FrEE | september 2020
BACK TO SCHOOL E-learning Etiquette Easing Anxious Minds Kids, ADHD and Exercise Coding for the Whole Brain Learn about Black History in Annapolis
Celebrating 30 Years of CFL!
Annapolis Area Christian School • K–12th
2020 - 2021 School Opening During COVID -19 Safeguarding the health of our students and our faculty/staff is our highest priority. With that in mind, we remain deeply committed to providing a distinctly Christian worldview learning experience for all students. AACS offers both an on-campus (in-person) and an online (distance) instructional option for all students in grades K-12. Each consideration in our reopening plan exists based on information and expertise from state and local government executive orders. Adjustments to the AACS Reopening Plan will be made as needed to maintain our alignment with the most current recommendations from the organizations and resources identified at
AACS students are immersed in a
Active Learners
Christ-Centered Culture
Compassionate Neighbor, an Effective Communicator and a Responsible Steward
where being a
are just as important as
DOING YOUR BEST academically.
aacsonline.org/campus-life/reopening-2020
Take a Virtual Tour Today! Four Locations in Anne Arundel County
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410-519-5300
aacsonline.org/visit
2020
DO NOT OPEN UN TIL OCTOBE R 19th Due to the Coronavirus we have taken our popular STEAM Fair and wrapped it in a box!
Today’s Fun, Tomorrow’s Future Each participating child receives one box in the mail. On the evening of October 19th they will be invited to a virtual STEAM Fair when they can open their box to reveal the materials for 10 different STEAM activities and the instructions for 10 more.
• 4 different activities each night for a week. • Guest speakers to talk about STEAM careers
Sponsored by
• Guest videos to walk kids through the activities • Best for ages 6-12
Cost: $25.99
Special offer:
Sign Up to be a CFL Insider by September 15 and get the STEAM Fair box for FREE! (CFL Insider Access- $19.99 per year)
Find more information at
ChesapeakeFamily.com/ STEAM SEPTEMBER 2020
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Live Interview Series Fridays at 2pm
Join us as we explore current topics Teacher Distance Learning Tips
Wondering how to set up your child's learning space for e-learning this fall? We spoke to a local teacher about space design, methods of keeping kids on track and calm.
Navy Football Tackles Racism
Navy Football is doing more than just training to beat Army—now the team is taking on racism. Coach RB Green and senior Slot Back Myles Fells discuss the Racial Equality Council that the Football team developed this year.
Pet Training Tips
Many families adopted or bought pets during the pandemic while they are home and have time to train.We met with trainers from Perfect Pet Resort to discuss pet training tips.
How Childcare Centers are Operating During the Pandemic
Childcare centers are facing an uphill battle to meet new and changing regulations, cleaning measures and worried parents.
See it live on Chesapeake Family Magazine
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Or find it later on
chesapeakefamily.com/podcasts
September | ChesapeakeFamily.com
in this issue 21
Features
Family Fun
16/ HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
24/ CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY IN ANNAPOLIS
Here’s to 30 years of Chesapeake Family Life!
18/ PUTTING STEM TO USE
How coding and STEM activities can boost kids’ learning and problem solving skills.
21/ BIG WORRIES IN LITTLE KIDS
Learn about Black Marylanders throughout history at these places in Annapolis.
Stay Inspired 30/ CHALK IT UP Want to get that HGTV look at home? Chalk it up to Chalk Paint.
Children’s anxieties are on the rise during the pandemic, help them cope.
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24 DEPARTMENTS New & Notable 09 / Cute Kid Photo Contest 10 / Back-to-School Breakfasts 12 / Exercise and Kids with ADHD 14 / Crofton High Opens
07 / PUBLISHER'S LETTER Celebrating 30 years
26 / THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
It’s not our regular Things to Do Calendar, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had this September!
15 / Virtual School Etiquette
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Learning Together ... On Campus and Online
Vol. 30 No. 11 PUBLISHER Donna Jefferson ext. 212 djefferson@jecoannapolis.com EDITOR Ann Levelle ext 200 ann@jecoannapolis.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Joyce Heid CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Adams Kelsey Casselbury Kristen Page Kirby Amanda Parks Dylan Roche ART DIRECTOR Jenny Patrick C. ext. 202 AD DESIGN Jessica Kannegieser
EXCELLENT ACADEMICS
.
STRONG CONNECTIONS
EVENTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Claire Kovacs ext. 204 ClaireK@jecoannapolis.com ADVERTISING Linda Benkhadra linda@jecoannapolis.com 240-277-4215 Jen Jeffries ext. 226 jen@jecoannapolis.com Pam Beall ext. 226 pam@jecoannapolis.com
Pre-Kindergarten 3 through Grade 12 SAFETY Our Health & Safety Task Force has created a plan to ensure a safe and vibrant return to school.
ENGAGED LEARNING - IN ANY FORMAT Our student-centered, college-preparatory program is steeped in the philosophy of teaching in the ways children best learn.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING Our teachers know each child and family. Our partnership approach ensures that every child is supported and challenged on their learning journey.
From our innovative schedule, to our robust curriculum, Indian Creek students participate in a world-class education, taught by our passionate, dedicated, highly-skilled faculty.
A DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IN WHICH CHARACTER MATTERS Students, parents, faculty, and alumni form a diverse community of learners in which all are known, valued, respected, and affirmed. At ICS, we don’t just raise good thinkers. We raise empathetic leaders and passionate change makers.
Our 7:1 student to teacher ratio, small Lower School learning cohorts, and forward thinking Upper School modular schedule contribute to an agile, research-based continuous learning program. All students will experience a robust academic program, steeped in strong student-teacher and student-student connections, whether they choose to learn on campus or at home throughout the 2020-21 school year.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Jefferson Communications, LLC 121 Cathedral Street 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-263-1641 Fax: 443-782-1495 These materials are neither sponsored by or endorsed by the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County and all other Maryland counties, the superintendents or the schools. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement by Chesapeake Family Life of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of Chesapeake Family Life, by any means without permission, is strictly
prohibited. Š2017 Jefferson Communications, LLC.
Find us on Facebook & Twitter: Facebook.com/ChesapeakeFamilyMagazine Twitter: @ChesFamily ChesapeakeFamily.com
2020 2020
CIRCULATION AUDIT BY
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The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement by Chesapeake Family of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved.
