacher, be specific about what she’s doing well. Instead of, “You’re a great teacher!” try “I love how you nurture Lucy’s excitement for science with lots of hands-on activities. She always looks forward to writing status notes in the ‘Guinea Pig Log’ when it’s her turn to care for them.” Consider making a copy of your letter for the principal to put in the teacher’s file. Creative lists. If your child is young or does not enjoy writing, there are many clever ways to list what he loves about being in his teacher’s class. For instance, cut some construction paper into bookmark-ready strips. Attach a word or phrase to each one that describes a favorite classroom experience or teacher trait. Laminated and stuff an envelope with several bookmarks, along with a small (wallet-sized) signed photo of your child. Donations. Consider funding a specific need or classroom. Many teachers are signed up with funding groups such as Donors Choose (www.donorschoose.org) or Adopt a Classroom (www.adoptaclassroom.org). Gifts are easily made online. Also check with the PTA to see if there’s a wish list for your child’s classroom. Gift cards. Though parents often think it seems “impersonal” or even “lazy,” the truth is teachers love gift cards. They can choose what they want to buy and when. It’s a sad fact that a teacher may easily spend more than $500 of her own money each year purchasing classroom materials. Gift cards to stores like Target, Staples, and Barnes & Noble are universally appreciated. Unless you know the teacher’s diet and habits well, take care in giving gift cards for food and personal services. Most teachers would welcome a Starbuck’s card, but some might not be as enthused about trying the new hotspot in raw foods cuisine. Similarly, make sure any spa services are flexible—she may look forward to a pedicure with trepidation rather than tranquility. Food gifts. While teachers often enjoy edible gifts, food items should be non-perishable and healthy. Energy bars, nuts, and dried fruit are at a premium, because they can be stored and used for quick snacks. A teacher often receives so many homemade cookies and coffee cakes that much is given away (or ends up in the garbage). And many don’t want to sabotage a diet with an influx of caramel candy. Class gifts. Although it takes a bit more planning, there are many benefits to presenting a gift from the whole group. It can show off the class’s personality, reduce the financial expenditure for individual families, and avoid any pretenses of favoritism. If the group decides to go in on a gift card or donation, the teacher can be presented with a larger gift. (At only $5 a head, a class of 25 could make a $125 donation, without violating most district policies.) When coordinating such efforts, it’s important that the gift be presented from all students, whether or not they contributed financially, and all students should have a chance to sign the card. Still stumped? Check with one of her teacher friends. Another teacher often has great ideas and personal insight as to the perfect gift, whether it be a favorite tea or a small necessity for the classroom. 32 • November/December 2016
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A Dream Is A Wish Their Hearts Make: 25 Adventures In Giving This Holiday Season
by Christina Katz
Here come the holidays and with them, the spirit of giving. But who says you have to give the same way every year? If you have a holiday giving tradition and you love it and want to stick with it, that's great. But maybe, like my family, you enjoy shaking things up each year as you explore new ways to enrich other people's lives. Big or small, by varying the ways you give, you can create meaningful experiences for your family beyond simply writing a check or making an electronic transfer. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving money in any form during the holiday season, why not try to make giving more of a family adventure? Get the whole clan involved in the journey. Encourage family discussions that focus on having empathy for other people's life situations.
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In recent years, we've given locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. We strive to be philanthropic as well as spontaneous. By appreciating those we feel grateful for, we touch many lives each holiday season. We don't give because we are rich; we give because it makes us feel prosperous. Remember the song from the Disney classic Cinderella, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." Every heart longs for something specific this holiday season. Everyone in the world has needs and wants. Is there any better feeling than fulfilling another person's yearning? Warming many hearts all holiday season is a life-long lesson that goes beyond being charitable. Here are some ideas to get your family brainstorming.
Take A Ticket. Look for giving trees in stores that support local charities. Contribute a longed-for toy to a child who might not otherwise receive it or donate experiences like going to the zoo or to the theater.
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Feed Your Community. Connect school organization fundraisers to local charities by inviting attendees to bring a non-perishable food item or two to gain admission to events that would otherwise be free.
