Eastern Shore Parents July 2015 by KeepSharing

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Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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July2015 48

Volume 8 Number 2

Columns

6 Publisher’s Note Lynn Knighton

8 Living With Children John Rosemond

Chill the Chore Wars Discover age-appropriate chores and tips to help them have the right attitude.

Birthday Party Rescue Ideas for creating a special day for your child...even when you are drained.

18 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

42 Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs

44 Dave Says Dave Ramsey

46 Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

Birthday Party Guide

From cakes to venues to entertainment and more, our guide helps you plan the perfect party!

52 Centsibly Southern Chic

Tween and Teen Party Themes

Laura Handey

76 A Page in a Book

Find 5 unique party ideas tailored to your older child.

Gerry Paige Smith

Departments

On The Cover

Piper (1) daughter of Courtney and Lance Steffek, and little sister to Emma (8), Lachlan (5), and Lennox (3). Proud grandparents are Don and JoAnn Lawrenz and great-grandmother Jean Lawrenz. Piper enjoys spending time outdoors, especially jogs around the park. Piper is wearing a “Bannanna Split” bubble, available at Little Monkey Toes. 5

Bits and Pieces 20

School Bits 78

Family Calendar 84

Movie Reviews

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Publisher’sNote Every summer we try to use the extra down time while everyone is home to clean out and organize the house. Forget spring cleaning…there is way too much going on in the spring to even think about that. We go for summer cleaning! Brad and I schedule the work time after a few lazy days of hanging out so everyone is refreshed (another word for bored and looking for something to do). Even though the girls say they are bored, I am quite sure cleaning and organizing is not really what they have in mind, but we do try to make it fun. The girls take part in the planning and we offer incentives for enthusiastic attitudes and going above and beyond. Anna bravely volunteered to take on the “craft closet.” After a year filled with school projects, plays, etc., the closet looked like someone picked it up, shook it and put it back down, so I applaud her for taking on the task. She even asked me to buy labels, boxes and bins to make everything easier to access. The closet looks amazing and she definitely earned a big incentive for all of that extra work! If you are like most parents and are always looking for ways to rally the troops to help around the house, then you will enjoy 5 Tips to Chill the Chore Wars, by Judy M. Miller. The problem with not having everything organized is you really don’t know what you have and what you don’t have. We all laughed at some of the crazy stuff she found in the craft closet, and it became very apparent I have an obsession with party decor. Anna found over 30 rolls of party streamers! In my defense though, I do decorate the kitchen with streamers for every birthday so they don’t go to waste, I just did not realize I had accumulated so much. Our family loves celebrating birthdays. I decorate the house at night so when the birthday girl (or boy) wakes up, the kitchen is festive and there is a candle in the breakfast waiting to start the celebration. Planning the actual party is also something we enjoy, but as the girls are getting older it is a little more of a challenge to come up with a theme. Tiffany Guerzon has provided some fun ideas this month in her article Five Party Themes for Tweens and Teens. We have had a glow party and that was a ton of fun! Brad and the girls splatter painted black butcher paper with neon paint and replaced all the lighting in the den with black lights. It was a lot of work but totally worth it. Planning a birthday party can be a lot of work, especially if it falls during an already busy time when parents have additional obligations on their plate. This can make the party planning process stressful instead of fun. If this is the case for you, make sure you check out Birthday Party Rescue: Creating a Special Day When You’re Drained, by Laurie Zottmann. She has some great hints and tips for party planning when you are pooped. In case you have not noticed the theme yet, this month is our annual Birthday Party issue! We have included not only the wonderful articles mentioned, but also an extensive Birthday Party Planning Guide. This guide is filled with many party resources to help with your party planning. Whether you are looking for cakes, invitations, entertainment, rentals, or a place to party, you are sure to find it here! So make sure you flip over to page 56 and see what an abundance of party resources are right here in our area. I encourage you to hold on to this issue all year as you plan your family’s special celebrations. I promise you will find it to be a huge help. Happy Summer!

Lynn

lynn@easternshoreparents.com

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

The Eastern Shore’s Foremost Parenting Source

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 Tiffany Guerzon Laura Handey Carolyn Jabs Judy M. Miller Dave Ramsey John Rosemond Robert L. Rux, M.D. Gerry Paige Smith Laurie Zottman Cover Photography Susan Caver www.justaposephotography.com President Jason Watson jason@easternshoreparents.com Advertising Opportunities Lynn Knighton Leslie Hall Tracie Calvert 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 2015 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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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

Solving ‘Anger Issues’ in Teens Q: Our 14-year-old daughter has difficulty controlling her anger. She has extreme outbursts fairly frequently here at home— screaming, cursing, and even throwing things when she doesn’t get her way. She appears to have no respect for us and very little consideration for her two younger siblings. At school and in other people’s homes, however, she’s a model citizen. She’s a straight-A student about whom all of her teachers have nothing but praise. When I describe her outbursts to friends and family, they are disbelieving. Is it too late to do anything about her anger issue? A: I flunked fortune telling in graduate school, so the answer to your question is “I don’t know.” Nonetheless, it’s certainly worth a good try. You’ve told me enough to know that what you’re describing is not an “anger issue.” Rather, it’s an issue of narcissistic disrespect and ingratitude. Mind you, today’s kids come by the latter fairly easily. Generally speaking, their parents give them entirely

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

too much. In the vernacular of an earlier parenting era, all too many of today’s kids seem to think that money grows on trees (or in their parents’ wallets and pocketbooks). The completely unnecessary personal smart phone at age 10 is the emblem of this ubiquitous over-indulgence. It’s a short hop from over-indulged to disrespectful. Entitlements and respect for the source of said entitlements are incompatible. More often than not, entitlements engender an “I deserve” attitude. When the entitlers are parents, the outcome is likely to be as you describe: thanklessness, demands, and rages when demands are not met. In short, a problem of this sort does not arise independent of a certain set of homebased circumstances. If you’re going to solve this problem you will first need to accept that you provided the medium in which it developed. In that regard, the question becomes, “Are you willing to radically change your ways?” Your daughter probably believes that exemplary grades and behavior outside

the home place her beyond the reach of consequences. You need to demonstrate the fallacy in her thinking. Do so by removing from her room all possessions save essential clothing and school supplies. Box them up and put them in a storage facility. Cancel her cell phone contract. If she has a computer in her room, move it to a common area. Do the above when she’s out of the house. When she comes home and asks for an explanation, tell her that her disruptions and disrespect will no longer be tolerated; that when she has been disruption- and disrespect free for a continuous 30-day period, her possessions will be returned with the understanding that if she backslides, her next rehabilitation period will jump to 60 days. If, during said 30 days, she has an “incident,” the 30 days begins over again the following day. When her rehab is complete, however, things must not go back to “normal.” You have to change your indulgent ways as well or a relapse is inevitable. You can do this. Just keep Admiral David Farragut’s famous order in mind: “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions at www.johnrosemond.com and parentguru.com.

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Great Expectations Expo to Focus on All Things Baby

Safe Sitter Classes

Infirmary Health invites expectant mothers, new mothers and hope-to-be moms, their friends and family to its annual Great Expectations event scheduled for Sunday, August 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Mobile Infirmary, North Baldwin Infirmary and Thomas Hospital. This premier pregnancy and parenting event, a one day extravaganza of "all things baby", is not your typical mass-expo event. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit one-on-one with medical professionals, check out the finest baby products, register for premiere services, take a birth center tour and register for door prizes! For more information, or to become a vendor at this very special event visit infirmaryhealth.org or call 251-435-3939.

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center is offering several Safe Sitter classes over the summer months. The July class is Friday, July 17th. Class hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, 1613 North McKenzie Street in Foley. Safe Sitter is a medically accurate program that teaches boys and girls ages 11 to 13 how to handle emergencies when caring for children. This class teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills, and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. Taking a Safe Sitter class will help your child prepare to be a more responsible baby-sitter and they will HAVE FUN! For more information or to register, please call South Baldwin Regional Medical Center at (251) 949-3676. Class fee is $35. Snacks and lunch are provided.

2015 Flavors of the South Food and Wine Showcase

Join The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce for the 2015 Flavors of the South Food and Wine Showcase on July 23. This special event is held to showcase food and wine from local restaurants and caterers from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Baldwin County Coliseum, Robertsdale. Come sample a variety of food and drink while listening to music and mingling. Also, featured is a silent auction and 50/50 drawing. Individual tickets are $25 or a table of 8 is $200. Tickets are available at the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and will be available at the door. For more information contact the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at (251) 947-2626.

Weeks Bay Foundation Pelican Paddle Canoe and Kayak Race

Outer Space Exhibits at the Exploreum

The 3rd annual Weeks Bay Foundation Pelican Paddle Canoe and Kayak race will be held on Saturday, August 1. Last year, we had about 100 paddlers turn out for a spin around a 3.5 mile course in Weeks Bay that travels past an active bald eagle nest and some of the most pristine marsh left in coastal Alabama. We will also include a more leisurely guided nature paddle around Weeks Bay this year, after last year’s nature paddle proved exceptionally popular. The crew from 17 Turtles Outfitters will be on hand to serve as expert guides. The race proceeds go toward our mission of protecting the edges of Alabama’s coastal waters. That includes our maritime forests, marshes, and the wetlands along the rivers and creeks of Mobile and Baldwin counties. For more information, contact the Weeks Bay Foundation at 251-990-5004 or visit www.weeksbay. org to register online. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

Two exhibits featuring U.S. exploration of outer space continue to attract visitors to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. Both exhibits run through September 7, 2015. Beyond Earth explores mankind’s fascination with the universe through a collection of large format photography from numerous NASA expeditions, meteorites found all over the world, and artifacts from the Space Race. The Journey to Mars exhibit showcases the history of space flight and the future of space travel. Through artifacts, models, simulators and hands-on activities visitors can experience the progression of space travel from the moon landing to the mission to put a person on Mars. General admission to the exhibits ranges from $6.50 to $16. For more information, call 251-208-6893. 10

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Fall Auditions for Center Stage Performances

Fall Auditions are just around the corner! Join Center Stage Performance on August 18th and 20th from 4-6:30 p.m. for Show Choir and Musical Theatre open auditions. Come either day with a headshot and a prepared song. The location is the Fairhope United Methodist Church Life Center at 155 S. Section Street in Fairhope. Take 2 Show Choir students are 3rd-6th grade and Center Stage Show Choir are students grades 7th-12th. Our younger musical theatre division will be performing “Annie, Kids” for students age K4-3rd grade! Our older theatre division will be performing “Hairspray, Jr” for 4th-12th grade. We have something for all ages! Center Stage will also offer classes in Voice, Piano, Acting and a Theatre Class for Exceptional Students with Special Needs. To view our fall class schedule and to RESERVE YOUR SPOT in Fall classes, please visit our website at www.CenterStagePerformance.com or contact our Communications Director, Jill Stanley, at jill@centerstageperformance.com.

Dog Days of Summer: A Canine Carnival!

The Rotaract Club of The Eastern Shore is hosting Dog Days of Summer July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at South Beach Park in Fairhope, the park to the left of Fairhope pier. This fun family event, dedicated to canines, is a fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting The Haven, Baldwin County’s local no-kill animal shelter. Dog Days of Summer: A Canine Carnival, open to all dogs and their families, will entertain patrons with a multitude of activities, including a Play Area, Training Sessions, Pampering Station, Checkup Station with a Veterinarian, Pet Blessing, Face Painting for kids, and more! Appropriately themed for a carnival, there will be a juggler, an aerial silk performer, and even a ringmaster on stilts. There will be food, music, games, raffles, and a large adoption area for you to bring home your newest family addition. Entry is $5 per person; children age 8 and under and dogs are allowed in free! Please bring cash for activities, refreshments, and donations. Sponsorships still needed! Raffle items can be donated from your business to be drawn at the end of the event. Please contact Jessica Guthrie at Jessica@raeskitchenandcatering.com for more information on how you can sponsor the event.

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Families, Civic Groups Taking a Stand Against MS

Families, companies and civic organizations across Alabama and Mississippi are again taking a stand against multiple sclerosis (MS), a debilitating disease of the central nervous system. Since 2004, volunteers have set up old-fashioned lemonade stands and passed out lemonade provided by Buffalo Rock and cookies provided by Budâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Cookies in exchange for donations to the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National MS Society. This year, Stand will take place July 17 through July 31. Contact The National MS Society to receive your free supplies, and set up a Stand in your area to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis. To learn more about Stand, visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/alc or call 1-800-FIGHT MS.

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Pleasure Island Junior Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club

The Pleasure Island Junior Woman's Club was established to share in the joy of clothing needy children and derive satisfaction from working on one of the club's fundraisers or civic projects. Each year the JWC puts together three major fundraisers. Clothe the Children Benefit Gala is held each January to raise fund to clothe children in need. The Bunny Hop 5K and Fun Run was created in memory of Anne Reese Grote and held each April. Some of the proceeds from the event go towards a scholarship to be awarded to a local high school senior. This August, the ladies host the annual Membership Luau. The ladies of Pleasure Island Junior Woman's Club invite you to join them for food, drink, fun and to discover how you can better serve the children in our community! They meet the second Tuesday in each month at the Gulf Shores Activity Center at 6 p.m. For more information on the Pleasure Island Junior Woman's Club find us on Facebook.

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Extracurricular activities such as Tumblebus and Whiz Kids, available.

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Market Days Returns to North Baldwin

Market Days will return to Bay Minette July 18, August 15 and September 18 with a wide assortment of vendors selling everything from homegrown produce and homemade goods to antiques. Sponsored by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, the outdoor market will take place on the third Saturday in June, July, August and September. The events will be held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the chamber’s front lawn on McMeans Avenue/Alabama 59. Live music, kids’ activities and food will be available as well. The chamber office at is at 301 McMeans Avenue. For more information on Market Days, or to become a vendor, call the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at 251-937-5665.

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18th Annual Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Professional Rodeo

The 18th Annual Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Professional Rodeo is Thursday, August 6 with tribute to “Hometown Heroes”; Friday, August 7 be “tough enough to wear pink” for breast cancer awareness night; culminating on Saturday, August 8th, with School Spirit night all at the City of Foley Horse Arena. Children's activities begin nightly at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Rodeo at 8:00 p.m. Event proceeds benefit the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation which provides the Peer Helper Programs in all public schools and 3 private schools in Baldwin County impacting over 30,000 students by providing coping and problem solving skills to address their academic and social challenges. Rodeo tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-12 years old, and free for ages 3 and under. Tickets are sold in advance at Summerdale Western Store on Highway 59 in Summerdale and Frances Holk-Jones State Farm Insurance at 315 E. Laurel Avenue in Foley (Hwy 98 E). Tickets are available each night at the gate of the rodeo. Additional events in conjunction with the rodeo that are free to the public will all be held at the Foley Horse Arena. The Queens’ Horsemanship Contest is Thursday, July 30th which will include the crowning of the queens. Two Barrel Racing events, also free to spectators, will be on Tuesday, August 4th and Saturday morning, August 8th. Please visit jennifermoorefoundation.com to get a full calendar of events.

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Thomas Hospital Auxiliary Welcomes Junior Volunteers

Thomas Hospital welcomes 46 students from Bayshore Christian School, Bayside Academy, Bridge Christian Academy, Central Christian School, Daphne High School, Emanuel Academy, Fairhope High School, Foley High School, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Robertsdale High School, and Spanish Fort High School, participating in the Thomas Hospital Auxiliary’s Junior Volunteer program this summer. They are volunteering in the Cardiovascular Unit, Cath Lab, Clinical Education, Fitness Center, Physical Therapy, Plant Operations, Respiratory Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Women’s and Children’s departments at Thomas Hospital. They will also volunteer in seven Auxiliary service areas – emergency department waiting area, endoscopy escort, gift shop, information desk, Medical Office Center information desk, and transportation at Thomas Hospital, and the surgery waiting area and information desk at Thomas Medical Center in Daphne. The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary Junior Volunteer program is offered to high school students between the ages 14 to 18 who maintain at least a B average and have an interest in volunteering at the hospital during the summer. The program runs from June 8 to July 31. The goals of the program, chaired by Thomas Hospital Auxilian Dottie South, are to give service to the hospital, increase community understanding and interest in the hospital, and further interest in health careers. Pictured with (far right) Dottie South, Thomas Hospital Auxiliary Junior Volunteer chairperson, and Tom Davis, Jr., Thomas Hospital Auxiliary President are Junior Volunteers (in alphabetical order) Nathan Adkins, Camille Baker, Lacey Bemis, Allie Bjorkner, Megan Boyle, Laura Brown, Benny Chastain, Eliza Colbert, Ethan Colbert, Sophia Colbert, Andrea Dickinson, Maddi Estes, Nick Ferguson, Shania Franks, Nellie Given, Darian Hagan, Hadley Hutchinson, Madeline Joffrion, Lindsay Keating, Kate Laraway, Austin Linton, Anna Lee McDuff, Mikayla Nunez, Joshua Penninger, Emma Pennington, Hope Plato, Mackenzie Ros, Nykeshia Safford, Ashton Stewart, Andrew Theodore, Ashley Thomas, Hannah Wood and Victoria Zona. Not pictured are Jacob Astralaga, Meghan Boyer, Jordan Carter, Maddie Cash, Lanie Grace Dreibelbis, Maggie He, Mackenzie Howell, MaryBradley Knighton, Melanie Lim, Nicole Sanders, Caitlin Schneider, Lane Stark and Reilly Weakley.

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Mobile/Eastern Shore Parents 7.5 x 4.8

a free mother-to-be event

Sunday, Aug. 9 • 2 - 4 p.m. Mobile Infirmary

5 Mobile Infirmary Circle Mobile, AL 36607

North Baldwin Infirmary 1815 Hand Ave. Bay Minette, AL 36507

Thomas Hospital

750 Morphy Ave. Fairhope, AL 36532

Mothers-to-be, new mothers, hope-to-be moms, friends and family are invited to our Great Expectations celebration that includes: • Door prizes

• Retail displays

• Physician and educational booths

• Birth center tours

For information, call 251-435-3939.

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Free 3-Day Conference for Parents on Classical, Christian Homeschooling

What is classical, Christian education? What are the benefits of classical, Christian education? How can I give my children a classical, Christian education at home? Join veteran homeschooling parents July 13, 14, and 15 at Foley First Baptist Church for three days of encouragement and inspiration as we seek to understand the classical model of education and learn how to apply it in Christian homeschooling. Morning speakers will present practical tools for giving your children a classical, Christian education at home. The second half of the morning will be devoted to understanding how we can teach science classically. Afternoon facilitators will host question-and-answer forums on homeschooling and further the discussion of teaching science classically. Get equipped at our on-site bookstore. Affordable day camps are available for students of all ages. Your students are sure to enjoy the group learning environment, whether they are being cared for in our nursery; playing and singing in our play camps; memorizing and drawing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world in our geo-drawing camps; or learning about language, writing, science, logic, debate, or public speaking in our academic camps for older students. Advance registration for student camps is required. Please register online. To learn more about Parent Practicums visit PARENTPRACTICUM.COM. For more information on the local practicum call Melanie Joy Carver, Support Manager, 251-504-0814 or email mcarver@classicalconversations.com.

Art for Heart Raises over $120,000 for American Heart Association

The American Heart Association's Art for Heart presented by South Baldwin Regional Medical Center was a huge success, exceeding their goal by raising over $120,000 to fight heart disease and stroke, the No.1 and No.5 killers in Baldwin County. Kevin Corcoran from REMAX of Gulf Shores reprised his role as emcee for the event held on April 18th at Heron Pointe at The Wharf with 300 guests pledging their support during the silent and live auctions. Dr. Brian Dearing and Frances Holk-Jones were honored for their work in the community. Jacquie Cain served as chair for the annual event which embodied a coastal theme. Guests enjoyed touring the auction items, dining, and entertainment while celebrating the efforts of the American Heart Association. If you would like to be involved with the 2016 event, please contact Bridgett Dunn, Regional Director at 678-224-2047 orbridgett.dunn@heart.org.

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Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore Seeking Caring Women

Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore is a volunteer service organization of women who are committed to caring and shaping character in our community. The emphasis is on enhancing the lives of children through our service projects along the Eastern Shore. JAES assists children and families in our local schools and our community. There are several ways the Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore stays involved in the community such as establishing The Crown of Character program to recognize exemplary students in 5th grade. The chapter is also involved in Thomas Hospital's Children's programs. The chapter designed a play room and child life cart for the Children's Wing at Thomas Hospital and currently organizes and helps with Special Event Activities for the Thomas Hospital Rehabilitation Center. For the participants at the Exceptional Foundation of the Gulf Coast, JAES also plans cooking activities, as well as a Prom, Mardi Gras Ball, Halloween Party and even a Luau. In the Spring, Junior Auxiliary holds an annual Fern Sale as our major Fundraiser which enables the chapter to contribute to these various organizations. Mr. Jubilee, a womanless beauty pageant, has also helped raise money for projects that support the children in the community. Our mission is to identify the needs of children, youth and their families along the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County and create projects to meet those needs which will enhance educational achievement, physical health and emotional well being. If you are interested in becoming a member, visit us at jaeasternshore.org.

Kids Gulf Discovery Day

Join us for our annual Kids Gulf Discovery Day on July 22 at Bellingrath Gardens. Learn all about the environment of our region from local experts and organizations, including the Winged Ambassadors with their fabulous birds for special presentations. We will also have cruises along with Fowl River with our friends from Delta Safaris! 9 a.m. to noon. Fees for the cruise with Delta Safaris are $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12. Please visit bellingrath.org or call (251) 973-2217 for more information.

