Kid_Oh_September2017

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

l o o Sch

! s k c o R

The Free Press MEDIA


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Cover kids

C

s t n e t n o

6 Peeps

Anna Thill

7

Say What

Hayden

What is your favorite part of going back to school?

Alex

Photography by: Inspired Portrait Photography

8 Sing Loud 12 Back from the Brink

16 Money

Budget for Backto-School and Throughout the Year

17 How Do You Do It?

Special Thanks

Audyn

Shandy Weimert

18 Be Healthy

Mental Health Benfits of Play

20 Mental Health

Handling Meltdowns

22 Nosh Water

24 Historical Feature

Back to School Long Ago

26 Mankato Area

Public Schools

Healthy Foods to Nature Healty Minds

30 Kid Writer

The One 1

2 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

Macey

32 hOMie

Wide Legged Standing Forward Fold Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose Head to Knee Forward Bend

35 Healthy Kids

Tackling the pickyeating stage one meal at a time

36 The Children’s Museum

42 DIY Craft

Back-to-School Locker Organizer

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A RACE FOR ALL AGES! Mankato Marathon: A Race for All Ages! Your child is never too young to start running for fun. Sign your kids up for the Mankato Marathon KidsK, Toddler Trot or Diaper Dash Oct. 21. The Mankato Family YMCA KidsK is an athletic event not to be missed and is open to all youth. Kids can come early and get their face painted, hair colored and do crafts. Young adults will run under the official Marathon gantry just like the adults on Sunday and receive a cool t-shirt and real medal. Registration for the Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot are free. Burn off some energy at the Kidz Zone, where kids can play games or climb the rock wall. And for others in the family, there is a 5k, 10k, relay, half and full marathon. A host of accompanying weekend activities abound for the whole family. Mankato Marathon is the Midwest’s boldest race, showcasing a dynamic course and determined racers. This exceptional course features a vast countryside run at the beginning and culminates in the beautiful, yet challenging Mankato river valley. Be bold. Register now for these exceptional races. Join the community on Facebook and Twitter now.

Mankato Marathon weekend is fun for the entire family! Visit mankatomarathon.com for details! Use promo code KIDOH17 for $5 off registration.

THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, OCT. 21 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

12:50 p.m. 1 p.m. 1:30 p.m 2:30 p.m. 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 22

Sport & Health Expo / Speaker Series / Kidz Zone

Toddler Trot AGES 2-5 Diaper Dash AGES UNDER 24 MONTHS My BOLD Walk KidsK AGES 6-12 5K 3.1mi

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 5

Hello!

T

PUBLISHER Steve Jameson HOW ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH FOR HIGH SCHOOL? YOU'RE JUST A BABY!

his issue is a special one, it is the first Kidoh that will be going out to ALL of the kids in District 77! This has been my mission from the beginning and it really feels like a huge pat on the back for everyone that puts so much time, effort and love into this magazine. Thank you to everyone that helps get our little mag to print every other month- it is a true labor of love. If this is the first time you are seeing Kid-oh, I hope you love it as much as we do! Yay for a new school year! I can't wait to get my kids back at school and back to a routine. Even though it gets way busier with school work, activities, sports and everything else, I for one like the routine of it all. Big milestone at our house: Our youngest is STARTING HIGH SCHOOL! I don't even know how to compute. He will forever be a chubby little 4 year old in bib-overalls and dirt smushed all over his face, hiding behind my legs in public. Sigh. Time goes so fast. New moms: Hold on to every single moment you can! A special thanks this issue to my friend Shandy Weimert for writing the How Do You Do It page. It took guts. But, as I explained to her, the point of having parents from all walks of life take turn sharing their stories, is to let everyone else know that they are not alone. Everyone deals with their own hardships, struggles and heartbreaks. Sometimes the "power" of social media makes it look and seem like everyone else out there is living an idyllic life; happy marriages, healthy and perfectly behaved kids, Pinterest-worthy dinners every night and six-packs under their uber-trendy clothes. Let's get real. Real life is tension and tears and questioning yourself as parent, a spouse, a friend, an employee. Thank you thank you Shandy for being a strong courageous woman, mom and wife! (A little side note: Shandy LOVES to dress-up like the Tooth Fairy and teach kids about oral health! I've never met a more fitting fairy!) Thank again for your support of Kid-oh. Please feel free to reach out to me with any feedback or questions you have. And so, ready, set, go! Let's get those kids back to school! Jordan Greer-Friesz

EDITOR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jordan Greer-Friesz CONTRIBUTORS Mayo Clinic Health System The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Gena Heminover Blue Earth County Historical Society MN Valley Federal Credit Union Cliff Coy E. Madelyn James Heather Fisher Shandy Weimert Maria Weimert Friesen's Bakery & Bistro Anna Thill District #77 PHOTOGRAPHERS Inspired Portrait Photography Cliff Coy PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey ADVERTISING MANAGER Phil Siebel ADVERTISING SALES Jordan Greer-Friesz Marianne Carlson Josh Zimmerman Theresa Haefner ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Barb Wass ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Christina Sankey Sue Hammar CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Justin Niles Kid-Oh! Magazine is published by The Free Press Media bi-monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001. For editorial and advertising inquiries, call Jordan Greer 507-344-6337, jgreer@mankatofreepress.com To be included in future Kid-Oh! mailings, call 507-625-4451, ext. 7

4 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 5


Anna l l i h T

My husband is T.J. (marrie Raleigh is 11 and Ca d 17 years). shel is 9.

Occupation:

President, Visit Mankato

How long have I lived in Mankato?

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love working on legacy projects that leave a lasting positive impact on the community. In this particular job that could mean advocating for facility developments, working to improve our trail system or starting the Mankato Marathon. These types of projects require the collaborative work of many partners, and they take a lot of patience and propper planning. I love all of that, not to mention the benefits we all get to enjoy as a result.

Although I have been in the area since 1998, we officially move to Mankato 10 years ago.

What is your favorite thing to do in Mankato for fun? Lately, my family is really getting into the active adventures greater Mankato has to offer which includes swimming, kayaking and exploring of our parks, lakes and rivers.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Early on I wanted to be an astronomer, then an archeologist, and then a professional musician. All are very different from each other. Maybe that explains why I like community development so much. I get to work in many interesting directions all in the same day which could include an aspect of science, history or music.

Where I work: I work at Visit Mankato, which is an affiliate of Greater Mankato Growth, our local chamber of commerce and economic development corporation. As president, I oversee an incredible staff who work to bring visitors to greater Mankato for leisure, sports and conventions. I love attracting visitors to the community because it allows me to be creative, innovative and strategic while working with all kinds of people to accomplish our collective goals. As previously mentioned, it also allows me to work on lasting projects that improve a visitor's experience in addition to our lives as residents. 6 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


We asked some Kid-oh’s... What is your favorite part of going back to school?

Amelia Age: 6 To see my friends in my class.

Adam Age: 6 To be in the school play.

Liliana Age: 6 Getting to see friends again.

Breckyn

Hayden

Age: 7 I’m excited to make new friends because literally, everywhere I go, I always make new friends. I think this year is going to be really awesome!

Age: 5 Getting to meet my new teacher! Oh, and see my friends.

Flora

Age: 12 Getting to go school shopping.

Macey

Age: 11 Shopping for school supplies and new clothes!

Jaxson Age: 9 Getting to see ALL of my friends again!

Anna

Age: 10 Seeing all my friends. September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 7


SING

D U LO Coy Story by Cliff

8 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

otos | Submitted ph


I

n 1994 a music teacher in Mankato named Marin Jacobs had a vision of an after school activity for children in the area where they could make new friends that shared the passion of singing and provide these children with the instruction on how to do it properly, this vision soon became The Mankato Children’s Chorus.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 9


The chorus is a non-profit organization that is now in its 24th year of operation. The chorus starts with first graders and goes all the way up to twelfth graders in high school. They consist of five choirs, a training choir for the first and second graders, an intermediate choir which mostly consists of third graders, a youth choir for fourth and fifth graders, a concert choir for those children in middle school and junior high, and then the high school choir which covers children from ninth to twelfth grade. Originally meant for children from third to twelfth grade to participate in, it soon became apparent that they could expand their program out to include children in both first and second

grade as well. “I had a third grade daughter that started singing with the children’s chorus and I am a music educator in the public schools as well, said Leah Reis, the Artistic Director for The Mankato Children’s Chorus. “I saw a need for getting kids interested even earlier than that, and so I appealed to the board of directors to start a training choir with first, second, and third graders, and that's kind of where I stood in working with the choir.” The chorus has two formal concerts a year where they sing at the Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. The choirs sing individual as well as multi-choir pieces during these concerts. They also sing at