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Think Stocking Stuffer. Buy trinkets for family helpers like babysitters, yard workers, and dog walkers. A little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way.
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Donate Warmth. Dig through your closets and find old coats or even new coats that seldom get worn. Offer them to a local coat drive or tax-exempt charitable resale shop.
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Fill Those Pots. Keep change in your purse to give to donation to bell-ringers and others asking for a holiday handout. This is an interactive way to teach children that it is a blessing to give as much as to receive.
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De-clutter All Year. The less clutter you have, the more generous you have been. Gather donations after the kids go back to school, make another round of donations after the holidays, then declutter once more after school gets out for the summer.
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Let Kids Sort Too. Ask your kids to go through their rooms a month before the holidays to make room for the new. Consider the best ways to donate based on what they have to offer.
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Use Sock Sense. Shelters often need donations of new socks. Watch for sales on socks all season, gather as many as you can, and contribute them to a regional shelter.
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Connect Directly. Join an online community discussion group and watch for requests from local families for holiday assistance. Be sure to choose a safe place to meet up to make any exchanges of goods or food.
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Volunteer as a family. Contact local senior centers, soup kitchens or animal shelters and see if they offer families a way to participate together. Over There. Send holiday boxes to soldiers serving our country overseas. Put yourself in their shoes before you shop. What would surprise and delight you? Bundle Them Up. Go though your old hats, mittens, and gloves and donate them to a local family shelter. Double Your Donation. Participate in a matching gift program of some kind. Ask your employer what they offer. Roll Up A Sleeve. Save a life. Donate blood with teens who are eligible to participate. Make it an annual tradition. Spread Seeds. Make a feeder for winter birds and keep it full of birdseed you buy in bulk until spring arrives. Turn The Page. Go through your shelves and remove books you no longer love. Donate them to your local library or resale shop. Get Crafty. Come up with a fun, simple craft or recipe project so each child can make gifts for friends one weekend. Pinterest is always a good place to look. Sweets For The Sweet. Write thank you notes to teachers and instructors and include a gift card for something tasty.
Shop Win-Win-Win. Buy some of your holiday gifts from a shop or organization that supports others. Sustainable gifts, shared profits, and sales that support the community in some way are all fair game.
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Be Thoughtful. Create a quick, annual list describing your year and mail it to faraway relatives with school photos for refrigerators.
Toys For The Win. Watch for toy baskets at local businesses you frequent. Have your child pick out a toy they once enjoyed receiving to contribute. Or choose one yourself.
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Create Good Karma. Pay for a cup of coffee or cocoa for the next person at the local coffee shop or drive-up window and make someone's day.
Spread Cheer. All season long, encourage your children to slow down, smile at others as they go by, and wish them, "Happy Holidays," once they make eye contact.
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Hide A Surprise. Put a cookie plate or box of chocolates in the mailbox for your delivery person. Put the flag up or post a sticky note on the box to let them know it's in there. Consider Ongoing Giving. Together, come up with ways your family can give yearround. Charities are often flooded with donations around the holidays but could use more support during the rest of the year. Spring and early summer are common dry periods for food banks. November/December 2016 • 35
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Maya - 6 years old Outfit by: Belk Jacket- Good Lad Jeans- Levis 40 • November/December 2016
top Jace - 24 month old Outfit by: Belk Nursery Rhyme center Dominic - 2 years old Outfit by: Belk GoodLad bottom Julian - 5 Months Old Outfit by: Belk Nursery Rhyme
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Kayleigh - 5 years old Outfits by: Belk Dress- Amy Byer Shirt & Scarf- JKhaki Jeans- Squeeze
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Leilani - 11 month old Outfit by: Belk Nursery Rhyme
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DEC 10 Palm Coast Christmas Boat Parade 6PM This is the 31st annual parade hosted by the Palm Coast Yacht Club. For more information, visit http://www.palmcoastyachtclub.com/.
