Montgomery Parents December 2015 by KeepSharing

Vaccine is the best method to prevent influenza (flu), pneumococcal disease (pneu), and reduce complications. FLU VACCINE

PNEU VACCINE

• Recommended for 6 months of age and older

• Recommended for 2 months to 5 years and 65 years and older

• Available types include: nasal mist, high-dose, under the skin, egg-free, or 3-4 strains

• Two vaccines protect against 13 and 23 strains of pneumonia

• Vaccine can be given from September - March each year

• Risk groups and all adults 65 years should receive both vaccines

For more information, contact your healthcare provider, county health department, or community vaccinators.

Mark Your Calendars! PR E -K 3, PR E -K4, A ND K INDERGA RTEN OPEN HOUSE SU NDAY, JA N UA RY 2 4, 2016 | 1 : 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;3 : 30 PM

The Complete Education From Pre-K3 through 12th grade, STJ students, faculty, and administration work together to foster the potential of each child at Saint James School. Visit our state-of-the-art campus January 24th and experience first-hand the impact of engaged and experiential learning. Please join us! Our Open House program begins at 1:30pm on January 24th and is full of fun events that will help you and your child experience the complete education offered at Saint James School.

Saint James School FOR OPE N HOU S E RE S E RVATION S, CALL

334.273.2992

Leading the Way Since 1955 S T J w e b . o r g English as a second language (ESL) tutoring provided. Saint James School admits students of any religion, race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

Recognized by Apple as a distinguished school for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.

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ASMS

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Come find out if ASMS is right for you by visiting our campus Saturday, December 5 for Preview Day. See student-run classroom demonstrations and learn about a school that could change your life forever. Register for Preview Day at www.asms.net. ASMS is our state’s only fully public, residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, and the humanities. Applying to ASMS is FREE – and so are tuition, room, and board if you are admitted!

Start your application today at www.asms.net. Current Alabama 9th or 10th graders can apply. Many people ask, “Do I have to be a ‘genius’ to be accepted to ASMS?” Answer: Absolutely NOT! ASMS is made up of students who are intelligent and work hard for academic success. In 2015, the 83 ASMS grads earned $12 million in merit-based scholarships with an ACT composite class average of 29.1. Questions? Email admissions@asms.net or call 251.441.3250.

2015 ACT Comparison 31.5

31.3

30.9

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29.1

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25.5

23.5

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21.5

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English National

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Composite

ASMS

Alabama School of Mathematics and Science 1255 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604 251.441.2100 - www.asms.net 2 admissions@asms.net

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There Is Hope Ahead. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

www.montgomeryparents.com

Fr to ev

ion 1865

December2015 56

Volume 20 Number 12

Columns

6 Editor’s Note DeAnne Watson

8 Living With Children John Rosemond

When Parenting Roles Reverse

Caring for your aging parents while raising your own family.

Get Excited About Giving

Find creative ideas for “themed” holiday gift exchanges.

12 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Professional Pediatrics

14 Montgomery Education Matters by Superintendent Margaret Allen

46 Elmore Education Matters by Superintendent Andre L. Harrison

54 Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs

60 Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

Holiday Happenings

From parades to tree lightings to musicals and more, these events make your season bright!

Raising Boys

Teach them to be good brothers by inspiring healthy competition, empathy, and cooperation.

On The Cover Addison Bailey (6) is the daughter of Shayne and Maricia Bailey of Eclectic. She attends Kindergarten at Alabama Christian Academy and has one brother, Austin (7). Addison enjoys dancing, modeling, participating in beauty pageants, and she loves school!

70 Centsibly Southern Chic Laura Handey

74 A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith

Departments 10 Bits and Pieces 16 School Bits 78 Calendar/Support Groups 91 Advertiser Directory 92 Movie Reviews

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Editor’sNote This year, I was determined not to let Thanksgiving be overshadowed by the early signs of Christmas all around me. It was pretty difficult however, with Christmas decorations in stores the day after Halloween and a local radio station playing holiday music beginning November 1st. I really wanted to enjoy the relaxation, food and gathering of family on Thanksgiving before moving my mind into high gear with thoughts of gift buying, decorating the tree, and taking our four-year-old Grace to visit Santa. Well, Thanksgiving got the attention it deserves, and now I’m ready to get excited about the Christmas season! Having Grace around the house brings fresh anticipation about Christmas for all of us, Will (18) and Anna (15) included. There’s nothing quite like watching a young child experience the holidays; it brings out the child in all of us! Plus, Grace is so easy (and FUN) to buy for. Basically, I have to figure out how to not go over my budget because ideas for a four-year-old girl are endless. She would like anything and everything we might buy. The older kids are a different story; gift buying becomes more difficult with each passing year. If you find yourself in this stage of life you’ll enjoy this month’s article, Get Excited About Gift Giving. You’ll find ideas for choosing a “themed gift exchange,” which can focus on a variety of categories, like Experiences, Consumable Goods, and even Donations. Maybe this would be a good way to shake things up a bit around your house this Christmas. We’ve continued our 2015 Holiday Happenings Guide in this month’s issue! Getting out and about around town is great way to create new experiences and memories with your family this season. Whether your kids are young or in their teen years, you’ll find plenty of activities that will suit your family’s needs. Please give special attention to our advertisers throughout the listing and flip over to their ad to learn more. Changing gears, let me draw your attention to two other features offering important advice in this issue. First, Gayla Grace empathizes with the challenge many of today’s parents face as they begin to care for their own aging parents. Her article, When Parenting Roles Reverse, offers help for managing the demands of raising your children and being present with your own family, while giving the needed care to your aging mom or dad. Next is an article that will certainly strike a chord with all of you who have sons. While there is a certain camaraderie brothers share, a specific set of challenges exists for parents who are growing them up. In Raising Boys: Teaching Them to Be Good Brothers, Christa Hines shares practical ideas on how to teach your sons to honor and respect each other’s differences. She touches on competition, empathy, cooperation and more. If you aren’t raising boys yourself, please share this article with that friend you recently saw on the verge of pulling her hair out while her boys wrestled on the floor of the grocery store. Finally, the December issue marks the end of our 20th year publishing Montgomery Parents magazine. We are blessed to continue helping families navigate the rewarding, yet challenging, journey of parenting. And we are always thankful for your support of that endeavor. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source

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

Founder Marty Watson (1950-2006) Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@montgomeryparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Research Editor Wendy McCollum Contributing Writers Spence Agee Margaret Allen Gayla Grace Laura Handey Andre L. Harrison Malissa Hoy, M.D. Christa Hines Carolyn Jabs Sara Marchessault John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith

Cover Photography Lori Mercer Photography www.lorimercerphotography.com Publisher Jason Watson jason@montgomeryparents.com Associate Publisher Gena Hill Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 ads@montgomeryparents.com Ad Design Tim Welch Distribution Manager Chris Mitchell Member

DeAnne

deanne@montgomeryparents.com Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Montgomery Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. Montgomery Parents is copyrighted 2015 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in Montgomery 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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Schedule your free placement test now at these locations Kumon Math & Reading Center of Montgomery - Central 1655 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

Short Answers for Quick Questions A collection of “shorties”—questions from parents that require less than 100-word answers:

Can you tell me why my 34-month-old daughter is throwing so many tantrums?

A: She throws tantrums because you don’t obey her. After two years of being the center of attention, it’s difficult for her to accept that she’s not ringmaster of the family circus. Q:

So what should I do when she throws a tantrum?

Assign her tantrums to a rug or some other “tantrum place.” When she has a fit, drag her to her special rug and walk away.

My 5-year-old still sucks her thumb. I have tried various means of getting her to stop, but she persists. Any advice?

A: My wife and I told our thumb-sucking daughter, Amy, when she was five that she could suck her thumb in her room only. If we found her doing it elsewhere, we sent her to her room. Not as punishment, mind you, but simply to put it out of sight, to

describe some geographical limits around it. She quickly gave it up.