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

Fireworks Safety Summer is here, so I want to talk about fireworks and firework safety. Most of us are very careful when we are around fireworks, but accidents can occur, so I want to help you be prepared. While most people know they are dangerous, there are some very alarming numbers from The National Council on Fireworks Safety. There are an estimated 9000 injuries from fireworks per year, with a large percent occurring in children under 15 years old. And boys are three times more likely to be injured than girls. The injuries occurred not only from firecrackers, but from sparklers as well. Did you know that a sparkler burns at 1800 degrees! The best prevention for firework injuries is, of course, to not use them. But, if you must, here are some rules to follow. First, check the local laws regarding fireworks in your area. If caught, you can face a hefty fine. And if you use them, please use them outdoors. Even sparklers can lead to a house fire. It’s also important to have water on hand in case of a fire. Fireworks are specially made and should be used only as intended. Don’t alter or combine fireworks as this can lead to unintended consequences. Never re-light a

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

“dud” firework and soak all “duds” in a bucket of water to ensure they won’t go off. Make sure all spectators are a safe distance from the shooter and not in the line of fire. And the shooter should wear safety glasses. It’s imperative to review safety with your kids, especially with sparklers. They can cause serious injuries, so review rules about not sticking them near anyone’s face or clothing. All sparklers should be stuck in sand for 15 minutes after they go out, because they can still be very hot. Last, do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives. One of the most dangerous injuries from fireworks are to the eyes. During my residency training in Birmingham, I saw an 8 year old child who was struck in the eye with a bottle rocket. The injury was so severe, he was transferred to the Eye Foundation hospital and admitted for several days receiving IV medication to reduce the inflammation. In the end, he lost an estimated 40% of vision in that eye. The firework in question was lit by his younger brother. In case you do have an eye injury, here are a few tips. Do not rub the eye or attempt to rinse it out. This can cause further damage to the eye. Don’t attempt to place any ointment or drops in the eye. These

might affect a physician’s ability to examine the eye properly. If you have a child that really wants to rub or touch the eye, then you can place one half of a cup over the affected eye with tape to prevent any contact. And, get to the emergency room immediately. Any delay can be serious. If your child gets burned, it’s important to follow some rules. Place all burned areas underneath cool running water for at least five minutes. If you have burns on the hands or feet, elevate them above the level of the heart. Seek medical attention immediately if you see any blistering and/or severely damaged skin. If you have any burned clothing, do not remove it. If you do have blisters, do not rupture them as it increases the risk of infection. And lastly do not place butter or any antiseptic cream on the burns. So, be careful, and if possible, leave the fireworks to your local city recreation department and call your doctor with any questions. 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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S Field Day at Bay Minette Intermediate School

Field Day at Bay Minette Intermediate School means fun, friends, and food; add the start of summer vacation and it equals an amazing day. Coach Jake McGowin always pulls off the best field day possible for BMIS students. Picture 6258: The cool water slides made the hot day a blast for Dontasia Brown.

Autauga County Schools Gulf Shores Class Raises Over $800 for Share the Beach

Mrs. Cendy Hart's third grade class at Gulf Shores Elementary School raised $859 for Share the Beach to save Loggerhead turtles, a local endangered animal. The class hosted a lemonade stand, out of uniform day, donut and candy sale, and a soccer game to raise money. The class presented the money to Mike Reynolds and Suzanne Delatte from Share the Beach. Pictured l to r front row: Jordyn Buckmaster, Amelia Eskew, Haley Sims, Elle Caroline Blackmon, Amanda Anderson, Lydia Dumas of the lemonade stand group. Back row- Mike Reynolds.

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Pirate Days at Fairhope Elementary

Mrs. Charlotte Norrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fairhope Elementary second grade students enjoyed the last few days of school with fun activities such as pirate day. They enjoyed the day learning to talk like a pirate, pirate measuring, and working on our map skills looking for treasure.

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Bay Minette Middle School Dance Team Members

Bay Minette Middle School Dance Team has selected its new members for the 2015-2016 school year. They include, from left, front row, Daisha Benton, Olivia Turner, Jazz Larkin, Canithia Bodiford, Alli Wilson; back row, Jybrail Brown, Melanie Williams, Mary-Stuart Lewis, Ansley Smith, Nissi Jones, Abby Stewart, Madison Hastings, Brasia Banks; and, not pictured, MaKayla Mounixay. The team is under the direction of Sponsor Jan Smith and Coach Elizabeth Byrd.

Cooking Camp

Young campers learned the art of cooking during a summer enrichment camp sponsored by the North Baldwin Coalition for Excellence in Education. The "Cooking with Class" camp introduced students to kitchen safety, how to set the table and use nice table manners. Campers also learned to make numerous dishes throughout the week. At the end of camp, the students brought home a cookbook filled with the recipes of all the foods prepared during the class, as well as etiquette notes. For more information about other camps, visit www.nbcee.org. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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Gulf Shores Middle School Student Wins State Farm Contest

Congratulations to Giulia De Souza from Gulf Shores Middle School for winning the Alabama Economic's Spending and Saving Color the Concepts Contest sponsored by State Farm! She was presented a certificate and $25 award from ACEE by Shery Butler, Gifted History Teacher at GSMS.

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OBES Students Win at Art in the Park Competition

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Foley Art in the Park children's competition. Orange Beach Elementary students Chris Kersh, first grade, won honorable mention and Caitlin Bradley, 6th grade, won 2nd place. Mrs. Jones is their art teacher. Orange Beach Elementary is very proud of our students on this wonderful accomplishment and honor!

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Autauga County Schools Annual Summer Camp

at Robertsdale Elementary

Robertsdale Elementary hosts an annual summer camp for students grades K- 6. Activities include academics, technology, art, science lab activities, field trips and more. It is a win-win for students, parents and staff. Kudos to camp site director, Teresa Olstrowski, for making summer camp a rewarding and exciting experience for our students!

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Daphne East Elementary Students Receive Award for Good Character

The Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore is proud to recognize 5th grade students from Daphne East Elementary with Good Character. The Crown of Character Award is given to students who have shown one or more of the five qualities found in the five points of the JA Crown: Charity, Youth, Health, Leadership and Service. Daphne East celebrated all of the 2014-2015 Crown of Character recipients at their Awards Assembly May 20th. Billy Brown, a local author and coach, spoke to the students about the importance of good character during adversity. Following the program, the Junior Auxiliary provided an ice cream party for all of the Crown of Character Award winners. JAES is proud to recognize these 5th grade students from Daphne East Elementary who received the Crown of Character Award for 4th Quarter. Top Row (left to right) Cody Dean, Mary Virginia Jackson, Anna Claire Lowe, Sarah Mooney, Kegan Miller, Hunter Hinton. Bottom Row (left to right) Cameron Williams, Emma Thomas, Sydney Wilhelm, Maura Barnette, Cooper Schultze.

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Gulf Shores HS Seniors Receive UBGOOD Scholarship

GSHS Seniors Kaitlyn McCurdy and Henry Boles were honored on May 12, as the recipients of the 2014-2015 Steven W. Baker UBGOOD Scholarship. The UBGOOD Scholarship was established in honor of beloved and former OBES Principal Mr. Steven W. Baker. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist a graduating senior of Gulf Shores High School who has also attended Orange Beach Elementary School. The scholarship is awarded annually to a boy and a girl Gulf Shores High School senior.

Baldwin County HS Senior Receives Scholarships

Sarah Barnett received several scholarship awards including the Emily Rose Parker Memorial Scholarship, presented by Stephanie and Clifford Parker. Sarah will be heading to the University of South Alabama this fall to major in accounting. She was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from USA and also received scholarships from Alabama Electric Membership Cooperative, Leah Ann Overstreet Memorial Committee and the Young Professionals of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. At Baldwin County High, Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Tigerettes, Diamond Darlings, Golf Team and vice president of the French Club. Sarah was also a member of the inaugural Junior Ambassadors for the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. 23

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Autauga County Schools Eyewear Style Show Benefits Project Outreach

Amazing Eyes Optical Boutique held an Eyewear Style Show on Thursday May 14th benefiting Project Outreach of Fairhope High School. Thank you so much to Mr. and Mrs. Storm Floyd who did a photo shoot with the Jubilee Room students on campus to showcase their awesome eyewear for the Open House. The check presented by store owners was for over $500 and will be used to fund activities for Project Outreach to fund club and community events for the Jubilee Room family. Pictured left to right: Principal Jon Cardwell, Project Outreach President Jenna Oden, Project Outreach Sponsor Blair Jaye, Lisa Floyd, Project Outreach member Liz Floyd, and Storm Floyd.

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Fairhope Middle School Students Compete in National History Bee

Four of these five students from Fairhope Middle School recently competed in the National History Bee in Louisville, KY on May 24. All five boys qualified for the national competition after placing in the top ten of the Regional Competition in Baton Rouge, LA. in February. From L-R are Jacob Wolfe, Houston Norris, Pete McGriff, Hudson Defee, and Warren Wegener. Sponsor is Mrs. Kim Earley.

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Young Professionals Award $7,500 in Scholarships to North Baldwin Students

Ten local students have received a financial boost thanks to The Young Professionals of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. The group awarded a total of $7,500 in college scholarships to students at Baldwin County High, Faulkner State Community College and Huntingdon College/Bay Minette. The Young Professionals presented $1,000 scholarships to Sarah Barnett and Jordan Redmon, seniors at BCHS. They also presented $750 scholarships to BCHS students Cameron Lewis, Erica Kelly, Kaitlyn Bradley and Tucker Clay, Liza Johnson, Huntingdon College; and Ambria C. Reed, FSCC. In addition to these presentations, the Young Professionals presented $250 scholarships to each graduating member of the Chamber’s Junior Ambassador program. They include Cameron Lewis, Erica Kelly, Kaitlyn Bradley, Tucker Clay and Sarah Barnett. Two BCHS students earned $500 scholarships for winning the school’s talent show: Colton Quezada and Anthony Scott. “It has been a pleasure to be able to give these scholarships over the past several years. Every student that applies for these scholarships and for other programs through the NBCC, has such bright, promising and exciting futures ahead of them,” said Lisa Yokley with the Young Professionals. “It is a privilege to read the essays and letters of reference and know that the future of our community has so much drive and determination. Our local schools, teachers and administration are truly preparing some wonderful young adults for the world.” The scholarships are funded through the organization's annual Delta Dash, an endurance obstacle course race held in the Tensaw Delta. Since the Delta Dash’s inception in 2012, the Young Professionals have given $18,500 in scholarships to local students at BCHS, Faulkner and Huntingdon College; as well as another $7,100 to support student projects, educational programs and community events in North Baldwin. Ashley Jones, NBCC Executive Director, praised the organization and local businesses with continuing to support education in north Baldwin County. “The Young Professionals took the initiative to implement a successful adventure race drawing more than 500 participants from more than 6 different states all so that the North Baldwin communities would reap the benefit and the North Baldwin Chamber is very grateful for their hard work and support," Jones said. The fourth annual Delta Dash will be held Sept. 26. For more details on the event, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 251-937-5665 or visit the website www.deltadash.org. Pictured: Young Professionals Lisa Yokley, far left, and Kim Cain, far right, presented the scholarships at the spring reception. Scholarship winners include, from left, Ambria Reed, Liza Johnson, Cameron Lewis, Erica Kelly, Kaitlyn Bradley, Tucker Clay, Sarah Barnett and Jordan Redmon.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Benedict Students Participate in Living Stations of the Cross

The student body at Saint Benedict Catholic School participated in a Living Stations of the Cross on Thursday, April 2nd. Eighth graders were the characters from the Passion Play. Pictured from left to right: Hunter Taylor (Roman Guard) Joshua Lynch (Jesus) and Ryan Hubbart (Roman Soldier).

Youth Complete Confirmation Classes to Join Church

Six youth joined Rosinton United Methodist Church in Robertsdale by profession of faith on Sunday, May 17th after completing a series of confirmation classes. After the service, three youth and one adult were baptized. Pictured in photo, from left to right: - Kaylee Allen, Sarah Murphy, AnnaRose Racine, Michael Sawyer, Hannah Sawyer & Elizabeth Bankester are pictured with Pastor Kevin Krist.

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Bayshore Christian School Soccer Team Places 1st

Bayshore Christian School’s U10 soccer team placed 1st in the Coastal Alabama Soccer Authority this past spring. Bayshore faced tough competitors throughout the season from February to May. Pictured from left to right are Kaleb Woirhaye, Robert Baker, AJ Macaro, Peyton Steed, John Will Kirkland, Crane Guilian, Broxton Cook, and Coach Lauren Brown.

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Bayside Academy 2015 Graduation Ceremony

On Sunday, May 17, Bayside Academy graduated 57 seniors. Per tradition, the graduation ceremony was held on the Bayside Bluff. Sarah Elizabeth Ezell was named the valedictorian of the Class of 2015, and Isabella Carelli Donnell was the salutatorian. The Class of 2015 included two legacies (students who have a parent who graduated from Bayside as well). Emily Wright is the daughter of Mark Wright ’81, and Thomas Earl McLendon is the son of Thomas McLendon ’82. Both legacy graduates also have grandfathers who have served on Bayside’s Board of Trustees: Mr. J.H. Wright and Mr. Thomas E. McLendon. Pictured: (left photo) Left to right: Bayside Academy graduates Mr. Mark Wright ‘81, Emily Wright ‘15, Thomas Earl McLendon ‘15, and Mr. Thomas McLendon ‘82. Right photo: Bayside Academy Class of 2015.

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Artist Visits Foley Intermediate School

Eastern Shore Art Center member, Pete Turner, was able to visit Foley Intermediate to present a painting of his to student, Elizabeth Menard. Menard had recently attended a field trip at the Art Center and wrote a letter to Turner after seeing his piece exhibited there. Turner, so taken with her kind, affirming words wanted to reach out to her and continue to encourage her creativity!

BCHS Senior Receives Scholarship from National Honor Society

Kudos to Baldwin County High School senior Cameron Lewis who received a $1,000 scholarship from the National Honor Society. NHS sponsors William Jones and Judy Bridges presented the scholarship at Senior Awards Night. Cameron will be attending Troy University this fall. He received the Millennium Scholars Award, a full-tuition scholarship that also covers housing and meal plan. In addition to serving as NHS president at BCHS, Cameron was a member of the Student Government Association and the soccer and cross country teams. He was selected to serve on the Superintendents Advisory Committee and as a delegate for Alabama Boys State. Cameron has served as a Junior Ambassador for the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and was also selected for the Summer Scrubs program administered by the Bay Area Healthcare Coalition. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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Fairhope Teachers and Staff Win Awards for Inspiring Students

Judges kept the results of the FEEF’s Parents’ and Students’ Choice Awards secret for weeks. In the end, they surprised eight winners with the coveted awards, sponsored by Urgent Care by the Bay. Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation asked parents of students in K-6 and Fairhope Middle and High School students to nominate teachers and staff members based on the nominee’s ethics and integrity, communication skills with parents and students, and the ability to inspire learning and creative thinking. Winners were chosen both on the number of nominations received and also on the strength of the nominating statements. The winners are: Duelah Reehl, J. Larry Newton School, Sandy Sumlin, Fairhope Elementary School, Trina Jackson and Rose Wiles, Fairhope Intermediate School, Janice Kinard and David Johnson, Fairhope Middle School, and Phillip Herring and Stephanie Lee, Fairhope High School. Pictured, top left, J. Larry Newton first grade teacher Duelah Reehl (center) shares her award with her class and representatives from FEEF and Urgent Care by the Bay. Back row left to right: FEEF board president Terri Bishop, FEEF Advisory Council member Amy Foley, Urgent Care by the Bay’s Dr. J. C. Jacobs, and JLN principal Patrice Krueger. Pictured left, FES Kindergarten teacher Sandy Sumlin accepts her award from (left to right) FEEF board member Pat Carlton, Urgent Care by the Bay’s Dr. Michael Bindon, and FEEF executive director Cori Yonge. Pictured bottom left, Fairhope Intermediate teachers Trina Jackson and Rose Wiles tied for the award. FEEF awarded both teachers the prize. From left, FEEF members Kathleen Taupeka and Amy Foley, Wiles, Jackson, Urgent Care by the Bay’s Dr. Al Babcock, and FEEF member Pat Carlton. Pictured bottom middle: Fairhope Middle School students returned more than 400 nominations for support staff and teachers. Amy Foley (far left) and Donna Wegener (far right) present the award to staff member David Johnson and seventh grade teacher Janice Kinard. Pictured bottom right, From left, physics teacher Phillip Herring, FEEF member Amy Foley, FHS guidance counselor Stephanie Lee, and FEEF executive director Cori Yonge display the awards at Fairhope High School.

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Autauga County Schools

Gulf Shores Middle School Academic Top 10

Congratulations to the 2015 Gulf Shores Middle School Academic Top 10! These students have done an incredible job during their time as middle school students, and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see the things they accomplish in their futures! Ranking: 10. Chris House; 9. Isha Patel (not pictured); 8. Maddie Scarbrough; 7. Savannah Higginson; 6. Ally Stevens; 5. Dominick Monteleone; 4. Jacob Lartigue; 3. Dylan Stancil (not pictured); 2. Hayes Graf; 1. Genevieve Eddy .

Fairhope Intermediate Students Rewarded for Character

All Fairhope Intermediate School Crown of Character Award Winners from the 2014-2015 were recognized at an End of the Year Character Education Assembly featuring local author and coach, Billy Brown. He spoke to the students at FIS about the importance of good character, even during times of adversity. The Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore provided the 5th grade students who received the Crown of Character Award with an ice cream celebration following the program.

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Bay Minette Intermediate School Talent Show

Students at Bay Minette Intermediate School have talent and they displayed some of it at the annual Intermediettes sponsored talent show recently. Nineteen acts ranging from dancing to gymnastics to magic entertained faculty, staff, students, and parents. Sixth grader, Bella Guida, wowed the audience with her rendition of “Hallalujah” winning first place. Ashton Fisher, sixth grader, captured second place and dazzled everyone with an energetic tap dance to the song, “Give Him a Great Big Kiss.” Third place went to fifth graders Kaitlin Ganey and Christin Watson for their amazing gymnastic and dance skills. Pictured, Back Row: Judges Jeffery Lepa-Baldwin County High School band director, Mark Davis-First Baptist Church youth minister, Christina Hall-Bay Minette Recreation Center dance instructor, and Lauren Reid-Rising Star Studios. Front Row: 1st Place Bella Guida, 2nd place Ashton Fisher, and 3rd place Kaitlyn Ganey and Christin Watson.

Perfect Attendance at W.J. Carroll

Congratulations to the following W. J. Carroll Intermediate School students who had perfect attendance for the 2014-2015 school year. They were treated to a celebratory party on the last day of school. In no particular order are Kylee Agee, Trent Battle, Eris Blankenhorn, Natalie Sewell, Takira Burt, Reese Smith, Lyric Childs, Ruby Smith, Reed Cloninger, Kyla Snowden, Diamond Edwards, Amira Speetjens, Jackson Evans, Ismael Tinajero-Neave, Joseph Guarisco, Israel Tinajero-Neave, Brandon Howard-Herrion, Grace Tran, Jonathan Hymel, Lance Tran, Daylin Jackson, Charles Turner, Charlie Jaquess, John Weir, Cori Johnson, Eva McDonald, Micaiah Mitchell, Timothy Porter, Brianna Portman and Jason Quebedeaux.

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Autauga County Schools Studying Egypt at

Bayshore Christian School

Bayshore Christian Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second grade class studied Ancient Egyptian history this past school year. As a culmination of their studies, the students spent a day in Ancient Egypt. Students were each assigned a Pharaoh to research, dress as, and present on Egypt Day. Pictured from left to right (back row) Taylor Baker, Caleb Heger, Londyn Norris, Toby Edmiston, Jack Malone, Brooks Jones, Joleigh Rizzo, Brooklyn Norris, Brooks Hauge, Charlotte Guilian, Mrs. Alyssa Tuel (front row) Luke Foster, Joel Douglass Chandler, Farley Harris, Aidyn James, Hayden Barber, Walker Pointer, Stone McDonald, Ayla Jones, Cyrus Dorsey, and Abigail Nance.

First Communion at St. Benedict Catholic School

Students from St. Benedict Catholic School celebrated their First Communion and commemorated their year of religious education during an awards ceremony and Mass. Pictured front row left to right: Andrew Isek, Cooper Frank, Kevin Castrejon, Charles Nevin, and JD Hart. Back Row: Maddie Vogtner, Raylee Murphy, Lauren Wood, Mary Frances Whitson, Jesslyn Maddox, Maggie Mattison, Maggie Jollit, Maddie Taylor, Masyn Hudgins, and Morgan Lay. Not pictured are Marisol Acker, Lauren Baird, David Jacob, and Risa Redditt.

Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church invites children to two exciting camps this month!

For more information & to register, call (251) 978-8130

July 13-17: KALEIDOSCOPE SUMMER FINE ARTS CAMP (9:00 am-3:30 pm) In partnership with the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance, classes offered include Music, Pottery, Pastels, Found Object Sculpture, Dance, Drama/Theater, Imagination Writing, Drawing & Textile Arts. Professional live performances every afternoon! July 27-31: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Camp Discovery (9:00 am-noon)

Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church, 309 E 21st Ave, Gulf Shores, Alabama. Main Telephone: (251) 968-7720 Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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Gulf Shores Elementary Field Trip a Blast for Kindergartners

Gulf Shores Elementary School kindergartners might be seeing the biggest bubble ever! They had an amazingly fun time on their Walk to the Park field trip recently, celebrating their first year in â&#x20AC;&#x153;big school!â&#x20AC;?

Robertsdale Students Maintain Vegetable Garden

Through funding efforts of agencies such as EMC, WalMart, Tanger Outlet and the Central Baldwin Education Foundation, Robertsdale Elementary School has had a very successful garden this year. Each grade level was in charge of its own garden bed which included vegetables such as corn, squash, cucumbers, pole beans, butter beans and watermelons. The students planted and maintained the garden. The objective is for students to learn to be good stewards of the soil and become educated in the sowing, maintaining and harvesting of vegetables.

