October2017
Volume 8 Number 8
28
Columns
30
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Publisher’s Note Kendra Sumner
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Living With Children John Rosemond
Parenting Teens
Find out one of the biggest mistakes today’s parents are making with their teens.
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Say Goodbye to Ghosts
Helping them overcome their childhood fears.
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Kids Health Watch
sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
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A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith
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Dave Says Dave Ramsey
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Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs
Fall Festivities and Halloween Fun
Our guide to all things “fall” in and around the community.
It’s Time for Time Management
Practical advice for teaching your kids this valuable skill.
On The Cover Maggie Grace, Madison and Morgan are the daughters of Victoria & Bill Gulsby of Auburn. Maggie Grace is a 7th grader at East Samford School and is actively pursuing her dream of being on a collegiate equestrian team under the guidance of Jennifer Fletcher at H&G Horsequarters. She is currently a member of the 2017-2018 IEA ShowTeam and serves on the choreography team at Cornerstone Church. Madison and Morgan are in 4th grade at Ogletree Elementary and enjoy playing competitive softball. The twins are passionate about helping others and love serving on the Café Team at Cornerstone Church.
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Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston
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Get This!
Gerry Paige Smith
Departments 5
Bits and Pieces 10
School Bits 44
Calendar 52
Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
Publisher’sNote It’s finally fall on The Plains! The evenings are getting cooler, leaves are changing from green to red, and the weekends are filled with farm fun and fall festivals. There is nothing like spending a Saturday in October at the local farm, where the kids ride on hay being pulled by a tractor, hunt for the perfect pumpkin, and visit with cute, baby farm animals. Costumes are a big part of October as well. Whether your family creates a theme to work around like Star Wars or Disney Princesses or the kids spend hours brainstorming and creating a unique idea, the Halloween excitement of trick-or-treating is all worth it. How about the festivals throughout East Alabama? Pioneer and Frontier Days, Pow-Wow exhibitions and Haunted Walks and Storytelling Tours are just a few events that can get the whole family into the fall spirit. There are so many fun adventures to choose from and not enough weekends in October to experience them all. What to do? Plan, plan and plan some more! Start by exploring our 2017 Fall Festivities & Halloween Fun Guide. Maybe sit down, as a family, and let each member choose a fun activity, road trip or festival to include on your family calendar. For our family, a “must do” is a day on the farm! And there are some great ones to check out this fall! Jack-O-Lantern Lane at The Oaks, Paradise Pumpkin Patch and Cotton Pickin Pumpkin Patch are just a short, winding drive down the county road. You’ll be able to tour the farm, pick a pumpkin and see many animals along the way. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch just in case you want to watch the golden sunset over the cotton fields and corn stalks. Do you have an artist or engineer in the family who would love to mix their interests with a Halloween touch? Sign them up for a class with Opelika Parks and Recreation where they can meet new friends while making fall treats (October 12) and Halloween Treat Bags (October 24), and don’t miss the Great Pumpkin Carve hosted by The College of Architecture, Design and Construction on Auburn’s Campus. Looking for something unique for your little ones? How about heading over to Zoo Boo at The Montgomery Zoo for games, prizes and educational, animal exhibits, or Downtown Trick-or-Treating where The City of Auburn (October 31) provides a safe alternative to the traditional door-to-door night. How about those teens who aren’t afraid of things that creep and crawl and go bump in the night? Join special investigators, as you take the Haunted Walking Tour through Auburn or dare to be scared on a haunted zombie ride at Pope’s Farm in Salem. There will be thrills and squeals, but hopefully not too scary for those brave ones. With so many options in our area, your family will be sure to find fall fun that appeals to all family members. Speaking of spooky and scary fun, be sure to take the time to read our feature article, Say Goodbye to Ghosts and Other Childhood Fears. The author reminds us that October brings fun experiences, but can also cause fears that children may have to surface. Even a casual walk through the costume store can be scary for younger children. These can be simple fears of skeletons and witches, but also more anxiety provoking issues can come up like separation fears or sleep disturbances. The author suggests helping children to identify the trigger and talk them through the fear. Also, help them find the rationality related to fears such as zombies. They are not real, but can be a scary thought. Be patient and encouraging through the process. Don’t let October pass you by without celebrating the changing of seasons with a family adventure to a farm, a festival or hands-on Halloween craft making. Plan ahead and embrace the time you spend with those most important to you. Fall fun is best celebrated with friends and family. Happy Fall, Y’all!
Kendra
kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source
Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.
Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Mark Gregston Carolyn Jabs Christa Melnyk Hines Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D. Dave Ramsey John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith Katie Woltre Cover Photography Candy Avera www.pictureperfectbycandy.com
President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch
Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303. Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2016 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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ASMS
The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Come find out if ASMS is right for you by attending a statewide
– and so are tuition, room, and board if you are admitted! Start
ASMS Days on November 11 or December 2. Register for the
or 10th graders can apply. Many people ask, “Do I have to be
info meeting (see dates below) and visiting our campus for meeting you plan to attend as well as for ASMS Day at www.asms.net.
sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, and the humanities. Applying to ASMS is FREE
ANNISTON
AUBURN
Thursday, Oct. 19, 5:30 PM (Central) Auburn University Ross Hall Auditorium, RM 136
BIRMINGHAM
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6:00 PM University of Alabama at Birmingham Heritage Hall, RM 104 1401 University Blvd
ENTERPRISE
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM Dauphin Jr. High School Library 425 Dauphin Street
HUNTSVILLE
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM University of Alabama in Huntsville Louis Salmon Library, RM 111 301 Sparkman Drive NW
a ‘genius’ to be accepted to ASMS?” Answer: Absolutely NOT!
ASMS is made up of students who are intelligent and work hard
ASMS is our state’s only fully public, residential high school for
Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:00 PM Gadsden State Ayers Campus Learning Resource Center Auditorium 1801 Coleman Rd
your application today at www.asms.net. Current Alabama 9th
for academic success. All ASMS students go to college and most receive merit-based scholarships.
Questions? Email admissions@asms.net or call 251.441.3250.
LIVINGSTON
Monday, Oct. 16, 6:00 PM University of West Alabama Student Union Small Conference Room Student Union Drive
MONTGOMERY
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7:00 PM Montgomery Main Library 245 High Street
SELMA
MOBILE OPTION 1
Monday, Oct. 16, 6:00 PM Wallace Community College Hank Sanders Tech. Bldg., Conf. Room 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy
MOBILE OPTION 2
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM Coastal Alabama Community College Library Building 3000, RM 107 30755 Hwy 43 South
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM ASMS Campus Media Center 1255 Dauphin Street Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM ASMS Campus Media Center 1255 Dauphin Street
MONROEVILLE
Thursday, Oct. 19, 6:00 PM Coastal Alabama Community College Library, RM 101 2800 South Alabama Avex
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science 1255 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604 251.441.2100 - www.asms.net admissions@asms.net 3
THOMASVILLE
TROY
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM Troy University Trojan Center Room 212 231 Adams Center
TUSCALOOSA
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:00 PM University of Alabama South Engineering Research Center RM 1059
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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond
How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids
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Q. I get very frustrated with my children when they don’t obey me, even down to the simplest of instructions, and end up yelling. How does a parent stop yelling at her kids? A: Thank you, thank you, thank you for asking this very pertinent and timely question. Yelling is commonplace among today’s parents (as opposed to 60-plus years ago); therefore, almost everyone reading this column will benefit from it. And yes, that is a guarantee. If the reader does not benefit, then he or she only engaged in rote decoding of alphabetic symbols. Parental yelling occurs for two reasons, depending on the type of parent in question. As regards the sort of parents who read my column on a regular basis—parents, that is, who love their children unconditionally and want to be the best parents they can be—yelling occurs because they tolerate misbehavior. Tolerant parents repeat themselves, threaten, bluster and otherwise work themselves into a state of frustration that eventually expresses itself in yelling. Intolerant parents do none of that. They are mean. A parent who
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
qualifies as mean does not yell. Said parent is virtually unflappable, which is to say cool, calm, and collected. From a child’s perspective, a parent (or teacher) is mean if the child discovers that the parent says precisely what he means and means precisely what he says. No means no. It does not mean maybe. “I (parent) want you (child) to do thus and so” means the child is going to do it. It does not mean anything short of that. Mean parents do not negotiate, backtrack, equivocate or blow smoke. They do not threaten or give second chances. For example, if a mean parent tells a child to go straighten and clean his room and the child pushes back or fails to perform the task properly, mean parent might go clean the child’s room himself and then ground the child to the home for two weeks with early bedtime. Mean parent in this example gave the instruction once. The child had one chance to either obey or disobey. In the latter, mean parent did not repeat, complain, berate, bluster, give a second chance, threaten, jump up and down while flapping his arms, or
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yell. He was calmly intolerant; therefore, he did not yell. I have polled hundreds of audiences on the issue of yelling and discovered that the percentage of parents who frequently yell has at least tripled in the last fifty years or so. The percentage of children who do habitually disobey at first instruction has risen accordingly. During that time, the nature of the child has not changed. The increase in yelling is due to parents of two generations ago being generally more intolerant of misbehavior. Their intolerance expressed itself in several ways, including that they did not repeat themselves, did not give reasons and explanations, replied with “because I said so” if asked for a reason or explanation, and used consequences that instilled permanent memories. The payoff to children who grew up with these intolerant, mean parents was rarely if ever being yelled at. Sorry to disappoint, but if you yell at your children, you do so not because they are strongwilled or argumentative or can’t take no for an answer. You yell at your children because you are weak-willed, accept invitations to argue, and can’t say no and mean it. Stop trying to change your children. Change you. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.
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Pioneer Day at Loachapoka
Pioneer Day will be held on Saturday, October 21, from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Loachapoka (just 5 miles west of Auburn). The festival features weaving and clothmaking demonstrations, mules grinding cane, syrup being made, musical entertainment with hammered and mountain dulcimers, banjos and guitars, a doctor’s beautiful herb and crops garden, Native American dancing, bread making, soap making, period pottery, fireplace and outdoor cooking, and numerous other old-time crafts and unique vendors. Of course, the famous sweet potato biscuits are made on-site for your enjoyment as well as camp stew, beans, collards, BBQ, and more. There will be plenty of activities for children as well. Tour the two-story 140 year old Trade Center Museum, watch the blacksmiths at work, visit the Log Cabin, and the Taylor Whatley agricultural implement collection. Admission is free to all, so come out and enjoy the fall weather at Pioneer Day in Loachapoka. For more information, visit www. leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 334.887.3007.
Creepy Wonderful CrittersVenomous Snakes!
Learn all about snakes at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, October 14. Admission is $5 for non-members, $4 for members, children 3 and under are free. Enjoy the very entertaining herpetologist Jimmy Stiles in a program about venomous snakes. Learn how to safely coexist with these often misunderstood reptiles who help control our rodent population. Visit with some of our other creepy wonderful critters under the pavilion! Canceled in the event of rain. (334) 844-8091 • preserve@auburn.edu.
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The Great Pumpkin Splash
On October 27, The Opelika SportsPlex pool will turn into the Great Floating Pumpkin Patch! Kids ages 6-12 can enjoy Harvest Relay Races, pumpkin roll and more! 6-8 p.m. $4.00 fee. Must preregister by October 24! www.opelikasportsplex.com.
Ghoulish Gala at the Library
Dress up in your Halloween costumes and bring the whole family to the Auburn Public Library on October 26 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. to enjoy a variety of fun Halloween activities! The terrifying, spine-tingling, shriek-inducing, haunted wing of the library will be open to willing adventurers, and we’ll also have carnival games, candy, music, and a spooky photo booth! (334) 501-3296.
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Fall Festival at the Opelika SportPlex
Fright Nights at the Arboretum
A safe alternative to Trick-or-Treating, on October 24. Children wear costumes and bring a treat bag. Visit with local mascots and ride a hayride, play games, inflatable slide, entertainment and much more. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Children 12 and under are welcome. Free admission. Tickets for games and activities sold in advance. www. opelikasportesplex.com.
Join the Donald E. Davis Arboretum and Auburn Parks and Recreation for Fright Nights at the Arboretum on Fridays in October at 6-10 p.m.! On select Fridays in October, enjoy special screenings of your favorite monster movies! From “Dracula” to “Frankenstein” to “The Mummy”, it’s time for the Monster Mash at the Arboretum! Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners to enjoy movies. Parking is available near the entrances on three sides: along Lem Morrison and the Poultry Science parking lot, along Garden Drive and in the Arboretum parking lot off Garden Drive. Patrons are encouraged to carpool or walk. The event is FREE and open to the public. 181 Garden Drive, Auburn.
Ghoulish Gourds
Join the staff at the Auburn Public Library on October 18, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Bring your friends and family to the library to decorate a pumpkin of your choosing! An array of arts and crafts supplies will be available to spark your imagination and creativity! Whatever your style, the possibilities are endless, all without using a carving knife, and you’ll have the coolest pumpkin on the block! (334) 501-3296.
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17th Annual Auburn Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Get ready for the Monster Mash! Bring your monsters, princesses, superheros and cuties to the best Halloween party in town – the Downtown Trick-or-Treat! Join the City of Auburn for this spooktacular alternative to door-to-door trickor-treating in downtown Auburn from 6 – 8 p.m. on October 31. There are treats provided by the downtown merchants, visits from characters and area celebrities, musical entertainment from DJ Ozz and costume contests! Everyone is invited to dress up and come in costume, adults and children alike! First, second and third place awards are given for best pet, individual (12 years of age or younger) and family costume. Parents must accompany children to this event. The Downtown Trick-or-Treat is FREE to the public and will be held rain or shine. Downtown streets will close at 5:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org.
Zoo Boo at The Montgomery Zoo
Join us for 11 nights of horror and fun at Zoo Boo, October 13-15, 20-22 and 27-31. Climb aboard the thrill ride of a life time Haunted Hay Ride or mosey on over to the Pumpkin Pull for a good, ole fashioned, non-scary, traditional hay ride. Enjoy games, bouncy castles, concessions and much more at Zoo Boo. Gates open nightly at 6 p.m., and the first Haunted Hay Ride will pull out at dusk. Halloween-themed games and attractions. Win prizes, candy and have a lot of fun. Great for all ages, boys and girls. $15 (ages 3 years old and older). Ticket includes entry, one ride on either the Haunted Hay Ride (scary ride) or the Pumpkin Pull Hay Ride (non-scary) and one sheet of game tickets (10 tickets per sheet). Montgomery Zoo members receive a 50% discount on ZooBoo admission. www.montgomeryzoo.com.
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KidsHealthWatch
Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
Flu Vaccine Recommendations Along with fall and football season, flu season is now upon us. Last year, more than 100 children died of the flu and many more were hospitalized due to severe illness and complications from the flu. Most of the children who died and/or were hospitalized were unvaccinated against the flu. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issues recommendations for the flu vaccine each year. This year, the AAP continues to recommend routine vaccination against the flu for children 6 months of age or older and encourages children to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available in order to provide full coverage. They also recommend that everyone in the household get vaccinated in order to prevent the transmission of flu. The specific recommendations from the AAP are as follows: • Children should receive the vaccination by the end of October if possible. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
have never received the flu vaccine need two doses and therefore should begin their series as early in the season as possible. • The AAP supports the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s ) recommendation to not use the live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine this year due to its poor activity against influenza A. • Children 6 months and older with weakened immune systems, heart disease, history of prematurity, diabetes, asthma, other chronic lung disease and metabolic disorders have an increased risk of flu and therefore should be vaccinated against it. • The flu vaccine should be given to all pregnant women, women who are attempting to become pregnant, women in the postpartum period and women who are breastfeeding during the flu season.
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• Health care providers along with child care providers and staff should receive the influenza vaccine annually. The flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine meaning that it does not have the live flu virus and therefore cannot cause flu. The flu vaccine is injected into the muscle. As stated above, the CDC and AAP do not recommend using the intranasal flu vaccine during the 2017-2018 flu season. Children with an egg allergy of any severity can receive the flu vaccine without additional precautions. The best prevention against the flu is to receive the flu vaccine. Please call your physician’s office to find out if they have the flu vaccine and to make an appointment to receive it as soon as possible. Dr. Katie Wolter is board certified in Pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Lee County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and the American Medical Association. She is passionate about breastfeeding medicine and is currently working on becoming an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). She is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Dr. Wolter is married to her husband, Jeremy, and has four sons. She loves to spend her free time outdoors with her family and friends.
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thehomelink.com | 334.329.5055 | 2178 Moores Mill Road, Auburn, AL 36830
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Autauga County Schools
Opelika High Theater Society Presents “Peter Pan”
Yarbrough Elementary Students Discuss Summer Reading Book
Opelika High School Theater will present “Peter Pan” musical to the public at Opelika Center for Performing Arts, 1700 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika on October 1 (3:00 p.m.), October 5 (6:30 p.m.), and October 8 (3:00 p.m.). Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students 12 and under. For ticket info, email OHTS@opelikaschools.org or call 334-745-9715.
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Yarbrough Elementary students took Jacqueline Davies' "The Lemonade War" many places this summer! Now it's time for them to get together and discuss this fun book.
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Trinity Christian Back-toSchool Bash
Please send school news to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
Auburn City Schools Students Learn About Native Americans
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On Saturday, August 19, Trinity Christian School celebrated a new school year by hosting its annual Back-to-School Bash. School families gathered on campus to enjoy inflatables, bungee trampolines, cool treats, games, and even a photo booth!
Adventures in Art has begun and all ACS 5th graders are learning about Alabama's first inhabitants, the Native Americans, through art, dance, storytelling and more. For more information on this activity please visit: www.news. auburnalabama.org/
Auburn HS Cheerleaders Greet Dean Road Students
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In effort to build school spirit for some of our "Future Tigers" the Auburn High School cheerleaders welcomed students at Dean Road Elementary.
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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Mayor Bill Ham and the Auburn City Council recognized Auburn City Schools' very own Laura Bailey and Dr. Blake Busbin!
Bailey was recently named the Alabama Association of Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year and Busbin the 2017 Alabama History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Busbin has also been named one of the 10 finalists for the 2017 National History Teacher of the Year Award, presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History The CTE Admin of the Year is voted on by fellow career tech directors and recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, state or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success while making significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs. Busbin's award was presented by a panel of teachers, administrators and scholars from
WE MAKE YOUR SMART KID EVEN SMARTER! Š2017 Kumon North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Auburn City Council Recognizes Two Local Educators
Give your child an academic advantage that lasts a lifetime. Alabama and is awarded annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to one K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and United States territories. Auburn City Schools is proud to call both of these accomplished professionals their own!
Schedule a Parent Orientation & FREE Placement Test today!
