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NORTHERN NEW YORK’S FUN FAMILY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 2009 More fun at www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny
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NORTHERN NEW YORK’S FUN FAMILY NEWSPAPER Serving Clinton, Essex and Warren Counties PUBLISHER Gayle Alexander gayle@denpubs.com 518-873-6368 Ext. 207 GENERAL MANAGER Allen K. Dunham aldunham@denpubs.com 518-570-7248 TRUMAN ASSISTANT/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laurie Goff graphics@denpubs.com ILLUSTRATOR Cover & Truman • Dan Nelson MARKETING Brian Gay Brian@denpubs.com 518-873-6368 Ext. 207 NATIONAL EDITOR Joy G. Kirkpatrick kvnews@kidsvillenews.com Kidsville News, Inc. Bill Bowman President For Sponsorship Opportunities Please Call: 518-873-6368 P.O. Box 338, 14 Hand Avenue, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 Published Locally By Denton Publications, Inc. Copyright 2009 Kidsville News! Inc., All Rights Reserved. Truman is a service mark of Kidsville News! Inc. and the Kidsville News! logo is a registered trademark of Kidsville News! Inc. No part of this issue of Kidsville News! may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or the copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publisher will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material. Kidsville News! Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian.
Well, fall is officially here! October is always full of fall festivals and visits to the pumpkin patch. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a farmer? I have, so this month I interviewed an actual farmer! His family has been farming since the 1700s — producing eight generations of farmers, and a lot of soybeans! Apple pie is another of my fall favorites, so you’ll find a tasty recipe for it in this issue. And one of my favorite veggies is also featured, but not as something to eat, but as a sport. Can you guess what it is? That’s right, there’s actually a sport called squash! Be sure to visit my Website at www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny with your parents! And don’t forget, if you go trick-or-treating, be sure to go with a buddy and follow safety precautions! Have a great October! Your friend,
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Kidsville News!
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Going Green for Halloween Every October, kids everywhere (and adults, too!) celebrate All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween by dressing up in costumes and trick-ortreating or throwing Halloween parties in their neighborhoods. Since Halloween is a yearly event, we all have a great opportunity to go green this holiday, and following are some ideas for having fun while being kinder to our planet. When shopping for Halloween, think green. Buy quality items that will last and can be used after November 1, All Saints Day, or that can be recycled and reused. Inexpensive and cheaply made items may wind up in the garbage the next day. Think about buying — or making — decorations that you can save and use again each year. Look for items with minimal packaging or items made from Earthfriendly materials, like recycled plastic or wood harvested from sustainable forests. Try to buy things that are made by people who earn a fair wage and work in a safe environment — goods certified “Fair Trade.” When possible, buy organic or pesticide-free treats and food for your party or to hand out to trick-or-treaters. Buy from local farmers or farmers’ markets if you can. Use cloth or recycled bags for shopping for your party needs — and for trick-or-treating! For party invitations, consider using the Internet instead of paper invitations. Use a creative software program to make your invitation and email it to your friends, or use one of the online invitation services, like www.regards.com or www.evite.com. If you would still like to send out a paper invite, create your own using magazines, recycled cards or handmade paper. Use nature’s bounty for decorations, likes gourds, pumpkins,
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apples, wheat straw and hay bales. These natural decorations can all be composted after Halloween. Use recyclable or compostable plates, cups, napkins and utensils, and if you use candles, use soy or beeswax candles. (Be sure to keep all burning candles out of the reach of children.) Focus on fun at your Halloween party, with age-appropriate green activities for your guests. Here are a few examples: • Hang apples by a string and have guests try to bite them. • Make masks or paper hats out of recycled paper bags. • Create scarecrows from recycled items and then place them outside as decorations. You could even hold a contest for the funniest, scariest, silliest, etc., and after the party, they could be used in a garden as — scarecrows! • Make Jack o’ Lanterns. Visit a local pumpkin patch for pumpkins and paint them with child- and Earth-friendly paints, or have adults help carve them. Be sure to save the seeds and roast them as a healthful and tasty treat, and don’t forget that you can compost your pumpkin or Jack o’ Lantern when Halloween is over. Think local. Think community. Instead of trick-or-treating, how about a progressive party with some of your friends and neighbors? Adults lead costumed children from one house to another, where they stop and do an activity and eat healthful treats at each before moving on to the next house. Consider hosting a party for others who might welcome visits from happy trick-or-treaters, like a senior center, retirement community, etc. You’ll find even more ideas for a Green Halloween at http:// greenhalloween.org. Happy Green Halloween!
Hint: Send your work in color and on unlined paper!
Hey Kids! Truman wants your original artwork, letters, poems, and stories! He may want to print them in an upcoming issue of Kidsville News! or put them up on the website. Just have your parents fill out this form and send it along with your work.