10 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

community events throughout the year where they sing with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra as well as the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, and this year they are even partnering up with the Minnesota Opera. “We sing at the Barnes and Noble in town, we sing at the civic center, the winter festival down at the Verizon Wireless Center,” said Reis. “We also sing at some of the retirement homes, nursing homes and assisted living, so we like to go out and do some community events as well.” The chorus is an evening activity that rehearses once a week on Mondays at their rehearsal location Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato. Each choir has its own time to rehearse on those Monday nights and rehearsals start the first Monday after Labor Day and close out their season at the end of April. “I think that participating in a singing activity is fun because you can sing anywhere you want,” said Reis. “We take kids on small trips and larger trips. We have gone to Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, and wherever we are, any kind of stop that we make, kids can get out and sing. We can gather together at a park and just sing because we have learned to sing together and we like to sing together. One thing I encourage kids to do is to become a part of a group like this to learn these kinds of songs and make these kinds of friendships and just sing, because singing is healthy and singing is fun.” The chorus focuses on a lot of folk music, some classical music and even some current music. It tries to use music that is of interest to the children but also focuses on quality music that they don’t get to sing in a lot of other places. “We really try to strengthen healthy verbal habits,” said Reis. “There is a lot of singing that children do that is sometimes strenuous on their voice, it’s fun but we try to work on vocal health so that kids can really sing well and sing for a long time. We do games and activities within our rehearsal, try to have fun and try to get kids to interact and get to know each other, because we bring students from a wide range of miles around Mankato. To make a singing community we try to do a lot of


School is about cool. And here, it’s affordable.

active involvement in our rehearsals.” The chorus is currently registering students for the upcoming season and have a registration day on Saturday September 9th in the morning where parents and students can come walk in, register, talk to directors and ask questions. They can also register without coming to the event by going online or coming the first night of rehearsal on September 11th at 5pm. “I think kids need that balance of school, activities, at home down time,” said Reis. “But also activities where they can get out with other kids, get out and experience something new with something that is fun, healthy, and good for their bodies.” For more information please visit www.mankatochildrenschorus.org, call 507-387-9007, or send an email to mankatochildrenschorus@gmail. com.

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September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 11


BACK FROM THE

BRINK

Story by Cliff Coy 12 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


O

nce upon a time, a phrase not often used in factual stories, there was a great thundering mass of animals that dominated most of North America. The American Bison, also commonly referred to as buffalo, lived and roamed North America in numbers estimated to be around 60,000,000. The story of the bison dates back to about 400,000 years ago when they crossed the Bering Strait into North America and they thrived until European settlers came to this land. Bison were once found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico, these animals lived in almost all of the 49 continental United States. That was before we pushed the numbers of these large mammals to the brink of extinction.

“The number ranges from thirty to sixty million, some scientists have a hard time with sixty million, they don't think that could compute,” said Scott Kudelka, the Minneopa Area Naturalist. “But if you read old explorer journals they talk about how it could take days for a bison herd to pass. You are talking thousands of animals in just one herd. There was a herd up in North Dakota in the 1880's, so one of the last big herds. They estimated that to be about fifty thousand.” The hunting of these animals pushed the population of American Bison down to a low of around 300 in 1900, a far cry from their original numbers. In 1864 a law was passed by the Idaho State Legislature that

protected the bison, but this was only after all of the bison had either left or been killed in the state. Soon after though, some ranchers started capturing wild bison and breeding them. But it was not until 1874 when Congress really started advancing their efforts to save the North American land mammal. From there the herds started growing slowly from the 300 that were left in 1900 to today where we have around 360,000 in the continental United States. “When the French explorer PierreCharles Le Sueur had paddled up in 1700 and built Fort L’Huillier, he and his twenty one men killed 400 bison to survive the winter. So there must have been a lot of bison here,” said Kudelka. “When Joseph Nicolet

came up in the 1820's, he saw signs of bison but didn't see bison. By the 1830's there were no bison on the east side of the Mississippi River. Larger herds were on the western sides and then Minnesota lost its last bison, which was just a sketchy reference, in the 1880's and that would have been in the Red River Valley. The last sightings in this area of the state would have been in New Ulm in 1863.” Standing as tall as six feet and some weighing more than a ton, the bison is the largest land mammal in North America, and were once one of the critical resources for the tribes of Native Americans that lived throughout the United States, especially for the tribes that lived in the Plains. Not only was their meat a

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 13


valuable commodity, but everything on the animal was utilized in some way, shape, or form. Their hides were used as blankets, clothing, and coverings for dwellings, their bones used as tools, hair for ropes, and sinew for thread and bowstrings. “Our clothing, our tipis, everything we needed for life came from the buffalo’s body. It was hard to say where the animals ended and the human began.” –John Lame Deer, Oglala-Lame Deer Seeker of Visions, 1972. In Minnesota there are a few sites that host our bison herd, to include

the Minnesota Zoo and Blue Mound State Park, but in September of 2015, the Minneopa State Park reintroduced 11 female bison to the area because of its existing prairie, suitable infrastructure, and large potential for visitors of the site due to the road that runs through the prairie area. This project is meant to increase the state’s population of genetically pure bison to 500 animals. “We went through a whole process of looking for different areas. Blue Mound has 60-70 bison and that's all they can support. So to get to 500 we

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need to go somewhere else. At Blue Mound there is no road through the range which is our biggest complaint, you could never see them,” said Kudelka. “We had this basically untouched prairie in Minneopa that had been cattle and sheep grazed but had never really been plowed up. So we had a prairie with a road going through it. Because Blue Mound is way in the southwest corner, it isn't really near an urban center, especially for Minnesota. We have Mankato here, the cities and hour and a half away and there wasn't a Naturalist like me at Blue Mound at the time.” The goal for Minneopa and other sites is comprised of many things. Prairie lands require large hoofed animals to graze them to keep them healthy. You also need controlled burns to keep other species of plants from taking over the area completely. “Now of course it's not the same because they are fenced, so they aren't going to have the same impact that they used to have,” said Kudelka. “The other thing is that we have less than 1% of the prairie left, that's really what our limiting factor is, we just don't have enough land to support the amount of bison that there should be. But they would have created an environment that would have allowed other animals to thrive.” The way that bison shape their environment is good for not only themselves, but for other animals as well. Take the prairie dog, a small animal that needs large areas of short grass so that they can see predators coming. They follow the bison around, eat the grass that the bison do not, and create dirt areas for the bison to roll around in and scratch themselves. “It actually benefits the bison because the prairie dogs will eat that grass down to dirt and the bison will come in and just roll in it,” said Kudelka. “And that is really in essence their way that they bath because they get rid of their bugs and stuff by rolling in the dirt and it's a good way for them to scratch. And when you have prairie dogs, that attracts black footed ferrets and then it just goes down the line.” The bison in Minneopa are still quite young but they have been recorded being much larger and living to an age of around twenty five years old.


“In a situation like this where there are no predators they can live that long, but if you go to Yellowstone, they might live more like fifteen years just because of mortality factors,� said Kudelka. Currently the bison in Minneopa only weigh between 750 to 1,000 pounds, but full grown animals have been recorded to be much larger, though do to global warming, that seems to be changing. “Bison can grow up to 1,500 pounds for a female and 2,000 pounds for a male,� said Kudelka. “But research now is saying that they aren't getting as big as they used to because of climate change, it's not as cold and they don't need as much fat.� Minneopa currently only has fifteen bison but next spring they have the potential of eleven more calves. So if they get eleven new calves this spring and another eleven the next spring, the park will be filled to its maximum capacity and they can identify a new area for additional bison in the state. “We have about half a million bison today and out of that half a million twenty to thirty thousand is considered a wild animal,� said Kudelka. “We want to be a part of the effort to save the bison. Even though there are a half a million bison, there is still that fear that we could lose them. It's a fascinating animal and it really shows in our visitation and number of programs we have. It's fascinating to all ages and it doesn't matter who you are.� The bison has been in North America since about 400,000 years ago, they thrived on the plains of our country and provided almost everything the Native Americans needed to survive, but were almost driven to extinction because of our hunting practices. Thankfully a handful of people stepped in and brought them back from the brink. And thanks to conservation efforts of the past and of today, we will hopefully be seeing plenty of bison around Minnesota for years to come.

