Eastern Shore Parents December 2020 by KeepSharing

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Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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December2020 36

Volume 13 Number 7

Columns

4 Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note Lynn Knighton

Holidays at Home

Discover 7 sweet and easy ways to enjoy the season at home.

6 Therapeutic Parenting

10 Commandments for Holiday Cheer

Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Simple ways to find Christmas joy.

12 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

38 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Our guide shares whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on around town and nearby to fill the holidays with joy and memories!

Improving Parent/ Teen Communication

60 Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Research study advice for you!

Departments 8

On The Cover Lincoln (3) and Nash (1) Hanway, son of Stephanie and Tyler Hanway. Lincoln loves playing at the park and making new friends. Nash loves the outdoors and going fishing at the pier with his daddy!

Bits and Pieces 14

School Bits 50

Movie Reviews

Book Reviews

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Publisher’sNote The Eastern Shore’s Foremost Parenting Source

Everyone seems a little extra excited about the holidays this year, and it has been so fun to see! I know people who were adamant about no Christmas décor before Thanksgiving who had their trees up and decorated by the first weekend in November. It’s not that they wanted to rush past Thanksgiving, it was more about having some cheery décor and to haveThanksgiving as the kickoff to the holiday season. So instead of being down in the dumps about things being off this year, try and find some ways you can bring a little cheer. Maybe that means letting the kids go all out decorating their bedrooms or coming up with a silly family photo for your Christmas cards. For ideas on at home celebrations, flip over to page 36 where Katy Clark provides more inspiration in her feature, How to Savor the Holiday Season at Home. If you are looking for activities outside the home, or maybe some virtual activities, check out the Holiday Happenings Guide on page 44. We have compiled a list of holiday festivities for local families. Please remember to check with each venue before heading to the event... just to make sure there have not been any changes and to check COVID policies and procedures. As we were pulling out our Christmas décor, I was reminded of way too many hilarious stories of holiday fails. Maybe not fails, but definitely times when things did not go as planned. One that quickly comes to mind was the time I rode around with our Christmas tree on the top of my car for probably about a week. We had just moved down here and Brad and I argued about putting the tree up when we still had not unpacked. I can’t remember which side we were each on, but that battle ended up with me driving through car line each morning with a Christmas tree STILL on my car. Yes, people would comment and, yes, it was embarrassing, not to mention probably killing the tree. Well, the day finally came when I was ready to wash my van. My friend had told me about a great new car wash so I decided to drive on through then call and tell her thank you for the recommendation. Well, by now you are probably thinking the same thing she was: “Oh, good! So you finally got the tree off of your car!” OH MY GOODNESS!!!! THE TREE!!!! I had been riding around with it on my car for so long that I completely forgot about it. I immediately pulled over to assess the damage and call my husband. When I got out, there was no sign of a tree. No branches, no straps... nothing. When Brad answered he egged it on a little, then laughed and said, “Babe, I took the tree off the car this morning.” Whew... huge sigh of relief. I had been so busy with three kids and a new city I didn’t even notice. When I got home, there was my tree in a stand with water, ready for décor. Yes, we have had trees too big to get in the house and a year where we lost all the ornaments and hand made them. And, yes, we have had a critter in a tree (FYI, go to a tree farm where they check for that), but despite the unexpected, we find a way to laugh it off and kick up the holiday cheer. I am sharing these stories because 2020 has had us expecting the unexpected, and we are all learning to be more flexible and a lot more resilient. So as you are planning your holiday, don’t sweat the small stuff and make sure to take care of yourself. Flip over to page 40 where Christa Melnyk Hines shares advice in her article, 10 Commandments for More Holiday Cheer. Wishing you all a healthy, joyful holiday season! May your house be filled with peace and laughter. Merry Christmas!

Lynn

lynn@easternshoreparents.com

Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

Eastern Shore Parents Magazine, is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant, role in our community. Eastern Shore Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Publisher Lynn Knighton lynn@easternshoreparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@easternshoreparents.com Associate Editor Kelly Watson Research Editor Christa Weinberg Contributing Writers Katy Clark Christa Melnyk Hines Cheryl Maguire Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Dave Ramsey Robert L. Rux, M.D.

Cover Photography Jenn Glies Photography www.jenngliesphotography.com

President Jason Watson jason@easternshoreparents.com Advertising Opportunities Lynn Knighton ads@easternshoreparents.com (251) 929-2099 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us online at www.easternshoreparents.com Eastern Shore Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: P.O. Box 374, Montrose, Alabama, 36559. The phone number for voice and fax is (251) 929-2099. Eastern Shore Parents is copyrighted 2017 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Eastern Shore 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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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Improving Your Child’s Sleep Sleep during parenthood is a bit of an oxymoron. It is about as precious as that first sip of coffee, yet as unattainable as the ability to drive to work in the morning without spilling that coffee on your newly ironed shirt. As parents, we tend to put an enormous amount of focus on sleep. We want it, we seek it, we are willing to mortgage the house to get it. It is the hidden gem of parenthood that will make us feel human again. And when our kids pass through that precious newborn stage, where the sleep deprivation is expected, but then enter early toddlerhood and preschool and we still see no sign of quality, sustained sleep on the horizon – we tend to want to curl up on the floor of the closet and call it a day… at 10am. I wish I had THE answer for you, but I don’t. Before you stop reading, though, I will say there are certainly things you can be aware of that might help encourage those little “fighting sleep” soldiers to not only lay down and sleep, but stay asleep… at least until the sun crosses the horizon. Here are a few things to consider:

1: Be aware of the temperature. Our body temperature naturally lowers at night. This is intentional and for our good, and we don’t want to work against that effect. Keeping a cool, but not cold, room will help the body maintain sleep cycles a bit longer. 2: If your child is above the age of three you can speak with your physician about introducing a weighted blanket that is titrated to no more than 10% of your child’s body weight, plus one pound. This gentle pressure mimics the effect of being held and increases rates of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that aids in sleep regulation and has an overall calming effect. 3: Consider adding a white noise maker. These machines tend to mimic a womblike environment, which can help silence your baby’s built in alarm clock that wakes them frequently as they progress between sleep cycles. Note there is a difference however between “light” white noise (raindrops, crashing waves, heartbeat sound) and “heavy” white noise (a whirring fan, an

A/C fan). Heavy white noises are what you are after, as they will work to keep them in those deeper sleep cycles longer. 4: If your child has a bigger problem falling asleep, rather than staying asleep, consider gifting them some fun new accessories for their bedroom this year that may help. Consider items like a bed tent, a projector that casts stars and planets around the room, and a speaker wherein you can play a calming bedtime story from your phone (available on the app store), complete with calming sound effects. You can also go old school for your preschooler and get a Walkman and headphones with some tapes or CD’s of bedtime stories. Let’s be honest – any gift you buy them to help them sleep is really a gift to you. Hang in there! Another 15 years and you will be begging them to get out of bed before noon. Funny how that works. Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.

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The holidays are glowing brighter than ever in Downtown OWA. From snowflakes to fireworks, it’s a season full of family events: • Breakfast and brunch with Santa • Reindeer and snowman character photo opp • Elf reading • Carolers • Island movie nights Visit us online for dates, times and other details! FOLEY, AL | 7 MILES FROM THE BEACH | VISITOWA.COM | 251.923.2111 7

THRILL, THEN CHILL.

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Mobile Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”

Mobile Ballet is excited to present “The Nutcracker” December 18-20 - The unmatched tradition and magic of “The Nutcracker” continues this Christmas season with a presentation both in theater and online. Mobile Ballet has made this beloved masterpiece a hallmark of the holidays for more than 30 years and 2020 will be no exception. We are working closely with the City of Mobile and Civic Center management in a safely spaced theater seating plan for in-person audience. A virtual Nutcracker experience will also be available. For tickets and additional information visit www. mobileballet.org or call (251) 342-2241.

Bellingrath Magic Christmas in Lights

It’s one of the nation’s best holiday light shows, and it’s right here in south Alabama! The 25th Anniversary Season of Magic Christmas in Lights features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes, set out in a walking tour throughout the 65acre Garden estate. Opening Night is Friday, Nov. 27, and the show continues nightly from 5 to 9 p.m., rain or shine, through Dec. 31, 2020 (closed on Christmas and New Year’s Days). Purchase tickets on bellingrath.org, or at the door.

Rufus Young Wins ARHA Stars of the Industry Spirit Award

The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA) presented Rufus Young, a server of the Original Oyster House, the Spirit Award at this year’s Stars of the Industry. The 20th Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner was held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa on Monday, November 2, 2020. Buster Burns, lead server of the Original Oyster House, was a state finalist for the Front of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year Award and the Original Oyster House was a state finalist for the Humanitarian Award. Pictured from left to right are Buster Burns, state finalist front of the house restaurant and Rufus Young, Spirit Award winner.

38th Annual Christmas Fest

North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce excited to host the 38th Annual Christmas Fest on December 12, 2020 on the Courthouse Square! While things may look a little different in order to continue practicing safe social distancing... we hope you'll join us for this time-honored tradition as a vendor or attendee! We can't wait to kick off the Christmas season with our annual festivities... even if there are a few changes! You don't want to miss out on a full day of Christmas fun, featuring vendors, delicious food, Santa photos, live music by The Modern Eldorados, kids’ activities, entertainment and more! 8 AM-7 PM. For more information visit 38th Annual Christmas Fest on Facebook or www.northbaldwinchamber.com/38thAnnualChristmasFest.

It’s About Hunger at Prodisee Pantry

We’re in this together. Baldwin County is dealing with dual disasters: the COVID-19 Pandemic and Hurricanes Sally and Zeta. We are resilient. Our caring volunteers are your neighbors. They are recovering just like you. In 2020, Prodisee Pantry will have distributed about THREE Million pounds of food to our neighbors who are struggling. That’s 1,500 tons of food. The impacts of these disasters will be felt for a long time. But, we’re in this together! For the thousands of families who received boxes and bags filled with food from a smiling, compassionate volunteer who often times was in the same shape, without power, dealing with debris or scared of the invisible threat of the Coronavirus, the THANK YOU and God Bless were heard loud and clear. It’s clear that we are so much more than a box of groceries to so many. Prodisee Pantry says THANK YOU to our community for your ongoing support and prayers. We’re in this together… because it’s about hunger! For more information on how to get help, to give or to volunteer: www.prodiseepantry.org 251-626-1720 @ itsabouthunger #ProdiseePantry Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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Shop Local and Win Prizes with the Eastern Shore Elf

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is taking a fun approach to supporting the shop local movement with a little bit of Christmas magic. This holiday shopping season, the “Eastern Shore Elf” is on special assignment to visit a different Eastern Shore retailer each day, offering customers holiday cheer, some great deals and chances to win awesome prizes. The Chamber will use the Eastern Shore Elf’s antics to feature a different local retailer each day on the Eastern Shore Chamber Facebook Page. Stores are offering great discounts and promotions while he’s there. Each day between Black Friday and December 19th, the Eastern Shore Elf will be giving away gift cards on the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Facebook page as he announces where he’s going the next morning. You can enter by sharing his daily post. Shoppers who post a picture of the elf in the comment section of that day’s post will receive additional chances to win. The Eastern Shore Elf’s visit runs from Black Friday until December 19. To keep track of him, follow the “Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce” on Facebook. Also look for the hashtag #EasternShoreElf. To learn more about the Eastern Shore Elf, call the Chamber office at (251) 928-6387.

