Dayton Parent September 2014

DAYTON

PARENT daytonparentmagazine.com

SEPTEMBER 2014 FREE

educational road trips

becoming a

foster parent manners...

YES PLEASE! DAYTON PARENT’S

KIDS FUN FEST

*

private school

ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 1

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SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 3

contents

private school

ISSUE

table of contents

features

10

12 15

pg.

// SEPTEMBER 2014

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Private School Guide

WHICH PRIVATE SCHOOL IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE

pg.

MANNERS...YES PLEASE!

16 TACKLING CHILDHOOD OBESITY 20

EDUCATIONAL ROAD TRIPS

28

AFTER SCHOOL DIRECTORY

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BECOMING A BIG BROTHER/

BIG SISTER OR FOSTER PARENT

Tackling Childhood Obesity

columns 22

pg.

20

Educational Road Trips

16

23

6

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

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ONLINE BUZZ

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

36

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

38

ONGOING EVENTS

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WACKY CALENDAR

on the cover

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A STAY-AT-HOME DAD

FOOTNOTES: THOUGHTS FROM THE MARGINS OF A MOM’S LIFE

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ASK THE TEACHER

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THE MODERN MILITARY PARENT

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in every issue

33

IS THIS OKAY TO EAT?

35

SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS

CLARE

(4 Years Old) photo by: JIll Clark Photography

KIDS FEST

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 5

publisher’s note

DAYTON

Happy Anniversary to Us!

PARENT PUBLISHER

Mary Wynne Cox | Mary@daytonparentmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & SALES DIRECTOR

Katy Mark | Katy@daytonparentmagazine.com

EDITOR

Susan Bryant | Susan@daytonparentmagazine.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

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OW! They say “time flies when you’re having fun” and that couldn’t be more true as we celebrate our first year anniversary of Dayton Parent. It seems like just yesterday when I saw my own two girls on the cover of our premiere issue. They’ve grown considerably in the last year and so have we – thanks to new readers and local businesses like you.

In fact, we’d like to thank you for your support by having you join us on Saturday, September 27th from 1-4 pm at Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Kettering for our Kid’s Fun Fest event! We’ll provide the fun – you just come and enjoy the day with us! We’ll have inflatables, balloon artists, face painters, tons of booths including Channel 2, YMCA, Boonshoft, Dayton Metro Library, Laser Quest, Spark Art, Hand 2 Hand Gymnastics, Ashley’s Pastries and many more. Hang out with Gem from the Dayton Dragons and participate in our mock cover photos and COVER KID CONTEST. The best part – it’s all FREE! As we enter our second year of publication, we hope that you’ll let us know what you’d like to see in future issues. We truly want to reflect the interests of our readers and be a community resource of information and a “go to” guide of family fun activities in the Dayton area. I hope you’ll feel free to contact me with your comments and suggestions.

We love you Dayton!

Jennifer Baum | Jennifer@daytonparentmagazine.com Katie Clark | Katie@daytonparentmagazine.com Diane DeVillez | Diane@daytonparentmagazine.com

WEB DEVELOPER

Wendy Cox | Wendy@daytonparentmagazine.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Jennifer Beahrs | Jbeahrs@daytonparentmagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Maria Tancredi | Maria@daytonparentmagazine.com

BUSINESS MANAGER

Roxanne Burns | Roxanne@daytonparentmagazine.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Wendy Schrepherman | S.Wendy@daytonparentmagazine. com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michelle Shirk, Megan Noel, Wendy Schrepferman, Jennifer Garcia, Sarah Bricker-Hunt ,Pete Gilbert, Deb Krupowicz, Kelly Blewett, Molly Blake, Morgan Beagle of Dayton Children’s Hospital, Lisa Seibert of DaytonLocal.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

calendar@daytonparentmagazine.com

CONTACT US

daytonparent@daytonparentmagazine.com

COPYRIGHT

Dayton Parent Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2014 by Midwest Parenting Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of products, commentary, or services herein.

For information on subscriptions, editorial guidelines, advertising rates and more, visit daytonparentmagazine.com

Katy Mark

Associate Publisher

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online buzz f

WE ASKED: WHAT’S YOUR CHILD’S FAVORITE VEGETABLE? LEAST FAVORITE?

Vegetable?? What’s that!!! Ugggg!!! :( -Maggie C.

“

“

“

I, personally, struggle with accepting corn and potatoes as vegetables. That being said... My kids (1yo, 3yo, 4.5yo, and 6yo) love broccoli, carrots, and peas. They struggle with cucumber, squash, and kale.

-Heather J.

“

Asparagus is my 2 year old daughter’s favorite, she eats a whole bundle if I let her!

-Dani G.

“

“

online buzz

«

@

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DAYTON LOCAL

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 7

community spotlight community spotlight

Dayton Parent Magazine’s 1st Anniversary KID’S FUN FEST!

Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association’s Buddy Walk The MVDSA Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society to promote Down Syndrome Awareness and the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk is an inspirational and educational one mile walk that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of those with Down Syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does or just want to show your support, come and join the Buddy Walk in Dayton. Go to www.mvdsa.org for more information! Date: Saturday, September 13th | Location: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson, Dayton

URS 11th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta Ready, Set..... GET YOUR DUCK ON at Riverscape Metropark at the 11th Annual United Rehabilitation Services’ Rubber Duck Regatta. Twenty thousand rubber ducks will be dropped from the Patterson Street Bridge for a race to the finish for seven great prizes including a Houseboat Vacation on Norris Lake, $1,500 Travel Voucher from AAA, $1,000 to Kroger and more. This family-friendly event takes place during The Taste of Miami Valley and all proceeds benefit programs for children and adults with disabilities right here in the Miami Valley!

Get your duck at www.daytonducks.com, call 937-235DUCK or visit local Kroger Stores or Jersey Mike’s Sub Shops. Adopt your duck in the race for only $5 or get 6 ducks for $25 and a free sub from Jersey Mike’s. The “Quacky Kid’s Parade” begins at 4:00 pm and the Big Drop starts at 4:30 pm. See you there! Date: Saturday, September 13th | Time: 4:00 pm | Location: Riverscape Metropark, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

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Do you like to have fun? Is it even better when it’s FREE? We’re celebrating our first anniversary and want to thank all of our wonderful readers, fans and local businesses who have helped make Dayton Parent such a success. Come join the fun with over 50 booths of activities, games, drawings and giveaways. Kids can have their face painted, jump on the inflatables, visit Gem from the Dayton Dragons, get a picture with a fairy tale character or super hero, have a mock photo taken in our magazine cover kid contest and so much more. We hope to see you there! Date: Saturday, September 27th | Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm | Location: Five Seasons Family Sports Club, 4242 Clyo Rd. Bellbrook, OH

Come to the Circus!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze!®, the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth. Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage.

As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery. Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance. Tickets start at $15. Visit www.nuttercenter. com for more information. Dates: September 25th through September 28th | Location: Ervin J. Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.

Brigid’s Path The Miami Valley has a new non-profit that will care for drug-exposed newborns. Co-founders of Brigid’s Path, Deanna Murphy and Jill Kingston, have teamed up to create a state-of-the-art facility for babies who need a home-like setting and individualized care for their unique needs.

Brigid’s Path is located at 3601 S. Dixie Drive in Miamisburg. Dr. Marc Belcastro, Director of Miami Valley NICU, and Lisa Jasin, Nurse Practitioner from Dayton Children’s, are on staff to help Brigid’s Path provide 24-hour care for babies as they wean from prenatal drug exposure.

Partnering with community organizations in the Miami Valley, Brigid’s Path will also offer education for caregivers and connect families to services to learn about caring for these infants. For more information or to make a donation to the babies who will be served at Brigid’s Path, please visit brigidspath.org or call 937-350-1785.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 9

which private

school is right for your child?

What to consider to ensure a good fit Sarah Bricker-Hunt

If you’re thinking about choosing a private school education for your student, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of quality programs in our area. Considering that this is a decision that will affect your whole family, finding the right match is essential. As Eddy Zakes, Director of Advancement at Dayton Christian School System, says, picking the right school is a big deal. “By the time your child finishes high school, they will have spent nearly 17,000 hours in classrooms being taught not only information, but philosophies, theories and perspectives that shape and mold the world views they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

What are the most important factors to take into account during your selection process? Following a few simple steps can get you headed in the right direction.

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Start online Begin your search by accessing the many online resources available regarding private schools.