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Budget for Back-to-School and Throughout the Year

A

s summer winds down, stores across the country fill up with pencils, paper and notebooks in preparation for the “Back-to-School” shopping season. Back-to-school shopping is big business. In fact, the average student spends approximately $200-$375 a year on school supplies. And that doesn’t include musical instrument rentals, electronic devices or clothing, which can set you back even more. With costs this high, budgeting for the new school year becomes essential for families. Here are a few suggestions to help you plan for the school year: 1. Save throughout the year. Review what you spent last year just to get an idea of how much you need to save. Then make a plan to put money aside all year long for school supplies. Consider setting up a saving account for back-to-school funds and

contribute to it throughout the year. This way, you won’t feel the burden of one large expense when the new school year rolls around. 2. Involve your children. It’s good for kids to know what it’s like to save and budget for expenses. Talk to your children about the costs of required school items. Let them help you comparison shop at stores using online or print ads. Involving children helps them learn to appreciate the cost of school supplies and your contribution to their education. They can even put money from their own jobs or chores toward school items. Each child is different, so involve them in appropriate ways for their age and personality. 3. Look everywhere for deals. Use online coupons as well as those from newspapers or flyers to

comparison shop. Consider renting items (e.g., textbooks, musical instruments, technology) or shopping for secondhand items to reduce costs. Plan for tax-free shopping weekends. If your children wear uniforms, organize a clothing swap with friends for gently used school clothes. Being creative can really help save when money is tight. 4. Start early. Look for deals months ahead of the new school year so you don’t feel rushed into buying items at higher prices. Deals can start mid-summer so keep your eyes open for items your kids need. Whatever strategies you adopt, planning ahead for back-to-school expenses can help ease your financial burden and help you stay within your family budget.

Teaching Your Kids about Credit Cards

I

t’s important to explain to your children how to use credit cards wisely. Once your children turn 18, they’ll start receiving credit card solicitations, so the sooner you provide your insight, the better. Here are a few things to point out.

trouble with credit when they try to be someone they’re not – they have to buy the nice outfit or go on a fancy trip. They can’t afford it, so they put it on a card. Then, they have to pay it off and they pay way more for it than they should have. Or, they can’t make the payments and get into debt.

• Make sure they understand it’s a loan. Tell your children that using a credit card is a privilege, not a requirement. They’re getting a loan from a lender, and they have to repay the amount they use – usually with interest. They should take it seriously and know the terms and conditions of the card they get. Encourage them to ask questions about anything they don’t understand – especially introductory rates.

• Explain when to use credit cards. A new credit card user should only use their credit card for emergencies. Maybe they have to make repairs to their car and don’t have cash. Or, they have medical expenses they didn’t anticipate. By using it only for emergencies, they’ll have the money available when they need it.

• Help them decipher a credit card statement. Using your own credit card statement as an example, explain what each part means, and show what interest rate is being used and how charges are calculated. This way they’ll be able to see the difference between paying off a card quickly versus over time – and how much money you save the sooner you pay it off.

• Discuss what to do when their card is stolen or lost. Your children should know the process for card replacement and if there are fees associated with it. If their card is ever lost or stolen, they should call their credit card lender as soon as possible. If their card is stolen, they have certain rights in recovering their funds. The sooner they report, the better.

• Discuss the difference between needs and wants. The best way to teach children about good credit use is to talk about living within their means. People get into

Having a credit card, and using it wisely, is a great way for your children to establish credit and build their financial future.

16 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Shandy, Maria, Jared, Noah

By Shandy Weimert.

W

hen I was asked to write a story for Kid -Oh, I said, "Sure, no problem," assuming I would be writing about my daughter, born prematurely. So when Jordan gave me the topic, How Do You Do It, I cowered. I felt naked. Exposed. Fraudulent. I felt I had no business writing this article because sometimes it's laughable to think that I am doing it. In fact, the moments I feel "I am doing it", I feel like a hero. It's when I manage breakfast for dinner without one burned item. It's when I have the laundry washed AND PUT AWAY!! It's when I get to yoga and church and to an AA meeting - all in the same week. It's when my patience outlasts my daughter's stubborn fits. Or when my son comes into the kitchen and hugs me and says, "Sorry I've been short with you lately." So many times I feel- how did I get to this point? How am I almost 40 and raising 2 great kids - one 18 and the other almost 7 - and they seem to be doing ok; and my marriage is in tact, and we love each other every day, and like each other almost always and our pets are happy too?! We are surviving, and beyond that, we are lovers of life and living it to the fullest. I find this amazing because from age 13-20 I was derailed. Not that whole time, but on and off. I was defiant and impulsive and rebellious. The old cliche, it takes a village, is my mantra. My village, my family, is what it took to get me back on track. The birth of my son grew me up real quick. Instantly I loved being Noah's mom. I was single. I was broke. We had an apartment. I had a job. And I saved up for a car. We had very little and it was all I needed. As I have raised my kids, I believe my difficult adolescence, teenage and young

Photo by Daniel Dinsmore

adult years have served me well in gaining coping skills and wisdom. I am able to pass along information and share my experiences with my son as he navigates through teenage life, full of choices and obstacles. I open and close each day by writing down my gratitudes. And I try to fill the middle with doing the next right thing. In our house, we make mistakes. We say we're sorry. We forgive and we move on. Raising a teen and an early elementary kid has been both challenging and refreshing. When my eldest is shutting me out, my youngest is begging for my attention. When my youngest is crying and pushing every button and there is no calm on the horizon, my eldest tries to help by reasoning with her. She looks up to him. He has a soft spot for her. They adore one another. When Maria was born, she nearly died. Many times. She was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb, 9 oz. We spent more then 6 months between the NICU and Ronald McDonald House. There were many people around us far worse off then we were. It gave each of us in our family a different and new perspective on what's important. Letting go of the small things happened instantly when one of our family members lives was on the line. My husband, Jared, along with our son, Noah, held down the fort in Mankato. Both going to school, keeping up with tasks at home, caring for our pets, and coming to see Maria and me on the weekends

and during critical times. Our village grew. Mankato held us above water when we were sinking. The town threw a benefit for my family to help us make our mortgage payments and pay other bills. They provided meals for Jared and Noah and also gas cards. People helped with our dogs so we could be a family together on the weekends. It was an extraordinary time that I am forever grateful for. I am profoundly impacted by the kindness and generosity of this town I love so much. The biggest challenge I face regularly is finding a balance. Being a mom, and not always the friend. Being able to listen and be open minded. Teaching my children the basics of respect, integrity, kindness, and responsibility so they are assets to their communities and not burdens. I find that the characteristics hardest to deal with in my kids are the same defects of character within myself. Looking at Noah and Maria is often like looking into a mirror. We are learning daily. We are coping. We are calming down. Jared is level headed and thinks things through. He brings the peace. He brings the quiet. Noah is very similar to Jared that way. They don't get too worked up. Maria and I are reactors. We are impulsive and wear our hearts on our sleeves. We get worked up. At the end of the day, we say I love you and we hug. A lot. I feel I am winning at the game of life when I am doing it allspirituality, family, exercise, AA and flossing. Those moments are golden. I don't take them for granted. This is how I do it. One day at a time.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 17


Mental health benefits of play Shabbir Khambaty, M.D.

T

here is no doubt that play is good for kids. In fact, the previous issue of Kid-Oh! Magazine featured an entire article on the physical benefits of play. But what about the mental health benefits?

Shabbir Khambaty, M.D., a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, says the benefits of play for kids are so important that it’s been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right for every child. “As a pediatrician, part of my role is to promote the overall well-being of children,” says Dr. Khambaty. “That means encouraging play as a strategy to help children

18 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

reduce stressors in their lives, and for kids to develop physically, academically, socially and emotionally.” Dr. Khambaty says a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure, more screen time and an increased focus on extracurricular activities are all factors that contribute to less time for kids to engage in free play. Less time for play can often be a source of stress, anxiety and depression, and Dr. Khambaty notes that even kids who thrive with a more driven schedule still need unscheduled time. “It’s a balance trying to be present with your kids through play and having them engaged in activities that will prepare them for the future,” say Dr. Khambaty. “Just remember that play is a cornerstone of raising children who are confident, able to solve problems and able to express frustrations in a healthy way.”


Tips for raising mentally healthy kids:

• Give kids unscheduled, nonscreen time. This means no television or devices. • Pay attention to your kids. Put down your device and make eye contact with them. • Encourage simple toys, such as blocks, to allow kids to use their imagination. • Be spontaneous with your kids around play — it’s another form of nurturing and support. • Join your kids in their play — it’s one way to fully engage with them.

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• Balance extracurricular and academic activities. • Read to — and with — your kids. • Remember children are all different — one child may need more down time than another.

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• Allow your kids to explore a variety of interests without the pressure to excel in any one area. • When choosing child care or early education programs, pay attention to how social and emotional development is addressed. “The best thing you can do to help your children succeed is to be a solid foundation of love, role modeling and guidance,” says Dr. Khambaty. “Be sure to make time to be together, to listen and to talk. And be sure to set a good example by taking good care of yourself.”