Mobile Bay Realty Partners with Toys for Tots Mobile Bay Realty in Fairhope is partnering with Toys for Tots this holiday season to contribute to the community in which we live and work every day. Each agent at MBR dedicates their time and effort to serving clients and friends in Baldwin County, so it makes sense to take it a little further at Christmas time! As a drop off location for Toys for Tots donations, MBR loves collaborating with other local businesses and contacts to help “fill the box,” and make Christmas Dreams come true for local children!

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Impact 100 Baldwin County Awards Five $90,000 Grants

At its Annual Grant Awards on October 27, Impact 100 Baldwin County awarded $450,000 to area nonprofits. Each of the five agencies received $90,000 grants across Impact’s five focus areas: Arts, Culture & Recreation; Education; Environment & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness. With the need greater than ever this year, the five nonprofit organizations were selected from a highly competitive field of applicants. Given the pandemic, Impact 100 Baldwin County pivoted quickly. Social distancing and other safety measures did not interfere with the rigorous review process which included virtual site visits, detailed financial analysis and in-depth discussions within the respective focus areas. The ten finalists made 5-minute presentation about their projects which were videotaped and uploaded for members to view before voting. Ballots were submitted, counted and the recipients announced in a virtual awards celebration that livestreamed on Facebook. The 2020 grant recipients are: • ARTS, CULTURE & RECREATION - Eastern Shore Art Center A center for the visual arts, ESAC presents over 25 exhibits per year and educates nearly 200 people in the visual arts. Impact’s funding would allow them to revamp the entry way to the ESAC Academy thereby reducing potential accidents. They would also revamp Studio 2 creating a better experience for students and introducing arts instruction though a virtual learning platform. • EDUCATION - Exploreum Science Center The Exploreum is an interactive science center in Mobile with hands-on educational experiences that reflect the most current research in STEM education. The grant would fund outreach programs providing on-site or virtual science education to schools and other locations in Baldwin County in order to inspire students’ interest in science studies and STEM-related careers. • ENVIRONMENT & PRESERVATION - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Foundation The Zoo creates experiences that connect people and communities to wildlife in order to inspire personal responsibility for the natural world. Grant funds would be used to purchase audio/communication equipment for the Zoo’s three new presentation areas: Main Event, Amphitheater, and Swamp Stages. This will enhance their educational endeavors. • FAMILY - Family Promise of Baldwin County Family Promise focuses on initiatives that strengthen and enhance the lives of homeless children and families. Impact’s funding will provide housing assistance for the first month’s rent to move homeless families out of shelters quickly. In addition, funds will cover a new roof and repaving the driveway at their Summerdale Day Center. • HEALTH & WELLNESS - Hope Center Hope Center, a ministry of 3Circle Church, offers low cost marriage, family and individual counseling by licensed professionals to residents who have no health insurance or are under-insured. The grant allows them to convert existing medical space which will expand capacity from one room to 2,000 square feet comprising multiple rooms with five dedicated to patient counseling. This is the 13th year Impact 100 Baldwin County has awarded grants to nonprofits with programs in our county. Since its inception in 2008, Impact 100 Baldwin County has awarded 43 grants totaling $4 million. Impact 100 is an all-volunteer philanthropic organization comprised of women coming together to make high-impact grants to improve the lives of people in Baldwin County.

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

Golf Cart Safety Fore! Hey guys! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Living here in Baldwin County now for quite a while, I have noticed that one thing that is becoming more and more popular are golf carts on the road. Today we are going to talk about the different types of carts, some common sense rules for the road, and some potential safety hazards for you and your children. In 2016, Baldwin County voters decided to allow more freedom in the usage of golf carts on city streets and left the enforcement of type and how to each municipality. So, let’s talk about the different types. Of course, there are your old fashioned regular golf carts with golf cart bag holders in the very back. These typically do not go very fast and usually do not have seat belts, blinkers, rear view mirrors, or any other safety measures. Next, there are a lot of modified golf carts from the original types. Most of these have bigger tires, four to eight seats, seat belts and maybe some rear view mirrors. Then, then are electric carts that have VIN numbers and tags with all safety measures you would have as if you were driving an actual car. Some are four seaters and can

Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

go 20-25 mph and some have very sturdy frames and can go up to 40 mph! So, regardless of the style of cart someone has, there is one unifying theme. In a motor vehicle collision, the car, truck or SUV will always win and therefore the passengers in a golf cart are at risk! So what can you do? First, any golf cart should be driven by someone who has a driver’s license. Yes, it’s fun for the kids to cruise around the neighborhood, but you know as well as I do that kids can be dumb. They do not look out for other drivers, rarely buckle up, and do not follow the rules of the road. I have personally seen golf carts driving around the Eastern Shore loaded down with kids (most of whom are not buckled up) and flying down the road. Unfortunately, golf carts can flip easily. If you have one with a lot of kids loaded up and turn quickly, it will flip. Next, check with your local police for what safety measures your golf cart needs and where it is safe to drive. Most of the common measures are seat belts, blinkers, rear view mirrors, brake lights, windshield wipers, reflectors, parking brakes, and oftentimes a VIN number with tag. Depending on the style of cart you have, most will also need to have a minimum

threshold speed of 20 mph with a max of 25 mph. This is to ensure that if you are driving on a city street you do not impede traffic by going too slow, and also that you don’t go too fast as to endanger yourself or others. Finally, let’s talk about things that can hurt you or your child. First, unless your cart is made to drive above 25 mph, then do not go on a road with a speed limit of more than 35 mph. And please stay off the four lane! I’ve seen golf carts driving down and crossing Greeno Rd. Not only is it dangerous, but you will get a ticket in a heartbeat. Use common sense- buckle up, use your blinkers or your arms to signal turns, check your blind spots and no sharp turns. Of course, we worry about our kids, but I’ve seen adults acting dangerously on golf carts as well, so be a good example to your family. Have a great summer! Wear sunscreen, use bug spray and be safe! Robert L. Rux, M.D. is a Board Certified Pediatrician at Magnolia Springs Pediatrics. Originally from Mobile, he attended medical school at The University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) and completed residency at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama (UAB). He is married to Jaime and has three children, Adler, Walker and Mary McAtee.

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Autauga County Schools

Belforest Elementary Student Receives Superintendent’s Art Award

Congratulations to Valerie S. For receiving the Superintendent’s Art Exhibit Award of Excellence. At Belforest Elementary we have a bulletin board titled “Kids Community Spotlight” which highlights awards kids receive outside the walls of our school, such as community, state, and national awards. Congrats Valerie S. for the first to be on the bulletin board!

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Mock Election at Daphne Middle School DMS students had the opportunity to cast their ballots for their choice for President during their social studies class in the library.

Reading is Fundamental at Elsanor Elementary School

Our first-grade students participated in a Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Books for Ownership book celebration recently during their library time. Baldwin County Schools partnered with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), a leading organization focused on childhood literacy, to offer this program for every first-grade student in our school system. Each of our first-grade students was able to choose three new, high-quality books to take home and keep as their own! Thank you Baldwin County Public Schools and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).

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Daphne ES Class Uses Virtual Reality Headsets

Baldwin Virtual School Holds Food Drive for Prodisee Pantry

Mrs. Persson's second graders at Daphne Elementary School visited Africa and Asia with our new virtual reality headsets. Mrs. Battle even got in on the action!

Baldwin Virtual Elementary School Red Ribbon leader, Emmalia Kuhn, handed out Red Ribbon bags and delivered canned food donated from our canned food drive for the Prodisee Pantry. Thank you to everyone who donated!

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Science at Florence B. Mathis ES

Mrs. Amerson’s 4th grade class did a M.E.L.T.S activity in science to learn the different types of energy.

St. Michael Students Help Clean Cemetery

Several members of the St. Michael Catholic High school Key Club recently helped clean up debris at the Belforest Catholic Cemetery. Great to see our Cardinals serving again in the community!

Advance tickets available online and at the Gardens. NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 31 5 – 9 PM Closed Christmas and New Year’s Days

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd • Theodore, AL 36582 251.973.2217 • 800.247.8420 • bellingrath.org

Picture Graphs at Swift Consolidated ES

Mrs. Michaels’ third grade class at Swift Consolidated Elementary is learning about picture graphs. Students had to create their own graphs. After completing their graphs they did a gallery walk around the room!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas! 15

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Daphne Elementary Red Ribbon Leader

Autauga County Schools

Every year, outstanding students from Mobile in Baldwin County are selected as individuals who exemplify the six pillars of character promoted by the Character Counts Initiative and the Drug Education Council. These include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. These young student leaders work with their school red ribbon coordinator to lead activities on their school campus. The students are also challenged to plan and execute a community service project to help their peers build a connection to the community and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. This year Daphne Elementary School would like to congratulate Miss Cates Croley as our Red Ribbon Leader.

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Cubelets at Loxley Elementary

Mrs. Hollimanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at Loxley Elementary School had so much fun with Mrs. Wilson and her cubelets! Cubelets are used to teach everything from design thinking to engineering, collaboration, complexity, math, and more. Even advanced ideas like abstract modeling, systems thinking, and emergence can be explored with these deceptively simple robot blocks.

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

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Roller Coaster Week at Summerdale

Students in Mrs. Rucando’s classes have been busy! 8th graders enjoyed Roller Coaster Week! 7th graders dissected chicken wings, and her STEM class completed their bridges. Time passes fast when you’re having fun.

Fun Friday at Spanish Fort MS

It was a fun Friday at Spanish Fort Middle with lots of learning activities in 6th grade! Mrs. Dillen’s students wrapped up learning about personal finance by playing The Game of Life. Ms. Grant’s creative writers enjoyed writing their murder mysteries outside in the amazing weather while Mrs. Walsh’s students coded robots as their ball for mini golf! Such a fun day of learning!

Playful Learning at Bay Minette Elementary

Mr. Janes' Fourth Grade Class at Bay Minette Elementary School explored with their new Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robots and are building with their new Legos thanks to a grant funded by the North Baldwin Coalition for Excellence. 17

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Autauga County Schools

BCHS Cheer Team Qualifies for State Competition

Congrats to our Baldwin County Cheer Team on qualifying for State Competition! Left to right, Top: Ciera McReynolds, Avery Walker, Kaylee Sawyer, Alyssa Moorer, Delaney Faircloth, Alania Brown, Emi Mixon, Makayla Cates, Carlee Scott. Bottom: Leslie Odom, Jaelyn Gray, Ayden Scarborough, Molly Caruthers.

Band Concert in Bay Minette

Friends, families, and music lovers were treated to an evening of wonderful music on Thursday evening in Bay Minette. The 7th and 8th-grade Bands from Bay Minette Middle and Perdido School, along with the Jazz Band from Baldwin County High School, entertained a very appreciative audience with many delightful tunes. Thanks to all the talented students and directors Jeffrey Lepa, Josh Williams, Tyler Williams, and Andrew Hendry.

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

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Baldwin County Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to the 2019-20 Teachers of the Year. A banquet was held at the Grand Hotel honoring all teachers. The event previously scheduled for March 2020 was re-scheduled due to COVID-19. At the event, the Baldwin County Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year were also announced: Secondary Teacher of the Year Dianne Casolaro. Elementary Teacher of the Year Laura Ruth Hunter.

World Kindness Day

In honor of World Kindness Day Ms. McConnell’s Kindness Club made “warm fuzzies” to share with others to spread kindness! What is a Warm Fuzzy you may ask? Warm Fuzzies are warm, fuzzy, bundles of a magical substance called “kindness.”

Daphne East Students Collect Canned Goods for Needy

The Daphne East Elementary School CARE club students collected so many canned good items that will be distributed to our Daphne families in need.

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Autauga County Schools

Geometry Class at Fairhope HS

WJ Carroll Students Send Thank You Notes to Veterans

Mrs. Jones' Geometry classes at Fairhope High working on proof puzzles.