I want my 24-month-old son to learn to drink from an open cup. Sippy cups drive me nuts. Any advice?

A: Sippy cups are found in the hands of kids as old as five these days because so many kids no longer drink water. They drink colored, sweetened junk liquids that stain if spilled. The way to teach a child to drink from an open cup is to put water in it. Begin with a small amount and gradually increase it as his cup-holding mastery improves. Sippy cups should be over and done with by 24 months. After that, they interfere with hand-eye coordination. Q:

So what should a parent do if a child is constantly wanting attention?

A: Parents should not let children dictate the terms of the parent-child relationship. The child who constantly wants attention needs parents who refuse to give it to him on demand. Q: What if the child gets upset if the parents refuse to give him attention?

A: So what? Children don’t know what is best for themselves. A child who gets upset because his parents refuse to let him command center stage in the family should be sent to his room until he cools off. Q:

When she’s at home, my 14-year-old daughter prefers to be in her room, reading. She has no cell phone or computer in her room, but getting her to join the family is sometimes like pulling teeth. Otherwise, she’s a good kid. Any advice?

A: Let her be. Unless, that is, you have a specific reason why she should come out of her room, in which case you should insist upon it. If this is the only problem you have with a 14-year-old, give praise and thanks and leave well enough alone. Q:

My 15-year-old son has been invited to a boy-girl sleepover. The supervising parents are good, responsible people. Should I let him go?

This is a joke question, right?

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

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Holiday Open House @ the Art Museum

Saturday, December 5 @ 1-4 p.m. Local choral groups will perform throughout the Museum and the studios will bustle with holiday crafts including the ever-popular Reindeer Feed Bags. The galleries will be open, as will ARTWORKS. Be on the look-out for a certain red-suited guest who will listen to all holiday wishes. There is no charge for Holiday Open House, but we encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or canned goods for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Visit www.mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4333 for more info.

Christmas at Lanark

December 12 * 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn how to create your own nature ornament, get pictures with Santa, enjoy our Christmas movie special, and make sure to go on the hayride! We will have hot chocolate for sale and plenty of activities to keep you warm! Recommended for all ages. $5 admission. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents A Christmas Carol -Through December 24 A heart-warming, holiday must-see that will get you into the swing of the holiday season with Scrooge’s search for redemption and a spectacular, magical evening of ghosts, spirits, festivity and goodwill. Visit www.asf.net or 271-5353. Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents An O. Henry Christmas December 3-5; 10-12; and 17-19 Theatre doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 6:15 until 7. The show begins promptly at 7:30. Tickets are $26.50 and include dinner and the show. Members of the military can purchase tickets for just $21.50. Reservations must be paid in advance. To make reservations or for more information, call 877-840-0457 or visit http://www.ticketforce.com/. Millbrook Community Theatre Presents Fairy Tale Christmas December 7-12 School audiences December 7-11 @ 9 and 10:30 a.m. Public showing Dec. 12 @ 7:30 p.m. Holiday cheer is driving Queen Malvinia crazy! The former evil stepmother of Snow White’s story is now somewhat reformed, and rules over the kingdom of Happily Ever After. But ever since all the traditional fairy tale characters began getting along, demand for the Queen’s various potions on her website have fallen off drastically. For tickets or more info, Visit www.millbrooktheater.com or call (334) 782-7317 for tickets. Wetumpka Depot Theatre Hosts Crossstich Productions for The Holiday Bug December 16-18 at 7 p.m. and December 19 at 10 a.m. This Christmas-themed puppet performance is recommended for ages 7 and up with plenty of clean entertainment for the adults too. Written by Depot alumni Austin Thompson, The Holiday Bug tells the story of Hiram and Gertrude Wool, two sheep trying to get ready for the holidays. Tickets may be purchased at wetumpkadepot.com or by calling (334) 868-1440. 10

December 12 Wetumpka’s Christmas extravaganza with character breakfasts at 7:30 and 9 a.m., a 12K run at 9 a.m., arts & crafts beginning at 10 a.m., parade at 2 p.m., food, quilt show, classic car show, entertainment and activities on the Coosa River culminating with a boat parade at 5:30 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks exhibition at 6. Visit www.wetumpkalibrary.com.

MPAC Presents

Tickets may be purchased by calling (334) 481-5100 or visiting www.mpaconline.org. Keith and Kristyn Getty “Joy – An Irish Christmas” Presented by Baptist Health: December 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $25. Alabama Farmers’ Federation Presents Wynonna & The Big Noise Christmas December 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $37.

h c MSO’s Holiday Pops Concert December 14 at 7:30 pm. Tickets begin at $11. Lewis Black January 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $25. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents JOURNEY’S ‘Escape’ January 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets begin at $25.

Tim Tebow “The Journey Continues…” January 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $60. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Enjoy Christmas Carriage Rides @ The Shoppes at Eastchase

December 5, 12 & 19 * 2-5 p.m. Carriages rides are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Take a ride around EastChase and enjoy the beautiful holiday sights and sounds. For more info, call (334) 279-6046 or visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com/.

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December 15* 4-7 p.m. Enter at Lucas Tavern, 310 N. Hull St. This will be a true 19th Century experience with a variety of live music, children’s pioneer-style crafts, storytelling, house tours, history of the holidays, and cookies & cider! Free to the public! Call (334) 240-4500 or visit oldalabamatown.com.

Are you looking for a fun outlet for your child that nurtures wellness, fitness, coordination, balance, attention and learning, all while interacting and playing with their peers? If so, then Brain Pump might be what you are looking for! Brain Pump is a group exercise class, targeting children 4-12 years of age. The class is the collaboration of a physical therapist and a kinesiology professor combining traditional therapy and exercise concepts with the latest cutting-edge research on movement and the brain. Brain Pump incorporates exercises with a strong neurological component that promote gross motor skills, balance, core strengthening, coordination and proprioception (body awareness). All of these promote better organization and maturity of a child’s nervous system, often positively affecting attention and learning. The intensity of the class is also designed to keep the child’s heart rate at a level that research shows most stimulates the brain. This is all done in a fun, energetic setting, that seems much more like playing than exercising. Brain Pump is taught at Metro Fitness on Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m. Please contact Tiffany Higginbotham at Body Logic PT & Wellness (334) 3805920 if you are interested in reserving a spot in the class. New classes begin January 9, 2016.

Montgomery Ballet’s The Nutcracker

December 11-13 at Troy University’s Davis Theatre in Downtown Montgomery. As a gesture of appreciation to Montgomery’s military community, Montgomery Ballet will provide 250 complimentary tickets for military veterans, service members, and their families. Public performances will be offered December 11 at 7:30 p.m., December 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and conclude on December 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets vary in price from $15 to $30. Sugarplum Fairy Parties will be hosted on Saturday and Sunday immediately following the 2 p.m. performances. Tickets are $10. To purchase tickets, visit www.montgomeryballet.org or call the Montgomery Ballet at (334) 409-0522.