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OCTOBER 2009
Bat
Bats are mammals in the order Chiroptera. More than 1,100 species of bats are currently recognized. They are the only mammals that are naturally able to fly. The forelimbs of bats are webbed wings. They can vary greatly in size from the tiny Hognosed bat, which is only an inch in length, to the giant golden-crowned flying fox. The flying fox has a wing span of four feet! Most bats are noctural, meaning they feed at night and sleep during the day. Kingdom: Animalia They can navigate at night using echoloPhylum: Chordata cation. They rarely fly in the rain though, Class: Mammalia because it interferes with their navigation. Order: Chiroptera They have large sensitive ears. They send out high-frequency sounds and then listen for the sound to come back by echoing from objects in the area. This echolocation feature helps them determine the distance and direction of an object that interests them. They can use it for finding prey or avoiding obstacles. Most bats are insectivores. However, some bats eat fruit, and others are carnivores that feed on small rodents and frogs. There are also bats called vampire bats. These bats really do feed on the blood of other mammals and birds. Bats live in most parts of the world. They have an important job in eating insects, pollinating flowers and spreading seeds from fruit. The Mexican free-tailed bats of Texas eat about 10,000 tons of insects per year. And, did you know that bats really like to be clean? They spend a lot of their time combing and grooming their fur and cleaning their wings. Sources: “Bat” Encyclopædia Britannica; “Bat,” wikipedia.com. Image: Big-eared townsend bat, Source: Nevada Bureau of Land Management, www.nv.blm.gov.
October 19-23 Is National School Bus Safety Week National School Bus Safety Week was created to help students, and parents, understand the basic rules that will help get you to and from school safely. This year’s theme is “Avoid Harm. Obey the Stop Arm.” Things Kids Should Know about School Bus Safety: • The bus driver and others cannot see you if you are standing closer than 10 feet to the bus. Stay out of the danger zone! • If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. NEVER try to pick it up yourself! • While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street. • When you get on or off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they are flashing. • Be alert to traffic. When you get on or off the bus, look left, right, left before you enter or cross the street. • When the driver says it is safe to cross the street, remember to CROSS IN FRONT of the bus. • Stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted. • Some school buses now have seat belts. If you have seat belts on your school bus, be sure to learn to use the seat belt correctly.
OCTOBER 2009
Students riding a school bus should always: • Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early. • Stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road. • Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus. • Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus. • Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus. Crossing students should: • Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus. • Walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least 10 giant steps ahead of the bus. • Be sure the bus driver can see them, and they can see the bus driver. • Wait for the driver’s signal to cross. These tips are provided by the National School Bus Safety Week Committee, sponsored by National School Transportation Assoc., National Assoc. of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, National Association for Pupil Transportation, Pupil Transportation Safety Institute and school bus manufacturers and suppliers.
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Hi! I’m Digger Mole and I work for NYCO Minerals. Did you know that our mineral, called “Wollastonite”, is shipped all around the world?
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AR UND THE W RLD China
United States
On the second Monday in October, the Unit- October 3 is celebrated in China with the Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival. ed States celebrates Columbus Day. This According to legend, this is the birthday of day celebrates October 12, 1492, the day the earth god Tu-Ti Kung. The festival that Columbus’s ships arrived in the New celebrates the upcoming World after traveling across the ocean from harvest, and people give Spain. The holiday is also celebrated in most thanks for all the good Spanish-speaking countries and is observed things from the year. as Dia de la Raza or Day of the Race. The people get together with their family and eat special harvest foods, especially moon cakes. The Moon Festival is celebrated each year on the 15th moon day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Jamaica
National Heroes’ Day is observed on the third Monday in October. It is a celebration of the island’s seven National Heroes and is also the date on which awards within the Jamaican honours system are given. In celebration, they have parades, live performances of music and folk and cultural dance. Children learn about the contributions that these national heroes made to their country through documentaries and speeches.
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OCTOBER 2009
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE ... A FARMER? This time of year, you might be visiting a pumpkin patch or a harvest festival in your hometown. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a farmer? All that food in the grocery store doesn’t just appear there! Farmers grow vegetables and wheat, raise cattle for meat and milk and tend to pigs and chickens, too. Our food supply all starts with the farmer. I was excited to pay a visit to Andrew Gillis. He has been farming with his father at their family farm, Gillis Hill Farm, in Fayetteville, NC, for 15 years. They grow corn, wheat, oats and soybeans. They also give hay rides and make ice cream at their farm! Read on to learn more.
TRUMAN: What does it take to become a farmer? GILLIS: Well, you donÕ t have to go to school to be a farmer, but it could be beneficial to you. It does takes patience, and you have to love to get dirty, and you need to be able to do all sorts of different jobs on the farm. You have to be a heavy equipment driver, using tractors, be a mechanic to fix your equipment, be able to know when to plant and harvest. You also need good business skills. It helps to have worked on a farm for several years before you try to start a farm on your own.