After discussing what it means to celebrate Veteran's Day, Ms. Bartoszewicz's 5th graders at W.J. Carroll Intermediate School took time to write thank you notes for veterans

and their service for our country.

SBCT Holds FFA Luncheon

Bayshore Christian Spelling Bee Winners

South Baldwin Center for Technology held an FFA Luncheon with Mayor Murphy, City Council and State Representatives. Mr. Jeff Kelley has a great group of young ladies and young men. SBCT appreciates the local and State support for our Horticulture program and these students.

Congratulations to our Bayshore Spelling Bee winners! 1st PlaceJeffery Johnson, 2nd Place- Fin Seiffert, 3rd Place- Libby Mayo. We are proud of all of you!

Panini Pete Speaks to Fairhope West

Thank you, Panini Pete's of Fairhope Pete Blohme for coming to talk to the Fairhope West Elementary 6th grade classes about your journey as a restauranteur. Your creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurship was very inspiring to our students.

Fairhope East Students Learn about Elections

Students in fourth grade at Fairhope East Elementary have learned about our electoral process through the 2020 Candy Election! Democracy is SWEET! Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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Daphne MS Bookmark Contest Winners

These Daphne Middle School students placed in the 2020 Back-to-School Bookmark Contest! From left to right: Teen Overall Winner, 3rd Place, Grade 8, Jean Bautista, Teen Grade Winner, 2nd Place, grade 7, Lily Niederhofer, Teen Grade Winner, 3rd Place, grade 7, Maggie Wilson, Teen Grade Winner, 1st Place, grade 8, Reese Dube, Teen Grade Winner, 2nd Place, grade 8, Avery Leytham, and Teen Grade Winner, 3rd Place, grade 8, Hayle Barnette. Congratulations to these winners!

Foley Middle School Girls Basketball

Learning About Living and NonLiving Things at J Larry Newton

Mrs. Haydenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kindergartners at J. Larry Newton School had a blast searching through magazines and sorting living and non-living things.

Foley Middle School Girls 8th grade basketball team dominated in the November tournament. The Lions went 3-0 defeating Orange Beach (39-21), Fairhope (43-17), and Bayside (37-8). In game 1 Amiyah Carvin led all scorers with 17 points, Kei Knight added 14 points, Tymirah Page had 6 and Azyah Prim chipped in 2. Game 2 Kei Knight led all scorers with 22 points, Amiyah Carvin had 7 points, Tymirah Page added 4, Brooklyn Tolbert added 3 and LaMya Hicks, Trinity Pickens and Azyah Prim all had 2 points. In game 3 the Lions were led by Kei Knight with 10 points, LaMya Hicks and Tymirah Page added 8 points each, Amiyah Carvin had 4 points, Zoie Spaller, Trinity Pickens and Azyah Prim each had 2 points, and ChaCha Odom added a free throw.

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Autauga County Schools Bayshore Christian 3rd Graders Pumpkin Project

3rd Graders at Bayshore Christian School participated in the Pumpkin Project by decorating pumpkins to represent the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece!

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

Archbishop Celebrates Mass at Christ the King Catholic School

Christ the King Artists at Work

Artists at work...these turned into masterpieces of Greek pottery vases.

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Christ the King Catholic School welcomed Archbishop Rodi and Miss Byrd to campus on Thursday, November 12. Archbishop Rodi celebrated our school Mass with Fr. O'Connor, Fr. Gabe and our 8th grade students.

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Orange Beach Elementary 2nd Grade Leaders enjoyed STEM activity learning with earthquake tables!

Daphne HS Twirlers

The Daphne High School Twirlers showed their support for the Daphne High School Football team as the team headed to Auburn for playoffs!

Fairhope ES Class Learns about Bears

Mrs. Duellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at Fairhope Elementary had so much fun learning about bears. They read fiction and non-fiction books about bears, wrote our own non-fiction books and had lots of fun collecting gummy bear data and tasting and graphing our favorite bear food! 23

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Autauga County Schools

Bayside Academy Kindergarten Students Star in Thanksgiving Play

Bayside Academy kindergarten students put on a readers theater production on Friday, November 13, for their parents. The socially distanced program was a treat for all!

GSMS Lions Peace Poster Contest

Congratulations to the 2020 Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Peace Poster Gulf Shores Middle School winners: 1st place was Marlie McCartney and 2nd place was Amanda Larenas. Honorable Mention are: Tereza Mojs, Ella Gilbert, Kayleigh Jacks, Serenity Stainbrook, Phoenix Wallace, Lydia Marshall, Reaghan Myers, Dujon Edwards, Ethan Carias, Anayia McCutchen, Kristian Barmettler, Amberly Arthur, Kylee McElveen.

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Fairhope West Students Send Thank you to Veterans

Mrs. Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second grade class at Fairhope West Elementary sent a special thank you to all veterans for their service!

International Day at Renaissance School

Mrs. Clemmons teaches Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore students about Mexico during their International Day celebration.

Silverhill Red Ribbon Leader

We are so proud of our Red Ribbon Leader, Evie Mkwamba! Evie is a sixth grade Peer Helper who sets an example of excellence while displaying good citizenship when assisting her peers. Evie is a member of the National Elementary Honor Society and she is committed to living the 7 Habits of Happy kids. Evie will lead Silverhill Elementary Red Ribbon week activities and organize a community service project. 25

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Autauga County Schools

Ty Foundation Presents Donations to Baldwin County High School Teacher

The Ty Foundation presented its very first donation Nov. 12 to teacher Melanie Childress and the Tiger Den at Baldwin County High School. The Ty Foundation was established a little over a month ago in memory of Ty Drinkard who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Father’s Day 2020. Its mission is to keep alive Ty’s spirit of empowering people, enhancing education and giving back to the community. Ty’s mother Daphne Stamps said the first donation is very special to the family. “We decided to donate to Mrs. Childress, Ty’s former beloved teacher and the Tiger Den. Mrs. Childress became Ty’s intervention teacher in 9th grade. I knew instantly as a parent she was very special. Her love for her students just wasn’t during school hours. She is the teacher that texts you after hours, calls if your child missed school, and goes over and beyond for her students. She was so much more than just a teacher to Ty. She was his mentor and like his second mother,” Daphne said. “The Tiger Den was also very special to Ty. Since his passing, teachers told me Ty would often leave class early and they would find him visiting with the students in the Tiger Den or playing basketball during PE.” Mrs. Childress said she was touched to receive the donation. “You hope as a teacher to be able to teach your students while they are in school, but Ty taught me more lessons. He taught me to not take life so seriously and to really enjoy today. Don’t take a day for granted,” Mrs. Childress said. “He really helped to balance my life and enjoy each day, the good and the bad.” Earlier this year, the family presented its first Ty Drinkard Memorial Scholarship to Jay Malone at Bishop State Community College. The Ty Foundation hopes to make another special presentation in the next week. For more information, or to make a donation, visit thetyfoundation.com. You can also purchase the t-shirts on the website.

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Daphne Schools Receive Grants from Daphne Utilities

Daphne Utilities is proud to be a supporter of our local schools. Recently we celebrated with our 2nd Annual Grant Day in which we awarded the following 4 grants: • Daphne East Elementary (2 grants), Mr. Jackson: Unique Learning Project using music, teaching the many roles of the water cycle; 1st grade teachers: Using Document cameras to learn more about natural resources and the environment. • Daphne High School, Mrs. Anderton: Stormwater Management project for Watershed Acres the Daphne High Farm • Belforest Elementary, Mrs. Mabire: Books to inspire students to become better at conserving natural resources.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Michael Sailing Team Competes in Mississippi

Honoring Veterans at St. James Episcopal School

The St. Michael Sailing Team competed in the Jackson Yacht Club Hospitality High School Regatta, in Jackson, MS on October 24th. The team took First place in A Fleet and C Fleet. In a very competitive race weekend the team earned 4th place overall. Sailors: Ethan Agerton, Ava Cocke, Cole Gunter, Austin Gontarski, Nate Hartwell, Robert Montgomery, and Sullivan Stankoski.

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St. James Episcopal School honored our Veterans by raising our flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Pictured are the kindergarten students.

Paper Chains at Florence B. Mathis ES

Mrs. Nolte’s and Mrs. Doughan’s 4th grade classes at Florence B. Mathis Elementary School were challenged to see who could make the longest chain with just 2 sheets of paper, a long strip of tape, and scissors.

SFHS Volleyball Team Wins Region Championship

The Spanish Fort High School Lady Toros Volleyball Team defeated John Carroll 3-1 to win the 6A South Region Championship! GO TOROS! #toronation

Bayside Academy’s 1st & 8th Grade Buddies Meet for the First Time

Bayside Academy’s 50-year-old tradition of 1st & 8th grade buddies is underway again this year! For their first meeting, the 1st graders had to find the 8th graders wearing their matching super hero mask. They then interviewed one another to get to know their new buddy. Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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Drug Education Bus Visits Belforest Elementary

Loxley Donates Socks for Socktober

The Drug Education bus visited all 5th grade classes at Belforest Elementary. Their message? Keep it “REAL-“ Refuse. Explain. Avoid. Leave. This program is intended to teach kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

How We Learn Factoring at Daphne East Ms. Holton’s class at Daphne East Elementary School is learning about factoring. They practiced showing different factors by using mini erasers as manipulatives.

The Student Lighthouse Team at Loxley Elementary School was recognized for their leadership and commitment to serving our school and community. This month the Student Lighthouse collected exactly 650 pairs of socks for Socktober! Thank you for your donations!

Two Bayside Academy Seniors Sign on National Letter of Intent Day

Bayside Academy is proud to have two student-athletes who signed with Division II schools on National Letter of Intent Day on November 11, 2020. Miriam McCoy will play golf at Mississippi College, and Colton Thompson will play volleyball at the University of Montevallo.

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Autauga County Schools

Bayshore Christian School Wins State Championship

Bayshore Christian School’s Varsity Volleyball Team took home the 1A State Championship Trophy in Birmingham on October 28, 2020. The team won 3 of the 4 sets against eleven-time state champions The Donoho School. Our Lady Eagles broke an Alabama High School Athletic Association record, bringing home a state title the first year a team is eligible. Dr. Tim Dernlan, Head of School at Bayshore said, “Our student athletes, coaching staff, athletic director, and administrators have led this team with dedication, grace, dignity, perseverance, and joy both on and off the court. We are so proud of our volleyball team and grateful for the talents and work ethic that God has instilled in these girls and for the many people that played a part in the success of this team.” Athletic Director, Jeff Hauge congratulated the team at a school celebration ceremony, “This didn’t happen overnight and it wasn’t just handed to these young ladies. These girls are standing on the shoulder of giants that have built this program from nothing.” The team’s head coach, Dave Omtvedt told the team and the entire student body, “Our girls worked hard and made a decision near the end of the season to keep pressing on towards the championship and not coast through the final weeks. Their hard work paid off.” Bayshore Senior Cassidy Granger, with more than 1,000 kills under her belt, was named the State Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Along with Granger, Brooke Kearney and Ashlyn Whiteside were named to the All-Tournament team. Granger also made first team All-State for 1A-2A classification. Avery Bramblett made second team and Ashlyn Whiteside was Honorable Mention All-State.

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SFHS College Board Recognized

Congratulations to Carolina Triboni, Chris Carter and Richard Fang for being recognized by College Board through the College Board National Recognition Program for scoring in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT and identifying in one or more different areas! We are so proud to have these students represent our school! Great job you guys! Award and Designated Area of Recognition through College Board: Carolina Triboni National Rural and Small Town Program, Chris Carter - National African American Program, Richard Fang - National Rural and Small Town Program.