NOW THROUGH – JAN 15 Stetson Mansion Christmas Tours Designer decorations from around the world will adorn the Mansion and the School House. Reservations required: www.stetsonmansion.com/christmas-tours. Tickets are $25 plus tax, children $15, age 5 and under free. NOW THROUGH – JAN 31 St. Augustine Nights of Lights The lighting ceremony starts at 6:30 at the Near the Bridge of Lions. 1 Cathedral Street, St. Augustine, FL, 32084. (904) 829-1711, on November 19. www.simplystaugustine.com. DEC 1 Palm Coast Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:30PM – 9PM Light up your holiday with a visit from Santa, an official tree lighting ceremony and a visit to the Flagler County Rotary's annual Fantasy Lights display. Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, FL 32137. More information: www.palmcoastgov.com/events or call (386) 986-2323 DEC 2 Holly Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony 7PM – 8:30PM Come and Join your neighbor’s for the City of Holly Hill Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall. 1065 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. For more information please call (386) 248-9420. DEC 2, 3, 4 Celebrate a Coastal Christmas at The Casements 6PM This evening also includes the lighting of the 14' tall Christmas tree in the center of the home, horse and carriage rides, Santa's arrival and the Gift Shoppe, and Gourmet Shop are open for business and purchase. Tickets are $5 for everyone 10 and older. For more information visit www.thecasements.net. DEC 3 Family Art Class: Holiday Teddy Bear Tea and Lunch 12PM - 2PM Space is limited, and RSVP and paid lunch are required. Call the Museum at (386) 255-0285 ext. 312 to RSVP and place your order! Lecture is $8.00 plus the price of paid lunch for future members and $5.00 for members plus the price of paid lunch. DEC 2, 3, 4 Celebrate a Coastal Christmas at The Casements 6PM This evening includes the lighting of the 14' tall Christmas tree in the center of the home, horse and carriage rides, Santa's arrival and the Gift Shoppe, and Gourmet Shop are open for business and purchase. The "Treasure Trove" is open all weekend and features handmade crafts. Tickets are $5 for everyone 10 and older. For more information visit www.thecasements.net.
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DEC 3 City of Holly Hill 56th Annual Christmas Parade 10AM -12:30PM For more information and parade route, please call the City of Holly Hill at (386) 248-9420 DEC 3 NSB Christmas Parade For more information, please call New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department (386) 424-2175 DEC 5 61th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade 10AM St. Augustine's Annual Christmas Parade is one of the largest in North Florida and includes floats, marching bands, cars, horses, and the arrival of Santa. (904) 824-4997 DEC 6 New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade 4PM This year’s theme is “A Southern Christmas.” The event is free. For more information, please call the New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department at (386) 424-2175. DEC 6 47th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes 12PM – 5PM Sponsored by the Garden Club of St. Augustine. Visit 6 private homes in the Historic Downtown area dating from the 1800′s. Tickets $15 and will include an Afternoon Tea, and a visit to our Unique Boutique. www.christmastourofhomes.com DEC 9 Walk Through Bethlehem This is a free event. It is our gift to the community. As we get closer to the event there will be more updates, but you may always contact us at (386) 760-4806 or visit www.crbible.com. DEC 10 Family Art Class: Make Your Own Holiday Snow Globe 2PM - 4PM MOAS. This winter-themed event will allow participants to decorate their own personal snow globe under guided instruction. Space is limited and advanced RSVP is required by calling the Museum at 3865-255-0285 ext. 312. $10.00 for future members, $6.00 for members. DEC 10 Palm Coast Starlight Holiday Parade & Event 4PM – 9PM Celebrate the holiday season with your friends and neighbors at the City of Palm Coast's Starlight Event & Parade. Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave. DEC 10 Deland Christmas Boat Parade For additional info: email delandchristmasboatparade@yahoo.com or call 386-717-6297. Check us out on Facebook: DeLand Christmas Boat Parade