publisher's letter
Online this month
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30th Anniversary Celebration Celebrate with us all month long! ChesapeakeFamily.com/ 30thanniversary
Here’s to 30 Years
t’s been 30 years since I backed into our neighbor’s car after pulling an all-nighter to get the very first Chesapeake Children to the printer. My daughter was seven, my son just six months old. I was working at night after they went to sleep. It’s a story that many moms know well. To say that things have changed in the last 30 years of business is an understatement. Email was just getting to be a thing; websites weren’t a thing at all. Social media hadn’t been dreamed of. My first mobile phone came in a box the size of a stack of books. The last three decades have held a lot of changes, and not just technologically. We, too, have grown in leaps and bounds. Our name changed from Chesapeake Children to Chesapeake Family, to Chesapeake Family Life, and we’re now a full multimedia company, of which the magazine is just a part. This year we started a podcast, Third Floor Views, which quickly pivoted to include live virtual interviews with community experts. We’ve talked to pediatricians about COVID; a Navy football coach discussing racism; virtual education professionals and many more. You can access them any time at Chesapeakefamily. com/podcast. We’ve also had to pivot on our popular STEAM Fair. Since we can’t have it in person this year, we’re instead delivering a STEAM Fair in a Box—mailing out 10 activities to families. In conjunction with the boxes, we’ll feature five nights of inspirational STEAM
speakers, demonstrations and fun activities, kicking off on October 19. Find out more at ChesapeakeFamily.com/STEAM. Also coming in September is our new digital magazine, which will be full of home improvement tips, healthy living and entertainment features. Along with inspiring articles, there will be engaging videos, animation and digital slideshows embedded in the magazine to enjoy as you have your morning coffee. Finally, in honor of our 30th anniversary we’re starting our CFL Insider Access program. Members will get the magazine mailed to their home every month, special discounts from preferred merchants, restaurants, salons and venues, and access to member-only speakers and events. ChesapeakeFamily.com/CFLInsider While a lot has changed in the last 30 years, what hasn’t is parents’ need for expert, local information that will help them raise their kids. I now have two baby granddaughters that I just adore. You might know their momma, Janet, who has been doing our virtual interviews. She is in search of parenting information just as I was when she was little, and it is my intent to provide you and Janet with expert advice, entertaining places to go and fun things to do with your family.
Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches ChesapeakeFamily.com/Fall
Back to School News You can Use ChesapeakeFamily.com/ education
Donna Jefferson, Publisher DJ@jecoannapolis.com
JOIN T HE CONVERSATION facebook.com/ chesapeakefamily magazine
pinterest.com/ chesfamily
twitter.com/ chesfamily
SEPTEMBER 2020
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In Celebration of our 30 Year Anniversary
Get an Entire Year of Everything About Parenting – from Chesapeake Family Life! Introducing the
CFL Insider Pass
an annual pass for your family giving you the following perks
CFL Insider Pass:
YOU’LL GET IT ALL
Special access to discounts for: • Enrichment classes • Tourist Attractions • Health & Beauty Services • Special Events • Chesapeake Family Life mailed directly to your home • Member only events • Exclusive access to Science Kits designed for kids
Total value of more than $35 Yes, I want immediate access to all the exclusive content and deals—sign me up right away for this special 39¢/week deal! $19.99 billed annually for an entire year of everything about parenting in Maryland!
Sign up by September 15 th and you will receive one
A $25.99 , value!
FREE STEAM Fair in-a-box
including everything one student needs to participate in the STEAM Fair beginning October 19 and running for 5 nights.
ChesapeakeFamily.com/CFLInsider 8
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new & notable LIFESTYLE
TRENDS
EDUCATION
HEALTH
NEWS
Cute Kid Photo Contest Sponsored by
W
e’re sure you’ve been taking great photos of your children this summer while you’ve been spending time at home and outside, and we want you to share your best shots with us for this year’s Cute Kid Photo Contest! We want the cutest pictures of your kiddos having fun, smiling and laughing so we can share them with our readers and your kids can see themselves in print! Submit a high resolution photo of your child by September 13, 2020 for a chance to be
featured in the October issue Chesapeake Family Life Magazine or maybe even on our cover! Don’t forget to share the contest with your friends and family so they can vote for your picture! Chesapeake Family Life staff will pick the overall winner. In addition, a “Fan Favorite” will be determined by reader votes. Both winners will each be in the October magazine and receive a $25 gift card. So pick your favorite photo of your cute kid and enter today at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ cutekidscontest!
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new & notable
Back-to-School Breakfast 101 Fuel kids' brains for success at school.
W
e’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—kick-starting our metabolism and leading us to eat better throughout the day. You’ve probably also heard that it’s entirely skippable because all that matters is what you eat, regardless of when you eat it. The science is pretty mixed when it comes to adults and breakfast. However, there’s far less debate about the importance of breakfast for children, who not only need it for proper development and growth but also, as much research suggests, to perform well in school. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which served over 2.4 billion breakfasts to children nationwide through the School Breakfast Program in 2018, studies show that students who eat a healthy breakfast do better on standardized
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tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent, or sent to the nurse’s office— plus they’re more likely to maintain a healthy weight and avoid the many health risks associated with obesity. According to Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD and weekly NBC News columnist and author of “Sugar Shock,” “Your body and mind will work better if you eat three meals around four or five hours apart, or with a snack in between if you’re going a longer stretch, because when you’re too hungry you’re distracted and it’s impossible to perform at your best.” Studies also indicate that breakfast eaters specifically may have better memory recall and thinking skills. As for kid-specific benefits, says Cassetty, “Those who eat breakfast are more likely to meet nutrient targets for fiber and calcium, which are nutrients that
many kids (and adults) fall short on, and may be more attentive at school . . . whether in-person or remote.” “Breakfast meals tend to deliver many of the essential nutrients that other meals might miss—fiber, Vitamin B, iron, folic acid, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and more—because they usually include a mix of whole or enriched/fortified grains, dairy, and fruits,” says Registered Dietician Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, founder of Hispanic Food Communications and member of the Grain Foods Foundation Scientific Advisory Board. “So while it might not be a kid’s (or an adult’s) most important meal seven days a week, it’s definitely not one to skip. If you have picky eaters or ones who don’t love to eat in the morning, you might wonder whether skipping breakfast altogether is better than eating sugary cereals or donuts. “Kids
new & notable
BREAKFAST IDEAS
need nourishment so that they have the energy to do their daily activities, from learning to exercising,” says MelendezKlinger. “While I’m not suggesting they eat donuts and Pop-Tarts and nothing else every morning, anything counts!” There’s no rule that you have to eat first thing. “Breakfast can also mean a few hours after waking,” Cassetty says. This can be a big bonus for kids who balk at eating right away. Plus, she adds, “For kids, breakfast can even be a good opportunity to slip in some fruits and vegetables, for example scrambled eggs with salsa or veggie hash.” So whether you’ll be hustling the kids off to school a few times a week this fall, or switching your kitchen table from breakfast spot to homework hub, start it off with a nice breakfast. It will help everyone have a better day.
Kick off your day right with these delicious breakfast ideas from nutritional experts. Samantha Cassetty • Smoothie made with fruit and vegetables (like spinach or kale), a protein source (such as Greek yogurt or a plant-based protein powder), a fat source (such as chia seeds, flax seeds, or a nut or seed butter), and a flavor booster (like cinnamon or ginger). • Greek yogurt bowl with fruit and nuts or a spoonful of nut butter. • Any style eggs with veggies (like mushrooms and zucchini) and some avocado slices or a slice of whole grain toast with mashed avocado.