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Sponsored by

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Workshop Dates and Times

To learn more about Soul Shop TM coming to Montgomery, please contact

February 1, 2016 6:30 -8:00 pm Open to the public

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February 2, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. : Specifically for Clergy, Church Staff, Lay Ministers and other Faith Related Organizations

Location

First United Methodist Church 2416 West Cloverdale Park Montgomery, Alabama, 36106

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Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Offers Pee Wee Girls’ Basketball

Saint James School Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Katie Barton started a Pee Wee League at Saint James this year for girls in grades 3 & 4, and another team for girls in grades 5 & 6. Being the only school in the area to offer competitive basketball at this age, the STJ Pee Wee Lady Trojans had a productive eight-week season learning the basic fundamentals of basketball, developing an appreciation for the sport, building their confidence as a young female athlete, and promoting the value of teamwork. After their first game, Coach Barton said, “The girls played hard, showed great sportsmanship, and were extremely competitive. We are looking forward to watching the impact these girls have on the lady Trojan basketball program.” The STJ Lady Trojan Pee Wee Basketball teams are shown below. 5th & 6th graders, in the top photo, are: Bandgi Patel, Kate Rees, Cameron Greene, Amya Donald, Sierra Boles, Emily Headley, Morgan Bolen, Ava Poliquin, Gracie Branham, Abbie Hubbard, and Marrison Gardner. Not pictured: Michaela Gaines. 3rd & 4th graders, in the bottom photo, are: Lindsey Murphey, Katie Irving, Molli Victoria Pickett, Riley Hooks, Stella Sponseller, Pre’Aijah Reese, Rain Johnson, and Ko’Olina Mosley. Not pictured: Lily Everett.

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Trinity Marching Band Participates In Veterans’ Day Parade

In honor of all the courageous men and women who have served and protected our great country, the Trinity “Wildcat Pride” Marching Band participated in the Montgomery Veterans’ Day Parade.

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Catholic Places Second at Science Olympiad Competition

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School competed in the Elementary Science Olympiad competition at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. October 20. The team brought home second place overall. Twenty Science Olympiad teams from all over the state competed in the event. Montgomery Catholic’s team was comprised of fifth- and sixth-grade students led by teachers Allison Boyd and Lori Riggles. Fifth-grade participants were Danielle Willcox, Alexander Villena and Amy Treloar; sixth-grade participants were Catherine Aaron, Samantha Day, Cade Delgado, Cadence Golden, Angeles Gonzalez, Trey Holmes, Samuel Rogers, Shawn Sponsler, Jordan Stokes and Maggie Turner. Individual event winners for the day included: Solid, Liquid, or Gas - 1st place: Jordan Stokes, Angeles Gonzalez; Orienteering - 1st place: Samuel Rogers; Leaf & Tree Finder - 1st place: Catherine Aaron, Maggie Turner; Name the Scientist 2nd place: Jordan Stokes, Angeles Gonzalez; Deep Blue Sea 1st place: Trey Holmes, Samantha Day; Starry, Starry, Night 1st place: Samuel Rogers, Samantha Day; Pasta Bridge - 2nd place: Samantha Day and Samuel Rogers. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Success Unlimited Presents Hawkins Hall

MA Competes in Youth Judicial

Montgomery Academy students recently competed in the Youth Judicial program, which is a YMCA-sponsored program that gives youth the opportunity to learn firsthand about government and civic issues. More than 600 students statewide participated. Camp Spain, Griffin Payne, Margaret Canary, Ann Vivian Spencer, Ford Cleveland and Lindsey Ferraro won the Hugh Maddox Award for the Overall Best Team at Youth Judicial. They have qualified for the National Junior Mock Trial Competition held this summer. Only four teams (out of 650+ students) get the opportunity to go to the nationals. Additionally, the team of William Chandler, Henry Hamlett, Anna Kate Lindsey, John Koo, Jack Barganier and Michael Butler placed in the Top Ten while another MA team with members Madison Hall, Mollie Beth Dill, Kyla Cole, Preston Clark, Fred Tippett and Caroline Sellers finished in the Top 15. Montgomery Academy students also won the award for Third Place Defense Team and junior Ellen Park was presented the award for Best Defense Attorney. Junior Tayla White and senior Gabbi Pohlman served as judges, and White was elected Chief Justice. Stephanie Hill is sponsor of the MA Government Club.

A K4-12 College Preparatory School

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 24, 2 - 4 p.m.

Holy Spirit Elementary Campus, K4-6 grade 8580 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117 334-649-4404

St. Bede Elementary Campus, K4-6 grade 3850 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36109 334-272-3033

Middle School Campus, 7-8 grade

, -

5350 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116 334-272-2465

High School Campus, 9-12 grade

Success Unlimited Academy recently held a dedication of its new auditorium at the Vaughn Road campus. Susan Alred, founder, surprised her mother Josephine Hawkins Moody at her 80th birthday celebration by naming the auditorium in her honor. “Ms. Jo” has been an active member of the school’s advisory board and leader for the advancement of education for all children. Her dedication to provide oversight, prayers and wisdom to the school has proven to be part of SUA’s success. The auditorium was overflowing with family, friends and faculty members who attended to thank her for her service to the school and to say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY.” She was presented with a beautiful dedication plaque that reads: “Hawkins Hall Dedicated in honor of Josephine Hawkins Moody Her unconditional love for others has been a shining example of God’s perfect love. Her gentle spirit and faithfulness to her family, church, community and Success Unlimited Academy is above reproach. May all who enter these doors be filled with God’s spirit and love.” The plaque now resides at the entrance of the Vaughn Road Success Unlimited Campus.

For more information contact vdickson@montgomerycatholic.org or call 334-272-7221 ext. 32.

5350 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116 334-272-7220 33

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Fl Montgomery County Schools

Macon Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lexi Brantley Commits to Belhaven

Macon East Academy senior Lexi Brantley signed an official letter of intent to play volleyball next season at Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. A six-year varsity player for the Lady Knights, Brantley and the Macon East team have won five straight AISA state championship titles. She reached two major milestones this season, racking up more than 2,000 career assists and more than 500 career aces, and was named to the all tournament team in the state finals. Brantley is more than a team leader on the volleyball court; she is an outstanding student, president of the SGA, MEAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Homecoming queen, and an all-around positive roll model at Macon East. Her coach at Belhaven will be Justin Dee. Brantley is shown with her parents, Jim Brantley and Kelley Hall.

Churchill Academy Redeeming Red for World Dyslexia Day

Churchill Academy students and teachers participated in the 3rd Annual World Dyslexia Day. The school participated in the Redeeming Red Kickoff Event October 14 at the RSA Tower in Montgomery, hosted by local non-profit Roundtable Solutions. Students also wore red on October 15 to celebrate the one in five who have dyslexia. Beau Terry, Churchill Academy seventh-grader, is the co-founder of the Redeeming Red movement and World Dyslexia Day.

3457 Malcolm Drive (Taylor Rd next to Max Bank) Montgomery, AL 36116 334-356-1570 www.mathnasium.com/eastmontgomery Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Floyd Middle Celebrates Spanish Heritage

Floyd Middle Magnet School Spanish Club officers kicked off celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a schoolwide assembly on Oct. 23. Floyd Spanish teacher Sra. Henley gave a speech about the importance of recognizing diversity. Special guest speaker was Officer Rodriguez from the Montgomery Police Department. Students from Sra. Henley’s Intermediate and Spanish 1 classes performed Spanish dances and songs. Spanish Club officers are: Angelina Unich, Sarah Lowery, Claire Harden and Jada Stringer. The performers were Kerry Straw, Isabela Baker, Hannah Thomas, Shannon Kim, Tanyia Hill, Abigail Perry, Lindsey Summerlin, Alex Hayes, Trevor Horstead, Mecca Townsend, Megan Boswell and Jurnee Webster.

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HOOPER ACADEMY Grade Levels K-12

ACA Pee Wee Football Team Wins Playoff

In only its second year of existence, the Alabama Christian Academy Pee Wee team went 8-0, winning the regular season and playoff CCC titles. The team was dominant all season, winning five of their games by shutout. Sanders Manning, Hayes Hunt,and Chase Emerson combined for over 900 rushing yards. Hunt, the quarterback, connected 30 of 40 passes for 668 yards. 20 of the 30 completions went to Trey Schlemmer for 433 yards. Garrett Weathers also had 7 receptions for 173 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Thomas Stovall led the team with 41.5 tackles. Vincent Blake also was a leader on defense with 6 sacks for a combined loss of over 40 yards. 13 total players had tackles for losses. The team averaged for 258 yards a game and held its opponents to under 50 yards per game. The total yardage this season was 2,066. The defense only allowed 381 total yards all season.