Gulf Shores Elementary Fun

Haven Spruell, Caroline Taylor, and Joey McAleer show their summer tattoos they received at their Meyer Park field trip!

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Autauga County Schools

Fairhope Elementary Class Builds Cars from Mints

Orange Beach Elementary Students Visit Montgomery

The fourth grade students at Orange Beach Elementary School went to Montgomery on a field trip recently. They toured the State Capitol, Old Alabama Village, Rosa Parks Museum, and the State Archives Museum. All of the students were able to attend thanks to generous donations from Mr. Jerry Johnson, Mr. Jeff Silvers, Ms. Leigh McPhearson, Mr. Scott Myrick, Mr. Ted Brokop, Ms. Norma Lynch, and the Orange Beach Garden Club. Teachers are: Mrs. Baggett, Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Blackburn. Students are shown on the Capitol steps.

Mrs. Tori Erdossy’s second graders read “If I Built a Car,” by Chris Van Dusen, and wrote about the dream cars they would like to build. Then, they made “Mint Mobiles!” Students used popsicle sticks, straws, and rubber bands to build their cars, and they used Life Saver mints for wheels! At the end of the week, they raced the cars and also tested the distance they could travel. Everyone had a great time! Chase Patterson is pictured with his mint mobile on race day.

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

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BCHS Student Receives Letter, Certificate from President

Baldwin County High School senior Laura Owen received special recognition for her outstanding community service. President Barrack Obama sent Laura a letter and certificate on behalf of the President's Volunteer Service Award program. Principal Craig Smith read the letter from the President and presented the certificate at the Senior Awards Night. Laura has volunteered more than 400 hours of community service during her high school career. Laura also received several scholarship awards including two from the BCHS Key Club: the Matthew Mitchell Memorial Scholarship and the Key Club medal. The Matthew Mitchell Memorial Scholarship award is given to the senior Key Club member with the highest number of community service hours for the year. The Key Club medal recognizes the fact that she was the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding member for all four years in high school and had the highest number of service hours in the club each of her years in high school. The Bay Minette Kiwanis Club presented Laura with the George L. Price Honorary Scholarship for her involvement with the joint projects between Kiwanis and Key Club. Laura will be attending Faulkner State Community College on a Presidential Scholarship. She received the George L. Price Honorary Scholarship from the Kiwanis Club for her involvement with the joint projects between Kiwanis and Key Club. Her other scholarship is the Presidential Scholarship for Faulkner State. 35

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Autauga County Schools

Dedication Held for New Academy

The Baldwin County Public School System, Faulkner State Community College, Enterprise State Community College and the Fairhope Airport Authority recently held the official dedication and ribbon cutting of the Academy at the Fairhope Airport May 2nd. This facility provides training for Industrial Maintenance, Welding and Aviation Mechanics to high school and adult students, thus feeding a critical workforce into our local business and industry. The Academy is a product of a partnership that includes the Baldwin County Public School System, Faulkner State Community College, Enterprise State Community College and the Fairhope Airport Authority. This event was a great success with guest speakers Governor Robert Bentley and Congressman Bradley Byrne. Public tours of the facility, entertainment by the Faulkner State Sun Chief Sound Show Band and an Aviation Exhibition were available for all to enjoy.

St. Benedict Catholic School Receives Donation

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Jennifer Blanchard (right) from Gulf Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep donates $1250 to Jaivi Howell (left), principal of Saint Benedict Catholic School as part of their "Drive for Kids" program.

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Bayshore Sixth Graders Visit D.C.

Bayshore Christian Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sixth grade class spent a week touring Washington, DC as the culmination of Grammar school and the study of history. Mrs. French, the sixth grade teacher, led the group of students and parents on a tour of Old Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Washington. They toured such sites as Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Fort, the Capital, the Smithsonian, Arlington and The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the Washington Monument, many War Monuments, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Cathedral, many national museums, and much, much more! Pictured from left to right are (back row) Bryant Stevens, John Carter Kean, Mary Katherine Northcutt, Julian Thomas, Jacob Moore, Lydia Walsh, Cassidy Granger (front row) Olivia Zakutney, Riley Chapman, and Emily Adcock.

Gulf Shores Middle School Classes Raise Money for Food Pantry

The Gulf Shores Middle School art classes made ceramic bowls of all shapes and sizes in hopes of raising money for those that are hungry in our community. The classes were able to donate $365 to the Gulf Shores Christian Service Center for the food pantry and "Meals on Wheels." The students loved helping others through their art. Pictured: Isha Patel, Brittney McKenzie, Bre Andrews, Jacob Knight and Hannah Guthrie.

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Autauga County Schools

Orange Beach Elementary Kiwanis Terrific Kids

Orange Beach Elementary Kiwanis Terrific Kids for May in grades K-3 are pictured. They are: Front Row: Jaxon Phelps, Landon Olson, Tyler Johnson, Daniel Schwent, Kingston Duncan, Reece Wilmott. Back Row: Principal Ryan Moss, Camrin Jones, Sadie Jones, Falyn Beebe, Alex Baab, Charlotte Griffin, Daigle Wilson, Summer Shipp and Kiwanian Jason Jackson.

Baldwin County HS Seniors Receive Alumni Scholarships from Bay Minette

Bay Minette Intermediate School presented two alumni scholarships at this year's Senior Awards Night at Baldwin County High. Kayla Waite, left, and Christine Eleogo both received $500 scholarships. Kayla will be heading to Troy University and Christine will begin her college education at Faulkner State Community College. Kayla also received a Chancellors Award scholarship from Troy University, which includes full tuition for four years. She plans to major in nursing. Christine also received the Ethyl B. Weston Scholarship, FSCC Presidential Scholarship and the North Baldwin Health Care Authority Scholarship. After Faulkner, she plans to transfer to the University of South Alabama to double major in biology and education.

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Baldwin County HS Senior Receives Presidential Scholarship

Baldwin County High School senior Sean Purvis received a Regional and Presidential Scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi, which includes tuition, housing, meal plan and a stipend. Sean has been accepted into the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honors Program (one of about 50 accepted nationwide) and he plans to major in Computer Science. Sean also received a $500 scholarship from United Way of Baldwin County. Sean served as the BCHS representing on the United Way's inaugural Youth Board. UW board member Tina Covington presented the scholarship. At BCHS, Sean was the Drum Major for the Tiger Band, a member of the Scholars Bowl Team and won the DAR U.S. History Award.

Summer Camp is Hands-On at Robertsdale Elementary

Summer camp students at Robertsdale Elementary have fun learning with Bricks for Kids. This phenomenal STEM-based company is based out of Spanish Fort and teaches weekly lessons to our students. In the picture, students are assembling a robotic alligator. This activity provides "hands on" experience while also promoting creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

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Autauga County Schools

Summer Camp at Robertsdale

Robertsdale High School art teacher, Brian Baggett, shares his expertise with Robertsdale Elementary summer campers weekly. The "Young Rembrandts" show off their beautiful art designs that were created under his direction. Mr. Baggett designs his lessons around weekly theme. This week's theme was "Ocean Life."

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United Way Youth Board Members

The United Way of Baldwin County is excited to introduce our 2015-16 Youth Board Members! The Youth Board is responsible for raising awareness of the United Way in their schools and involving their classmates in various volunteer projects and community service. Pictured (L to R): Leah DeTombe- Foley High; Sawyer Summers- Fairhope High; Kylie Golden- Baldwin Co. High; Anna Rahkonen- Gulf Shores High; Ollie Finley- Robertsdale High; Jordan Riekhof- Spanish Fort High; Not pictured - Hannah Markert- Daphne High.

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Insects at Fairhope Elementary

Mrs. Jenny Douglass’ class is studying insects. Jake Gilliam and Chloe Lowell are seen painting their insects. They researched, drew and painted the insect they chose using safe sites in the iPad.

Leah Ann Overstreet Memorial Scholarships Presented

The Leah Ann Overstreet Memorial Scholarship Committee has presented $7,500 to students from north Baldwin County. The scholarships are awarded exclusively to current and graduated members of the Baldwin County High School Tiger Band. Scholarship recipients for 2014-2015 school year includes Baldwin County High School seniors Sarah Lauren Barnett , $1,000, University of South Alabama; Tucker Clay, $1,000, University of Southern Mississippi; Brooke Emmons, $1,000, University of South Alabama; Bethany Presley, $1,000, Auburn University; Jennieceia Cunningham, $500, Faulkner State Community College; and Jason Davis, $500, Faulkner State Community College. Former LAO scholarship winners in college can also reapply for $500 scholarships. Receiving those scholarships includes: Holly Barber, Morgan Covington, Kate Harrison at the University of Southern Mississippi and Harley Rowell and Alex White, University of South Alabama. To date, the committee has awarded nearly $30,000 to area students in memory of Leah Ann Overstreet. Leah Ann Overstreet was principal of Delta Elementary School, a founding member and president of the North Baldwin Coalition for Excellence in Education. The scholarship committed chose to honor band students because Overstreet’s son,

A’Lanson Hoffman, was a member of the Baldwin County High School Band and the Million Dollar Band at the University of Alabama. Joyce Overstreet, second from right, presented awards to the BCHS students, from left, Bethany Presley, Jennieceia Cunningham, Brooke Emmons, Tucker Clay, Sarah Barnett and, not pictured, Jason Davis. 41

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Finding Apps to Beat the Summer Slump A few years ago, educators started warning parents about “summer slump.” This drop off in academic skills forces teachers to spend the first weeks after Labor Day reteaching things their students knew at Memorial Day. Of course, summer won’t feel much like vacation if it’s crammed with workbook exercises. Instead, parents can keep young brains fresh by encouraging kids to imagine, explore and inquire about things that interest them. Whether it’s done with paper or pixels, reading continues to be one of the best ways to nurture young minds, followed closely by activities that motivate children to think their way through problems. Happily, both of these activities are a prominent part of many of the apps designed for children. The challenge for parents is to sort through the thousands of apps being produced to find the ones that will actually intersect with a particular child’s age and enthusiasms. These websites should help. All do independent reviews, and most sort apps by age group and subject area. Mind Leap Tech reviews educational apps with three things in mind: 1. Does the app trigger genuine learning? 2. Do kids enjoy using it? 3. Will they want to use it more than once? Apps are organized by grade level so you can pinpoint what works for pre-schoolers or fifth graders. And you can sign up for an e-mail that will alert you to new apps in particular areas. (www.mindleaptech.com) Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

Common Sense Media now reviews apps in addition to movies, video games, TV shows, websites, books and music. Run by a non-profit, this site uses an easy to understand rating system that helps parents zero in on content that is developmentally appropriate. Reviews also include a “learning rating” which considers engagement, learning approach, feedback and support. (www.commonsensemedia.org/mobile-applists)

subject that he or she didn’t quite master last year. (www.appsineducation.com)

Digital-storytime reviews picture books that have been adapted for the I-pad. In addition to a candid assessment of the book, each review includes screen shots and videos so you know what you’re getting before you buy. There are also some helpful top ten lists, many organized around topics that appeal to the author’s young son such as elephants, pirates and planets. (www. digital-storytime.com)

Daily dose. Several apps make each day a learning opportunity by delivering new content to your mobile device every 24 hours. Read Me Stories provides a daily book ideal for children who are just learning to read. (www.8interactive.com) Brain Pop offers a mini-movie about a random topic likely to interest elementary age children. (www. brainpop.com/app)

Teaching Appz is another good source for apps endorsed by teachers in Great Britain. The reviewers are quite selective so you don’t have to wade through a long list to find topnotch apps in various subjects. Reviews also include tips about how to use each app to stimulate learning. (www.teachingappz. co.uk)

Storia is another free app that gives readers easy access to many of the popular books available from Scholastic book clubs. You can choose five free books when you download the app. After that, you’ll pay from $1.95 to $20 per book. (www.scholastic. com/storia)

To be honest, kids from families who can afford smart phones and tablet computers are less likely to experience summer slump. “All children backslide in math,” says James Kim, a Harvard researcher who has studied summer slump. “In literacy, the gap between high and low socio-economic status children widens. Low-income students, who may not have the same level of access to books and literacy resources, tend to decline more than wealthier students.” Parents can help close this gap by getting involved in local literacy projects. Sort through your family library and donate outgrown books, games and educational toys to programs such as firstbook.org. Or use the interactive map under Volunteer at RIF.org to find and support a literacy initiative in your school district. You may find that the best way to prevent summer slump is by joining with other parents to be sure that all the kids in your community have loads of opportunities to learn this summer.

Apps in Education reviews 1000 apps each week to identify the ones that are most likely to be useful to teachers. This is a great place to look for apps that will help will help a child catch up on fractions or some other

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns. @ Copyright, 2015, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

International Children’s Digital Library offers a free app that gives children access to more than 4000 books from around the world. Many of the books have been translated so kids can listen to stories in more than one language. The Digital Library also offers an app that helps children write and share their own stories. (http:// en.childrenslibrary.org/)

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Q. What are the long-term effects of declaring bankruptcy?

A. One of the biggest aftershocks of

filing bankruptcy is that it stays on your credit report for years afterward. A Chapter 7 filing, which wipes out everything and gives you a clean slate, stays on your report for 10 years. Chapter 13, which is a repayments plan, and Chapter 11, another type of large bankruptcy or business bankruptcy, both stay on your credit bureau report for seven years. Another big problem is that it can follow you around when it comes to applications or when you apply for different types of licenses. Many of these ask if you’ve ever filed bankruptcy. It doesn’t ask if it’s still on your credit report; it will ask if you’ve ever filed bankruptcy. If you have, you’ll have instances for the rest of your life when you have to admit it and explain

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

it all over again. So, it’s an emotional scar that follows you around for a long, long time. Too many bankruptcy filers never really recover from their financial distress because they never learn new and better ways to manage their money. That’s why I recommend people do everything they can to avoid bankruptcy. It’s not an easy do-over; it’s a last-resort kind of thing. And in the vast majority of situations it’s just not necessary.

Q. I have a question about budgeting. I give myself and my husband $150 a month each for blow money to be used on whatever we want. I’m upset because he spends all his eating out, then he buys other things he wants that he has no money for. Am I being too stingy? A. I think you guys are handling your

money poorly. You’re acting like his mother instead of his wife, and he’s acting like a little boy instead of a man. You don’t want

to give your husband an allowance and then not be happy when he spends money “he didn’t have” because he went over what you dictated to him. That’s a bad budget process. The budget process, if you’re the nerd in the family, should start with you writing it all out. Then he sits down with you, has an equal say in the decisions and you two okay it together. He needs to understand that this is you asking him to man-up and be part of the decision-making process, so that you can both be in agreement as to what’s best for the family. In one sense, you may not like it at first, because right now you’ve got control of things. But in another sense, I’ll bet you’re pretty tired of carrying the weight of all the financial decision making and being the only adult in the household. He doesn’t even have to work on all that much. I want you to lay it out, but I expect him to sit down and go over it all with you. You’re not asking him to be an accountant with a pocket protector, but you have every right to expect him to be in on the decisions that are made about your family and your finances!

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Get in Touch with Toys

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Cultivating a child’s sense of touch is a vital part of early play as they learn to discern the differences among shape and texture. While we typically get plenty of cues from the world around us through our other four senses, the finer ability to identify shape, texture, temperature and more through touch alone are also important tools in the human toolbox. Supporting a child’s tactical development with toys that stimulate their sense of touch is easy and accessible with the following recommended items that are right at their fingertips.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Textured Tangle

Laundry Jumble Game

Kids get the feel for the Textured Tangle immediately as they discover a range of different textures among the eighteen interconnected pieces that wend and weave together in one whole touch toy. The tangle of colorful tubes featuring a variety of raised textures can slowly be uncoiled into a gently twisted circle – and then bent and manipulated back into its tangle. The rotating connection between the segments allow for an endless exploration of forms. Popular for both its therapeutic value as well as its entertainment factor, the added bonus of problemsolving cues that come with the Textured Tangle make it an exciting twist among tactile toys!

For everyone who has had to rummage in the bottom of stuffed luggage or dig into a roomy handbag for just the right item, the Laundry Jumble Game makes perfect sense as an ideal opportunity to cultivate identify-by-touch skills in kids. With a module that mimics a clothes dryer, small doll-size articles of clothing are placed inside for players to identify by touch alone as they try to ‘dress’ the animal characters on their game card. In addition to building their vocabulary and matching skills, the Laundry Jumble Game hones children’s fine motor moves as they use their sense of touch to complete their character’s ensemble.

(Educational Insights)

(Tangle Creations)

Winkle Sensory Ball

Kinetic Sand

A baby’s early ability to grasp objects is immediately followed by moving those same objects toward their mouth. Taking its directive from this early instinct, the Winkle Ball from Manhattan Toy features a maze of easily grasped soft plastic loops that are just the right size for little fists to handle and manipulate. Crafted with BPA-free materials, these loops are also safe for mouthing and teething. Combined with a gentle rattle and bright colors, the Winkle Ball maximizes babies’ surplus of sensitivity in their hands and mouths, stimulating their touch and gross motor skill exploration. Once babies get a grip on the Winkle ball, they won’t let it go.

Combining colorful sand with polymers, Kinetic Sand is one of the most captivating touch experiences in the world of kids toys. With the ability to fine mold, pour, stretch and shape, this dry mixture is a tactile delight for children (and adventurous adults). Whether they are manipulating the medium into their own fanciful forms or pressing out shapes from molds, Kinetic Sand offers kids an endless landscape of touch and motor skill exploration. It’s an ideal opportunity for little hands to dig in and get in touch with the creative genius just behind their fingertips!

(Kinetic Sand)

(Manhattan Toy)

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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When children pitch in with chores they learn more than responsibility. Children also acquire competence, selfreliance and self-worth, and an appreciation for teamwork and cooperation--skills that will accompany them throughout their lifetimes. Follow these tips to chill any chore wars in your home.

Begin Early

Little ones are eager to help. They can help you pick up and put away their toys, match socks, hand you their dishes, bring you ingredients, or stir the muffin batter. They are learning through your everyday experiences and loving guidance.

Start Small

Tasks should not be overwhelming. For example, asking a threeyear-old to clean the bathroom by himself is too much. So is folding all of the laundry. He can, though, learn how to rinse out the tub with a plastic cup after it is used or fold the washcloths and smaller towels.

Provide Choices

One of our jobs as parents is to raise the future’s responsible adults. Doing so begins at home. Parents can begin to build the foundation of responsibility through teaching and expecting their children to do their fare share around the house. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

When your child is older he can take on additional and more complex tasks like taking out the trash, walking the dog, and doing the dishes. These chores have multiple steps involved and will likely require some supervision and training until your child is doing them correctly. Have a family meeting for the purpose of discussing what chores need to be done and how often and who will be assigned to do them. Also make sure everyone understands that they may have to pitch in where needed, say another family member is sick or otherwise unavailable.

Do Your Part

Chores are part of daily life for every person, whether they live with others or not. Model a good attitude about doing chores. Be calm and matwww.easternshoreparents.com

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ter of fact when you are doing chores or asking your child to do them. A child who observes his parent doing a chore in this manner is more likely to cooperate when asked to do a chore. Consider partnering with your child, working along side them to complete a task. Partnering offers you the opportunity to explain why you do the task the way you do and demonstrate the steps you take. Ask your child to copy you. You are there to gently and lovingly encourage and guide him.

Provide Incentives and Rewards

August 12th 1pm-6pm August 15th 10am-2pm August 23rd 1pm-4pm

Motivate your child as he moves through preschool, elementary, middle, and high school years by using incentives and rewards, along with loving encouragement. Taylor incentives and rewards to the individual child and his interests. Be patient and consistent. And don’t forget the verbal praise, thanks and hugs.

Chore Ideas by Age Groups Preschoolers

• Clearing their place at the kitchen table. • Putting dishes in sink. • Matching socks. • Folding towels and washcloths. • Putting their toys away.

Elementary-Aged Children

• Help care for the family pet. • Putting their clothes away in their room. • Picking up their room. • Helping to put dishes away.

251 South Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532 | 251-610-8902

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Tweens • • • • •

Stripping and making the bed. Sweeping the floors. Vacuuming. Taking out the trash. Dusting.

Teens • • • • •

Doing the dishes. Laundry. Mowing the yard. Washing the car. Cleaning the bathroom. ESP

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest with her husband and four children. She is a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

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Spanish Fort Church of Christ July 12 - 15; 6:00pm - 8:30pm 8100 Spanish Fort Boulevard, Spanish Fort (251) 626-3064 “Under the Big Top” Nightly Bible classes for all ages! Carnival Family Fun Night on Wednesday night. Food, games and prizes. Christ the King Church July 13 - 17, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 1505 Main Street, Daphne  (251) 626-2343; www.ctk-daphne.org   “The Vatican Express” Open to ages 4 years – 6th Grade. The 5th and 6th grade will participate in Ultimate VBS (Extra events and field trips). Teen and Adult Volunteers of all ages are welcome! Registration Deadline: May 29, 2015. For information and registration contact the church or VBS Director Alyssa Morisani at sma11103@yahoo.com. Gulf Shores United Methodist Church July 13 - 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  1900 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 968-2411; www.gulfshoresumc.org Email: lee@gulfshoresumc.org “G-Force: God’s Love in Action” Open to ages 4 years (by Sept 1st) - 6th grade. Registration is available online and at the church office. Family Picnic Friday July 17th at 6:00 p.m.