Sylvia Melendez-Klinger • 50% white, 50% whole wheat flour chocolate chip pancakes topped with bananas and whipped cream. • Scrambled eggs with cheese, avocado, and salsa on whole wheat or white toast. • Homemade banana bread, granola, or blueberry muffins, or any whole grain cereal, with peanut butter and Greek yogurt and berries. Anne Danahy, MS, RDN on Healthline.com • Egg and Vegetable Muffins • Peanut-butter-banana breakfast cookies • Scrambled egg tacos
—Steve Adams
PRIMARY CARE & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
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Providing care to patients of all ages with a variety of insurances and patients with no insurance
Two convenient locations West River: 134 Owensville Road Medical: (410) 867-4700
Shady Side: 6131 Shady Side Road Behavioral Health: (443) 607-1432
SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS & EXTENDED HOURS AVAILABLE
www.BayCommunityHealth.org Combined Federal Campaign – National Capital and Central Maryland Designate #13175 Owensville Primary Care
Maryland Charity Campaign Designate #8620 Owensville Primary Care
September:
Zoom Workshops for Girl Scouts: 3rd: Three Cheers for Animals, 3 pm 5th: Between Earth and Sky, 1 pm 6th: World of Girls, 11 am 10th: Breathe Journey, 3 pm 12th: Dancer badge, 1 pm 13th: Making Choices, 11 am 17th-18th: Agent of Change, 3 pm 19th: Social Butterfly, 1 pm 20th: Three Cheers for Animals, 11 am 24th: Dancer badge, 3 pm 12th: Little Kids at Hope, 9:30 am, for Parents 20th: Hispanic Heritage Celebration, 3 pm
Every Thursday, 10:30 am Creek Critters nature walk Mommy and Me Outdoor Yoga Tuesdays, 10 am. Must register theccm.org | 410.990.1993 25 Silopanna Road | Annapolis,MD 21403 info@theccm.org
Find us on Facebook for daily at-home activities!
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new & notable | health JUST MOVE WORKOUT Here’s a workout your child with ADHD can do at home, or do it together as a family, for more fun! Complete 1–5 rounds, depending on your fitness level (10–30 minutes)
Exercise and Children with ADHD
W
hen the pandemic hit last spring I was fostering a first grader who had come into my care on ADHD medication. Like many parents, I was unexpectedly tasked with teaching school at home this year. Fortunately, as a personal trainer, I knew I could help him stay focused and somewhat calm while transitioning to online learning—a tough prospect for any first grader. Children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are often fidgety, impulsive, lack focus, and struggle to complete tasks. This can be frustrating to those children and the caregivers surrounding them. Exercise can (and should) be an essential tool for significantly improving the signs and symptoms of ADHD in children.
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I was diagnosed with ADHD at 22, so I have a personal interest in helping children who struggle as I have. I naturally gravitated towards exercise as a teenager and found it helped me concentrate and overall feel better in daily life activities. When I decided to open my own fitness studio, I quickly gained youth clients looking for the same positive benefits I sought at their age. I’ve worked with many children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and I’ve witnessed how helpful exercise can be to their overall health and the tasks they tackle throughout their lives. Studies have shown that exercise can increase the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. Dopamine is often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. It is a chemical messenger involved in
SEPTEMBER 2020
memory, attention, and motivation. As dopamine increases, it helps a child retain material, stay focused, and be motivated to complete a task or activity. Norepinephrine, known as the “fight or flight” neurotransmitter, aids in helping the body respond to stress. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to stabilize mood and can provide benefits to sleep and digestion as well. Benefits to mood, sleep, and digestion can hit several areas that often are
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problematic when it comes to dealing with children with ADHD. Many of the ADHD medications prescribed to children increase the same neurotransmitters as exercise and they have proven to be effective as well. In a study lead by Dr José A Medina, published in Atten Defic Hyperact Disord Mar 2010 “One half-hour of aerobic treadmill running, compared with stretching in the control condition, induced immediate improvements in response speed, vigilance and stimulus discrimination on a go/no go task, lower response speed variability and lower impulsivity in 25 boys, aged between 7 and 15 years, presenting ADHD.” Other benefits of exercise are due to an increase in heart rate and blood flow during the activity. Increased heart rate can improve the growth of the hippocampus, which can benefit emotional responses, learning, and memory. Children with ADHD who exercised before testing had improvements in test scores, versus children who did not exercise beforehand. According to the study published in Frontiers of Psychology in 2018, “The ADHD group made less omission errors during the exercise than in the sitting condition, whereas the opposite pattern was seen in controls.” During our spring homeschooling experience, we started each day with 15–30 min of exercise. We would then complete 30–60 min of reading or math. There would be another round of exercise mid-day (30–60 min) and some exercise in the evening (usually about an hour). Exercise varied from playing tag outside, to soccer, to a dance party on a rainy day. Any physical activity that increases the heart rate for 10 minutes or more has shown to be beneficial. Taking the time to create exercise habits with children diagnosed with ADHD can potentially provide a multitude of positive benefits. Exercise should not be considered a chore, but an aid in helping a child diagnosed with ADHD feel better and perform better in school and life. —Amanda Parks
Call us to schedule your complimentary consultation today!
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Practicing in Annapolis since 1989
888 Bestgate Road, Suite 301 Annapolis, MD 21401 AnnapolisOrtho.com
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new & notable
Opening Crofton High School The long-awaited new school is open, even without students present.
A
n endeavor decades in the making comes to fruition this fall when Crofton High School finally becomes a reality, marking the end of an era for the many Crofton households who have heretofore been divided between Arundel High and South River High and have spent years asking, “When can we get our own school?” The 13th high school in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system will serve approximately 800 to 850 incoming freshmen and sophomores
who feed into it from Crofton Middle, as well as Crofton, Crofton Meadows, Crofton Woods and Nantucket elementary schools. For Principal Katie Feuerherd, it’s an exciting moment. “Most principals do not get this opportunity,” she explains. “When you get promoted to a principalship in a school, there are already existing staff, a culture, practices and procedures. Having a voice in creating all of this for Crofton High School has been a very rewarding experience.”
Fun
Although she says the many parts of planning weren’t necessarily surprising, they were still noteworthy. With the exception of design and construction, Feuerherd has been involved practically every step of the way, from choosing the name of the school and its mascot—the cardinal—to developing the school goals and values. Opening a new school has also required planning out the programs of study that will be offered, the furniture that students and teachers will use, the equipment and materials that will be needed, the entire school staff that will be in place and the school-based structures and practices Crofton High will embrace. All of this planning continued without interference during its final phase, when the coronavirus pandemic prevented school leaders from meeting in person. “Most of our planning and hiring during the spring months had to be done through online platforms,” Feuerherd explains. “However, we were able to
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Sept. 24th -27th
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Don’t miss our Ladies sale!
Chesapeake Family E-newsletter
All kinds of Family Fun Sign up today! chesapeakefamily.com/enews
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She-Sale Consignment October 15th -18th Millersville
SheSaleConsignment.com
At the Benfield Sport Center 1031 Benfield Road, Millersville
410-562-8398
new & notable stay on track with our planning.” This also meant devising several plans for the fall semester depending on whether schools would be conducted in an inperson, online or hybrid environment. Even before class is officially in session, Feuerherd has had numerous opportunities to meet with students and parents, beginning in August 2019, when nearly 500 community members attended the school naming meeting and Feuerherd was able to introduce herself and her goals for Crofton High. This interaction continued with the mascot design committee, the PTA/ PTO interest meeting,9th- and 10thgrade scheduling nights, the planning meetings for the school’s Signature Program, a student leadership social, and even electronic messages with families about extracurricular programs. Ultimately, Feuerherd seeks to make her school a place where students are challenged in the classroom through “rigorous and engaging instruction” and “have a connection to school beyond the classroom” via clubs and groups. “My vision for Crofton High is that we are a school that is inclusive of all, where diversity is celebrated and where students’ social-emotional needs are supported,” she explains. Even as the new school year approaches, some aspects of the educational experience remain to be determined. Feuerherd was unable to comment as to whether Crofton would start its clubs and similar extracurricular activities virtually. Whether athletics practices can be held will be determined by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association no later than the first day of school on September 8. Regardless, the Crofton community looks forward to the opening of its longanticipated high school even if it is from afar for the first semester. Whatever the case, says Feuerherd, “I am honored to be on this journey with the students, families and communities of Crofton.” —Dylan Roche
Five Tips for Virtual School Lessons Remind your kids of online etiquette at school.