There isn’t a whole lot of time to sit around if the crops are ready to harvest, so we try to ‘get while the gettin’s good.’ TRUMAN: What’s the hardest part of your job? GILLIS: Some days having to get up real early is tough, but I realize it’s important for running a farm. Sometimes there is a lot of physically hard work, too, like moving heavy things or just being out doing physical labor all day. TRUMAN: What’s the best part of your job?
TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in this profession?
GILLIS: I enjoy being outdoors. But I think my favorite part is operating a tractor or combine.
GILLIS: I am the eighth generation of my family to live on my family farm. I enjoy the history and heritage of farming, especially of my ancestors. I also enjoy the satisfaction of planting a seed, taking care of it, watching it grow and then coming to harvest and eating the fruits of my labor.
TRUMAN: What’s your favorite fruit or vegetable? GILLIS: My favorite vegetable is squash. Andrew Gillis works with his father at his family farm, which has been around since the 1700s!
TRUMAN: So, what exactly do you do? What’s a typical day on the job? GILLIS: Well, not every day is the same on the farm. It really depends on the time of year and just what needs to be done on the farm. When we plant, we may have a long day out in the field getting the soil ready running tractors all day. Or we may be preparing equipment at the farm shop to use out in the fields. When it’s raining, there isn’t a lot that we can do in the fields, so we normally work around the shop. Or when it’s harvest time, we may start our day a little later, but sometimes we stay out all night trying to harvest the crops.
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TRUMAN: Do you have animals on your farm? GILLIS: Oh yes, we have horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, an ox and cattle.
TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in this profession? GILLIS: Well, I would suggest finding a local farmer who might let you come out and volunteer on the farm to help them, and then maybe when you’re older, actually getting a job with them. If you really find out you like it, maybe you could go to college to study agriculture. TRUMAN: It sounds like you have a tough but rewarding job as a farmer! Thanks for talking to Kidsville News!
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Take the A-Train to Planet Earth Believe it or not, a train flies over the North Pole several times each day. Have Santa and his reindeer gone loopy? No. It’s not Santa up there. It’s not really a train either, even though it’s called the “A-train.” It’s five satellites flying in formation to study our planet. The satellites are lined up so that it takes only 23 minutes for all five to pass over the same part of Earth. As each satellite passes, it takes a different set of measurements. It’s as if one long, skinny satellite could measure many characteristics of a single place on Earth all at the same time. But why is it important to measure a bunch of things at one time?
The five satellites that make up the “A-train” work together to help scientists understand Earth’s complex system.
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It’s because everything on Earth is connected. Land, water, air and life all affect one another in complicated ways. For example, when the oceans are warmer, more clouds form. Clouds hold in heat, warming the oceans even more. But white, fluffy clouds also reflect the Sun’s rays back into space, keeping the oceans cooler! So do these two processes balance each other? Do clouds really make the ocean warmer or do they help it stay the same? Scientists don’t know yet. That’s one reason they need a lot more information. The five A-train satellites are helping scientists to understand Earth’s system. The satellites are Aura, Aqua, CloudSat, PARASOL, and CALIPSO. They monitor Earth’s land, oceans, ice packs, clouds and atmosphere using 14 different instruments. Several of the instruments measure Earth’s atmosphere in 3-D. For example, CloudSat doesn’t just look at the tops of the clouds; it sees all the way through them down to the ground. Another instrument measures air pollutants in 3-D. If they put all this data together, scientists may learn how all these different processes interact to create Earth’s weather and climate. Find out more about these and other Earth missions by playing the exciting new “Missions to Planet Earth” online card game at spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/earth/card-game. This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
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OCTOBER 2009
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OCTOBER CTOBER CROSSWORD ROSSWORD PUZZLE UZZLE Family Dinner Word Find
Dinner Scramble Unscramble the words to complete the sentences. 1. Family meals may prevent V A R O I H E B problems in children. 2. H Y E H A T L foods are important for keeping weight down. 3. K L M I is full of calcium and vitamin D. 4. Don’t skip T S A F K A B R E to lose weight. Answers: 1. behavior 2. healthy 3. milk 4. breakfast
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Jalyn Jean Lope z 3rd Grade Age 8 Momot Element ary
Erica Haley Grade 4 Keeseville Elementary
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OCTOBER 2009
OCTOBER SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
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Homemade Cookies Day
FRIDAY
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World Vegetarian Day
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Sputnik I Launched The first space vehicle launched in 1957.
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Eleanor Roosevelt Born in born 1884.
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First SteamPowered Ferryboat 'Juliana' began operations in 1811.
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Child Health Day (1st Monday)
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Thomas Edison Shows 1st Motion Picture In 1889.
Mother-inLaw's Day
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Thanksgiving Day in Canada Farmer's Day
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First Aerial Photo in US Taken from a balloon in Boston in 1860.
Captain Kangaroo Day The show first aired on this day in 1955.
First Two-Way Telephone Conversation In 1876.