Shabbir Khambaty, M.D., is a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 19


Submitted by Sarah K. Sifers | Five Rivers Mental Health Clinic

M

Handling Meltdowns

eltdowns are emotional outbursts that happen when children (or adults) are overwhelmed by feelings and they come out in inappropriate ways. They are sometimes referred to as tantrums or blowups and can be very stressful for everyone involved. An understanding of what happens during a meltdown and how to help children behave better can decrease meltdowns or at least make them less intense. Calming the meltdown rather than trying to fix the cause is the fastest and most effective way to stop and prevent meltdowns. Children have meltdowns for lots of reasons. These include being angry, scared, embarrassed, tired, hungry, or in other states of physical or emotional discomfort. It is rare for young children to misbehave for revenge or to annoy people because they lack the ability to plan and understand others’ reactions. Meltdowns usually are a sign children are under more distress than they can handle. Meltdowns happen even though children really are doing the best they can to behave in the situation. They just do not have the ability to behave better when upset or under stress. However, children need to learn to cope better to decrease meltdowns. Meltdowns are challenging for us because they can be embarrassing and children can do and say things that are hurtful. Sometimes meltdowns are confusing because we do not know what set them off. They can be scary because

of their intensity. Children become very hard to manage during meltdowns. Reason simply does not get through to them. Intense emotions stop the brain from working properly. So, the ability to follow reason or use selfcontrol decreases dramatically during meltdowns. Discipline often does not work because fear of consequences or caregivers’ disapproval intensifies the distress. Or, children may be too upset to care about the consequences in the moment. Harsh discipline sometimes scares a child into stopping the meltdown in the moment, but is not an effective long-term solution. The priority during meltdowns is to help children calm down. After children are calm, they can learn from instruction, reason, or discipline. This is not giving in to children, it is training them to avoid meltdowns in the future. Children are still responsible for their behavior. Although it can test our patience, the most productive strategy is to wait until children are calm enough to think clearly so they can learn what they need to do differently next time. Calming children is easier earlier in the meltdown. So, it is helpful to know and watch for warning signs that children are about to meltdown. We might notice a change in breathing, voice, facial expression, or other body language. There might be things that children say when starting to have a meltdown. As soon as the meltdown is recognized, we can start the calming process to get things back on track.

Five Rivers

Mental Health Clinic

, LLC

507-345-7012

Care & Compassion Providing Individual, Family & Group Therapy info@FiveRiversMHC.com www.FiveRiversMHC.com 103 N. Broad Street, Mankato, Minnesota 56001

20 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


Calming children during meltdowns requires soothing and what works for one child might not work for others. Also, what works for a child at one age or in one situation might not work in others. What does tend to help all children is when we stay calm and kind, even though it is hard. Practicing calming strategies together shows children what we want them to do, but it also helps us stay calm. Using a soft voice, slow movements, not grabbing a child, and having a sympathetic expression helps calm children as well as keeping us calm. Calming activities include a cool cloth on the face, long slow deep breaths, tensing and relaxing muscles, and holding a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Validating, acknowledging how the child feels, can be very helpful. Older children might benefit from soothing and reassuring words from a caregiver. Younger children might appreciate being held or rocked. However, for some children a hug is calming, but others might be upset by being held. Similarly, some children calm down using intense physical activity, but others are ramped up by it. We know calming strategies are working when we see children start to relax and return to their usual behavior. It is best to wait until children are fully calm to address the meltdown or what led up to it. At that point, a wonderful way to start the conversation is by telling children we know they had feelings that were too big to control and that we want to help them learn how to deal with big feelings. Then we can describe appropriate ways to express emotions and make requests. This also is the time for helping children face the situation that caused the meltdown or accept the consequence of their behavior during the meltdown. This might involve trying to make right any harm or damage they caused during the meltdown. Repeating this process during each meltdown teaches children how to handle intense emotions appropriately, decreasing the likelihood and intensity of future meltdowns. It takes time to learn this skill, just like any other skill. Also, as children’s brains mature, they have an increased ability to use selfcontrol to avoid meltdowns. So, although it is a gradual process, it will get better!

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B l u e E a r t h C o u n t y ’s

HOME to HISTORY Blue Earth County History Center 424 Warren Street, Mankato History Center Hours Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The History Center Museum is filled with hands-on history fun in the Discovery Lab, 1880s Mankato diorama and an interactive pioneer cabin and barn. Admission charged.

TheHISTORIANS Saint John’s Bible Traveling Exhibition YOUNG : Explore History Through the Decades

at the History Center September 1, 2017 Hands-on History Workshops for Kids through 2nd Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. FREE.

Historic R.D. Hubbard House Experience Early 1900s Mankato

606 S. Broad Street, Mankato

September Hours: Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Explore the 16-room mansion of local flour mill giant R.D. Hubbard and his family, completed in 1905. Guided one-hour tours; admission charged.

BlueEarthCountyHistory.com | 507.345.5566 September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 21


Nosh

Chef Sarah

Fun things to do to promote water, per the National Drinking Water Alliance

What you need: juice pitcher, your favorite fruit, water & ice, and basil

Read the “Potter the Otter” Book. This illustrated story about an otter who loves to drink water was designed to educate parents, child care providers, and young children about how to make healthier beverage choices. Find the tale online at: www.pottertheotter.com. Sing Along to Andy Z’s “Drink More Water”. This original song and accompanying music video encourages children to drink more water. Children can learn the moves and dance along! Watch the video online at: http://bit.ly/1fZOKiL. Rethink-Your-Drink-Reducing-SugaryDrinks-in-Your-Diet Take a minute and think about what you drink in a typical day. Unless you are a true water lover, you may be getting some extra, unneeded calories through sodas, ice teas, energy and coffee drinks.

Step 1:

Decide on ingredients. We like citrus and berries best! For a ½ gallon, use one lemon, ½ cup raspberries and ½ cup blueberries. Adding basil or mint, especially if you have some in your garden, adds great color and zest!

Step 4:

Cover with cold water.

Step 3:

Fill your juice pitcher to the top with ice and fruit, veggies and herbs. Scrunch up the basil or other leafy herbs to release flavor.

Step 2:

Wash and cut fruit, veggies or herbs.

So, here are tips on how to switch to healthier drinks that can quench your thirst and still taste good! Step 5:

Patiently wait for greatness. The flavor is better if let the water infuse for at least 1 hour, and it is best if you can wait overnight.

Try different fruits and different colors. You can even use the same fruit for a second batch. Then the fruit can go into a smoothie or into the compost. With help from Friesen’s

22 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

Some research suggests that when you drink calories, you aren’t as satisfied compared to eating the same amount of calories in solid food.

• Read those ingredients – Beverages, like energy drinks, can be deceiving because they advertise that they are healthy but usually are loaded with calories and sugar. Common forms of added sugars are sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, corn syrups, concentrated fruit juice and honey. Also, look at the label carefully because one container may be considered more than one serving, which can double or triple your sugar consumption.


• Cut back slowly – If you have sugary drinks like sodas and sweetened teas on a regular basis, start cutting back now. Replace those drinks with the water suggestions next. • Work up to water – We often hear we should drink water every day, but that can seem like a challenge if you aren’t a big fan. Here’s how to crave more water: • Carry a refillable water bottle or have a permanent glass at your office desk. • Add slices of oranges, lemons or even cucumbers for an added boost of flavor. • Try seltzers or sparking water with a splash of 100% fruit juice. • Join the juicing trend –You may have seen infomercials for juicers or read articles about the benefits of making and drinking your own fruit and vegetable juices. These homemade juices can be OK – up to a point. First, it’s always better to eat produce instead of drinking it as you get fiber from the skin and pulp that can be strained out by a juicer. It’s easy for the calories in fruit juice to add up without even noticing. • Sip a smoothie – When you are in the mood for a milkshake or want an afternoon snack, keep on the heart healthy track with a budget-friendly homemade fruit smoothie! Blend ½ cup frozen fruit with no added sugars, ½ cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt with no added sugars and ½ cup low-fat milk. If you don’t have a blender, mix small pieces of fresh fruit with yogurt and milk, then freeze for an hour. Experiment with different fruit combinations like mango-pineapple or strawberry-blueberry. “Drinking enough water every day is good for overall health. As plain drinking water has zero calories, it can also help with managing body weight and reducing caloric intake when substituted for drinks with calories, like regular soda. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, constipation, and kidney stones.”

Beverages to limit

Drinks that are loaded with sugar are the worst choice; they contain a lot of calories and virtually no other nutrients. Consuming high-sugar drinks can lead to weight gain and increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and gout. • The average can of sugar-sweetened soda or fruit punch provides about 150 calories. If you were to drink just one can of a sugar-sweetened soft drink every day, and not cut back on calories elsewhere, you could gain up to 5 pounds in a year. (2) Cutting back on sugary drinks may help control your weight and may lower your

risk of type 2 diabetes. • Sports beverages are designed to give athletes carbs, electrolytes, and fluid during high-intensity workouts that last an hour or more. For other folks, they’re just another source of sugar and calories. • Energy drinks have as much sugar as soft drinks, enough caffeine to raise your blood pressure, and additives whose long-term health effects are unknown. For these reasons it’s best to skip energy drinks. Water is the one of the healthiest and most refreshing drinks. It has zero calories, no added sugar, and tastes great. In this video, you will learn about easy ways to add natural flavor to water using simple ingredients on hand in your refrigerator, freezer, or garden. Instead of loading up on sugary drinks, enjoy these tasty and healthy flavored waters instead. Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Healthy people meet their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking with meals. Most of your fluid needs are met through the water and beverages you drink. However, you can get some fluids through the foods that you eat. For example, broth soups and foods with high water content such as celery, tomatoes, or melons can contribute to fluid intake.