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Kumon Math & Reading Center of Auburn-Opelika 1550 Opelika Rd, Suite 36, Auburn, AL 36830
334.501.8586 • kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al
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Autauga County Schools
Army STEM Truck Visits Auburn HS
Auburn City Schools Ranked No. 6 Best School District in Alabama
The U.S. Army STEM truck made a stop in Auburn and was parked outside the courtyard at AHS demonstrating robotics for classes throughout the day with different stations students could work through to see how science, engineering, math and technology are used in the Army.
As school starts back all over the nation, Niche.com released the new 2018 Best Schools in America rankings, and Auburn City Schools ranks No. 6 in the state of Alabama. ACS achieved this ranking by scoring highly on a variety of factors including test scores, studentteacher ratio and reviews from students and parents. In addition to ranking No. 6 overall, ACS also earned No. 8 Best Teachers in Alabama and No. 10 Best Places to Teach in Alabama. All 12 schools within ACS scored an “A rating” from Niche.com. To see the complete list go to: https://www.niche.com/k12/ search/best-school-districts/s/alabama/
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Opelika Lemonade Stand Raises Over $1,400!
Opelika residents Ava and her mom set up a lemonade stand in their front yard to raise money for hurricane Harvey victims. They invited Ava’s cousin, Henry, and her friend, Zach. The kids raised over $1,400 for Houston!
Go Tigers!
The Auburn HS Tigers defeated Opelika 17-13!
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Autauga County Schools
First Responder Appreciation at Ogletree Elementary
Local first responders from Auburn Police Department and Lee County Emergency Management Agency opened car doors to greet students at Ogletree Elementary with high fives and smiles! Once classes were underway officers enjoyed breakfast prepared by the Ogletree staff. This is just one of many ways ACS partners with local agencies to build positive relationships in our community.
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Trinity Inducts Six New Members into Honor Society
On August 23rd, Trinity Christian School celebrated the induction of 6 new members of the Honor Society. Students in the Honor Society are required to keep a high GPA, participate in community service, and exhibit Christ-like character.
Please send school news and photos to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
Wacoochee Rewards Students for Summer Reading
Wacoochee students who read over the summer were treated to an Ice Cream Party along with being able to jump in a really cool bouncy house! Here are a couple of the students who were able to participate.
Pick Elementary School Readers A staff that READS together LEADS together!
FACES Board Meeting Celebrates $10,000 Collected through Fundraising
The FACES Board held their first meeting of the 2017-2018 school year and celebrated the $10,000 in funds raised by this past spring's Boda Getta BBQ. This money goes toward funding the grants that Auburn City Schools' teachers submit to the foundation each year for the enrichment of their classrooms and lesson plans. Photo (L to R): FACES President Martee Moseley, FACES Executive Director Wes Gordon and Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Lolly Steiner. Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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Parent Speaks to Auburn HS About Distracted Driving and Underage Drinking
Mike Lutzenkirchen stopped into Auburn High School to talk to more than 800 students during "Tiger Time" about several topics including distracted driving and underage drinking with an added challenge to unplug from modern technology every once in a while in order to become more present. While sharing the story of his late son Philip Lutzenkirchen he said above all else his son made himself available; whether it be for someone he loved, someone in need or someone who simply had less. To conclude Mr. Lutzenkirchen's visit he took a quick peek at the athletic components of the new campus. This was a great message to help continue kicking off a new school year.
This event was made possible through a partnership with the Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business' Diversity Initiatives. A big thank you to Mike for sharing his message!
Auburn Fire Department Encourages Summer Reading
Thank you Auburn Fire Department for helping Yarbrough Elementary School celebrate our summer reading!
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Auburn Students Selected to Attend Special Olympics in Seattle
Autauga County Schools
Auburn High's Eric Cha has been selected to attend the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018 as part of team Alabama! AHS Alumni, Porter Caldwell, Sherrell Caldwell and Dillon Smith were also selected to compete. ACS wishes these athletes the best of luck! Here is to bringing back the Gold!
Getting Pumped about Teams at Morris Avenue
Students and teachers welcomed third graders and new students to their teams this August at a fun pep rally. Welcome to teams Motivation, Understanding, Spectacular, Trustworthy, Achieve, Noble, Generous, and Successful! It's a MUSTANG Thing!
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Local Schools Receive Grants from Alabama Power
Rod Cater with Alabama Power, presented "Students to Stewards" conservation grants to two Auburn City Schools, both in the amount of $1,000. The first went to science teacher Caley Bloodworth at Auburn High School and the second went to Cyndi Czerkawski at Cary Woods. Mrs. Bloodworth will utilize this money to enrich her environmental science classes when it comes to the use of the natural creeks that are on the new high school's campus and Mrs. Czerkawski will uses her grant to continue outdoor efforts such as her community garden with after-school students at CWES. Only four schools were presented these grants and ACS earned two of them. For more information on the grants please visit: http:// powerofgood.com/category/ students-to-stewards/ Top left photo, (L to R): Justina Wills, Rod Cater, Dr. Shannon Pignato and Damian Sinclair. Bottom left photo: Dr. Shannon Pignato presenting grant to Caley Bloodworth. Right photo: Lamarrius Anderson with Rod Cater and after school students.
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Children’s of Alabama is ... l The
third largest pediatric hospital in the United States
l Licensed
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This icon is not the official U.S. News & World Report best hospitals emblem.
2016-17
l The
BEST
for 332 beds & 48 NICU bassinets
first LEED-certified hospital building in Alabama
l One
of the Top 20 employers in Alabama with more than 4,700 employees across the state
CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS
l The
pediatric teaching hospital for the School of Medicine at UAB
l Home
to the Pediatric & Congenital Heart Center of Alabama, where more than 450 cardiac surgeries are performed annually
l Site
of the only pediatric kidney dialysis program in the state — one of the largest in the country
Russell Campus
l Home
205.638.9100 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children Lowder Building McWane Building Children’s on Third Outpatient Center Children’s Park Place
to one of the largest burn units in the Southeast
l One
of the largest pediatric rheumatology programs in the nation and the only one in Alabama
1601 5th Avenue South 1600 7th Avenue South 1600 7th Avenue South 1208 3rd Avenue South 1600 5th Avenue South
l Provides
care for more than 90 percent of Alabama children with cancer and blood disorders
Children’s South
205.638.4800 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road, Birmingham, AL 35243 Outpatient surgery services, Pediatric Imaging Center, laboratory services, specialty care clinics and After Hours care www.ChildrensAL.org
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Autauga County Schools
School Library Fun at Dean Road Elementary
AEEC Holds Title One Information Night
The Dean Road Elementary School library is in full swing!
On August 31st, AEEC held its Title One Information Night entitled "If You Read a Child a Book". The evening was great fun as families listened to the book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie�, and visited several stations that talked about vocabulary, sequencing, taking a picture walk, music, art, and sight words. And of course, we had a treat at the end - milk and cookies!
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Tiger Time Offers Opportunity to Participate in Clubs
All students, faculty, and staff will participate in Tiger Time at Auburn High School. Each member of the learning community at AHS will find a way to benefit from the extra time to do homework or get tutoring, the ability to join a variety of clubs, get some fresh air while walking the track, or just taking a much-needed break before a major exam. Here is a look at the fair that took place earlier today advertising the numerous clubs that students lead and can join!
Family Book Club!
What fun was had by all who attended family book club this week! Families could attend dinner or breakfast to discuss their reading of “The Lemonade War�. Collaborative activities and sharing brought laughter and smiles to all who participated.
Exploring Energy at Yarbrough Elementary School
Mrs. Ramey's fourth graders at Yarbrough Elementary explored potential and kinetic energy with toy automobiles!
Please send school news to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
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Autauga County Schools Solar Eclipse Fun!
Trinity Christian School
Auburn City Schools
Mrs. Blackstock's second graders learned all about the solar eclipse on August 21st! They created their own artwork, and they enjoyed Sunkist and Moon Pies!
Teachers, students and staff across secondary campuses in Auburn City Schools viewed the Great American Eclipse!
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Northside Intermediate School
Opelika Middle School
Students in Mrs. Rosener's class at Northside Intermediate School in Opelika wore their class-made eclipse t-shirts and used them to learn three parts of the sun's atmosphere: the photosphere, chromosphere, and the corona. They also created chalk drawings of the eclipse, and each child submitted an entry into NASA's "Eclipse in Six" interactive blog. During the dimmest time, they read in the dark with laser pointers, practicing how to track when reading. As a treat, the students feasted on Moon Pies, Sun Chips, Milky Ways and Capri Suns! Pictured below, students in Mrs. Grace’s class at NIS show off the eclipse t-shirts they made.
Mrs. Cherry's Champs team enjoyed watching the solar eclipse at Opelika Middle School.
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Opelika High School
Students in Mrs. Howell's engineering class at Opelika High School were well prepared to view the solar eclipse.
Celebrating 25 years! Li v i ng. Lovin g. Lear n in g.
Caring for your children and laying a foundation for their growth and success has been our calling for the past 25 years. Our unique, caring approach is rooted in an understanding that each child is a gift and a responsibility. These precious little ones deserve our attention, security and love. Just like home. Today, our commitment to your children continues with caring and experienced teachers, a stimulating and secure environment and an atmosphere of living, loving and learning you’ll only find at Growing Room. 334-501-2044 | 644 North Dean Road, Auburn, AL M-F 6:30am - 6:30pm | Ages 6 weeks – 12 years
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A Page in a Book Mending Fences with Friends Small children learn to make friends the same way that they master other childhood skills, through trial and error. Moving from the proximity play of toddlers toward actual engagement with other kids through shared interests, they are learning how to become friends. And while fun and fellowship can typify this early camaraderie, kids are also navigating the emotions and instincts that can cause fights between pals. The following titles gently explore friendly conflict while sharing solutions that can guide early relationships back toward their happy norm.
Are We Still Friends?
by Ruth Horowitz, Illustrated by Bianca Gomez (Scholastic) The relationship between Beatrice and Abel extends beyond just friendship. They share a fence between their yards with Abel growing apples trees on one side, and Beatrice raising bees on the other. They cross the wall and work together to harvest honey and pick apples, and even make apple butter in the winter. But when a simple misunderstanding blows up their friendship, it will take some work to bring down the wall that has been built between them. Highlighting the symbiosis that strengthens relationships, this title is an ideal start for conversations with kids about the shared interests and common grounds that make their friendships special.
Tiger and Badger
by Emily Jenkins, Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Farrar Straus Giroux) Even in the most solid of friendships, territorial disputes can lead to conflicts that take some extra effort to resolve. Badger and Tiger are enjoying a monumental play day, until the lines begin to blur over who gets the chair and the orange slices. But when a fight over the last ice pop results in a fight that launches their favorite toy into a tree, the friends recognize that they are stronger together as they mount a rescue. Familiar territory for kids experiencing fall outs with their pals from time-to-time, Tiger and Badger gently navigates the path from conflict to resolution with bright illustration and humor.
by Simon Rickerty (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster) Demonstrating their best scribbles, Red and Blue like to show off what they can do with their crayons. But when antics for attention between Red and Blue cross the line, a colorful competition ensues that leaves one crayon out in the cold. And just like how a fight takes two, it takes more than one to put a friendship back together again. Relationships aren’t simply black and white (or red and blue) and the addition of more color may brighten up the future for these two friends. With simple text and bold primary colored illustration, The Crayon explores how friendships can migrate outside of the lines, drawing bigger landscapes for relationships to explore.
Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.
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Q. My husband and I have been saving, and we’re ready to buy our first home. We found a place we both love and can afford if we do a 30-year mortgage instead of a 15-year mortgage. Should we wait and save more for a down payment so we can afford a 15-year mortgage, or go ahead and do the 30-year deal? A. Good financial
decisions can be defined as things that help you win with money over the long-term. Thirty-year mortgages are a trap. They don’t help you build wealth, and they keep you in debt. On the other hand, 15-year mortgages get you out of debt a lot faster, and being out of debt frees up your largest wealth-building tool — your income. I would never take out a home loan where the payments are more than a
fourth of your monthly take-home pay on a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage. My advice is to either wait and save more money, or maybe look for a less expensive home in a different area. I know you want a home. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own house. But I don’t want your home to have you. When you get house fever, it’s easy to lock yourself into a bad deal that will follow you around and drain your wallet for decades!
Q. My brotherin-law moved in with us several months ago. He’s 32, and he doesn’t have a job or contribute anything in terms of helping around the house or with bills. I think he needs to move out, but my wife is hesitant to say anything. She complains about the situation to
me, but she knows her family will be upset if we do anything. How can we handle this?
A. Responsible adults don’t behave like
bums, and I don’t care what the rest of the family thinks. This issue is between you and your wife. You two are the only ones dealing with this, so it’s easy for others to chime in about what should happen. You shouldn’t just kick the guy out, but you do need to get busy formulating a plan that will allow him to get back on his feet. Have a gentle talk with him about the situation and his future, and tell him things aren’t going to continue on the same path. Let him know he must have a job within 30 days, and 30 days after that he has to move into his own place. Write it down on the calendar, if it will help, but make sure he understands why you’re doing this and the date he must move out. I know these things can be difficult, but sometimes you’ve got to take the bull by the horns and make something happen. It’s what’s best for him – and both of you – in the long run.
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As Mom’s behavior I couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down my cheeks as I much-needed tasks for Mom without neglecting deteriorated, our parenting drove away from my parent’s house. No longer able to deny extended periods with our roles reversed. I watched her struggle with everythe effects of Mom’s dementia, I didn’t know how to cope. I son. day chores and began to watched Mom’s confusion as she looked for the bathroom help with cooking, laundry Say good-bye to and grocery shopping. I in her own home and put toilet paper in the freezer. I didn’t the parent who applied her makeup and know how to answer when she asked where her four little redirected her behavior raised you. Diagnoses when she spun out of that affect the brain such girls were (me and my sisters of years past). Anger gripped control, envisioning her as dementia, Parkinson’s doing the same for me me. Who’s to blame for this horrible disease? Why did this or a stroke often create as a young child. Fragile devastating changes to happen? Where is the mom who raised me? emotions spilled out as personalities. Recognizing I walked in unfamiliar the need to grieve the loss territory. I wanted an of a changed relationship unique challenges. Here are a few tips I’ve instruction manual on how opens the door to healthy learned along the way. to move from the daughter role I’d played interaction as new personalities emerge. for so many years to a caregiving role, but When I quit expecting Mom to be the Recognize your limitations. there wasn’t one. mom of my childhood, I more easily acAssuming the responsibility of a full-time As our parents age, it’s not unusual to cepted the changes I couldn’t control. As caregiver role to an aging parent while parbegin a new role, particularly in the midst she moved from the parent to the child, I enting your own children can lead to stress of illness. The Family Caregiver Alliance let go of expectations of the past. I made and burnout. Mindful of your own family’s reports that 65.7 million caregivers make an intentional choice to open my mind to needs, determine a realistic plan. As my up 29% of the U.S. adult population providMom’s new emotions, changing behavior mom’s needs increased, our youngest son ing care to someone who is ill, disabled and different mannerisms. I processed raw moved into his teen years. My parents live or aged (https://caregiver.org/selectedemotions with my sisters, educated myself out-of-state so I established a schedule caregiver-statistics). Understanding how on dementia, and joined an online supwith my husband to include two days at to move into a caregiver role and balance port group to help cope with the changing my parent’s house every other week. My it with parenting responsibilities presents dynamics in our relationship. routine allowed enough time to perform
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ahead. I don’t always do it perfectly, but when I live one day at a time, I enjoy the beauty of Mom’s laughter, the twinkle in her eye when she remembers my name, and the momentary pleasure of a meaningful conversation as Mom reminisces of childhood memories.
Solicit support.
Providing care for an aging parent requires time, energy, and perseverance. Sharing the burden with others helps. I’m thankful for three sisters who also care deeply for my parents and want to participate in caregiving. Not everyone shares that privilege. Finding support through caregiver groups, local community activities, and others walking the same journey helps ease the tension and exhaustion that accompanies caregiving responsibilities.
Live one day at a time.
Mom’s dementia will not have a happy ending. When I project details of the future, I experience anxiety, insecurity and fear. But, I’ve learned to accept the good days and the bad without focusing on what lies
Include grandchildren in caregiving roles. Children
don’t have to be shielded from aging parents. Asking older children to help with meals, laundry or errands moves them away from self-centered behavior and teaches them compassion for others. My
sister’s children live in the same town with my parents and regularly help with cooking, cleaning, or simply companionship on hard days. Grandchildren create lasting memories through routine tasks and meaningful conversation with grandparents.
Find gratitude for the parent now in your life. As personalities
change, new characteristics emerge. Mom’s private demeanor of the past has been replaced with a transparent and sensitive spirit. Deeper relationships develop as she easily expresses her needs and asks for help, embracing gestures of kindness with love and appreciation. Although no longer the mom of my past, I love her just the same. Aging parents create new challenges when parenting roles reverse. An already overwhelmed schedule with our own children can prevent us from assuming a caregiver role. But life is a gift that can be taken away with little notice. As I watch Mom’s last season quickly drawing to a close, I want to show honor and gratitude as often as possible, creating special moments in the process, without regrets in the end. AOP Gayla Grace writes, speaks, and coaches on parenting and stepfamily issues.
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Are We Addicted to Cell Phones? How much time did your kids spend with their cellphones yesterday? When was the last time you checked yours? If contemplating these questions makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Cellphones dominate our lives in part because they are designed to do precisely that according to Tristran Harris, a tech entrepreneur who worked for a while as Product Ethicist at Google. He now runs TimeWellSpent, a non-profit that points out how cellphones and their apps hijack our attention. Some researchers have noted that brains scans of people who spend a lot of time online are disconcertingly similar to those of people with substance abuse problems. Here are a few consequences you may recognize in yourself or your kids: • Time – Devoting more and more time to cellphone activities, partly because the person looses track of time and partly because it takes longer to feel satisfied. • Obsession — Thinking about being online even when the person is offline. Failure to cut back despite resolutions. • Mood – Feeling anxious, restless, irritable or even angry when online activities are interrupted or when the person has to be offline. • Social – Withdrawal from friends and real life social activities. The feeling that online relationships are more significant and genuine. • Interference – Spending time online even when it interferes with other important activities including employment, schoolwork, chores, exercise, family time and sleep.