DEC 10 23 Annual St Augustine Holiday Regatta of Lights Boat Parade 6PM A holiday parade of boats including sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats, and many other vessels featuring brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical will light up St. Augustine's Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. For more information, call 904.824.9725 or visit http://www.staugustineyachtclub.com/. DEC 10, 11 The Nutcracker 2016 presented by Civic Ballet of Volusia County This annual classic ballet is being performed at the Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach. Advance ticket purchase required at Peabody Box Office. Performance tickets also online at ticketmaster.com or by phone 800-7453000. More information can be found at www.civicballetvc.com. DEC 17 Santa's Breakfast at The Casement 8AM – 12PM The annual breakfast begins at 8:00 and features a visit from Santa. Tickets will be on sale November 1st. $5 for everyone age 2 and over. 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach. Visit http://www.thecasements.net or call 386.676.3216. DEC 17, 18 St. Augustine Ballet presents The Nutcracker Check Showtimes Our annual production of The Nutcracker includes a cast of over 100 participants that includes student dancers, adult celebrities, and professional dancers. Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. St. Augustine. Visit www.saintaugustineballet.com for more information. DEC 22 MOAS Holiday Hangout 10:30AM - 2PM Children will enjoy tons of crafts, activities, and snacks while you are out shopping and preparing for the holidays. Advanced registration for the Holiday Hangout is required and is for children ages 4-10. Please call Kelsey Hansen at 386-255-0285 ext. 312 or Nicole Messervy at 386-255-0285 ext. 313 to confirm your child’s spot. $5.00 per child, or $3.00 plus 3-4 canned goods per child. DEC 26 Winter Holiday Event at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse 10AM – 2PM Take a break from all the holiday hustle and bustle and come to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse to enjoy a fun-filled day of family-oriented activities. Please contact Mary Wentzel at mwentzel@ponceinlet.org, or 386-761-1821 ext. 18, for more information. To find these activities and much more visit our website at www.PonceInlet.org. DEC 31 St. Augustine Beach ‘Beach Blast Off’ 2016 4PM – 10PM Voted best family New Year’s Eve event in Florida! Fireworks and Ice Sculpting, Chili Cook off, Kids Zone with 10 inflatables, Face Painting, Human Hamster Balls, Live Music, and over 30 Food Vendors! 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080. More info at www.beachblastoff.com.
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Heroes & Legends and U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
to Open at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex With all the drama of an actual trip to space, guests of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida will be greeted with a dramatic sense of arrival when the new Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame opens on November 11, 2016. Positioned just inside the entrance, the attraction will set the stage for a richer park experience by providing the emotional background and context for space exploration and the legendary men and women who pioneered our journey into space. Through engaging storytelling, guests will embark on an awe-inspiring journey that begins with an immersive exhibit designed to spark thought and discussion about how society defines a hero. Then, through cutting-edge technology, interactive elements and engaging exhibits, visitors will be introduced to the heroes of the NASA space program: the pioneers who worked together to make space exploration possible. “We’ve been focusing on a story to create what we consider a ‘launch pad’ for our visitors that really sets the stage for their
full-day experience here,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “The opportunity to learn about the amazing attributes of our heroes behind the transformative and historical events that have shaped the way we look at space, the world and the future, will not only entertain and inspire guests, but lay the groundwork for their interactions throughout the rest of the visitor complex with our other attractions and
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space experiences. We are here to inspire minds through a memorable space experience and this new attraction will be a phenomenal introduction." Designed by Falcon’s Treehouse, an award winning design firm based in Orlando, Florida, the sleek architecture and sweeping ramp entrance will simulate the journey to the stars, featuring a slingshot maneuver through the Rocket Garden. The deliberate architectural design for the new
building is meant to celebrate spacecraft throughout history and into the future. Separated into three distinct experiences, plus the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Heroes & Legends will offer: • A stunning 360-degree discovery bay, where guests will explore how society defines heroism from a diverse group of people who explore what is at the heart of this journey: What is a hero, who are the heroes of our time and what does it take to be a hero? During the seven-minute presentation, the historic beginning of the space race is acknowledged as the impetus for America’s push to the stars in NASA’s early years and the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. • A custom-built theater featuring a multi-sensory experience during which guests will vicariously join NASA’s heroes and legends on the most perilous stages of their adventures. Artistically choreographed lighting and special effects such as fog, mist, water spray and wind will be enhanced by intense, deeply resonant sound effects and surrounding images to create the sensation of being “in the moment.” The seven and a half minute show takes guests on an intimate journey with four space-age heroes to fully immerse them in the awe, excitement and dangers of the first crewed space program missions. • An interactive exhibit floor taps into holograms and radical augmented reality to change the way that visitors interact with