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Moldy Cheese Day
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National Grouch Day
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Dictionary Day
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Sweetest Day Black Poetry Day
World Food Day
Molly Pitcher (Revolutionary War Heroine) - 1754
19 Pablo Picasso Born in Spain in 1881.
The rose became the U.S. National Flower - 1986
American Library Association Founded - 1876
Star Spangled Banner First Sung In 1814.
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Thomas Edison Demonstrated Electric Light Successfully in 1879.
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Peanuts Comic Strip First Published In 1950.
Henry Ford Introduced the Model T - 1908
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National Denim Day
SATURDAY
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International Red Cross Organized In Geneva, Switzerland in 1863.
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Sir James Chadwick (Discoverer of the Neutron) - 1891
Rosh Hashanah
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The U.S. Army was established in 1789
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Statue of Liberty Dedicated in 1886.
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National Nut Day
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United Nations Day National Bologna Day
Halloween
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At the Movies Toy Story/Toy Story 2 (Disney Digital 3-D) (In Theaters: October 2) For a special limited engagement, Disney Studios will debut the Disney Digital 3D(TM) versions of Disney-Pixar’s beloved animated features Toy Story and Toy Story 2. This two-for-one 3D double feature includes 3D enhanced versions of Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999). A little boy’s toys come to life behind his back in this highly inventive animated comic setting directed by John Lasseter (A Bug’s Life). Both films have been carefully re-rendered in 3D from the original digital files using the latest state-of-the-art technology. It’s not often that great double-features come around. This one looks like a really fun way to spend an afternoon. Rated G. (Disney-Pixar) Where the Wild Things Are (In Theaters: October 16) Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, collaborated with director Spike Jonze to transform Sendak’s popular children’s story into a film for parents and their children to share. Max is an energetic and sensitive little boy who escapes from his confusing family life when he discovers an imaginary exotic island where the Wild Things live and roam. The wild-and-wooly Wild Things are unusual-looking creatures so impressed with Max that they crown him King of their humble kingdom. However, serving as the King turns out to be much harder than Max thought it would be. Where the Wild Things Are is a far-out fantasy story that expresses a vibrant world of imagination and originality. Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language. (Warner Bros. Pictures)
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Free Style (In Theaters: October 9) Teen idol Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) plays Cale Bryant, a hotshot motocross racer who gets a chance to compete on the Grand National racing team. This good-hearted family movie is designed to inspire parents and children with its positive themes of responsibility, loyalty and discipline. Madison Pettis (Seven Pounds) plays Cale’s younger sister, and Penelope Ann Miller (Kindergarten Cop) plays their mother. With the support of his loyal girlfriend Alex (Sandra Echeverria), Cale proves that he has the heart, willpower and courage never to give up on his dream. Rated PG for language for some sensuality and thematic material. (Samuel Goldwyn Films) Movies on DVD Shaun the Sheep (DVD Release: September 1) Genius animator Nick Park of Aardman studios, uses the same great clay animation techniques he uses in his popular Wallace & Gromit series to deliver a super enjoyable collection of stories. The DVD is made up of six episodes, including the very funny “Little Sheep of Horrors” in which pizza sauce on a certain little sheep leads to all sort of high jinks from his fellow sheep and family dog. Other episodes included are “Abracadabra,” “Things That Go Bump,” “Heavy Metal Shaun,” “Troublesome Tractor” and “Sheepwalking.” If you don’t know about Shaun the Sheep yet, this is a good introduction to some of the finest animated family entertainment available. These guys are my favorite. Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest film critic in the world,” has been a film critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.
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Story Time with Truman Petey’s Secret Power
Chapter One — Mysterious Noises
A Quality Serials Story By Mary Maden Illustrated by Tana Brinnand The sun peeked its shining face over the tall, blue mountains. Its rays brightened even the darkest corners of the Big Forest. Warm fingers of light reached between the dense green leaves of an ancient oak tree. Petey Squirrel slept soundly among the tree’s branches –– snug in his treetop nest. The warm sunshine touched the little squirrel’s face –– tickling his nose. Petey wiggled his nose and turned over. Shielding his eyes from the bright start of morning, Petey curled himself into a tight little ball. It was the beginning of another peaceful day in the Big Forest when… Boom! “What…?” Petey muttered, half asleep. Boom! This time the noise was even louder. Petey woke up with a start. “What was that?” he mumbled. Boom! Bang! Petey covered his ears. Not wanting to get up, the little squirrel curled himself into an even tighter ball and tried to go back to sleep. Petey was just drifting off into a deep slumber when…Boom! Bang! Boom! “Can’t a body get some sleep around here?” Petey complained to no one in particular. Petey sat up and peered over his nest to see where the noise was coming from. He scanned the forest floor. He looked and he looked, but he didn’t see anything. Just as he decided to investigate the source of the noise, the loud booming and banging abruptly ceased. “Well, it’s about time!” Petey cried. Expectantly, Petey waited for the noise to start up again, but all he heard was the relaxing sound of leaves rustling above him. A warm, soft breeze caressed his fur. Petey yawned and stretched. Drowsy again, he curled up in his warm, cozy bed. The little squirrel was snoring softly when… Boom! Boom! Bang! Bang! Petey sat up. Irritated, he leaned over the edge of his nest and shouted down, “Quiet! I’m trying to sleep!” Petey grabbed some leaves. He stuffed the leaves tightly into his ears and hunkered back down into his bed. Petey closed his eyes again. He tried to go back to sleep, but it was no use. The noise was just too loud! The little squirrel was rapidly losing his patience when… Boom! Bang! Boom! Bang! Boom! Boom! Pulling the leaves out of his ears, the squirrel leaped from his nest. Angrily, Petey paced up and down the tree branch. He swished his bushy tail back and forth in agitation.