• Deception - Lying to oneself or others about how much time is spent with the phone. For most people, of course, cellphone use doesn’t rise to the level of addiction. Still, many parents have the uneasy feeling that phones take too big a chunk of family life. In contemporary culture, total abstinence isn’t realistic for adults or teens but there are ways to become more deliberate about when and how we use our phones. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Evaluate activities. Pay attention to what you and your kids are doing on your phones. Some activities—games, social media, news—are designed to be endless. Others—gambling, shopping, looking at porn—are associated with off-line addictions. Identify activities that are productive and/or enjoyable. How much time should be allotted to each? Develop a budget that guides how you spend your online time. Use the timer on your phone--or ask other family members—to hold you accountable. 2. Create an essential home screen. Harris suggests sorting apps into three categories: Tools to help you complete essential tasks—calendar, camera, etc. Bottomless Bowls are apps that encourage you to binge. Aspirations are things you’d like to do. Create a homescreen that includes ONLY indispensable tools and realistic aspirations. Hide other apps in folders where you won’t see seductive icons. Having a folder called News, Games or Social forces you to think, even briefly, about whether you really want to engage in that activity. 3. Identify triggers. Addictive behavior often starts with uncomfortable feelings such as depression or anxiety. Talking about feelings helps children and adults recognize their emotions and make more conscious decisions about how 27
to manage them. If a family member is upset because of something that happened at school or work, he or she may get temporary relief from playing a game or binge-watching YouTube. That’s not necessarily a problem—if the person eventually thinks through the basic problem and comes up with ideas about how to address it. 4. Customize notifications. The ding from a cellphone is like a slot machine. Most of the time it’s meaningless, but occasionally there’s a big payoff. Assign special ringtones to family members and other people so you won’t miss genuinely important messages. Then turn off notifications from everything else. You won’t know everything about everybody all the time, so put an end to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out.) 5. Create rich off-line lives. Seek out tech-free experiences that are rewarding for family members. Take every opportunity to be physically active, outdoors if possible. Ride bikes, take walks, play sports. Invite friends and extended family over for meals or game nights. Collect cellphones at the door. 6. Get an alarm clock. Using a cellphone as an alarm makes it the last thing you see before you fall asleep and the first thing you check in the morning. It may even interrupt sleep with notifications that matter much less than being rested. Claim the luxury of thinking your own thoughts as you drift off to sleep. Take a little time in the morning to wake up fully before engaging with whatever is on your phone. Finally, appreciate what’s good about cellphones. Some researchers, for example, have noted that use of drugs and alcohol among teens has declined over the same period that smartphone use increased. They speculate that interactive media may satisfy adolescent cravings for independence, risk-taking and sensation seeking without the devastating consequences of other addictions. In other words, cellphones like so many other technologies, can make lives better or worse. It’s up to parents to pay attention to that uneasy feeling about phones, so we can gently take corrective actions that restore them to their proper place. Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2017, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.
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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston
A Great Teen Parenting Mistake Well-intentioned parents, doing as they have always done to protect their children when they were young, often circle the wagons and marshal control when their teenager makes a mistake in judgment. Others keep their wagons circled all the time, never giving up any control to the teenager in the first place. Such parents then wonder why their teenager rebels against them or lacks maturity. It’s natural for parents to believe that trouble can be avoided by keeping their teenager always in sight, by fixing their every problem, and by generally keeping them under their control. But I’ve learned that teens mature quicker when parents take steps in the early teen years to give up some of the control they have over their teen’s life.
Learn to Let Go!
Do you have the habit of picking up the slack, covering all the bases, answering all the questions, solving all the problems, and making everything easy for your teen? If so, you might not be doing your teenager any favors. Instead, you may just be keeping your teenager immature, dependent and powerless. If you want your child to grow up, and he’s reached the teen years, you may have to learn to let go. You may have to get out of the way. It boils down to one very simple concept — the best way to empower your teenager is to share the power you’ve always had over him, allowing him more and more power and responsibility for making his own decisions.
Hold Them Accountable
Responsibility becomes an internal life force when parents empower a child to make decisions, line out their options, define the consequences, and then let them choose. If your teenager is fully capable of doing well, communicate that belief to him by giving him more freedoms. Fortunately, most teens want to take control of things in their life — so let them. As you back off, let your teenager know they will be given even more freedoms if they handle the first steps well. And make it clear that you will remain in the role of the enforcer of consequences, should they break the rules. Such consequences could include losing some of their newfound freedoms and losing some of your trust. Then, let them make their own choices, and also let them bear the full responsibility for Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
those choices. Line out their options, define the consequences for bad decisions, and then let them choose. Don’t rescue them by not enforcing consequences for their poor choices. And equally as important, don’t forget to congratulate and reward them for making good choices!
The Power of Empowerment
As you learn to let go, your teen’s expectations will shift away from leaning on you to run their life and fix everything for them (including their mistakes), to the understanding that they are the ones responsible for how things turn out. They’ll surely make many mistakes before they begin to understand what good decisionmaking looks like. And they may even try every trick in the book to get you to rescue them out of their poor choices. But don’t do it! Hold them responsible, just as they will some day be held accountable as an adult.
Give Them Something to Be Responsible For
Teenagers don’t become responsible or learn to think more maturely by accident. They learn from being in situations where responsibility and maturity is expected and modeled. That’s why I highly recommend to parents that they get their child into a part-time job throughout the teen years, and particularly one that is service-oriented. Probably the biggest mistake of schools today is when they keep kids so busy with after school activities, that there is no time for a job in which teens can learn responsibility. Outside of what Mom and Dad are expecting of them, nothing can teach a teenager about life and making a livelihood than a job can. Kids who get their first job after they graduate from high school are at a disadvantage and have a lot of catch-up to do in the area of maturity. The right job for just a few hours each week can be a perfect training ground for a teenager, teaching people-skills, moneymanagement, time-management, and even helping the teenager determine what she does or doesn’t want to do after high school.
When to Take Back Parental Power
Now, let me address the family dealing with a teen who is already spinning out of control 28
or is addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, or other harmful substances or behaviors. This situation is entirely different. In this day and age, a child choosing to self-destruct or to live a dangerous lifestyle could end up in serious trouble, or could even die. In this case, empowerment shifts back to the parent, who must intervene and retake decisive control, since the teen’s lifestyle is actually controlling the teenager at this point. Take whatever measures are necessary to ensure his safety and do it now. It is up to you to create a solution, such as counseling or substance abuse treatment. Then, with a plan in hand and with all the power you can muster, communicate this message: “Honey – we love you. Nothing you do or say will make us love you any less, and nothing you do or say will make us love you any more. But we are not going to live like this anymore. Since you are not making the right choices on your own, here is what will change in your life, as of today…” And then stick to your plan. There’s nothing that will ruin your future ability to get such a teen back on track than to not follow through the first time.
Small Bumps Are Temporary
Maybe you are just having some small bumps in the road with your teenager. Let me assure you, most immature behavior is just that — immaturity. They will grow out of it as they mature and as they come up against the consequences for wrong decisions. And they’ll mature more quickly if you empower them to take on more responsibility for their own life. Give them ample opportunity to make errors in judgment early on, when you still have some control over them in your home. Letting go doesn’t mean backing off completely. It simply means allowing the teenager to make more and more decisions on their own, and to have more and more freedoms. When they make mistakes, or overstep your household boundaries, it is still a parent’s responsibility to dole out the consequences as a means of discipline, which will prevent them from making the same mistake again and again. For that is how teenagers learn.
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
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In addition to being a short-order cook, housekeeper, and 24/7 chauffeur, I’m also my kids’ #1 fear-fighter. I check under their beds for bad guys and stick my arm in the toy bin “to make sure the crab isn’t real.” Almost every day my kids ask for help with scary situations. My daughter believes zombies live in our attic and my son swears he’s seen a green ghost in my bedroom. I tell them, “Monsters are just pretend,” but neither child believes me. They’re convinced that danger lurks in the darkness. Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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unintentionally feed kids’ fears by reassuring them they have nothing to worry about,” Wendt warns. The best approach is problem-solving. Here are some ways to do it.
Where Fears Come From
Kids’ fears are as unique as their personalities. Many young kids are afraid of animals and insects (dogs, snakes, spiders), characters in costumes (beware Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny), and things that go bump in the night. Others fear loud noises or believe they’ll be sucked down the toilet when it flushes. Even kids who don’t believe in the boogeyman may fret about schoolyard bullies. “Some kids are more fearful than others because they are born with a predisposition to worry,” says San Diego, Calif., clinical psychologist Joanne Wendt, PhD. Other fears grow in response to trauma. For example, a child may start to fear bees after being stung himself or seeing a classmate get stung on the playground. A little information can be dangerous: Kids who learn about killer bees may believe backyard bumblebees are mini-mercenaries. Adult role models can also fuel kids’ fears. A mom who is deathly afraid of escalators may pass along her anxieties by telling kids moving stairs are slippery and insisting the whole family take the elevator. “Kids look to parents for cues about whether a situation is safe,” says Tamar Chansky, PhD, author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety. “Parents need to be mindful of the signals they send so they don’t send fearful messages about objects or situations that are basically safe, or can be managed,” she says.
Identify the issue. When your child comes to you for help with a fear, engage in some critical thinking. Questions like “Why are you afraid of this spider?” and “Have you been hurt by a spider in the past?” encourage your child define her fear more clearly. Once she’s defined her fear, she can start to question its legitimacy. Teach kids to think twice. First, ask your child what worry is telling him about the situation, using a funny voice or puppet to represent worry. “Then, using his ‘smarter mind,’ ask your child what he really thinks will happen,” Chansky says. A worry might be saying, “The 6th-grade bully will toss me in the trash can,” but your child’s smarter side knows, “The trash can has a locked cover.” Fight scary with silly. Have your child draw a picture of the thing that scares her. Then, do a goofy makeover. The hairy monster in your daughter’s closet will look a lot less frightening wearing a ballet tutu and hair curlers. Coach your child to imagine the monster slipping on a banana peel or falling off a cliff. “This allows her to take charge of her fear and her imagination,” Chansky says. Practice self-soothing. Kids can learn breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to calm themselves. The easiest strategy is to breathe in slowly while counting to four and breathe
Fight Fears Together
Dismissing kids’ concerns isn’t the answer. “Parents can
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out while counting to seven. This focuses your child’s attention and puts him back in control. “Repeating a special word, phrase or affirmation, such as ‘I can handle this,’ also eases anxiety,” Wendt says. Practice these calming behaviors every day so they become automatic.
Outsmart Anxieties Research and logic can help kids shrink fears down to size. “Have your child write down three facts about his feared situation to put it in perspective,” says licensed professional counselor Neil McNerney, LPC, of Reston, Va. A child who is afraid of thunder storms might note:
When your child feels overwhelmed, allow him to step back and observe the scary situation from a distance. Before long, he’ll probably be ready to reengage.
If Ghosts Won’t Go
All kids have occasional worries, but some suffer from intense and persistent fears. Step it up. Use a technique “Anxiety disorders are the most called systematic desensitization 1) Thunder makes a loud boom, common psychiatric disorders, to approach the feared situation but it can’t hurt me. affecting between 10 and 17 gradually. “Make a simple drawing 2) I can keep myself safer by staying inside percent of children and teens,” of a stairway from the side view during a storm. Chansky says. “They are also the and put your child’s goal at the 3) The odds of being struck by lightning most treatable.” Using cognitivetop,” Chansky says. Then start at are only 1 in 700,000. behavioral therapy, kids can learn the bottom and write in steps from to turn down their over-reactive the least to most threatening. For Bottom line: Fear is a healthy response to a emotion systems and teach their example, a child whose goal is to brains new tricks. pet a dog might start by looking dangerous world. Encourage your child to If your child’s fears keep her at pictures of dogs, visiting a pet learn from it. from enjoying everyday activistore or animal shelter and letting ties at home and at school, reach a dog sniff her hand. Remind your out to your pediatrician or school child to take deep breaths as anxipsychologist. A professional fear-buster can help your child say eties escalate. “Boo!” to ghosts and other childhood anxieties. AOP Be patient. Forcing kids to confront their fears when they aren’t ready will only increase their anxiety. Talk about your own Heidi Smith Luedtke is a personality psychologist and mom. She is the author of Detachment Parenting: 33 Ways to Keep Your Cool When Kids Melt Down. insecurities and model a courageous approach to the unknown.
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Calling All Campers
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Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
Moving beyond the familiar four walls of houses and hotels, the camping experience offers a whole new environment for kids to escape from the day-to-day. Packing for alternative methods of cooking, prepping new sleeping arrangements, and planning outdoor adventures add unique advance excitement for children on a camping mission. For kids and families who are increasingly immersed in high-tech living, there’s never been a better time to answer the call of camping. Both the ultimate getaway and the best of back-to-nature family outings, the following items making camping a cool new adventure for kids.
by Gerry Paige Smith
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Wise Owl Hammock
Regalo Kids Cot (Regalo)
(Wise Owl)
Sometimes a little elevation makes all the difference between a kid’s restless sleep on the ground and restful campsite slumber. The Regalo cot recreates a bit of the familiar bed for a child while retaining the sense of a camping adventure. Crafted with strong canvas and reinforced stitching, the cot is 48” long and supports up to 75 pounds. With a cot cover that’s washable and liner that wipes down easily, this bed is a snap to restore to camp readiness after every use. Folding easily into its travel case and weighing in at just four pounds, the Regalo cot answers the camping call of ‘conserve space and pack light’. Sure to enjoy extra use for sleepovers and beach trips the Regalo cot is a sound investment in recreational rest.
Kelsyus Canopy Chair
Wonder Lake Dome Tent
For every parent who struggles to keep sunscreen on their child, the Kelsyus Canopy Chair offers little kids an extra measure of passive protection from the sun. Modeled after adult-sized quad-style camp chairs, the Kelsyus retains all the same look and functionality while scaled down to accommodate a small child. Portability is a snap as the canopy transforms into the carry bag with backpack straps. The whole assembly weighs only 5 pounds so the chair is easily toted hands-free by kids to their camping, beach, or sporting destination. Providing struggle-free shade, the Kelsyus Canopy Chair is the perfect rest and retreat for small children enjoying outdoor adventures.
Letting children stake their campground claim with their own dedicated lodging fosters their sense of independence on an outdoor adventure. With a 7’ by 4’ footprint, the Wonder Lake tent offers enough sleeping space for two little ones or a single pre-teen needing their own elbow room. Inverted seams, welded floor and included rainfly can repel wet weather while the domed shape redirects wind issues. Easily constructed with continuous pole sleeves and a simple pin-and-ring system, the whole kit packs easily into its carry bag. Compact, cool and camp-ready, the Wonder Lake Dome Tent lets kids carve out a comfortable space of their own in the wide open world.
A soft and silky alternative to ‘sleeping rough’, the Wise Owl hammock presents a simple way to swing into comfort. Made with parachute nylon, the slinky lightweight fabric gives the hammock surprising strength and durability for the rugged outdoors. Ease of assembly is important when considering the limited patience of excited youth and this hammock meets that need. Complete with the rope and carabiners for hanging, campers are just a few knots away from instant outdoor relaxing. Saving space during travel, the hammock bundles easily into its storage bag which is no bigger than a grapefruit. Kick off your camping adventure as you scout out the perfect space between two trees to hang your Wise Owl hammock and hang out in style.
(Kelsyus)
(Coleman)
Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com
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& Halloween Fun Arts and Crafts Festivals 20th Annual Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: Festival and Pow Wow 630 County Road 1281 Falkville, AL September 23-24. Featuring Native American storytelling, dancing, drum/flute playing, crafts, demonstrations, food and more! 256-734-7337 www.echotacherokeetribe.homestead.com
22nd Annual Arts on the River 1100 Block of Broadway Columbus, GA October 21. 10:00am-5:00pm. The fine art show and sale includes paint, photography, hand-thrown pottery, and sculpture, with some artists performing live demonstrations. Free.
Thomason, Wanda Johnson and Dolores Hydock. Art show, StreetFest, Ballet, Market Day, Pilgrimage and more! 334-412-8052 info@artsrevive.com www.artsrevive.com
37th Annual Oktoberfest Arts & Craft Show Charles E. Bailey, Sportsplex, 1685 Arena Road Alexander City, AL October 14. Day-long celebration features local arts and crafts, great food, entertainment, Kid-Fest children’s activities, sports programs, antique car show and much more. A Native American Artifact show is our newest showcase. 256-329-6736
www.alexandercityonline.com
ltryon@infionline.net www.artsontheriver.com
45th Annual Harvest Day Festival
25th Annual Alabama Cotton Festival
Downtown Square, Grove St Headland, AL October 14. 9am-4pm. Arts and crafts, children’s games and rides, wonderful food and entertainment.
145 Main Street Eclectic, AL October 14. 8:00am-2:00pm. Eclectic, Al.; Arts and crafts, flea market items, concession- booth spaces are free. 5K Cotton Run, Alabama Rook Tournament, local talent contest, children’s activities, antique cars and tractors, performances by Josh Brannon Band and Nashville duo The Springs and more. 334-541-3581 heather.townofeclectic@gmail.com www.townofeclectic.com
27th Annual Christmas Made in the South Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue Columbus, GA October 27-29. Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to whet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival: silk wearables to fabric bags, glass jewelry to close-up photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures all await and more! www.madeinthesouthshows.com
29th Annual Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival 3 Church Street Selma, AL October 27-28. The performers this year are Dovie Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
334-693-3303
www.headlandal.com
46th Annual National Shrimp Festival Highway 59 and Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL October 12-15. Over 300 vendors that offer fine art, arts and crafts, a retail marketplace and of course, SHRIMP! 251-968-7200
www.myshrimpfest.com
54th Annual Bluff Park Show 517 Cloudland Drive Hoover, AL October 7. 9:00am-5:00pm. Sponsored by the Bluff Park Art Association and includes more than 130 local and national artists displaying fine art for sale. Bring the kids to enjoy some hands on art fun. Free admission, parking and shuttles bpaashowchair@gmail.com www.bluffparkartassociation.org
61st Annual Central Alabama Fair 2401 West Dallas Avene Selma, AL October 2-7. Fun-filled event offering a midway with rides, entertainment, beauty pageant, agricultural exhibits, livestock judging and a competition for local arts, crafts, canning, sewing, and more! 334-872-6717
www.centralalabamafair.com
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63rd Annual Cullman County Fair 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW Cullman, AL September 21-30. Thrilling rides, amazing exhibits, and the best in local and regional entertainment. 256-734-0661
www.cullmanfair.org
70th Annual Lee County Fair 2316-2358 Lafayette Pkwy Opelika, AL October 3-7. Livestock shows, contests, exhibits, pageants, rides and much more. 334-742-0410 hjsadler@charter.net
74th Annual National Peanut Festival 5622 U.S. Highway 231 South Dothan, AL November 3-12. Headliners Brett Young, 38 Special, Corey Smith and Michael Ray. Livestock exhibits, competitions, demolition derby, crafts, food preservation, recipe contests, entertainment, carnival rides, sea lion show, and much more! 334-793-4323
www.nationalpeanutfestival.com
8th Annual Riverwalk Wine Festival 335 Coosa Street Montgomery, AL October 21: Includes wine tasting from 10 different distributors representing over 100 wineries. Admission is $30 per person and will include: Etched commemorative wine glass,discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shoppes, food vendors, live music, picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, and more! 334-625-2100
www.funinmontgomery.com
Alabama Gourd Festival 510 Fifth Street S. W. Cullman, AL October 21-22. ‘Old MacDonald’s Gourd Farm’. Annual festival features gourd arts and crafts, such as birdhouses, musical instruments and decorated gourds. Dulcimer band performs. gourdzilla@aol.com
www.alabamagourdsociety.org
Alabama National Fair Garret Coliseum, Montgomery, AL October 27-November 5. Midway rides, main stage entertainment including Brothers Osborne, Fantasia, food, information and commercial booths, kids area, livestock and other competition, family faith day, and more! 334- 356-6866
www.alnationalfair.org
www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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Merry Market
Alexander City Fall Festival
Fall Farm Day & Festival
Russell Crossroads, Alexander City, AL October 29. Join friends and neighbors for pumpkin painting, a costume contest, wagon rides and more, courtesy of Russell Lands on Lake Martin.