Yearbook Cover Competition Winners at Fairhope West

Sailor in Mrs. Cork's class and Claire in Mrs. Arnold's class at Fairhope West Elementary are the winners for the cover and back of the 20-21 yearbook! Congratulations!

BCHS Names Homecoming Queen

Baldwin County High School senior Samantha Rogers was crowned Homecoming Queen during the half-time ceremony Friday, Oct. 16. Samantha is a member of the Student Council, Swim Team and Varsity Soccer. She was escorted by her father Shawn Rogers and crowned by last year’s Queen Alli Wilson and Principal Craig Smith. Members of the homecoming court includes seniors Amelia Dute, Reece Roberts, Blakely Norris, Tiara James, Abranda Morris; juniors Anna Grace McKinnis, Mary Kinsley Reed, Jordyn Shackleford; sophomores Tre'Kerria Smith. Jaelyn Gray, Haven Godwin; freshmen Tradella Bradley, Savannah Grace and Lorna Hester.

St. Michael Homecoming Queen

Congratulations to senior Bailey Kelly, who was crowned Homecoming Queen for St. Michael Catholic High School. Bailey was crowned at the Homecoming football game on October 30th by last year's queen, Mary Ford (Class of '19).

Christ the King Library Bookmark Contest Winners

STEAM Lesson at Fairhope East ES

Congratulations to our students, Caroline Murphy and Stella Pavao, who were selected as 1st Overall Winner and Librarian’s Choice, respectively, in the Daphne Library Back to School Bookmark Contest this year. Our librarian, Mrs. Coate, presented the awards to the girls in class on Friday, November 13.

Halloween Fun at Renaissance School

Dr. Campbell’s 5th grade GEP class at Fairhope East Elementary are studying a unit on Leadership and Presidents. STEAM is introduced through each lesson on Leadership as students work with a partner to discuss and decide if their caption best describes a “boss” or a “leader”. Students had to cut, sort, and glue the caption onto their T-chart. STEAM is used by means of “E” engineering as they plan and analyze; “A” as they cut and glue their captions; and “M” Math to count and divide into T-chart.

Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore students enjoy a Happy Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat!

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Autauga County Schools

Fairhope East ES Now STEAM Certified

WE DID IT! Fairhope East Elementary got the amazing news that Fairhope East Elementary is a Cognia STEAM Certified School! The review team praised our whole community and our shared vision of STEAM teaching and learning. Thank you to our teachers, students, administrators, parents, community members, and district leaders - Teamwork makes the STEAM work! We are thrilled to be the first STEAM Certified School in Baldwin County, and we can't wait to help other schools on their STEAM journey. #fairhopesteam #fairhopeeast #baldwinproud #fullsteamahead #feef #Cognia

Proper Flag Folding at Florence B Mathis ES

SRO Richardson at Florence B Mathis Elementary School helped two of our 6th grade students properly fold our American flag.

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ed .

Christmas Ornaments Available in Memory of Two BCHS Students

â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the days it becomes too much to bear, kindly remember our beautiful angels are always there.â&#x20AC;? Proceeds from the sale of these 2020 Memorial Ornaments, handpainted by Jessica Franklin, go to the Ty Drinkard and Blayne Shackelford Memorial Scholarship Funds. You can purchase these ornaments at www. thetyfoundation.com

Bayshore Christian Varsity Cross Country Teams Win Big

Bayshore Christian School Varsity Cross Country Boys & Girls teams won their sectionals! The Varsity Boys Cross Country team was Runner- Up at State! Congratulations!

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Bayside Academy Volleyball Team Sets Two National Records

Bayside Academy’s volleyball team won the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 5A State Championship in Birmingham. This was Bayside’s 19th-straight AHSAA State Championship, setting a national record for most consecutive state championships. The win marked 26 state championships for the Admirals under Coach Ann Schilling and 29 total in program history, which is also a national record for most state volleyball championships. Bayside is the only school in AHSAA history to win championships in 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

SFHS Boys’ Cross Country Team Wins County Championship

Congratulations to the Spanish Fort High School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams! Both teams competed extremely well at the County Championships with the girls taking 3rd overall and the boys taking 1st place to claim the county championship! Both teams had stand out performances across the board. The boys were lead by Josh Clough and Josh Mclellan while the girls were paced by Kate Miller and Lexi Hinote.

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Celebrating Successes at Fairhope East

At Fairhope East, learning comes alive during 6th grade simulations! Our students experienced the trials and tribulations of getting to “The Land of Milk and Honey” during our Ellis Island Immigration Simulation!

SFHS ACT Celebration

Congrats to our 25+ Club and to our 30+ Club at Spanish Fort HS! Although not all students were able to attend the celebration, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each student’s success on the ACT! We are so proud of your achievement! GO TOROS!

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This year the holiday season may look different. Masks and social distancing have put a damper on the usual gatherings at schools and in our communities. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to be filled with despair. After all, it is still the most wonderful time of the year! Why not take this opportunity to rediscover the joy of slowing down and savoring the season right where you spend most of your time?

Here are 7 sweet and simple ways to celebrate the holidays at home. Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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1. Send cards in the mail.

Now is a great time to rediscover the tradition of sending Christmas cards. There are tons of online photo sites that allow you to personalize photo cards. Or simply ask your kids to draw or paint handmade greetings. No matter how fancy the cards may be, just imagine how much joy they will bring the recipients, especially Grandmas and Grandpas who love getting good old-fashioned mail!

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2. Bake. Spend time together cutting out sugar cookies, rolling

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rugelach, or making a special recipe that your family treasures. Tell your kids about the relatives who wrote the recipes in cursive on those cards passed down from generation to generation. Maybe you can drop off your homemade treats to essential workers, homebound seniors or veterans in your neighborhood.

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3. Make music. The usual school holiday concert may look differ-

ent this year, if it can be held at all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t host one in your own home. Have your child play a solo in front of the family. Or be like the Partridge Family and encourage everyone to pick up an instrument for a holiday jam session. Sing your favorite hymns or holiday classics. Most lyrics can be found online.

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4. Read together. Be like Clark Griswald and his clan in

Christmas Vacation and gather round to read The Night Before Christmas. There are also classic audio books your family could listen to as you wrap gifts or unwind after work or school. Books are the perfect way to learn about different holiday traditions, too. Ask your local librarian for recommendations of books about Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or celebrations such as Lucia Day or Three Kings Day.

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5. Watch holiday movies. Going to the movies may not be fea-

sible this year, but that only inspires me to create a cozy movie night in my own living room. My family likes to don holiday pajamas, snuggle up in throw blankets with snacks and hot cocoa, and laugh away at Elf and A Christmas Story. There are so many great shows and movies celebrating the season that your family is sure to find one that inspires festive spirit in everyone!

6. Celebrate outside. No matter the temperature it’s always

an excellent idea to head outside. Go for a walk and listen to the wind whistling through bare trees or whipping around buildings. Notice the birds that winter in your area. Decorate a tree outside, whether in your backyard or on your balcony. Get warm by a backyard bonfire or stargaze on a frosty evening. Maybe the best outdoor activity of all is piling into the car to see the holiday lights and outdoor decorations in your neighborhood.

7. Go Virtual. Whether it’s Facebook Messenger, Zoom, or Skype,

there are a myriad of ways to extend season’s greetings to friends and families. So plan that video chat with Aunt Susie or hang out online with your best friend. Reaching out and connecting, even in a virtual format, benefits everyone, especially during the holidays. ESP

Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two whose work has appeared on Scary Mommy, Today’s Parent, and Your Teen for Parents. She embraces her imperfections on her blog, Experiencedbadmom.com.

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How to Tell Who Your Kid Is Talking to Online

What a spot check reveals. You should be able to see all of your kids’ contacts from their account profile page. On Instagram and TikTok, you can read chats by tapping on a contact name and viewing the history. You can also follow your kids on those platforms to see what they post publicly. But Snapchat automatically deletes chats and public posts (stories) after they’re viewed.

The fact that kids can stay in touch with friends and family by texting, video-chatting, and gaming has been a lifesaver for many families in 2020. There’s just a little problem: Who the heck are they talking to? And how do you make sure they stay safe? Below, we’ll break down exactly whom kids can talk to on different platforms, what you can determine from a routine spot check of their devices, and settings you can use to limit their circle.

What to watch out for. Cyberbullying, drama, and time spent are all hazards of social media chatting. Unwanted contact, such as predatory behavior or inappropriate requests, is a risk⁠—and it can come from strangers or kids they know. Useful settings. Most platforms offer privacy settings that allow kids to keep their accounts private, prevent contact from strangers, and limit comments. Some apps go further: Instagram offers an array of settings for kids to manage their circle of friends, and TikTok offers a small suite of parental controls, including the ability to disable direct messaging.

Basic phone texting

Who kids are talking to. Texting is mostly limited to people kids know in real life, but anyone with your kid’s number can call, text, and even video-chat with them. What a spot check reveals. A lot (unless kids delete their call logs). Phones log every call and text and may add the sender to your kid’s contact list automatically.

Games

Who kids are talking to. Kids play with friends they know in real life, but competing against new people is a huge part of the fun. So most gamers have lots of casual online pals they’ve made just from playing certain games or playing on a certain platform, such as Steam or Roblox.

What to watch out for. Group texting is huge with kids who have their own devices. It also opens them up to being contactable by anyone on the chain⁠—and some people may be strangers. Contacts can be hidden and texts can be deleted, so looking at your kid’s phone may not show you everyone they’re talking to. Also, watch out for spam bots⁠—texts that look like they’re from real people but are actually ads; if kids don’t recognize the number, they shouldn’t respond.

What a spot check reveals. It depends. In most games, you can see a list of your kids’ contacts, and you might be able to read your kids’ chats and private message history. But some game chat is done by voice⁠—so you might be able to only hear what your kid is saying when they’re gaming, which is possible if you keep their console or computer in a family room instead of a bedroom.

Useful settings. iPhones allow you to manage kids’ contacts (go to Settings/Screen Time/Communication Limits). Both iPhones and Android phones allow you to restrict third-party apps from automatically adding all of your contacts, which helps kids keep their circle smaller.

What to watch out for. Game chat⁠—whether voice, video, or written⁠—can run the gamut from edgy (with really graphic language) to cruel (including hate speech and homophobic slurs) to kind (since gamers can forge friendships through gaming). Game chat can be totally off topic, too. Be aware that not all game chat occurs on the platform kids play on. Some gamers prefer to use the chat app Discord to talk with their teammates, so you’ll want to find out whether your kid uses it (it has the same visibility as other social media).Useful settings. Games usually offer privacy settings that allow players to keep a tightly curated list of contacts. You’ll want to go through the game settings to enable the protections you’re comfortable with, from limiting all contact to just friends to moderated chat, which is available on some platforms.

Social Media

Who kids are talking to. Kids usually chat or send pics back and forth with only friends, as well as friends of friends, but they can pretty much chat with anyone they want. For example, on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, unless kids enable privacy settings to prevent contact with strangers, they can direct-message (DM) anyone who follows them and anyone they follow. The platforms also make it super easy to extend your network by recommending new accounts to follow, allowing you to sync all your social media contacts, and offering QR codes that let you add people with your camera. Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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Want to experience a more joyful holiday season this year that doesn’t leave you depleted, miserable and broke? Here are 10 ways to shift your perspective and take command of this “hap-happiest” time of the year!

origin of the holidays,” Flynn says, who specializes in helping women manage anxiety, depression and holiday overwhelm. “Graciously decline and send a nice card or note.”