“Enough’s enough!” Petey declared to no one in particular. The grumpy, grouchy squirrel scampered down the tree. He was going to find out where the noise was coming from! Petey ran through the forest following the sounds. Boom! Bang! Boom! The little squirrel traveled deeper and deeper into the Big Forest. Petey didn’t like to go into this part of the forest. It was gloomy and dark! There were thick, thorny bushes that clawed at you. But the worst part was the slimy, slippery, swampy, stinky, smelly mud holes. Petey had heard horrible tales of animals that had gone into the deep forest –– never to return! Feeling uneasy, Petey was just about to go back when he heard a loud bang! Forgetting his fear, Petey raced off in the direction of the sound. In the nick of time, Petey skidded to a stop. He barely avoided falling headfirst into a big, oozy, squishy, mushy, muddy mudhole! Across the mudhole, behind a thick patch of prickly bushes, came a loud boom-bang. Petey wanted to see what was making the noise, but the mud was between him and the source of the sound. “Yuck!” Petey said, looking at the mud. He wasn’t about to wade through the nasty, icky mess. Suddenly, Petey had an idea. The agile squirrel scampered up a weeping willow tree. The tree hung over the mudhole. Carefully, Petey inched his way along a slender willow bough until he dangled over the treacherous mud. From his vantage point, Petey could just see over the prickly bushes. Petey put his paw over his mouth to stifle a cry of surprise. He stared in amazement at the odd sight. Petey had finally discovered what was making the mysterious noises, but he could barely believe what he saw! To get a better view, Petey inched his way up the willow tree branch. Just then, he heard a loud snap. Petey moved as fast as he could up the branch, but suddenly it broke clean in two. Down the little squirrel fell, branch and all. Petey was headed straight into the stinky, slimy mud! Petey spiraled down, down, down. Afraid to look, Petey closed his eyes. Even though he couldn’t see it, the terrified squirrel could smell the foul muck! “Help!” Petey screamed in panic. “Save me! I don’t want to die!” Then, from out of nowhere, a big, furry paw reached out and grabbed him! Next Time: Bubba Bear’s Big Time Band
A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this eight-chapter story is available on the Kidsville News! Web site at www.KidsvilleNews. com. Copyright 2009 by Mary Maden. All rights reserved. Mary Maden is an award-winning author. Visit her on the Web at www.marymaden.com.
Meet Truman’s Friend
Roo the Reader She likes to talk to K-1 kids about reading! Roo gives away free books!
Literacy Volunteers of Essex/Franklin Counties
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cc
ited Affi red li a te
Literacy Volunteers of Essex/Franklin works with people who want to learn to read. Our primary mission is to help adults who need to upgrade literacy skills, learn English as a Second Language, or work on their GEDs. Literacy Volunteers provides free instruction by trained volunteers to these adults to help them acquire self-esteem and achieve aims in the areas of education, family, employment, and the community. During summer, read a book in your favorite nature spot. Crack open a field guide! Learn about nature and the environment by reading! Raise your GREEN IQ!
A
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COME OUT AND PLAY! Squash — It’s Not Just a Vegetable!
You’ve probably eaten squash, but did you know that you can play a game of squash, too? Squash can be traced to France in the early 1500s. Children hit balls against walls in streets and narrow alleys for fun, and monks wore webbed gloves – the first racquets of tennis and squash – to hit balls against fishing nets strung across monastery courtyards. Though tennis became very popular in Europe, a similar game, racquets, developed in England. Players used racquets to hit a ball against walls, and in a variation of racquets called fives, used their hands to hit the ball. In April 1907, tennis, rackets and fives were combined into “Squash.” Squash players use metal or composite material racquets no bigger than 27 inches long and 8.5 inches wide to hit a small rubber ball in an enclosed court with four walls of different heights. The court, 20 feet wide by 32 feet long, is divided into three boxes: a front half and a back half that is split into a back right and left quarter, each with a smaller service box. A server stands in a service box and hits the ball off the front wall between the service line six feet off the ground and the out-ofcourt line running along the upper part of the walls. After rebounding and landing in the back opposite quarter of the court, the ball is in play as long as it hits the front wall above the “tin,” a line 19 inches above the floor, and below the out line. The ball may hit the
side or back walls at any time below the out line but must not hit the floor after hitting the racket and before hitting the front wall. After it hits the front wall, a player must hit it after it bounces one time on the floor before the other player returns it. Only the server scores unless the receiver wins a rally and the service and chance to score. Whoever scores nine points first with a margin of two wins the game, and a match is usually the best of five games. The game is very fast, so comfortable clothes like shorts and tee shirts and good athletic sneakers are a must, as is eye protection, like polycarbonate lens goggles, to avoid injury from a fast-swinging racket or a ball that often exceeds 125 miles per hour! Squash is a very popular game worldwide. The World Squash Federation noted that as of June 2009, 49,908 squash courts existed in the world. Young players can enjoy mini squash, played with a lighter racket and a bigger, bouncier ball. Doubles squash is becoming popular, and squash may one day be in the Olympic games. Sources: “About Squash,” www.irishsquash.com/about.html; “Squash,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash.