Check out privateschoolreview. com, where information about student/teacher ratios, cost, diversity, acceptance rates and other key factors is presented in an easy-to-compare format.

Once you’ve narrowed down the list, it’s time to reach out to schools.

Ask about the environment Every school has a unique vibe. For example, Susan Strong, Director of Enrollment at The Miami Valley School, describes their atmosphere as “energetic.” She says, “It’s a feeling you get when you walk on campus. The students are clearly happy to be here – many consider it their second home. It is never boring and very imaginative.”

Zakes says the environment at Dayton Christian is diverse, with a focus on faith. “We currently have 276 different churches represented in our school family,” he says, “but we are united in our love for Christ and God’s Word, a love for learning and a love for others.”

To get a good sense of a school’s environment, try observing multiple settings like different classrooms, lunch breaks, recess, extra-curricular activites and fine arts programs, if possible.

Learn about the school’s mission and philosophy Each private school promotes a core mission that is woven into most aspects of student life, from curriculum choices to free time offerings. (See the Private Schools Guide in this issue for the philosophy descriptions of many private schools in our area.)

It is important to select a school where the mission appeals to your family’s values.

Not surprisingly, a focus on religious education is key at Dayton Christian.

Zakes cites a biblically integrated curriculum and the tenets of Christianity as integral parts of his school’s mission.

The Miami Valley School’s philosophy shines a light on its college-prep focus and highlights four core values integral to the school’s overarching mission: integrity, celebration, grit and kindness.

Katie Gascho, Operations Lead at Overfield School, describes a mission based on the Reggio Emilia method.

“At Overfield, we believe learning is about the whole child,” she says. “We know intellectual growth and readiness for school and life comes from inspired curiosity and a healthy respect for fluency in all languages of childhood.”

Find out what makes a school unique Ask admissions staff what it is about their school that sets it apart from other schools in the area. What is one thing they offer that other schools cannot?

At The Miami Valley School, Strong says, “Our signature program that other schools do not have is Immersion. We’ve taken students to the Amazon forest in Peru, they have studied marine ecology in the Bahamas and some have chosen to build houses for Habitat for Humanity or create their own culinary immersion.”

Zakes points to his school’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles program as a unique opportunity at Dayton Christian. “Last year we launched one of the Miami Valley’s first middle school UAV programs,” he says. “Dayton has quickly become a hub of the UAV universe, and DCSS is making sure our students have access to fantastic STEM opportunities.”

Overfield School offers an unusual visiting artist-in-residence program.

Gascho says students work with painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and multimedia and textile artists. “[The program] introduces diverse viewpoints and perspectives to our students,” she says.

Ask about cost and financial aid Of course cost will play an important role in your selection process. The Dayton area boasts a wide range of private school options with prices to match. Discuss tuition and other anticipated expenses with admissions staff, and ask for details about financial aid programs. Many parents are surprised to discover how much help is available, including the Ohio private school voucher program.

Get personal recommendations One of the best resources you have at your disposal is the opinion of other families who attend private school. Ask why they chose a given school, what their children like about it, the pros and cons of their experience, etc. This type of feedback can give you an unbiased perspective of a school you may be considering.

It is never too early to start checking into admissions deadlines and arranging for school visits. Enjoy the process with your student! The experience of looking for a “best fit” school can lead to a great deal of personal discovery for your child and the chance to find a new community that clicks with your whole family.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 11

Private

School

Guide Finding the educational philosophy that fits with your family Antioch School

Founded in 1921 by Arthur Morgan,

to sustain their lives with prayer, to learn to think critically, to solve problems creatively, and to live compassionately.

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School Established in 1850, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School is jointly owned and sponsored by the Marianists and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The school serves families from more than 50 zip codes who seek a premier Catholic educational experience, excellent academic options including CJ STEMM, and opportunities for college credit.

Dayton Christian School System Dayton Christian School System operates four separate schools – Dayton Christian School, Xenia Christian School, Dayton Christian Homeschool, and LightShine Academy.

We are instilling in students a love for Christ, a love for learning, and a love for others, inspiring students to approach scholarship, athletics, fine arts, and service as an act of worship, and equipping students to reach their full potential and to live out their faith with grace, wisdom, and courage.

learn and learn to manage their own lives. Using best practice strategies, teachers facilitate student intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

Spring Valley Academy Spring Valley Academy is a private, K-12 Seventh-day Adventist college-preparatory school, located on approximately 50 acres in southeastern Montgomery County near Dayton, Ohio. SVA is committed to excellence in education, co-curricular activities, and student spiritual growth in a Christian environment.

SVA offers a Christian education inspiring students to KNOW, FOLLOW, and SHARE JESUS!

St. Helen Catholic School St Helen Catholic School serves students from preschool through eighth grade. We are the first school in the state of Ohio to be certified as a Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline (VBRD) school of distinction.

Our goal is to empower our students to achieve success academically, emotionally, and spiritually as well as develop self-discipline through our VBRD approach.

If you’re considering Antioch School is one of the oldest alternative schools in the country. a private school for Serving children Nursery through your child, our area the sixth grade in ungraded, multiage classrooms, it is a place in which has many outstanding children are encouraged to pursue possibilities to choose their innate curiosity wherever, and as far as, their abilities can take from. To help in your them. Remaining a small school by The Miami search, Dayton Parent design, Antioch School is a place where childhood is respected and Emmanuel asked several local Valley School children are enjoyed. private schools to We adhere to a demanding scholChristian Academy arship built upon a foundation of Archbishop Alter provide a brief Emmanuel Christian Academy is a integrity and grit. Our teachers emChrist-centered learning communiHigh School power students to live life to the description of their ty that exists to educate students of to discover their true paseducational philosophy Archbishop Alter High School is Christian families and prepare them fullest, sion, and then to responsibly pursue a co-educational, comprehensive for God’s calling. it with emotional and intellectual to help parents find Catholic school that is committed to rigor. Students don’t just come to challenging students to reach their the best match for MVS. Here, they become. For early full potential by providing academic First School their student. excellence in a Christ-centered envi- First School is a private independent childhood - 12th grade. ronment. In 2014, 99% of Alter graduates continued their education to the college level, and 75% of them were offered $15.5 million in scholarships. Alter High School is “where you belong!”

Carroll High School Carroll High School provides an excellent college preparatory education. Carroll strives to develop each student intellectually, physically and spiritually. Our young adults learn to face the challenges of the future, 12 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

preschool dedicated to the education of children ages two through five. Located in Centerville/Washington Twp. since 1971, First School creates a fun, warm and balanced early education program for all of our students.

Immaculate Conception School Immaculate Conception School is a Workshop Way® School where students learn to think, learn to

The Overfield School Overfield is a school where joy, wonder and imagination foster life-long learning in preschool aged children.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy inspires our school’s mission to support self-discovery and creativity through a child-centered, responsive curriculum. A beautiful campus, committed teachers, and a supportive learning community make Overfield a place where children bloom.

RICHARD ALLEN

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 13

PREMIER HEALTH

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MANNERS... yes, please!

Etiquette strategies for kids in today’s world | Wendy Schrepferman

Warning: The characters depicted here are not fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons is not coincidental.

Scene One: The Library

A child inquires (actually it’s more like a demand), “Hey, can you show me where the chapter books are?”

The busy librarian replies, “Sure, I can help you in just one moment” to which the child says, “No..no..no...I need to know where they are now!”

Obviously flustered, the librarian stops what she was doing and assists the child in finding the books.

Scene Two: The Bank

Several adults, one with two children, sit in a waiting area. The children are delighting in a game of “hot lava” which includes jumping across the rows of chairs. Their parent, who is engrossed in a magazine, says, “Please stop” mildly several times without looking up.

Scene Three: The Restaurant

Three siblings excitedly reach for the phones and tablets distributed to them upon being seated. Said children refuse to look at the menu offerings, listen to suggestions, make eye contact with the server or acknowledge their parent’s repeated pleas for compliance. Predictably, the adults become frustrated and the meal takes a turn for the worse.

Many parents, caregivers and bystanders find themselves “starring” in similar scenes every day. The familiar roles of frustrated parent, halfhearted disciplinarian, concerned/ annoyed observer, and overwhelmed librarian, teacher, scout leader, etc. rarely go uncast. They do, however, have something in common – the opportunity to encourage young people to become mannerly adults.

This common goal is a great first step, but how can we make it happen?