T
he spring semester of elearning was experimental. The fall semester will be more structured and kids will be expected to accept this as the new normal and learn via virtual lessons. Here are some reminders of how to keep your kids on task, on schedule, and following elearning etiquette.
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2 3 4 5
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS Make sure your kids have a quiet, distraction-free environment for their Google meets or Zoom chats. Whether this requires great headphones or a dedicated spot away from siblings depends on your home space, but try to keep distractions at a minimum. Aim to keep other kids from being distracted by interesting backgrounds behind your kids, including Zoom filters, toys, and siblings running by or trying to get in on the conversation. GET READY FOR SCHOOL You might not have to pack lunches and backpacks, but keeping a routine for your kids to follow before school will help them recognize that school is in session and it’s time to focus. Make sure eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth and being prepared with school supplies is a priority every morning. LISTEN AND WAIT YOUR TURN This is a tough skill to master for the early elementary school kid set. The urge to reply to friends at will is nearly impossible to resist for little kids, and the lag time in responses makes it harder to hold back. Remind your kids to follow the teacher’s instructions and raise hands when they want to chime in. NO MOVING Aim to keep your kids in one spot for class. A little wiggling is okay, but don’t let them bring their devices to the kitchen for a snack mid-lesson or a tour of the house. CHAT RULES Oh the side chats. Urge your kids to keep chatting on the side to a minimum. Classes move fast and their one-word responses and quips like ‘huh?’ and ‘hi’ are just clutter as kids try to sort through them and pay attention to the teacher.
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1990s
• 1990 First issue of Chesapeake Children • 1995 Chesapeake Children's first Camp Fair • Our First issue as Chesapeake Family
2000s
CHESAPEAKE FAMILY LIFE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS!
H
Happy Anniversary to us, and thanks to all of the readers who have come along with us on this journey we call parenthood. Parenting has sure changed a lot over the last three decades, but the constant is that parents want to give their children the best opportunities they can, and we’re still here to support that goal! Especially in this current year of turmoil, we are committed to bring you quality resources on education and health, as well as ways to keep your kids happy and safe. So please join us online during the month of September, where we’ll be celebrating our 30th anniversary with fun activities, funny articles, giveaways and more at ChesapeakeFamily. com/30thanniversary. We’ll share it all on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, too!
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• The magazine switched from newsprint to glossy
2010–2019
• Chesaeake Family Changed to Chesapeake Family Life • Chesapeake Family Life Introduces STEAM Fair Maryland • Chesapeake Family Life Introduces our Preschool Fair • Launch of our new podcast, Third Floor Views
2020 and beyond
• October 2020—STEAM Fair in a Box is coming your way! • Stick with us and see what 2021 will bring!
Dr. Debbie
Deborah Wood, Ph.D. is a child development specialist with degrees in Early Childhood Education, Counseling, and Human Development. She owns and operates the Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Annapolis and has been writing for Chesapeake Family Life since the very first issue. You can find her blog on our website, ChesapeakeFamily.com/ goodparenting.
Thanks to these advertisers who have been with us since the beginning! • The Key School • Nighttime Pediatrics (now RightTime Medical Care) • St. Martin’s • Lutheran School • Annapolis Pediatrics • Chesapeake Academy (now part of Severn School)
30 Places We Love to Take our Kids
Chesapeake Family Life staff shares where they love to take the kids—from parks and playgrounds to festivals and parties.
Downtown Annapolis Scavenger Hunt!
Walk the streets of Downtown Annapolis to hunt for historic sites, cool new shops, and fun spots to take the kids.
Kids Lit Author Showdown
It’s on! Look out Mo Willems, Beverly Cleary, and Dr. Seuss ! Vote for your favorite children’s authors in this bracket competition for the best kid-lit writers.
Our Favorite Articles
We’ll dust off some of our favorite articles from the last 30 years to see what’s changed, and what’s remained the same.
Find all the Anniversary fun at ChesapeakeFamily.com/30thanniversary.
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PUTTING STEM TO USE
How coding and STEM projects benefit kids in and outside of the classroom. by Kristen Page Kirby
I
t’s a scene many parents have recently lived. A child stares, hypnotized, at a computer, where a cartoon cat is dancing about. Mindful of screen time limits, the parent tells them to do something educational. “Mom,” comes the exasperated response. “I’m coding.” Are they? Probably, says Cara Schoem, a Library Media Specialist who taught
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coding to rising first graders this summer. “They’re practicing getting the thing on the computer to do what it is they want it to do,” she says. “It’s making their brain work in different ways. They’re problem solving live, because they’re having to try things in a variety of ways.” STEM education—meaning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—is more than a buzzword, particularly when students are spending
most or all of their time in distance learning. While STEM may only seem to be a part of a student’s education, it actually can provide a foundation for a number of subjects. “I like to do STEM-type stuff as much as I can, because if students are solving problems and using their hands it’s going to get them more engaged, and it’s going to increase their confidence,” says Jared Thuro, a third grade teacher at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School
in Rockville. I think projects that meet their strengths are really helpful; they see that they’re able to do this project, so a lot of times they’re willing to put in more effort in something else that might be difficult.” Last year, Thuro took his class through a project that hit nearly every subject in his class’s curriculum. “There was a writing project where they had to explain a possible community service project. For third graders, that can be a lot,” he says. “We found these scrap pallets that were lying around the school, so we decided to paint a mural. It was a writing project, but we found the area of the mural, so that worked in math. After painting the mural, they researched and wrote about the benefits of reusing and recycling, plus the benefits of art. Since they had done the actual project, they were much more willing to do the research and write about it.” While many parents and teachers are bemoaning distance learning for a number of reasons, some teachers are finding that being out of the classroom has led to new discoveries. “When students were in the classroom, we gave them everything. They got exactly what they needed, down to the right colors of markers,” says Kate Kind, owner of The Polymath Place in Deale. “Now with our virtual classes it’s ‘let’s look around your house and see what we can create. We don’t have a ramp, so what can we use to make a ramp?’ It’s really cool to see the different things kids are creating.” “In person, I’d be standing behind them and wouldn’t necessarily be able to see their face,” says Schoem. “But on my screen I can see their faces. You can see when it clicks, and they are so proud of themselves. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid should be turned loose on a coding website with no limits. “Free exploration time is really important because it’s self-guided and they’re having fun with it,” says Thuro. “But there has to be a balance.”
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Schoem recommends that parents get involved not only as supervisors, but as participants. She suggests that parents set up Zoom calls with their children— even one—and share their screens. That way parents can work with their children to solve problems, rather than looming behind them as the screen time police. “If they’re doing something that is fun and age-appropriate and engaging, do it together,” she says. “But let them problem-solve, and problem-solve with them if they need the help.” In fact, there are some surprising ways students can learn coding skills without ever touching a keyboard. “For our youngest kids, we actually play Uno a lot,” says Chrissy Rey, owner of Pongos Learning Lab in Crofton. “It teaches them that if you do this, then this happens—which is the basis of coding.” “We’ve been creating our own board games,” says Kind. “The kids have to communicate their rules clearly. If there’s a mistake the game won’t work, so they have to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.” The skills students learn with STEM education, particularly coding, extend far beyond the classroom. Coding teaches them to keep trying until they get it right,” Schoem says. “If they get nothing else out of coding, I want them to realize that there is going to be a solution and they should keep trying until they find it.”