Water helps your body: • • • •

Keep your temperature normal Lubricate and cushion joints Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues Get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements

Your body needs more water when you are: • • • •

In hot climates More physically active Running a fever Having diarrhea or vomiting

If you think you are not getting enough water, these tips may help: • Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work of running errands. • Freeze some freezer safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long. • Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories. For example, during the school day students should have access to drinking water, giving them a healthy alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages. • Choose water when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories. • Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water. This can help improve the taste and help you drink more water than you usually do.

515 N Riverfront Drive • 507-345-4114 • info@friesensfood.com September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 23


BACK TO SCHOOL LONG AGO

This was West Mankato School in 1894. It was replaced by Roosevelt Elementary in 1927.

One-room school in LeRay Township, 1890s

When settlers first moved to Blue Earth County there were no schools. Children learned math and reading from their parents or other family members. People felt education was very important. As communities grew, land was set aside to build schools and money was saved to hire teachers. Large school buildings were built for the many students who lived in towns. Farm communities also built schools for their children, some which had only one room. In a one-room schoolhouse, children of all ages sat side-by-side in the same room and the teacher taught grades 1-8 all together!

Daily School Schedule

A long time ago, kids had many of the same school subjects as kids have now. A daily schedule included reading, history, recess or playtime, arithmetic (math), spelling, lunch, geography, writing, science, and grammar.

No Hot Lunch? Long ago kids brought their lunch to school in a pail or metal box and ate at their desk or outside. To keep the lunch warm, it was set next to the stove that heated the room. Schools long ago did not have kitchens or lunchrooms!

St. Clair School bus with driver and high school students, 1928.

Getting to School Long ago there were no school buses. Kids were expected to travel up to 4 to 5 miles a day and back again from their homes to their schools by walking, riding bikes or catching a ride.

School Supplies Long ago pens and paper were saved for adults. Students used slates and rock “pencils� (see above) to write on and rags for erasers. Once a little older, kids might use a homemade paper copy book and quill ink pen.

Blue Earth County History Center is located at 424 Warren Street, Mankato


Practice Your Penmanship!

Penmanship is the art of writing with your hand instead of typing. Cursive is a word for a type of loopy handwriting which connects all of the letters in a word. Long ago and even today school children learn to write in cursive. Trace over the cursive letters below. Can you write your name in cursive?

DID YOU KNOW? The three R’s all

children learn in school are Reading, wRiting and aRithmatic? Children were taught to recite things until they could pronounce them correctly and had memorized them.

Choir or choral exercises were a regular part of the school day. Students sang songs and recited poetry in groups as a fun way to practice reading out loud. Choir included folk and patriotic songs and long poems!

The school year was about a month shorter in the past than it is now, so students could help their family harvest crops. Many students graduated after the 8th grade and went to work. To be able to graduate, students had to pass a final examination.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Visit the Blue Earth County History Center to see desks and slates from long ago.

BlueEarthCountyHistory.com

507-345-5566


Healthy foods to nurture healthy minds Mankato Area Public Schools strives to provide the best nutrition to students because research shows that what children eat impacts behavior and school performance. Menus are planned according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) nutrition standards, which include meeting specific requirements for calories, fat, protein and sodium while also offering whole grain items, fruits and vegetables each day. Snack carts and vending machines contain Smart Snack approved foods which the USDA has made nutrition guidelines for, and high schools make salad bars available. Staff is aware of the impact high sugar consumption can have on students’ behavior and learning since it can temporarily impair short-term memory and hinder a student’s ability to pay attention and accomplish challenging school tasks. “We purchase reduced sugar foods, such as canned fruit packed in light syrup or cereals with less sugar when possible,” says Kelsey Rounds, nutrition wellness specialist. “We also offer 100 percent fruit juice and provide healthy treats, such as whole grain cookies or fruit smooth bars.” Since September is Hunger Action Month nationwide, it’s a good time to talk about food service in schools and its importance. Hunger Action Month is

designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness to stop hunger for youth and people in communities.

For more information, contact food services’ staff at 507-388-7442.

Pictured is a student making lunch choices in a Mankato Area Public Schools’ elementary cafeteria. Food services’ strives to provide excellent nutrition to students in support of research that shows what children eat impacts behavior and school performance.

A fresh salad bar is a daily choice at Mankato Area Public Schools’ middle and high schools.

26 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


507-387-1868 • maps@isd77.k12.mn.us Facebook Twitter

Answers to frequently asked questions about Mankato Area Public Schools’ operating referendum Why has the School Board called for an operating referendum? School districts need operating levies to cover the funding gap in the state aid formula. The district’s operating levy expires June 30, 2018. Mankato Area Public Schools’ enrollment continues to increase, and its projected student enrollment will grow an additional 800 students by 2021. What do operating funds go toward? Operating dollars cover three areas: people, programs and day-to-day operations. The investment contributes to community’s economic viability, including strong property values and livability. People • To help close the gaps and raise achievement for all students. • To help support students’ academic and social emotional needs. • To provide staffing needed to meet increasing enrollment. • To keep staff current as students’ and staff talents are developed. Programs • Helps keep programs current and ensure students: • are prepared for kindergarten. • are reading at grade level by third grade. • graduate in four years. • are career, college and life ready. Day-to-day operations • To support utilities, transportation and technology needs. What is the status of the district’s current operating referendum? The 2007 operating levy, which includes an annual inflationary increase, is expiring after the 2017-2018 school year. The vote will help secure funds for the 2018-2019 school year. What is the dollar amount for the operating referendum? An increase of $365 per student is being requested. With this increase, Mankato would remain below the Big 9 and statewide averages. This would generate an additional $3.2 million a year for 10 years.

What would the annual estimated property tax impact for $365 per student increase on operating referendum be? On a $200,000 property, the tax would be $10.86 a month or $130.28 per year. To determine estimated tax impact for a property, go to isd77.org and click “Quick links.” Ballot question The board of Independent School District No. 77 (Mankato Area Public Schools) has proposed to increase its referendum revenue authority to $724.61 per pupil. This proposed authorization would include an increase of $365 per pupil and would renew the school district’s existing authorization of $359.61 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2017. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2018, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Public meetings Public meetings to answer questions about the operating referendum will be held 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 12, at Dakota Meadows Middle School cafeteria, 1900 Howard Drive, N. Mankato; and Tuesday, October 17, East High School auditorium, 2600 Hoffman Road, Mankato. Current referendum amount per pupil School district Winona Northfield Rochester Red Wing Albert Lea Faribault Owatonna Mankato Austin Conference/state average Big 9 Conference State % below Big 9 average

Amount per pupil $1,952 $1,891 $1,447 $1,236 $1,215 $1,201 $1,136 $784 $767 Amount per pupil $1,292 $1,160 39%

This article was prepared and paid for by Independent School District No. 77 (Mankato Area Public Schools), 10 Civic Center Plaza, P.O. Box 8741, Mankato, MN 56001-8741. This information is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 27


ALPS “Active Learner Program in School” What is ALPS? A Program that will help our schools increase opportunities for children to walk and bike to school safely and promote being active before school and/or recess. Why is ALPS important?: • Brain Stimulation • Learning Readiness • Make use of idle minutes – before school and recess • Decrease occurrences of behavior issues before and during school • To reduce the obesity rate among our school age children Expected Results: An increase in: • Students walking to school • Students biking to school • Students participating in before students school fitness activities • Student readiness to learn • Students’ ability to focus on learning • Students’ attentiveness • Students’ fitness level

A decrease in: • Students’ behavior issues • Classroom interruptions • Time spent refocusing

When:Before School (15 Minutes before 1 st Bell) and/or Recess How: Schools will be offering opportunities for students to receive credit for riding bike to school, walking to school and being active on the ALPS Trail and/or Fitness Course.

EXERCISE! 60 Minute Goal ~ Total Active Minutes per Day Walk or Bike to School g Physical Education Class g Recess g Before School Exercises g JAMmin Minute This program is supported in partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System.

28 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


507-387-1868 • maps@isd77.k12.mn.us Facebook Twitter

Promoting social emotional competence By Sara Frederick In the five years since implementing social and emotional elements and friendship building skills into their preschool curriculum, Joan Morrison and Ann Schmitz have seen many changes in the children they work with. “They’re forming more friendships in the classroom,” says Schmitz, who is the Early Childhood Special Education coordinator for the Mankato Area Public Schools. “And they have a better ability to self-regulate and monitor their own behaviors.”

propriate in different situations and with different individuals. “It starts with the relationships formed between teachers, children, families and staff and goes up from there,” Morrison explains. “As you move up in the levels, then the response becomes more intense.”

the case.