Take the role model pledge

Children are continually absorbing information from the world around them, and as their first teacher and role model, parents have the greatest impact on their behavior. By consciously demonstrating through our own actions what we hope to see in our children, they will absorb the social skills we want them to develop.

Let them “own it”

When children are active participants in making decisions, they are likely to respond favorably. Families can identify manners and behaviors they value, write them down, post them on the wall, practice them, reflect, and practice them some more.

Then, at regular intervals, children can choose which mannerly behav-

ior to tackle next. Examples include, staying seated during meals, refraining from interrupting, greeting people politely, etc.

Accentuate the positive

Focus on “what to do” instead of “what not to do.” Children are far less likely to internalize acceptable behavior when our word choices are judgmental. “Chairs are for sitting” is typically more effective than “Don’t stand on that chair!”

Consider technology tendencies

If adults expect children to listen and respond appropriately to verbal directions or face-to-face commentary, everyone must take time to set aside their electronic devices and engage in meaningful conversation.

Again, children will take their lead from what parents demonstrate. As director of The Etiquette Institute of Ohio, Cathi Fallon’s approach with her students is simple and straightforward, “People first, technology second.” She also believes students must understand “they are a ‘brand’ and it only takes 3-7 seconds to create an unforgettable first impression.”

Make good manners a priority

Even with very busy family lives, it is critical to find time and creative ways to address kind and mannerly behavior. Linda Weprin, of The Midwest School of Etiquette, stresses the importance of reinforcement and repetition when instilling manners at home. “Meals at the table teach more than just using utensils and sitting up straight. It’s a great place to practice starting a meaningful conversation, showing interest in what others have to say and learning patience,” she says.

Enlist support

Professional etiquette programs are plentiful in the Dayton area. Parents may also look to Parks and Recreation departments and local libraries for classes. Fallon says that the benefits of formal, multi-class programs include a true parent partnership where children hear similar messages at home and in class and can interact and role play with peers.

Although teaching manners can seem time-consuming and repetitive, the end result gives children not only the social skills they need to operate successfully in the world, but makes our time with them much more pleasant.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 15

C i l y h g d t n i h i o l k s o e b O d c Ta Reframing the way we look at weight loss | Megan Noel

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hat’s the number one health concern of parents in the U.S? Childhood obesity, according to the American Heart Association. The CDC notes the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in children, and quadrupled in adolescents, in the last 30 years.

Shockingly, in 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were considered overweight or obese.

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what’s at risk?

pression, low self-esteem) can be just as harmful to children.

An obese child has a greater risk of developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, bone and joint problems, and sleep apnea. Becca Johnson, nutritionist at Northpoint Nutrition says, “There are so many serious and life threatening health problems caused by obesity, we owe it to our children to do our best to set them up for success in adulthood.”

In fact, in one study severely obese children rated their overall quality of life similar to the ratings given by childhood cancer patients.

Along with the physical implications of obesity, the social and emotional effects (stigmatization, bullying, de-

banishing the word “diet” If you have a child who falls into the category of overweight or obese, these statistics can be alarming, but there are easy things that can be done to help establish a healthier

lifestyle. Focus on long-term behaviors that can be made instead of putting your child on a diet. A diet suggests a short-term fix when a more successful approach is to make a commitment to everyday exercise and good nutrition.

“Don’t try to do it all at once,” says Johnson. “Ease into some healthy changes, making two or three a week. Start by cutting out fast food and starting a nightly family walk, then make two more changes the following week. Dramatic lifestyle changes are often not sustainable.”

fitness as a family goal Talking about weight with a child can be a delicate subject, so it’s important to approach the topic with care. Consider a brainstorming session as a family to come up with a fitness or health goal that you would all like to strive for. One idea would be to participate in a fun family run/walk. There are so many themed 5K races available to choose from now, there is surely one coming to your area that would appeal to everyone. An event like this could even act as a kick off to a new fitness regime for your family.

For many children, simply encouraging them to get outside daily, run and play will help increase their fitness level. Try suggesting fun, non-competitive activities such as walking, running, bike riding, roller blading, or jumping rope. Being active does not require a gym membership, or a big time commitment. Thirty to forty-five minutes

Everyday suggestions for a healthy lifestyle

of brisk daily activity is all you need to see some cardiovascular benefit.

It’s important to couple your fitness routine with a healthy diet, as well.

Start by cutting out fast food and sugary drinks, such as juice and soda.

Look up new recipes for healthy foods on websites like Pinterest, suggests Johnson. Roasting vegetables instead of boiling and topping steamed vegetables with Parmesan instead of butter or cheese sauce, are both examples of easy nutritional changes you can make that won’t sacrifice flavor.

Increasing exercise, eating healthy and losing weight can seem like monumental tasks – remind your kids, and yourself, that even small efforts made every day can lead to big changes.

BOY SCOUTS

•

Create a family ritual – an after dinner walk, bike ride or soccer game each night.

•

Make fruits and vegetables the focus of meals.

•

Sign your child up for a sport or physical activity of their choice.

•

Try dropping a lemon, lime or sliced strawberry into a glass of water if giving up sugary drinks is difficult.

•

Make it a habit to walk to parks, libraries or restaurants in your neighborhood instead of driving.

•

Minimize eating out and unhealthy snacking by filling the fridge with easy, portable snacks such as grapes, bananas, berries, cut up veggies, hummus, nut butters, almonds and string cheese.

PIANO PREP

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 17

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SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 19

he long days of summer are nearly gone but there’s no reason you can’t still have some fun weekend getaways.

Why not combine a little education along with your adventure?

Here are a few spots that are easily drivable, offer unique experiences and will provide great family memories.

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Mid-Ohio hidden gems Camp at Indian Lake State Park in Lakeview, Ohio and you’re exactly between Ohio Caverns, the Piatt Castles and the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum.

Castles in Ohio? In the 19th century, the Piatt family built twin Renaissance-style castles – “Mac-A-Cheek” and “Mac-OChee.” These works of art are replete with French frescoes and priceless antiques. Ohio Caverns offers a more rugged but equally beautiful experience.

Known as “America’s most colorful caverns,” the cave system is thousands of years old, formed by an underground river that cut through limestone, creating passageways filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Take a tour delving as

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deep as 103 feet underground. Finish your trip with a visit to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum, a tribute to all things lunar. The museum is small but packed with one-of-a-kind artifacts including the Gemini VIII spacecraft, Armstrong’s spacesuits, interactive exhibits, and of course, astronaut ice cream.

Museum hopping COSI, the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio is as hands-on as it gets. Ride a high-wire unicycle 17 feet above ground. Direct and star in a TV show complete with green screen effects. Perform lab experiments and even help train a rat to play basketball. In this museum, your kids will be blown away by how science impacts their lives.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is worldrenowned for offering extraordinary learning experiences. As if being greeted

at the entrance by a life-size brachiosaurus and her baby isn’t cool enough, inside you’ll meet a 20-foot tall, talking Transformer. Kids can also sit in a real Indy Car, explore a lily pad tower, gaze into the galaxy in the planetarium, drive a kid-size bulldozer and ride a historic carousel. Fall in love with Dale Chihuly’s “Fireworks of Glass” exhibit – a 43-foot tower of brightly colored whirls and curls of hand-blown glass that stretches from ground to roof.

The Cincinnati Museum Center is inside the former Union Terminal railroad station and encompasses the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, OMNIMAX Theatre, and research and archive facilities. Admission gets you access to most of the museum, but you can spend a whole day in just the Children’s Museum with its Kids’ Town, Little Sprouts Farm, and – far and away the most popular – The Woods, the wilderness tree fort of your childhood dreams. Kids can climb, swing, bounce and explore to their hearts’ content.

Get groovy Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie is known for its wild parties, but its low-key neighbor is equally as fascinating. Kelley’s Island is home to the largest glacial grooves in the world. The grooves were gouged into the limestone bedrock 18,000 years ago by a glacier that covered the Great Lakes region. They remain as evidence of the massive sheet of ice that marched south, leaving 400 million-year-old marine fossils behind. Try to decipher the island’s Inscription Rock, a 32-foot wide slab that bears Iroquois carvings dating to 1643. Tool around in a golf cart – the preferred method of travel – hang out on the beach, swim in the lake, kayak and enjoy the calm, slow pace of life before taking the Jet Express back to mainland.

With so many interesting destinations close to home, it’s easy to combine fun and learning all in the same trip. Jump in the car and choose which educational adventure appeals to your family most!