Please visit and see what we have to oﬀer your family! Early Learning Center 6 weeks thru K-4; Before & After School Care If you have any questions please contact Hooper Academy at (334) 288-5980. Hooper is located at 380 Fisher Road, Hope Hull, Alabama, just oﬀ I-65 South.

Headmaster: Greg Faulkner • Asst. Headmaster/Athletic Director: Keith Moore 334-288-5980 • www.hooperacademy.org • HCAinfo@hooperacademy.org

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Montgomery County Schools

Anchors Aweigh at Holy Cross

Third-grade students at Holy Cross Episcopal School put their engineering skills to work recently in the school’s STEM lab when they were tasked with designing and building boats out of clay. They developed criteria for the perfect boat that included strength, buoyancy, and durability. In a series of trial and error experiments, students perfected and tested designs, developing boats capable of holding up to seventy-five grams. “A ball of clay sank when we put it in water so I was amazed when our boats began to float,” said Steadman Meadows. Olivia Smith explained her secret to success by saying, “I learned it was necessary to make the sides high enough to keep the inside dry while making the bottom strong.” Shown, students Ava Stuart, Pajah Bryant, James Marshall and Sanai Burton.

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Fall Fun with Churchill Academy

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.

Churchill Academy kicked fall off with a bang! From the Annual Fall Festival to the High School Fall Dance, the Churchill Academy family fully celebrated the month of October. The Pumpkin Decorating Contest is a favorite among students.

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Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Success Unlimited Key Club Serves at the Fair

The Success Unlimited Academy Key Club set out on November 7 to engage in community service at the Alabama National Fair. Up early to work the first shift, the group was greeted by the Montgomery Kiwanis Club and treated to Krispy Kreme doughnuts. After checking in and a quick briefing, they headed to their posts. Assisting with the gates and handing out brochures, the students welcomed the guests with smiles. SUA students earned 4.5 community service hours. After the group was finished, they swiftly headed out to enjoy the fair atmosphere and food! “This was an awesome experience,” said Key Club President Tiye’ Davis. It is always great to be of service in the community.”

Veterans Honored At Cornerstone

One of the most anticipated days at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy is the school’s annual Veterans’ Day Celebration. For the tenth consecutive year, students, parents and teachers gathered at the school for a memorable day. The students gathered for a memorable chapel service where they honored members of the Armed Forces with patriotic songs and recitations. In addition, Boy Scout Troop 924 presented the colors. Those gathered also heard from Captain Jon Carroll, who is currently serving in the USAF at Maxwell AFB. Capt. Carroll has a special connection to the school as two of his school-age daughters attend Cornerstone. Another special guest was Lt. Colonel Al Carroll, who served in the U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima and retired from the USAF. From left are Capt. Jon Carroll and retired Lt. Col. Al Carroll.

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Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Student Awarded By Governor

Saint James seventh-grader Alivia Hancock was awarded a Volunteer Certificate from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on October 28. Hancock is a Cadet in the Girl Scouts and was working to earn her Silver Award, a project that requires a minimum of 50 personal volunteer hours, and assists a group in the scout’s community. The Girl Scout must organize and execute the project herself to earn the award. Through a community action grant from Thrivent Financial, Hancock was given a $250 gift card to buy the supplies she needed to make therapy bags for the Hickory Hills Assisted Living Facility in Prattville. Hancock and a fellow cadet worked from May to July, sewing 80 therapy bags and 50 door jammers, per Hickory Hills’ request. The therapy bags are filled with brown rice and may be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer to then be used for aches/ pains by the facility’s residents. In addition to completing the Silver Award requirements, Hancock was awarded a Volunteer Certificate from Governor Bentley and a certificate and pin by the Girl Scouts.

Cornerstone Honors Grandparents

Students in Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy’s kindergarten through sixth grades celebrated their grandparents recently with a day filled with fun and activities. The day began with a special presentation in the church sanctuary. Older students recited “Paul Revere’s Ride” and played hand chimes, and the younger students sang for those attending. Following the program, the grandparents toured the classrooms and enjoyed refreshments with their grandchildren. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Montgomery Catholic Inducts 35 New Members into National Junior Honor Society

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School inducted 35 new members into their chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) during a ceremony held on Monday, November 16, 2015. The largest group to ever be inducted into the Montgomery Catholic chapter, it is more than an honor society, these 35 eighth grade students have demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The newest members of National Junior Honors Society at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Middle School for the 2015-2016 school year are: Ryan Avery, Sarah Rose Burden, Tanner Carter, Bobby Crawford, Emily Curry, Nathan Downes, Lainie Doyle, Anna DuBois, Patrick Flores, Jason Flowers, Victoria Hall, Ashley Hayes, Michael Hodges, Tyler Hoffman, Sophie Izer, Savannah Johnson, Denalie Mosakowski, Scott Nation, Katherine O’Connor, Charlie O’Donnell, Zack Pappanastos, Clayton Peeler, Katie Perkins, Meaghan Pineda, Anna Sadie, Emma Secor, Elizabeth Speirs, Kinley Tadlock, John Tittel, Christopher Valencia, Daniel Walmsley, Patrick Whetstone and Clare Wilson.

ACA Middle School Celebrates Homecoming

The Alabama Christian Academy Middle School celebrated homecoming October 5. Students participated in a dress-up day and a special middle school pep rally to gear up for the game against Saint James. At halftime, the 2015 Court and their escorts were presented. Ninth-grader and 2014 Middle School Homecoming Princess Gracie Shadix presided over the coronation. Eighth-grader Madison Davis, daughter of Alan and Heather Davis, was crowned the 2015 Middle School Homecoming Princess. She was escorted by Andrew Burns, son of Matt and Carla Burns. Two other ladies represented the eighth-grade class. Chandler Brewer, daughter of Jeff Jones and Dana Brewer, was escorted by Jackson Hill, son of Kenneth and Gena Hill. Jenna Sanders, daughter of Dean and Stephanie Sanders, was escorted by Judd Hardin, son of Brian and Kelli Hardin. The seventh grade was represented by Ragen Pike, daughter of Bryan and Kellie Pike. She was escorted by Braden Alford, son of Lee and Keri Alford. Maddie Wingard, daughter of David and Dana Wingard, represented the sixth grade. Her escort was Carson Horn, son of Mike and Kim Horn. From left are Ragen Pike, Madison Davis, Andrew Burns, Jenna Sanders, Judd Hardin, Chandler Brewer, Jackson Hill, Maddie Wingard and Carson Horn. Not pictured, Braden Alford, JV football player who needed to get ready for the second half of the football game. 38

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Trinity Cross Country Teams Headed to State!

Trinity’s boys’ cross country team placed 2nd and the girls finished 3rd in an impressive showing at the Cross Country Sectionals in Auburn November 5. Both teams are headed to State in Moulton, Ala. at the Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum. Charlie Lott was the 4A Section 1 winner, along with Dawson Oliver, TA Sluis, Carter Clark (who ran a personal record time of 18.29) and Wells Rutland, all in the top 12. Ensley Craven finished in the top 10 for the girls’ team. Boys’ XC Team is at right; Girls’ XC Team is above.

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Eastwood Holds Special Event For Grandparents

Eastwood Christian School held its annual “Grand Event,” where grandparents and grandpals were honored for this special night. The program, which showcased each grade’s learning, began with students in grades K5-6 singing “Victory Chant” and ended with “In Christ Alone.” Honored guests for Eastwood’s 20th anniversary were local alumni including Bruce Stewart, Eastwood’s first graduate, who led the group with “Be Thou My Vision.” All alumni joined the current students in the final hymn. After the program, grandparents were invited to visit the classrooms and take pictures with their grandchild. 39

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ACA Senior Named Commended Student

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Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Alabama Christian Academy senior Sarah Palmer has been named a commended student in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2016 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Palmer is shown with ACA’s new Head of School, Dr. Misty Overman.