astronaut memorabilia and space program artifacts. A collection of nine exhibit modules will describe attributes of a hero – tenacious, passionate, disciplined and so on – while discovering more about NASA’s astronauts as told through their own experiences enhanced with memorabilia from the astronaut or the space program. Interactive features inspire further exploration of the original Mercury Mission Control room consoles with a periodic flashback to the tense moments preceding the landing of Freedom 7 by astronaut Alan Shepard, and the Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft as a space-suited Wally Schirra climbs into the tiny spacecraft. • The culminating exhibit of Heroes & Legends will be the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Housed in a majestic rotunda, the exhibit intimately connects the visitor to each of the nearly 100 astronaut inductees through the use of state-of-theart interactive technology. A signature element of the experience will be the ability to capture a memento of their journey: a special photo opportunity that allows the guests to pose with some of the featured heroes and legends. The goal is for visitors to leave both attractions with a renewed sense of pride
and a more in-depth understanding and appreciation of the qualities of heroism represented by NASA’s pioneering astronauts, and why they deserve our admiration and respect. Heroes come from all walks of life, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex wants everyone to get involved in sharing what heroism means to them. In ways both big and small, heroes make an unforgettable impact – and change the world for the better. The public is invited to submit a video for possible inclusion in the Heroes & Legends attraction by posting video on a social media platform (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) using the hashtag #KSCHero. Follow the guidelines for Who is Your Hero? video submissions here: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/mis c/hero-video-contest. For more information or to book a visit, go to www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
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START SAVING FOR COLLEGE NOW
Given current projections you can expect the cost of a four-year education to average between $35,360 at an in-state public university to $74,380 at a private college for this year's high school juniors and between $74,430 and $156,570 once today's kindergartners graduate high school. With such daunting figures, it is easy to understand why it's never too early start saving for your child's college education. Here are some other reasons why you should start now: • Regular investments over time remove the drama of up and down markets by taking advantage of a strategy called "dollar cost averaging." This simply means that your investments will coincide with both higher prices and lower, allowing the overall cost of funds purchased to even out. • One of the most common college savings vehicles is the 529 state-sponsored plan. The largest benefit to investing in your state 529 is that you won't pay federal or state taxes on the investment growth and withdrawals, provided funds are only withdrawn for qualified higher education or trade school expenses. Better to collect your money there than in other taxable investments. • Contributions can be as small as $15 per month. However, the more you can contribute, the better. With a $500 initial investment and $325 monthly additions, given a modest growth of 5.5% per year, a kindergartner today would have enough for their first year of college upon graduation. • Instead of toys, your child could accumu-
late education funds. Relatives can make gifts to college savings plans of up to $14,000 per year, without having to pay a gift tax. • Many plans offer automatic withdrawals from your bank account, which can help prevent you from spending it before it gets invested. Another way to maximize your
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contributions without altering your lifestyle is to increase your investment with every pay raise. Do this now and over the years you can build up a college savings without a noticeable budget hardship. Even if you believe you're raising an academic genius or star athlete, don't waste any time before starting their college fund.
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Volusia County Library Branches Become a Friend, Make a Difference! Contact your local library for information about joining the Friends of the Library in your community. For additional activities, please check your local library on the branch web site, www.volusialibrary.org, or call your branch at their number listed below.