THE CAKERY

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 21

confessions of a stay-at-home dad

A Personal Odyssey for the Perfect Minivan

True confessions of a stay-at-home dad

By Pete Gilbert

I

love my van. In fact, I don’t know how I survived so long without it.

It has a DVD player to keep kids occupied during long road trips (we watched the Disney movie Planes four times straight once), enough space for my kids to be further than arm’s length from each other (no more touchy-touchy) and doors that slide and won’t bash into other cars in parking lots (you’re welcome). Heck, it even has a first aid kit built in to remedy the real and imagined cuts and scrapes my kids incur on a daily basis.

In their quest for creating an even better mode of family transportation, Honda now offers a built in Dyson vacuum in their van, too bad it’s an extra $1,200. I think I’ll save the cash and just let those Goldfish crackers crumble until they disintegrate into the upholstery. What will future minivans include to make a new parent’s life easier? I have a few ideas: •

A soundproof window divider. This is a must. Honestly, I can’t believe this isn’t standard equipment on all minivans by now. If I had this in my van I would close off the screams, shrieks and questions and just drive in circles around the city in peaceful, sweet silence.

•

A grabber/arm extender. One of those things that allows you to pick things up off the ground without bending over. I would install it on the driver’s armrest and point it back to the second and third rows. No more driving off the road to blindly reach three feet behind me for a dropped lovey or doll.

•

An Improved GPS System. Many GPS units have options like avoiding toll roads and interstates when programming in destinations. I would like to program in places to avoid. For example, “Take me to the store and avoid all Chuck E Cheese’s and McDonalds.” You still end up at your destination, and don’t have to hear any whining about passing all the fun places on your way there.

There you have it. Honda, are you listening?

Stop by Facebook and “Like” my “True Confessions of a Stay at Home Dad” page for daily updates and links to all my blogs and columns.

SILVER LININGS FREEDOM

FAMILY

CHIROPRACTIC 101 E ALEX BELL RD. STE #186 CENTERVILLE, OH 45459 AT THE CROSS POINTE SHOPPING CENTER

937.291.3739

22 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

footnotes

Footnotes: Thoughts from the margins of a mom’s life Dream a little dream

By Kelly Blewett

When honeymooning in Costa Rica, my husband surprised me by booking a massage. Years later, I would spend more money than I care to admit to be rubbed down with sugar, wrapped in hot towels, and then subjected to some Swedish-style bodywork. Even when I was a little girl, I used to beg my dad to stay just a little longer after bedtime to (you guessed it) rub my back.

So should I be so surprised now by what happens when I take my daughter out of her bath?

She’s wet and ready for a story and a bottle, but in her eighteen-month-old mind there is something more pressing to be done. She begins hankering for it the instant we walk through the bedroom door, gesturing pointedly toward the closet. And not just any spot in the closet, but the top shelf. This is where I keep her baby lotion. We walk over and I pull out the lotion. She holds out tiny hands, waiting for a little squeeze. When I comply, she rubs them briskly together, like an adult, making me laugh. I lay her on the changing table, and she quickly rolls on her belly. Curling her knees under her, she lengthens her back and neck, and then looks at me sideways, expectantly.

There’s nothing to do but to lotion up my own hands and begin our favorite ritual: a back rub accompanied by lullaby singing.

When I first told my husband that Caroline likes baby massages, he was skeptical. “You’re projecting,” he said, “because you like massages.” Well, that might be true, but I kind of doubt it. I know where my daughter gets some of her tastes from: All I have to do is look in the mirror. They don’t say like mother, like daughter for nothing.

But even if I am projecting, what’s so bad about that? I’ll dream a little dream of Caroline, and bring her along with me. I’ll pull a Sheryl Sandburg and “lean in” to my projections, imagining us years from now when diapers and baby lotion are far behind us. We will go somewhere really beautiful and hot. We will paint our toenails and drink fresh grapefruit juice and have joint Swedish massages, replete with heated towels. Instead of lullabies, restful guitar instrumentals will be piped through tiny, discreet speakers. Maybe we will be in Key West. Wherever we are, it will be grand.

And until then, I will happily stick my baby’s towel in the drier when I start her bath and keep the baby lotion handy. She can do her job of assuming her post-bath massage position quickly and humming along with my lullaby.

After all, a baby’s dream, like her mother’s, has to start somewhere.

FAR HILLS

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 23

BUSY BOUNCING

TOWN HALL THEATRE

24 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

ask the teacher

Ask the Teacher

Missing old teachers, classroom punishments, paying for grades

By Deb Krupowicz

Q

My second grade daughter is having such a tough time adjusting to her new teacher. She absolutely adored her first grade teacher and just cannot relate to her new teacher as well. How can I help her?

A

Transitioning from a beloved teacher to a new one can certainly be tough. As adults, we recognize that the relationship that she treasures is one that was built over a school year. We see that she is comparing an established relationship to one that is just starting. Some younger children also struggle with the feeling of being disloyal to the teacher they loved.

They are hesitant to give their allegiance to someone else.

Encourage your daughter to write a letter or make a card for her first grade teacher. Finding a tangible way to communicate with the teacher will help her see that she can still maintain a relationship with her.

Discuss the attributes that your daughter brought to the relationship with her first grade teacher and how those might be exhibited in her new environment. Teaching her that she has contributions to make in forming bonds with others will empower her to invest in new relationships.

You daughter will see differences between the two teachers, naturally. Help her to frame the differences she observes in the new teacher

in a positive light. Encourage her to see that different personalities make our experiences special.

Q

Why do teachers continually punish the whole class when a few kids misbehave or disregard the rules? My son feels so frustrated by this. Should I discuss this with the teacher?

A

There is nothing that elicits a chorus of “That’s just not fair” more quickly than many students who believe they are being punished for the actions of one. Teachers would love to avoid the perception of being unfair, but sometimes it just is not possible.

In a classroom of students, it may not be feasible to pinpoint the specific students who are disruptive.

Some teachers will choose to ignore the behavior, and in some situations that works. At other times, the teacher may feel compelled to respond to the behavior but may not be sure who the specific culprits are. Admonishing the class is the only option. It is likely that after a few short weeks, the teacher will know the students better and will have a good understanding of specifically who is causing a problem.

There are a few other considerations. The teacher may reprimand the class as a whole at the time of the disruption, hoping that the

well-behaved students will exert some peer pressure on those who aren’t following the rules. Also, the teacher may call out the entire class for the behavior to minimize the time lost, and then later discuss the problem with the specific students who are responsible.

If the punishment your son receives is a reprimand or a reminder of the acceptable behavior, contacting the teacher is not necessary. However, if students are getting additional assignments or are losing points on work, a call is in order. I encourage you to get the teacher’s perspective before assuming that your son’s account is accurate. If you say something like, “I was disappointed that Joe’s misbehavior resulted in ‘x.’ I wanted to hear from you what is happening at school so that we could offer our support,“ she will not feel defensive and will likely see that there are unintended repercussions to whole class punishments.

Q

We are looking for ways to motivate our seventh grader to perform better academically. One of the things we are considering is paying him for high grades.

Is this a good idea?

A

I am not an advocate for paying children to do what they should be doing as a matter of course. It is important, however, to do everything possible to stress the importance of having a solid education

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 25

ask the teacher and to ensure that children get one – even if they dispute its value.

Get to the root cause of your child’s lack of motivation. Meet with his teachers for insights they might have. Are your son’s poor grades the result of missing assignments or poor grades on tests? Work with the teacher to implement a shared strategy for your son’s academic improvement that involves daily accountability for homework and/ or test preparation. Waiting until the night before the test or a few days before the end of the grading period will not help the situation.

{

If your son’s poor performance is simply due to him not working hard enough, I would suggest that he lose privileges that he must earn back with proof of his hard work.

Do not be afraid to remove the privileges he values most; that will have a quicker impact than taking things he will not miss anyway.

Does your son have trouble with organization or with study skills?

Perhaps investing in a short term tutor or skills coach will have a better long-term pay off than giving your child a monetary reward for grades.

Ask the Teacher is written by Deb Krupowicz, a mother of four and current teacher. Deb holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and has over twenty years of experience teaching preschool, elementary and middle school students. Please send your questions to her at asktheteacher@daytonparentmagazine.com.

ABS

26 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

}

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 27

afterschool directory

AFTERSCHOOL

DIRECTORY Dance Loft

1791 W. 2nd. St., Xenia, OH 45385 | 937-374-1404 | danceloftplus@att. net | www.danceloftplus.com Celebrating 25 years of dance in Xenia, Ohio! The fall dance season offers a variety of styles and begins September 2nd. Flexible starting dates can be arranged. Registration Fee is only $10. Check out our website for more information at www.danceloftplus.com.