Jubilee Baptist Church

July 13 - 17, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  9264 Pleasant Road, Daphne  (251) 621-7095; www.jubileebaptist.com   Email: john@jubileebaptist.com

“Journey Off The Map” Open to ages 3 years - 6th grade (completed). VBS Dinner served at 5:00 p.m. VBS following from 6 - 8 p.m. Online registration at www.jubileebaptist.com. For information, contact the church office. Trinity Presbyterian Church July 13 - 17, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  545 South Mobile Street, Fairhope  (251) 928-2524; www.tpcfairhope.org Email: tpconbay@gmail.com “G-Force: God’s Love in Action” Open to ages K4 – Rising 5th grade. Online registration will be available starting June 1st. For more information contact Jamie Jones at (251) 621-0775. New Life Assembly of God July 19, 20, 21, 6:30 PM 10424 Highway 31, Spanish Fort 251-656-3535 “Kickin’ Cowboy Kids Krusade” EVERYTHING IS FREE! Ascension Lutheran Church July 20 - 24, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  8888 County Road 64, Daphne  (251) 626-7500; www.ourdaphnechurch.org Email: office@OurDaphneChurch.org “Camp Discovery” Jesus at work Through Us!

Open to ages K-6th grade. Online registration available on church website. For more information contact the church office. Barnwell Baptist Church July 27 – 31, 8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. A commencement service and refreshments will be Friday July 31 at 5:30 p.m. 7780 US Highway 98, Fairhope (251) 928-8286; www.barnwell baptist.org Email: Robyn@ BarnwellBaptist.org “Everest” – Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power” Open to ages K - 5th grade. For registration and information, contact Robyn at the number or email listed above.

Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31 309 E 21st Avenue, Gulf Shores (251) 978-8130 “Camp Discovery” 9:00 am to 12 noon

We make every attempt to list the correct information regarding dates, times, etc. However, some events may change after the deadline for publication. Please check the event before attending.

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Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

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Eastern Shore Adult & Family Medicine Andrew Dukes, M.D. Dr. Dukes is board certified with 20 years of experience in family medicine.

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Don’t Deny Yourself a New Style...It’s Never Too Late When I visit my clients or speak to groups of women they almost always tell me one thing... I do not have any style or sense of fashion. To be honest with you, I don’t agree with those who say that. It doesn’t matter when you begin, how old you are, or what size you wear, we all have some sense of style. It’s about finding out what style you are comfortable in and embracing it. Sometimes we just need a little guidance when it comes to what style we are looking for. The main hesitation for making a style change I hear is age. Ladies are always saying, “I’m too old to change my style.” Well I’m here to tell you, ladies, you are never to old for change, especially when it comes to your style or fashion. Here are some steps that I hope you will find helpful: 1- Research a style you may like. The great thing about research is there are so many options to help you. Look through magazines, search the web and window shop to find ideas you are comfortable with when it comes to your age, weight, height, etc. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

2- Shop at a different store for a change in style. This might sound silly, but I can assure you it’s not. We get stuck in a routine when it comes to our wardrobe purchases. We are used to buying the same things from the same retail store. This makes it hard for change and you end up having a lot of the same styles in your closet. So, change it up a little. 3- Take baby steps when it comes to adding new trends to your wardrobe. 4- Start off by purchasing a new handbag or fun accessories. This can add a lot to your simple outfit without totally stepping out. 5 - Change your hair and makeup. Sound silly? It shouldn’t. Sometimes when you refresh your hairstyle and change your makeup (try a lighter or darker lipstick, change your nail color), these are small steps in building up to that look you are longing for. • Research a new cut or color. • Show your stylist or makeup artist what look you are wanting in regards to your change. They may or may not agree 52

with you, but this will allow them to understand what you are looking for. Being the professionals that they are they will be able to work in a look that’s comparable to the change you are looking for without drastic measures. 6 - Build your confidence. Stop saying I wish I could wear that and say I want to try to wear that. This is so important, ladies. Simply by telling yourself that you will take the time to try new things, including a little change in your wardrobe or style, will allow you to have an open mind to new changes. In return, this can give you the confidence you need. CONFIDENCE is key to embracing your new style. Some people have a sense of style and a great fashion flair, but there’s no reason you can’t learn or get help if you feel you don’t have a clue. It requires knowledge, effort, and the willingness to make a change. Getting out of your comfort zone is essential to moving in the right direction. Don’t try to find the time to look great, make the time to get the help you need to look and feel your very best, every day. You can do it if you set your mind to it. You will be surprised how small changes will go a long way. It will be worth your time and effort. Start with the small changes. You’ll be glad you did. Be everything you want to be and more!

Laura Handey is an independent clothing consultant in Pike Road, Alabama. You may reach her by email at laura@ centsiblysouthern. com or visit her website and read her blogs at www.centsiblysouthern.com.

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we divvied up the jobs. We ended up with a fun day at the park. There was a crown, some cupcakes, and lots of balloons in her favorite colors. My sweetheart felt like a princess, and I decided we could keep both kids after all. There are lots of tricks that can help you conjure up lowstress birthday fun. Here are some that helped me and other run-down parents give our children a happy day to celebrate their fantastic self:

have the time or energy to give your child the party she deserved? Maybe the birthday fell when you were sick, moving, or working double overtime. It happened to me when my oldest turned three. I was pregnant, as big as a house, and roughly as mobile. I felt like I was neglecting my daughter, and was eager to compensate with an exciting day that was all about her. The baby was due two months before Big One’s birthday. I told myself that as soon as I delivered this lead-filled watermelon, I would bounce right back to my old self and knock this party out of the park. To my dismay, Sweet Daughter the Second was born almost two weeks late, and she was a colicky handful. I stumbled through those recovery weeks on shattered sleep, and was just beginning to achieve a daily shower, when I realized that this much-hyped fiesta needed assembly. “How on earth do parents do this?” I wondered, as I nursed, rocked, nursed, changed, nursed, served cold leftovers, and nursed some more. Luckily, my wonderful family was there. When they asked, “What does she want for her birthday?” I said, “A party!” and Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

1. Ask for Help Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends might be game to help. Someone might even offer to plan the whole event, or maybe a crew would be happy to each bring a snack, a game, or an item of décor.

2. Go Off-Location Rather than cleaning and decorating your house, why not take the party to a restaurant or pool? For no cost, have a picnic at the park, or ask a generous friend or relative to host for you.

3. Keep it Intimate Instead of inviting the whole class or daycare roster, you could plan a special activity with just one or two close friends. Many kids socialize this way naturally, playing one-on-one or in a small group. A family-only party is another way to keep it low-key and focus on a favorite activity. 54

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4. Plan an Independence Day 7. Go Old School If you feel your child is old enough, maybe this birthday is a great time for that first unchaperoned trip to the mall or the movies. An older tween might really enjoy helping plan and execute this operation with one or two friends whom you trust to behave responsibly.

5. Gather Up a Potluck In the summertime, a laid-back multi-family potluck picnic can be a relaxing way to celebrate. The park or the beach will provide lots of fun with worry-free décor, menu, and activities.

6. Simplify Your Usual “I love planning parties,” says Angela, mom of two, “especially making cakes. I like to top them with figurines built out of modeling chocolate and work up a theme. When my oldest turned four, though, I didn’t have time for the usual prep. We went on holidays just before her birthday, right when I would normally be working on the party. I changed my plan and made a simple cake with colorful batter and icing rosettes. I got it all done in a day, and it was still very pretty and special.”

11. Call for Costumes

Julie, a mother of two and grandmother of five, knows her parties. She says, “We have thrown a lot of parties, and the kids still love the simple games, like threelegged races and wheelbarrow races.” More zero-prep games include freeze tag, hide and seek, Simon says, and follow the leader. Older kids might get a kick out of having a dance-off or lip synch battle to music played on your smart phone.

8. Go Back to School Marlene, mom of three, shares this idea about an easy, athletic party; “My neighbor organized a ball hockey party in the school parking lot one weekend. Since it wasn’t a school day, the lot was empty. The boys brought their own sticks, and she just brought a couple of nets, snacks, and cupcakes.

9. Work the Clock Plan your party for mid-morning or midafternoon, so you can serve some easy snacks instead of a whole meal.

10. Work the Calendar Have a small party now, and plan a lavish un-birthday when the timing is better.

Create an effortless theme by having everyone come in their favorite Halloween or dress-up outfit. The kids can grab pots and pans and have a costume parade down the street, or a quieter costumefashion show to show off their best catwalk moves and poses.

12. Camp Out If you have a backyard firepit, try a campout party. Let the kids roast their own hot dogs and marshmallows, and if they’re old enough, sleep over in tents. “We used to have backyard sleepovers in our tent trailer,” tells Abbey, a veteran party-goer. “It was just like camping, except we could come inside and use the nice bathroom.” If you have a child’s birthday coming up at a stressful time, take heart. There are plenty of ways you can create happy memories for your special kid with exactly the time and energy that you have. ESP Laurie loves sharing simple pleasures with her two girls, and is looking forward to a fun birthday season with these laid-back ideas.

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Cakes, Treats and Invitations

(For treats delivered to your party, see the “Entertainment to You” section)

Popcorn Candy Mountain

2417 S McKenzie St, Foley (251) 597-7676; www.popcorncandymountain.com Popcorn Candy Mountain strives to deliver delicious gourmet popcorn in a wide variety of flavor profiles. We offer over 50 flavors of gourmet popcorn along with flavored cotton candy. Our standard popcorn sizes are mini, small, medium, and large bags. Jumbo and party sized bags are available upon request. A Specialty Bakery & Party Shoppe 217 East 16th Avenue, Gulf Shores (251) 968-2253; www.aspecialtybakery.com Email: aspecialtybakery@gulftel.com A Specialty Bakery & Party Shoppe specializes in birthday cakes, wedding cakes, holiday sweets, and other specialty occasions. We also make cupcakes, specialized cookies, petit fours with a design of your choice on top, brownies, cheese straws, wedding cookies, and cream cheese mints. Andree’s Wine, Cheese & Things 403 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope (251) 928-8863; www.andreesonline.com Email: andreeswct@bellsouth.net Andree’s offers birthday and special event cakes of all sizes with a wide variety of cake flavors, fillings and icings. Visit us on Facebook to see photos. For more information call or email andreeswct@bellsouth.net. Chocolate Corner 200 West Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores (251) 948-2462; www.chocolatecorner.com We are a locally owned business that specializes in things that make you say “yumm”. Our specialty chocolate pops, barks, truffles and fudge make great treats

for any event. We can also package in goodies bags to make wonderful party favors! Couture Cakes 1905 Main Street, Daphne, (251) 626-9895 Tuesday - Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday - Reserved for Appointments and Deliveries. Couture Cakes can custom design the perfect cake for all occasions and themes. Visit us on Facebook to see pictures of our wonderful creations! Edible Arrangements 6890 US Highway 90, Daphne (251) 621-9413; www.ediblearrangements.com Looking for something different? Edible Arrangements offers delicious fresh fruit arrangements, baskets, bouquets and other delightful tasty gifts. Visit our website to see the wonderful children’s selection, Kids at Heart complete with Disney, Sesame Street, Hello Kitty and Disney Princess arrangements. Great American Cookie Company 30500 State Hwy 181, Spanish Ft (Eastern Shore Centre), (251) 621-7977; www. greatamericancookies.com We do all kinds of cookie cakes for all occasions. We bake fresh every day. Say it with a cookie cake! Visit our website for more information. Hope’s Cheesecake 210 East 20th Avenue, Gulf Shores (251) 968-5858; www.hopescheesecake.com Email: hopescheesecake@gmail.com HOPE’s is a Gourmet Desserts Bakery staffed by bakers with more than 30 years baking experience. We are dedicated to making the best and most delicious cheesecakes, cupcakes and a variety of other desserts

money can buy and delivering them to you “dinner party ready”. Our Gourmet cheesecakes with their unique crust are made in small batches with the finest ingredients like Kraft Philadelphia® cream cheese, fresh whole eggs, pure-cane sugar and juice squeezed from fresh lemons. We bake our Gourmet cheesecakes to exacting standards Seven days a week in our Gulf Shores, Alabama Bakery. Stop by our local Alabama Store or Shop our wide selection of cheesecakes on our online shop. JAM Cakery 18880 Highway 181, Fairhope (251) 599-7977; www.jamcakery.com Email: olga@jamcakery.com JAM Cakery is a custom sweets and cake shop with a simple goal of creating unique, one of a kind designs for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, showers and any other occasions. We strive to combine the taste and artistry to make our customer’s event more memorable. Each cake and dessert is freshly baked, never frozen, custom decorated, and delicious. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, creativity, and personalized customer service for all of our orders, no matter how big or small. We believe “cake matters.” JAM Cakery can help create an unforgettable experience and add a distinct touch to your special event. For more information visit us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/JAMCakery. The Little Cake Shop 10198 US Highway 31, Spanish Fort, (251) 621-9097 Hours are Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Email littlecakeshop@att.net

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No matter the occasion Little Cake Shop can create the perfect cake for you. Visit us on Facebook to see our photos and options. Our specialists are available to answer any questions. Marble Slab Creamery 30500 Hwy 181, Spanish Fort (Eastern Shore Centre) (251) 621-7900; www.marbleslab.com Hours are Monday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Marble Slab Creamery can help turn any event into a special occasion. Whether you want a Sundae Bar, Portable Slab* or an ice cream cake to match your theme, you can count on us to dish out the freshest, best tasting ice cream anywhere. The Portable Slab is where we bring the Slab to you. It is like having a Marble Slab Creamery store brought to your party or event. The Portable Slab is complete with toppings, waffle cones and more! Something Sweet 1712 Main Street, Daphne (251) 621-2253; www.sweettreatsdaphne.com Email: sweettreatsdaphne@icloud.com Something Sweet offers many different kinds of cupcakes along with bar cookies and cakes. We can also make cupcake cakes. Visit our website, call or email us for more information. Stampin’ Up (251) 454-9545; www.jackiebarfield.stampinup.net Email: jackieb410@bellsouth.net Have you always wanted to create your own one-of-a kind, hand-made invitations, announcements or thank-

you notes? Call Jackie with Stampin’ Up to help you with all of your special occasions. Also ask about our private parties and private group classes! Stationery Studio 412 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope (251) 990-9940; www.fairhopefinepaper.com Email: Kristen@fairhopefinepaper.com We have a great selection of invitations for every occasion and every event! Whether it’s a family gathering, a special 1st Birthday, a Sweet Sixteen soiree, or a blowout event for the 40th, we have several themes from silly to sophisticated and formal to festive! Call Kristen to make an appointment to discuss your invitations or stationery needs!

Entertainment - To You Bricks 4 Kidz

(251) 300-4796; www.bricks4kidz.com/mobile Looking for something different than the old run-ofthe-mill birthday party? Why not have a Lego® party with Bricks 4 Kidz®? We can customize the theme of the party based on your child’s interest and either host the party at our location or bring the party to you. For more information and booking contact lsmith@ bricks4kidz.com or nsmith@bricks4kidz.com.

GyroSpace

(251) 654-1311 We provide unique fun for children and adults at your location! GyroSpace will bring TWO human-powered

gyroscopes right to your house! Each person controls their own ride at the pace they enjoy. Some like it fast, some just want a good backstretch. Because it is rider controlled, there is NO dizziness or nausea ever! No power needed. We do the work. A GyroSpace party makes great photos and memorable times. This will be a new family favorite. Azalea City DJ’s – “Dr. Feelgood” (251) 689-6226; mustagotlost@gmail.com DJ for all types of events: weddings, receptions, high school events, middle school events, elementary school events, bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah; you name it, we do it! Visit us on Facebook for events and updates. DK the Clown (251) 554-2874; Daphne Email: dkssilkflowers@aol.com Let DK the Clown entertain at your next event. DK is a Graduate of the Circus Clown School, a member of the World Clown Association and is Licensed and Insured. Balloon Artist, Face Painting and Entertainment. DK the Clown is a great choice for Birthday Parties, Corporate Events, Reunions and Church Events. Visit us on Facebook! Dr. Gee’s Magic and Balloons (251) 662-7415; www.facebook.com/DrGeesMagicandBalloons; Email: thedrgee@hotmail.com Dr. Gee’s offers Balloons and Magic for parties, promotions and events. Dr. Gee makes your event exciting with entertaining magic and creative and colorful balloons, which include unique princesses, mermaids,

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aliens and balloon hairbands for any kid at any age! Your guests will say: “How did he DO THAT?” Dr. Gee entertains in Mobile, Eastern Shore, Mississippi and Florida. For information feel free to call or email us.

Famous Friendz (251) 581-2822; jennifer@hotwheelsdaphne.com Looking for a Famous Friend to help bring your child’s party to life? We have lots of Famous Friendz to choose from that can come and visit your party or special event to really make it extra special!! Visit us on Facebook for photos and updates.

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FRIOS Gourmet Pops Frios of Fairhope, 85 North Bancroft Street, Fairhope (251) 581-1909; www.friospops.com Email: kari@friospops.com LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, 200 East 25th Avenue, Gulf Shores, (251) 967-5858 Have a Frios Cart come to your Birthday celebration for a delicious and healthy frozen treat for you and your guests! Our carts are out and about at festivals, special events, and available for private parties and corporate events. We are also located inside the Windmill Market in downtown Fairhope and at LuLu’s in Gulf Shores. Call today to schedule our cart at your next event or come by one of our locations for an awesome summer treat! Visit us on Instagram and Twitter @friosfairhope. The Game Machine (251) 209-9986; www.thegamemachine.biz Email: mlmatzenger@yahoo.com The Game Machine is a 28ft Trailer ready for your party crew to experience the HOTTEST Video Games on 4x55inch screens. 16 Players at one time, can play inside an air conditioned, stadium seating, Machine! WE bring the FUN to YOU! Offering services for Birthday parties, Corporate Events, Community Day Events, Day Camp and Church events, we can do them ALL! Visit us on Facebook! Giddy Up n’ Go Pony Rides 19870 County Road 13, Fairhope (251) 210-3938; littlejoenjake@hotmail.com Giddy-Up N Go pony rides offer one and two-hour pony rides for your special event. The kids will never forget the special day with the ponies. Giddy-Up N Go is available for Birthday parties, Family Reunions, Festivals, Church Events or Business Promotions. We can come to you or you can come to us in beautiful Fairhope. We also provide private, basic horsemanship and riding lessons. Our small private barn allows students to get individual attention. We encourage self-confidence, balance, knowledge along with respect and appreciation of others and the horses, all while having fun. Rawhide Boarding Stables 14900 County Road 3, Fairhope (251) 928-7897; www.facebook.com/pages/RawhideStables/218394791634784 We bring the ponies to you for a great birthday party everyone will remember! Raw Hide Stables also offers family trail rides, boarding and riding lessons. Please call for information, detailed rates and reservations. Reno’s Reptiles (850) 393-3004; www.renosreptiles.com Email: rsnakeman@aol.com No transportation needed. We come to you! Reno’s Reptiles books reptile shows for birthday parties, scouts, picnics, church groups, charity events, daycares, and even for some local schools. Our shows offer a great adventure with minimal effort from you, a safe and controlled environment and it’s so easy to organize! We provide an exciting age appropriate

experience. The kids will have so much fun only the parents will know it’s educational! You can choose from a variety of reptiles you want at your event. Basic party packages start at $200. For more information, booking and prices please call or email rsnakeman@aol.com. Tanglewood Theatrical Services of Mobile (251) 510-0654; wolf_kyn@yahoo.com We offer face painting for parties of all sizes, balloon arches, custom murals and backdrops, custom artwork and calligraphy. We can provide custom certificates, invitations, table decorations, specialty props and custom made costumes. We also specialize in entertainment ranging from dance to theatricals. We have over 20 years combined experience in theater, so we know that atmosphere is everything. For more information call or email Shari Prestwood for appointments and reservations. Visit us on Facebook for photos! Uncle Joe’s Rolling Zoo 13125 Malone Road, Chunchula, (251) 866-7713 Uncle Joe’s Rolling Zoo is a great place for your next birthday party or event. Friendly animals are brought to your location for a fun petting zoo experience. Although located in Chunchula, Alabama, our sweet animals love to travel to you and meet new friends! Please call for reservations.

Rentals and Inflatables Eastern Shore Inflatables

(251) 509-2625; www.esjump.com Email: chris@esjump.com We bring inflatable fun to you! We carry Water Slides, Dry Slides and Combination Bounce Houses with Free Delivery and Setup. We also have rental equipment for concessions, trains, rock climbing walls, tables, chairs, movie screens, carnival games, and mechanical bulls! We are fully insured are the Cleanest Inflatables in Baldwin County. For more information call or email chris@esjump.com. Drop Zone Inflatables (251) 604-9132; www.dropzoneinflatables.com Email: sales@dropzoneinflatables.com Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m. Drop Zone Inflatables will make your party the best one ever! Brand new, clean equipment, Fully Insured, offering bounce houses, water slides and more! For information email sales@dropzoneinflatables.com. Fitzpen Place (Limo and Venue Rental) 11247 US Highway 31, Spanish Fort (251) 621-6665; www.fitzpenplace.com Email: events@fitzpenplace.com The Perfect Ride for YOUR Special Day! Going out on the town for Pizza, Ice Cream, Bowling, Mani/Pedis, or just cruising, you’ll arrive in style! See our ad to view our beautiful limousines! We also have a spacious, cozy and stylish 3700 square foot ballroom that accommodates up to 200 people. Also available is a 40’ x 60’ pavilion that will allow extra room for the more expansive guest lists. Our beautifully landscaped pond and picnic area can provide an outside garden atmosphere. The younger members on your guest list, ages 2-12 years old, can be entertained on our playground out back while being supervised by an adult 18 years or older. For more information please call or email us. Gulf Coast Events & Rentals 26121 Equity Drive Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 621-1233; www.gceventsandrentals.com Email: sales@gceventsandrentals.com

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Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Gulf Coast Events & Rentals was founded in October of 2005 as “Toro Jumps” on the premises to put quality products and customer service first. We quickly grew to one of the largest party rental companies in Baldwin County. We can help customize your next fundraiser, wedding, birthday party or special occasion to be remembered for years to come! From waterslides, inflatables, concessions equipment, tables, chairs, tents, carnival games, and even miscellaneous items to make planning less stressful. Visit our website to view the many items we offer or stop by our showroom. At Gulf Coast Events & Rentals you can get everything in one place! Although walk-ins are always welcome, we encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. Just 4 Fun Inflatables (251) 923-7279; www.just4funinflatables.net Email: foodforliving@hotmail.com For your special occasion, depend on Just 4 Fun Inflatables to make your party easy, fun and memorable. We offer bouncers, dry slides, water slides, adventure obstacles, interactive inflatable games and marketing promotions. Serving Bay Minette, Bon Secour, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Loxley, Magnolia Springs, Mobile, Montrose, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Pensacola, Summerdale and Silverhill. Miller’s Grand Events 25341 State Highway 181, Daphne (251) 625-4910; www.millersgrandevents.com Email: sales@millersgrandevents.com Hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We are closed on Sunday. Whether you’re planning a catered affair or corporate event, a wedding reception, fundraiser or a graduation party, you’ve come to the right place. With our expanding inventory of rental products, expert event coordinators and seasonal retail party supplies, we can offer you a total event package from one convenient source. Outdoor Fun Inflatables Servicing the Eastern Shore and all of Baldwin County (251) 923-7719; www.outdoorfuninflatables.com

We offer water inflatables, dry inflatables, tents, tables and chairs and a mechanical bull! Great for birthday parties, school and church events and more! We deliver to you. Visit us on Facebook or our website for photos of inventory. Call to reserve your next rental today!