The ultimate outcome is to have children who are better prepared to start kindergarten. Both Morrison and Schmitz report that they have heard that’s

For more information contact Mankato Area Public Schools at 507-387-1868.

“We would say that it does help them to be ready to be active learners in kindergarten,” Schmitz says. “Social and emotional development is one of the top indicators of a child being ready to succeed.”

Morrison, who is the preschool supervisor for the district, says the Pyramid Model, which provides a framework for teaching social, emotional and relational skills, is embedded in the curriculum being used in the district’s preschool settings. The goal is to promote social emotional competence in children between the ages of three and five by providing ways for teachers to respond to behaviors in a positive manner. The pyramid provides differing levels of intervention that are ap-

This graphic of the Pyramid Model illustrates how responses to behaviors change throughout the process. September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 29


The One 1 By E. M. James

T

his was it. The air smelled of damp grass and rich dirt. It was quiet, much quieter than Banksville. I looked back, but saw nothing but the thick forest and rotting logs. My Father and Mother were inside the cottage, where the owner of the big farmhouse was talking to them about the rules. I had never seen the big farmhouse or the owner of it before, and now that I had, I was even more devastated that we weren’t moving into it. “Inger! Come along now Inger! We must stay inside. Come along!” Said Xylia, my elder sister. I saw Edric, my younger brother, walking out of the cottage. Xylia picked him up. “Mother said! You know what will happen if the Mr. and Mrs. find us outside. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back. I glanced at the farmhouse, until it disappeared behind the cottage door. I’d never seen the cottage, and I wish I never had. It was dark, damp, and musty. I saw mother working over a little

stove, her wooden spoon burning in the pot. Father was reading to Pollyanna, my eldest sister. Edric had fallen asleep in Xylia’s arms, and Grandmother was knitting on a log. It was a great clan, all of us crammed into one small hut when there was a farmhouse just next to us. I looked down at the floor, but realized there wasn’t one, just the dirt and grass. Mother nudged my shoulder. I turned to see her holding a steaming bowl of soup. I could not believe that she’d managed to make her chicken soup without any chicken. Turns out she’d snuck some from the Mr.’s pocket. We ate, then we slept, in the same bed. All of us. We went by order of age: Grandmother, Mother, Father, Pollyanna, Xylia, me, and then Edric. I didn’t sleep at all. The next morning, I’d decided to make a plan. I’d only spent one night in that cottage and I hated it. I’m always the first one to wake up, so I could hatch my plan in secret. I walked up to the big farmhouse. I pressed my hand against the wood of the door, and it creaked open. The farmhouse was magnificent! The sofas were pink and were woven with silk threads, there

30 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

were end tables made of ivory. The parlor was filled with china and a chestnut table was covered with a blue table cloth made of satin. I decided to go upstairs before I became too befuddled. I searched for the master bedroom, and found it at last. It was gorgeous! The Mr. and Mrs. were sleeping in the bed. I put my plan to work. After I had completed everything, I returned to my cottage, and slumbered for the last few hours before six o’clock. Mother woke up first, and ran over to the farmhouse and rang the bell. I’d gone over with her to help cook breakfast. The Mr. rang on the telephone, telling us what he and the Mrs. wanted for breakfast. We began with tea and coffee, and I shot it up the dumbwaiter along with several pieces of buttered toast with Marmite. Before we could even start on the roast mutton and egg sandwiches, we heard the Mrs. scream. We hurried upstairs to see what had happened. Sure enough, the Mrs. had stepped right into my trap. Two of her curlers had fallen and were now stuck to her hands with a mixture of honey, syrup, and bat guano.


She looked as though she was about to be sick. Her slippers and night dress were covered in the sticky mixture. I had to pretend I was coughing so as not to laugh. “Vicki, oh Vicki dear, do you have my coffee? I’m starved!” It sounded as though the Mr. was about to come and see the mess, did I say mess, I meant beauty that I’d made. He opened the door. He looked down, he looked at his wife, he looked at me and mother. He did that three more times before he rushed back into his bedroom and into the water closet. We heard him vomiting. He walked out looking weak and pale. Then he used the last of his strength to grab Mother by her wrist and say, “You and your wretched family did this to us. Get me my coffee, and get OUT!!” He pushed mother back into the sticky mixture. She started to cry. I looked up at the couple, and gave them a good stare. Then I stepped forwards, grabbed the Mr. by the wrist, and said, “You and your wretched wife did this to us!” I pointed at Mother. “Never come between me and my family again. Let me explain something to you, and I’ll use small words so you’ll be able to understand. Either you let me and my family stay here with you in your farmhouse, or I’ll kick you out.” “Ha! She’s bluffing! She’s only a child!” The Mrs. said. I turned her around and pushed her into the sticky stuff. I helped mother up, through all of this never letting go of the Mr.’s wrist. I threw Mother into the bedroom, and said, “Mother, find some nice

clothes for the family, throw the dirty ones on the bed.” I waited for Mother to return, all the while I looked at the Mrs. with cold eyes. Mother emerged with several pieces of fine clothing. She handed me a dress, and walked away. When we returned to the house, we told everyone that we were finally getting our dream house. Grandma cried, Edric smiled, Pollyanna didn’t look up from her book, and Mother and Father were kissing. Twenty years ago, when I was only at the age of eleven, I saved my family. We were starving, and living in a tiny cottage right on the side of a farmhouse, the farmhouse in which I am living. I am married, and have six children, Rosy is fifteen, Jack and Jaquelin are twelve, Collin is ten, Pollyanna is six, and little Felix is three months. My husband, Norman, spoils our children. He gives them whatever they want, whenever they want it. I love him anyways. I wanted to record this day because the Mr. and Mr. Arole are coming for supper. Oh, and speaking of moving, a little girl named Eva has just moved into the house next door to me with her three cats, Oliver, Spook and Shaker, and her mother and stepfather, Anna and Andy. She’s a really sweet little girl, slightly spoiled but very loving her best friends are at her old school, and one girl in particular by the name of Bella, lives across the street from her mother’s new home! “I think I’m going to like it here!” Said Eva.

Kid-oh! Magazine, Friesen’s Bakery and the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota are planning a Fall event!

Join us to learn how to eat healthy and eat locally! We will be serving a kid’s style Farm-to-Table dinner at the Children’s Museum, all locally sourced and hand-prepared by Chef Sarah at Friesen’s. Please watch the Kid-oh! Facebook page for more details. If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Greer at jgreer@mankatofreepress.com.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 31


Wide Legged Standing Forward Fold

Begin standing up and step the feet wide apart, wider than the hips. Put a little bend in the knees and fold forward from the hips. Hands come to the floor. Relax the back of the head, by looking back between your legs. Legs can have a bend, slight bend or none at all, depending on your flexibility.

Benefits of Wide legged standing forward fold:

• Strengthens and stretches the inner and back legs and the spine • Tones the abdominal organs • Calms the brain • Relieves mild backache

Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose Start standing, get your balance and pick up one foot. Bend the knee so you can grab the big toe of the foot that is off the ground. Once you got your big toe, extend the leg that is in the air and open it up out to the side. Try to keep the hips level and the standing leg straight.

Benefits of Extended hand to big toe pose: • Strengthens the legs and ankles • Stretches the backs of the legs • Improves sense of balance 32 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


Gena Heminover:

Yoga

Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and mother of two girls, Elea age 6 (pictured) and Ava age 3 (pictured). Teaches yoga at Fitness For $10, private lessons and at other places in Mankato. Specializing in Kids Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa and Advanced Yoga. Find me on Instagram at ‘Gena Heminover Yoga’ and Facebook at ‘Gena Heminover Wellness’ https://www.facebook.com/ genaheminoverwellness Website: GenaHeminover.com Or email: heminoveryoga@yahoo.com

Tips for Kids: • -Kids naturally have a short attention span so keep each pose under 30 seconds. -If they are old enough have them help you count to 10 while holding the pose. -Allow your child to play around with their body positioning in each pose. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it should be FUN!

Head to Knee Forward Bend Start in a seated position on the floor. Extend one leg straight out in front and bend the other in so the bottom of the foot is against the thigh of the other extended leg. Turn to face the extended leg. Sit up tall and lean forward to reach the toes of the extended leg in front.