CODING RESOURCES Code.org (ages 4–15) In addition to courses in coding, this free site also offers resources for teachers and parents, as well as the “Hour of Code,” one-hour, single-subject tutorials involving wellknown characters, games, shows, and movies, including Minecraft, “Adventure Time,” and “Frozen.”
Code Master (ages 8 and up) This one-player board game teaches kids to use logic to move their avatar throughout a quest to obtain Power Crystals. The puzzles get progressively harder, so it will be a long time before your child gets bored with this one.
Scratch.org (ages 8–16) Beginners will find this a welcome site, as the coding involves dragging block texts, rather than inputting actual code. Kids can create their own stories, games, and animations and then share them with the free site’s millions of users. Minecraft and Roblox (ages 6 and up) These two games have taken the school set by storm for the past few years. Multiple resources (“Coding for Kids with Minecraft” and “Roblox Coding,” both from CodaKid, come highly recommended) exist to teach kids how to deepen their playing experience by using Java and other programming languages.
Rush Hour (ages 8 and up) Your car is trapped in traffic. Your job? Get it out. While it can be a one-player game, players can also act as a team to puzzle out the challenges. Players place the cars according to a pattern on a card, then must slide the traffic around so their car can escape. Khan Academy (PreK-adult) Perhaps the most famous of the free educational websites, the nonprofit Khan Academy offers not only science, math, and coding classes, but also courses in economics, history, and even finance. They also have full schedules to help parents who have suddenly found themselves homeschooling.
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BIG WORRIES IN LITTLE KIDS Kids are increasingly anxious during this tumultuous year. Help them cope and deal with their worries.
O
ne of the first things a parent learns after the birth of their first baby is the importance of a routine. Whether it’s an eat-play-sleep routine for an infant or a customary school day, followed by homework, dinner and a bath for an elementary schooler, children are soothed by knowing where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be there, and how they’re
By Kelsey Casselbury expected to behave. When a global pandemic comes along, however, those routines go out the window. Schools and daycares close, playdates screech to a halt, and all of a sudden, the rules for screen time mean absolutely nothing. Grandma and grandpa don’t come around much anymore. On top of that, there’s a lot of talk that doesn’t make much sense to a little one, but there’s scary words like “virus” and “death” being whispered.
It’s no wonder that children, even those who have never had a nervous bone in their body, are showing signs that they’re on edge. “Anxiety is on the rise, clearly,” says Marna Brickman, LCSW-C, a psychotherapist with Spectrum Behavioral Health in Crofton, who has seen an uptick in parents bringing their child in for professional help. “We’ve never been through anything like this, so there’s no record in our mind of how to deal with it.”
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LITTLE ANXIOUS MINDS The pandemic has certainly played a role in increasing the prevalence of anxiety in children, but it’s a concern when all is well in the world—relatively speaking—as well. Around 7 percent of children age 3 to 17, or 4.4 million, have been diagnosed with anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While separation anxiety is fairly common in the younger set, symptoms of other anxiety disorders typically show up around age 11. Dawn Bent’s daughter, Natalie, started showing signs of anxiety, particularly separation anxiety, at an early age. At the tender age of 6, Natalie was officially diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which as she’s grown (Natalie is now 13) has centered around germs and social anxiety. “When Natalie was officially diagnosed with anxiety in first grade, her symptoms were those that are used to describe panic attacks: chest pain, sweating, nausea, uncontrollable crying and shaking,” remembers Bent, who lives in Severna Park. “She began avoiding eating food or drinking fluids because she felt comfort in having an empty stomach ‘in case’ she threw up. This occurred for several months,” her mother says. We went to the ER several times for IV fluids and hydration.” Natalie’s symptoms are typical for GAD and other anxiety disorders, which include social anxiety, panic disorder
COPING SKILLS If your child is showing signs of anxiety or seems to be on the verge of panicking, try one of these tactics to help them calm down: • Name animals alphabetically, starting with A for alligator, B for bear, and so on. • Breathe in like you are smelling a flower; breathe out like you are blowing out birthday candles. • Sit in a “calm down spot,” specifically designated for this purpose and outfitted with a cozy blanket or stuffed animal. • Give yourself a tight hug. • Listen to a story on a children’s podcast, such as the Stories Podcast or Tales from the Lilypad
and phobias, but anxiety in children doesn’t always present that way. While fear and worry are common, anxiety can also show up as irritability or anger, as well as sleeping problems and physical symptoms like fatigue, headache or stomachaches. “Not all kids are able to articulate how they feel,” Brickman notes, so parents need to keep an eye out for both physical and emotional changes.
A SCARY TIME While childhood anxiety isn’t unprecedented, there’s no doubt that COVID-19—and everything that has come along with it—has increased the prevalence and the intensity of the disorder. A study of more than 1,700 Chinese children in grades two to six assessed symptoms of anxiety and depression after they had been at home, thanks to the pandemic, for an average of 34 days. Around 19 percent of children participating in the study showed symptoms of anxiety (23 percent showed depressive symptoms), which is higher than normal for young Chinese children. The researchers linked the disorders in part to the decrease in outdoor activities and social interaction. “Kids thrive on routine and normalcy, so not having school had a big impact on their well-being and mental health,” Brickman says. “They miss their friends, they miss their routine, they miss having to be somewhere at a certain time.” Additionally, if a parent is suffering from increased anxiety—and many are, as a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that half of Americans reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is harming their mental health—a child is likely going to pick up on that worry. “Children are so sensitive, so smart. We think we’re hiding things from them, but we’re not,” Brickman comments.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT ANXIETY/WORRYING
Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts
What to Do When You Worry Too Much
by Katie and Kevin Tsang
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by Dawn Huebner, PhD
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Help Your Dragon Deal with Anxiety by Steve Herman
Wemberly Worries
by Kevin Henkes
CREATING COPING SKILLS Children don’t have the emotional maturity to understand what’s going on with their anxious little brains, so they need their parents’ help to manage their feelings. “Realize that anxiety is normal right now,” Brickman advises. “What we’re going through is scary, and to feel these feelings is normal—but what we can do is minimize those feelings with coping skills.” First, do what you can to create a new routine. While there will likely be some adjustment for everyone this fall as virtual learning gets underway, parents can start to establish patterns in the day, such as school time, outside time, independent play time and reading time. Additionally, try to forge social connections, even during a time of social distancing. If you’re “Zoomed out,” like so many others, you can encourage kids to write letters to relatives, draw pictures to hang on the windows with the goal of brightening other peoples’ day, or find activities that get you out and about without spending time in close quarters with other people. There may come a time, however, when a parent feels like they’re out of depth, and it’s okay to seek professional help. If a child has stopped talking, lost or gained a significant amount of weight, isn't sleeping, if their appetite has dramatically changed—these are all signs that it’s time to reach out, Brickman says. Find a mental health professional who works with children by asking your pediatrician or counselor. In a world where nothing is normal, there’s a benefit in focusing on the positive whenever possible. It’s normal to think about “what if,” Brickman adds, but parents should teach children to focus on “what is”—that is, thinking about the stability that still remains in their lives, including good health, a safe home and having enough food to eat. In other words, don’t negate “the power of positive thinking and gratitude, even though these are scary hard times,” Brickman says. “There’s always something to be grateful for and a positive way to make an impact.”