Gee Thanks!
We would like to thank all of our Kidsville News! in Education Program Sponsors for helping to provide Kidsville News! to Northern NY schools and all area children K-5.
Literacy Volunteers of Essex/Franklin Counties
Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls (518) 798-9966 Farzad Sani, DDS
Smith House Health Care Center Our mission is to create a fun, engaging, educational newspaper and web site for all elementary age children, their parents & teachers, that encourages reading as a lifelong habit and promotes literacy & education. When it comes to literacy & child development, if we are to help develop a child’s habits, truly affect the way they think and act, to help develop their minds, we must start at a young age. We hope that you will consider partnering with us too! Together we can take childhood learning to the next level and have a positive impact on our community and our future leaders. 34107
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PARENTOWN’S KIDSHAPE Strike a Chord with Your Kids! Studies show that kids who are exposed to music from an early age do better in school. Unfortunately, most U.S. schools have cut back or even eliminated their arts & music programs due to shrinking budgets. With back-to-school season here, KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand in the US for kids ages 5-12, has developed their Top 6 Music Tips — for fun, inexpensive ways parents can introduce their kids to music at home — and maybe even get them away from the TV and up and moving in the process! • Sing Along! Sing to AND with your child from an early age. Whether it’s “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” or a hit song by your favorite top 40 artist — kids love to sing along and share their favorite music with you! You don’t have to be a great singer — just get into the moment and create happy, shared memories. • Sing to Learn! Music is a powerful teaching tool. Kids can learn the alphabet, numbers, vocabulary and rhyming — keys to building early literacy skills — through singing or listening to music. After you’ve shared a song together, talk to your child about the words. What do you think this song is about? What does that word mean? What words do you hear that rhyme? How do you think the singer is feeling? Why? • Turn Off and Tune In! Turn off the TV and turn on the radio or iPod. Cultivate your child’s musical taste by exposing him or her to all different genres of music, including pop, rock, hip hop, classical and country. Music is a kid-friendly vehicle for introducing tolerance for other cultures, styles and tastes. • Play Along! Numerous household items can be turned into musical instruments to help develop your child’s inner rock star. Make drums out of pots & pans and empty boxes, musical shakers and maracas out
of coffee cans or water bottles filled with dried beans (make sure they are securely closed) and horns out of paper towel tubes — the possibilities are only limited by your imagination! Educational experts consider imaginary play to be a fun and valuable tool for developing your child’s reasoning and comprehension skills. • FREE Musical Instruments! Musical instruments are expensive. When your child shows interest in picking up the clarinet or violin, don’t despair! Check out Web sites like Craigslist or local swap and barter clubs to find cheap secondhand (or better yet, FREE) instruments. • Just Dance! Music is good for the body and soul. The CDC reports that almost 1 in 3 kids (ages 2-19) in the US are overweight or obese. Dance is not only great exercise; it helps teach rhythm and coordination. So channel your inner “Dancing Queen” and “Twist and Shout” with your kids. Information courtesy of Kidz Bop. Visit KidzBop.com to make music and videos with your kids!
Become an Official Safety Inspector! __ Curtains and other things that can burn are away from the stovetop. __ The furnace has been inspected in the past year. __ Portable space heaters are off whenever a grown-up leaves the room and goes to sleep. __ The chimney has been inspected and cleaned in the past year. If any of the items on your checklist are not safe, or if you are unsure, ask a grown-up to fix it. Other important fire-safety tips are: • Know the emergency number for your fire department. • Create and practice an emergency escape plan with your family. The fire plans should show two ways out of each room, all smoke alarms and an outside meeting place. • Know your personal information that you may need in case of an emergency, such as your home address, phone number, your parents’ names and cell phone numbers. Be familiar with your fire drill escape plan at school. Create an emergency escape plan with your family.