Churchill Senior Voted Most Spirited

Fiona Johnson, Churchill Academy senior, participated in Montgomery County’s Distinguished Young Women scholarship program. Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. Johnson’s love of music was beautifully showcased through her clarinet performance during the program. She was also unanimously voted by program participants as the recipient of the Most Spirited award and scholarship, the only award voted on by the program participants. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Academy Actors Earn High Marks At District Theatre Festival

Ten Montgomery Academy Upper School actors recently performed in the Walter Trumbauer Secondary Theatre Festival District Drama Festival. At all levels of competition, students receive critiques from qualified teachers and theatre practitioners, allowing them to improve their theatrical skills. The following students earned Excellent rating: Lindsey Warwick and Jeong Woo Kim in Comedic Female Musical Solo, Martha Glen Sease in Classical Monologue and Maggie Smith in Contemporary Female Comedic Monologue. Warwick also earned a Superior rating in Dramatic Female Musical Solo. The following students earned Superior rankings and will be competing at State: Sease in Contemporary Female Comedic Monologue, Max Zink in Contemporary Male Comedic Monologue, Zink and Claudia Ann Rutland in Comedic Readers Theater, Maria Gamble and Lauren Muller in Comedic Duet Acting, Annie Ramsey in Comedic and Dramatic Female Musical Solo and Caroline Cochren in Comedic and Dramatic Female Musical Solo.

Saint James Outstanding at Youth Judicial

The Saint James School Youth Judicial teams competed November 7-9 against more than 675 participants from 79 teams across the state of Alabama in the YMCA Youth Judicial three-day Mock Trial Competition for high school students in grades 9-12. This competition provides the opportunity for students to try an actual case and work with attorneys as team coaches who help them understand the judicial system. In the Major League competition, STJ was named the number two Prosecution Team in the state. The STJ team of sophomores included student lawyers Sydney Brashears, Stephen Sadie and Annie Skoneki. Witnesses were Claudia Hubbard, Whitman Kent, Katie McIntyre and Denson Clark. The attorney coach for the team was Grant Sexton, an STJ alum. Hubbard was selected as the Outstanding Witness for the Prosecution in the state. STJ junior Sydney Stone was the Sheriff in charge of the Premiere League; STJ junior Anna Claire Bullard was the editor of the social media staff for TomorrowTODAY, along with social media staff members Abbey Engles and HanahMathis Ray, both sophomores at Saint James. The senior defense team from Saint James included student lawyers Lexie Larson, Sara Arrington, Samantha White, Hannah White and Abi Young; witnesses were Emily Blackwell, Emily Livings and Emma Moody. Their attorney coach was Beth Poe. The STJ junior defense team included student lawyers Harrison Carter, T Diebel and Lindsey Holcomb; witnesses were Sally Brown, Molly Denham and Spencer Hamilton. The junior prosecution team from Saint James included student lawyers Colton Alter, Atchison Hubbard and Maddie Olszewski; witnesses were Allen Azar, Emma Donaldson and Mackenzie Montiel. Their attorney coach was STJ alum Wells Robinson. The freshman defense team in the Premiere League included student lawyers Trinity Hunter, Chaselea Rountree and Lauren Sullivan; witnesses were Travis Hamilton, Alivia Ennis, Lizanne Livings and Gabriella Hernandez. Their attorney coaches were STJ alums Rebecca Chambliss and Robert Black. Continuing their work while faculty members, STJ retired teachers Kay McGaughey and Cindy Somerville served as advisors to the students attending the competition. Shown, the team of Saint James sophomores was named among the top two Prosecution Teams in the state at the YMCA Youth Judicial competition. Seated from left are Claudia Hubbard, Annie Skoneki and Katie McIntyre. Standing are Whitman Kent, Stephen Sadie, Denson Clark and Sydney Brashears. 41

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Montgomery County Schools

Trinity Celebrates Top AR Readers

MPACT Competes in Tuscaloosa Team Build

MPACT’s Building Science and Electrical students competed in the Team Design and Build Contest in Tuscaloosa November 1314. Team members were required to design and build a small home complete with door and window, wire the home, and install light fixtures. The team placed third in the competition. Team members were Kenneth Ambrose, Timothy Bibb, Steven Cooper, Corey Hatcher, Marques Nelson, Kenterious Porter, and Demartae Shackelford. The team was led by instructors David Hartman and Rick Robinson.

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

The top accelerated readers in Trinity’s Lower School for the first nine weeks celebrated their reading accomplishments with “Breakfast and Books” in the Mac lab with Lower School Principal Dr. Tami Shelley. The top four students in each grade were recognized and include, First Grade: Cameron Boling, Addison Cline, Sam Wall and Morgan French; Second Grade: Hart Johnston, Michael Wilson, Max Vaughn and Jack Mracek; Third Grade: An Wilkes Cavanaugh, Philip Wilson, Ridge Newell and Anne Rollins Howe; Fourth Grade: Kaylee Henderson, Mary Massey McCulloch, Caroline Mracek and Emma McDaniel; and Fifth Grade: Norris Pemberton, Tabitha Tegman, Abby Taunton and Tate Bixenman.

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P Autauga County Schools

Prattville Kindergartners Read for the Record

East Memorial Announces Spelling Bee Winners

From left are the winners of the East Memorial Christian Academy Spelling Bee: fourth grade, Emily Mason; fifth grade, Aryana Mora; sixth grade, Rebekah Williams; seventh grade, Lonnie Hollon; and eighth grade, Makayla Howze. They will represent EMCA at the District Spelling Bee in January. Send Your School News to: editor@ montgomeryparents.com.

Prattville Junior High Rewards Positive People!

On October 22, Prattville Kindergarten School participated in JumpStart’s Literacy Campaign: Read for the Record. PKS joined children all over the nation to break a record for the most people reading the same children’s book on the same day. This year the book chosen was Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett. Many community members came out to read with students. Local veterinarian Dr. Tommy Gamper came out to speak to the kids about his job, choosing a pet and pet care. The school media center was transformed into a pet shop with many different types of pets. Students learned about dogs, birds, fish, rats, snakes, iguanas, rabbits and turtles.

PJHS Holds Honor Roll Party

More than 400 students made the A or A/B Honor Roll for the first quarter at Prattville Junior High and were treated to pizza and Pepsi during an extra break during the day. Thanks to seventh-grade counselor Ty Bolden for organizing this quarterly celebration!

PKS Promotes Community Service

As part of our recent Read for the Record event, Prattville Kindergarten School students learned about different types of pets and pet care. As part of the unit study, students also learned about community service and collected donations for the Autauga/Prattville Humane Shelter. Students and families supported the cause in a huge way. On October 22, representatives from the Humane Shelter were presented with dog food, cat food, towels, cleaning supplies, collars, brushes, blankets and bowls. Faculty and staff at PKS are working toward making the students aware of needs and ways to help others in our community.

PJHS Beta Club Packs Christmas Shoeboxes Prattville Junior High School National Beta Club stands for academics, character, leadership and service. For this semester, Beta Club has taken on the task of serving the entire world. They are working on a goal to pack 100 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. They have been writing cards, packing boxes and making donations to make a Merry Christmas for those in need around the world. Thank you to AUM Professor Dr. Keren Deal for sponsoring the Beta Club with this endeavor.

Though students are sometimes sent to the principal’s office for behavior issues, most students are excellent and deserve positive attention. Therefore, teachers at Prattville Junior High write students up for doing things RIGHT! Principal Janice Stockman will call a student in and share his or her “positive office referral,” let the student choose from a variety of treats, and call parents to let them know their student has been seen acting Responsible, Respectful, and Resourceful! Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Prattville Kindergarten School Holds Storybook Safari

On October 22, Prattville Kindergarten School celebrated reading! Families came to school dressed as their favorite storybook character to play games and eat pizza. Every teacher made a game to reflect a favorite childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book. Students had fun playing the games and winning prizes. Attendance was great and the costumes were fantastic.