Ormond Beach Public Library
Oak Hill Public Library Julie Walters, Branch Head
Suzan Howes, Regional Librarian
125 E. Halifax Ave. Oak Hill FL 32759 (386) 345-5510
30 S. Beach St. Ormond Beach FL 32174 (386) 676-4191
Hours of Operation: Mon. - Tue. 10-1, 2-5 Wed. 1-5 Thu. 12-3, 4-7 Fri. 10-1, 2-5
Hours of Operation: Sun. 1-5 Mon. - Thu. 9-7 Fri. & Sat. 9-5 Daytona Beach Regional Library Suzan Howes, Regional Librarian 105 E. Magnolia Ave. Daytona Beach FL 32114 (386) 257-6038 Hours of Operation: Sun. 1-5 Mon. - Thu. 9-7 50 • November/December 2016 / www.volusiaparent.com
Edgewater Public Library Kristin Bennett, Branch Head 103 W. Indian River Blvd. Edgewater FL 32132 (386) 424-2916 Hours of Operation: Mon. & Wed. 9:30-6 Tues. & Thu. 9:30-7:30 Fri. & Sat. 9:30-5
Port Orange Public Library Jane Weimer, Regional Librarian 1005 City Center Circle Port Orange FL 32129 (386) 322-5152 Hours of Operation: Sun. 1-5 Mon. - Thu. 9-7 Fri. & Sat. 9-5
FUTURES Foundation
education
Announces Superintendent’s Creative Mini-Grant Award
FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools named this year’s recipient of the Superintendent’s Mini-Grant Creativity Award at an Oct. 17th celebratory program in the Performing Arts Center at Mainland High School. Volusia County School Superintendent Tom Russell presented Lisa Paige Bynum from Heritage Middle School in Deltona with the annual Superintendent’s Creative Mini-Grant Award for her project “Hay... Baby, It's Hot Out Here" - Weather STEM and Hay Bale Gardening. This project will establish a hay bale garden and learn about the 14 day curing that must be done, using (Nitrogen) Urea fertilizer. Students will learn about the PH and the process that they hay goes through to decompose so that plants can then grow. Ms. Paige Bynum states, “Gardening this way is wonderful in Florida since we do not have great soil! Students will plant both fall and spring vegetables and will be responsible for fertilizing, proper water with a soaker hose and harvesting.” Her classes also will be using the Weather STEM program that has been installed into Heritage Middle School’s garden and barn area. With this, students can monitor the moisture level of the soil and soil temperature. Jim Norman, a Volusia County Master Gardener, also will help assist with bringing different varieties plants as well as support. In addition to being honored at the event, FUTURES Foundation presented Ms. Paige Bynum $250 in recognition for her creativity in addition to fully funding her $1,000 grant. This year’s Mini-Grant sponsors included Cici and J. Hyatt Brown; Carl G. Persis Campaign Account; Daytona International Auto Mall; Duke Energy; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Florida Health Care Plans; Florida Power & Light; Heart of Volusia Inc.; Miss Noopur Ranganathan & her Trinity Preparatory School GLI Chapter; Raydon Corporation; SGM Engineering; Space Coast Credit Union; SunTrust Bank; and Wells Fargo. Four additional teachers were recognized for their creative grants: Brenda Breter, What Do Robots, Bulldogs, Hexbugs, and Mazes Have in Common?, Turie T. Small Elementary; Debra Marsicano, What the Gambusia!, New Smyrna Beach High; and Sheri Potter & Cera Troy, Furry Fertilizers – Friends of the FFA, Pine Ridge High. This is the third year FUTURES Foundation is using an online teacher mini-grant portal, Find it & Fund it, Volusia! to help local teachers obtain the resources they need. The Find it & Fund it, Volusia! website was created to provide teachers with a way to secure funding through crowd sourcing their ideas and provide students with opportunities they would not have otherwise. Through this platform, teachers can request funding for a variety of projects and donors can fund them, either fully or partially, with 100% of contributions going directly to the posted project. Teachers can also promote their projects through their own social media networks. As a 501(c)(3), donations to FUTURES Foundation for these teacher Mini Grant requests may be tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor. Through the www.finditfunditflorida.com/volusia portal, teachers submitted 242 grant requests totaling more than $195,000. FUTURES Foundation and its sponsors were able to fund more than $70,000 to 146 Volusia County Teachers during the Oct. 17th Mini-Grant reception hosted by FUTURES. The public is encouraged to visit www.FindItFundItFlorida.com/Volusia to view these creative, innovative grants and assist local teachers in finalizing funding for their projects. FUTURES’ vision is “All Volusia County Public School Students are equipped and prepared for college or career success” and its mission statement is “We engage business and civic leaders to promote and achieve educational excellence for Volusia County Public Schools.” For more information about FUTURES, please call Executive Director Cynthia Ramirez at 386-255-6475, ext. 50730, or email her at caperric@volusia.k12.fl.us.