As part of Fire Prevention Week, make sure your home is safe and inspect for risks. Ask a grown-up for help. Check these things, and put a check mark if it is safe or an X if it needs work: __ Electrical cords are in good condition (not damaged). __ The clothes dryer has a clean vent and filter (no lint build-up). __ A grown-up always stays in the kitchen whenever food is cooking on the stovetop. __ Appliances and lights are plugged into separate electrical outlets. __ All smoke alarms work when tested by a grown-up. __ All extension cords are used safely (not under carpets or across walking areas). __ Portable space heaters are 3 feet away from anything that can burn. __ All escape routes are clear of clutter and easily accessible.
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PROVIDING ESSENTIAL PEOPLE
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A SECTION ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
BOOKSHELF Half-Minute Horrors
Good Night Farm
Author/Illustrator: Susan Rich, Various Illustrators
Author: Adam Gamble, Cooper Kelly (Illustrator)
Publisher: HarperCollins Age Range: 10 and up From the Publisher: How scared can you get in only 30 seconds? Dare to find out with Half-Minute Horrors, a collection of deliciously terrifying short, short tales and creepy illustrations by an exceptional selection of writers and illustrators, including bestselling talents Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L.Stine, Faye Kellerman, Holly Black, Melissa Marr, Margaret Atwood, Jon Scieszka, Brett Helquist and many more. With royalties benefiting First Book, a not-for-profit organization that brings books to children in need, this is an anthology worth devouring. So grab a flashlight, set the timer and get ready for instant chills!
Publisher: Our World of Books Age Range: Preschool and up From the Publisher: Taking place during the passage of both a single day and the four seasons of the year, this soothing bedtime story celebrates life on a traditional family farm. In this educational boardbook, children will follow a multicultural family through a day on a farm while they learn about how a farm works; what types of crops are grown on a farm, including corn, wheat, cotton, apples and peaches and about farm animals, such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, geese, ducks and chickens. Take a tractor ride, feed the chickens, visit a barnyard, and play in a pumpkin patch in this charming and engaging keepsake.
Spark the Firefighter Author/Illustrator: Stephen Krensky, Amanda Haley (Illustrator) Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Bats (Beginner’s Nature Series)
Age Range: Preschool and up From the Publisher: When the town of Hardscrabble placed an ad for a new firefighter, they never expected a dragon to apply. But Spark wants the job because he has a secret. He’s afraid of fire — and that’s not good when you are a fire-breathing dragon! Spark knows the only way to conquer your fear is by facing it. A fun-filled tale with plenty of fire safety tips.
Author/Illustrator: Megan Cullis, Sue King (Illustrator), Connie McLennan (Illustrator) Publisher: EDC Publishing Age Range: 4 to 8 From the Publisher: How do bats find their way in the dark? Where do they live and what do they eat? In this book you’ll find the answers and lots more about the secret lives of bats. Bats is part of an exciting series of books with easy-reading text.
P ARENTOWN
OCTOBER 2009
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS......
CORSICA?
It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world! Get out your globe, and fi nd latitude 41° 55’N, longitude 8° 44’E to locate the beautiful island of Corsica, often called the Mountain in the Sea. Located in the western Mediterranean Sea north of Sardinia, southeast of France and west of Italy, Corsica is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and has the highest mountains and the greatest number of rivers of the Mediterranean islands. The island is 3352 sq. miles in area, and about 1400 sq. miles of the island are nature reserves. The capital is Ajaccio, with a population of 55,000. Monte Cintu is the highest point at 8,888 feet (2710 meters). The weather along the coast features hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, while the mountains are cool and rainy, and snow and small glaciers usually cover the highest peaks through May. Famous for its wine, citrus, olive oil, independent spirit and undeveloped and unspoiled beauty, with 640 miles of coastline, 200 beaches, mountains and forests, Corsica is one of the 26 regions of France. It is the also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The offi cial language is French, but many Corsicans speak Corsican, or Corsu, and the architecture and food refl ect the infl uence of Italy and France; popular foods include pizza, pasta, cured meats and sheep’s milk cheeses. Because of its beautiful natural attractions, tourism is its major industry, and many visitors arrive by ferry. Ruled for centuries by many groups, including the Greeks and Romans, Corsica was sold secretly to France by the Genoese in 1764. After a brief civil war in 1768-69, Corsica was then incorporated into France in 1770. During World War II, the island was occupied by German and Italian troops. With help from native Corsicans, the French were able to free the island on October 4, 1943, and Liberation Day is celebrated each year on the 4th of October. Sources: “Corsica, ” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsica; “Corsica map and information page,” www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/ corsica.htm; “I Corps,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I Corps (France).
JOKES
o What d ay What is as big as an elephant, but weighs en s fisherm een? nothing at all? ow on Hall or- Answer: The shadow “Trickof an elephant. Trout!”
What do witches eat at H alloween? Spookett i, halloween ies, devil s food cak e and booberry pie!
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Smith House Health Care Center
39 Farrell Road Willsboro, NY 12996 • (518) 963-4275
Healthy Healthy
Hearts Hearts & Bodies Bodies
Safety on Halloween
He lp SHOULD: Yo ur Childre n CHILDREN
KIDSVILLE KITCHEN Inspe c t c andy al l s afe t y f o r chi ldre b e f o re n e at i t .