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family fun!
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY Celebrating Black History in Annapolis By Ann Levelle
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B
lack history should be celebrated all year long. And in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, there’s no shortage of interesting places, historical figures and events to learn about the Black people who lived, worked and changed this area and the country for the better. Those who’ve visited City Dock have undoubtedly seen the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley memorial of Alex Haley reading to children. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As you dive deeper into the stories, you’ll learn about the enslaved Black people who built Annapolis, including historic homes like the James Brice House and Chase-Lloyd House, and those who worked at others, including the Hammond Harwood House. And you’ll learn about the Black leaders who worked to change the landscape for future generations, including Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, and Matthew Henson. With your children’s field trips canceled this fall, take some time and learn about Black history in Annapolis together. You can find more at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ BlackHistory.
family fun Kunta Kinte/Alex Haley Memorial
The Old Fourth Ward Marker
Remembering the Foot Soldiers of the March on Washington Memorial.
Banneker-Douglass Museum
City Dock, Annapolis Kunta Kinte was brought to Annapolis from the Gambia in 1767 and sold into slavery in Annapolis. His descendent Alex Haley penned the historic novel “Roots: the Saga of an American Family” about Kunta Kinte’s life in slavery, which also became an award-winning miniseries in 1977. The sculpture group at City Dock was erected in 1999 after nearly two decades in the making. Finally, in 2002, the bronze 14-foot diameter compass rose, 10 bronze engraved plaques, and an informational kiosk were installed. You can learn more about the memorial at kintehaley.org.
The People’s Park, Annapolis This memorial statue is “dedicated to the quarter of a million people of all races, religions and nationalities who, on a sweltering summer day, August 28, 1963, gathered in our nation’s capital in front of the Lincoln Memorial to participate in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. You can see the memorial at the newly renamed People’s Park (formerly Whitmore Park) in downtown Annapolis, which was recently renovated, renamed, and dedicated to the Old Fourth Ward.
Thurgood Marshall Memorial Plaza
Lawyer’s Mall, Annapolis Thurgood Marshall was a Baltimore native who spent his legal career dedicated to challenging racial inequalities. He argued and won the Brown vs. Board of Education case in the Supreme Court, which ended school segregation in the U.S. He was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1967, the first African American appointed to the high court. The Thurgood Marshall Memorial is located on the Lawyer’s Mall in downtown Annapolis. It was dedicated in 1996, three years after Marshall’s passing. And in 2005, BWI Airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in his honor.
Corner of West and Washington streets, Annapolis The Old Fourth Ward historical marker honors the historic Black community in Annapolis along West Street and nearby Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. According to the marker, “Its distinctive identity sparkled in its heyday of 1920– 1950 when blacks and whites flocked here to enjoy a common interest in great music and moving pictures.” In 1951 four new wards were established in Annapolis, and the Old Fourth Ward became part of Ward 2. The marker notes that “Although the political entity ended, the cohesion of the neighborhood did not.”
84 Franklin St., Annapolis; bdmuseum. maryland.gov The Banneker-Douglass Museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage, serving to “document, to interpret, and to promote African American history and culture...in order to improve the understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural diversity for all.” The museum was opened in 1984, and is housed in the former Mt. Moriah A.M.E. church, which was built in 1875, and was home to the first institution created by “free persons of color,” dating back to the 1790s. The Banneker-Douglass Museum has been closed since the start of the pandemic, but you can browse its online collections at bannekerdouglass. pastperfectonline.com.
Breonna Taylor Mural
Chambers Park, Annapolis Annapolis’s newest memorial is dedicated to Breonna Taylor, the 26-yearold EMT fatally shot in her apartment last spring in Louisville, K.Y. The 7,000-square-foot mural was a collective project by the Annapolis nonprofit Future History Now, the Banneker-Douglass Museum and the Maryland Commission on African American History. Volunteers spent several days painting the mural in Chambers Park and it was dedicated in early July.
Walking tour of Eastport
Stroll through Eastport, just across the drawbridge from Annapolis, to learn about the historically African American neighborhood that was home to watermen, seafood processors, and boatbuilders. Along the tour, brought to you by the African American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail, you can learn about the history of Davis’ Pub, the Peerless Rens social club, McNasby’s Seafood and Oyster Company, and the Seafarers Yacht Club, which is housed in the former elementary school for African American children before segregation. fourriversheritage.org
African American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail
The Four Rivers Heritage Area is a local nonprofit organization that highlights Anne Arundel County historical sites, as well as promotes learning through local lectures, events and activities. The African American Heritage Trail is broken down into six peninsulas in Anne Arundel County—St. Margarets, Annapolis, Mayo, the Rhode and West River region, Lothian/Shady Side, and Deale/ Friendship area. The virtual trail highlights historic sites, both surviving and not, as well as other points of interest to African American history in Anne Arundel County. You can read more on the Four Rivers Heritage Site, fourriversheritage.org.
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calendar | september
go out
TONS OF FUN THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH
A
s we round out summer, many of our favorite family play places, museums and parks are open, though they may not have resumed regularly scheduled activities. Check ahead of time to make sure events listed are still happening. Prepare to wear masks and practice social distancing measures. Keep up to date with new events at ChesapeakeFamily.com/calendar.
Ongoing
LET’S SCIENCE TOGETHER The Maryland Science Center is providing online and in-person Let’s Science Together activities all month long—from Science in Technicolor, engineering challenges, and star science. Maryland Science Center, Baltimore. mdsci.org
MAYO BEACH PARK PUBLIC OPEN DAYS Saturdays and Sundays. Public open days, on most Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day, are free and open to the general public. Visitors on open days can pack a lunch, bring their canoe, kayak, windsurfer or paddleboard. A shallow beach area is available for water play and wading. Watch the park’s Facebook page for closings due to capacity. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Mayo Beach Park, Edgewater. aacounty.org
DINNER UNDER THE STARS Wednesdays–Fridays. Inner West Street, Main Street and Market Square close to traffic and are filled with cafe tables, plus live music, special art exhibits and canopy lights. Reservations at participating restaurants strongly recommended. 5–10 p.m. West Street, Annapolis. Dinnerunderthestars.org
SKIPJACK SAIL ON THE WILMA LEE Set sail on the Wilma Lee and enjoy a sail on the newly restored skipjack, a historic Chesapeake Bay classic. $60. Annapolis Maritime Museum; amaritime.org
TRAIN RIDES AT THE B&O
September 9 VIRTUAL FESTIVAL FOR THE ANIMALS
The Maryland SPCA Festival for the Animals is going virtual! From September 9 to September 26, you can grab your pet and support the SPCA through a classic walkathon. Take 3,000 steps a day—one for every pet adopted annually—by walking, running, or playing with your furry friend. Together as a community, we’ll take a 650-mile lap around Maryland! You can also submit photos for the Festival Tails photo contest on Facebook. Register at festivalfortheanimals.org.
Take a round trip ride along the first commercial mile of railroad track, recognized as the birthplace of American railroading. With paid admission, Observation Car tickets are $10 adults, $6 children (ages 2 – 12), $4 B&O Members and Coach Class train ride tickets are $3 adults, $2 children (ages 2 – 12) and free for B&O Members. Thursday–Friday at 11:30 a.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. B&O Railroad, Baltimore. borail.org
Go to ChesapeakeFamily.com/Calendar for more events!