Places to Party

Amusement Parks and Adventure Alligator Alley

Waterville, USA

906 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 948-2106; www.watervilleusa.com Waterville USA is a beautiful, fun and safe setting for your group outing. Our park offers something for everyone from the smallest tyke to adults. It’s fun for people of all ages! Join the family fun with the Waterpark, Flowrider, Mini Golf, Bounce House, Go-Karts, Arcade, Rollercoaster and much more! For park dates and times please visit watervilleusa.com. Take advantage of the discount with a SEASON PASS! Contact us for detailed birthday information. Back Country Trail 3801 Orange Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach (Gulf State Park), (251) 981-1180

www.backcountrytrail.com Email: trail@cityoforangebeach.com Bike or Hike to your next family picnic, birthday party, or field trip on the Backcountry Trail. Enjoy biking, hiking, bouldering, and the butterfly garden as you tour 13 miles of scenic trails through Gulf State Park. Don’t forget to visit the Campground Store to purchase trail gear and snacks! Dolphins Down Under 27267 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach (251) 968-5386; www.dolphinsdownunder.net Dolphin, Pirate and Luau parties are the way to go at the beach! Celebrate aboard a Glass-bottom dolphin boat while searching for dolphins! Our dolphin boats are safe, sturdy and ready for your child’s birthday bash. We offer party supplies and cake or have the vessel catered. Kids and Adults will remember this unique and exciting celebration for years to come! For info and reservations call (251) 968-4FUN (4386). Exploreum 65 Government Street, Mobile (251) 208-6873; www.exploreum.com Tuesday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. At the Gulf Coast Exploreum, we’ve got children’s birthday parties down to a science. When you book your child’s party with us, you relax while we do all the work. We provide your invitations, party favors, a uniquely themed cake and a fun experiment to entertain your child and his or her guests. We’ll even handle cleaning up! Plan your party around one of our special packages and then let us do the rest! Each Birthday Party includes the following: Free exhibit admission for up to 30 people – children and adults (ANY additional guests are $8.00 per person) • One hour in a designated exhibit hall prior to party (Enjoy all Exploreum afterwards)• One hour in the birthday party room (located in the upstairs classroom)• Birthday party coordinator during party room time • Science experiment • Gift for the birthday child • Tablecloths, plates, napkins and forks• Decorations and party favors • Capri Sun • Birthday Cake. Call your birthday party coordinator at (251) 208-6880 to book your next party!

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The PERFECT Place For a Summer Birthday Party! Five Rivers Delta Safaris 30841 Fiver Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort (251) 259-8531; www.5RDS.com Email: mdorie@wildnative.com Delta Safaris offers boat based Birthday Parties for up to 42 guests aboard our fully covered USCG passenger vessel “Osprey”. All birthday parties consist of a 1 hour wildlife boat tour, where we spot alligators, eagles, osprey, cormorants, heron and a variety of other birds, fish and mammals, before returning to land to sing happy birthday and enjoy the birthday cake (provided) at one of our many picnic areas located throughout 5 Rivers. Children’s parties with boat ride and cake is $250 (+ tax). Additional activities may be added to your party including an extended boat tour, canoe/ kayak/pedal boat rentals, custom scavenger hunts or water games. Prices for these options vary; please request a custom quote if any of these add-ons interest you or your group requires other specific needs.

Super Soaker Party Bounce Party Surf’s Up Party Fun Pass Party Rocking Rides Party Fun Depot Party Special Guests All Summer Long! Upcoming Special Appearances:

July 26 - Swimming with the Mermaids August 9 - Swimming with Tink

Pirate Ship Cruises and Alabama Cruises 4575 South Wilson Boulevard, Orange Beach (251) 981-4127; www.hudsonmarina.net or www.alabamacruises.com Email: hudsonmarinaob@gmail.com Sail on our Orange Beach Pirate Cruise as we bring the most unique form of family entertainment on the Gulf Coast. Bring your young pirates aboard the American Star for a swashbuckling Pirate Adventure on Terry Cove in Orange Beach. Our pirate ship is an all-wooden boat, designed to match the replica of The Pinta, which sailed the seas back in the late 1400’s. We also offer cruises on our Perdido Queen paddle wheel boat that holds up to 150 people. Our Private Dinner Cruises consist of a 2 hour cruise from Hudson Marina into Terry Cove, to Bayou St. John into the mouth of Perdido Bay and back again. For more specific information, pricing and photos, visit our website. Pirate’s Island Golf 3201 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 968-4653, www.piratesislandgolf.com Email: pigulfshores@me.com Come celebrate your special day at Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf. You and your guests are sure to have a blast! The adventures and legends of infamous pirates come to life in our award-winning theme park settings. Putt your way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls, all amidst a fun-filled atmosphere of natural wonders, extraordinary landscaping, and enchanting pirate lore. Sharky’s Family Adventure Park 23299 Wharf Lane, Orange Beach (at The Wharf) (251) 454-7283; www.facebook.com/sharkysAdventure Email: sharkysatwharf@gmail.com Celebrate your special day with a little adventure. Birthday parties of 8 or more guests can challenge themselves on the Sky Trail® and Sky Rail ropes course and mini golf course. Space within our party area will be reserved for you to gather. Food menu is available upon request. Feel free to bring your own cake. The Track 3200 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 968-8111; www.gulfshorestrack.com The Track offers a 2 hour unlimited armband for groups of 20 or more. Please book these groups during armband availability periods. It is recommended to schedule these events 1 week in advance. The Track offers many activities including miniature golf, go karts,

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bumper boats, Kids Country, Bungee, Sky Flyer and several fun games. For more information and booking contact trackinfo@gulfshorestrack.com. USS Alabama Battleship 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile (251) 433-2703; www.ussalabama.com Email: btunnell@ussalabama.com Celebrate your child’s next birthday aboard the Battleship USS ALABAMA. The party can be held outside on the Fantail of the ship (back deck) or inside the ship in the Wardroom. All of your guests will enjoy touring the Battleship USS ALABAMA, the Submarine USS DRUM, and the Aircraft Pavilion. Admiral’s Package: $250 (Receive $30 off with a Family Membership) Admission for up to 20 children (additional children are $5), Party room or area for 2 hours, tables and chairs provided, Set up and clean up. No charge for guest parking. Captain’s Package: Group rate admission (Ages 12 and up $10 and Ages 6-11 $5) Picnic facilities available in the park. Please call to schedule your next party. Wales West RV Resort & Light Railway 13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill (251) 232-2322; www.waleswest.com Email: kidslovtrains@yahoo.com At Wales West, we can design a party to fit your needs. We have a large room, kitchen and deck overlooking the lake. We have an RV Park on site and other amenities include a petting zoo, party barn, Real English Steam Train, indoor heated pool, playground, and lake

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

with waterfall. You can also enjoy fishing and pedal boats. Wales West offers catering for your event and even fireworks shows! For more information and book your next party contact Shelby at kidslovtrains@yahoo. com or call (251) 752-5426.

Arcades, Sports and Indoor Fun Kangarooz

31000 Bass Pro Drive (Next to Bass Pro Shop) (251) 382-1973 or (251) 219-4290 www.mykangarooz.com At Kangarooz Family Fun Center we strive to offer the best in family entertainment. Our company goal is to provide a safe, clean place for your family to play with excellent guest services. Our parties are $165 for 6 children, $190 for 8 children, $215 for 10 children, and $290 for 16 children. Each additional child is billed at our Open Play Admission price by age. Each party includes a party host, party invitations, admission for each party guest, a private themed party room for 2 hours, drinks, pizza, games, bluebell ice cream cups, balloons and paper products, a visit from the Kangarooz mascot, a gift for the birthday child. We do have additional items available at an extra cost. All you have to do is bring the cake! Call to check availability and reserve your party today. For more information contact our Spanish Fort location at (251) 382-1973.

Magnolia Farms Paintball

15275 County Road 49, Summerdale (251) 605-7216; magnoliafarmspaintball.com Nestled on the north 20 acres of the Magnolia Farms Corn Maze, is the action packed sport of paintball! Whether you are a PSP League player, have a birthday party to plan, team building exercises, or you and a group of friends want to have fun all day long on our ever expanding paintball field, we have what you are looking for in a convenient central Baldwin County location. Open to ages 10 and up. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Find us on Facebook or visit our website for details. Arena-The Next Level Laser Tag/Bazookaball 4720 Main Street, Orange Beach (at The Wharf)  (251) 224-5297(LAZR); www.arenaorangebeach.com   Visit us for Great entertainment for all ages, and perfect for birthday parties, civic outings, and family vacations. We offer Laser Tag and Bazooka Ball as well as arcade games. Our facility is over 10,000 square feet of fun and excitement, located on the upper level of the Wharf. For more information call or visit our website. Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information and rates call or visit our website. Eastern Shore Lanes 10460 Eastern Shore Boulevard, Spanish Fort (behind Eastern Shore Centre)

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(251) 625-3400; www.eslanes.com ES Lanes offers several party packages for all ages. Laser Tag and the game center are available for an added fee. All party packages come with a party host/hostess, games, party room, arcade card for each guest, pizza, drinks and bowling! For more information and detailed party packages visit our website. Fat Daddy’s Arcade 24565 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach (251) 980-1050; www.fatdaddysarcadedestin.com Fat Daddy’s now has 3 locations to make your birthday special. Fat Daddy’s Arcade is the place to party, Rain or Shine! Our Orange Beach location features approximately 65 games. Have a Pizza and arcade party. We have several party packages to choose from including pizza, tokens, drinks, and decorated party space with a party host. The Fieldhouse 26037 Capitol Drive, Daphne (251) 626-0190; www.trainatthefieldhouse.com The Fieldhouse is a great place to hold your athlete’s next birthday party. Our enthusiastic and experienced staff can tailor a program to your specific sports interests. Your party includes 2 hours in our facility, trained staff members to conduct sports games, pizza, water, invitations and more. The Gulf Bowl 2881 South Juniper St, Foley (behind Tanger Outlet) (251) 943-4575; www.gulfbowl.com

Have your birthday party, church group, clubs and company parties and The Gulf Bowl. Come visit the restaurant and arcade for tons of family fun!

Art, Spa and Tea Parties

Hot Wheels Skate Center 616 Whispering Pines Road, Daphne (251) 626-5120; www.hotwheelsdaphne.com Hot Wheels provides great party packages that include three hours of skating and skate rental. We offer soft drinks, pizza, place settings and invitations. Parties are available Saturdays & Sundays 2 -5 p.m. We also offer special VIP Parties for tweens on Saturday Nights from 7- 10 p.m. Visit our website to view details of each party package. Call to book your next skate party!

1203 US Highway 98, Ste. 2G, Daphne (251) 279-0145; www.bayartexchange.com Email: Amanda.carter@bayartexchange.com Art and Crafts Parties for all age! In the venue of your choice! Totally customizable! Perfect for birthdays, team-building, Girls Night Out or whatever you want!

Bay Art Exchange

Charming Teacup

Mobile Bay Bears Birthday Parties 755 Bolling Brothers Boulevard, Mobile (251) 479-2327; www.mobilebaybears.com Email: Bradley@mobilebaybears.com Hit a home run when you plan your child’s next birthday party! The BayBears party package includes 12 baseline box seats, 1 dozen cupcakes from Simply Sweet Cupcake Boutique, a reserved party area and a video board welcome. The birthday child will receive a souvenir baseball and throw out a first pitch! Package prices start at $140 and additional seats are available at the group rate.

17111 Scenic Highway 98, Point Clear (Inside Punta Clara Candy Kitchen Historic Home) (251) 300-0231; www.charmingteacup.com Email: courtney@charmingteacup.com Give your little girl a birthday she’ll always remember! Charming Victorian Tea Parties for little ladies ages 3-12. We provide the gorgeous gowns, fancy hats, jewelry and a full tea service on dainty china. Etiquette, ballroom dancing, and games also included. You won’t have to lift a finger! We have 6 fabulous party packages to choose from. We also have party packages for Ladies celebrating birthdays, baby/bridal showers, graduations or just fun with the girls! Spaces fill quickly so book your party today!

Rotolo’s Pizzeria Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope (251) 990-4005; www.rotolos.com Contact or visit Rotolo’s Pizzeria today to find out about our birthday parties with arcade and catering options.

456-A North Section Street, Fairhope (251) 802-1009; www.fairhope.pzazzart.com Book your next Paint Party with P’zazz! Children will

P’zazz Art Studio

Kangarooz Family Fun Centers www.mykangarooz.com

We are a 23,000 sf indoor playground with multiple jumpers, video games, cafe, stage, make believe styles, and 5 party rooms.

We have Great Birthday Parties Our parties start at $195 for 10 children. There is a $100 nonrefundable deposit at booking. Included: A party host to ensure that everyone has a great time. Pizza and Soft Drink Pitcher (amount of these depend on the size of party). Party invitations for all the children in the party. Gift for the birthday child. One themed private party room for 2 hours. Ice cream cups for each child. Kangarooz mascot visit. Party accessories (plates, utensils). HD TV in each party room. Games at the stage where your guests can win prizes such as face paints and snow cones.

Kangarooz - Spanish Fort

Spanish Fort Town Center 31000 Bass Pro Dr. (Next to Bass Pro Shop) Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Phone: (251) 219-4290 63

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have the use of our studio for 2 hours, a 16x20 canvas for each guest, supplies and instruction on how to paint the picture of your choice. Bring your own cake, food and drinks. For an additional fee, P’zazz offers custom invitations and we will even mail them out for you! Visit our website to view the many art pieces to choose from. For info and to book your party, call us today. Build-A-Bear Workshop 30500 Hwy 181, Spanish Fort (Eastern Shore Centre) (251) 625-4183; www.buildabear.com 4751 Main Street, Orange Beach (The Wharf) (251) 224-1686 Each guest will make his or her own stuffed animal friend. A party leader guides them through each step of the bear building fun and then through party games. Party time ranges from 1-1.5 hours, depending on the number of guests. A minimum of 6 guests is required for each party package. Parties include a party host, photo, printable invitations, thank you notes and party gifts for each guest. For more information and party package details, visit our website or call (877) 789BEAR (2327). Blue Girl Beading Co. 2200 East 2nd Street, Gulf Shores (251) 968-6900; www.bluegirlbeadingco.com Email: aratbeads@yahoo.com Hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Blue Girl Beading Company is a unique beading and jewelry boutique that offers jewelry making birthday parties in shop or at your event. We have a unique

team that is devoted to creating a fun event with the latest and most trendy styles. Coastal Arts Center 26389 Canal Road, Orange Beach (251) 981-2787; www.coastalartscenter.com Email: jjones@cityoforangebeach.com Call us to book your birthday party or special event in The Clay Studio or The Hot Shop. Clay Studio - Resident Ceramics Artist Maya BlumeCantrell will guide you through hand building or throwing on the pottery wheel. Private party rentals cost $75 per hour and include the entire Clay Studio space, personal instruction from the artist, clay, glaze and paint supplies, and 2 kiln firings for all works completed during the party. Cake, drinks, and moderate decorations are welcome, but must be set up and broken down during your rental time. Ceramic/clay pieces for painting are an additional $15 per participant. Maximum number of party participants is 12 if you include paint-your-own. Two hours of rental time is required if you have more than 6 participants, or if you plan to have cake/drinks. The Hot Shop at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is our fully functional glass studio where you can enjoy glass forming and blowing experiences with your friends and family. Bring your organization, friends or family for a fun and exciting presentation of glassblowing! The base fee for a Hot Shop experience and demonstration is $125/hour. You may also plan for attendees to have a “make your own glass” experience (for an additional fee based on items made), or request a custom piece of art to be made during your event.

Christie’s Paint n Shop 27267 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach (251) 981-7770; www.ChristiesPaintnShop.com Email: ChristiesPaintnShop@gmail.com Christie’s Paint Shop is great for bridal showers, corporate events, birthday parties, baby showers, church groups and much more! We offer private in-studio parties by reservation. Space fills quickly so please call to check availability. At Christie’s Paint n Shop you can choose your painting from a variety of paintings featured on our website. Feel free to stop by our studio to see our full collection! There is a 10-person minimum required for a private class in our studio. The cost is $35 per person ($25.00 for ages 12 and under) and includes a 16x20 canvas, paint, easel, brushes, apron, etc. You are welcome to bring your own food and nonalcoholic beverages. Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Eastern Shore Art Center 401 Oak Street, Fairhope (251) 928-2228; www.esartcenter.com Email: Melinda@esartcenter.com Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Let one of our children’s art instructors plan an “art party” for your child’s special day. Clay and painting classes are also available. Please call for information. Genesis College Spa Parties 7241 Dolphin Street, Daphne (251) 445-8900; www.genesiscareer.edu If you are looking to have a Spa Party, Genesis Career College is the place for you! Up-dos, manicures,

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pedicures, you create the party package you want! (Genesis students perform Spa services). Paint’n Parrot 9 North Church Street, Fairhope (251) 928-4161; www.paintnparrot.com Email: robm1490@gmail.com Paint’n Parrot is a pottery painting and fused glass playground. Paint’n Parrot has everything you need to create a hand-painted piece of pottery for any occasion. We even have design tools to help you along. Great for birthday parties, scout groups, office parties, bridal showers and summer outings. We have several pottery packages to choose from. Please call or email us. Paint & Pals 28600 US Hwy 98, Daphne (251) 654-2313; www.paintandpals.com Paint parties are fun for birthdays, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, holiday parties, baby showers and other special occasions. Paint parties are for adults and kids! Schedule a paint party for your child’s birthday or graduation at either our Mobile studio or Daphne location. To find out more about having a paint party for your child, call or visit our website. Painting with Shannon (251) 459-4409; jonnoble@bellsouth.net Painting with Shannon welcomes each young artist as a unique individual, beaming with potential. Children create wonderful works of art in a creative environment. We have art projects to compliment almost any theme! Call or email for more information. Visit Painting with Shannon on Facebook to view our photos.

Dance and Gymnastics Bay City Gymnastics

7980 American Way, Daphne (251) 621-2112; www.bcgagymnastics.com Email: bcgagym@att.net Looking for a fun place for your child to have his/ her birthday party? Interested in Jumping and Jiving or Rock N’ Rolling? Let us help you make your child’s birthday a day to remember. We offer a 1.5-hour birthday party package. You will have 1 hour in our state of the art facility and 30 minutes in our party room. You won’t have to worry about the heat of the summer or being rained out in our fully air conditioned facility. We provide the activities and you provide the cake and ice cream. You will be assigned two party hostesses. They will help your child and his/her friends run through obstacle courses, play games, relay races, jumping on our 40 foot long Tumble Track Trampoline or even come and climb on our cargo net or zing down our zip line! Our weekends fill up fast, so call today to schedule your child’s party! For more information email bcgagym@att.net.

Baypointe Dance Academy

25476 Friendship Road, Daphne 112 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette (251) 621-3980; www.baypointedance.com Come dance the day away with Baypointe Dance Academy. We have dance parties for all ages and dance styles from classical ballet to hip hop.

Creative Outlet Dance Center

66 South Section Street, Fairhope (251) 928-9511; www.creativeoutletdance.com Email: info@creativeoutletdance.com Ballerina, Princess and Pop Star are popular themed

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parties. We provide the facility, entertainment (ballet and dance activities and games) and dress-up clothes for 15 guests. Moms can bring in food and favors. Our 1.5-hour party is $100. Call to reserve your Creative Outlet Dance party today!

Eastern Shore Dance Academy

9063 Merritt Lane, Daphne (251) 626-2300; www.easternshoredanceacademy.us Whether you are as pretty as a Princess, looking for some funky Hip Hop or into all that Jazz, we have a party for you! We offer birthday parties for all ages. Our 2-hour parties include dance instruction, a performance for the parents and loads of fun. Bring your own cake, drinks and snacks. We’ll supply the fun.

Eastern Shore Gymnastics Academy, Inc.

8566 Athlete Drive, Daphne (251) 447-0505; www.easternshoregymnastics.com Private Parties include one hour of structured gymnastics and 30 minutes in the party room for cake & gift opening. We supply the tablecloth, plates, cups, napkins, forks, party favors for guests and clean up. You supply cake, ice cream and drinks. The birthday child receives a T-shirt. For more information call or email easternshoregym@att.net.