10- Thou shall quit worshipping perfection. Nothing burns holes into the

8- Thou shall rediscover “the why.” Take time to

fantasy holiday like real life. Maybe the tree is a lopsided, the dog ate your sevenyear-old’s gingerbread house, or you were so focused on creating the best holiday ever that you ended up too sick to enjoy it when the big day finally arrived. “Decide to do things differently this year. Strive for the good and be satisfied with the good. Too often the focus is on the result, and we tend to lose focus on the beautiful process of getting to the result,” says therapist Julia Flynn, LCPC, CRADC.

9- Thou shall not overcommit.

Decide ahead of time which activities won’t work this year. Instead of committing to five parties and multiple gift exchanges, choose a few that you’re enthusiastic about attending. “Be firm, decisive and assertive, always coming from a place of love for everyone and keeping the focus on the

reevaluate your priorities. How do you want the season to feel? What do you want your kids to remember most? “Sometimes we need to take a step back and ask ourselves why this time of year is important to us because I think ‘the why’ gets lost. It just becomes an expectation of self and family—or whoever— to have it look a certain way,” says Maki Moussavi, a transformational coach, speaker and author of The High Achievers Guide: Transform your Success Mindset and Begin the Quest to Fulfillment. “Take a step back to assess, from an intangible, emotional perspective, why the holidays are important.”

7- Thou shall rest. Self-care is es-

sential all year long, but especially during the extra busy holidays when you’re stress level is more likely to sky-rocket. Pare

down your list to what reasonably makes sense for your health, time and emotional wellbeing. And practice restorative techniques that relax and re-energize you. Simple ways to recharge include a warm bath, watching a favorite TV show, a walk outside, curling up with a juicy novel, a nap or a massage.

6- Thou shall honor thy family.

Attempts to please others by saying yes to everyone else’s holiday gatherings without taking into account you and your family’s desires can cause undue anxiety, frustration and resentment. “The holidays are about family time, appreciating one another and caring for

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each other. If the focus is switched to the less important gift exchanges and gatherings, all planned at the same time, you can’t enjoy the experience and the original meaning is lost,” Flynn says. For those events that you’d like to attend, but can’t, firmly communicate to your extended family or friends that you value time spent with them and would like to discuss alternative ideas for getting together. And, don’t feel guilty about standing by your decisions. “You have every right in the world to establish what you want your holiday tradition to be. You are not obligated to participate in somebody else’s version of the season,” Moussavi says.

5- Thou shall invite thy partner’s participation. If you feel overwhelmed

and stressed because you’re trying to manage the bulk of holiday prep on top of working and taking care of your family, ask your spouse for help. Discuss what you’d both like the season to look and feel like. “Sometimes it’s not that men don’t want to be involved. It’s that they are never invited to be, and they don’t ask,” Moussavi says. Maybe your husband can mail the packages for out of town family, purchase tickets to the holiday play your family

Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

wants to see, or take charge of a few of the gifts.

name to an organization that is important to them.

4- Thou shall not allow others to steal thy happiness. Plan ahead for

2- Thou shall not compete with thy neighbors. As Theodore Roosevelt

those individuals who love to bait you into an upsetting conversation at annual gatherings. Since you know how the person is likely to behave, rehearse how you will respond when they pounce. “The only thing you can do is get better at making it clear what you will and won’t tolerate,” Moussavi says. “You have to shut it down. You standing up for yourself is normal, empowered adult behavior.” Arm yourself with responses like: “I’m here to enjoy myself. I don’t want to talk about that right now.” Or, “Let’s agree to disagree.” Also, physically exit from the situation by saying: “I’m going to go refresh my drink.” Or, “I have to make a call.”

3- Thou shall simplify. “The holiday

can be manageable and simple if we allow it to be,” Flynn says. “What makes the holiday so difficult is our own thinking about it. We make it difficult for ourselves.” Experiment with small changes that can relieve your stress. Hire a caterer for your party. Forgo Christmas cards this year. For the relative who has everything, send flowers or make a donation in their

once quipped: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Some people enjoy casting their home in a professionally-created holiday glow while others prefer to hang a festive wreath on their door and call it good. Do what brings you pleasure and makes sense for your budget.

1- Thou shall give from thy heart.

Rather than twisting yourself in knots seeking the perfect present for everyone on your list, take a more light-hearted approach to gift-giving. For example, give a t-shirt with a meaningful quote, a digital photo album commemorating a fun getaway, or an experience like tickets to the zoo or a concert. Volunteering your time is also a fulfilling way to give. “If you are intentional, you can make the holidays about the ideas of love, caring for one another, understanding, enjoying quality time together and treating each other as the precious beings each of us are,” Flynn says. Freelance writer Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two sons and a menagerie of pets. Her intention this holiday is to slow down and focus more on the magic of the season and less on lopsided Christmas trees.

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Because of ever-changing circumstances due to Covid-19, please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

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Now - December 31

Magic Christmas in Lights ad on page 15

@ Bellingrath Gardens and Home 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd Theodore, AL 36582 Join us for our 25th season! The dazzling nighttime display features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes, set out in a walking tour throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. Open daily-5:00pm - 9:00pm. (251) 973-2217 bellingrath@bellingrath.org www.bellingrath.org

Now - January 3

Legends in Concert: A Merry Country Christmas ad on page 7

@ OWA 205 North OWA Boulevard Foley, AL 36535 Our holiday performances include tributes to Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, and Elvis Presley! Legends in Concert will debut this new show Thursday-Saturday at Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

ad on page 13

@ 3Circle (All Campuses) You’re invited to join us for a Season of Hope! We are excited to kick off the season with a teaching series, “A Season of Hope.” We hope to see you online or on-site at one of our campuses: Fairhope (8am; 9:30am & 11am); Daphne (8:45am & 10:45am) See our ad for Christmas Eve times. (251) 990-3112 info@3circlechurch.com www.3circlechristmas.com

December 12

38th Annual Christmas Fest in Bay Minette ad on page 37

@ Courthouse Square, Downtown Bay Minette Bay Minette, AL 36507 You don’t want to miss out on a full day of Christmas fun, featuring vendors, delicious food, Santa photos, live music by The Modern Eldorados, kids activities, entertainment and more! 8am-7pm (251) 937-5665 (Ext. 3) marlee@northbaldwinchamber.com www.northbaldwinchamber. com/38thAnnualChristmasFest

December 14

Baldwin County Youth Orchestra presents A Classical Christmas

Mobile Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” @ Mobile Civic Center Theatre 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL 36602 December brings the lavish holiday tradition of The Nutcracker–Performances will take place at the Civic Center Theatre and a virtual Nutcracker option will also be available for patrons to enjoy from home. (251) 342-2241 www.mobileballet.org

December 24

First Baptist Church Christmas Eve ad on page 25

300 S Section St, Fairhope, AL 36532 Join us for Christmas Eve services at 4:00pm and 5:30pm. Space is limited so get your FREE tickets at firstfairhope.org. (251) 928-8685

www.firstfairhope.org

December 31

OWA - New Year’s Eve Celebration ad on page 7

@ OWA 1501 South OWA Blvd. Foley, AL 36535 We’ll be celebrating New Year’s at OWA with a spectacular fireworks show at 8:50 p.m. Catch our fireworks show anywhere around the property... you can’t miss it! www.visitowa.com

ad on page 17

Now - December STEM Wonderland

(251) 279-0848 bcyorchestra@gmail.com www.bcyorchestra.com

(251) 208-6893 www.exploreum.com

@ Daphne Civic Center 2603 US-98 Daphne, AL 36526 Join us as for our Classic Christmas Concert. Concert is Free, however Toys for Tots donations are appreciated! 7:00pm

@ Gulf Coast Exploreum 65 Government St. Mobile, AL 36602 Holiday decorations and model train will set the stage for a myriad of STEM based activities for all ages, while building an ice village in Imagination Playground.

www.easternshoreparents.com

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Now - December 15 Santa’s Mailbox

@ Fairhope Welcome Center 20 North Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 Visit the Fiarhope Welcome Center for your customizable letter to Santa and send it in our very own FairHoHoHope mailbox by December 15 to get a personalized letter back from Santa Claus. (251) 929-1466 www.fairhopeal.gov

Now - December 19 North Pole Express

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Alllll aboooooard—choo choo! Put on your PJs and ride the Wharf North Pole Express each Saturday until Christmas, where every child will receive a candy cane, a coloring book, and a golden ticket sticker. Saturdays-10am-10pm. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Now - December 23 Trim-A-Tree Christmas Event

@ Tanger Outlet (Suite 182) 2601 South McKenzie Street Foley, AL 36535 Local artists decor, pottery, jewelry, and more. Sponsored by the Foley Art Center. Monday Saturday 10am - 7pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm. Like Foley Art Center on Facebook. (251) 943-4381 foleytrimatree@gmail.com www.foleyartcenter.com

Now - December 24 Photos with Santa at the Wharf

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Ho Ho Holiday photo time in Santa’s Village!

Fridays: 3pm - 6pm, Saturdays: 10am-6pm, Sundays: 12pm-6pm. December 21-23: 10am - 6pm, December 24-Noon-2 pm (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Santa’s Wonderland

@ Bass Pro Shop 20000 Bass Pro Drive Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Santa photos, activities, take home crafts, and more! Online reservations required. Check the activity schedule online for updates. Times subject to change. (251) 607-5900 ksmith6@basspro.com www.basspro.com

Now - January 18 Ice Skating Rink

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Let us bring winter to you! Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin, or fall into the season! Hours: 4pm- 10pm Monday-Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

November 27 - December 25 Wales West Arctic Express

@ Fish River Christmas Tree Farm 13982 Woodhaven Dairy Road East Summerdale, AL 36580 Choose & cut your own, pre-cut, flocked and container trees! Santa visits, live manger scene, camel rides, train and more! Open daily from 8am - 5pm. (251) 988-8114 fishrivertrees@gulftel.com www.fishrivertrees.com

Weekends Only November 29-December 15 Holiday Activities at the Farm

@ Fish River Christmas Tree Farm 13982 Woodhaven Dairy Road East Summerdale, AL 36580 Choose a Christmas Tree. Holiday activitiesTannenbaum Express Tree Train, live manger scene, Camel/Pony Rides ($5 per ride) and Santa visits (10am-4pm) Nov.29-Dec.1, Dec.7-8, Dec.14-15. (251) 988-8114 fishrivertrees@gulftel.com www.fishrivertrees.com

November 30-December 11 Gingerbread House Contest

@ Wales West RV Resort and Light Railway 13670 Smiley Street Silverhill, AL 36576 Train rides, Santa visit with toy, millions of lights, potato cannon, hayless hayride, café & gift shop. Fri’s, Sat’s, Sun’s 4pm - 9pm. Daily, beginning December 11th. Reservations online. (888) 569-5337 enquiries@waleswest.com www.waleswest.com

November 28-December 23 Fish River Christmas Tree Farm

@ Bay Minette Public Library 205 West 2nd Street Bay Minette, AL 36507 Gingerbread contest-great activity for families. There aren’t a lot of rules. Just make it out of mostly edible stuff. Kits are fine. Have fun. Prizes will be awarded at 3:00pm on December 11th. See our Facebook page for more information. (251) 580-1648 BMPLkids@aol.com www.cityofbayminette.org

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November 30–January 1 Mobile Christmas Night of Lights

@ Hank Aaron Stadium 755 Bolling Brothers Blvd Mobile, AL 36606 See over 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your own car stereo. 5:30pm-10:00pm. Cost-$8.00 per person, Children Age 3 & Under: FREE! mobileseg.com/events/christmas-nights-of-lights/

December 1 Christmas Tree Lighting

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Help us usher in the holiday season at 5:30pm with bulbs, garland, and glee. The annual tree lighting hosted by the City of Orange Beach is the perfect ceremony to inspire the Yuletide spirit. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

December 2 - 26 City of Foley Christmas Tree Decorating Contest

@ Heritage Park 101 East Laurel Avenue Foley, AL 36535 Trees will be decorated by December 2nd, judged on December 3rd and on display for viewing until December 26th.

phone call from Santa! Calls will be made December 3rd & 4th from 6pm - 7pm or 7pm - 8pm. Registration deadline is December 1st.