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Prattville Students Have Enrichment Options Prattville Junior High School has recently added enrichment classes to its schedule to encourage students to find meaningful activities at school. On Wednesdays, a CATalyst period is added to the schedule to provide a 45-minute block of time dedicated to pique student interests. Classes range from Zumba and Fantasy Football to French, Crochet, Debate, Farming, Law Enforcement, Chess, Origami, Step Dance, Cake Decorating and more. These classes are designed to increase attendance, decrease discipline,and promote student achievement. The longterm objective of CATalyst is to increase the Graduation Rate. Students in the Fashion class are shown designing new shirts.

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The Elmore County Public School System’s mission is “to provide relevant, engaging, positive learning environments where students are empowered to realize their self-worth through continuous academic, social, and emotional growth.” Technology is intertwined in every aspect of our daily lives and an integral part of the educational experience we strive to provide for our students. I would like to update you on the status of technology in our system Office 365 for Education will soon be deployed and offers a suite of tools in addition to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. These tools include email, online document editing and storage, instant messaging, and web conferencing. Most exciting is that our system-wide agreement allows us to offer Office 365 to staff and students at no charge! This version of Office offers increased stability and reli-

ability of service, increased storage capacity, and reduces costs for infrastructure, staff, and software licenses. Canvas Learning Management System is replacing My Big Campus which students and staff have used for the past three years. Designed specifically for K-12 teachers and students, Canvas is an easy-to-use, cloud-based learning management system (LMS) that connects all the digital tools and resources teachers use into one simple place. It integrates seamlessly with hundreds of apps, empowering teachers and students with countless tools to make teaching and learning easier and more fun. In addition, learning management systems are used widely by colleges and universities; therefore, our continued use of an LMS helps ease our students’ transition to post-secondary education. Our technology infrastructure has been upgraded in phases, beginning in the summer of 2014. Our wireless network was replaced to create a more robust, reliable, secure, and resilient network. Our Path to Digital Learning (P2DL) Initiative includes a “bring your own technology (BYOT)” component that, once implemented, will increase the density of devices that will impact our network. This

network upgrade positions us to be ready for implementation of this component. The second phase of our infrastructure upgrade was replacement of switches. A switch is the device in our network that connects together other devices, manages data flow across a network, and maximizes security and efficiency of the network. The last of our older switches will be replaced in our middle schools in the summer of 2016. Last but not least, hats off to our Office of Technology staff! This staff of nine individuals capably manages over 7,000 county owned/leased devices, over 50 software applications, and 12,000 user accounts. Their tireless work behind the scenes is truly the lifeblood of our technological capabilities. Technology is alive and well in Elmore County Schools! In closing, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Andre` L. Harrison has served as a teacher, acting principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services and Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent of Education, and the Deputy Superintendent of Education/Chief of Staff. He is married to Monica, and they have a daughter, Aundrea, who attends the UAB. They reside in Millbrook, Alabama.

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Elmore County Schools

Elmore County HIPPY Kids Meet Firefighters

ARIS Students Visit Fort Toulouse

On November 5, Airport Road Intermediate fourth-graders made their annual trip to Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. They enjoyed stepping back in time to what it was like from 1700 to 1820 during Alabama Frontier Days. The students saw genuine blacksmiths at work, traditional Native American dances, battle re-enactments and more. They explored living history exhibits and enjoyed a great day all while learning about Alabama history.

On October 28, the Elmore County HIPPY Program enjoyed having lunch and making fire hats. The Wetumpka Fire Department came by with their emergency vehicles and demonstrated for the children how their equipment works. All of the HIPPY children were given coloring books from the firefighters. Modern Woodmen of America representatives Tammy Causey and Kellie Blackmon came out to talk to parents and gave each child a Child ID Kit. Elmore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Andre’ Harrison popped in on the event as well. HIPPY is a FREE program that partners with parents helping their three-, four- or fiveyear-old preschoolers develop the skills needed to have a successful kindergarten year, which results in a strong foundation for education. For more info on the HIPPY Program, please contact Coordinator MaryAnn Forelle at (334) 567-1200 ext. 24009 or maryann.forelle@ elmore.k12.al.us.

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Redland Music Teacher Integrates with Classes Redland Elementary School is making music with an arts integration perspective thanks to music teacher Will Reese. Third-grade students will perform a musical for kindergarten with songs that boost fluency in math and reading. Fourth-graders will continue studying Alabama History through music class by singing folk songs about the state’s history as well as learning a new song by a local composer from Wetumpka. The fifth-grade classes have been challenged with composing their own blues pieces and sixth grade will finish out their semester of music by performing the musical, “The Incredible Reindeer,” for younger grade students at RES.

HHS Cuts Ribbon for Culinary Arts Building

On October 20, the Elmore County Board of Education held a ribbon-cutting for the new Culinary Arts Program at Holtville High School. The building was renovated over the summer in order for it to be a commercial kitchen. Year two culinary students prepared food for the board members and central office staff. Theresa Long is the Culinary Arts teacher. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

ARIS Holds Successful Harvest Festival

Airport Road Intermediate held its annual Harvest Festival Oct. 22. This was a family event filled with games, hayrides, haunted houses, vendors, a silent auction, a book fair and so much more. Contest were held for costumes, pumpkin decorating, and a pet costume picture contest. “This was our largest Harvest Festival and it just keeps growing and getting better every year,” says Principal Marcia Stephens. Proceeds go directly back into the classroom for much-needed instructional material and supplies.

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Stanhope Elmore Holds Homecoming Activities

The month of October was a busy one for the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs. Throughout the week of October 5-9, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary complete with numerous activities to highlight alumni including an alumni basketball game, alumni tea and performances by the alumni band and cheerleaders before the homecoming game. Several groups were recognized, such as the 2006 state championship baseball team, past homecoming queens, and various classes during the annual homecoming parade, in addition to the club and class floats and student groups for the current student body. Throughout October, the SEHS FBLA and Junior Civitan sponsored an anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of bullying. After watching a video and having class discussions, the students were encouraged to create a link explaining the dangers of bullying and ways to prevent it in order to “Chain Out Bullying.” To cap off a busy and exciting month, football player BJ Smith was named WSFA Fever Star of the Week. Smith is not only an amazing athlete and hardworking, respectful student, but he was also recently named SEHS Homecoming King.

Send Your School News to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.

Wetumpka High Robotics Team Visits Wetumpka Elementary

Wetumpka High School Robotics Team members made a special visit to some classrooms at Wetumpka Elementary School. The team talked about their robotic creations, past and upcoming competitions, and allowed the younger students to “drive” the robot! Pictured are members of the WHS Robotics team and Kimberly Deem’s first-grade class.

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Elmore County Schools

Redland Students Win Video Awards in Gifted Contest

Millbrook Middle Appreciates Veterans

Millbrook Middle recently collected enough items to fill 13 boxes to send care packages to soldiers overseas. Thanks to everyone who participated!

This past summer, Redland Elementary Gifted Specialist Leslie Mattox offered her students the opportunity to enter a video and art contest sponsored by the Alabama Association of Gifted Children. Two Redland students, Dylan Opperman and Ryan Rouse, won the top video awards for their individual age group divisions, and Opperman also won the OVERALL award for all entries and all categories. Both boys were honored at the AAGC’s annual conference at McWane Center in Birmingham in September. Opperman, who is now a seventh-grader at Wetumpka Middle School, created a stop motion video about the benefits of gifted education in public schools. He did the research, built the Legos, wrote the script, created backgrounds, imbedded music, and did the voice overs. He also filmed every movement in his video ONE frame at a time. He is shown with his mom and dad after receiving a GeekPro camera and a Kindle Fire for his awards! Rouse, a current RES sixth-grader, made a comical video starring himself and his older brother, also a past student in the gifted program at RES. He won a GeekPro camera as well.