Benefits of Head to Kneed Forward Bend:

• Calms the brain and helps relieve mild depression • Stretches the spine, shoulders, hamstrings, and groins • Stimulates the liver and kidneys • Improves digestion • Relieves anxiety, fatigue, headache September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 33


Making a difference... one child at a time. Main Clinic

150 St. Andrews Ct, Suite 310 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-388-KIDS (5437) Fax: (507) 388-2108 General E-Mail: ptskids@kidtherapy.com

Satellite Clinic

Pediatric Therapy Services Children’s Health Center 1421 Premier Drive, Mankato, MN 56001 Therapy sessions at Satellite office are by appointment only.

www.kidtherapy.com Pediatric Therapy Services

has been making a difference in the lives of children for the past 25 years. We continue to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy for the children in a kid friendly environment. As we have grown, our mission remains unchanged: Making a difference…one child at a time. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call 507-388-KIDS (5437)

34 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. Making a difference... one child at a time


Tackling the picky-eating stage one meal at a time Ben Dexter, MD | Mankato Clinic Pediatrician

I

f you’re a parent, it’s likely that you’ve dealt with your child refusing to eat foods that they previously devoured the day before, or simply eating less of the food than before. In most cases, picky eating is a typical behavior for many kids and is a step in the process of growing up because children are setting their own boundaries while learning the word ‘no.’ A vast majority of kids will have some food preferences and most go through the phase of being a picky eater during their toddler years. While it can persist until school age, as well as the occasion of reaching until adulthood, most children will grow out of the picky eating stage. Until that happens, there are some tips that parents can use to help their child eat a balanced diet. • Serve meals and snacks at the same time every day: get in the habit of having your child eat three meals and two snacks a day by setting up a routine. If they don’t eat everything offered at either breakfast, lunch or dinner, a snack will offer them another opportunity to eat nutritious food during the day. • Make meals family time: having your child sit at the table with the rest of the family for the entire meal encourages them to eat with the family. • Don’t prepare another meal: if your child is a picky eater, it causes more stress to the parent

to be a short order cook by making dinners for everyone in the family. By doing that, it actually reinforces the child’s picky eating behavior. What you can do instead, is pair foods your child doesn’t like with foods that they do. If they’re not hungry, don’t force them to eat everything on their plate. • Set a good example: the more excitement and enjoyment over fruits and vegetables you show, the more likely your child will want to eat them, or at least try them, too! • Reintroduce foods: it’s important to reintroduce foods that children have rejected because sometimes it’s not coming from a taste preference, it can be them simply saying ‘no.’ Try mixing a vegetable or fruit with one that they do like. • Allow them to help: depending on your child’s age, recruit them to help pick out foods at the grocery store and help you with food preparation in the kitchen. It can help make food time more fun for your little one and will make foods more interesting for them. • Make the food different: if you want your child to eat their veggies but they don’t like green bean or broccoli, change up the food’s color to make it more interesting. You can also cut foods into shapes, like Mickey Mouse pancakes, or incorporate a smiley face on a casserole.

• Offer a variety: when it comes to snacks, offer a wide variety of foods from each food group by incorporating fruits, vegetables, meats and grains. The number one thing to remember for the toddler age group is to make sure the food is not a choking hazard. • Know the red flags: there are risk factors for true oral aversion and are more often seen in children who were born prematurely or were fed by a feeding tube for a significant portion of their life. Look for poor weight gain, vomiting, choking or heaving at meals and complete food aversion to a certain food group. If you’re worried about picky eating or concerned there could be a larger issue, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to assess your worries about your child’s eating.

Dr. Dexter joined the Mankato Clinic in 2017. He both received her medical degree and completed his Pediatric residency at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA. His clinical interests include general pediatrics. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is board certified in pediatrics. In his spare time, Dr. Dexter likes to read, spend time with family and friends, go for walks with his dog and exercise.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 35


s e i r o m e M

Make

AT THE The month of October is all about harvest at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota!

Gather at 224 Lamm Street in downtown Mankato from September 30 through October 31 and make memories as you celebrate fall. Meet farm animals and learn how to care for them, what they eat and where they live, what they are used for, and more. Learn about farming, explore and sample the crops growing in the Museum gardens, run through the Toddler Maze, and play in the Corn and Soybean Pits. The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is the place to be, fall after fall!

224 Lamm Street, Mankato

www.cmsouthernmn.org • info@cmsouthernmn.org

507.386.0279

Admission: $8 per person; free for 12 months and under Annual memberships start at $105 per family Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:30 pm Closed on Mondays 36 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


Vehicle Fair September 30

Come kick off the Museum’s third annual Harvest Festival with the Vehicle Fair at the Children’s Museum! There will be a variety of farming and construction vehicles on the Museum’s campus. Explore tractors, tree service vehicles, haul and dump trucks, bulldozers, extractors, and other vehicles and equipment that can help at a farm. The Vehicle Fair will run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm and will be bigger than ever! This is a free event located in the parking lot and boulevard, while regular admission rates apply to the Museum indoor and outdoor galleries. Make sure to arrive early to receive a free T-shirt that will be available on a first come, first served basis! September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 37


Harvest Festival: Soaking in the Fall Sun Summertime at the Children’s Museum is always fun, but there is something so special about the fall in the seasonal outdoor exhibits. Come explore the outdoor areas to connect with the way seed, sun, and water work to help plants, animals, and people thrive. During this time, Museum visitors have an opportunity to help with the corn and soybean harvest, as well as to find out what these crops might be used for. Visitors can also help with the final harvesting of the garden beds, which then need to be prepared for winter. Child-sized wheelbarrows, rakes, hoes, and shovels see a lot of use in September and October! Apples will be maturing on the Connell Red Apple Tree, mini pumpkins and gourds should be decorating the fences, and locally grown pumpkins will be brought in for decoration and sale. The shelves in the AgLab will be used to accumulate harvested crops and dried herbs. Visitors can observe how the Three Sisters Garden beds have matured and learn whether the seeds can be saved for next year. The Oneida White Corn, Hopi Black Turtle Beans, and Hubbard Squash were all planted using seeds from 2016 harvest! Some seed samples will be on display in the AgLab, too. The Museum’s Ridley Farm Animal Program takes a break for the season after Labor Day, but will make a special appearance during Harvest Festival weekends. Watch the Museum’s website and Facebook page for updates on these programs, and make sure to mark your calendar for a visit from the Dairy Princess, dairy calves, ponies, and alpacas. The Dairy Princess visit will take place on October 7, when children and their caregivers will be able to make butter to sample and take home. On October 19, during Thursday Night at the Museum, Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP will provide a great popcorn experience. Help harvest the popcorn in the Farmyard, then sample freshly-made kettle corn. Last year, visitors had a great time picking the small cobs of popcorn. Don’t forget to have some extra outdoor fun in the Dotson Back 40, an exhibit overflowing with the feel of a forgotten field that children can make their own. There are tree stumps and hollows, and a knoll to climb and roll down. Build a fort with sticks, stones, burlap, and rope, or sit down and share a story with new friends on the big rock. This outdoor exhibit offers endless play possibilities and an abundance of fenced-in freedom. 38 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


A Cow-Tastic Exhibit! How much water does a dairy cow drink every day? What do dairy cows sleep on? What do they eat? Opening for Harvest Festival, the Children’s Museum will offer a new exhibit, a scale model dairy barn, in which children will have an opportunity to care for dairy cows. This hands-on exploration will include managing manure, controlling the climate in the barn, and keeping cows comfortable on various types of bedding. Children will be able to take on the role of a dairy farmer and feed and water the cows, as well as put them on pasture in this new exhibit. The Dairy Barn Exhibit is sponsored by Nicollet County Dairy Producers, Brown County Dairy Producers, Waseca County Dairy Association, and Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture.

National 4-H week National 4-H week is October 1 through 7 and celebrates 4-H youth by sharing their stories and recognizing their commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The Children’s Museum will help celebrate by offering a special discount to 4-H members during the week: 4-H members wearing their 4-H T-shirt, hat, headband, or badge will get to enjoy the exhibits, galleries, and activities within the Museum for half price. During this time, the Museum will have 4-H projects from the Blue Earth and Nicollet County Fairs on display.

Calling all LEGO Lovers! The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is excited to be hosting FIRST LEGO League Jr. teams again this fall. This hands-on program is designed to capture young children’s curiosity and direct it toward discovering how science and technology impact the world around them. Each year, teams tackle a themed challenge and use their discoveries to help them build a LEGO model and the Show Me Poster to share with others. The Museum will host teams of students in grades K-3, and practices and showcase activities will take place at the Museum. Practices start in October and run through December. More information is available on the Museum’s website. September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 39


Mayo Clinic at the Museum

Join Mayo Clinic at the Children’s Museum for a variety of health and wellness-related activities designed to help your family have a healthy fall! Watch for ways you and your family can get active, connect with others, and explore new foods. Also, families who have children with special needs or sensory challenges are invited to the Special Needs Accessibility Playtime on Friday, October 27. This evening will feature a limited number of visitors, sensory accommodations, and pediatric and nutrition providers to answer questions.