(251) 968-9818 adeckard@gulfshoresal.gov www.gulfshoresal.gov

December 4 Fairhope’s Magical Christmas Parade

@ Downtown Fairhope Fairhope, AL 36532 Fairhope’s Magical Christmas Parade begins at 7:00pm. (251) 929-1466 www.fairhopeal.gov

Foley’s Christmas in the Park

@ Heritage Park 101 East Laurel Avenue Foley, AL 36535 Come out to hear Christmas carols, enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree, 6:00pm (251) 943-1300 www.visitfoley.com

Letters to Santa at the Bowling Alley

@ Eastern Shore Lanes 10460 Eastern Shore Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Visit us at the Bowling alley and write a letter to Santa! From 3pm-7pm.

(251) 943-1300 www.visitfoley.com

(251) 625-3400 www.eslanes.com

December 3 Daphne’s Tree Lighting

Letters to Santa at the Bowling Alley

@ Daphne City Hall 1705 Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 Join us for Daphne’s Tree Lighting from 5:00pm8:00pm with a special musical guest to join us for this always fun family event! (251) 620-1000 www.daphneal.com

Jingle Bell Walk

137 North Main Street Atmore, AL 36502 Atmore Area Chamber member businesses will be open after hours and generally hold holiday sales. Check the Atmore Chamber Facebook page for details and be sure to follow the event page, too!

(251) 368-3305 receptionist@atmorechamber.com www.atmorechamber.com

Santa in the Park

@ Heritage Park Main Street & Craig Street Atmore, AL 36502 Pictures with Santa, enjoy a cup of cocoa, decorate Christmas cookies, and more! 4:30–7:00 pm. Check out the Atmore Chamber Facebook page for details and be sure to follow the event page! (251) 368-3305 receptionist@atmorechamber.com www.atmorechamber.com

The Prophecy Show

@ Saenger Theatre 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 St. Louis powerhouse The Prophecy Show will bring their signature and highly-energized Rock Opera to the Mobile Saenger Theatre at 7pm. Come experience the power, the music and the magic this Christmas season. www.mobilesaenger.com

December 3 - 4 Phone Calls From Santa

@ Gulf Shores Recreation Department Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Register for your child to receive a personalized Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

@ The Gulf Bowl 2881 S Juniper Street Foley, AL 36535 Visit us at the Bowling alley and write a letter to Santa! From 3pm-7pm. (251) 943-4575 www.gulfbowl.com

Ornament Take-n-Make

@ Daphne Public Library 2607 Highway 98 Daphne, AL 36526 Ornament take and make-December 4 from 1:30pm-4:45pm

(251) 620-2500 (Ext. 2508) rmoss@daphneal.com www.daphnelibrary.org

Small Town Christmas

@ Downtown Silverhill Silverhill, AL 36576 Join us for the annual Christmas parade at 6:30pm. (251) 945-5198 www.silverhillalabama.com

The Reason For the Season Christmas Tour

@ First Baptist Church of Robertsdale 18200 AL-104 Robertsdale, AL 36567 Holt International & By His Grace Entertainment Present, “The Reason For the Season Christmas Tour” Free event. www.firstrobertsdale.com

December 4, 6, 18, 20 2020 Christmas Movie Series

@ Saenger Theatre 6 Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 This holiday season, the ASM Global-managed Mobile Saenger Theatre will once again showcase classic Christmas movies on the big screen! December 4-7pm-It’s A Wonderful Life, December 6-3pm, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, December 18-7pm, Elf, December 20-3pm, White Christmas. www.mobilesaenger.com

December 5 Christmas in the Park

@ Lillian Recreational Park 33914 Widell Avenue Lillian, AL 36549 Enjoy the lighting of our 20’ community Christmas Wonderland tree and see how the Park has been transformed into a holiday wonderland with light displays and decorations. A fun, free community Christmas event for everyone to enjoy. (251) 962-2129 www.LillianRecreationalPark.org

City of Daphne Christmas Parade

Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 Parade begins at 10:00am from the Daphne Civic Center complex. (251) 620-1000 www.daphneal.com

Family Holiday Movie Series

@ Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Theatre 65 South Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for a family holiday movie - “Home Alone” at 2:00pm (251) 208-6873 www.exploreum.com

Foley Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade @ Downtown Foley Foley, AL 36535 Parade begins at 10:00am and winds through downtown Foley. (251) 943-1032 jjackson@cityoffoley.org www.foleykiwanisclub.com

GCAA Christmas Art Market

@ Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Get your holiday shopping done at the art market from 9am-3pm. www.gulfcoastartsalliance.com/art-market/

Gingerbread Jam Gingerbread Building Contest

@ Orange Beach Event Center 4671 Wharf Pkwy W Orange Beach, AL 36561 A gingerbread house building competition for families & businesses. Holiday musical performances by Expect Excellence. Proceeds support Culinary Camp scholarships. 11am - 2pm. (251) 284-0558 jjlangston@orangebeachal.gov www.orangebeachal.gov/events/performing-arts

Holiday Half Marathon and 8K Run

@ Mullet Point Park 13203 County Road 1 Fairhope, AL 36532 We are collecting toys and items for distraction (coloring books, puzzles, craft kits) for the children at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital and the children in the care of the Child Advocacy Center. If you can’t make it to the race site Saturday morning, you now have the option to participate virtually. (251) 473-7223 www.pcpacers.org

Holiday Market & Christmas Kids Day TBD Mobile, AL 36602 See our website for more information. (251) 208-1550 www.ncsmobile.org

Mobile’s Singing Children Annual Christmas Concert

@ Cathedral of Immaculate Conception 2 South Claiborne Street Mobile, AL 36602 Mobile’s Singing Children Annual Christmas Concert. 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $10.00 mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com www.mobilesingingchildren.org

www.easternshoreparents.com

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Robertsdale Christmas Parade

Robertsdale, AL 36567 Join the Robertsdale Rotary Club for the annual Christmas Parade! 6:30PM. Parade starts at Fairground Road and continues to Honeybee Park. (251) 947-2626 bbutler@centralbaldwin.com www.centralbaldwin.com

Spanish Fort Spirit of Christmas Parade @ Eastern Shore Centre 30500 State Hwy 181 Spanish Fort, AL 36527 The Parade begins at 7pm . If you are interested in participating, a Parade Application may be downloaded from the City’s website. (251) 626-4884 lcooper@cityofspanishfort.com www.cityofspanishfort.com

Street’s-Love like Jesus 2nd Annual Silent Auction

@ Street’s Exquisite Plants & Aquatic Gardens 17750 Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532 We would like to invite you to our Silent Auction and Fish Fry that will benefit Women’s Care Medical Center. (251) 990-0901 streets@bellsouth.net www.streetsoffairhope.com

December 5 - 6 15th Annual St. Lawrence Christmas Bazaar

370 South Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 Silent auction with ONLINE BIDDING, vendor booths, bake sale, handcrafted gift baskets, and Christmas Cafe. Unique art and antiques for purchase. Kids activities and visit from Santa! Online auction preview-Friday, December 4 8:00am-8:00pm. Online bidding open-Saturday-8:00am-8:00pm, Sunday8:00am-3:00pm. Event open Saturday and Sunday-9:00am-3:00pm. Social distancing measures in place. (251) 517-5295 bazaar@stlawrencefairhope.com www.stlawrencechristmasbazaar.com

December 5 & 12 City of Fairhope Santa Saturdays

@ Downtown Fairhope 24 Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 Santa will be visiting Fairhope in front of the Fairhope Museum of History from 10:30am12:00pm. Parents may bring their cameras to take pictures. (251) 929-1466 www.fairhopeal.gov

Santa’s Joy Ride

Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Santa is taking some time off during his busy month to drive through the City of Gulf Shores and wave. He will be accompanied by some of his dear friends from the North Pole and the Gulf Shores High School Steel Drum Band! www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas

December 6 City of Spanish Fort Tree Lighting

@ Spanish Fort Community Center 7361 Spanish Fort Blvd Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Join us for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Caroling and holiday fun for everyone! 6:00pm (251) 626-4884 www.cityofspanishfort.com

Coastal Grinchmas!

@ Gulf State Park Learning Campus and Woodside restaurant 20249 State Hwy. 135 Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Holiday crafts, Whoville activities, refreshments,

witness Santa Grinch’s arrival, and get your photo made with Santa Grinch. 5:00pm 8:00pm.

(251) 948-7275 gulfevents.statepark@dcnr.alabama.gov www.alapark.com/events/gulf-state-park/ coastal-grinchmas-0

December 6, 13, 20, 31 Horse and Carriage Rides

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Saddle up for the season by spending an evening under the moonlight in an enchanted horsedrawn carriage. Trot along through streets and gaze at the holiday lights and decorations with your loved ones. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

December 10-13 Bay Area Performing Arts Presents “Its a Wonderful Life”

@ Bay Area Performing Arts Theatre 8724 Rand Avenue Daphne, Al 36526 It’s A Wonderful Life is coming to the Gulf Coast! Tickets will be available on eventbrite, follow on Facebook! (251) 455-0355 info@bayareaperformingarts.com www.bayareaperformingarts.com

December 11 Daphne’s Movie Night in the Park @ Daphne City Hall 1705 Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 Join us for Family Movie night at 6pm. (251) 620-1000 www.daphneal.com

Gift Take-n-Make

@ Daphne Public Library 2607 Highway 98 Daphne, AL 36526 Gift take and make-December 11 from 1:30pm4:45pm (251) 620-2500 (Ext. 2508) rmoss@daphneal.com www.daphnelibrary.org

December 12 A Roman Street Christmas Concert

@ Mars Hill Church - Fairhope Campus 17176 South Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532 Roman Street brothers and Karl and Joe Langley perform their Holiday songs. Come join us for a SOCIALLY DISTANCED and MASK MANDATORY Concert. 7pm Concert. Tickets-$20 plus service fees, seating is general admission. rslangley.bpt.me

Christmas at the Exploreum

@ Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Theatre 65 South Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for our annual Christmas at the Exploreum. Time: 10:30am-3:00pm (251) 208-6873 www.exploreum.com

Christmas In Nature

@ Graham Creek Nature Preserve 23030 Wolf Bay Drive Foley, AL 36535 Join us for the last observe and explore of the year. We will craft ornaments, and have a hot chocolate bar. This event is free for children 10 and under from 10:00am-11:30pm. (251) 923-4267 www.grahamcreekpreserve.org

www.facebook.com/easternshoreparentsmagazine

Drive-Thru Santa Breakfast Benefitting Dance Without Limits

@ The Pillars 1757 Government Street Mobile, AL 36604 Help us continue to provide dance to children and adults with special needs and celebrate the holidays 2020-style! Collect fun activities to do at home, breakfast and enjoy entertainment from your vehicle. At the end, hop out of the car to take a photo with our special needs-friendly Santa. dancewithoutlimitsfoundation.org

Flip City Academy presents “The Nutcracker Tale”

@ Foley Civic Center 407 East Laurel Avenue Foley , AL 36535 The students of Flip City Academy present our annual, The Nutcracker Tale. This holiday show is based on the Nutcracker story and will delight our friends and family with entertaining dances and acrobatics. 11am www.facebook.com/flipcityfoley

Santa Run — Yo Ho Ho & A Bottle of Rum 5k

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Warm up your winter with a fun run at The Wharf! The Santa Run 5K is sure to be a good time for a good cause. Times: TBA (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Twilight Christmas Parade

@ Downtown Atmore Atmore, AL 36502 Get ready for the annual Twilight Christmas Parade. This Parade is over two miles long and runs down Main street. Find the Atmore Chamber on Facebook and follow the event page! Parade begins at 5:30pm. (251) 368-3305 receptionist@atmorechamber.com www.atmorechamber.com

Twilight Noel: Christmas at Everblue

@ EverBlue Arts 7225 Yenne Lane Fairhope, AL 36532 Celebrate the magic of the Christmas season with Everblue’s Resident Company and special guests.