Gulf Coast Dance Alliance 30752 Ember Lane, Spanish Fort (251) 621-9755; www.gcdadance.com

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Whether your birthday child likes ballet, jazz, hip-hop or acro/gym, we have a party for you! For more information and to book your next party call or visit our website.

The Little Gym

22530 Highway 98, Fairhope (Publix Shopping Center) (251) 928-3387; www.tlgeasternshoreal.com Email: tlgeasternshoreal@thelittlegym.com There’s no better place to celebrate a birthday than at The Little Gym. That’s because it’s incredibly fun for kids and incredibly easy for you. Kids tell us their birthday party at The Little Gym is the most awesome party they’ve ever had! Parents love it, too, because we take care of everything. Our parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. The first 60 minutes is spent in our gym engaged in age-appropriate instructor-led games, activities, supervised free play, and the use of our famous air-track! The final 30 minutes of celebration is spent in our specially decorated party room enjoying cake, drinks and presents. We provide the invitations. You give us the list and we do the rest! Our qualified instructors set up, lead the fun, and cleanup. We provide a Little Gym t-shirt for the birthday child, drinks for the children, drinks for adults, all paper products, balloons for decorations and gift registry. Bring the cake, the kids, and the camera and come join in the fun! Voted by Parents Magazine as the Nations #1 Party Spot.

Southern Edge Dance Center

251 South Greeno Road, Fairhope (251) 610-8902; www.southernedgedancecenter.com Dance the Day Away with a Southern Edge Dance Party. Choose from our more popular themes such as Pop Singer for the Super Star in you, Hip Hop Dance when you just “gotta groove” or a Classic Fairytale Ballet, perfect for little princesses. Let us customize a party to fit your wishes. For more information and booking email mia@southernedgedancecenter.com.

Susan’s Academy of Dance

108 5th Street, Daphne (251) 626-3835; www.susansacademyofdance.com Does your child love to dance? Would she love to celebrate her big day by learning the latest dance moves? We also offer princess dance parties, Rock Star parties and Hip Hop dance parties. Let us plan a great dance party for you! Call or email susan@susansacademyofdance.com for availability. Next Level Tumbling 26090 Equity Drive, Daphne (251) 621-5797; www.nextleveltumbling.com On our website, visit the About Us section and click on Birthday Parties. Fun Parties to choose from -Tumble Party: Learn tumbling skills and trampoline fun, Cheer Party: Learn motions, jumps and a cheer, Dance Party: Learn a few 8 counts of a dance, and also a General Party with games, parachute and trampoline fun. Each party will last 2 hours. Available times are limited.

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Farms, Horseback Riding, and Petting Zoos Alligator Alley

19500 County Road 71, Summerdale (251) 946-2483; www.gatoralleyfarm.com Email: info@gatoralleyfarm.com With over 20 acres of natural cypress swampland, our alligators roam freely in a protected environment. The whole family can safely observe alligators feeding, courting, and nesting from our elevated boardwalk. You’ll also observe other wild life such as: Ospreys, Owls, Turtles, Bull Frogs, and various field animals. In our gift shop area, we also display other amphibians, reptiles, and rare species. Open 7 Days a Week – 10am-5pm. Call for more info or to schedule a birthday party! Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 968-5732; www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org Hours are Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Celebrate at the zoo with 13 or more paying guests and enjoy a full day at the zoo. We have an animal show and a shaded picnic area for you party. Each guest can also get a souvenir cup of animal feed for the petting zoo for $1.00. We do require a reservation for your event or group. For more information and booking please call (251) 968-5732 or email info@ alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.

Brantley Farms Petting Zoo 26214 Pollard Road, Daphne, (251) 626-5416 Hours are Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Birthday parties are filled with farm animal fun! Tour the barn and meet the donkeys. The birthday child gets to sit on a miniature donkey for a picture then everyone jumps on the huge pile of hay! Participants will get to hold a chicken, bunnies and baby chick. Petting the llama is always fun along with feeding a baby bottle to a calf. After that, it’s off to feed the goats and sheep. No party would be complete without a pony ride! The grand finale hayride lets the children see all the big animals. Call for details or to schedule a tour, party or camp. Visit us on Facebook.

Forty South Farms 27257 Glass Road, Robertsdale (251) 947-4242; www.fortysouthfarms.com Email: tash01_walker@hotmail.com Forty South Farms is a new farm located in Robertsdale just 2 minutes from the Wilcox Exit off I-10. We are offering week-long camps for $145.00 per child also with sibling/family discounts. Activities include - caring for the animals, pony rides and grooming, farm art and craft, team building skills, making new friends, being a hands on zoo keeper and much more! All food and drinks are included! Camp begins on June 1st, 2015. Open to children aged from 5 to 14. Please call to reserve your child’s position.

Fairhope Farm (251) 895-9165; www.fairhopefarm.com Email: franceschancery@hotmail.com Rent our farm for your wedding, reunion, adult or children’s parties. Fairhope Farm provides complete set up for your birthday party needs. All you have to do is bring your cake, favors and guests! All parties include hands on petting zoo and farm animals including cows and fainting goats. Parties include wooden beanbag and tennis ball games, duck pond for the toddlers, 8x10 photo booth with tons of photo props and costumes and sack races. We also offer a personalized booth with your child’s name, face painting table, tables with table covers, pennant banners, theme signs and lots of decorations. We provide a craft table with crafts included, a playground and an air-conditioned bathroom and kitchen. For more information email franceschancery@hotmail.com.

Giddy Up n’ Go Pony Rides 19870 County Road 13, Fairhope, (251) 210-3938 Giddy-Up N Go pony rides offer one and two-hour pony rides for your special event. The kids will never forget the special day with the ponies. Birthday parties, Family Reunions, Festivals, Church events and more. We can come to you or you can come to us. We also provide private, basic horsemanship and riding lessons. We encourage self-confidence, balance, knowledge along with respect and appreciation of others and the horses, all while having fun.

Lake Forest Stables 268 Equine Circle, Daphne (251) 747-8219; www.lakeforeststables.org Party at Lake Forest Stables! We provide Birthday Parties, Family Gatherings, School/Daycare Fieldtrips

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and summer camps. Meet our fun, friendly ponies Sam and Sugar! If you want to ride a bigger horse, Choctaw is your man. Parties are scheduled for two hours and include two ponies for riding, a petting area with a miniature goat and pig. There is also access to a large gas grill on the deck with picnic seating for up to 30 people. View our ad in this issue to see the pictures of our beautiful farm! Magnolia Corn Maze 15275 Co Rd 49 S, Summerdale (251) 605-7216; magnoliacornmaze.com What better place to have your child’s next party than at Magnolia Corn Maze! Open October 2015! There are several different party packages to choose from. All parties include a party host, covered party pavilion, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Petting Zoo, several farm activities and much more. Additional packages include Pony Parties, Campfires or Bazooka Ball. Oak Hollow Farm 14210 Greeno Road, Fairhope (251) 928-4840; www.oakhollowfarm.net For your next party, check out all the fun and relaxing things you can do at Oak Hollow Farm. With over 300 acres of land, you can order as few or as many activities as you like: Horseback Riding, inflatable Slides, Playground, Hay Rides, Space Walks, Fishing, and more! Don’t forget about our over 6,000 square foot rustic barn. It’s a great place to have refreshments, line-dance or even karaoke!

Weeks Bay Plantation 12562 Mary Ann Beach Road, Fairhope (251) 279-UPIK (8745); www.weeksbayplantation.com Email: jenny@weeksbayplantation.com Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Thursday – Saturday Weeks Bay Plantation is the PERFECT spot for a completely unique birthday party or other special event centered around archery, organic blueberry picking, outdoor movies or catered picnics by the lake! Call us for details on all the possibilities! We have 15 varieties of blueberries you can enjoy picking yourself or purchase pre-picked bags. Berry season begins in April and runs through July. Plan to bring your hat, sunscreen and comfy shoes for lots of outdoor picking fun! Like us on Facebook and check our page for any last minute time change due to weather. We also now have a 3-D Archery Course for target practice and a walking course.

Food Venues & Theaters Original Oyster House

3733 Battleship Parkway, Mobile (251) 626-2188; www.originaloysterhouse.com 701 Highway 59, Gulf Shores, (251) 948-2445 The Original Oyster House has many years experience in serving the needs of large groups that wish to have fun in our fantastic facilities. We offer the best service you can find! Also available for rent, the Delta Room accommodates parties of up to 40. For parties fewer

than 40 you may choose from any of our regular menu items. For parties of up to 100 we offer family style or seafood buffet menus. Chill 6860 US Highway 90, Daphne (next to Five Guys and Hobby Lobby); (251) 626-6686; www.chillyogurt. com/daphne; Email: info@chillyogurt.com Party at Chill Yogurt Café! Enjoy our make your own frozen yogurt with tons of great toppings. Make it your way! Call today to reserve a party! We have many flavors of cake, yogurt cakes and can even make custom cakes! Cobb Theater Pinnacle 14 3780 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores (251) 923-0100; www.cobbtheatres.com/promotions. sp#birthdayparties We supply the entertainment, drinks, food and fun. We will even clean up! For more information visit our party website. Please call for show times and availability. Cold Snap 84 Plantation Pointe, Fairhope (251) 990-6199; www.coldsnapfrozenyogurt.com Cold Snap can create the perfect frozen yogurt display for your event. Frozen Yogurt offers over 24 flavors and 80+ toppings at our fun filled self-serve locations. Swirl your favorite yogurt flavor combination and toppings at our custom topping station, weigh it and pay. Birthday Party Packages available – call today!

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Culinary Dreams, Inc 2101-D U.S. Highway 98, Daphne (251) 621-0026; www.culinarydreamsinc.com Culinary Dreams, Inc. is a culinary center offering a variety of freshly prepared foods, cooking classes, cooking parties and various retail items. Let Culinary Dreams, Inc. provide a private cooking party for your next birthday, bridal shower, ladies’ night out, baby shower or just a group of friends/family wanting to learn something new in the kitchen. We also offer monthly cooking classes for persons aged 3 and above. Call Dede or Frank for more information and reserve your next cooking party or class! Culinary Dreams, Inc. invites you to stop in for “Lunch-to-Go,” or select from our menu of refrigerated items we call “Delightsto-Go” and/or frozen items we call “Frozen-to-Go” for a stress free dinner. Our motto is: “Fresh Taste, Minimum Waste.” Also available are unique retail items typically not found in other area stores. We utilize these items in our home and commercial kitchen. Visit us on Facebook or sign up for our once-weekly email to view current menu items and class information.

Even though their judgment isn’t always amazing,

Dipping Dots 4651 Main Street, Orange Beach (The Wharf) (251) 224-3687; www.dippindots.com The original beaded ice cream is available in your area! Stop into our location at The Wharf and sample some of our delicious flavors. Ask us about catering, birthday parties, fundraising and more! Eastern Shore Premiere Cinema 14 30500 Highway 181, Spanish Fort (251) 626-0352; www.pccmovies.com Be the star of your own movie party! Our cinema and party room are available for any size group. Premiere Party Pack -- ANY Movie, $15.00/per person for non 3D Showings / $18.00/per person for 3D Showings. Package includes Kids Combo (Drink, Popcorn, Candy during Movie), Your own personal Party Captain, Reserved Seating and use of Party Room for one hour before or after the movie! $65.00 deposit-- used towards balance when transaction is completed (10 person minimum). Pease visit our website to book your party!

their healthcare is. Welcoming Olivia Garcia, MD. PHYSICIANS TO CHILDREN 470 TAYLOR ROAD, SUITE 210 MONTGOMERY, AL 36117 (334) 293-5033

Dr. Bob Beshear, Dr. Kendra Gillis Colvin, Dr. Cheryl Fekete, Dr. Olivia Garcia, Dr. Alicia Jeturian Hughes, Dr. Dina Winston

Jubilee Square 12 6898 US Highway 90, Daphne (251) 626-5766; www.carmike.com/ShowTimes/ zip/36526. Movies parties are always a great way to entertain a group. Call for our party packages! Marble Slab Creamery 30500 Hwy 181, Spanish Fort (Eastern Shore Centre) (251) 621-7900; www.marbleslab.com Hours are Monday - Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Marble Slab Creamery can help turn any event into a special occasion. Whether you want a Sundae Bar, Portable Slab* or an ice cream cake to match your theme, you can count on us to dish out the freshest, best tasting ice cream anywhere. The Portable Slab is where we bring The Slab to you! It is like having a Marble Slab Creamery store brought to your party complete with mixins, waffle cones and more!

Healthcare as amazing as their potential

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Moo Che Che 10200 Eastern Shore Blvd, Spanish Fort (next to Panera Bread and Pet Smart) (251) 626-9992; www.moocheche.com Looking for something cool to add to your party? Party with Moo Che Che! With several different frozen yogurt

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flavors and even more toppings this is just the thing to top off your next party. Call today about a Moo Che Che party or catering event. Rotolo’s Pizzeria Eastern Shore Shopping Center, Fairhope (251) 990-4005; www.rotolos.com Contact or visit Rotolo’s Pizzeria today to find out about our birthday parties with arcade and catering options.

Parks and Recreation Bodenhamer Recreation Center 310 West 19th Avenue, Gulf Shores (251) 968-1420; www.gulfshoresal.gov Email: bhopkins@gulfshoresal.gov The Bodenhamer Recreation Center is available for rental for both members and non-members. Rental fee is $25 plus $5/adult participating, $3/ child participating free for members. Bring your own refreshments and drinks (no glass bottles/no alcoholic beverages). Rental fee include use of the entire facility with exception to the weight room and classes. City of Daphne Parks and Recreation (251) 621-5300; www.daphneal.com The City of Daphne is proud to offer several parks and sports fields for the community to enjoy. The City of Daphne does not rent the park facilities other than the pavilion at Bayfront Park and the sports fields at Al Trione Sports Complex. To hold a birthday party or event at one of the parks, they are based on a first come first

served basis. Each park is open to the public; therefore, it cannot be exclusive to your function. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the parks and facilities at all times. Park hours are dawn until dusk except for Al Trione Sports Complex and W.O. Lott Park. Eastern Shore Centre Fountain 30500 State Highway 181, Spanish Fort (251) 625-0060; www.easternshorecentre.com Looking for a special way to celebrate your child’s birthday? Why not have an Eastern Shore Centre Fountain Fun Party? You’ll see smiles, giggles, laughter and fun being shared by the children as they frolic and play in the dancing water of the fountain. We provide a reserved covered area, tables and chairs for a 90-minute party. We also do the entire cleanup so you can spend your time enjoying your child’s celebration. Eastern Shore Centre tenants also offer many choices for cakes, ice cream, nachos, pizza, hot dogs & more. Call today for pricing and to reserve your party. Fairhope City Pool 803 North Greeno Road, Fairhope, (251) 990-0175 or (251) 928-7270; www.cofairhope.com Located at the Fairhope Recreation Center, the Fairhope City Pool is a great place to have your swimming party. Private Parties are available. Non-private party rates are also available. Fairhoper’s Community Park 105 South Church Street, Fairhope (251) 990-0174 or (251) 928-2136; www.cofairhope. com (Parks and Recreation)

The Community Park features two towering corkscrews slides, a rope-climbing sphere, a musical-instrument lined sidewalk, nautical-themed equipment along with traditional swings and monkey bars. The 2,200 square foot splash pad and newly constructed pavilion is located on the south end at of Church Street and Morphy Avenue. Please call the city of Fairhope for more information on Party guidelines. Point Clear Tennis and Swim 17107 Tennis Club Drive, Fairhope (251) 928-7715; www.pointclearinn.com Email: pointcleartennis@gmail.com Your guests will love swimming and relaxing in the pool at Point Clear Tennis and Swim Club. Parties with 1-10 children are $75. Parties with 11-20 children are $125. Parties with 21-50 children are $250. Please note that we do not provide lifeguards and parents should accompany their child. Please call us for more detailed party information and reservations. Town Center Park Pavilion 29000 Bass Pro Drive, Spanish Fort (251) 561-8800; www.spanishforttowncenter.com The Spanish Fort Town Center Park is 3.5 acres featuring a number of amenities for community use, including: a shaded pavilion area with park tables, splash pad with various water features, state-of-theart playground, horse shoe pits, bike racks, restroom facilities, a sunburst fountain pond, and a fitness area. Please email sfpavilion@cypressequities.com to book your next event or birthday party! ESP

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Glow-in-the-Dark Sock Hop

Turn down the lights for a fantastic party theme! Use black lights to illuminate your party space for a glowing good time. Decorate the room with white streamers and neon-colored balloons, and make the party table pop with a white table cover along with neon plates and napkins. Peruse party and dollar stores for everything from glow necklaces and bracelets to glow-in-the-dark makeup and nail polish. Glow.com has an amazing variety of glowing products, from LED flashing ice cubes for your punch to glow-in-the-dark bubbles. In the invitation, let guests know that under black lights, anything white or neon-colored shows up, so they should dress to shine! Pick up a package of neon or black and white patterned socks at the local discount store, one pair per guest. Give each partygoer a pair of socks, put on music, and they can move those feet to the beat.

Murder Mystery Dinner Party

A Murder Mystery party is a fun, scripted way for teens to mingle and puzzle out clues. MyMysteryParty.com is a great website which has multiple party scenarios to choose from--including mys-

teries without a murder! You can choose age, gender and number of players. This instant download comes with everything: recipes, invites, name tags and even ice breaker party games. All you will need (in addition to the download) is a few simple costumes you can pick up from the dollar store: such as an army hat for a soldier, a feather boa for a movie star, etc. And if you don’t feel like cooking up elaborate dinner fare, kids will be just as happy with pizza and chips.

water park by setting up a giant slip-andslide. Add a couple of sprinklers, then try a few of these fun activities:

Water Party

Sponge Balls: Make fun “sponge balls” from dollar store sponges. Cut two rectangular sponges lengthwise into four pieces each, then stack the strips into two layers of four pieces each. Wrap a rubber band tightly around the midpoint of the stacked sponges. “Fluff” and pull the sponge strips until you have a ball shape. To play, give kids a bowl or bucket of water to dip the sponge

Show kids a splashin’ good time by hosting a party chock full of wet activities on a hot day. Greet every guest with a bucket filled with water toys, such as a sponge ball, squirt gun, and water balloons. Turn your yard into a mini

Squirt gun target practice: Create targets on a fence in sidewalk chalk by drawing a series of concentric circles with a “bull’s eye” in the center. Assign a point value for each circle and give prizes for the most points. Or, set up plastic disposable cups in a pyramid on a small table and shoot them down.

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to have your camera ready! Hand out six cupcakes per guest. Provide them with a variety of decoration ingredients such as tinted frosting, sprinkles, fondant sheets and cookie cutters, and toothpicks or lollipop sticks to use as skewers for building. Give them a theme to work from to get those creative juices flowing. Examples: Monuments (Space Needle, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa), holidays, animals, etc. Vote for the best and then chow down!

Espionage Party

Turn your party venue into a spy recruiting center with an espionage theme. Greet each guest as they come in with a customized Spy Kit. Include items such as a small flashlight, a magnifying glass, and an ID Tag. Decorate a round layer cake to resemble a giant magnifying glass and serve red twizzler dynamite sticks. Check out this website for super-cool spy party gear: http://www.spymuseumstore.org/ spy-party-supplies.html For games, check out this website for simple ciphers kids can decode: http:// www.topspysecrets.com/secret-codes-forkids.html. Other game and activity ideas include: Invisible Ink: Write a message in lemon juice and hold the paper over a light bulb to see the message appear. Laser Beam Crawl: Tape yarn across a doorway in different patterns. Challenge guests to climb through the laser beams without knocking down the strings!

balls into. Wet sponge balls are great for tag, target practice, or just tossing back and forth! Water Pinata: Let the kids release some pent-up energy and cool off with a pinata filled with water! Take a plastic grocery sack and fill about halfway with water. Using the handles of the bag, tie the water- filled bag over a tree branch. The bag doesn’t need to be sealed. Let the kids hit the water bag with tennis rackets, plastic bats or a cardboard wrapping paper tube. What a great way to recycle those plastic grocery bags! These water pinatas won’t Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

last long, but getting wet is the point of this activity, so who cares? Serve popsicles, watermelon and lemonade and don’t forget the towels and sunblock!

Cake Battle Party

Turn teens loose in the kitchen with a mini-cake decorating challenge. Kids can really explore their creativity as they cut cupcakes into shapes, stick them together with frosting, or even build towers by spearing the cakes with toothpicks or lollipop sticks. Teens will have a blast doing this fun and delicious activity, so be sure 74

Fingerprint match: Take fingerprints of guests using white index cards and a black stamp pad. Make two sets of prints for each guest on two different cards and label with the name on the back of each. Mix up the cards and let guests try to analyze the prints and match up each set. Use any of these fun themes as a jumping off point, and then tailor the games and favors to the gender and age of your birthday kid. Fill out your party agenda by searching the internet for additional ideas, Pinterest is always a good place to start. No matter which of these themes you choose, your tween or teen’s party will rock! ESP Tiffany is a freelance writer and the mother of three children, including a tween and a teen.

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A Page in a Book A Word to Beginning Readers The murmurs of a nursing child, the peals of laughter that reflect the silly faces we make, and even yowls of discomfort are all part of babies’ first attempts at communication with us. But we are all on the edge of our seats as we await the magical moment when the first real word emerges from the lips of our children. Once that door opens, the verbal exchange between our kids and the larger world begins. And while small kids may still draw on their own private lexicon, invented words and dramatically physical gestures to impart their feelings and intent, their entry into the world of words is a milestone that starts a whole new conversation. The following titles feature the moments when words open the door to all new understandings between children and their larger world.