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calendar | september SEA SQUIRTS/LITTLE MINNOWS Thursdays. Discover the museum through music, stories, and special activities. Free drop-in program for children 18 months to three years and their caregivers. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, older children and siblings may not attend, with the exception of infants. Free. 6 sessions each Thursday. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. Calvertmarinemuseum.com
STORY & ACTIVITY TIME WITH MS. BARB Thursdays. Join Port Discovery’s Outreach Coordinator Ms. Barb for Story & Activity Time each Thursday at 10 a.m. on the Port Discovery Children’s Museum Facebook Page. facebook. com/portdiscovery
WILLIAM PACA GARDEN TOURS Thurs.–Sat. Guided tour of William Paca’s enchanting 2-acre English pleasure garden. $6–$10. Tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. William Paca House & Garden, Annapolis. annapolis.org
2 Wednesday
NATIONAL HARD CRAB DERBY Sept. 2–7. Crab-themed festival featuring crab races, crab cooking and picking contests, carnival rides, crafts, live entertainment, and a beauty pageant. Prices vary by event. Check website to ensure each event is occurring. No parade or boat docking contest this year. Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield. nationalhardcrabderby.com
3 Thursday
TODDLER TIME AT THE B&O Budding readers will explore just how different the world can look from other perspectives besides their own, before using their sense of creativity to design cat puppets! Story: They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel. 10:30 a.m. B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore. borail.org
4 Friday
CRAFT YOUR OWN COCKTAIL TOUR Head to Sagamore Spirit’s outdoor tasting room to learn how to make two of Sagamore’s signature cocktails—the Sagamore Crush and Black-Eyed Rye. Get ready to get hands-on creating these thirst-quenching cocktails! Spaces are limited. $25. 6:30 p.m. Sagamore Spirit, Baltimore. sagamorespirit.com
5 Saturday
8 Tuesday
STARS—THE GOONIES
8–11. Baltimore’s first Virtual Fleet Week will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII. It will feature virtual ship tours of our Navy’s ships and the hometown fleet, live demos from U.S. Navy assets and performances from U.S. Navy bands. Follow along at facebook.com/mdfleetweek.
MOVIE “KNIGHT” UNDER THE
MARYLAND VIRTUAL FLEET WEEK
“Goonies never say die!” Share “The Goonies” with your kids at Broken Spoke Winery at a Movie Knight Under the Stars, featuring the dinner wrap by Kitty Knight Restaurant and ice cream by Lockbriar & Daughter. $25. 6–10 p.m. Broken Spoke Winery, Earleville. brokenspokewinery.com
10 Thursday
FOSSIL FIELD EXPERIENCE Learn where to find fossils, how to identify them, what they can tell us about the past and more. Ages 8 and older. Registration required at least two days ahead. $15. 9 a.m.–noon. Calvert Marine Museum’s Cove Point Lighthouse Visitors Center and Beach, Solomons. calvertmarinemuseum.com
6 Sunday
ANNAPOLIS FIRST SUNDAY ARTS FESTIVAL This monthly Arts and craft show features local and regional artists, live music, food and more. Social distancing measures will be in place. Free. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Calvert and West Streets, Annapolis. firstsundayarts.com
PRESCHOOL EXPLORERS Bring the little ones to explore nature! Learn about a nature topic and then head out to experience the Sanctuary. We look, feel, listen, and discover at preschooler speed. Parents play along with their children. Ages 3–5. Fee: $6 per child. 10–11:30 a.m. Registration required. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian. jugbay.org
11 Friday
FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET Support and celebrate local vendors each Friday night, 6–9 p.m.! Enjoy a drink while shopping for tasty treats, funky crafts, fresh local produce, and more! Running Hare Vineyards, Prince Frederick. runningharevineyard.com
Go to ChesapeakeFamily.com/Calendar for more events! SEPTEMBER 2020
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calendar | september
12 Saturday
POTOMAC RIVER CLEANUP Head to National Harbor for a morning of cleaning up the shoreline with the Potomac River Keeper Network. Trash bags will be provided. Volunteers will receive vouchers for complimentary parking in any of the National Harbor Garages. Meet at the Carousel. Social distancing measures will be in place. 9 a.m.– noon. nationalharbor.com/events
TWILIGHT FAMILY STROLL Bring your friends, family, and flashlight for this guided tour of the Zoo as the sun goes down. Learn how to use your senses at night and how animals are adapted to life in the dark. Participants will tour the Zoo from a whole new perspective. You’ll get to visiting natural habitats in search of nocturnal creatures and explore animal senses through participatory games. $19. Ages 5 and up. 5–7 p.m. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. marylandzoo.org
13 Sunday
GOAT YOGA AT LINGANORE WINECELLARS Enjoy practicing yoga with goats, which combines the benefits of yoga with animal therapy. Different than a studio environment, goat yoga is more relaxed and casual yet still provides a good workout for the experienced yoga enthusiast. No one will be offended if you stop to cuddle or play with a goat; after all, that is part of the experience! $45. 10 a.m.–noon. Linganore Winecellars, Mt. Airy. linganorewines.com
SUNDAY FUNDAY ON THE WOODWIND Celebrate Sunday Funday with Bubbly, Mimosas and Bloody Marys all day on Sunday while sailing aboard the 74-foot Schooner Woodwind and Woodwind II on the Bay. Sailing daily at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Annapolis. Schoonerwoodwind.com
17 Thursday
TODDLER TIME AT THE B&O Learn about a young friend who finds a special star and decides to share his gift. Afterwards, young explorers can use special stars to make their own constellation to take home. Story: Star in the Jar by Sam Hay and Sarah Massini. 10:30 a.m. B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore. borail.org
19 Saturday
2020 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Families facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia need us now more than ever. Every dollar you raise through Walk to End Alzheimer’s allows the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support while accelerating critical research. Register today to help those in your community and beyond. 8 a.m. National Harbor. nationalharbor.com
FARM TO TABLE DOWNTOWN DINNER
18 Friday
Join in a fun evening of socially distanced, outdoor tastings and pairings that showcase Maryland’s Eastern Shore and beyond. Tables of 2, 4, and 6 available for purchase in advance. Masks and advance purchase is required; two separate seatings: 5:45–7:45 p.m. and 8–10 p.m. Poplar and Race streets, Cambridge. downtowncambridge.org
VIRTUAL 5K
ZOOFIESTA
JEFFERSON PATTERSON PARK Sign up with a friend, family or group, arrange to run or walk at a specific time and participate together, whilst running or walking apart. Challenge yourself and make this your first ever 5K! There is no set way in which to run this race. There is no fee to register. However, donations are strongly encouraged. friendsofjppm.com
See animal demonstrations and learn about animals native to Latin America, meet zoo experts and more. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. National Zoo, Washington, D.C. nationalzoo.si.edu
Go to ChesapeakeFamily.com/Calendar for more events!