December 13-24 12 Days of Christmas

You’re invited to an intimate holiday concert of traditional carols and modern mainstays complete with s’mores around an open fire. 4:30-6:30pm

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Various retailers will offer discounts each day.

(251) 278-0330 info@everbluefestival.com Visit www.eventbrite.com

(251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

December 12-13 LuLu’s Lighted Boat Parade & Coastal Alabama Business Chambers Holly Days on Main Festival @ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Holly Days- Shopping from vendors, Music and dance performances, youth art showcase, Santa Claus on Dec 12-13. Lighted boat parade on December 12 at dusk. Saturday-10am- 6pm, Sunday-10am-4pm

December 15 Mingle & Jingle Paint Party

@ Cultural Center 19470 Oak Road West Gulf Shores, AL 36542 This holiday paint party will consist of crafts, Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate! 10am or 2pm, $25. Register here www.gulfshoresal. gov/1227/Online-Registration-Payments before Dec. 8. www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas

Entries Due by December 16 Virtual Christmas Light Contest

(251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Mobile Symphony presents “A Bountiful Holiday”

@ Saenger Theatre 6 Joachim Street Mobile, AL 36602 Santa will unpack a bounty of musical gifts on our stage this year! We will celebrate the holidays with an old-fashioned variety show with performances by various orchestral sections. December 12-6:00pm, 8:30pm, December 13-1:00pm, 3:30pm (251) 432-2010 www.mobilesymphony.org

@ Virtual Gulf Shores, AL 36542 We challenge our community in lighting up our town with holiday cheer. Once you have decorated, enter to win! Entry is simple; email your address to adeckard@gulfshoresal.gov no later than December 16. www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas

December 17 Light Up the Arts

@ Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Bring the family and celebrate the season! Refreshments, music, fiery hot glass demos, clay studio pottery firings and more. Gift shop open with original artwork and holiday gifts available for purchase. 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

December 13 Drive-Thru Nativity

@ Trinity Presbyterian Church 545 South Mobile Street Fairhope, AL 36532 See the story of the birth of Jesus from your own car! From the Angel to the Manager scene, with music and live animals. This event is free. 5pm 7pm.

(251) 981-2787 artcenter@orangebeachal.gov www.coastalartscenter.com

(251) 928-2524 www.tpcfairhope.org

Painting with Shannon Mommy Daughter Art Workshop

Painting with Shannon Christmas Workshop

Santa’s Little Elf Paint Party. Ages 5 - 9. 10:30am - 12:30pm. $40 per little artist.

Moms, bring your little girls to create beautiful Putz Houses. Fun for all ages. 5pm - 7pm. $85 for mother and one daughter (2 houses) or $100 for mother and 2 daughters (3 houses).

(251) 459-4409 Facebook - Painting with Shannon

Quality Quality Care Care Close Close to to Home Home Since Since 1985 1985

Brian W. Hixon, M.D. | Frank K. Hixon, M.D. | William B. Norris, M.D. Brian W. Hixon, M.D. | Frank K. Hixon, M.D. | William B. Norris, M.D.

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CALL US AT (251) 928-0300 CALL USAN AT APPOINTMENT (251) 928-0300 FOR FOR AN APPOINTMENT Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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December 18 Community Christmas Night at Gulf Place

@ Gulf Place Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Enjoy a night with family, friends and fellow residents celebrating the holiday season at Gulf Place! Enjoy the movie Elf, Chili, and a dozen free cookies will be given out with a small donation to the Gulf Shores Fire Association. www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas

made, not purchased. We encourage all entries to be creative with the whole family, even the animals! Visit www.facebook.com/GulfShoresRec for more information.

Exploreum. Time: 10:30am-3:00pm

www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Confetti Drop at noon, featuring tons of family friendly activities plus an early daytime countdown to the new year. 10am-2pm.

December 21-23 and 28-30 Winter Camps at the Exploreum

@ Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Theatre 65 South Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-6873 www.exploreum.com

Live Nativity

December 24 First Baptist Church, Fairhope Christmas Eve Service

@ Providence United Methodist Church 32200 Jimmy Faulkner Dr Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Live Nativity from 6:00pm-7:30pm

@ First Baptist Church, Fairhope 300 South Section Street Fairhope, AL 36532 Christmas Carols, Children’s Christmas story, beautiful Christmas music. This event is free.

pmc.thischurch.org

December 19 How to Make a Gingerbread House

@ Grand Hotel Marriott Resort 1 Grand Boulevard Point Clear, AL 36564 Step-by-step instruction in making a Gingerbread House. Cost for is $50 (+tax & processing fee) for each Gingerbread House built (not per person). Tickets online.

(251) 928-9201 www.grand1847.com/about/EventsCalendar-8.html

Entries Due by December 21 Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest: “The Very Best Ugly Sweater Contest” @ Virtual Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Show off your skills and create the ugliest Christmas sweater of them all. All sweaters must be

(251) 928-8685 jbaldwin@firstfairhope.org www.firstfairhope.org

(251) 208-6873 www.exploreum.com

Kids Confetti Drop

(251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

Reelin’ In the New Year NYE Street Party

@ The Wharf 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561 Reel in 2020 with us for our New Year’s Eve Street Party. DJ, Live music, family-friendly and adultcentered fun all rounding off at midnight with our marlin drop and fireworks. 4pm-12am. Admission is free. (251) 224-1000 info@alwharf.com www.alwharf.com

January 1 Polar Bear Dip

December 31 Fairhope’s New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

@ Flora Bama 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL 32507 Wear a crazy costume, bring the whole family and take a New Year plunge into the Gulf of Mexico! No registration is required. Event starts at 12:00pm .

@ Downtown Fairhope Fairhope, AL 36532 Bring your family and ring in the New Year in downtown Fairhope! 8:30pm-12:00am.

(850) 492-0611 info@florabama.com www.florabama.com/events.html ESP

(251) 929-1466 www.fairhopeal.gov

Happy Noon Year

@ Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Theatre 65 South Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 Join us for our Happy Noon Years event at the

Because of ever-changing circumstances due to Covid-19, please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

for r

Baldwin County’s Board Certified Allergy Experts 251-625-1370 | coastalallergyasthma.com

www.facebook.com/easternshoreparentsmagazine

Grading Family Movies: Streaming, Digital Rentals, and DVDs Jingle Jangle

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

B+

In the Christmas village of Cobbleton, one man stands out: Jeronicus Jangle, the finest toymaker in the world. But when his apprentice steals his greatest invention, Jeronicus loses his magic, his family, and his zest for living. When the thief decides he wants to steal one more invention from Jeronicus, it’s up to his granddaughter to save the day. This is a warmhearted, if overly long, family film that’s suitable for all ages. Photo ©Netflix

Come Away

Digital on Demand

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

B-

B+

David, Peter and Alice Littleton are enjoying an idyllic childhood in the English countryside. Then tragedy strikes, and the children watch helplessly as their parents unravel. Trying to save their family from its internal challenges and external attacks, the youngsters retreat into their own fantasy worlds of Wonderland and Neverland. This film offers an interesting mash up of well-known stories and boasts an all-star cast, but it’s much too sad for little ones. Photo ©Relativity Media

The Life Ahead

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

B+

C+

Madame Rosa survived the Holocaust and returned to Italy, eventually opening up a sort of community daycare. When a young man tries to rob her, instead of turning him over to the police, she takes him in. Although she hopes she can help him get his life back on track, it's going to be harder than she ever dreamed. Starring the incomparable Sophia Loren, this thoughtful drama offers some strong positive messages that partially compensate for the profanity. Photo ©Netflix

A Rainy Day in New York

Digital on Demand

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

C-

Ashleigh is a student reporter who just got her big break – the chance to interview a famous indie director in New York City. Her boyfriend jumps at the chance to spend a romantic weekend with her in his hometown but no sooner do they arrive than their plans begin to go awry. Directed by Woody Allen, this rom-com features plenty of negative content and a romance that isn’t very convincing – unless you’re looking at Allen’s love affair with NYC. Photo ©MPI Media Group

Fireball

AppleTV+

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

A+

Director Werner Herzog explores the relationship between meteorites and human society, religion, and culture.

The New Corporation

Digital on Demand

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

This documentary examines the impact of corporate activity on society, democracy, and the environment. Grades range from: A= absence of content concerns to D= excess of content concerns Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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“Mom please stop interrogating me.” My daughter says this to me more often than I care to admit. I ask a lot of questions because she does not give me much information. So I’m left wondering, how could I change? Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

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As a mother of twin 15-year-olds, I often struggle to find ways to effectively communicate with them. A recent research study done at CHOP explored ways for parents to improve communication with their teens. Dr. Victoria Miller, psychologist, and author of the study explained some of the prompts used in the study that helped parents and their teens promote reciprocal communication instead of one way. She also discussed common mistakes parents of teens make when trying to talk to them.

Letting emotions get out of control. Dr. Miller says that when your teen comes to talk to you about a problem, it can be difficult to hide your emotions. She suggests trying not to get angry or upset, but instead, focus on the fact that they were willing to talk with you. This will help to keep those lines of communication open by listening and offering guidance when asked. Turn off “the parent alarm”. Parents may react emotionally when their teen tells them something upsetting. “When your teen comes to you saying something like, ‘Tom asked me out,’ a parent’s first reaction might be, ‘My daughter’s too young to date’ but instead, try to use this opportunity to navigate conversations about how to have a healthy relationship,” says Dr. Miller.

Common Parenting Communication Mistakes Focusing only on problems. “One of the biggest mistakes parents make is that they tend to focus only on problems like when our teens make a mistake or don’t live up to our expectations rather than also communicating with them about their teens’ strengths and what is going well. We can sometimes forget to do that in the busyness of daily life,” says Dr. Miller.

Don’t over-empathize. Dr. Miller says it may seem counter-intuitive to not over-empathize with your teen. But it can backfire. She offers the example that if your child comes to you and says they got in a fight with their best friend, you might want to jump to the rescue and say, “Good riddance! I didn’t like them anyway, you’re better off without them.” But if they make up the next day, your child may be too embarrassed to come to you and say they resolved their differences.

Asking too many questions or offering unsolicited advice. Dr. Miller explains that another mistake parents

make is giving advice and lecturing which can backfire and cause teens to shut down especially when they didn’t ask for advice. It can teach them that they can’t handle problems on their own, which can get in the way of their confidence. It is better to wait until they ask for advice. Teens can feel that parents are too controlling when they ask too many questions. They can also feel as if they are being interrogated instead of having a conversation causing them to shut down.

Ways to Improve Communication According to Dr. Miller, one reason parents make these mistakes is because there is a lot of negative portrayals of teens in the media and in our culture. “You get the eye roll ‘oh well she’s a teenager.’ Which can cause parents to really worry about the teenage years and focus

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who they are and to become more independent. This can make parents feel like they don’t matter, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” she says.

on the problems because they worry about their teens and they want them to do well and succeed,” says Dr. Miller. It is important to remember that it is normal for parents to have some challenges communicating with their teen.