Edgar’s Second Word

by Audrey Vernick, Illustrated by Priscilla Burris (Clarion / Houghton Mifflin) Maybe it’s just an easy word for little mouths to form. Or perhaps it reflects the real feelings that children experience in a world that’s going one way, when they want to go another. But the word “no” is always one of the early players in every baby’s vocabulary. Little Hazel eagerly anticipates the arrival of her baby brother, Edgar, collecting books (full of words) that she can’t wait to share with him. But her waiting is rewarded with Edgar’s only and emphatic word “no”. Nothing appeals to her baby brother, who negates everything on offer with his word of choice. But when Hazel finally gets a sleepy Edgar to settle in by her side with a good book, his next new word is one that bears repeating. Edgar’s Second Word is a sweet story that rewards the patience of family as they wait for the right words that help babies communicate what they want.

Use Your Words, Sophie!

by Rosemary Wells (Viking / Penguin) Rosemary Wells’ beloved and challenging two-year-old Sophie is back – with a vocabulary of words that are simply misunderstood. When her parents come home with a new baby, Sophie responds with a welcome in Jellyfish language. And just like her parents can’t seem to settle on a name for the new arrival, Sophie’s own communication ranges from disgruntled Hyena talk to Baboon-influenced song. But when the baby starts to communicate her own unhappiness with fluent Howler Monkey, Sophie steps in to use her words in a way that both her and her baby sister can understand. With a nod to the variety of names and pet names we bestow on babies, this humorous story is ideal for children seeking ways to connect vocally with new arrivals.

Cuckoo!

by Fiona Roberton (G.P. Putnam’s Sons / Penguin) From the moment his over-sized, oddly colored egg hatches among his siblings, Cuckoo’s journey to speak the language of the realm begins. But his only word (cuckoo) doesn’t connect with his family (tootoo-wheet). And a cross-city trek only reveals a landscape of other non-cuckoo speakers. Even language classes and self-study can’t twist his only word into something in common with the world around him. Just when Cuckoo is becoming resigned to being the only speaker of his language, a single word carries over the rooftops and leads him to understanding. Onomatopoeia abounds in this delightfully illustrated testament to finding your own voice and a tribe to share it with.

Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.

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Family Calendar Ongoing

American Sport Art Museum and Archives Located on the campus of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, dedicated to the preservation of sports history, art, and literature. Exhibits spotlight visiting artists on a rotating basis, as well as our permanent collection of prints, sculpture, original paintings, photographs and other arts media. Free admission. Hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 1 Academy Drive, Daphne. For more information call 251.626.3303 or visit www.asama.org. Big Brother / Big Sister Mentors Needed At-risk children at Summerdale School need volunteer Big Brother Big Sister mentors. “Bigs” have fun with a child one time a week, for one hour, on school grounds, during the school year by reading a story, working puzzles, playing catch, drawing, or just being a friend. Professional training and support are provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama YMCA, Inc. For more information or to volunteer, contact Polly at 251-344-0536 ext. 104. Eastern Shore Art Center A non-profit arts organization located in beautiful downtown Fairhope, the Art Center houses four galleries with exhibits that change monthly, as well as a gallery featuring member artists’ work for sale. Admission is free. 401 Oak Street, Fairhope. For more information call 251.928.2228 or visit www.eseartcenter.com. The Exploreum The Exploreum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. For tickets or more information visit www.exploreum.com or call 251-208-6873. 65 Government Street, Mobile. Fairhope Museum of History The museum is full of artifacts from old Fairhope. You can see displays on Clay City, the Single Tax Association and the Civil War. You can also see personal belongings from some of Fairhope’s first families. The museum is located in downtown Fairhope at 24 North Section Street. The museum is open Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call 929-1474. Marietta Johnson Museum This museum was founded to preserve the oldest school building in Baldwin Country, which was founded in 1907 by famed educator Marietta Johnson. Known as one of the first progressive schools in the world, the museum includes historic letters, documents, and artifacts from the school’s heyday, as well as biographical information about Marietta Johnson. To learn more, visit www.mariettajohnson.org. Open Mondays-Fridays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. 440 Fairhope Ave. 990-8601. Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve The Weeks Bay Reserve has a free educational interpretive center and two boardwalks. The Interpretive Center houses a multitude of exhibits, habitat models, specimen collections and a diorama giving the visitor a better understanding about the value of estuaries, diversity of coastal wetlands, and a close-up look at living plants and animals of coastal Alabama. Admission is free. Hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. 11300 US Highway 98, Fairhope. For more information call 251.928-9792 or visit www.weeksbay.org.

Classes/Meetings

Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) Offering Adoptive Family Support Group Meetings in Baldwin County the 3rd Monday of each month. The meeting is held at Eastern Shore Church of Christ, 1209 Daphne Ave, in Daphne from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Parent, Youth/Teen group and childcare is available. Topic discussions by adoption professionals and ceu’s for foster families are offered. For more information call 251-460-2727 or 1-800-489-1886 or www. childrensaid.org. APAC also offers free counseling services to adoptive families.

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

July 2015

Celebration MOPS Fairhope Celebration MOPS meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Celebration Church, 8180 Dyer Road, Fairhope. Childcare is provided and is included in the fees. There is an annual $23.95 MOPS International membership fee and $30 per semester. Call the church office for info at 251-928-0343 or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ celebrationmopsfairhopeal. Daily Living Skills Group for parents with children on the Spectrum Held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at The Family Center, 27365 Pollard Road, Daphne. Focus is on daily living needs of families and their children, such as: Safety issues; How to have a family dinner out; Ways to assist with transition; How to talk with people who stare; Your questions, comments and suggestions. Limited childcare slots are available. For more information, please contact Judy Bradshaw: (251) 990-7781. Daphne Neurological Disease Support Group (Includes Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy). Meets second Monday of each month at Daphne United Methodist Church, 2401 Main Street, Daphne, in the Community Life Center-Gathering Room. 11:00 a.m. until noon. Noon light lunch for $3 from 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Speaker or joint group session. Contact person: Alice Hallford - 251-626-8228. Fairhope MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) We meet 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. every 2nd & 4th Monday at Fairhope United Methodist Church. All mothers of young children are welcome. Email fairhopemops@yahoo.com for more info. Father Central of Daphne *Positive Fathering, A New & Improved Parenting Class Just For Men, $75 giftcard upon completion. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call 251-626-1610 to register, held at The Exchange Club Family Center of Baldwin County, 27365 Pollard Rd., Daphne, near the YMCA. *Chill Skills Anger Management by appointment. $25 giftcard upon completion. Call 251-626-1610 schedule, The Exchange Club Family Center of Baldwin County, 27365 Pollard Rd., Daphne, near the YMCA. *Nurturing Parenting, everything you need to know but were afraid to ask. Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12-week rotating series. Jump in on any Thursday! Call 251-626-1610 to register, 27365 Pollard Rd, Daphne, near the YMCA. “M oms O ffering M oms S upport” (MOMS Club) is a group intended for stay at home moms to provide encouragement for each other while providing fun activities for their children. This club is open to anyone on the Eastern Shore area of Baldwin County, Alabama. We hold a meeting at the beginning of each month with a speaker or topic relevant to moms while childcare is provided. Each month there are social activates organized for the children such as play dates, field trips and seasonal parties. MOMS Club is also dedicated to giving back to the community through supporting various charities. MOMS Club is a great way to connect with other moms, form friendship and enjoy activities with your little ones. For more information please visit our website at www.momsclubofdaphne. com or email us at momsclubofdaphne@yahoo.com. MOPS on the Eastern Shore MOPS stands for “Mothers of Preschoolers” - but don’t let that confuse you. MOPS is about meeting the needs of every mom of a child from conception through kindergarten with local groups of moms just like you. 7100 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort. 1st Thursday of the Month (September through May). Dinner & Child Care are provided. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. http://www.mopsontheeasternshore.shutterfly.com/ Facebook.com/MopsOnTheEasternShore . Moonlight Chasse’ Ballroom Dance Society Dance lessons from 7 – 7:30 p.m., and Dancing from 7:30 – 10 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, at Fitzpen Place, 1 mile east of Eastern Shore Mall. No partner necessary. $10 per person includes dance lesson. $7 with membership, includes dance lesson.

Live music, cash bar. www.FitzpenPlace.com. www. Moonlightchasse.com. For more information, call 251621-6665 or 251-377-4069. Shepherd’s Place (Christian Life Center) Ministry for memory & physically challenged. Mondays & Wednesdays 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 South Section Street, Fairhope. 9281148. Single Mom Ministry Sponsored by Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church, this prayer and support group for single moms is designed to provide a safe and prayerful environment where group members are able to express themselves among others who will listen, care, and lift each other up. Each participant will receive one bag of non-perishable food items each week. Child care will be provided. Light snacks and soft drinks will be served. Meetings are held every Tuesday from 6-7 PM at Fairhope Avenue Baptist Family Life Center, 8717 Fairhope Ave. 251-928-0890. SOS (Survivors of Suicide) This group is for adults who has ever lost a loved one to suicide. If it has been 5 days or 50 years since the loss, this group is here for you. SOS meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of EVERY month from 6:30 to approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 S. Section Street, Fairhope. The support group, which has been around since November, 2012, is facilitated by a professional and co-facilitated by two survivors. There are no dues. For more information, please email jlbarber5@ bellsouth.net or call 251-455-6453. Tango by the Bay ~ Argentine Basic classes are held every Tuesday from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. in Fairhope at Southern Edge Dance Studio, located behind Pizza Hut across from Thomas Hospital. 251 South Greeno, Fairhope. $5 per class (fee may be higher with special guest instructors). For more information Contact Ben Samel at 605-2657 or Cassie Fishbein 377-4069, cassief13@aol.com. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center offers the following classes: Your entire family can take part in several informative classes designed to help moms and dads welcome their special new addition to the family with more confidence. Classes cover topics including: Having A Healthy Pregnancy Nutrition, discomforts of pregnancy, warning signs of complications, and relaxation exercises. One session. Cost: $10. Prepared Childbirth Classes (Once a week for four weeks). Cost: $30 Week 1: Begin the Stages of Labor: The labor and delivery process, signs and stages of labor, options for coping, pain management, vaginal delivery, and relaxation exercises. Week 2: Delivery and Cesarean Birth: A review of complications that may arise, use of special equipment, complete the stages of labor, cesarean delivery, and relaxation exercises. Week 3: New Born and Postpartum Care: Newborn appearance, caring for the newborn, infant safety, recognizing complications, relaxation exercises, and choosing a pediatrician. What to expect after delivery, understanding the physical and emotional changes to your body, and relaxation exercises. Week 4: The Art of Breast Feeding: The benefits of breast feeding for mother and baby, anatomy and physiology of the breast, how to breastfeed, and common difficulties. One session. • Tiny Toes members may enroll in Yoga, Water Aerobics and Expectant Mother Exercise classes through the Snook Family YMCA. The fee is $5 a class. There is a $3 fee for child care. There is no fee if you are already a member of the YMCA. All classes are located at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center–1613 North McKenzie Street Foley. Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Classroom A. Located just off of the main lobby.

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Family Calendar • Please plan to attend the Healthy Pregnancy Class during your first trimester and the Prepared Childbirth Classes anytime after your 24th week of pregnancy. For more information or to enroll please call the OB Educator at 949-3676 to schedule. We look forward to sharing this special time with you! Method of payment accepted: Visa, Master Card, Discover, AmEx, Debit Card. Gift of Life The Gift of Life is a required maternity care program for Medicaid patients or Medicaid-eligible patients. The Gift of Life Program provides a caring system of prenatal services; education and care coordination for expectant moms and their babies. For additional information please contact 949-3781. Thomas Hospital offers the following classes: Breastfeeding Class  Thomas Fitness Center (Fairhope). Monthly, first Tuesday, 6 - 8 p.m.  Free. Infant CPR and Safety Class  Thomas Fitness Center (Fairhope). Pre-registration required.  To register call 279-1373.  Saturdays, 4 - 6 p.m.  Moving Through Labor Childbirth Classes Three or four-week prepared childbirth class series which prepares the mother-to-be and her support partner for the labor and delivery experience. $30 fee for the class series. Thomas Fitness Center, (Fairhope)   Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thomas Fitness Center (Fairhope) Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  Thomas Medical Center (Daphne) Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.  Thomas Medical Center (Daphne) Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 251- 279-1373 or visit www.thomashospital.com for upcoming classes and registration. Natural Childbirth Classes, Fertility Awareness, Mother’s Comfort, Exercise and Nutrition For class schedule or more information call Geralyn Piizzotti, 251- 928-9396. Yourbodyyourbirth@bellsouth. net. Newborn Basics Class Held on the second Monday of every month from 6 – 8 p.m. at Thomas Medical Center in Daphne. Free. No Pre-registration required. Pre-admission Sessions 6 p.m. at Thomas Medical Center in Daphne. Pre-registration required.   Sibling Class   Thomas Hospital Fitness Center (Fairhope).   Pre-registration required.  To register call 279-1373.  10 - 11 a.m.   Thomas Hospital offers the following support groups for the community: Alanon (Alcoholics Anonymous) Meetings are held every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at The Harbor at Thomas Hospital. Call 800-477-1104 for more information. Alateen Meetings are held every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Morphy Conference Room East Tower meeting room at Thomas Hospital. Call 391-1152 for more information. Alzheimer’s Support Group Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Thomas Medical Center. Call 345-7645 or 438-9590 for more information. ALS Support Group Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon at Thomas Medical Center. Call 205-937-4415 for more information. Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Thomas Hospital Health Resource Center located at: 308 S. Greeno Road, Fairhope. Call 928-8650 for more information. Cancer Support Group-Family Connected by Ribbons Support group for cancer survivors, friends and family. Open to any types of cancer. Every first Thursday

July 2015

of every month from 6 - 8 p.m. Morphy Conference Room (Old ER entrance) at Thomas Hospital, Fairhope. Preregistration not required. Call 209-1229 for more information. Cancer Support Group for Women Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Morphy Conference Room. For more information, call Patti Huval at 209-1229. Diabetes Support Group Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas Hospital Diabetes Center. Call 279-1700 for more information. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Support Group Meetings are held every Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Harbor at Thomas Hospital. Call 251- 9656264 for more information. Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. at Thomas Medical Center. Call 251- 455-9919 for more information. Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Support Group Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. at Thomas Medical Center. Call 251626-6337 for more information.

Wednesday, July 1

Summer Reading Wednesday – Fairhope Public Library Come join us on Wednesdays for fun events. Skip Cain the balloon artist will come visit at 2 p.m. for children and 3:30 for teens at the Fairhope Public Library (501 Fairhope Avenue). Please visit fairhopelibrary.org for more information. Summertide presents “Ring of Fire” Gulf Shores will ‘walk the line’ with SummerTide Theatre this season The University of Alabama’s professional summer theatre, SummerTide, will bring the man in black “down, down, down” to Gulf Shores during its 12th season. The cast of SummerTide will present “Ring of Fire”. The theatre is located at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center, home to the South Baldwin Community Theatre, located at 2022 West 2nd Street in Gulf Shores. Please visit www.summertide.org for more information.

Thursday, July 2

Glow in the Park Summer Movie Series The City of Fairhope debuts a new “Glow in the Park Summer Movie Series,” guaranteed to light up your summer nights with three free family movies at Fairhopers Community Park on the first Thursdays in June, July, and August. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic (no alcohol or glass containers) and relax with the whole family. The movies will begin 15 minutes after sunset or approximately 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4: “Finding Nemo”; Thursday, July 2: “The Lego Movie”; Thursday, August 6: “A Bug’s Life”. The merchants will have popcorn and refreshments available and will be giving away glow-in-the-dark items. All you need to do is grab a lawn chair, pack a picnic basket, and sit back and enjoy the show. Sunset Festival – The Wharf Every Thursday evening this summer starting at 4:30 p.m., join us at The Wharf for Sunset Festival. Multiple live bands, street theater, master balloon artist, magicians, sound and light spectacular, car races – family fun for all. Dates: 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30,

8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27. Please call (251) 224-1000 for more information. Fairhope Farmers Market Join us behind Fairhope Library on Bancroft St. for fresh vegetables, cut flowers and more 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays through July 9. Summertide presents “Ring of Fire” See July 1 for more information.

Friday, July 3

First Friday Art Walk - Fairhope First Friday Art Walk is a community art and entertainment event held the first Friday of each month. This event is free and open to the public. You may start your art walk by visiting the Eastern Shore Art Center. 6-8 p.m. Please call (251) 928-2228 for more information. Grand Bay Watermelon Festival The Grand Bay Watermelon Festival will take place July 3-4 at Festival Park, Hwy 90, Grand Bay. July 3 – 3 - 7 p.m. and July 4 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission charged. Free Sliced Ice Cold Watermelon To Eat on July 4th. Large Children’s area with Petting Zoo, Train Rides, Pony Rides, Moon Walks, Face Painting, Games for the young and young at heart, & Much More. Arts and Crafts, Family entertainment and food booths. Please visit grandbaywatermelonfestival.org for more information. Summertide presents “Ring of Fire” See July 1 for more information.

Saturday, July 4

Independence Day – Henry George Park Join us for Baldwin Pops concert at Henry George starting at 7:00 p.m. and Fireworks starting at 9:00 p.m. Please call (251) 9900218 for more information. Daphne Jubilee Independence Day Celebration Daphne Jubilee Independence Day Celebration will start at 5:30 p.m. at Trione Sports Complex. Please call (251) 621-3703 for more information. 4th of July at Battleship Park Celebrate the 4th of July with the City of Mobile at Battleship Memorial Park. Enjoy live musical entertainment including our traditional patriotic concert, food from area Food Trucks and the Battleship’s Galley, and a dynamic fireworks show. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. The Park opens to spectators at 4 p.m. and the fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Admission is $5 per car. No food or alcoholic beverages are allowed inside the Park. Sponsored by The City of Mobile, AL.COM, and the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. For more information call (251) 433-2703. 4th of July – Gulf Shores The City of Gulf Shores will celebrate the Fourth of July with a stunning fireworks display, beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. In addition to the annual fireworks show, carnival-like activities will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Public Beach (101 East Beach Blvd.). Please call (251) 968-1172 for more information. Fort Morgan’s Salute to American Independence Historical interpreters, dressed in period uniforms of the United States Army from different eras of the fort’s occupation, will conduct special guided tours of the fortification throughout the day. Also, artillery, small arms, and other demonstration will show the complexities that have faced the military garrisons at Fort Morgan. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Fort Morgan, 110

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Family Calendar Highway 180, Gulf Shores. Please visit www.fortmorgan.org for more information. Evening Under the Stars – Mobile Pops Concert at Dauphin Island The Mobile Pops presents “An Evening under the Stars” Star Bright Concert on July 4th at 6:00 p.m. under the water tower at Dauphin Island. Fireworks after the concert on the Public Beach next to DI Elementary School. 5 Rivers Crafts We are open! Kid’s Crafts 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., free, all ages. Location: 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort. Please visit www.outdooralabama.com for more information. American Legion Independence Day BBQ American Legion Independence Day BBQ will be BBQ Pork or Chicken Plates - $10 each from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 199, 700 S. Mobile Street. Town of Summerdale’s Fourth of July Fireworks Join us July 4th, at dark at Pioneer Park, Summerdale. For more information call 251-989-6202. City of Robertsdale’s Fourth of July Fireworks Join us July 4th, 9:00 p.m. at Garrett Park, Robertsdale. For more information call 251-947-8900. Grand Bay Watermelon Festival See July 3 for more information.

Sunday, July 5

5 Rivers Animal Ambassadors Meet and Greet Alabama has one of the highest plant and animal diversities in the United States. Join a member of our human educational staff and meet one of the local critter inhabitants from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and beyond. This FREE event is 2-2:30 p.m. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www. alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814. 5 Rivers Sunday Matinee “America: The Story of Us” Come out and join us every Sunday for a free family, friendly film. This week’s program highlights momentous events In US history, including the arrival of the Pilgrims, the American Revolution and the lunar landing. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814.

Tuesday, July 7

Tuesday Evening Civil War Twilight Tours at Fort Morgan Vignettes of Fort Morgan’s Civil War history are brought to life every summer during this hour long tour. Historical interpreters portraying the lives of members of the garrison tell of the events transpiring in the final months of Confederate occupation of the fort. Visitors will hear the growing concern as the Federal Navy strengthens its fleet in the Gulf of Mexico as it prepares to attack Mobile Bay in August, as well as the events surrounding the destruction of the blockade runner Ivanhoe. Every tour concludes with the firing of one of the fort’s artillery pieces with time for visitors to explore the fort in the twilight hours. 7 - 8 p.m. at Fort Morgan, 110 State Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores. Please visit www.fortmorgan.org for more information. 5 Rivers Outdoor Adventure Night Free, everyone is welcome. Meet and mingle with local outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy monthly programs. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club; 7 8:30 p.m. Mobile Bay Sierra Club. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814. 5 Rivers StoryTime: “Possum Come-A-Knockin” by Nancy Van Laan The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month is StoryTime at 5 Rivers. Children under the age of 6 are welcome to stop by for a free reading of a nature based story followed by arts and crafts. This week, a redheaded

Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

July 2015

boy tries to tell family members about a possum on the porch, but when the family checks, the possum hides. 10 a.m. – 11 a.m; Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814.