Have a S afe and Fun Hal lo wechildren en Have get
out of cars on the Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses. curb side, not on • Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult. the traffic side. • Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls. • Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes. • Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them. re M a k e s u e 10 ag r e • Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp. d n u childre n e d as is v r e a re s u p re e t. WHEN WALKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY SHOULD ss the s t t h e y c ro • Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards. • Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross bet ween parked cars. • Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing. Ex it dr ive ways • Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant. a n d a lle y ways • Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child’s vision.) c a re f u ll y. • Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes. • Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping). • Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. •
PARENTS AND ADULTS SHOULD: • • •
Ask about our sliding fee program for the uninsured. 21859
Supervise the outing for children under age 12. Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children. Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings. • Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children. • DRIVE SLOWLY! re nt s an d
Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!
Apple Pie — An Autumn Classic As the chill of autumn arrives, homemade apple pie comes to mind. Apples are available in abundance, and Deep Dish Apple Pie is easy and delicious – and fun for kids and parents to do together. The tips to success are simple. For convenience, start with refrigerated pie crusts; the mixing and rolling out are done for you. The fabulous filling is a snap; just combine peeled and sliced apples, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon and sugar. Be sure to choose apples appropriate for baking such as Granny Smith, Rome, Braeburn, Northern Spy or Cortland because they hold their shape and won’t become too soft as they bake. Note also that this is a deep dish pie, so the correct size pie pan is a must; otherwise the filling will overflow the pan. The top crust requires cutting slits or some other type of openings to allow steam to escape and prevent the crust from becoming soggy. You can even get creative by using a mini apple-shaped cutter to make cutouts and then place the crust over the apple filling. Seal the edges and arrange the apple cutouts on the crust. Brush with egg white (for a glossy golden brown finish), and bake. Cool the pie at least an hour before serving for easier cutting.
DEEP DISH APPLE PIE
WHAT YOU NEED: • 6 cups sliced, peeled and cored baking apples (about 6 large apples) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crust • 1 egg white, lightly beaten HOW TO MAKE IT: • Preheat oven to 400 °F. In large bowl, combine apple slices and lemon juice. In small bowl, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apple slices; mix well to coat. • Line deep dish pie pan with pie crust; fill with apple mixture. Using apple cutter, cut out vents in remaining pie crust. Place crust over filling, crimping and fluting edges. Arrange cutout pastry on top of pie; brush crust with egg white. • Bake 45-50 minutes or until apples are bubbly and crust is deep golden brown.* Remove pie from oven. Cool pie in pan on cooling rack at least 1 hour before serving. *To keep edges from overbrowning, use thin strips of aluminum foil to cover edge of pie. Remove foil during last 20 minutes of baking.
Pa adul ts sh ou ld en su re th e safe ty of pe de st ria n tr ick-o r-t re aters
Courtesy of Family Features and Wilton Products. For more ways to bake, decorate and celebrate the season, visit www.wilton.com.
When a kiss and a bandaid aren’t enough…
24-HOUR EMERGENCY CARE 75 Park Street P.O. Box 277 Elizabethtown, NY 12932 873-6377 www.ech.org
The Heart of Your Community OCTOBER 2009
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Caring for the most important people in the world…
…your children Pediatric of Dentistry s ll a F s n e l G 8-9966 (518) 79
ani, DDS
Farzad S
Dr. Sani Accepting New Patients!
Did you know? • 1st dental visit is recommended by 1st birthday • If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, you should speak with your dentist or pediatrician about the possibility of a fluoride supplement • Your child should be assisted with brushing and flossing at least one time daily until over the age of eight • Snacking or drinking juice or soda frequently can raise your child’s risk of tooth decay
… caring for the most important people in the world, your children. At Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls our doctor and staff are dedicated to helping assist you in making your child’s smile a happy and healthy one. We specialize in pediatric dentistry in an environment where your child feels safe and comfortable. We participate with many insurances including GHI. We offer a wide variety of comfort options: laughing gas, mild sedatives, general anesthesia
Directions to: 88 Broad Street, Glens Falls • (518) 798-9966 From South: Take I-87 North to Exit 18. Make a right off exit onto Main Street. At 4th traffic signal there will be a fork in the road. Continue going straight, Stewarts will be on your right. 88 Broad Street will be 11⁄2 blocks on your right. We are a 2 story brick building.
From North: Take I-87 South to Exit 18. Make a left off exit onto Main Street. At 5th traffic signal there will be a fork in the road. Continue going straight, Stewarts will be on your right. 88 Broad Street will be 11⁄2 blocks on your right. We are a 2 story brick building.
Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls Saturday appointments available!
798-9966 • Fax: 798-0616 88 Broad Street, Glens Falls www.pediatricdentistryofglensfalls.com 34105
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