28 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

Paintbrush Pottery

255 W. Central Ave., Springboro, OH 45066 | paintbrushpottery@woh. rr.com | www.paintbrushpottery.com

Lessons by Krista

School Rocks but After School Art Club Rocks More! Beginning Sept.

17th and going every other Wednesday from 4:30pm-6pm we will be offering classes for ages 7-13. Prices vary by project and the first project is a glass fusion sun catcher. Light snack included. Call us today at 937748-8707 to reserve your spot!

Offering piano lessons to students of all ages, from age 7 through adult.

With almost 10 years experience, I come highly recommended!

3899 Indian Ripple Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45440 | 937-426-6920 | pianoprepschool@yahoo.com | www.pianopreparatoryschool.com

1950 Litchfield Ave, Dayton, OH 45406 | 937-204-4393 | krista@ lessonsbykrista.com | www.lessonsbykrista.com

Piano Prep School

Celebrating 10 years of music-making in Dayton, The Piano Prep School offers a first-class facility and professional atmosphere where chil-

dren and adults grow musically. Fall Classes include: “Beginner” Classes for children, teens and adults; nationally acclaimed Music Together® programs; Private Lessons in piano, guitar, strings and voice.

Dayton Ballet

140 N. Main St. Dayton, OH 45402 | www.daytonperformingarts.org/ ballet | 37-224-3521 Register now for fall classes starting Sept. 3rd. Classes available include Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical Jazz, Tap, Creative Movement, and PreBallet. New day classes available for Home School students. Contact 937-223-1542 or cjheller@daytonperformingarts.org to sign up today!

The Modern Military Parent

the modern military parent

Connecting through the written word

By Molly Blake

I

AM A RE-READER. WHEN I FIND A BOOK I LOVE, I WILL READ IT AGAIN AND SOMETIMES AGAIN. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD AND THE POWER OF ONE ARE TWO OF MY FAVORITES. WHY, WHEN THERE ARE STACKS OF UNREAD BOOKS NEXT TO MY BED, WOULD I CHOOSE TO GO BACK AND READ A BOOK AGAIN IS SOMEWHAT OF A MYSTERY BUT IT’S ALMOST AS IF I KNOW SCOUT AND PEEKAY AND WHEN I READ THEIR STORIES FOR A SECOND OR THIRD TIME, I GET TO KNOW THEM A BIT BETTER. PLUS, WHEN MY GIRLS ARE OVER THEIR LATEST SCI-FI BOOK FAD, I WANT TO BE READY WITH SOME CLASSICS THAT WE CAN SHARE. As military spouses, we can feel isolated especially after our kids are back in school and the routine sets in – school, homework, dinner, repeat.

One way to beat back the creeping feeling that we are alone is by connecting with other military spouses through a good old-fashioned book.

I count among my writer pals several amazing military spouses, who have brilliantly captured life as a milspouse in the form of poems, short stories and non-fiction.

There’s Allison Buckholtz’s book Standing By: The Making of An American Military Family in a Time of War. Buckholtz is an incredible

writer and tells hilarious tales that invoke the difficult, stressful and headshaking reality of raising children essentially alone while her husband was serving in the Navy. Siobhan Fallon’s collection of short stories You Know When the Men are Gone is powerful and so true to life. Jehanne Dubrow is a poet whose third collection Stateside is unique and compelling and its intimacy will impact you immediately. Poetry, if you haven’t read any since high school or college, might surprise you now. You can also browse smart blogs like The New York Times AtWar Blog for recommendations. The writers are service members, spouses and parents and the personal stories are incredibly fascinating.

If reading isn’t your thing, maybe writing is. Start small and simple.

Head to the local Hallmark store and stock up on greeting cards.

Spend an afternoon writing cards to friends near and far. Recalling details from deployment homecomings or spouse club meetings and actually writing them down will bring details to life. Describe the smell, sounds and your feelings afterwards. Your pals will appreciate the sentiment and it’s a way to tap into those unused prose muscles.

Once you feel more comfortable getting ideas down and organized into a thoughtful account, graduate and take pen to paper or blog in the evenings. Curl up on the couch and write your way out of the post-PCS blues or blog about the fact that

you’re already hearing rumors about an extended TDY heading your way.

Write a short story about your new neighborhood, changing the names of course. Even better? Spin a classic military adventure into a new, surprising narrative. Need fodder for a story? Look around – moving, deploying, dealing with the Pass and ID folks and even the commissary. You are surrounded by camouflage inspiration. Use it.

Who knows, maybe you’ll pen the next great American novel. I’m always looking for a few good books.

Molly Blake is a freelance writer. Her husband recently retired after serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps. She attended the University of Dayton and writes about issues affecting military families and other parenting issues. Follow her on twitter @mblakewrites.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 29

check. “Child safety is our biggest priority,” explains Lewis. When matching Bigs and Littles, BBBS staff take into account the location, interests and preferences of both parties.

BBBS asks its volunteers to make at least a one-year commitment, says Shayla Calloway, Match Support Specialist. However, the organization hopes that matches will continue past this time period.

Bigs and Littles enjoy a wide variety of activities together. Community Based matches may go bowling, skating, hiking, bake cookies together, attend sporting events or just hang out to talk, says Calloway.

School Based pairs might spend their time eating lunch together, reading books, playing games or working on school-related tasks.

Becoming a Big Brother/ Big Sister or Foster Parent

Making a difference in the lives of local children Michelle Shirk

As a parent, you play a vital role in your children’s lives every day. If you have a little extra time and energy, consider using it to impact kids outside your own family. Here’s two examples of how to make a difference.

Become a Big Brother or Big Sister Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley (“BBBS”) matches children (“Littles”) with adult mentors (“Bigs”) through

30 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

its School Based and Community Based programs. “We are always accepting new volunteers who are excited about being a positive role model,” says Magen Lewis, Enrollment Coordinator.

BBBS volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have reliable transportation and undergo a background

BBBS believes participation in this type of mentoring program benefits children by allowing them to engage in new experiences, have fun, build self-confidence and feel encouraged and supported, says Calloway.

Of course, the Littles aren’t the only ones to benefit. Lewis reports that volunteers enjoy increased community involvement and opportunities to revisit childhood memories as well as engage in new experiences with their Littles.

Become a Foster Parent Lighthouse Foster Care & Adoption is an Ohio agency that places foster children of both genders and all races, from birth to 18 years old, says Robyn Bastin, MS, LSW, Recruiter/ Marketing Specialist.

The majority of children in Lighthouse’s foster care program come in under temporary custody of a county agency, explains Bastin. In these cases, the plan is to reunify the children with their biological parents or primary caretaker. However, she notes that some children do eventually enter permanent custody and become available for adoption.

Prospective foster parents prepare for their role by attending 38 hours of pre-service training, says Bastin. Everyone in the home over age 18 must also undergo a background check and all occupants must receive

medical examinations. After the preliminary steps are completed, foster families receive home visits from a licensed social worker, who writes a home study.

During the home study process, each foster family completes an in-depth checklist regarding various characteristics (age, number, medical needs, etc.) of children who might be placed in their home. “In the state of Ohio, the foster parent is allowed to pick basically what type of a child they want placed in their home,” explains Bastin. Through this extensive process, Lighthouse seeks to create good matches and avoid disruptions.

Wondering what personality traits might make someone a good fit for the program? “Being flexible is the most helpful characteristic,” says Elissa Miller, foster parent. As an example, she explains that she doesn’t give her biological daughter juice.

“But a [foster] child might come in and that’s all they drink.” Other helpful characteristics she lists include patience as well as having a “big heart” and an ability to recognize foster children’s need for love.

Miller speaks from a position of experience. She and her now five year-old daughter have hosted nine different foster children over the last several years. Currently, Miller has placement of three foster children as well as legal custody of a fourteen year-old girl who is expected to remain with the family until adulthood.

For Miller, this experience has been a positive one. “It has made me a better parent and it has made me a better person,” she says. “When you have a child in your home who never had food and never had electricity, it really puts your life into perspective.”

Next steps Interested in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami Valley? Contact the agency at (937) 220-6850 to learn more.