430 Landmark Drive Dothan, AL October 21. Learn how peanuts were harvested in the Wiregrass a half-century ago. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of cane grinding, syrup making, butter churning, basket weaving, soap making and other traditional farm activities. Plus, food, music and antique tractors and farm equipment.
www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com
Boll Weevil Festival Enterprise , AL October 28. Arts and crafts vendors, variety of music, food, children’s costume contest and activities, farmers market, car show, family entertainment. www.enterprisedowntown.org
Christmas Village Festival BJCC, Birmingham, AL November 2-5. The largest indoor arts, crafts, and gifts show in the south, this show draws exhibitors from over 30 states with products like clothing, jewelry, food, decorations and much, much more. www.christmasvillagefestival.com
www.landmarkparkdothan.com
706-884-8292
Fall Festival at Wind Creek State Park 4325 Alabama Highway 128, Alexander City, AL October 20-21, Part of the 77th Anniversary of the State Park System, celebrates the season with pumpkin carving, a carnival, a projected 5K Halloween Hustle through the park and so much more! www.outdooralabama.com
Harvest Hoe Down 3636 Whitehouse Parkway Warm Springs, GA October 14-15. Enjoy this fall celebration with arts, crafts, good food, entertainment and more!
18830 Hwy 85 Gay, GA October 7-8. Return to 1910 where the Farmhouse, the Cotton Gin, and the Cotton Warehouse form a unique backdrop for a great day of 21st century fun. Amidst skilled artisans and antique specialists, the Fair shares remnants of farm life in days gone by. New talent keeps the festival fresh and interesting while returning artists welcome loyal customers seeking to add to individual collections. www.cpfair.org
400 East Main Street Hogansville, GA October 21-22. Main Street will be bustling with food, crafts, antiques, music, local artists, open storefronts, rides, and activities for the whole family. www.hummingbirdfestival.com
Indian Summer Arts & Crafts Festival 333 East Broad Street Eufaula, AL October 14. Fine arts and handmade crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. 334-687-6664
Montgomery Jr. League’s Holiday Market 220 Hall Street Montgomery, AL October 11-14. Start the Winter Holiday Season off right with shopping the Jr. League’s Market. Each year, holiday themed booths set up for a great, onestop-shop for all your Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years items.
Ole Chipley Town Fair
Hummingbird Festival
706-333-2520
www.merrymarketlagrange.com
holidaymarketmerchants@gmail.com www.jlmontgomery.com
www.warmspringsga.us
Cotton Pickin’ County Fair
706-538-6814
334-794-3452
Callaway Conference Center, LaGrange, GA October 20-22. Thursday: Preview Party and Silent Auction: Enjoy this kick-off event and first chance to buy a variety of items. Your ticket $30 includes food, beverages, music and admission to the market for the entire time the market is open! Friday-Saturday: General Admission tickets $5.
www.eufaulachamber.com
Pine Mountain, GA September 23. Join the crowd of Pine Mountain and enjoy local crafts, quilting, pottery, metalwork, woodwork, food and entertainment. Spend the day strolling down Pine Mountain’s picturesque streets or shopping in downtown Pine Mountain’s and Chipley Village’s shopping centers, each filled with unique shops and boutiques. You’ll find it all—from antiques to fine art to handcrafted birdhouses and other momentos. taramhall1@gmail.com www.pinemountain.org
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Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners! A’mya Brown A’yana Carson Aaron Norris Abby Kate Carney Abby Tillman Abigail Darnell Abigail Peinhardt Abigail Pinnell Abigail Stender Abigail Young Adam Al-Riyami Addie Newman Adisonn Mcconnell Adnrea Hernandez Ahnayah Preston Aiden Barnes Aiden Geon Woo Kim Ajiali Juavez Akeila Driver Alaina Joiner Alan Humphries Alex Holloway Alex Mendez Chilel Alexis Holloway Alicea Rainwater Alli Henderson Alveon Streeter Aly Jones Amelia Mccay Ana Jones Ana Kate Schutt Andrew Akins Ann Langston Hendrix Anna Israel
Anne Morgan Howell Anne Riley Hefelfinger Anslee Baccus Anthony Driver Anthony Lopez April Halverson Ariana O’neill Armiah Childs Aubrey Pilgrim Aubri Mathis Austin Burt Austin Mcconnell Ava Jane Ava Jones Ava Sturkie Ayden Bellamy Azarey Streeter Baxlee Boone Baylee Bryant Baylee Curtis Beau King Benjamin Darnell Bentley Matthews Benton Burnette Bianca Cole Boris Miles Braden Hufstedler Brady Mcnally Brady Rhyne Brandon Fears Brandon Green Brandon Mcclendon Brantley Knight Brayden Brooks
Brendyn Stender Brennan Harrison Brian Eaton Bristol Swader Brooke Price Brooks Johnson Bryan Collins Cade Pridgen Caden Walker Caitlin Jackson Callie Newton Cameron Mathershed Camille Hurey Camp Hendrix Camron Sanford Carmelo Washington Caroline Murphree Caroline Thompson Carolyn Phelps Carsen Etheredge Carter Barnes Carter Demyan Casey Carruthers Casey Kichler Catherine Hadley Chaney Thomas Chaney Thomas Charle Wilson Charles Conner Radford Iii Charlie Ann Lee Chase Carpenter Chase Eldred Christian Madzar Christian Nelson
Christopher Rainwater Claire Mckay Claire Nappier Claire Sipes Clara Hayes Johnson Clay Decker Cohen Burt Colton Hamon Colton Tew Coltyn Mattimore Connelly Etheredge Conor Newman Cooper Haynes Cora Beth Brooks Cordrevius Wilson Coty Pinedo Culver Murphree Dakota Rosier Damarious Spraddling David Andrew Holderfield David Nelson Rhyne David Pifer David Rosier Jr Davison Holley Demahdric Brown Demetraus Walker Demon Spraddling Demone Edwards Dennis Li Deramus Green Jr Desmond Gilliam Desmond Lewis Destinee Gilliam Devin Mcglon
Dj Wilkerson Doc Hardy Dominguez Jose Minguel Donavan Sparks Dylan Green Eddie Warren Ej Brooks Elaina Pruitt Elaine M Lee Eli Meadows Elias Hijaz Elijah Ethridge Elijah Rogers Ella Kate Smith Emaline Swenson Emma Eldridge Emma Haridson Emma Nichols Estevan Reyes Ethan Segrest Ethan Walker Everleigh Seawell Evie Ward Faheem Downing Faith Ann Blackmon Ford Chastain Gabrielle Core Genesis Lopez Gianni Spencer Greer Long Haisley Burnette Hal Bradshaw Haleigh Grace Davis Hannah Ford Hannah Pinnell Hannah Spraddling Harleigh Hodgins Harlie Williams Harmony Spraddling Harper Hendrix Hayden Likins Heath Joiner Heaven Fralic
Holland Eaton Howard Barnes Hristopher Pinkard Hudson Banks Hudson Mclaughlin Huntley Marshall Hyram Patton Jr Isaiah Jackson Isaiah Webb Jack Darnell Jack Mckay Jack Norris Jackson Burt Jackson Halverson Jacob Dehotel Jacob Wagoner Jada Finely Jaden Jackson Jaiden Juavez Jailene Thompson Jakalya Moss Jakayla Cooper Jakeira Cooper Jalecia Brooks Jalyrica Ford Jamarcus Watts James Omestiak Jameson Seawell Jamie-Lee Gaither Janie Humphries Jannie Freeman Janya Lockhart Janyria Dennis Jaquarious Adams Jaqueline Reyes Jasmine Finley Jason Howell Javion Brown Javoris Taylor Jayden Barnes Jayden Rosier Jayla Jamya Derrico Jeffrey Shiflett
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Jennings Ham Jermandrenique Blue Jerome Brown Jhakari Carter Jillian Byrd John Elliot Thompson John Freeman John Israel Jon Cade Wilson Jordan Wagoner Jorden Davis Joseph Kin Josh Brooks Joshua Ray Joshua Wagoner Jsutin Williams Justin Howell Justin Johnson Justin Paulk K’wana Finley Ka’dyn Deshotel Kailyn Brown Kaleb Williams Kamal Bath Kameron Doherty Kamori Finley Karrington Long Karsten Peterson Kassidy Arnold Kathryn Steen Kayden Aadil Kayden Jennings Kayden Quinn Kelmon Juarez Kennedy Barnes Kennedy Williams Kenslee Russell Kenyan Vann Keondre Underwood Kevin Mendez Chilel Khalia Core Khamar Woody Khaniya Momon
Kiley Brooks Kimbell Nappier Kinsley Walker Kristina Honeycutt La’miracle Driver Ladereke Sanders Landon Smith Landyn Woodall Laura Kate Ray Lauren Luck Lauren Martin Lauryn Jackson Leathie Jackson Lee Ellen Shores Levonte Thompson Liam Pilgrim Lille Casey Lilly-Beth Spivey Lily Escarlera Logan Tate Londyn Wagoner Louis Brooks Luke Norris Lyla Sehnert Mac Lancaster Mackenzie Davis Macon Grace Hardison Madeline Marshall Madison Preston Mae Ward Maggie Brooks Maggie Casey Mahari Reeves Mahogany Flood Makayla Howson Makenzie Wynn Makilah Pendleton Makinley Munnenyn Malachi Burke Mally Nappier Marcus Mcneil Margaret Madsen Mark Hudgins
Markeiah Rowe Mary Clare Nichols Mason Daniels Mason Mattimore Mathias Burke Matthew Rainwater Maurice Spivey Megan Decker Megan Spurlock Melanie Walker Melissa Johnson Memphis Jane Mercy Hallmark Messiah Grooms Micah Clark Micah Howson Michawl Pouncy Michelle Moline Monejhai Morgan Morgan Harrison Morgan Moncrief Morris Stinson Myles Foreman Natalie Ray Naudia Louangkhoth Nevaeh Hicks Nicholas Carpenter Noelle Bulger Olivia Kahn Olivia Seoyoung Lim Olivia Walker Oscar Strickland Paisley Kirk Parker Henderson Payton Eaton Perry Harless Peyton Etheredge Princess Meadows Qmarious Woody Quincey Pruitt Quintrell Williams Raegan Brooks Rayna Juarez
Reagan Moore Reginald Moss Jr Robert Doss Roxy Hardy Rylan Rope Salija Floyd Saniya Bulger Sara Beth Kahn Sarah Beth Smith Savannah Luse Serenity Shuman Shabria Williams Shakeitha Broughton Shakerra Forbes Shamiracle Dunn Shamiya Stinson Shamorria Stinson Shaniyah Stinson Shaterra Forbes Skyler Luse Skylynn Hammond Sophia Sims Stacey Matthews Starke Thomas Stella Henderson Stella Jane Stephen Aiden Treadwell Sukhman Bath Sydnee Seaborn Sydney Salatte Sydney Smith Takira Lockhart Talor Norris Taniah Patterson Taylor Henderson Taylor Pouncy Taylor Steen Thomas Darnell Thomas Spurlock Tommy Decker Tommy Pike Travan Matthews Travis Dennis Jr
Travun Turman Tre Tre’mayne Cannon Tre’shawn Coleman Tremell Williams Trevor Johnson Trevor Surfield Trint Britton Tucker Long Tucker Mclaughlin Tulasia Dennis Ty’dasha Dodson Tykeria Smith Tyler Hufstedler Tyleria Smith Uriah Jackson Virginia Hadley Waler Carpenter Iii Warner Mcdonald Waylon Johnson Wesley Young William Coxwell William Heuermann William Howell William Marshall Wyatt Middleton Xavier Allen Ylan Templeton York Harless Yosef Farquharson Za’hyria Patton Za’niya Turman Zachary Carpenter Zane Place Zanique Mitchell Zari Thomas Zemarion Hughley Zoie Thomas Zukiria Posey Zy’meciah Jones
www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
Peanut Butter Festival
Stone Mountain Park
475 Dickert Circle Brundidge, AL October 28. A harvest and heritage celebration honoring the town’s proud heritage in the peanut butter industry. The free for all festival features a 5-K Peanut Butter Run, non-stop entertainment, contests, games, exhibits, recipe contest, Peanut Butter Kids Contest and the Nutter Butter Parade and food galore including everything peanut butter.
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd Stone Mountain, GA 14th Annual Pumpkin Festival- September 29-October 29. Take in all of the splendor that autumn provides with attractions, fun-filled games, shows and more. Follow the life sized telling of The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin as you wind your way through Spookley’s A-MAZEING Adventure. Join Spookley the Square Pumpkin and lift his friends into the air for a DanceA-Long Party Parade that dances through Crossroads, and then meet him at Spookley’s Pumpkin Patch Meet & Greet. Country Living Fair- October 27-29. A fun, folksy and fabulous show and sale of folk art, antiques, “Made in America” crafts, art, furniture, home decor and more. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine, attend seminars and how-to’s, artisan demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, and fall festivities. Highland Games- October 21-22. This year thousands of Scots (even those that wish to be ‘Scot for the Day’) from around the world will don their family tartans and gather to greet old friends and make new ones too. Come and enjoy the Highland Athletic events, Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming, Scottish Harping. Participate in the Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations, Kirking of the Tartans, Clan Challenge Athletic events, and the Parade of Tartans. See Clan and Tartan information tents as well as the many colorful Scottish shops. Indian Festival and Pow-Wow- November 2-5. Held at Stone Mountain Park’s historic Antebellum Plantation, the event showcases Native American culture through dance, music, authentic craft demonstrations, cooking traditions, storytelling, wildlife presentations and more.
334-344-9601 www.piddle.org
Pioneer Day 6500 Stage Road Loachapoka, AL October 21. 7:00am-4:00pm. The same great sausage, biscuits, syrup, music, mules, arts, crafts, etc. that has been offered for the last 40 years will continue to be the same. The Plantation Heirs will sing at noon. Creek Indiansdemonstrations in heritage crafts and good food.Many vendors are returning along with new vendors. 334-887-3007
www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org
Pioneer Days at Pioneer Museum of Alabama 248 Highway 231 North Troy, AL 36081 October 13-14, 9:00am-5:00pm. Horse and wagon rides, trips on the Pioneer Express, Native American camps with demonstrations of candlemaking, spinning, weaving, quiltmaking, blacksmithing, drum, dance, etc. Friday is School Day. Also, October 31 is Nightmare at the Museum. 334- 566-3597
www.pioneer-museum.org
Spinners 36th Annual “Pumpkin Patch” Arts & Crafts Show 390 West 6th Street Prattville, AL October 28-29. Exhibitors of original art and crafts from throughout the southeast will display their wares. Food vendors, live entertainment, games, a coloring contest and many other activities for children and youth. Door prizes will be given at intervals during the show. Other events include The Great Pumpkin Race, a 5K/8K Race and a one mile Run/Walk, a motorcycle show, jack-o-lantern contest and more. Free admission and free parking. www.spinnersprattville.com
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
Church Events
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Parkway Baptist Church Fall Festival
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766 East University Drive Auburn, AL October. 6:00-8:00pm. Free to the community. Come dressed in costume to play carnival games and win prizes, visit the petting zoo, and much more! 334-887-3782
www.parkwayauburn.org
All Saints Fair Lakeview Baptist, 1600 E Glenn Ave. Auburn, AL Safe, family fun alternative to trick-or-treating; everyone welcome. Games include train, gladiator joust, gyro, horse and wagon, go fish, soccer kick, ring toss, bowling, inflatables and more! Lots of games, prizes and candy! Tickets children 0-12 years old- $3.00 fee includes hot dog supper, games and prizes. Or, $10.00 max per family. Individual Teen- Adult-$1.00 hot dog supper fee. Come dressed up, but please avoid ghoulish costumes www.lakeviewbaptist.org
Cornerstone Church Trunk-or-Treat Cornerstone Church, 2123 Hamilton Road Auburn, AL 334-887-1151
www.cornerstonebuzz.org
Costume Shopping Check-It-Out! 239 North Gay Street Auburn, AL 334-826-0803
www.check-it-outballoons.com
800-401-2407 www.stonemountainpark.com
Kids Clothes Connection
The Greater Columbus Fair
804 Columbus Parkway Opelika, AL Gently used children’s costumes available.
Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA November 9-19. Celebrate the beginning of autumn in the Chattahoochee Valley. Food, rides, games, pageant and more! 706-653-4472 www.columbusciviccenter.org
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www.kidsclothesconnection.com
Party City 2534 Enterprise Drive Opelika, AL Specializing in all things party! Costumes for all
www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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ages, accessories, decorations, and more. 334-745-1568
www.partycity.com
Fall Farms
12:00-3:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm; Sunday 12:00-6:00pm. Also available by reservation Monday-Friday for school, church, daycare field trips and more. 334-864-0713
www.jackolanternlane.com
Paradise Pumpkin Patch
ad on page 15
ad on page 32
11546 Lee Road 54, Auburn, AL Saturdays in October; 10:00am-6:00pm. Open during the week for field trips. Hayrides, pick a pumpkin/cotton, corn maze, corn crib, pony rides, country store and more. Call to schedule your group, schools, daycare, or parties.