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Airport Road Inducts New Student Council

Airport Road Intermediate School recently held its 2015 Student Council Inductions. In October, 28 ARIS students took an oath to lead and serve their school and community. They have adopted the motto, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” They were honored to have Superintendent Andre Harrison as their guest speaker on this special day. These student leaders will serve their community over the remainder of the school year by performing community enhancement projects.

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Victory Baptist Third-Graders Visit Montgomery Zoo

Mr. Nolin’s third-grade class from Victory Baptist School had a chance to observe animals up close at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum recently. Students viewed animals from five continents: North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Zoofari Skylift gave the students the opportunity from above to view the animals. Students had the opportunity to feed parakeets in Parakeet Cove, an open-air aviary housing more than 500 parakeets. At the Petting Zoo, students had the chance to touch and feed pygmy goats. For some students, it was their first time to visit the Mann Museum, which houses a collection of preserved North American wildlife, aquatic life, artifacts and fossils. By the end of the day, the students had collected plenty of new data for their science notebooks. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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HHS Cheerleaders Help HALO

Some of the Holtville High School junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders participated in the 4th Annual Make a Memory Day. This event is hosted by HALO, which is a nonprofit organization that develops, promotes, fosters and supports the spiritual and emotional needs of families who have lost a child from 20 weeks gestation up to the age of 2 years old. During the event, cheerleaders collected donations for HALO, took pictures with children, and modeled HALO bags for purchase. Rett Hawk is the Cheer Coach.

SEHS Senior Signs Softball Scholarship

Elmore County High School senior Elissa Brown has signed with the University of Alabama to play softball.

Eclectic Elementary Holds Pet Art Contest

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Read for the Record book was Not Norman: A Goldfish Story. Eclectic Elementary School held a pet art contest in honor of the book. The winners were: *Joshua Lett, Marley Holley, *Parker Chapman, Cade Kohn, Asher Justice, Sophie Creamer, Jenna Wood, *Sarah Grace Chapman, Matthew Bennett and Annabelle Orr. *Not pictured 51

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Elmore County Schools

Eclectic Elementary Recognizes Students of the Month

October Students of the Month at Eclectic Elementary include kindergarten: Levi Reinert, Kimber Thornton, Skylar Segrest, ZyKira Bowman, Hanah Hall and Briley Boston; 1st Grade: Alyson Schultz, Lucas Drost, Parker Chapman, Stran Webb, Claire Blakely and Brantley Ballard; 2nd Grade: Jazmine Edwards, Hayden Griffith, Isabella Fuller, Sarah Bice, Peyton Edwards and Makel Kendrick; 3rd Grade: Kailey Jones, Eli Carpenter, Paisley Williams, John Phillips Kujala, Sarah Lovelady and Carson Saucier; and 4th Grade: Maddie Baker, Austin Cruise, Taylor Spear, Sidney Strouse and Kaden Hragyil.

Holtville Elementary Transforms Lunchroom into Sock Hop

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Holtville Elementary lunchroom staff transformed the lunchroom into a ‘50s sock hop to end the week for being drug-free. Holtville Elementary students Hallie Kate Mann and Jacelyn Jewell are proud to be Rockin’ drugfree kids!

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Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@ montgomeryparents.com.

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Stanhope Elmore Student Selected to ALSDE Student Advisory Council

Casey Brumbeloe, a senior at Stanhope Elmore High School, has been selected to serve on the Alabama State Department of Education Superintendent Student Advisory Council. Brumbeloe is one of 16 secondary school students selected from 80 applications. Judges of the student applications included representatives from the ALSDE, CLAS, AASB, A+ Education Partnership and the 2015-2016 Alabama Teacher of the Year. Students were selected based on their level of leadership in their schools and letters of recommendation. Council members will meet two times throughout the school year with State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice. Members are advisors that act as liaisons between the State Department of Education and the students of Alabama. Students will discuss school dropout rate, student leadership, communication/messaging, graduation requirements, testing, school climate, and career and technical education. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Holtville Runners Qualifiy for State

Holtville High School’s Cross Country Team competed in Sectionals in Auburn November 5. Two students, Colton Autrey and Ignacio Ruiz de Olano, qualified for the State Meet. They made HHS history by being the first students to ever qualify for state in cross country. Theresa Long is the coach. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Redland Third-Graders Spend Day at DeSoto Caverns

Redland Elementary School third-graders spent the day at DeSoto Caverns gemstone panning, getting lost in the trail maze, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire and learning about and exploring the cave system. Before heading to DeSoto Caverns, the students studied the mineral formation in caves so when they arrived, they were aware of the difference between stalactites and stalagmites.

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Elmore County’s Caton Retires After 26 Years with the System

Judy Caton, formerly executive assistant to the superintendent, Elmore County Public Schools, shown fourth from left, retired from her position November 18. Caton spent 26 years with the Elmore County Board of Education. She was initially hired as the public information officer and then added the community education coordinator responsibilities, which includes the county’s preschool and afterschool care programs. She served as executive assistant to the superintendent since 2008. Prior to working with the school system, she was employed at the Montgomery Advertiser. Caton is from the Birmingham area, but she and her husband, Allen, have lived in the tri-county area since 1972. They moved to Elmore County in 1987 because of the school system. Their sons, Trey and David, graduated from Wetumpka High School. A few years ago, the Catons purchased a home on Lake Jordan and plan to continue renovating the house and enjoying the water during their retirement. They are also in the starting stages of developing a small business (Caton Cottage Designs) making items such as farm tables, shelving, benches, etc. “But most importantly,” Caton says, “I plan to play a lot with three special little girls.. my granddaughter Sarah and my two great-nieces, Riley and Lora Jane.” Jean Czerpak has taken the position of executive assistant to the superintendent and she has been with the school system’s personnel department for 10 years.

ARIS Students Make Drug-Free Posters!

Airport Road Intermediate students recently participated in Red Ribbon Week. The theme of the week was “Everyday is a choice, LIVE DRUG Free!” Students participated in fun dress-up days such as “Be a Hero, Not a Zero,” where students wore superhero costumes, and “Lei” off drugs, where students wore island attire. Whole group counseling was provided, focusing on making good and healthy choices now and in the future. Some students helped spread drug-free messages by participating in a poster contest.

Redland Names Baxley Teacher of the Year

Second-grade teacher Nacole Baxley was named RES Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016. Baxley not only cares about educating the students in her classroom but also wants to make sure all students are learning to their best potential. She started a program at the school called “Book Buddies,” which connects students from all grade levels with a reading buddy from the community. These “buddies” come to the school every month to read with students.

Holtville Civitans Help Area Food Bank

The Holtville High School Junior Civitan Club visited the Montgomery Area Food Bank October 23. While there, the club presented the food bank with a check. The students toured the facility and sorted groceries. Lee Howard is the club sponsor.