Considering the possibility of becoming a foster parent? Bastin says the next session of training classes with Lighthouse Foster Care & Adoption will begin in October. In the meantime, you can get in touch with her at (513) 487-7135.

VICTORIA THEATRE

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 31

MIAMI VALLEY DOWN SYNDROME

BIG BAD BOUNCE

32 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

is this okay to eat?

Is this okay to eat?

Dining out when your child has food allergies

By Morgan Beagle, Dayton Children’s Hospital

before you go

1.

Utilize

online

menus.

Nowadays almost every restaurant not only has a website, but also their menu online. On their online menus, many of these restaurants have now begun listing common allergens in their dishes.

Checking out the menu in advance can give you a list of what dishes are suitable for your child to eat and which ones to steer clear of.

2.

Call ahead. Ask to speak to

the highest person in charge who’s available, such as the chef or manager. It’s best to call between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, during off hours when the restaurant is less busy and they have more time to answer your questions.

B

ETWEEN GETTING YOUR KIDS TO AGREE ON A RESTAURANT AND GETTING THEM OUT THE DOOR, GOING OUT TO EAT AS A FAMILY ISN’T ALWAYS AN EASY TASK. BUT IT’S OFTEN WORTH IT TO ENJOY AN EVENING WITH FAMILY – FREE OF COOKING.

However, when you have a child with food allergies, the challenges are magnified and they don’t go away once you’re at the restaurant.

“As a parent of a child with a food allergy, you don’t want to make them feel excluded by not allowing them to go out to eat,” says Becky Gonter-Dray, RD, CSP, LD, pediatric dietitian at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

“However, there are very real risks for these kids and it is important to teach them how to manage these risks while still enjoying a restaurant meal.”

By following these five tips and taking certain precautions, you can make dining out with food allergies as safe and easy as possible.

If their menu was available online, this is the time to ask about a few specific menu items you’ve identified as being allergen free. Asking about a certain dish instead of trying to find out all the ingredients for every item on the menu will make it easier on the chef or manager. Make sure to confirm with the restaurant that the menu item you’ve identified online is indeed allergen free. If the restaurant’s menu was not available online or didn’t list allergy information, take this opportunity to ask what they recommend and can safely prepare.

While you have them on the phone, also ask about the preparation of the item and the possibility of cross contamination.

3.

Make early dinner plans.

Going out to eat on a less busy night or at a less popular time will give the restaurant the best opportunity to accommodate

you and your family. For example, make dinner plans at 5:00 pm on a Wednesday instead of 6:30 pm on a Friday. Plus, if you go earlier in the night there is a smaller chance of cross contamination since the restaurant hasn’t been open as long.

once you’re there

4.

Confirm information with the person you spoke to on the phone. In addition,

inform your server about your child’s food allergies.

“Consider creating a chef card to bring with you when you go out to eat,” suggests Gonter-Dray. “A chef card is a laminated card that outlines the foods you must avoid and the dangers of cross contamination.

Presenting it to the chef or manager can help eliminate any miscommunication between them and your server.”

after your meal

5.

Show your gratitude. If everything was to your satisfaction and you had a good experience, make sure to let the servers and managers know how much you appreciate their efforts.

You can also write a follow-up email thanking them for their attentiveness or even write an online review.

Eating out when your child has food allergies doesn’t have to be a hassle and something to dread; using these steps can make for a smooth and safe dining experience the whole family can enjoy.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 33

34 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

september happenings

September Happenings

Fests and feasts to enjoy this month!

By Lisa Seibert, Community Executive, DaytonLocal.com

T

HOUGH IT’S NOT OFFICIALLY FALL, IT IS HARVEST SEASON. SEPTEMBER KICKS OFF ON LABOR DAY, THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH AND HOLIDAY OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. FESTIVAL SEASON CONTINUES, SO IF YOU’RE IN TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND STOP BY KETTERING’S HOLIDAY AT HOME CELEBRATION AND/ OR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR.

Alter Fest

Alter High School 940 E. David Road, Kettering, OH 45429 (937) 434-4434 | Aug. 29 - Sept. 1

Friday 5 pm – 11 pm Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 11 pm Monday 12 pm – 6 pm Festive gathering for family and friends, great food, games, entertainment, activities for all ages and expanded games and rides!

Clinton County Corn Festival

val features antique farm machinery, a parade, games, all types of food made from corn, a quilt show, musical entertainment, antiques, crafts and the Corn Olympics!

Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

Dayton-Xenia Road (between N Fairfield & Meadow Bridge), Beavercreek, OH (937) 602-CORN | Sept. 6 - 7

Saturday 10 am – 8 pm Sunday 11 am – 6 pm Over 200 booths with festival foods, tantalizing treats, special services, creative crafts and sensational specialties made with popcorn.

Dayton Greek Festival

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 500 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, OH 45405 | Admission $2 Adults (Children 12 & under free) (937) 224-0601 | Sept. 5 - 7

Friday & Saturday 11 am – 11 pm Sunday 11 am – 6 pm For more than 50 years the Greek festival has brought together people of all backgrounds to celebrate all things Greek: the Church, the food and of course, the dancing!

forming many guitar styles, including jazz, rock, classical, folk and finger style.

Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival

Freshwater Farms of Ohio 2624 U.S. 68, Urbana, OH 43078 (937) 652-3701 | Sept. 19 -21

Friday 4 pm – 9 pm Saturday 10 am – 8 pm Sunday 11am – 5 pm Yes, Ohio has a Fish and Shrimp Festival! Join in on the Trout Feeding Frenzy, Kids Wet Zone, sand castle play zone and treasure dig, and wading pool fountain fun. Visit the famous sturgeon pool, where you can pet Ohio’s largest native fish, stuff yourself in the Shrimp Peeling and Eating Contest and much more.

Aullwood Apple Fest

Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm 1000 Aullwood Rd Dayton, OH 45414 (937) 890-7360 Sept. 27 - 28

Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm Gather your family and friends to enjoy spectacular food, exciting activities and great entertainment!

For more family friendly events, select “Family Friendly Calendar” from the “Play” menu on DaytonLocal. com.

Chocolate Festival

Montgomery County Fairgrounds 1043 South Main Street, Dayton, OH 45409 | Free Admission/Free Parking (937) 224-1619 | Sept. 27

10 am – 5 pm Chocolate in the Tropics! Entertainment all day, games, prizes, Kids Korner and chocolate!

GuitarFest

Clinton County Fairgrounds 958 West Main Street, Wilmington, OH 45177 | Admission $4 per person (937) 382-4443 | Sept. 5 - 7

Stubbs Park 255 West Spring Valley Rd., Centerville, OH 45342 | Free Admission (937) 433-7155 | Sept. 14

Friday 11 am – 10 pm Saturday 9 am – 11 pm Sunday 9 am – 6 pm The 37th Annual Clinton County Corn Festival celebrates our agricultural heritage as we honor one of the area’s biggest industries with a three-day extravaganza. The festi-

Sunday 4 pm – 7 pm GuitarFest features professional guitarists from southwest Ohio per-

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 35

calendar september calendar

MONDAY | 01 Labor Day Family Value Weekend

Price: $12 adults (age 12 & over). $6 children (age 11 & under) | Phone: (937) 325-0629 | Location: Young’s Jersey Dairy. 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs | www.youngsdairy. com/labor-day-family-value-weekend/

Take advantage of a special value wristband good for all-day, unlimited family fun at Young’s this Labor Day Weekend. Play Udders & Putters miniature golf, batting cages, Cowvin’s Fast Slide, Cowvin’s Corny Maze, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral, the driving range or Moovers & Shakers.

The Grape Escape at Hidden Valley Fruit Farm

Price: free | Phone: (513) 932-1869 | Location: Hidden Valley Fruit Farm 5474 N. State Rt. 48, Lebanon | www.hiddenvalleyfruitfarm.com/ festivals.html

The Grape Escape: a festival with homegrown grapes, grape pie, grape ice cream, grape juice, and u-pick grapes.

The will also be hayrides, a barnyard, live music, a children’s maze, train rides on The Freedom Express, a corn maze, and more.

THURSDAY | 04 Backpacking Babies: Nature’s Smells

Price: free | Phone: (937) 275-7275 | Location: Sugarcreek MetroPark: Trailhead Parking Lot. 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook | www.metroparks.org/GetOutside/SearchByInterest. aspx

Join us for an hour of exercise and studying the outdoors as we explore the pleasant smells of nature, and expose them to your baby. A baby backpack or carrier is required for this program, as trails are not stroller-friendly. Ages 0-2.