910 County Road 79 Eufaula, AL Corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower and cotton fields, giant inflatable park, petting zoo, playground, cow train, hay rides, pony rides, covered wagon rides pulled by a team of mules, giant corn box and hay bale mazes, concessions, and gift shop. September 30-October 31, Saturdays 9:00am-6:00pm, Sundays 11:00am-6:00pm. Special event dates and field trips available Monday-Friday. Teacher Day- October 1. All teachers with school ID are free! Free Paradise for Special Children-October 2, 8am-4pm. Free field trip for special needs children. Home School Day- October 9, 8am-3pm.
www.lazenbyfarm.com
George’s Farmers Market ad on page 7
1010 County Road 16, LaFayette, Alabama Sells local produce, meats, and goods from all over the south in a fun, family atmosphere! Seasonal specials including hay bales and pumpkins. Offering family friendly events and local, delivery service. 334-276-2030
www.georgesfarmersmarket.com
Jack-O-Lantern Lane at The Oaks ad on page Back Cover
18151 Verterans Memorial Parkway LaFayette, AL Pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, tractorpulled hay rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable park, train rides, gem mining, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, face painting, and more. Open September 30- October 31. Friday
205-757-8383
info@hodrrm.org
www.hodrrm.org
Backyard Orchards
Cotton Pickin’ Pumpkin Patch
334-321-7946
drinks are available for purchase. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch for an additional fee. Reservations recommended.
334-695-2258 www.paradisepumpkinpatch.com
The Pumpkin Patch Express at Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum 1919 9th Street Calera, AL October Saturday and Sunday. Train boards and departs Saturdays 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm; and Sundays 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Enjoy an autumn train ride aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express that lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours, including our time at the Pumpkin Patch. At the Pumpkin Patch, riders will deboard to enjoy a hayride, jumpstation, coloring, and temporary tatoos (all activities are included in the price of your ticket). Snacks and soft
6585 Hwy 431 North Eufaula, AL U-Pick It Farm with fresh fruits, veggies and pumpkins! 334-370-6490 www.backyardorchards.com
Corn Dodgers Farm 168 Sweetwater Drive Headland, AL Corn field maze, pumpkin barn (pick your own), cow train ride, corn cannon, pony rides, corn box, sunflower path, hay rides, pipe maze, farm-sized tic-tac-toe, and more 334-726-1485
www.corndodgersfarm.com
Dream Field Farms 6376 Highway 82 Fitzpatrick, AL Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, corn cannon, tractorpulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more. October. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, corn cannon, tractorpulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more. 334-534-6976
www.dreamfieldfarms.com
Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch Lee County Road 61 Auburn, AL Located 6 miles west of Toomer’s Corner off of Hwy
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Dr. Keri Miller Most major insurance accepted including BCBS and Southland. 742 N. Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 321-0780 www.gatorgrins.com 37
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14 near Loachapoka School. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides and more. 334-750-3792 info@auburnpumpkinpatch.com www.auburnpumpkinpatch.com
Pumpkin Patch at The Farmhouse 469 Farmhouse Road Ellerslie, GA Hayrides, bonfires, s’mores, crafts, scarecrow contests, music, and more. Jump on the tractor and take a ride to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your family to carve. 706-561-3435 thefarmhouseellerslie@hotmail.com www.thefarmhousega.com
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm 929 Lee County Road 14 Auburn, AL 36830 Friday and Saturdays in October. The farm features a haunted house, haunted hayride and haunted maze. A free petting zoo is available nightly for family enjoyment. Tickets and additional information are available online. 334-750-2591
www.sleepyhollowauburn.com
The Pumpkin Patch at Barber Berry Farm 2362 Alabama River Parkway Millbrook, AL Weekends in October 14-31. Hayride, pumpkin patch, pick your own pesticide-free fruit and veggies. 334-332-4306 BBFpumpkinpatch@yahoo.com www.barberberryfarm.com
Local Events City of Opelika Parks and Recreation ad on Inside Front Cover
1001 Andrews Road Opelika, AL Fall Festival & Children’s Carnival - W. James Samford, Jr. Soccer Complex Sportsplex. October 24, 5:30-8:30pm. Children 12 and under invited. Safe alternative to Trick or Treating. Children wear costumes and bring your treat bags. Come for hayrides, prizes, games, rides and entertainment, inflatable slides, mascots, special booths and exciting events. Fall Treats- October 12. Enjoy making and eating your favorite fall treats. 3:30-4:40pm. Ages: 5-9 yrs. Fee: $15. Halloween Treat Bags-October 24. Make the perfect bag for your treats. 3:30-4:30pm. Ages: 4-12 yrs. Fee: $15. Spooky Drop-In- October 26. Special occasion for drop-in members! 6:00-8:00pm. Ages 3rd-5th grades. Fee: $5. The Great Pumpkin Splash- October 27. 6:008:00pm. $4. Ages 6-12yrs. Pick your pumpkin from the pool! Kids enjoy harvest relay races, pumpkin roll, prizes and more! Tour De Fright-October 30, 6:00-8:00pm. Bicyclers beware! Children 12 and under and their parents are invited to take a ride on the haunted walking trail. Movie at the Plex: Hocus Pocus - October 28th, 6:00-8:00pm. Join us for a spooky family friendly night at the SportsPlex Amphitheater. This is a free
event. Beware! The Sanderson Sisters could make an appearance. 334-705-5560
www.opelikasportsplex.com
City of Auburn 17th Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat ad on page 18
425 Perry Street Auburn, AL October 31, 6:00-8:00pm. Free to the public. Ages 12 years and younger (Parents must accompany children at this event.) Bring your monsters, rock stars, princesses, and clowns to the best party in town. Join us in this excellent alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. Downtown “Monster Merchants” will provide treats for the children and delightful sounds from our “special” entertainment will fill the night air. Also, don’t miss out on your chance to win the “Best Costume” contest and bring your favorite four-legged friends and enter them for a chance to win the Best Pet Costume Contest! 334-501-2930
www.auburnalabama.org
Haunted Auburn Walking Tour 102 South College Street Auburn, AL Every Friday and Saturday in October. Join your hosts Stoker and Poe as they lead you around to Auburns most haunted locations. Hear the tales, urban ledgens, first hand accounts and true life facts about these locations. Two tours each night first at 6pm the other at 8pm weather permitting. Dress accordingly. Fun for all (may not be suitable for children under 12). Meet at the 2 Eagles by the Toomer Oaks. Admission is FREE!! 334-444-1422
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16th Annual Uptown Spooktacular Halloween Festival 1000 Bay Avenue Columbus, GA October 28, 2:00-4:00 pm. Woodruff Park, Uptown, Columbus, Ga. Sign up for the costume contest; First and Second place winners will be awarded in each category. Spooktacular provides a safe environment for the children of Columbus to enjoy the holiday. So wear your best costume and come to Spooktacular for a haunting night of ghosts and goblins, spooky activities, candy and lots of fun!!! 706-598-0111
www.UptownColumbusGA.com
26th Annual Great Pumpkin Carve Graves Drive Auburn University, AL Auburn University School of Architecture and Design, Dudley Court, Campus. October 31, 9:00am-9:00pm. Come out and watch the students carve amazing designs into pumpkins. As night falls, see the pumpkins turn into glowing jack-o-lanterns! Dress the kids up for a costume contest, games, and more! 334-844-4524 cadc.communications@auburn.edu cadc.auburn.edu/explore-cadc/events/view/110
Auburn Public Library 749 East Thatch Ave Auburn, AL October 26. Ghoulish Gala - A Halloween event for the whole family. Dress up in your Halloween costumes and visit the terrifying, spine-tingling, shriekinducing, haunted wing of the library, open to willing adventurers. Carnival games, candy, and a spooky photo booth! 5:30-7:00 p.m. 334-501-3296
ajbrown@auburnalabama org
Fright Nights at The Arboretum
October 6, 13, 20, and 27. Join the Donald E. Davis Arboretum and Auburn Parks and Recreation for Fright Nights at the Arboretum on Fridays in October at 6 p.m.! On select Fridays in October, enjoy special screenings of your favorite monster movies! From Dracula to Frankenstein to the Mummy, it’s time for the Monster Mash at the Arboretum! Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners to enjoy movies. Parking is available near the entrances on three sides: along Lem Morrison and the Poultry Science parking lot, along Garden Drive and in the Arboretum parking lot off Garden Drive. Patrons are encouraged to carpool or walk. The event is FREE and open to the public. 334-501-2948
wmorris@auburnalabama.org
Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve & Nature Center 2222 North College Street Auburn, AL Creepy Wonderful Critters ‘Venomous Snakes’, October 14. 10:00am-12:00pm. Admission is $5 for non-members, $4 for members, children 3 and under are free. Pre-registration is not required. Enjoy the very entertaining herpetologist Jimmy Stiles in a program about venomous snakes. Learn how to safely coexist with these often misunderstood reptiles who help control our rodent population. Visit with some of our other creepy wonderful critters under the pavilion! Canceled in the event of rai Learn all about the critters you may find a bit unfriendly! 334-844-8091
www.auburn.edu/preserve
Out of Town/State Fun Zoo Boo at Montgomery Zoo ad on page 5
2301 Coliseum Parkway Montgomery, AL October 13-15, 20-22, 27-31. 6:00-9:00pm. A safe alternative to Halloween, ZooBoo provides a
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fun-filled evening of games, treats, and costumed characters, Enjoy education presentations, and the traditional haunted ride. 334-240-4900
www.montgomeryzoo.com
26th Annual Halloween Fairyland
Tannehill State Park, McCalla, AL October 28. The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a nonscary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visitors, most of them children. Begun in 1992, the event features park-sponsored programs during the afternoon and traditional Halloween candy “trick or treat” stops at more than 200 campsites during the evening. Park events include a moon walk, clowns, face painting, pony rides and sand art. A special tradition is the festival’s annual Halloween Festival tee shirt. Campground site decorations and lights are extensive, creative and surreal. 205-477-5711
www.tannehill.org/events
32nd Annual Tour of Southern Ghosts
Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain, GA October 13-29 (Thurday-Sunday). Meet professional storytellers spinning their tales of famous (and not-sofamous) Southern Ghosts along the lantern-lit paths of the Antebellum Plantation grounds- never too frightening and always appropriate for young children. Each night offers a different cast of six storytellers. 800-401-2407
www.stonemountainpark.com
8th Annual Track-or-Treat: Chris Patterson Memorial 5K
Phenix City Amp, Phenix City, AL October 28. 8:00am. $20 before race $25 day of.
Benefiting students of Chattahoocee Community College facing finacial hardships related to their education. Come dressed in your most creative Halloween costume and get ready to run! Awards given to top male and female runners and awards given to best costumes. All race proceeds benefit the Chris Patterson Student Support Fund, a scholarship fund designated to aid deserving CVCC students.
www.active.com/phenix-city-al/running/distancerunning-races/track-or-treat-chris-patterson-memorial5k-2017
BOO 22 Halloween Party “Bride”
B & A Warehouse, 1531 1st Ave. South Birmingham, AL Benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Alabama. October 21. 8:00pm. Live music, ‘Scary’oke singing, costume contest and more. Open to adults 21 yrs and older. 205-305-5151
www.boohalloweenparty.com
Boo at the Zoo
Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, GA October 21-22, 28-29. 9:30am-3:00pm. It’s that time of year when Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival returns! Sample treats throughout the Zoo, and enjoy the sights, characters and adventures of the whimsical Zoo Boo Town on four magical days with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume! Even the animals join the fun during Boo at the Zoo! Find out when your favorite Zoo residents are getting Halloween surprises. Guests can enjoy spooktacular activities: Enter costume contests, inflatable Corn Maze, Halloween games and crafts, Boogie down to Little Beat, a live party D and Take pictures with characters such as Wild Thing, Ladybug Girl,
Splat the Cat, Zhu Zhu the giant panda, Cricket the frog and more! 404-624-9453
www.zooatlanta.org
Evil Dead: The Musical
Newnan Theatre Company, Newnan, GA Oct 19–22, 26–29. Based on Sam Raimi’s 80s cult classic films, EVIL DEAD tells the tale of 5 college kids who travel to a cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force. And although it may sound like a horror, it’s not! The songs are hilariously campy and the show is bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL unearths the old familiar story: boy and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, boy expects to get lucky, boy unleashes ancient evil spirit, friends turn into Candarian Demons, boy fights until dawn to survive. “Camp” takes on a whole new meaning with uproarious numbers like “All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” “Look Who’s Evil Now” and “Do the Necronomicon.” 770-683-6282
www.newnantheatre.org
Fall Family Fun Days: The Rock Ranch
5020 Barnesville Highway The Rock, GA Open 10:00am-8:00pm weekends. guests will enjoy themed entertainment plus Train Rides, Hay Rides, a Petting Zoo, Zip Lines, Pony Rides, the Pumpkin Cannon, Tiny Town and much more! Cowboy DayOctober 7. Hot Air Balloon Rally- October 21. The ‘Not-So-Spooky’ Halloween Festival- October 28. Pumpkin Destruction Day- November 4. The Great Outdoor Adventure- October 14. 706-647-6374
www.therockranch.com
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Halloween Masquerade on the Harriott II
Riverwalk, Montgomery, AL October 28. Boarding at 8:00pm, Cruises time 8:3010:30pm. Tickets $30/Adult, Ages 21 and over only. Live entertainment, Cash Bar, Costume Contest with prizes and more! 334-625-2100
www.funinmontgomery.com
Haunted History Tours
Old Cahawba, Old Live Oak Cemetary, 110 W Dallas Ave Selma, AL October 21 and 28. 7:00-10:30pm, join Central Alabama Paranormal Investigation on an investigation of Old Cahawba. The past will come back to haunt you as we tour magnificent antebellum Sturdivant Hall and some “spirited” characters of Old Live Oak Cemetery. On Saturday, take a walking ghost tour of old cemetery and historic homes. 334-872-8058
www.selmaalabama.com
Judgement Journey
Faith Baptist Church, 552 Hammett Road LaGrange, GA October 7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 and November 3-4-. A ministry of Faith Baptist Church, Judgement Journey was started in 1997 as a method of presenting the events of the end of the world, as the Bible describes them. The vision was to present various ‘scenes’ where each person could experience a multi-sensory presentation of how the Bible describes what is yet to come. The event is held each year on the church campus on a ‘trail’ that meanders around the property. 706-845-0000
www.judgementjourney.com
Pope’s Haunted Farm
450 Lee Road 424 Salem, AL October weekends. Zombie Paintball Safari. Pope’s Haunted Farm has three different events to experience and scare you. The Haunted Barn: Taken, the Haunted Hayride that many have claimed to see the infamous evil specter Jasper, and lastly you can experience the Haunted Forest that’s an unguided tour that includes a graveyard deep in the woods. 706-566-7766
www.popeshayride.com
Tomb of the Risen Dead & The Labyrinth of Lost Souls
DeSoto Caverns Park, Childersburg, AL October 6-28 (Friday and Saturday).In “The Labyrinth of Lost Souls” Attraction each guest will be deciding their own fate and ultimate reward, but not without encountering the assembly of the dead who may long to persuade each and every guest to stray. Our cave will be transformed into “The Tomb of the Risen Dead” Attraction and our not-so-faint of heart guests will experience a terrifying awakening because the deep is ready to speak. When our thrill seekers exit these attractions they can join in the festival fun and entertainment located on the other side of the park. 256-378-7252
www.DesotoCarvernsPark.com
Whispers From the Past: A Native American Experience Aldridge Botanical Gardens, Hoover, AL October 8, 10:00am-6:00pm. Explore Native American life through demonstrations featuring flint knapping, cooking, hunting and weapons and activities like leaf pounding, grinding corn and more! 205-682-8019 www.aldridgegardens.com AOP
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“What are you doing?!” I say to my son. “I told you five minutes ago to get dressed. We’re leaving for your baseball game!” Even in my apparent state of frustration, my 6-year-old refuses to be rushed along as he reluctantly tosses his toy plane onto the floor and slowly begins pulling one sock on and then another. His inner clock shows no urgency. And no amount of lecturing about dilly-dallying is going to expedite my dawdler. So begins another frantic dash out the door. Although some of us may be inclined to consider punctuality, or the lack there-of, as a personality trait, experts say that time management is a skill that can be taught and is just as important to academic and long-term success as learning the three Rs. “Time management skills for children are linked to ‘school survival skills’ when mastered young and become ingrained habits for later in life,” says Dr. Stephanie Mihalas, a nationally certified school psychologist and clinical instructor, department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. “Starting too young is never too early!” Time management includes executive functioning skills like organization and planning, reviewing work for quality and accuracy and staying focused.
Ask your child to estimate how much time he needs to finish his math assignment and then time him. With practice, he’ll start to realize how long each task actually takes. “A great tool is TimeTimer (http://www.timetimer.com/) which is like a kitchen timer (either a stand alone tool or an app) that shows time in stopwatch fashion with the time remaining in red,” says Cindy Sullivan, a productivity, time management and professional organization expert. “As the red shrinks you are getting closer to the end time. It works great with homework or when doing a ‘beat the clock’ to tidy up or work on other tasks.” Timers can also work well to keep parents on track, says Dr. Jane Sosland, clinical assistant professor, department of Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center. “A lot of times we’ll say, ‘I need you to brush your teeth. I’ll be back in five minutes.’ Then we get busy with other children,” Sosland says. Use your microwave or your phone timer to help remind you when it’s time to check on your child.
Schedule weekly family meetings. Use Sunday evenings to discuss the family’s upcoming schedule. Give each child her own calendar that she can fill out. Hang up a master schedule with each person’s activities in a different color of ink.
Create a chunked to-do schedule Divide the day into chunks of time on a dry erase board or laminate a task list. For example, the morning routine might say: Get
Use a timer. Build awareness about how long it takes to complete a task. Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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dressed, make bed, eat breakfast and brush teeth. Your child can check off the tasks as she completes them.
Offer incentives. “More checks can be linked to a natural reward like time with the family, helping to create the meal for the evening or play time with friends,” Mihalas says. Fewer checks results in natural consequences like less time to play with friends or watch a favorite TV program before school.
Use visuals. For children who aren’t reading yet, photographs or pictures can help cue them. “I helped my son take responsibility for his morning routine as a kindergartner by drawing pictures on post-it notes of school clothes, eating breakfast, and driving to school and stuck them on an analog clock,” says mom of two Sherlyn Pang Luedtke, author of The Mommy Advantage. Luedtke says that the day her son was still sitting in his pajamas when it was time to go, she calmly put him in the car with his clothes and shoes next to him. “He got dressed while the car was in the driveway with the engine running,” she says. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying. Changing old habits can take at least a month, and kids don’t usually share the same sense of urgency as adults do. “If a morning goes poorly, rather than being furious and upset on the way to school, try and problem solve to decide what to do tomorrow so this doesn’t happen again. Maybe that’s waking up a few minutes earlier,” Sosland says. *Looking for additional resources? Check out Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, Ed.D., and Richard Guare, Ph.D. *Poor executive functioning can be a sign of ADD/ADHD. If you are concerned, consult with your family physician. AOP Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines, is a mom of two boys and the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.