Wednesday, July 8

Bay Bites Food Truck Festival The Young Advisory Council presents Bay Bites Food Truck Festival on July 8, at Cooper Riverside Park, Downtown Mobile. Join us for an evening of great food and cold beer! Buy your tickets in advance online or at the door. Wristbands are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. All proceeds benefit Mobile Baykeeper. Please visit www.mobilebaykeeper.org for more information. Summer Reading Wednesday – Fairhope Public Library Come join us on Wednesdays for fun events. On July 8, we will have Superhero Training Academy at 2:00 p.m. for children and 3:30 for teens at the Fairhope Public Library (501 Fairhope Avenue). Please visit fairhopelibrary.org for more information. Summertime Wonderful Wednesdays – Bellingrath Gardens Who knew Wednesday could be so wonderful? Bellingrath Gardens and Home hosts a series of lectures and workshops helping Gulf Coast gardeners and enthusiasts make the most of our extended growing season. Each workshop covers a special feature of the Gardens or Home, tips for making your garden more spectacular or guest lectures and workshops from renowned members of the horticultural and gardening world. Wednesdays from June 3 – July 29. All programs are $12.50 for adults, $7 for children and free for Friends of Bellingrath members and children ages 4 and younger. For Kids Gulf Discovery Day, additional charges for the optional Delta Safaris cruise on Fowl River: $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 – 12, free for children ages 4 and younger. Reservations requested for each program. Call (251) 973-2217 to make your reservation. Please visit bellingrath.org for more information.

Thursday, July 9

Fairhope Farmers Market Join us behind Fairhope Library on Bancroft St. for fresh vegetables, cut flowers and more 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunset Festival – The Wharf See July 2 for more information.

Saturday, July 11

Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament The 2015 Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament is designed to ring families together and encourage sportsmanship. RMYAT is for children 15 years and younger and it typically attracts more than 1500 young anglers. All proceeds benefit the Mobile Jaycees Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour. Please visit www.adsfr.com/rmyat.html for more information. Babypalooza Tour Parents don’t miss The BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama Babypalooza Tour. The event will held in the Ballroom at the Mobile Convention Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Babypalooza is a FREE baby and maternity experience for new, expectant and hopeful parents. It’s a day full of fun and information with exhibitors highlighting everything from health and fitness to nursery design, infant and maternity fashion, mommy

and me classes and more. Please visit babypaloozatour. com for more information.

Sunday, July 12

5 Rivers Sunday Matinee “More Than Honey” Come out and join us every Sunday for a free family, friendly film. This week’s program is a film on the relationship between mankind and honeybees, about nature and about our future. Honeybees show us that stability is just as unhealthy as unlimited growth, that crises and disasters are triggering evolution and that salvation sometimes comes from a completely unexpected direction. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers. com or call 251.625.0814.

Tuesday, July 14

Tuesday Evening Civil War Twilight Tours at Fort Morgan See July 7 for more information.

Wednesday, July 15 Summertime Wonderful Wednesdays – Bellingrath Gardens See July 8 for more information.

Thursday, July 16 Sunset Festival – The Wharf See July 2 for more information.

Friday, July 17

82nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo The 82nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo will be held July 17-19 at Dauphin Island. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, a Project of the Mobile Jaycees, is the largest fishing tournament in the world. Founded in 1929, the fishing rodeo now attracts over 3,000 anglers and 75,000 spectators. For more information, please visit www.adsfr.com. Curt Cloninger in Concert Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church at 23959 U. S. Hwy 98 in Fairhope will present comedian, Curt Cloninger in concert at 7:00 p.m. His performances will move you to laugh and cry and examine what you believe about God and life. A Love Offering will be received at the concert. For more information, contact (251) 928-0977. 3rd Friday Art Walk Come join us downtown for a Wine tasting and art walk to visit the many shops and boutiques Foley has to offer. Downtown Foley from 5 - 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 18

Fairhope Museum of History Historic Bus Tours Join us for Fairhope Museum of History Historic Bus Tours which starts at Fairhope Museum at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. We will be visiting historic site all over Fairhope. Cost -$20. Please call (251) 929-1471 for more information. Dauphin Street Vault Come downtown to watch some of the region’s best vaulters take to the skies above Dauphin Street. The primary mission of Dauphin Street Vault (and now, the Dauphin Street Race) is to promote health and wellness through the athletics. Our secondary mission is to celebrate the awesomeness of pole vaulting and track and field by throwing an amazing block party in its honor. Whether you’re an athlete or not, we hope to see you there! 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Please visit www.dauphinstreetvault.com for more information. 5 Rivers Presentation: “Insectology – Learning to Love Bugs!” Love them or hate them, there are more insects on this planet than all of the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish put together. They are all around us, on us and even inside us. Join 5 Rivers Educator

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Family Calendar Shonda Borden to learn about your closest neighbors: insects. Free, all ages. 5 Rivers (30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort) from 2-3 p.m. For more information, please visit www.outdooralabama.com/5-rivers-alabamas-deltaresource-center. Market Days at the Chamber – Bay Minette Join us for Market Days at the Chamber from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 301 McMeans Avenue, Bay Minette. Kids activities, live music, food, arts and crafts, antiques and more! Call (251) 937-5665 for more information. 82nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo See July 17 for more information.

Sunday, July 19

82nd Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo See July 17 for more information. 5 Rivers Animal Ambassadors Meet and Greet Alabama has one of the highest plant and animal diversities in the United States. Join a member of our human educational staff and meet one of the local critter inhabitants from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and beyond. 2-2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814. 5 Rivers KID’S DAY Sunday Matinee “Box Trolls” Come out and join us every Sunday for a free family, friendly film. The films play throughout the day. This week’s movie is for the kids, but adults will love it too! The story is a magical family adventure about heroes in all shapes and sizes: The Boxtrolls. Quirky, mischievous and good-hearted, these box-wearing creatures have lovingly raised a human boy named “Eggs” in a charming cavern below the bustling streets of Cheesebridge. But when evil Archibald decides to capture the lovable misfits, it’s up to Eggs and his feisty young friend, Winnie, to save the Boxtrolls.Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www. alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814.

Tuesday, July 21

Tuesday Evening Civil War Twilight Tours at Fort Morgan See July 7 for more information. 5 Rivers StoryTime: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month is StoryTime

July 2015

at 5 Rivers. Children under the age of 6 are welcome to stop by for a free reading of a nature based story followed by arts and crafts. This week, the Dr. Seuss classic for any out-starting upstarts of all ages finding their way through the Great Balancing Act of life itself. 10 – 11 a.m. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814.

Wednesday, July 22

Kids Gulf Discovery Day Join us for our annual Kids Gulf Discovery Day at Bellingrath Gardens. Learn all about the environment of our region from local experts and organizations, including the Winged Ambassadors with their fabulous birds for special presentations. We will also have cruises along with Fowl River with our friends from Delta Safaris! 9 a.m. to noon. Fees for the cruise with Delta Safaris are $ 8 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12. Please visit bellingrath.org or call (251) 973-2217 for more information. 5 Rivers on the Road at Bellingrath Gardens for Kid’s Gulf Discovery Day! Learn all about the environment of our region from local experts and organizations. 9 a.m. - Noon. All Bellingrath Wednesday programs are $12.50 for adults, $7 for children, and free for Friends of Bellingrath members. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers.com or call 251.625.0814.

Thursday, July 23

2015 Flavors of the South - Food and Wine Showcase Join us at our 2015 Flavors of the South held to showcase food and wine from local restaurants and caterers from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the Baldwin County Coliseum, Robertsdale. Come sample a variety of food and drink while listening to music and mingling. Also, featured is a silent auction and 50/50 drawing. Individual tickets are $25 or a table of 8 is $200. Please visit www.centralbaldwin.com for more information. Seinfeld Live America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, will be performing his signature stand-up routine. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere.

Saenger Theatre at 7:00 p.m. Please visit www. mobilesaenger.com for more information. Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” Set in 1936, this comedy thriller is a fictional take on a real actor, William Gillette, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on Broadway. What if a murder took place among his fellow actors at a convivial weekend at his country castle? You’ll be swept away for a wild and funny ride, with plot twists Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would never have dreamt up! Dates: July 23-26, July 29-August 2 at Theatre 98 (350 Morphy Avenue, Fairhope). Please visit www.theatre98.org for more information. Sunset Festival – The Wharf See July 2 for more information.

Friday, July 24

Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

Saturday, July 25

Battle of the Bay Canoe and Kayak Race The fourth annual Battle of the Bay is a family-friendly event that allows serious (and not-so-serious) paddlers the chance to race while raising money for the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, a nonprofit that works with lawyers to provide free civil legal services to low-income citizens. The morning begins with a one mile canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) fun paddle at 8 a.m. Boats launch next to the restaurant and line up at the starting line next to the Bluegill’s dock. An Alabama Supreme Court Justice blows the starting horn to signal the start of the race. Next up the brand new canoe relay division adds to the excitement as a team of four competes to win (4 paddlers per team and each team completing two 1-mile loops). Spectators crowd the Bluegill’s deck to cheer on their favorite paddlers. Children enjoy fun activities while DJ Dr. Feelgood plays music, adults enjoy beverages sponsored by a local coffee shop and local brewery, the Bluegill serves a delicious shrimp and grits brunch, and the crowd enjoys the opportunity to win door prizes. Live music by Elaine Petty and Smokin’ Elvis will begin when the paddlers make it back to land. The top three boats in each boat category in the fun paddle and the top three teams in the canoe division will win prizes. Please visit vlp. publishpath.com/fundraisers for more information. Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

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Family Calendar Sunday, July 26

Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information. 5 Rivers Sunday Matinee “Life: Insects” Come out and join us every Sunday for a free family, friendly film. Today, the last showing starts at noon and ends at 1 p.m. This week’s program is narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and the series examines the wide variety of life on Earth, and the spectacular abilities that plants and animals have to survive. Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. One of the keys to their success lies in their ability to reshape themselves. Location: 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort. For more information please visit www.alabama5rivers. com or call 251.625.0814.

Tuesday, July 28

Tuesday Evening Civil War Twilight Tours at Fort Morgan See July 7 for more information.

Wednesday, July 29

Growing Up Wild, FREE but registration required “Awesome Owl Adaptations” for Grades 1-2 from 10 a.m, - 11 a.m. Owls have been said to have superpowers – super sight, super hearing, super silent flight. Come learn about these amazing nocturnal hunters. 5 Rivers (30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort). Free, but registration is required. To register, email Shonda at Shonda.Borden@DCNR. Alabama.gov or call 251-625-0814. For more information, please visit www.outdooralabama.com/5rivers-alabamas-delta-resource-center. Summertime Wonderful Wednesdays – Bellingrath Gardens See July 8 for more information. Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

Thursday, July 30

Sunset Festival – The Wharf See July 2 for more information. Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

July 2015

Friday, July 31

Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

Saturday, August 1

Weeks Bay Foundation Pelican Paddle Canoe and Kayak Race The 3rd annual Weeks Bay Foundation Pelican Paddle Canoe and Kayak race will be held on Saturday, August 1. Last year, we had about 100 paddlers turn out for a spin around a three-mile course in Weeks Bay that travels past an active bald eagle nest and some of the most pristine marsh left in coastal Alabama. We gave out 27 medals in nine categories, including first, second and third place for stand up paddleboards, unconventional crafts, canoes, men’s and women’s kayak, and juvenile. We will also include a more leisurely guided nature paddle around Weeks Bay this year, after last year’s nature paddle proved exceptionally popular. The crew from 17 Turtles Outfitters will be on hand to serve as expert guides. The race proceeds go toward our mission of protecting the Edges of Alabama’s coastal waters. That includes our maritime forests, marshes, and the wetlands along the rivers and creeks of Mobile and Baldwin counties. For information, contact the Weeks Bay Foundation at 251-990-5004 or visit www.weeksbay.org. Team River Runner Veteran’s Benefit In order to raise the funds necessary to purchase the adaptive equipment required to allow all veterans to learn paddle sports regardless of any disability, the local Team River Runner chapter will be cooking BBQ ribs for a $30 donation. Pre-orders are required. To pre-order your ribs, please contact Tonya Butler-Collins at 404-316-7225 or email Mobile.Al@teamriverrunner. org. Ribs can be picked up at the United States Sports Academy located at One Academy Dr., Daphne, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. 90% of all proceeds stay in the Mobile/Daphne Chapter. This event has sponsorship from Home Depot, Budweiser, and Fired Up, Inc. Home Depot will be providing volunteers on the day of the event, Budweiser will provide a keg truck, and Fired Up will be cooking BBQ Ribs competition style. TRR is also in need of volunteers from 8 A.M. – 8 P.M.

for a day of fun events, good food, and to support a wonderful cause. Donations can be made by calling Tonya Butler-Collins 404-316-7225 or email Mobile.Al@ teamriverrunner.org. Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

Growing Up Wild Growing Up Wild for Grades 1 -2 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. – “The Bee’s Knees”. Do honey bees have knees? Why are honey bees so busy all of the time? Is honey really bee vomit? All these questions and more will be answered in this Growing Up Wild class! 5 Rivers (30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort). Free, but registration is required. To register, email Shonda at Shonda.Borden@DCNR.Alabama.gov or call 251-6250814.

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Thursday, August 6

Sunday, August 2

Theatre 98 presents “The Game’s AFOOT” See July 23 for more information.

Wednesday, August 5

Annual Professional Rodeo The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation’s primary fundraiser is the Annual Professional Rodeo, an award-winning Professional Cowboy Association event at Foley Horse Arena, 113 E Rosetta Ave Foley. The rodeo is held over a three-day period in an outdoor area, rain or shine, in August and attracts thousands of fans who cheer on professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the South. All proceeds from the 2015 rodeo benefit the Peer Helper Programs in Baldwin County Schools. Thursday, Friday & Saturday – Rodeo Begins at 8:00pm Nightly. Spectators will pay at gate – $12.00 adult, $6.00 children 4-12, age three and under free. 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Nightly – Kids Zone Activities. Kids Zone activities include face painting, tattoos, bouncy house, inflatable obstacle course and games! Free Horseback Rides compliments of Oak Hollow Farms 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. Thursday, August 6 -“Hometown Heroes” A tribute to our local heroes including all military and emergency service personnel. All service personnel are encouraged to wear their service memorabilia and will be recognized in the stands during the Pre-Rodeo festivities. Each hero can show his/her service ID or badge for free admission. Friday, August 7- “Tough Enough to Wear

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Pink”-Rodeo contestants wearing pink in honor of breast cancer survivors and research. To align with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in one of their greatest commitments, audience members will join the contestants in wearing pink for breast cancer awareness. Saturday, August 8 -“School Spirit” -Opportunity for young and old to support Baldwin County schools by wearing their team colors. Many different schools will be represented by audience members, showing their participation in this unified approach to peer support! Please visit jennifermoorefoundation.com for more information. Bellingrath Founders Day Walter Duncan Bellingrath was born August 6, 1869. Celebrate Mr. Bellingrath’s 146th Birthday with us. Free Gardens admission for local residents (Mobile and Baldwin Counties). Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore. Please visit www.bellingrath.org for more information. Sunset Festival – The Wharf See July 2 for more information. Glow in the Park Summer Movie Series See July 2 for more information.

Friday, August 7

South Baldwin Community Theatre presents “Big Bad” The most notorious criminal in the fairy-tale world, Big Bad Wolf, is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by the countless quirky characters he has wronged. Location: South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 West 2nd Street, Gulf Shores. Show dates: August 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 7:30 p.m.. August 9 & 16 (Sunday) at 2:00 p.m. Please visit sbct.biz for more information. Annual Professional Rodeo See August 6 for more information. First Friday Art Walk - Fairhope See July for more information.

Saturday, August 8

Elderberry Festival at the Fairhope Museum History The Fairhope Museum of History invites one and all to celebrate the humble elderberry at the 7th annual Elderberry Festival. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, with demonstrations, tastings, a pie-eating contest, music, and more throughout the day. Gold Coast Coin and Currency Show Join us from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for the Gold Coast Coin and Currency Show at the Foley Civic Center (407 E Laurel, Foley). For more information, please visit www.foleycoinshows.com. Annual Professional Rodeo See August 6 for more information. South Baldwin Community Theatre presents “Big Bad” See August 7 for more information.

Sunday, August 9 Gold Coast Coin and Currency Show See August 8 for more information. South Baldwin Community Theatre presents “Big Bad” See August 7 for more information.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of these calendar events. However, you should call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Please send your calendar events to lynn@ easternshoreparents.com by the 15th of each month! 83

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Max

Inside Out

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: C Sexual Content: ALanguage: B+ Alcohol / Drug Use: B+ The MPAA has rated Max PG for action violence, peril, brief language and some thematic elements. Not all soldiers walk on two feet. Some of them have four. Max is one of those. The highly trained German shepherd serves as a military dog with the US Marines in Afghanistan, along with his handler Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell). Their assignment is to search out explosives and clear the path for the rest of the unit. It is a dangerous and often thankless job. But Kyle and Max have an incredible bond. Then tragedy strikes. Max is shipped back to the dog training facility to deal with the after effects of the event. Sadly, he is a changed animal -- aggressive, skittish and unreliable. The army’s only option is to put him down. Still, Kyle’s parents (Thomas Haden Church, Lauren Graham) want to give the dog a second chance. They plead with Sergeant Reyes (Jay Hernadez) to let them take him home. Kyle’s younger brother Justin (Josh Wiggins) is put in charge of Max. Yet taking care of the unsettled animal is the last thing this sullen teen wants to do. While Kyle was fighting in the hot desert sands of Afghanistan, Justin was holed up in his room firing endless rounds of ammunition in video war games. Dealing with reality and responsibility are tough adjustments for the youth. Although Max addresses subjects like post-traumatic stress disorder and drug cartels, at its heart it is a boy and his dog story in the vein of Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog, My Dog Skip and Old Yeller. In this case, the plot involves both a troubled dog and a troubled teen. And like the other films in this genre, it is a pairing that seems to work for a tween audience. Fortunately the actual depictions of war violence are limited to a couple of tense and deadly encounters with the enemy. However there are frequent scenes involving guns (including weapons aimed at animals) that may be too frightening for young children. Teens are also chased and shot at. As well, there are depictions of illegal behavior such as arms sales and game pirating. While selling weapons may be outside the realm of most adolescents, the game pirating portrayed is a kind of gateway crime that is far more accessible. The script also contains the stereotypical bad cop character, as well as some shady military operatives and Mexican drug runners. For older kids and younger teens, this film contains impressive dog handling, some positive depictions of Latinos and a change of heart for a boy and his family. Despite the fact the movie has huge plot holes and ridiculous scenarios at times, the storyline’s strong point is the relationship between a dog and a young owner who both find a new leash on life.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: BSexual Content: ALanguage: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Inside Out PG for mild thematic elements and some action. Have you ever asked yourself what could possibly be going on inside your child’s head? Well now, thanks to Peter Doctor, you may find out. He co-wrote and directed the new Pixar/Disney movie Inside Out. And from his perspective, a kid’s mind can be a pretty complicated place. Riley (voice by Kaitlyn Dias) and her family have just moved across the country from Minnesota to San Francisco. She’s left behind her friends, her school and her hockey team. Her family has relocated in a rundown row house with a dead mouse in the front room. That’s put her emotions -- Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Fear (voice of Bill Hader), Anger (voice of Lewis Black) and Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) -- in commotion and left Riley’s parents wondering what has happened to their normally happy 11-year-old. Joy does her best to keep Riley feeling positive about her new circumstances. But Sadness starts to impact all of Riley’s happy memories. During a bit of an emotional scuffle in Riley’s head Joy and Sadness go missing. That leaves Anger, Disgust and Fear in charge of Riley’s feelings. Like many other Pixar movies, this storyline doesn’t forget there are adults in the audience too. Along with getting inside of Riley, viewers get to take a peek at the interior of Mom and Dad’s (voices of Dian Lane and Kyle MacLachlan) noggins as well. While the depictions of their emotional command centers may be pretty stereotypical, they at least show that women and men often approach the same issue differently. The plot also takes audiences through the maze of long-term recollections (which looks a lot like huge plastic containers full of colorful candies), down into the dump of forgotten memories, and through dreamland. Thankfully the film has few content concerns for most viewers. Anger often talks about using a bad word, but it is bleeped out when he finally does. However youngersters may be more bothered by the death of a character and the moments of peril Joy and Sadness experience as they make their way back to headquarters. While the emotions are drawn with cartoonish features, the actions of some of the more realistic characters could be a worry for some families. Upset by her new situation, Riley steals her mother’s credit card, buys a bus ticket and runs away -- two acts parents wouldn’t want their own tweens to repeat. However the essence of the story is to appreciate all of our emotions. Admittedly Fear, Disgust and Anger don’t come across quite as favorable as the other two do. Still, Sadness earns her keep in this script, showing that life is full of a mixture of sentiments. That message will likely go over the heads of little ones who will be more entertained by the colorful animation and slapstick antics. Yet for older children and tweens, Inside Out can be a good way to begin a conversation about the importance of giving voice to all of our feelings.

What Parents need to know about Max...

Violence: Warfare and soldiering in a war zone are shown. Soldiers are attacked and fired upon. At leas one character is killed. Drug and arms dealers are also shown with weapons. Guns are aimed at an animal and fired at other characters. A teen rips off video games and sells them illegally. A character is kicked out of her home for getting a tattoo. A family grieves the death of a child. Dogs fight. Animals and humans fall down a cliff. A character is punched in the face. A man is taken hostage. An explosion and fire cause crates of ammunition to go off. Characters are in peril. Sexual Content: A teen girl kisses a boy. Language: The script contains infrequent mild curses. Alcohol / Drug Use: A man offers an employee a beer at work. Eastern Shore Parents I July 2015

What Parents need to know about Inside Out...

Violence: Characters experience moments of peril and personal threat. A character gets angry and lashes out at others. A character finds a dead mouse in her house. Some weird and slightly scary depictions are shown during a dream sequence. A character steals a credit card and runs away. A boy repeatedly says he will die for another character. A clown scares a child. Sexual Content: A baby’s bare buttocks are briefly shown. Language: A character’s bad word is bleeped out. Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted. 84

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