FRIDAY | 05

Get Outside Book Club Storytime: Nighttime Exploration

Price: free; registration encouraged | Phone: (937) 434-9005 | Location: Hills & Dales MetroPark: Shelter: Paw Paw/Parking Lot. 100 Deep Hollow Rd. Kettering, OH 45409 | www. metroparks.org/GetOutside/SearchByInterest.aspx

36 DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM

Join Dayton Metro Library Children’s Librarian and Five Rivers MetroPark staff as they read stories about nocturnal creatures and nighttime adventures.

Then go on a Night Hike through the park and make your own nighttime discoveries. Ages 2-6.

Italian Fall Festa

Price: free | Phone: (937) 258-3600 | Location: Bella Villa Hall. 2625 County Line Rd., Dayton | www.italianfallfesta.com/

A weekend of wonderful Italian music, great Italian food, good friends, and a fun game of Bocce on the beautiful, spacious, shaded grounds of Bella Villa!

SATURDAY | 06 Mason Touch A Truck

Price: free | Location: 5503 Deerfield Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040 | www.deerfieldtwp. com/Departments/Recreation_Community_ Events_TouchATruck.htm

Get close to vehicles at work in the community: a fire truck, ambulance, mass casualty truck, SWAT truck, sheriff patrol car, snowplow, loader, backhoe, and more! Cincinnati Children’s will be offering FREE Car Seat Safety Inspections. Look for their drive-thru booth at the event!

Train Rides @ Carillon Park Railroad

Phone: (937) 293-2841 | Location: Carillon Park Railroad. 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | www.daytonhistory.org/ e v e n t /e v e n t - r e g i s t r a t i o n / ? r e g e v e n t _ action=register&event_id=383

Train rides are available at Carillon Park from 1:00 - 4:00 pm; weather permitting.

Day Out with Thomas

Price: $18 per person | Phone: 513-933-8022 | Location: LM&M Railroad. 127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon | www.lebanonrr.com/dowtI.html

An amazing ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, plus tons of other activities!

Dayton Greek Festival

Price: On Friday from 11 am to 5 pm admission is FREE. The rest of the weekend admission is only $2 per person for adults and children 12 and up | Phone: 937-224-0601 | Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. 500 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | www.daytongreekfestival.com

// SEPTEMBER 2014

A Greek tradition for both the young and old, the 56th annual Dayton Greek Festival celebrates all things Greek: the food and pastries, unique Boutique items, cooking demonstrations, raffle prizes, live music, dance performances, and church tours. Be Greek for the day.

OPA!

Children’s Librarian and Five Rivers MetroPark staff as we read about beavers and other types of animal homes. Then go out and search for signs of beavers and other animal homes. Ages 2-6.

SUNDAY | 07

Price: Free admission, but tickets are required (available at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12) | Phone: (937) 255-3286 | Location: National Museum of the United States Air Force. 1100 Spaatz St. Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton | www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news&events/concerts.asp

Cincinnati Reds vs.

New York Mets

Price: Tickets start at $9 per seat | Phone: 513381-REDS | Location: 100 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45402 | www.cincinnati.reds.mlb. com/schedule/?c_id=cin#y=2014&m=9&cale ndar=DEFAULT

THURSDAY | 11 Patriot Day Concert

Join the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Reach Magazine Family Days: Sundays are family days at the ballpark! One member of the family pays full price and may purchase up to three non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Dugout Box, All You Can Eat Seats, Outer View Level, Value View and Kroger Bleachers.

FRIDAY | 12

Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

Visit Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science and Cincinnati History Museum free of charge from 4 to 8 p.m. on June 13, July 11, Aug.1, Sept. 12 and Oct. 24!

The festival has over 200 booths with festival foods, continuous live entertainment, 5K popcorn run, tantalizing treats, special services, creative crafts, and sensational specialties made with Popcorn. Includes a children’s area with games, contests, and other activities to delight younger children.

SATURDAY | 13

Price: free | Phone: (937) 602-CORN | Location: Beavercreek Plaza. Dayton Xenia Rd. & Rodenbeck Dr., Beavercreek | www.beavercreekpopcornfestival.org/

Shelby County Applefest

Price: free | Phone: 937-492-9122 | Location: Shelby County Court Square. Intersection of St. Rt. 47 and Ohio Ave., Sidney.

Join us for a weekend filled with fun, family activities on the beautiful and historic Shelby County Court Square!

WEDNESDAY | 10

Get Outside Book Club Storytime: Leave it to Beavers

Price: free; registration encouraged | Phone: (937) 277-7275 | Location: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: Picnic Area. 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414 | www.metroparks. org/GetOutside/SearchByInterest.aspx

Is that just a pile of sticks or is it something more? Join Dayton Metro Library

Free Fridays at the Cincinnati Museum Center

Price: free | Phone: (513) 287-7000 | Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati

Color & Glow 5K

Price: varies; pre-register to save | Location: Montgomery County Fairgrounds. 1043 South Main Street, Dayton | www.colorandglow.com/ nightrun/dayton-2014/

Color & Glow 5k is 3.1 miles of GLOWtastic fun! As you make your way through the course you will be doused with glow paint at our glow zones. Get ready for the most GLOW-tastic night of your life!

Rubber Duck Regatta

Price: free to attend; $5 to enter a duck | Phone: (937) 233-1230 | Location: RiverScape MetroPark. 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton | www.daytonducks.com

The Rubber Duck Regatta is an annual fundraiser for United Rehabilitation Services, which serves local children and adults with disabilities or other special needs in the Miami Valley. On September 13, see 20,000 rubber ducks float down the river with seven winners receiving big prizes.

september calendar

Taste of Troy

Phone: 937-339-5455 | Location: Prouty Plaza | www.homegrowngreat.com/events/tasteof-troy-2/

The 2014 Taste of Troy includes sample food from fourteen local restaurants, a Farmers Market, beer and wine tastings, and live music. Tickets for food and drink tastes can be purchased at the Taste of Troy.

Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association 2014 Buddy Walk

Check in time: 8:30 am to 10:00 am | Fifth Third Field, Dayton Dragons Stadium 220 N Patterson Blvd, Dayton OH 45402 | www. mvdsa.org

The Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association (MVDSA) a nonprofit organization hosting its annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, September 13th at the Dayton Dragons Stadium. The mission of the MVDSA is to provide information, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and their communities. The Buddy Walk is our core fundraising event that helps us serve the Down syndrome community. Visit our website: www.mvdsa.org Please join us for our Buddy Walk

SUNDAY | 14

Dayton Concours d’Elegance

Price: Free for members | Phone: 937-2932841 | Location: Carillon Historical Park. 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | www.daytonhistory. org/event/event-registration/?regevent_ action=register&event_id=464

Admire 200 of the finest classic and antique automobiles and motorcycles in the country on display amidst the beautiful grounds of Carillon Historical Park.

The show makes for a fun day filled with food, music, and live historical demonstrations as you view this unique gathering of premier vehicles from collectors near and far.

Train Rides @ Carillon Park Railroad

Phone: (937) 293-2841 | Location: Carillon Park Railroad. 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | www.daytonhistory.org/ e v e n t /e v e n t - r e g i s t r a t i o n / ? r e g e v e n t _ action=register&event_id=384

Train rides from 1-4; weather permitting.

Day Out with Thomas

Price: $18 | Phone: (513) 933-8022 | Location: LM&M Railroad. 127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon | www.lebanonrr.com/dowtI.html

An amazing ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, plus tons of other activities!

One-hour train rides starting at 10 am.

TUESDAY | 16

Get Outside Book Club

Storytime: Hidden Nature

Price: free; registration encouraged | Phone: (937) 277-4178 | Location: RiverScape MetroPark: RiverScape Pavilion. 111 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton | www.metroparks.org/GetOutside/SearchByInterest.aspx

Discover the vast opportunities and listen to engaging stories of how nature is creeping into our cities. Ages 2-6.

SATURDAY | 20

19th Annual Wool Gathering Show

Price: free | Phone: (937) 325-0629 | Location: Young’s Jersey Dairy. 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs | www.youngsdairy.com/ cowlendar/

Come see the largest natural fiber festival in the area. Over 75 vendors from 11 states will be here.