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FamilyCalendar Saturday, September 23
Inaugural War Eagle Classic Soccer Auburn Intramural Fields.
Old 280 Boogie Standard Deluxe, Waverly. 11:00 a.m. Part music festival, part yard-party, this event draws fans twice a year to tiny Waverly. Music runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with as many as six bands. The lineup is yet to be announced, but the Boogie has built a strong track record. www.standarddeluxe.com.
Friends of the Auburn Public Library Book Sale Dean Road Rec Center, Auburn. Come shop thousands of gently used books for all ages and interests. Hardbacks are $2 and paperbacks are $1. Cash and credit cards are accepted. www.facebook.com/AuburnFOL.
MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings at the fountain on Broad Street, 7:00 to 11:00. Local Growers, craftsmen and craftswomen present their goods. Fresh vegetables, fruits, soaps, honey. Call ahead for weather-related changes. 256-329-9227 www.mainstreetac.org. Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart Legacy Arena at The BJCC, Birmingham. www.ticketmaster.com. F.A.B. 5K, Fun Run, & Nutrition and Wellness Fair Ag Heritage Park, Auburn. 8 a.m. The 5k run will follow a competitive route through the Auburn University campus and will be followed by a one mile fun run, and doggie dash. After the run, attend the Nutrition and Wellness fair to learn about diet and exercise to promote a healthy lifestyle. Also there will be a farmers market. The event is open to the public (ages 3 and up), and all skill levels welcome. 334-844-3161. Free Fee Day - Tuskegee NF – Tuskegee The National Forests in Alabama offer a “Free Fee” day. Any fees necessitated for either camping, fishing, trail riding, shooting, or horse-back riding will be waived. Annually the free fee day has been set aside in honor of our veterans, members of the U.S. armed forces and their family members. 334727-2652 Fall Equinox Festival Union Station Train Shed. A charity event benefitting Hogs for the Cause and their quest to support families struggling with the effects of pediatric brain cancer. The Druids Charity Club BBQ team has joined forces with Moe’s Original BBQ to put on a festive experience in downtown Montgomery running from the early afternoon into the evening. Music, kids zone and more! www.liveandlisten.com/ pages/tickets. Fido Fest The Shoppes at EastChase Fido Fest is Montgomery’s furriest addition to the festival season and promises to be the Ulti-Mutt day out for people and their dogs! Fido Fest 2017 will benefit the Montgomery Humane Society! A wide array of vendors, doggy activities, great food from local food trucks, K9 splash zone and much more! The Mulligan Brothers out of Mobile will be here to rock your paws off! www.facebook.com/events/1964169903867388/ Comedian Kevin Hart RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Columbus. Kevin Hart has made a name for himself as one of the foremost comedians, entertainers, authors and businessmen in the industry today. www.rivercenter. org. Fall Flea Market The annual Fort Benning Fall Flea Market is 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Stilwell Field by the Post Office on Main Post. Booth rentals, starting at $15, are available Aug. 1-Sept 21 at benning.armymwr.com. Free admission. This event is held in conjunction with the post-wide yard sale. For more information, call 706-545-6323. Vendors can also register in person at Outdoor Recreation.
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
Puppy Palooza Kiesel Park, Auburn. Puppy Palooza is the Lee County Humane Society’s annual fundraiser to raise money for the shelter and the homeless animals of the Auburn-Opelika area. If would like to be a vendor or donate to the silent auction please emailoutreachanddevelop@ leecountyhumane.org.
Sunday, September 24 Cottonseed Live: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors An afternoon of music and food on the streets of downtown Opelika, 4-8 p.m. Equal parts folk singer, roots rocker, country crooner, and pop-hook provider, Drew Holcomb blurs the lines between genres. www.cottonseedstudios.com. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 121st Birthday Celebration Montgomery. It is the mission of this Museum and its Board of Directors to preserve and protect the last extant home in which the Fitzgeralds lived as a family; to serve as faithful stewards of the artifacts within its collection; to educate visitors about the lives and legacies of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. www.thefitzgeraldmuseum.org. Inaugural War Eagle Classic Soccer Auburn Intramural Fields. Peppa Pig Live! Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta. www.ticketmaster.com. Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart Legacy Arena at The BJCC, Birmingham. www.ticketmaster.com.
Monday, September 25 Home School Day DeSoto Caverns Park, Childersburg. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Home School families and groups can purchase the Adventure School Experience (Cave tour, maze & panning for gemstones) at the advertised school rate without minimum attendance required. Home School credentials (cover school letter, legal card) must be presented at the time of purchase. www.desotocavernspark.com. Young Writer’s Club Auburn Public Library. Do you love to write and tell stories? We will do one hour of fun writing exercises and sharing our work in a safe environment. Grades 2-5, 3:30-4:30 p.m. libraryevents@auburnalabama. org. (334) 501-3296.
Tuesday, September 26 Monthly Market Join Auburn Parks and Recreation as we partner
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with our local growers on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning in September 2017! Visit the Harris Center from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to find the best produce, jams, jellies and bounty of Lee County! Vendors will be set up in the lobby and Activity Room during warmer months to prevent products from becoming overheated and the Market may move outdoors in cooler months for space. This event is FREE and open to the public. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.
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Chonda Pierce Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:00 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com.
Thursday, September 28 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 5:00 8:00 p.m. JCSM brings in contemporary filmmakers to meet with students and museum guests for a special screening of their film. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.
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Fall Sundown Concert Series Sponsored by Auburn Parks and Recreation Kiesel Park, Auburn. 6 p.m. Join us for an evening of music and fun under the stars. Bring your lawn chair, pack a yummy dinner and enjoy a relaxed evening listening to local and regional musicians. Free. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.
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Buddy Guy Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:00 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com.
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Gamers Society Auburn Public Library. The Programming Room will be open every Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m, for Yu-GiOh, Pokemon, and video games. Gamers must bring their own materials The Library will provide materials for video game play. Games must be rated E, E10, or T; no rated M games. Ages 10-18 years.
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Friday, September 29 AUsome Amphibians & Reptiles Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn. 4:30 p.m. A one-hour presentation on the AUsome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond. Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining hands-on program with live animals. Admission is $5/person. Children 3 and under are free. www.auburn.edu/ preserve. Come Home to the Corner Downtown Auburn. Come downtown to enjoy live music, shopping and dining! Each Come Home to the Corner Friday Night event is a designated Entertainment District Event from 4 - 10 p.m. Downtown streets will remain open for all Come Home to the Corner events. Football, Fans and Feathers Southeastern Raptor Center, Auburn. 4-5 p.m. During the show, hawks, falcons, eagles and other birds of prey are free-flown from towers and around the amphitheater, enabling visitors to see these raptors flying close. $5 per person. Free for children ages three and under. The hour-long program begins at
www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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FamilyCalendar 4 p.m. at the center’s the 350-seat Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater, located at 1350 PrattCarden Drive off Shug Jordan Parkway. 7th Annual Montgomery Zombie Walk and Prom VII Benefiting the Montgomery Area Food Bank. All participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items as a donation to the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Walk begins on Dexter Avenue and moves up to Commerce Street and the Alley. 334/625-2100. Tickled Pink Women’s Expo Multiplex At Cramton Bowl. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 for military. This year will be even BIGGER and BETTER than last year with more beauty, more fitness, more food, and even more fun! www.alabamanews.net. TajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band ‘TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band’ will see the two blues legends share the stage for a oncein-a-lifetime night of music. ‘TajMo’ is a historic collaboration between two generations of blues giants, converging their singular talents for the first time ever on an album of original songs and covers, featuring cameos from Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Sheila E. and Lizz Wright. Tickets available at www. sweetland.events/events-tickets/. St. Paul and The Broken Bones Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 8:00 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com. PorktoberQue Dothan. A polka party, Biergarten, collectible steins, accordion music and lederhosen all accentuate this sanctioned barbecue cook-off. Offering German music and rock, car shows, kids activities, and cold beer and barbecue for sale. www.porktoberque.com.
Saturday, September 30 MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings at the fountain on Broad Street, 7:00 to 11:00. Local Growers, craftsmen and craftswomen present their goods. Fresh vegetables, fruits, soaps, honey. Call ahead for weather-related changes. 256-329-9227 www. mainstreetac.org. Young Eagles Day Columbus Airport, 3250 W. Britt David Road, Columbus, Georgia. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). All kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a Free airplane ride over Columbus! Most flights last 20 minutes. The goal is to provide a fun and educational aviation experience. 706-324-2453. 7th Peanut Boil Festival Luverne. Arts & Crafts Festival, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Food, Beauty Pageant, Collector Car Show. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Also, 5K Run/Walk scheduled on the previous Saturday in Luverne. Call 334-3354468 for more information. Check out web site at www.peanutboilfestival.come. Riverwalk Arts and Crafts Festival Montgomery’s Riverfront Park along the banks of the historic Alabama River. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to the Historic Union Station Train Shed adjacent to Riverfront Park. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/ events/1700457326929673/
Manns World Tour Columbus. Join Grammy Award winning vocalist Tamela Mann and David Mann aka Mr. Brown as he performs his highly acclaimed comedy set at the Mann’s World Concert and Comedy show. www. ticketmaster.com. 8th Annual Uptown Beer & Wine Festival Rankin Courtyard – Between Broadway/First Ave in Uptown Columbus. Entrance at The Tap, 1024 Broadway, Columbus. Sample over 100 craft brews. Taste over 25 select wines, Live Music. PorktoberQue See Sept. 29 for details. Saturday STEM Storytime Auburn Public Library. Preschoolers—2nd grade children and their caregivers are invited to join us from 10:00-11:00 a.m. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math This storytime will focus on these concepts in a fun, interactive, story-driven format. Some activities may involve messy fun! (334) 501-3296. Crazy 8’s Auburn Public Library. Join Bedtime Math’s® Crazy 8s Club®, where you’ll build stuff, run and jump, make music, and make a mess… it’s a totally new kind of math club! Join us as we explore, create, and learn! Ages K-2nd grade, 3:30-4:40 p.m. Space is limited. Please register by emailing libraryevents@ auburnalabama org.
Sunday, October 1 Jamey Johnson’s 6th Annual Homecoming Concert Montgomery. Benefiting the Nikki Mitchell Foundation—a Nashville-based pancreatic cancer nonprofit. Tickets are $20 per person or $10 with a new toy. Parking is $5 per car. For more information and to purchase tickets visit http:// www.nikkimitchellfoundation.org/nmf-events/ and join us on social media. www.facebook.com/ jameyjohnsongolf PorktoberQue See Sept. 29 for details.
Monday, October 2 Expressions of a Braveheart Opelika SportsPlex. Braveheart is a fine arts program offering art music, and dance classes to youth and young adults with moderate to severe disabilities. Schedule will be given out on the first day. For more info please contact John Huling at 705-5560 or JHuling@ opelika-al.gov. Young Writer’s Club See Sept. 25 for details.
Tuesday, October 3 Book Talk: The Civil War in North Georgia Pebble Hill, Auburn. 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to a book talk by Keith Hebert, author of “The Long Civil War in the North Georgia Mountains: Confederate Nationalism, Sectionalism, and White Supremacy in Bartow County, Georgia”. www.auburn.edu/cah.
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Home School Day DeSoto Caverns Park, Childersburg. Home School families and groups can purchase the Adventure School Experience (Cave tour, maze & panning for gemstones) at the advertised school rate without minimum attendance required. Home School credentials (cover school letter, legal card) must be presented at the time of purchase. www. desotocavernspark.com. Baby Time Auburn Public Library. Babies and their favorite adults enjoy 20 minutes of stories, songs, bounces, and tickles during Baby Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages birth-24 months. 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 1:00-1:45 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/ library. Lee County Fair Lee County Fair Grounds, Lafayette Parkway, For more information, contact Jim Sadler at hjsadler@ charter.net.
Wednesday, October 4 Toddler Time Auburn Public Library. Toddlers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Toddler Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages 18 months-3 years. 9:30-10:00 a.m. or 10:30-11:00 a.m. or 1:00-1:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/ library. Lee County Fair See Oct. 3 for details.
Thursday, October 5 Fall Sundown Concert Series Kiesel Park, Auburn. 6 p.m. Join us for an evening of music and fun under the stars. Bring your lawn chair, pack a yummy dinner and enjoy a relaxed evening listening to local and regional musicians. Free. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. Teen Writer’s Club Auburn Public Library. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Grades 6-12. Do you love to write and tell stories? Each week will explore storytelling and writing through exercises, author advice, and sharing our work Bring your imagination, laptop, pen, paper, and create something new! www.auburnalabama.org/library. Preschool Time Preschoolers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Preschool Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! 3 – 5 years. 9:3010:00 a.m., 10:30-11:00 a.m. or 1:00-1:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Lee County Fair See Oct. 3 for details.
Friday, October 6 Fright Nights at the Arboretum Donald E. Davis Arboretum, Auburn. 6-10 p.m. On select Fridays in October, enjoy special screenings of your favorite monster movies! Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners to enjoy movies. The event is FREE and open to the public. Lunch and Learn Film Friday On the first Friday of September, October and November potters, ceramic artists and clay
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FamilyCalendar enthusiasts are invited to visit the Dean Road Recreation Center to preview instructional films from Ceramic Arts Daily. Bring a brown bag lunch! This event is FREE and open to the public and complimentary beverages will be provided. (334) 501-2944 • ccleckler@auburnalabama.org. AUsome Amphibians & Reptiles Join the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center staff for a one-hour presentation on the AUsome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond. Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining hands-on program with live animals. www.auburn.edu/ preserve. Anime and Manga Art Club Auburn Public Library. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Ages 10-18. Have fun drawing and socializing at this fun new club! Bring your own art supplies and creativity and share your love of all things Anime and Manga! www.auburnalabama.org/library. Art-o-ber: Out of the Box Exhibition Opening Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 6:00 p.m. Come celebrate ART-o-ber with the grand public opening of “Out of the Box: A Juried Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition”. Enjoy make-and-take hands-on art activities for adults, live music and savory tastings paired with walking tours of 10-15 contemporary sculptures cited around the illuminated Lethander Art Path and gardens. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Lee County Fair See Oct. 3 for details. Moonlight Paddle at FDR State Park, Ga. Choose a canoe, kayak or paddle boat for an evening adventure on Lake Delanor with staff guides. Geared towards swimmers, ages 10 and up. Two paddlers per canoe/kayak unless single kayak. Paddle boats hold 4. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $10 per person includs lifejacket, paddles and boat. Pre-register and pre-pay only at the Park Office.
Saturday, October 7 River Region Prayer Walk Montgomery. FREE T-shirts (while supplies last)! FREE concert and FREE hot dogs! The purpose of this gathering is to bring together the citizens of the River Region to pray over our cities, government leaders, schools and teachers, uniformed heroes and servants, pastors and ministry leaders, businesses, and all of the people that make up the River Region. www.beautybyfire.org. 54th Bluff Park Art Show Hoover. Bluff Park Art Show takes place on the first Saturday in October. Held for more than 50 years, the show has grown from 65 artists to more than 150, and attracts more than 40,000 people annually. MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings at the fountain on Broad Street, 7:00 to 11:00. Local Growers, craftsmen and craftswomen present their goods. Fresh vegetables, fruits, soaps, honey. Call ahead for weather-related changes. 256-329-9227 www.mainstreetac.org. Oxfordfest Annual arts and craft festival on Main Street in Oxford, featuring arts and craft vendors from all over, food, live music, fun for all ages, hourly prize
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
drawings and a $1000 give away. All proceeds benefit local charities and organizations. www. oxfordfest.org. Claybank Jamboree Arts & Crafts Festival On the Square in Downtown Historic Ozark -- Arts and crafts, wonderful food, children’s amusements and live entertainment. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 334-7749321. Headland Harvest Festival Fly-In Spectators can climb on board a UH-1H “Huey”. Riders fly with a veteran pilot for six to eight minutes. For an even more intense ride, spectators can ride in an AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter. Certain age, health, and weight restrictions may apply. Minimum Donations are required for Flights. Huey $75 per person can take up to 10 people at a time. Cobra $400 one person, front seat. www.armyav.org/ wiregrass-alabama. Saturday STEM Storytime See Sept. 30 for details. Crazy 8’s See Sept. 30 for details. Home Depot Kids Workshop: Firehouse Bank Opelika Home Depot. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. FREE hands-on workshops for children ages 5 – 12. All children get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Lee County Fair See Oct. 3 for details. Cowboy Day The Rock Ranch, Ga. Featuring a firework extravaganza, cowboy stunt performers, quick-draw demonstrations, roping, best dressed cowboy/cowgirl contest with cash prizes and more! www.therockranch.com. Cotton Pickin Fair Gay, Ga. Arts, antiques and crafts. www.cpfair.org.
Sunday, October 8 K-6th Family Studio Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn. 1:303:00 p.m. Register online to reserve your space. Parents and guardians are asked to participate with their child during the program. A five-dollar suggested donation is appreciated in continued support of programs. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Whispers From the Past: A Native American Experience Aldridge Gardens, Hoover. Native American life will take shape through demonstrations, presentations, and hands-on activities. Enjoy the sounds of drums and flutes along with dance performances. Vendors will be selling authentic foods and goods. www.aldridgegardens.com. Cotton Pickin Fair Gay, Ga. Arts, antiques and crafts. www.cpfair.org. Harvest Hoe Down Warm Springs, Ga. Arts and crafts, exhibitors, antique dealers, food and entertainment. www.warmspringsga.us.
Monday, October 9 Expressions of a Braveheart See Oct. 2 for details.
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Family Discovery Walk Learn something new each month about plants, wildlife and nature with a trained naturalist who will offer your family fun opportunities for hands-on learning, exploration, and exercise! 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for families with children ages 5 to 12. Free to the public. Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, (334) 707-6512. Russian Grand Ballet: Swan Lake Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:30 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com. Baby Time See Oct. 3 for details. Young Writer’s Club See Sept. 25 for details.
Wednesday, October 11 LitWits Book Club: Horror/Thriller Auburn Public Library. 4:00-5:00 p.m. Ages 13-18. LitWits is a genre-based book club. Read any book within that genre and bring it with you for group discussions and themed activities. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Toddler Time See Oct. 4 for details.
Thursday, October 12 Fall Sundown Concert Series See Oct. 5 for details. AACT Jr. Fall Production: “The Jungle Book” Join us while we share Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of man and beast. In the jungle, you will meet Mowgli, Bagherra, Baloo the Bear, Shere Khan, and many others. To make reservations or purchase tickets, please visit www.auburnact.org. Our reservation information line is (334) 332-0881. Discovery Hikes & Nature Walks for All Ages Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. No registration required FREE to the public. 8:30 a.m. (334) 8448091. preserve@auburn.ed. Adult Nature Hike Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn. Guided Nature Hikes offer excellent opportunities to socialize and learn, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Hikes are for adults only and offered the second Thursday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. No preregistration is required. Free. www.auburn.edu/preserve. Teen Writer’s Club See Oct. 5 for details. Preschool Time See Oct. 5 for details.