Special Needs Accessibility Playtime Playing, experimenting, and learning at the Museum is exciting for children of all ages. When there is a large number of visitors moving around the exhibits and galleries and levels of excitement, enthusiasm, or sound are at a higher level, the experience can be overwhelming for some children, who may seek quieter times to enjoy a positive Museum experience. Special Needs Accessibility Playtime is designed for children who experience sensory challenges or special needs. During these events, families may explore the Museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibit areas and engage in a variety of activities, all during a time when fewer Museum visitors are present. Sensory accommodations, such as sound-muffling headphones or bean bag chair in quiet spaces, are also available. Thanks to the sponsorship support of groups and organizations such as the Downtown Kiwanis, Southern Minnesota Autism Coalition, and Mayo Clinic Health System, Special Needs Accessibility Playtime is offered to families free of charge and is available quarterly, on the fourth Friday of the month. Please join us for the next Special Needs Accessibility Playtime on Friday, October 27, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm. If you would like to prepare your child for a visit, please check out the Museum’s Social Story at

http://www.cmsouthernmn.org/accordion-single/sensory/

40 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


Celebrate at the Museum!

It’s time for indoor birthday parties and the Museum offers a fun and unique experience! Choose a theme and bring your family and friends over for a party you will never forget. There is a variety of options for groups of different ages, sizes, and interests. The Museum’s birthday party packages include the use of a celebration space, table coverings and decorations, and a staff member to help plan and host the party. Blow out your candles, then play in the Museum’s indoor and outdoor galleries.

Are you a member? Buying a membership is the best way to save: for only $105, two adults and all the children living at the same house get to play at the Museum for one whole year over and over and over again! Choose from a variety of options, from Family and Grandparent to Passport Memberships, which include 50% off admission at more than 200 participating children’s museums in the U.S. and Canada.

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 41


Y I D Back-to-School locker organizer Create a DIY Back to School locker organizer using decorative washi tape and some old cardboard snack containers.

Supplies • Empty cartons (left over cracker boxes, mandarin orange tins and any other narrow small recycled container work just great) don’t use glass containers because they could fall and break. • Clip Board • Clothes Pins • Washi Tape • Scissors • Chalk Board Paint • Magnets • Hot Glue Gun • Chalk and an old sock 42 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


2. Cut the bottom of the boxes so that they are about 4 inches tall. I am using one box and one tin so that the locker isn’t over crowded.

Instructions: 1. Paint the clip board with the chalkboard paint and let it dry.

3. Wrap the tape over and around the surface of the boxes and the tins and just inside the rim. You may wish to use a credit card or the back of a spoon to make sure the tape gets into every corner.

Brought to you by

4. Paint or washi tap the clothes pins. 5. After the paint is dry on the clip board, hot glue magnets to all of the items and let dry.

6. Arrange your items within your locker to help you stay organized throughout the school year! September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 43


Paper Dolls Carefully Cut-Out Paper Dolls

44 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017


To make your paper dolls more durable: First look in the recycle for an old cereal box and glue the page of paper dolls on the cereal box. Next, when the glue is dry, carefully cut out dolls and outfits. Now you should be ready to play!

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 45


Q:

What gives a bubble nightmares in school?

Q:

A. Pop quiz!

Jokes

Q:

What makes a Cyclops such an effective teacher?

Why was school easier for cave people?

A. He has only one pupil.

Q:

What does a thesaurus eat for breakfast?

A. Gladys the weekend— no homework!

Why did the broom get a poor grade in school?

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Gladys. Gladys, who?

A. A synonym roll.

A. Because there was no history to study!

Q

:

Q:

Q: What is a math teacher’s favourite dessert?

A. Because it was always sweeping during class!

A. Pi!

Q:

Why was the teacher Q: wearing sunglasses Why did the M&M to school? go to school?

Q: How many letters are in the alphabet?

A. The ruler.

Why is it dangerous to do math in the jungle? A. Because when you add four and four you get ate (eight). 46 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

Q:

What’s the difference between a teacher and a train? A. A teacher says, “Spit out that gum!” and a train says, “Chew! Chew!”

Q:

What do you get when you cross a teacher and a vampire? A. Lots of blood tests!

A. She had bright students!

A. Because he really wanted to be a Smartie!

What’s the king of all school supplies?

A. 11, T-H-E A-L-P-H-A-B-E-T.

Q:

Q:


Maria Weimert -6


MUSICAL

MELODY WORD SEARCH

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally & diagonally throughout the puzzle.

WORDS ADAGIO ALLEGRO ALTO BASS BEAT

CADENCE CANNON CHORD CHORUS CLEF CONTRALTO DUET ENCORE

48 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

ENSEMBLE FALSETTO HARMONY KEY MAJOR MINOR MODULATION MUSIC

OCTAVE PITCH REPRISE RHYTHM SCALE SINGING SOLO SPEED

STAFF SYMBOLS TEMPO TENOR TUNING VIBRATO VOCALS See Solution on Page 52


Maria Weimert -6


SEEK & FIND Can you find the hidden objects in the picture?

50 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

See Solution on Page 52


September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 51


PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

MUSICAL

MELODY WORD SEARCH

It Pays to Bank Where You're Part Owner! ®

YES. YOU. CAN.

Mortgage Auto Savings Checking Small Business 2 Mankato Locations Over 5,000 Locations Nationwide www.mnvalleyfcu.coop 507-387-3055

52 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

SEEK & FIND


Back -toSchool SQUARES Take turns drawing straight lines between two dots. If your line completes a box, write your initials inside. The person with the most points at the end oif the game wins! Use the key below to keep score.

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Mankato’s Classical Christian School Kindergarten through Grade 8

388-4336 2101 Lor Ray Drive North Mankato

• Christ centered education • Strong academic curriculum • Small classes, personal attention • Caring professional teachers • Music, Spanish & Latin instruction • Hot lunch program • District 77 busing • Affordable Tuition

goodshepherdmankato.org/school

TODDLER & PRESCHOOL OPENINGS!

Empty Box = 1 point Apple = 2 points Notebook = 3 points Full-Day Child care For Infant, Toddler and Preschool Age Children

Call now for a tour!

625-2141

Spaces are filling fast! 300 Madison Ave. mankatolittlestars.com

OLD TOWN MANKATO 615 N. RIVERFRONT DR. TUES—FRI. 10-6 SAT. 10-4 SOMETIMES SUN. 12-4 SALVAGESISTERSMERCANTILE

SALVAGESISTERSMANKATO

keepsake gifts for your little SALVAGESISTERSMERCANTILE.COM

September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 53


» G R E AT G OL F,

great meetings.

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Golf Trail. To book your next outing,

away from the office for a great golf getaway or an off-site meeting, plan your visit to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The best part about the Trail is you don’t have to break the bank to play world-class golf. »»

call 800.949.4444 today and visit rtjgolf.com to learn more.


MANKATO BALLET COMPANY MANKATO BALLET COMPANY FALL CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 6TH for Dancers Ages 3 to Adult

Open Enrollment All Year Long To Register go to: www.mankatoballet.org Mankato Ballet Company offers classes in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and World Fusion.

Try our Bitty Ballet and Teeny Tappers classes on Monday mornings for ages 2-4. Itty Bitty Dance Classes are offered for these little dancers to attend with a parent or caregiver. Classes are 4 weeks long for 30 minutes each time. Dancers will learn dance concepts, rhythm and coordination. Fall Itty Bitty classes begin October 2nd.

REGISTER ONLINE Come see our dancers in The Nutcracker!

register for all these classes online through our website at

www.mankatoballet.org

for more information or if you have questions email us at: info@mankatoballet.org

phone: 507.625.7716

studio address: 731 South Front Street, Mankato MN September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 55


20758 528th Ave., Lake Crystal | 507-726-6562

APPLE FEST 2017 ACTIVITIES

Come out and have the orchard experience first hand during our Fall events in September and October. U-Pick apples available daily! Call 507-726-6562 for exact times. September 23,

October 14 & 15 Photos in the Orchard

September 24 TOUR DAY

Check out our operation from front to back. Learn how we pack, peel, and turn our delicious apples into homemade pies!

September 30 & October 7

October 8 (Noon-4pm) Reindeer in the Orchard

Visit the reindeer from “Crystal Collection Reindeer” at the orchard. They are fuzzy, furry, cute and cuddly – how can you go wrong?

Horse Play

Mini Horses and Draft Horses will be out at the farm for kids and October 14 adults to enjoy. Kids will be able to pet the Kids Craft Time Bring the family in for Mini Horses and the with Lois & Mary that perfect fall photo Draft Horses will be -Apple Head Dollswith ID Photography. pulling families around 10a.m. - 6p.m. October 22 in a wagon. 15 minute session Sample Day 5 Digital images We will be sampling a Photo print release little bit of everything online gallery - Apple Cider Donuts,

50 + Tax

$

Shipping & handling not included www.intuitiondesignphotography .com/fall-in-the-orchard2017

56 • Kid-oh! | September/October 2017

Apple Pies, Popcorn, Jams, Jellies, Apple Butter and lots of cheese!

October 29 6th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

Carve a pumpkin for a chance to win $100 cash and other prizes. Sign up at least five days prior. Call store for details.


September/October 2017 | Kid-oh! • 57


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