Use conversation prompts. In Dr. Miller’s research study she used conversation prompts to help the parent and teen facilitate conversations that focused on strengths. The parent/ teen pair were instructed to take 10 minutes together and look at examples of strengths and then come back together and talk about it. Dr. Miller explains that prompts included things like:

Focus on how teens years are an exciting time.

Most teens are well-adjusted, and they have good relationships with their families, peers, and they contribute to their communities. “I think shifting the focus on how well adjusted most teens are and remembering that adolescents is a positive time in development and very exciting is a good thing that will help to improve communication with your teen,” says Dr. Miller.

• Why did you choose these strengths for you and the other person? • Give examples of ways the other person demonstrates these strengths you choose. • Did the other person choose strengths that you didn’t expect?

Focus on strengths. “It is important to notice and talk with your teen about his or her strengths” says Dr. Miller. She explains that strengths don’t mean what they are good at or what they have achieved, but rather the qualities about your teen that will contribute to becoming a healthy productive adult. For example, if your daughter is a star soccer player think about what it is that makes her good at it like her work ethic or being a good team player. “It feels good to notice what is going well for our kids instead of worrying about that test that didn’t go well or that she is upset with something with a friend,” says Dr. Miller.

“They both gave strengths for each other which was the reciprocal aspect of the intervention that was really interesting and unique” says Dr. Miller. She explains that by shifting to the positive it can help parents and kids feel better. It doesn’t mean your teen doesn’t have weaknesses, but the key is to support your teen and use their strengths to address those limitations. She also stresses that it is important to shift your thinking of strength from achievement and what you are good at to who you are as a person. ESP

Allow for independence. Dr. Miller explains that during ado-

lescents teens are trying to separate themselves from their parents, so they might do those things like walk away when you are trying to have a conversation or keep 10 feet behind you at the mall or focus on their phone when you are trying to have a conversation. “This is really because teens need to see themselves as different and separate from their parents in order to figure out

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Grown and Flown, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

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FamilyCalendar Thursday December 3

Wine and Wishes 6:30 PM Ezell House, 407 Conti Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us at our 4th annual Wine & Wishes benefiting Make A Wish Alabama! Our goal this year is to grant the wishes of 2 local wish kids with critical illnesses. www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-wishes-2020-tickets-121729330705

Friday December 4

Black Tie Ball 7:00 PM Alabama Contemporary Art Center, 301 Conti St Mobile, AL, 36602 Dust off your tuxedo and formal gowns for the first Black Tie Ball hosted by the Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile. The UM Jazz Band and vocalists will entertain you with famous tunes by Michael Bublé. The night will include live music and dancing, great food, incredible artwork, a silent auction and more. www.umobile.edu/blacktie

Saturday December 5

Living History Drill 8:00 AM USS Battleship Memorial Parkway, Mobile, AL, 36603 History comes to life when the living history crews board the USS ALABAMA and USS DRUM for drill time. These historical reenactors demonstrate life aboard our naval vessels during WWII. Call to battle stations is sounded at 1:00 p.m. as vintage airplanes attack the ship and the crew defends her with guns blazing. www.ussalabama.com Fourth Annual Gulf Seafood Gala 6:00 PM Isle Dauphine Club, 100 Orleans Dr Mobile, AL, 36528 This year’s event showcases the best of local seafood traditions with a nostalgic evening celebrating the coastal chic of the Isle Dauphine Club. Gala proceeds will be used to complete and equip the new Art Studio / teaching space owned and operated by Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council. (251) 490-0294 www.dauphinislandarts.org Blakeley Cruises - Excursion to Bottle Creek Mounds ($39/adults and $19/kids under 12) TBD Blakeley State Park, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 The stunning Bottle Creek site, accessible only by boat, features 18 earthen mounds built centuries ago by Native Americans and was once of the largest communities in the Southeast. Guests may climb the tallest of the mounds, (251) 626-0798 www.blakeleypark.com

Wednesday December 9

Evergreen in Winter Observe and Explore 10:00 AM 23030 Wolf Bay Drive, Foley, AL, 36535 Activities begin at 10 am with a story, followed by a lesson, and an activity . Our event will conclude with a themed art project. grahamcreekpreserve.org

ing from the Bartram Landing at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center as we experience nature’s splendor and be back in time to grab a seafood dinner on the Causeway! (251) 626-0798 www.blakeleypark.com Stoked Comedy Hypnosis Show 7:00 PM OWA, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Join legendary hypnotist Terry Stokes for 60 minutes of hilarious antics and unbelievable hypnotism at the Stoked Comedy Hypnosis Show. www.visitowa.com

Saturday December 12

Ocean Saturday: Catch of the Day 9:45 AM Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL, 36528 You may love fishing but not every interesting animal takes a bait and hook. From rods to nets, scoops and pumps, join us and try out several different fishing methods and see who else lives in the waters around Dauphin Island. //bit.ly/OceanSaturdays Blakeley Cruises - Intro to Outdoor Photography Cruise ($20/adults and $12/kids 6-12) 10:00 AM Blakeley State Park, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Bring a camera and join us for a relaxing sightseeing cruise into the wild and scenic Mobile-Tensaw Delta and pick up a few pointers on capturing the best shots of our amazing natural environment! Kathy Hicks, a professional photographer and educator at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, will accompany us and be on hand to help beginner photographers learn how to capture stunning images of the natural environment. (251) 626-0798 www.blakeleypark.com Blakeley Cruises - Delta Discovery Tour ($20/

adults and $12/kids ages 6-12)

1:00 PM Blakeley State Park, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 This 90-minute excursion into the wild and scenic lower reaches of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta--known as the “American Amazon”--introduces visitors and residents alike to a truly astounding natural habitat. This cruise is offered twice a day on one Saturday of each month from the Bartram Landing at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. (251) 626-0798 www.blakeleypark.com Fannie Flagg - “The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop” Virtual Event 6:00 PM Fannie Flagg - “The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop” Virtual Event on Facebook live. www.facebook.com/PageAndPalette

Thursday January 7

Family Promise Virtual Chocolate Affair 7:00 PM Virtual, Join us for our first Virtual Chocolate Affair as we support the mission of Family Promise in Baldwin County. We will have special guests sharing what Family Promise means to them. Also join us for the excitement to see who will win the $5000 grand prize. www.familypromisebaldwinal.org

South Baldwin Community Theater presents “The Wizard of Oz” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 Relive MGM’s classic and celebrate America’s Fairy Tale! Join Dorothy and Toto as they journey down the yellow brick road to learn that home is truly where the heart is. sbct.biz

Friday December 11

Friday January 8

Thursday December 10

Blakeley Cruises - Winter Sunset Cruise ($12.50/adults and $7/kids ages 6-12)

4:30 PM Blakeley State Park, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Come along on a brief relaxing voyage depart-

Eastern Shore Parents I December 2020

The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” 7:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Black Jacket Symphony Pres-

ents Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” www.mobilesaenger.com South Baldwin Community Theater presents “The Wizard of Oz” Details on January 7.

Saturday January 9

South Baldwin Community Theater presents “The Wizard of Oz” Details on January 7.

Sunday January 10

South Baldwin Community Theater presents “The Wizard of Oz” 2:30 PM Details on January 7.

Friday January 29

An Evening With Travis Tritt 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Enjoy a special evening with CMA and GRAMMY Award-winning country artist, Travis Tritt. www.mobilesaenger.com

Tuesdays Every Month

Lap Babies-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 10:30 AM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 Lap BabiesVirtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook

Wednesdays Every Month

Leaders are Readers 10:30 AM Virtual, Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30am for our Readers are Leaders Storytime on @pageandpalette facebook page. www.facebook.com/PageAndPalette Virtual Storytime 10:00 AM Virtual, Join Miss Mary and Cupcake for online Story Time via her YouTube Page. New videos posted every Wednesday at 10 a.m. www.youtube.com/channel/UCLn_szBaZss2w0ha0iNwelA

Thursdays Every Month

Pre-K-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 10:30 AM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 Pre-K-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook K-3rd Book Club -Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 3:30 PM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 K-3rd Book Club -Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook

Fridays through December

Magic Show at OWA presented by Brandon Styles 7:00 PM OWA, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Legends in Concert will debut this new show with performances September 17 – November 1, 2020 at the state-of-the-art OWA Theater, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm, and with weekend matinee performances on Sundays at 3pm. Saturday matinee shows at 3pm will be added beginning October 3. www.visitowa.com

Because of ever-changing circumstances due to Covid-19 and Hurricane Sally, please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

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Get Dialed In

Q. My wife and I have two kids and one on the way. We’re debt-free except for our home, and we have our emergency fund in place. We’ve also been saving for retirement, with me putting 15% into a 401(k) and her putting 10 percent into her retirement account. On top of all this, we’re putting a little money toward college funds for the kids. We talked the other night, and after that we started thinking about pulling back from retirement saving and getting the house paid off. What do you think about that?

A. I teach people to start investing 15% of their household income for retirement after they’ve completed Baby Step 3, which is saving three to six months of expenses for an emergency fund. Baby Step 4 would be both of you putting 15% of your income into retirement, and you’re not quite doing that yet. Saving for college comes next in Baby Step 5. I don’t teach people to put less than 15% of their income into retirement in order to pay off the house a little earlier. It’s tempt-

ing when you’ve got the debt-free bug, but it’s not the shortest distance between where you are right now and wealth. The average person who follows my plan—the Baby Steps—can pay off their home in about seven years. You’ve got offense and defense to think about. Defense is getting rid of debt, and the offense is building wealth. You don’t want to let your guard down on offense in order to just play defense and get the house paid off. What you’re talking about is a normal reaction for lots of folks in your position, but it’s not what I would recommend right now. I love your fire, but follow the Baby Steps as they’re laid out. My goal isn’t just helping people get out of debt. It’s to teach people how to become wealthy as a result of being out of debt and encouraging them be outrageously generous along the way!

How Can I Help My Mom-in-Law?

Q. My mother-in-law is 60. She works hard and has no debt, but she also has no savings or retirement accounts. However, she

owns a couple of paid-for rental properties that are worth about $350,000 each, and her home is worth $700,000. What can I do to help her plan for the future?

A. The best plan would be to first see if she’s already got a plan. I understand you’re worried about her not having any savings or retirement. That makes you a good son-inlaw. But it sounds to me like she’s got the makings of a pretty good retirement situation lined up, even if she didn’t go the traditional route to get there. You just told me she’s sitting on nearly $1.5 million in paid-for real estate. Dude, she’s a millionaire! If the time comes where she decides she doesn’t like landlording anymore or just wants to retire, she can always sell the rental properties, invest that big pile of cash in mutual funds, and live off the income. If you’re concerned about things, just sit down with her and let her know. Ask her if she needs any help with her money situation and plans for retirement. If she doesn’t want to talk about it right now, that’s fine, but making the offer shows you care.

BLOW UP II INFLATABLE CONTEMPORARY ART Engaging humor, scale, and surprise, the artworks in this exhibition will take you on a whimsical journey. Open six days a week, the Museum is free and open to all. Plan your visit at mmfa.org. FriendsWithYou, Never Ending Story, Spider Man’s Eye, 2019, ripstop nylon fabric, electric fan, 150 x 108 x 168 inches. BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art was organized by Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.

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Help Alabama

Shine!

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!

“Happy to be part of this survey.”

“Thank you for checking on us!”

Actual comments from survey responses.

Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set! Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding 1 genetic information, and other federal, www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, or email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.