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FamilyCalendar Friday, October 13 AACT Jr. Fall Production: “The Jungle Book” See Oct. 12 for details. Joe Crookston in Concert at Sundilla Friday, October 13. Showtime at the AUUF is 7:30. Admission at the door will be $18, but advance tickets are just $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Blooming Colors, and online at sundillamusic. com. Employees of Auburn University and AUM can take advantage of TigerPerks and pay just $15 at the door. Alabama 500 Weekend Talladega. Witness the pivotal fifth race in NASCAR’s Playoffs. It’s the best racing on the planets and the experience of a lifetime. Lots of free camping, kids 12 and under incredible discounts and lots more. Troy Pioneer Days Admission charged. Pioneer Museum of Alabama Horse and wagon rides, trips on the Pioneer Express, Native American camps with demonstrations of candlemaking, spinning, weaving, quiltmaking, blacksmithing, drum, dance, etc. Friday is School Day. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 334-566-3597. www.pioneer-museum.org. Fright Nights at the Arboretum See Oct. 6 for details.
Saturday, October 14 AACT Jr. Fall Production: “The Jungle Book” See Oct. 12 for details. Saturday Stroll Participants will be led on walks through the historic Auburn Pine Hill Cemetery by members of the Auburn Heritage Association and learn about Auburn’s rich history and some uniquely Auburn points of interest. Walks will begin every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. – noon. Each tour will take approximately one (1) hour. Free. Visit activeauburn. org for details. Entomologist for a Day Callaway Gardens, Ga. Spend a day with our entomologists at Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center as they guide you through basic identification of local insects. Learn how to find invertebrates in the wild and how to make your very own collection! You’ll even go home with a tropical butterfly! For ages 8 and up. www.callawaygardens.com. Discovery Hikes and Nature Walks for Adults Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. No registration required FREE to the public. 3:30 p.m. (334) 8448091. preserve@auburn.ed Creepy Wonderful Critters - Venomous Snakes! Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. Admission is $5 for non-members, $4 for members, children 3 and under are free. Enjoy the very entertaining herpetologist Jimmy Stiles in a program about venomous snakes. Learn how to safely coexist with these often misunderstood reptiles who help control our rodent population. Canceled in the event of rain. (334) 844-8091. preserve@auburn.edu. Second Saturday at Pioneer Park Loachapoka. A group of history re-enactors gather at the LCHS Museum in period attire to demonstrate their arts and crafts. Blacksmiths are working at the forge, spinners and weavers are in the textile room, the gardeners are in the gardens, crafts and seasonal activities are scheduled, and someone is always cooking up a meal in the fireplace or outdoors. The
Whistle Stop Pickers dulcimer group meets at the Museum at 1 p.m. The activities are available from 9:30 until 12:30. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Region Walk to End Alzheimer’s”, to stay up to date on information concerning the Walk! act.alz.org/ riverregion.
Alabama 500 Weekend See Oct. 13 for details.
Xterra Auburn Trail Run 5K, 10K, 20K Chewacla State Park, Auburn. Three different course distances will highlight the beautiful, dynamic trails of Chewacla State Park. You also have the opportunity to enjoy the various other amenities had to offer such as Chewacla Lake, playgrounds, campgrounds, RV Parks, and Chewacla’s stunning waterfall. www. triauburnal.com.
34th Annual Alexander City Oktoberfest Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, Alexander City. Annual Oktoberfest is a day-long celebration featuring local arts & crafts, dining, entertainment, kid-fest children’s activities and more. Antique Car show. Fun for the whole family. 256-329-6736 MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market See Oct. 7 for details. Troy Pioneer Days See Oct. 13 for details. Indian Summer Arts and Craft Festival Eufaula. The festival offers the best of fine art, handmade crafts, a midway of food, local entertainment, cruise in car show and tons of kids stuff. www.eufaulachamber.com. Headland Harvest Day Festival The Headland Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Harvest Day Festival around the Town Square. Festival activities include live entertainment, antique cars, rides and games for all ages, arts and crafts, inflatables, pony and train rides. Food vendors. www.headlandalabama.org. Second Saturday at Columbus Museum 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Free Admission. Drop by the art cart with your children and grandchildren each month to explore various mediums of art, enjoy art related stories, and participate in gallery hunts at the Museum. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. www.columbusmuseum.com. Saturday STEM Storytime See Sept. 30 for details. Crazy 8’s See Sept. 30 for details. Great Outdoor Adventure The Rock Ranch, Ga. Meet members of the animal kingdom up close and personal, enjoy canoe racing, archery, birds of prey show and reptile shows! www.therockranch.com. Synoyus Fall Festival The Columbus Museum. Join us for our annual Fall Festival as we explore a variety of colors. Stop by the art-making stations, participate in our annual costume contest, go on a gallery scavenger hunt, and more! Additional crafts and activities provided by Historic Westville, the Liberty Theatre, CSU Art Club, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, SPARK Art and more. www.columbusmuseum.com.
Sunday, October 15 Alabama 500 Weekend See Oct. 13 for details.
Monday, October 16 Young Writer’s Club See Sept. 25 for details.
Tuesday, October 17 Baby Time See Oct. 3 for details.
“Pete the Cat” RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Columbus When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners – and boy are they square! But for the groovy blue cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. www.rivercenter.org.
Wednesday, October 18 Ghoulish Gourds Auburn Public Library. Bring your friends and family to the library to decorate a pumpkin of your choosing! An array of arts and crafts supplies will be available to spark your imagination and creativity! 3:30-5:00 p.m. (334) 501-3296. Toddler Time See Oct. 4 for details. “Pete the Cat” See Oct. 17 for details.
Thursday, October 19 Wine, Women and Shoes Pink Party Benefiting the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation. Held at Moore’s Mill Club, 1957 Fairway Drive, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The party will include wine tasting, designer shopping, shoe guys, fashion show, live and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and more. www.winewomenandshoes.com/eamcf.
Indian Summer Arts and Craft Festival See Oct. 14 for details.
Dwight Yoakam Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:30 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com.
River Region Walk to End Alzheimer’s AUM-Moore Hall. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Walk at 3:15 p.m. While there is no fee to register, we encourage participants to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. Like our Facebook page, “River
Gamers Society Auburn Public Library. 4:00-5:00 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and video games. Gamers must bring their own materials. Games must be rated E, E10, or T; no rated M games. Ages 10-18 years.
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FamilyCalendar Teen Writer’s Club See Oct. 5 for details. Preschool Time See Oct. 5 for details. Theatre Production: “God of Carnage” Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn Campus. A skirmish on a school playground results in a loss of teeth and bruised egos. As two sets of parents gather to resolve the conflict initiated by their children, the guise of civility threatens to dissolve in a rage of primal instinct.
Friday, October 20 On the Tracks The area’s finest restaurants partner with the historic Railroad Avenue retailers in the heart of downtown Opelika to offer a delicious selection of small bites. Live music sets the perfect backdrop for a delightful evening while the Main Street merchants remain open for your shopping enjoyment. Food vendors line the streets. www.onthetracks.org. Mike Epps Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:00 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com. Coldwater Mountain Fat Tire Fest Zinn Park in downtown Anniston. Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. Enjoy outdoor activities including a nighttime trail ride, a cycling movie under the stars at the trailhead, open rides on all the trails, groups rides geared for all levels, demo bikes – for trail and road, cycling-related games, a just-for-fun duathlon, a poker ride, and loads of local food, beer and music. www.cwmfattirefest.com. Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival Selma. Food can be purchased on site and we will again have Swappin’ Ground (where the audience can come up on stage and share their stories.). Swapping Ground will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Tale Tellin’ at 7:00 each night. www.artsrevive.com. Florida Georgia Line Verizon Amp, Alpharetta, Ga. www.ticketmaster.com. The Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe Join the Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe for shows full of laughs, wonder, and puppets sure to delight every one of all ages! 10:30-11 a.m. and 3:30-4:00 p.m. (334) 501-3296.
Pioneer Day at Loachapoka Loachapoka. 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Weaving and clothmaking demonstrations, blacksmiths, mules grinding cane, syrup/bread/soap-making, musical entertainment, Native American dancing, period pottery, fireplace and outdoor cooking, and numerous other old-time crafts and vendors. Tour the two-story 140 year old Trade Center Museum, visit the Log Cabin. FREE admission. 334.887.3007 or www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
followed by a fantastic CSO concert featuring some of the best German composers of all time. www.rivercenter.org.
Sunday, October 22 Momma’s Boy Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:00 p.m. www.eventticketscenter.com.
46th Annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts Northport, Al. 270+ folk, visionary, and contemporary artists and expert craftspeople presenting their work to you, free hands-on art-making area for children and throughout the park interactive live demonstrations by expert craftspeople—basketmakers, blacksmiths, woodworkers, traditional potters, fiber and fabric artists, quilters, jewelers, and a glassblower. Live music, story-telling, food and fellowship. www.kentuck.org.
46th Annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts See Oct. 21 for details.
MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market See Oct. 7 for details.
Young Writer’s Club See Sept. 25 for details.
Weogufka Old Farm “N” Bluegrass Day Weogufka, Al. Sorghum syrup made on site with mill pulled by mules. Bluegrass music on stage and bluegrass jam sessions. Antique tractors, antique cars, old farm equipment display, gospel music, food, arts “N” crafts, vendors, children’s rides, and more. Bring your folding chair and spend the day. www.weogufkacenter.org.
Expressions of a Braveheart See Oct. 2 for details.
Coldwater Mountain Fat Tire Fest See Oct. 20 for details. Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival See Oct. 20 for details. Sara Evans at Wind Creek Wetumpka. www.windcreekwetumpka.com. Fall Farm Day Landmark Park, Dothan. Formerly known as Wiregrass Heritage Festival. Admission charged. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of cane grinding, syrup making and other traditional farm activities. Plus food, music, antique farm equipment, an old fashioned tractor pull and parade, and the Landmark Park Quilt Show. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 334-794-3452. www.landmarkpark.com.
Coldwater Mountain Fat Tire Fest See Oct. 20 for details.
Monday, October 23 Expressions of a Braveheart See Oct. 2 for details.
Opelika Fall Festival Opelika SportsPlex. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Children 12 and under. Free admission. A safe alternative to trick or treating. Children wear costumes and bring a treat bag. Hayrides, prizes, games, rides and entertainment. Inflatable Slide, special booth and exciting events. www. opelikasportsplex.com. Fall Treats Covington Rec Center, Opelika. Make fun treats with a Fall theme! $15. Ages 5-9. 3:30-4:30 p.m. www.opelikasportsplex.com. Monthly Market See Sept. 26 for details.
Fright Nights at the Arboretum See Oct. 6 for details.
Wednesday, October 25
Theatre Production: “God of Carnage” See Oct. 19 for details.
Saturday STEM Storytime See Sept. 30 for details.
Toddler Time See Oct. 4 for details.
Saturday, October 21
Crazy 8’s See Sept. 30 for details.
Thursday, October 26
Oktoberfest The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference. 4 p.m. Each local, regional and national brewery in attendance will showcase a small selection of beers, giving attendees an opportunity to sample a variety of great brews. Select breweries will also present one-off beers, which are brewed specifically to be served at the Oktoberfest event. www.auhcc.com/oktoberfest.
Saturday Stroll See Oct. 14 for details.
East Alabama Arts: Vienna Boys Choir Opelika Center For the Performing Arts. www.eastalabamaarts.org.
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
Oktoberfest Brahms & Brews Columbus Symphony Orchestra, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Columbus. Enjoy this Oktoberfest themed evening party with drinks and hors d’oeuvres
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Super Saturdays at LaGrange Art Museum 112 Lafayette Pkwy, LaGrange, Ga. 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free family art day! Spend the afternoon at the Museum. Families, neighbors, and friends can tour the current exhibit and explore an art activity. www.lagrangeartmuseum.org.
Up, Up & Away at The Rock Ranch, Ga. Hot Air Balloon Rallies, offering tethered balloon rides as wind and weather permits ($5 children, $10 adults), Flippen out trampoline acrobat shows, interactive bubble show, bungee trampolines, meet and greet and photos with Superman and more! www.therockranch.com.
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Baby Time See Oct. 3 for details.
The Arts Association of East Alabama Presents, Vienna Boys Choir 7:30 p.m. The Opelika Center for Performing Arts. 749-8105. Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. 5:00 8:00 p.m. JCSM brings in contemporary filmmakers to meet with students and museum guests for a special screening of their film. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.
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FamilyCalendar After the Internet: Live Clarion Inn and Suites University Center, Auburn. After the Internet: Live will include performances from local Auburn band Trent in the Trees, DJ Xer0h!, DJ Malbis, and Nashville hip-hop artist CAMM. Jonathon Eley is the headlining act. www. jonathoneley. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at jonathoneley.com/tour. This event is all ages. Ghoulish Gala Auburn Public Library. A Halloween event for the whole family. Dress up in your Halloween costumes and visit the terrifying, spine-tingling, shriekinducing, haunted wing of the library, open to willing adventurers. Carnival games, candy, and a spooky photo booth! 5:30-7:00 p.m. (334) 501-3296. Teen Writer’s Club See Oct. 5 for details. Preschool Time See Oct. 5 for details.
Friday, October 27 The Great Pumpkin Splash Opelika SportsPlex Pool. Join us as we turn into the Great Floating Pumpkin Patch! 6:00-8:00 p.m. Ages 6-12. Pick your pumpkin from the pool. Kids can enjoy Harvest Relay Races, the pumpkin roll, prizes and more! Must pre-register by October 24th. www.opelikasportsplex.com. Pumpkins and Poker Downtown Auburn. Sponsored by Auburn Downtown Merchants Association. www.downtownauburnonline.com. Casting Crowns: The Very Next Thing Tour Columbus Civic Center, Ga. www.columbusciviccenter.org. Opp Fest Downtown Opp. The Opp Cultural Arts Council displays adult and children’s art. There are many arts and craft booths, food vendors, musical entertainment, merchant sidewalk sales, car show, soapbox car derby race, children’s activities, and much more. For more info www.cityofopp.com. Fright Nights at the Arboretum See Oct. 6 for details. Alabama National Fair Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery. www.alnationalfair.org. Christmas Made in the South Columbus Convention & Trade Center, Ga. You’ll find pottery, jewelry, metal sculpture, woodworking, glass, Christmas ornaments, photography, fine art, delicious gourmet delights and so much more! P.S. Old Saint Nick will be there so bring your gift list. www.madeinthesouthshows.com.
Saturday, October 28 Movie at the Plex: “Hocus Pocus” Opelika SportsPlex. 6:00-8:00 p.m. Join us for a spooky family friendly night at the SportsPlex Amp.
This event is free. Beware! The Sanderson Sisters could make an appearance. www.opelikasportsplex. com. Masquerade Ball Fundraiser The Bottling Plant Event Center, Opelika. Theatre Company is hosting its Inaugural Masquerade Ball Fundraiser to include dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Opelika Theatre Company, The Southside Center for the Arts, and Expressions of a BraveHeart. Dress is Sunday attire to formalwear. www.opelikatheatrecompany.com. Montevallo Art Walk Walk around historic downtown Montevallo and purchase one-of-a-kind arts and crafts goods from our Artwalk vendors. You will find jewelry, paintings, pottery, mixed media, and much more. Vendors will have a variety to offer: gift items, items for your home and accessories to wear.www. montevalloartwalk.com. Magic City Classic Legion Field, Birmingham. The game features Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, and it’s the longest continuous rivalry in the state of Alabama. www.themagiccityclassic.com. Owl-O-Ween Alabama Wildlife Center, Pelham. Features children’s activities, live owl guests, bird of prey programs, an owl release, and complimentary candy. Meet Alabama’s native owls and the world’s largest owl species! Free after paid admission to Oak Mountain State Park. www.awrc.org. Cotton Pickin’ Celebration at Old Baker Farm Harpersville. 205-672-7209. www.oldbakerfarm.com. Admission charged. Old Baker Farm--Living history, arts, crafts and pumpkin festival. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Young Eagles Day See Sept. 30 for details. Saturday STEM Storytime See Sept. 30 for details. Crazy 8’s See Sept. 30 for details. Christmas Made in the South See Oct. 27 for details. Not So Spooky Halloween at The Rock Ranch Costume contests for people and dogs on a leash, trick-or-treating, Frisbee dog shows, magic shows, and balloon twisting by Atlanta Entertainer of the Year, and meet and greets with Pete the Cat. www.therockranch.com. Uptown’s Spooktacular Halloween Festival Woodruff Park, Columbus. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus located at 1000 Bay Avenue! www.uptowncolumbus.com.
Sunday, October 29 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Campus Green Space by Jordan-Hare. Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. followed by the Walk at 2:15 p.m. While there is no fee to register, we encourage participants to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. act.alz.org/eastalabama. Cotton Pickin’ Celebration at Old Baker Farm See Oct. 28 for details. 36th Annual Spinners Pumpkin Patch Arts & Crafts Show See Oct. 28 for details.
MainStreet Alexander City Farmer’s Market See Oct. 7 for details.
Monday, October 30
Fall Family Festival Russell Crossroads, Alexander City. Dress the kids in their favorite costume or let them come as they are and join us for face painting, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides, see a real grist mill in action and more. www.RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com or call 256-397-1019.
Tour De Fright Opelika Sportsplex. 6:00-8:00 p.m. Bicyclers beware! Parents and children 12 and under are invited to take a ride on the haunted walking trail! www.opelikasportsplex.com.
Peanut Butter Festival & Nutter Butter Parade Burndidge. On the grounds of the historic Bass House. Admission is free. Features peanut butter and everything, old-time demonstrations, including a working cane mill, 5-K Peanut Butter Run, non-stop entertainment, games, contests, arts, crafts, festival foods cooked on the grounds. Free Admission. 334685-5524 or 334-670-6302, 334-372-1001. www. piddle.org. 36th Annual Spinners Pumpkin Patch Arts & Crafts Show Prattville. Exhibitors of original arts and crafts from throughout the southeast will display their wares under shade of pine and magnolia trees. Free entertainment plus games, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables and many other children and youth activities. Special events: 5K & 5 mile run, Motorcycle & car show & Jack-o-lantern contest. www.spinnersprattville.com. Opp Fest See Oct. 27 for details. Halloween Masquerade On the Harriott II Riverfront Montgomery. Boarding at 8:00 p.m. Ticket includes live band and cruise. Cash bar available. Live entertainment and costume contest. (334) 625-2100.
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Young Writer’s Club See Sept. 25 for details.