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calendar | september Washington’s Crossing is limited to 130 swimmers. National Harbor. nationalharbor.com
URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE DAY Discover the nation’s first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership in the heart of Baltimore City at Masonville Cove, where you can explore 70 acres of water and 54 acres of restored wetlands and nature trails. Attendees will participate by working with wildlife experts from the National Aquarium and community volunteers to find, identify and record plant and animal species that live at Masonville Cove. Guided kayak tours are also being offered for beginner paddlers on a first come, first served basis. Participants are strongly encouraged to preregister for this event, as capacity is limited to ensure safety. Timed entry for the morning shift (9–11 a.m.) and afternoon shift (1–3 p.m.) to limit the number of volunteers on-site at one time. aqua.org
TOGETHER IN TEAL VIRTUAL RUN/WALK
ARTSWALK Sept. 19–20. Meander the park and encounter artist booths scattered through the woods, a variety of musical moments, no-touch activities for the kids, creative experiences and surprises, and delicious food and drink. Advancepurchase Timed Tickets Required. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Solomons. annmariegarden.org
20 Sunday
YOGA AT THE ZOO From downward dog to cow, to lizard, cat and more, wildlife has a deep tie to this ancient practice. $15–$25. 8–10 a.m. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Baltimore. Marylandzoo.org
EASTPORT A ROCKIN’ 1.0—THE VIRTUAL SHOW This popular summer concert has been reimagined, and will go virtual with local bands performing online. 5 p.m. facebook.com/ eastportarockin
22 Tuesday
VIRTUAL CELEBRATION WITH 123 ANDRÉS BILINGUAL FAMILY BEATS Celebrate a virtual tour around the Americas in honor of Hispanic Heritage with the Latin
kick off the day with an activity you choose. Run, walk, ride, skip, jump—whatever gets you moving safely. Then come together with family, friends and supporters and watch our online National Broadcast Celebration featuring stories and celebrating the accomplishments of our TEAL community. runwalk.ovarian.org/annapolis
Grammy-winning duo of Christina and Andrés. Their bilingual tunes and irresistible beats will get your family up, moving and laughing. Get ready to enjoy catchy tunes, in both Spanish and English, and an interactive show! 10:30– 11:15 a.m. Preregister for Zoom Link. aacpl.net
HISTORIC LONDON TOWN PLANT SALE
25 Friday
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 25–27. The National Book Festival will be virtual this year, with on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes, and book buying possibilities through the festival’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose. Free. loc.gov/bookfest
26 Saturday
Find plants hardy to zone 7a and 7b that do well in heavy clay and sand mix. Plants that are well represented in London Town’s gardens and are thriving in various habitats at London Town, including: woodland gardens (filtered shade); rain gardens and ornamental gardens. Free to attend. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Member day, Sept. 25, Noon–4 p.m. Historic London Town and Gardens, Edgewater. historiclondontown.org
27 Sunday
JUNIOR SCIENCE EXPLORERS: ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS
WASHINGTON’S CROSSING: SWIM ACROSS THE POTOMAC RIVER The 9th annual Washington’s Crossing is the only open water race that spans the width of the Potomac River. The race begins aboard a Potomac Riverboat water taxi motoring to the Jones Point intersection of all three territories. At the sound of the starting horn, swimmers begin their journey approximately 2.3 kilometers back to the National Harbor beach lagoon to be greeted by the sculpture, the Awakening.
Animals are built and behave in unique ways. Kids 8–14 can explore amazing adaptations like how animals act and navigate to survive in their habitats where they live. We’ll test these features and more with hands-on investigations and fun. $7–$11. 11 a.m.–noon. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. marylandzoo.org Coming up in October...our Virtual STEAM Fair! Find more information at ChesapeakeFamily.com/STEAM
Go to ChesapeakeFamily.com/Calendar for more events! SEPTEMBER 2020
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DATE NI G HT & MORE
stay inspired
CHALK IT UP
Use Chalk Paint to upgrade your new workspace.
By Claire Dougherty Kovacs
I
a place for both me and my children
furniture. I was ready to talk to an expert on
Annie Sloan created this specialty paint
to be productive, stay on task, and
how to go about getting my grandmother’s
for that exact reason; as a small shop owner
tackle e-learning in positive ways that
desk the restoration it so desperately needs.
and artist, she wanted a paint that she could
t’s time to take back my kitchen table. As the new school semester (year, decade, eon?) of e-learning and virtual lessons approaches, I need
facilitate quality learning time and fewer breakdowns. So, I’ve decided to create a workspace
Soon I found myself at the lovely shop
use on a project and complete it in one day.
of Kristin Foran, owner of The Red Dresser
Not only that, she also wanted to create a
and a registered stockist of Chalk Paint by
paint that would adhere to all surfaces—
for each of us, starting with a desk. The
Annie Sloan. The Red Dresser is filled to the
wood, concrete, linoleum, plastic, metal,
idea of starting with a desk came to me
brim with furniture and home décor, all in
and glass. Her paint is water-based, has no
because as I sit here at my kitchen table,
varying shades of gorgeous colors. As I sat
VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), and
my grandmother’s antique desk is directly
admiring the olive green wardrobe that was
requires only a few supplies to completely
behind me and used as everything but a
halfway painted (I could still see the original
transform and enhance furniture, walls,
functioning desk. The desk is sturdy but
sandy wood color on the doors), I was
floors, and any home décor item you can
the wood is old and fading and could
incredulous to learn that furniture could be
think of. With minimal set up and supplies,
definitely use a facelift. My knowledge
restored without any sanding or staining but
plus over 940 paint colors to choose from,
of restoring old furniture comes only from
by painting it instead. Not only did painting
Kristin says “anyone can be a designer, just
watching too much HGTV, so I decided
furniture with Chalk Paint look so easy and
clean and paint!”
to pay a visit to a local store here in
beautiful, I was also told the project would
Edgewater that specializes in painted
be finished that very same day.
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SEPTEMBER 2020
stay inspired
Getting Started
bedside table. A larger (1 liter) can of paint
Find the piece of furniture or item you want
can paint a bedroom set with a dresser,
to work on. Look at what you already own
headboard, footboard, and a small
that you can repurpose or check out an
bedside table.
estate or garage sale for inexpensive finds. Dust it off, clean it up, and get ready to start
Best advice for Beginners?
your project.
“Don’t overthink it,” says Foran. “It’s therapeutic, fun, easy, and rewarding.”
Pick out your paint color and start designing!
You get instant gratification with the color change. And since it is water-based paint, if
Gather your brushes and rollers. There are
you decide you do not like the color, if you
suggested specialty brushes and rollers that
have not sealed it with the wax or lacquer,
are designed to distribute Chalk Paint more
you can literally wash off the paint with
efficiently, but other paint brushes found at
water and begin anew.
any hardware store will also get the job done. Choose your sealant and finish with Chalk
How do I learn more or see the process in action?
Paint Wax or Chalk Paint Lacquer. These
Annie Sloan herself can be found on
sealants will protect the color and can be
YouTube with video demonstrations using
especially if it’s your own family you want to
used to keep a muted tone or provide a
all of her products. She provides tips and
do it with or you have a group of 4 or less.
shinier sheen.
techniques as well as the basics. The Red
Foran and her team at The Red Dresser will
Dresser (thereddressermd.com; 410-271-
also happily share their “how-to’s” and their
9522) also provides workshops and DIY
“recipes” to achieve that perfect hue, color,
Most items will only need one coat; a small
project kits. COVID has changed Foran’s
or look that you want.
(120ml) can of paint will cover a small
previous workshop capabilities but you can
How much do I need?
contact her to see about scheduling one,
Now, if you will excuse me please, I have some furniture to start painting!
SEPTEMBER 2020
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A place for all things family Family Fun, Education, Health, Camps, and everything in between.
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