SUNDAY | 21 Canine Carnival at Riverfront Park

Price: free | Phone: 937-847-6670 | Location: Riverfront Park. 3 N. Miami Avenue, Miamisburg | www.exploremiamisburg.com/caninecarnival/

This event is a festival for “dogs and the people they own.” This “day for the dogs” will highlight businesses and organizations specializing in pet health and wellness services, veterinary services, security, pet memorials, nutrition, grooming, training, pet photos, and supplies. “Treats” provided for pets and people.

Clodbuster Base Ball

Price: free | Phone: (937) 293-2841 | Location: Carillon Historical Park. 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton | www.daytonhistory.org/event/event-registration/?regevent_ action=register&event_id=475

Root for the home team! Join us for a true gentleman’s game. See Dayton’s 1860s baseball team play against other period baseball teams.

Taste of Miami Valley

Price: free admission; $3 tastes at each booth | Location: RiverScape MetroPark. 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton | www.tasteofmiamivalley. com/

The Taste of Miami Valley is presented in partnership with RiverScape Metro Parks. More than 30 local restaurants will be on site providing samples, representing the best of the culinary arts in the Miami Valley -- from Thai and seafood to cabbage rolls and barbecue, ensuring something for everyone.

THURSDAY | 25

Get Outside Book Club

Storytime: Pondology

Price: free; registration encouraged | Phone: (937) 277-4178 | Location: Taylorsville MetroPark: Shelter: Hilltop /Sledding Hill/Parking Lot. 1200 Brown School Rd., Vandalia | www. metroparks.org/GetOutside/SearchByInterest.aspx

Ponds are fun places to explore, come listen to stories about what you can find around them. Then go explore and see what you can find. Ages 2-6.

FRIDAY | 26

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Price: Tickets start at $9 per seat | Phone: 513381-REDS | Location: 100 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.cincinnati.reds.mlb. com/schedule/?c_id=cin#y=2014&m=9&cale ndar=DEFAULT

Fireworks Friday: Post-game fireworks show with soundtrack starting 15 minutes after the end of the game.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents BUILT TO AMAZE!

Price: Tickets range from $15 - $80 | Location: Nutter Center. 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton | www.nuttercenter.com/details.aspx ?EventID=505990&WebLink=1D.3BC1E689&x ml_path=undefined

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze!, the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth.

SATURDAY | 27

Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run

Price: $25 for 5K; walk is free | Location: Fifth Third Field. 220 North Patterson Blvd., Dayton | www.heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1089959&lis=1&kntae10 89959=EAFFF099CF7242F7AB0575F086E4 B0D5

Lace up your shoes and support the American Heart Association. Kids fun run kicks off at 8:35, the 5K run begins at 9:20, and 5K walk starts at 9:25.

Oktoberfest 2014

Price: free | Phone: 937-223-4278 | Location: Dayton Art Institute. 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | www.daytonartinstitute.org/ events-activities/oktoberfest

This community event proudly boasts a dazzling array of artisans, unique foods, beverages, kid-friendly art activities, live music, and so much more! The ACCO Brands FamilyFest provides free art activities for the kids, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Family Days: World War I

Price: Free admission and parking | Phone: (937) 255-3286 | Location: National Museum of the United States Air Force. 1100 Spaatz St.

Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton | www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/wwi.asp

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in Europe as one of the nation’s premier historical aviation events brings the excitement and adrenaline of early air power to Ohio. The World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous features vintage original and reproduction WWI aircraft, radiocontrolled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors and a collector’s show.

SUNDAY | 28

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Price: Tickets start at $9 per seat | Phone: 513381-REDS | Location: 100 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.cincinnati.reds.mlb. com/schedule/?c_id=cin#y=2014&m=9&cale ndar=DEFAULT

Fan Appreciation Day: Prizes will be given away to lucky fans throughout the game.

Oktoberfest 2014

Price: free | Phone: 937-223-4278 | Location: Dayton Art Institute. 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton | www.daytonartinstitute.org/ events-activities/oktoberfest

This community event proudly boasts a dazzling array of artisans, unique foods, beverages, kid-friendly art activities, live music, and so much more! The ACCO Brands FamilyFest provides free art activities for the kids, from 12-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Family Days: World War I

Price: Free admission and parking | Phone: (937) 255-3286 | Location: National Museum of the United States Air Force. 1100 Spaatz St. Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton | www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/wwi.asp

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in Europe as one of the nation’s premier historical aviation events brings the excitement and adrenaline of early air power to Ohio. The World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous features vintage original and reproduction WWI aircraft, radiocontrolled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors and a collector’s show.

FOR MORE FUN IDEAS, VISIT DAYTONPARENTMAGAZINE.COM At Dayton Parent, we work hard to ensure our calendar and guide information is accurate. Occasionally event specifics change after we go to press. Therefore, we encourage our readers to call locations or visit them on the web to verify information.

SEPTEMBER 2014 [ dayton parent ] 37

september calendar

ongoing events Cincinnati Under the Sea

(Occurring daily July 29-October 26) Price: Free for members; ticket prices vary | Phone: (513) 287-7000 | Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati | www.cincymuseum. org/exhibits/cincinnati-under-the-sea

About 440 million years ago, most life on Earth existed in the oceans. Back then Cincinnati was underwater, covered by a sea that left the layers of shale and limestone seen alongside local roads today.

Cincinnati Under the Sea shows how regional Ordovician fossils contribute to our understanding of Cincinnati’s natural history-- and to our understanding of Earth’s evolution.

Main Street, Dayton | www.humanracetheatre. org/1415/miracle/index.php

60 years ago, Grandpa Nowak had a vision of the Virgin Mary in his Buffalo, New York barbershop and had an unusual statue of her made to commemorate the miracle. For decades, his family has faithfully tended to his quirky shrine, until a deathbed confession knocks them for a loop in this hilarious comedy that proves when it comes to local legends, there’s more than meets the eye.

Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. (Showtimes daily from September 12-28)

Hawthorn Hill Tours

Price: ticket prices vary; check website for details | Phone: 937-433-8957 | Location: Town Hall Theatre. 27 N. Main Street, Centerville | www.washingtontwp.org/recreation/theatre/ productions/landmark-theatre/peter-pan-jr

Price: $12 per person, $10 per Dayton History Member | Phone: 937-293-2841 | Location: Carillon Historical Park. 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton.

Wendy Darling loves to tell stories to her brothers, Michael, and John. But when her father announces she must move out of the nursery, Peter Pan comes to visit

(Occurring every Wednesday and Saturday)

Join us for a tour of Hawthorn Hill, one of Ohio’s most beautiful and gracious buildings, designed as the home for Daytonians Wilbur and Orville Wright. The home was the venue of family weddings and funerals, holiday celebrations, musical events and many more. Come explore the various rooms of the Wright Brother’s home and learn the rich history of Hawthorn Hill.

Miracle on South Division Street (Shows run daily September 4-21) Price: $40-$50 per ticket | Phone: (937) 2283630 | Location: The Loft Theatre. 126 North

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// SEPTEMBER 2014 the children and whisks them away to Never Land. Their adventure introduces them to the Lost Boys, Mermaids, Indians and even the infamous pirate, Captain Hook! Recommended for Youth Ages 4 & Up. Approximate Running Time: 70 minutes.

sey Dairy. 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs | www.youngsdairy.com/pyo-pumpkin/

Garden Station Sunday Market

Jack O’Lantern Junction

(Open Sundays through October 12) Price: free | Phone: (937) 610-3845 | Location: Garden Station. 509 East 4th Street, Dayton | www.daytongardenstation.org/ Garden Station Sunday Market is the only local produce outlet in Montgomery County which is open on a Sunday, combining produce from the Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s group, including produce from the NEW market/demonstration farm at Garden Station. Located at the NE corner of 4th Street and Wayne Avenue.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins (Open daily from September 20 - October 19) Phone: (937) 325-0629 | Location: Young’s Jer-

Every year we prepare one of our fields for pumpkins. We have had some outstanding pumpkins grown here over the past several years, and we look forward to another good crop this year!

(Open daily September 27 - November 2) Price: Included with Do-It-All Admission | Phone: 513-898-8000 | Location: EnterTRAINment Junction. 7379 Squire Court, West Chester | www.entertrainmentjunction.com/cincinnati_entertainment_and_attractions_calendar

First walk-thru our trick or treat maze and see kid friendly ghosts, skeleton, and more. Come and enjoy the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch, where kids get a free mini pumpkin. Also open this year are our two outdoor kid’s train rides themed for the Halloween season -- it’s Halloween fun for the whole family!

wackycalendar DAYTON PARENT

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