Tuesday, October 31 17th Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Auburn. 6:008:00 p.m. Join the City of Auburn for this spooktacular alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating on in downtown Auburn. There are treats provided by the downtown merchants, visits from characters and area celebrities, musical entertainment from DJ Ozz and costume contests! Parents must accompany children to this event. FREE to the public and will be held rain or shine. www.auburnalabama.org. Baby Time See Oct. 3 for details.
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FamilyCalendar November Nov. 1-4: Alabama Frontier Days Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park, Wetumpka. Demonstrations of frontier life in the southeast during the period 1700-1820. Frontier trades and crafts are demonstrated by living historians in period correct costumes. The event takes place over four days, from 9 - 4 each day. www.fttoulousejackson.org. Nov. 2: Mommy and Me Christmas Ornament Workshop Mommy and Me classes are designed for parent and child to work together to create beautiful works of art. Projects are intended for the toddler/preschool age group. In this class we will be designing beautiful Christmas ornaments to adorn your tree or to have as a keepsake! $20/ Mommy and Child pair ($5 each additional child) + $10 materials fee, Cari Cleckler • (334) 501-2944 • ccleckler@ auburnalabama.org. Nov. 3: Anime and Manga Art Club Auburn Public Library. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Ages 10-18. Have fun drawing and socializing at this fun new club! Bring your own art supplies and creativity and share your love of all things Anime and Manga! www.auburnalabama.org/library. Nov. 4: Lineville Heritage Day Festival Lineville. 256-396-6143. Free. Downtown Lineville. Join us in Lineville for an old-fashioned street festival. Other activities include an antique tractor show and parade, a juried vintage quilt show, an old-fashioned costume contest, historical displays and live music featuring local talent, Mr. and Miss Heritage Day, horseshoe and domino tournaments and more. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 4: Fredonia Heritage Day Five Points, Al. A wide range of stage entertainment, vintage crafts and demonstrations, special children’s activities, a historical theme and good food. www.savefredoniaheretige.com. Nov. 4: Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair Taking place on the grounds of the historic Marks house in Pike Road, there will be over 250 vendors selling beautiful and unique arts and crafts just in time for Christmas. Special activities for the children 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com. Nov. 4-5: Moss Rock Festival Hoover. Explore Nature, SmartLIVING, and Art + Design at Alabama’s premier eco-creative festival now in its 12th year. MRF features 100 exhibiting artists inspired by nature; special exhibitions; tiny homes; SmartLIVING ideas and marketplace for food, home, body, and health; live music and so much more! www.MossRockFestival.com. Nov. 8: LitWits Book Club: Awesome Book Covers Auburn Public Library. 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ages 13-18. LitWits is a genre based book club. Read any book within that genre and bring it with you for group discussions and themed activities. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Nov. 8-9: Polar Express Holiday Event Tickets On Sale Tickets for the Polar Express (for Sat., Dec. 2 at Jan Dempsey Comm. Arts Center) will be on sale Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The cost per ticket is $12 for adults and $6 for children 13 months and older. For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks or contact the Arts Center at (334) 501-2963.
Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
Nov. 9: Theatre Performance: “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration” Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn Campus. A range of different stories in 1864 Washington DC on the coldest Christmas Eve in recent memory. President and Mrs. Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, Ely Parker, Mary Surratt, and Clara Barton join a cast of over fifty characters to craft a tale of holidays, home, and heart.
Meditation Garden and Labyrinth Come and Find the Quiet Center... in the Meditation Garden and Labyrinth, provided as a community service by Village Christian Church, 700 East University Drive, (across from Auburn Early Ed.). 334-887-5111. Try the practice of walking meditation or simply sit and enjoy the sights and sounds. The garden and labyrinth are always open and guests are always welcome.
Nov. 13: East Alabama Arts: “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” Opelika Center For The Performing Arts. www.dirtydancingtour.com.
Pumpkin Patch Express Oct. 1 - 29. Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera. Join in the fun as we visit the pumpkin patch for a hayride, jumpstation, cornstalk maze, coloring, fun tattoos, and good ol’ fashioned boiled peanuts (charge for peanuts and other snacks)! Pick your favorite pumpkin from the patch for an additional charge. Tickets and info at www.HODRRM.org or 205.757.8383.
Nov. 24: Blue Friday Blitz Join us at 7 a.m. for a quick jog through downtown Auburn to work off those Turkey Day calories! Beginning at Toomer’s Corner, we will run through downtown, the Davis Arboretum and back to downtown. Afterwards, enjoy doughnuts and coffee and then spend the morning shopping the Blue Friday specials in downtown Auburn. Those who preregister by October 1st will be guaranteed a t-shirt! Visit activeauburn.org for details.
Ongoing Alabama Cotton Festival Oct. 1 - 31. Vendors will line Eclectic’s Main Street with a wide variety of delectable food and unique wares, as local dancers strut their stuff, ‘Bama’s best bands play live and lovely ladies vie for the coveted tiaras of Alabama’s Cotton Queens. The festival also features a car show, photography and art contests and the annual taste-off. Alabama National Fair Oct. 27 - Nov. 5. Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery. Midway rides, main stage entertainment, food, information and commercial booths, kids area, livestock and other competition, family faith day and more! For details, visit www.alnationalfair.org. Chick-fil-A Family Night at Tigertown Every Thursday night. Discovery Hikes Explore the preserve and learn something new each month about plants, wildlife and nature with a trained naturalist who will offer your family fun opportunities for hands-on learning, exploration, and exercise! Discovery Hikes are offered the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. For families with children ages 5 to 12. Free admission. Forest Ecology Preserve & Nature Center is located at 2222 N. College Street, Auburn. The Greater Columbus Fair Nov. 9 - 19. Columbus Civic Center, Ga. www.columbusciviccneter.org. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center • Art Gallery Fall 2017 Exhibition: THE SEPTEMBER SHOW. Through Oct. 6. An invitational exhibition featuring works based on an announced theme. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. www.auburnalabama.org. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art • Out of the Box: A Juried Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition Through October 6, 2018. The exhibition is juried by Jean Shin. Ms. Shin is an internationally recognized artist who works with multiples of objects to transform the everyday into decadent interpretations of identity and community. She uses materials that range from prescription pill bottles to sweaters, and often obtains them as second-hand objects from people in participating communities. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.
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XBAR Fitness For Youth For all fitness levels. Mondays 5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. $65/6 weeks. Megan.Linge@gmail.com.
Performances “Antigone” Sept. 21-29. Telfair Peet Main Stage, Auburn Campus. Jean Anouilh’s 1944 adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone, first performed in Nazioccupied Paris, gave voice to resistance in the face of authoritarian rule. Tickets available online or at the box office. www.auburn.edu/theatre. “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 19 - Dec. 24. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. A heartwarming must-see that will get you into the spirit of the holiday season with Scrooge’s search for redemption and a spectacular, magical evening of ghosts, spirits, festivity, and goodwill. www.asf.net. “Dreamgirls” Sept. 22 - 30. Springer Opera House, Columbus. This show is about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound.The dazzling Broadway musical mega-hit is based on the show business stories of Motown and soul legends such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown and Jackie Wilson. www. springeroperahouse.org. “The Glass Menagerie” Oct. 13 - Nov. 5. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. At the behest of his mother, Tom brings home a gentleman caller for his painfully shy sister. The themes of how family, the power of memory, and our perception shape reality are as impactful today as when this Tennessee Williams masterpiece premiered 70 years ago. www.asf.net. “The Magician’s Nephew” Sept. 29-30, Oct. 1, 6-7. Adapted from the book by C. S. Lewis. This is the prequel to all of “The Chronicles of Narnia” books. Presented by Family Theatre.www.familytheatre.org. “Pete the Cat” Oct. 17 - 18. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners – and boy are they square! But for the groovy blue cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. www.rivercenter.org. “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” Oct. 6 - 21. Springer Opera House, Columbus. There are two sides to every story, and when the
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FamilyCalendar Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. Enter the jury box and decide the fate of Big ‘n’ Bad in this musical adaptation of the hit children’s book. www. springeroperahouse.org.
Support & Parenting Groups A2Z Local Homeschooler’s Association For homeschooling families in the Auburn/Opelika Lee County area of Alabama. A2Z Loop is an allinclusive support group open to all homeschool families in the Auburn/Opelika area regardless of differences in beliefs, cultures, nationality, race, religion, or method of home schooling. For more information call 334-728-1162 or email: momofpnk@ gmail.com. Alabama Mentor’s Foster Parent Training Classes Offered in the Opelika Auburn area. Call 334-7058877 x 18 to register or email: Deanna.Hand@thementornetwork.com. Auburn UMC Children’s Day Out Program Every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.–12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information. Auburn United Methodist Church. Auburn Mommies, a fun group of moms in the Auburn/Opelika area that meet weekly for playgroups and Mommy and Me walking twice a week. We also have a Mommies Night Out once a month. Http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ auburnmommiesinalabama/. Auburn Mommy and Me Big Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10–11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/ movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months–3 years. Free! 334-209-2580. Auburn MOPS 1st Wednesday of each month, September-May. 9–11:30 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika. Meetings open to moms with preschool children ages 5 years and under. $5 per meeting; childcare $5 per child. $25 yearly membership dues. Weekly playdates, monthly moms night out, resources, and more. www.facebook.com/ AuburnOpelikaMOPS; AUMOPS@yahoo.com. Bible Study Fellowship Held at Parkway Baptist Church, Thursdays at 10 a.m., (334) 546-1386. Bosom Buddies (a breast cancer support group) Meets at The Health Resource Center the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. (334) 528-1260. www.eamc.org. Breast Feeding class meets the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon on EAMC’s third floor. Call 528-1260 to register. Caregiver Support Group Caring for a family member or friends can be rewarding, but it’s not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn ways to cope
with every day stresses of caring for someone you love. Gain tools and resources to help you on your journey. This program is supported by the Opelika Sportsplex, Lee-Russell Agency on Aging and HomeInstead Senior Care. This group is open to the public. Meets the last Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Opelika Sportsplex AAC. Instructors are: Valeri White (Sportsplex), Bridgette Sager (Home Instead Senior Care), Lisa Askew (LeeRussell Council of Gov). Food Allergy Support of East Alabama The Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www. foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334826-3082; bkg2007@bellsouth.net. GRACE - Post-Abortive Support Group Are you struggling with feelings of regret or sadness from having a pregnancy termination in your past? Do you feel like you can’t share these struggles with anyone? Would you like to find healing and forgiveness? You are not alone. Women’s Hope Medical Clinic wants to help you! You are invited to take part in our GRACE abortion recovery group. This confidential group gives you the opportunity to process the grief of your termination in a safe and non-judgmental setting. If you would like more information about the times, dates and location for this group, call or e-mail Sherry at Women’s Hope: 334.502.7000 or sherry@ womenshope.org Don’t let the regret of the past rob you of the joy in the future. Call us today. We are here to help. La Leche League, a support group for nursing moms, meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. @ Cornerstone Family Chiropractic, Airport Plaza, 323 Airport Road Suite E, Auburn. For more information call LLL of Auburn/Opelika, Leader, Josie Ettinger (h)334-257-3950 or (c)334-740-8780.
MOPS of Auburn We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Auburn United Methodist Church from 9:30 - 11:30. Childcare is provided, although we ask that you make reservations if possible. Meetings are open to mothers with children ages 5 and under. www.facebook.com/ mopsofauburn mopsofauburn@gmail.com. Opelika-Auburn Newcomers Club A club for new women in town which offers fun social activities, meets for lunch on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Call Joan at 501-4974. Parent Educational Workshop - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy. 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Avenue, Opelika. Parent Support Group - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy meets the 1st Monday (unless national holiday), 9:00-11:00 a.m. and the next evening (Tuesday) from 6-7:30 p.m. Visit www.leecountyautism.com for complete information. Email info@leecountyautism.com or call 334-740-0716. Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama offers 2nd Saturdays, group classes, and more. Contact Penny Messer at 334-444-6827. Email smoea@bellsouth. net. Website www.smoea.vpweb.com or find us on facebook. Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at laura@ insideyfc.com or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com. Therapeutic Foster Care Program Foster a Child’s Future Today - Become a Therapeutic Foster Parent! Certification classes are free. Please call Joanna Fisher Champagne at Lee County Youth Development Center’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program. (334) 749-2996, Ext. 311 You can make an eternal difference in a child’s life! Trinity UMC (Opelika) Mom’s Morning Out Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45–12. $15 per child, $5 each additional. Trinity United Methodist Church.
Sports Auburn University Volleyball Sept. 29. Oct. 13, 18.
Lee County Department of Human Resources Now recruiting foster/adoptive families. To learn more about fostering and adoption please call our office at 334-737-1100. Please join us in this endeavor to help our foster children.
Auburn University Football Sept. 30. Oct. 7.
Lee County Parents of Chinese Children helps children understand, see and grow up with other families that look like their family (white parents/ Asian child). The group is 100% free! We try to eat out at Asian establishments monthly and have playdates. Families that are waiting to adopt are welcome! We accept any families with adopted children from all Asian countries. Contact Melody at mmhilyer@bellsouth.net for more information.
Auburn University Soccer Sept. 24. Oct 5, 13, 22.
Miracle League To volunteer or for more information, www. miraclefield.org or eamiracleleague@gmail.com. MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com.
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Auburn University Equestrian Sept. 29. Oct. 6, 21.
Auburn University Swimming & Diving Oct 12. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.
Please send your calendar events to Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com! www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
Home Again
Leap!
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C+ Violence: B Sexual Content: C+ Profanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: CThe MPAA has rated Home Again PG-13 for some thematic and sexual material. A middle-aged fantasy for women, Home Again offers separated-butnot-divorced Alice Kinney (Reese Witherspoon) the “problem” of dealing with a bevy of men. An evening out with the girls to celebrate her 40th birthday (a non-event that has kept her in tears all day) leads to an all-nighter of binge drinking with three twenty-something guys that are homeless, wannabe filmmakers. We can only assume an inheritance or Alice’s husband Austen (Michael Sheen), who is distracted with his music business in New York, is paying the bills for the ongoing party. But when he discovers the three amigos cavorting with his wife and daughters, he has a moment of sensibility and comes to Los Angeles. Yet his renewed presence only adds to the ongoing alpha male competition and does nothing to suggest Rosie and Isabel are going to have any hope of a stable family outcome. Shot in a beautiful neighborhood with a cast of vanilla characters who look way too good to be stressed about jobs, money and life, Home Again is the antitheses of those many male-dominated movies with lusty women romping by the pool. If you can buy into the script’s subtle argument that if her father could roam the Hollywood hills looking for young women to bed, there’s no reason his daughter can’t do likewise, this romantic comedy may offer enough laughs to keep you interested.
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: AProfanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AThe MPAA has rated Leap! PG for impolite humor and action. Dreams are often the powerful motivating force in a movie’s script. And when the aspirations are those of a couple of parentless children, the ambitions are unstoppable. It’s the late 1800s in France and young Félicie (voice of Elle Fanning) has attempted so many elaborate escapes from her surprisingly comfortable orphanage that she has become an endearing counterpoint to the institution’s otherwise humdrum activities. However, when her good friend Victor (voice of Dane DeHaan) provides his services as a creative accomplice, both manage to break free and make their way to Paris where each plan to pursue their dreams. The cliché plot holds few surprises, although it requires some great imagination (or plain naivety) to believe a girl with no classical training will be able to work her way through the complicated and demanding rigors of this art form, and have a chance of being chosen to dance a lead role in an upcoming show. Content concerns include mild potty humor, slapstick antics, mean-spirited competition, bullying and an over-the-top antagonist whose jealousy turns to murderous intents and threats with a sledge hammer. Still, this Canadian/ French co-production does boast some impressive visuals. It may also have young viewers with similar dreams happily doing pirouettes for a while to come. With that payoff in mind, perhaps sitting through this film won’t be tutu painful for parents.
Captain Underpants
Wonder Woman (new to home video)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B+ Violence: CSexual Content: BProfanity: B+ Alcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Wonder Woman PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and suggestive content. World War I is raging. Everyone is aware of the horrifying conflict. Everyone, except those who live on the remote island of Themyscira. In the too-beautiful-to-be-true land dwells a community of women, members of the Amazon tribe from Greek mythology. All are adept fighters and continually train for an impending battle. The only child amongst them is Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta, the ruler of the island. Diana soon discovers war among mortals is a complex scenario. Arriving on the front lines she witnesses the horrific effects of the political confrontation. Men, women and children, many of whom are civilians, are seen with bloody injuries -- some with missing limbs. Frequent battle scenes depict shootings, stabbings and bombings, however the violence falls short of gratuitous. Perhaps more disconcerting are scenes depicting the German military’s experiments with poisonous gas mixtures. Amid this chaos, Wonder Woman stands as the voice of reason, most likely echoing the sentiments many of us feel when we see hate and anger lead to bloodshed and the killing of innocent victims. Determined to find a way to stop the slaughter, her deft skills at dodging bullets with armored bracelets and a blast-proof shield demonstrate a desire to utilize defensive tactics. Wonder Woman stands tall above other recent movies with comic book pedigrees.
(new to home video)
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: B+ Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie PG for mild rude humor throughout. George and Herold (voices of Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch) are elementary-aged kids who have been friends since kindergarten. Sharing the same sense of humor, the pals combine their separate talents for writing and art, to make hand-drawn adventure stories featuring a bald action figure in tighty-whities. The pair also likes to play pranks on their teachers as a way to cheer up their fellow students at their penitentiary-like school. Their mischief has made them regular visitors to the office of Principal Krupp (voice of Ed Helms). Fed-up, the administrator threatens to put the hooligans in separate classrooms. To prevent him for carrying out the threat, George attempts to hypnotize him -- and it works. With a suggestion, Principal Krupp believes he is Captain Underpants, and the boys take control of his actions. As is to be expected from the film’s title, this script is full, full, full of potty humor. Yet despite the fixation on toilets and a blatant disrespect for authority figures, the story does allow its characters to reconsider their motives, feel remorse for their mockery, and redeem their actions. While these positive moments won’t flush away all the shenanigans, they will likely provide enough charm to amuse older children and tweens. Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2017
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PERTUSSIS
(WHOOPING COUGH)
IS IN ALABAMA PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?
Whooping cough – or pertussis – is a very serious respiratory (in the lungs and breathing tubes) infection caused by the pertussis bacteria. It causes violent coughing you can’t stop. Whooping cough is most harmful for young babies and can be deadly.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WHOOPING COUGH?
Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include • Runny nose • Low-grade fever • Mild, occasional cough • A pnea - a pause in breathing (in babies)
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO GET VACCINATED AND FOR TREATMENT. For more information, visit adph.org/immunization or facebook.com/AlabamaImmunizationInfo