Photo 1 – Lisa Paige Bynum received the Superintendent’s Creative Mini-Grant Award from Superintendent Tom Russell, right, and FUTURES President John Guthrie, left. Photo 2 – FUTURES Creative Mini-Grant Award winners Brenda Breter (represented by Becki Lucas, second from right), Turie T. Small Elementary; Debra Marsicano, center, New Smyrna Beach High; and Sheri Potter (third from left) and Cera Troy (left), Pine Ridge High. Also pictured are FUTURES President John Guthrie, second from left, SunTrust Bank Commercial Executive & Mini-Grant Sponsor Bob Ludlow (third from right), and Dr. Amy Ringue (right), FUTURES Board Member and Education Dept. Chair at Daytona State College, who presented the awards. Photo 3 – Heart of Volusia awarded $3,000 in heart health related grant funding to (right to left) Melanie Jenkins, Deltona High; Tara Butler, Mainland High; Susan Zona, New Smyrna Beach High; Candance Jordan Mutchie, Ormond Beach Elementary; Renae Lee, Pine Ridge High; and Lashawnia Sheppard, T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High. Also pictured are Superintendent Tom Russell, left, and FUTURES President John Guthrie, right.
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health
Dietary Lessons from Diabetes
by Sue LeBreton
My 12-year-old son has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for almost five years. Diabetes is a challenging disease to manage and I have come to respect it as an adversary. We monitor him 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We prick his fingers up to 12 times day to check the level of glucose (sugar) in his blood. We accept that no matter how diligent we are, some days we do not get it right. Yet when I put myself into a scientific frame of mind and place my mommy concerns aside, I marvel at this rare opportunity to see physiology at work. Diabetes offers a glimpse of how normal bodies seamlessly manage whatever we put into them without us even having to give it a thought. Here are some tips about healthy lifestyle that have been reinforced since diabetes joined our family. Eat fruit not the juice Juice is a great rescue food when a person with diabetes needs to get their blood sugar to rise quickly back into the normal zone. But that is not the effect you and I are looking for. Thanks to the fiber, whole fruit is absorbed more slowly making us feel full longer. To help your blood sugar stay stable when eating fruit, add some protein to your snack. Apple slices and nut butters or fruit with cheese help maintain energy over the long haul. You want to avoid that quick burst of energy followed by an energy crash. Fiber Counts Not only is fiber important to the health of your digestive system, it helps stabilize your blood sugar. When we calculate the number of carbohydrates my son is eating we subtract the grams of fiber because these grams reduce the amount insulin he requires. The fiber is digested more slowly, helping to keep blood sugar level. When you are buying cereal look for brands that have at least 3 g of fiber per serving. Consider sneaking extra fiber into foods. I
have made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with cooked lentils and my son ate them, happily unaware of the added fiber. The result? No blood sugar spike after eating cookies. Eating at home is healthier Restaurant food is higher in fat and sodium and should be a rare treat. When you cook at home you can control the ingredients. When our son eats restaurant food his body requires extra insulin for up to eight hours after eating. Not so when we eat at home. The Pizza factor The toughest food we have found to adjust for is pizza. Eating restaurant or delivery pizza strains his body for hours. When we make pizza at home using either a homemade, pita or naan bread crust and low fat cheese, we do not need to make any special adjustments to his insulin. After watching how hard it is for his body to cope with pizza we know the rest of our bodies are working overtime as well. Candy can be dandy
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or sugary treats but they need to compensate for them with insulin. Candy makes a great rescue food bringing blood sugar levels up quickly when they drop below normal (a dangerous thing for people taking insulin). When might non-diabetic people benefit from a sugar boost? Candy can help during an athletic event to compensate for the impact of exercise, say on a long run or bike race when there is no time to stop and eat a piece of fruit. And of course, candy and sweets have a place in celebrating special occasions. Move your body When my son sits in front of his game console for any length of time I need to give him extra insulin as his blood sugar begins to rise from lack of activity. Exercise helps keep him closer to his normal range. This simply reinforces that our bodies are made to move. Exercise helps our heart and lungs and our evens out blood sugar levels. When you hear that someone is following a diabetic diet it should mean that they are eating healthy and exercising, behaviors that can benefit us all.