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When Google Won’t Do... Searching is a basic skill that every adult—and child—needs to master. Everything you might want to know--and some things that are pretty dubious—can be found online, but you have to be able to locate what you need when you need it. Google, of course, dominates the field so completely that googling is synonymous with searching. That dominance worries some people, including the FTC, whose staffers prepared an internal report about how Google search favors Google services over services provided by competitors. Google also depends upon a proprietary algorithm-- set of rules about searching. Google shares some of what it is doing behind the scenes on its own website. (Search for “how search works” on the Google website.) Still, critics point out that there are inevitably assumptions and biases into the search process. Some of these assumptions work to the advantage of parents. You really don’t want adult material to show up even if your child searches for an innocent word that has a double meaning. On the other hand, Google also makes assumptions about what information is reliable based in part on how often other sites link to it. This can make popular sites seem more reputable than they really are. Google is also vulnerable to Search Engine Optimization, an entire industry built around trying to get material from clients to show up on the first page of a Google search. People who use SEO are skilled with keywords, metatags and other identifiers that Google uses to decide which of all the millions of websites will be most relevant to you after a specific search. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Finally, Google customizes search results based on what you’ve searched for in the past. That means there’s nothing “objective” about Google results. You and your neighbor can search for the same term but come up with different results if previous searches show that you have different opinions and preferences. None of this means that families should abandon Google or the many websites where search is powered by Google. At the same time, it’s good to be aware of alternatives that may be preferable under specific circumstances. When children are young. Elementary age children who are just beginning to search are likely to be confused and overwhelmed by what they find on Google. Kidclicks.org produces a limited number of results, vetted by librarians. Each item is ranked by reading level, so it’s easier to pinpoint the material that will be useful to a child who is trying to master the intricacies of tornados or dinosaurs. When you want a simple answer. If you have a child who asks a lot of questions, you need to know about Ask.com. The search engine was designed to respond to “natural language”, so you can type in a question like “Why is the sky blue?” and you’ll get quick, authoritative answers. When you want a different spin. The Bing.com search engine, designed by Microsoft, uses its own proprietary algorithms so the results are a little different. Comparing the harvest on Bing and Google can be illuminating, especially for controversial topics. Bing also sweetens the pot with a rewards program that allows users to earn points that can be redeemed on websites like Amazon and Fandango. When you want privacy. Google keeps track of searches, so it’s database includes information about everything from your health issues to your purchasing preferences. If you’d rather keep your search history private, you can use duckduckgo.com or ixquick. com. Both websites promise that they won’t record anything about you or your searches. 54

When you want just the facts. Wolframalpha.com indexes nothing but verifiable information about math, science, history and other topics. This makes it an especially good source for students who are trying to get their facts straight. When you want to do good. Goodsearch.org is powered by Yahoo which is now owned by Bing, so it won’t return different results. It will, however, donate a penny to the cause of your choice every time you or your kids use it. When you want reliable health information. Looking for health information on Google can be contradictory and even scary. For the kind of research-based information you’d get from your family physician, turn to curated medical sites like Medline Plus (nlm. nih.gov/medlineplus) which is managed by the National Library of Medicine or Kidshealth.org which has been providing familyfriendly health information for over 20 years. When you want context. Yippy.com collects information from a variety of other search engines and quickly files what it finds into folders that appear on the left hand side of the screen. Sometimes seeing sub-categories for your topic makes it easier to zero in on the information you need. When you want the human touch. DMOZ.org is a directory of the Web, developed and maintained by an enormous network of volunteers. It won’t return millions of results, but each site has been reviewed by a person instead of a robot. No matter what search engine you or your kids use, you’ll get better results if you follow a few simple rules: Put words that go together in quotes. Link words that are equally important with AND. Use a plus sign (+) to indicate words that are crucial to your search and a minus sign (-) to rule out words that aren’t relevant. Most of all, teach your kids that what they find online is only as good as its source. Kids who can think critically as they search will have a huge advantage in a world awash in information. 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.

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The

Living Christmas Tree December 11 • 7 pm December 12 • 4 & 7 pm December 13 • 4 & 7 pm

For tickets, call 334.241.5156 or online at

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Celebrating the Joy of Christmas 305 South Perry Street | Montgomery, AL 36104 | 334.834.6310 | www.montgomeryfbc.org

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship You are invited to this very special experience for the entire family.

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3:30 & 5:00 pm | Main Sanctuary 55

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Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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I couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down my cheeks as I drove away from my parent’s house. No longer able to deny the effects of Mom’s dementia, I didn’t know how to cope. I watched Mom’s confusion as she looked for the bathroom in her own home and put toilet paper in the freezer. I didn’t know how to answer when she asked where her four little girls were (me and my sisters of years past). Anger gripped me. Who’s to blame for this horrible disease? Why did this happen? Where is the mom who raised me? As Mom’s behavior deteriorated, our parenting roles reversed. I watched her struggle with everyday chores and began to help with cooking, laundry and grocery shopping. I applied her makeup and redirected her behavior when she spun out of control, envisioning her doing the same for me as a young child. Fragile emotions spilled out as I walked in unfamiliar territory. I wanted an instruction manual on how to move from the daughter role I’d

played for so many years to a caregiving role, but there wasn’t one. As our parents age, it’s not unusual to begin a new role, particularly in the midst of illness. The Family Caregiver Alliance reports that 65.7 million caregivers make up 29% of the U.S. adult population providing care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged (https://caregiver.org/selectedcaregiver-statistics). Understanding how to move into a caregiver role and balance

it with parenting responsibilities presents unique challenges. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.

Recognize your limitations. Assuming the responsibility of a fulltime caregiver role to an aging parent while parenting your own children can lead to stress and burnout. Mindful of your own family’s needs, determine a realistic plan. As my mom’s needs increased, our youngest son moved into his teen years. My parents live out-of-state so I established a schedule with my husband to include two days at my parent’s house every other week. My routine allowed enough time to perform muchneeded tasks for Mom without neglecting extended periods with our son.

Say good-bye to the parent who raised you. Diagnoses that affect the brain such as dementia, Parkinson’s or a stroke often create devastating changes to personalities. Recognizing the need to grieve the loss of a changed relationship opens the door to healthy interaction as new personalities emerge.

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When I quit expecting Mom to be the mom of my childhood, I more easily accepted the changes I couldn’t control. As she moved from the parent to the child, I let go of expectations of the past. I made an intentional choice to open my mind to Mom’s new emotions, changing behavior and different mannerisms. I processed raw emotions with my sisters, educated myself on dementia, and joined an online support group to help cope with the changing dynamics in our relationship.

Live one day at a time. Mom’s dementia will not have a happy ending. When I project details of the future, I experience anxiety, insecurity and fear. But, I’ve learned to accept the good days and the bad without focusing on what lies ahead. I don’t always do it perfectly, but when I live one day at a time, I enjoy the beauty of Mom’s laughter, the twinkle in her eye when she remembers my name,

and the momentary pleasure of a meaningful conversation as Mom reminisces of childhood memories.

cooking, cleaning, or simply companionship on hard days. Grandchildren create lasting memories through routine tasks and meaningful conversation with grandparents.

Solicit support.

Find gratitude for the parent now in your life.

Providing care for an aging parent requires time, energy, and perseverance. Sharing the burden with others helps. I’m thankful for three sisters who also care deeply for my parents and want to participate in caregiving. Not everyone shares that privilege. Finding support through caregiver groups, local community activities, and others walking the same journey helps ease the tension and exhaustion that accompanies caregiving responsibilities.

Include grandchildren in caregiving roles. Children don’t have to be shielded from aging parents. Asking older children to help with meals, laundry or errands moves them away from selfcentered behavior and teaches them compassion for others. My sister’s children live in the same town with my parents and regularly help with

As personalities change, new characteristics emerge. Mom’s private demeanor of the past has been replaced with a transparent and sensitive spirit. Deeper relationships develop as she easily expresses her needs and asks for help, embracing gestures of kindness with love and appreciation. Although no longer the mom of my past, I love her just the same. Aging parents create new challenges when parenting roles reverse. An already overwhelmed schedule with our own children can prevent us from assuming a caregiver role. But life is a gift that can be taken away with little notice. As I watch Mom’s last season quickly drawing to a close, I want to show honor and gratitude as often as possible, creating special moments in the process, without regrets in the end. mp Gayla Grace writes, speaks, and coaches on parenting and stepfamily issues. She also enjoys helping her mom in a part-time caregiving role.

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Territorial Gains for Kids

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Kids find something universally attractive about having a child-sized space all to themselves. Blanket forts, closet clubs, and tiny tents are some of the small territories that kids tend to stake out for their own enjoyment. Some kids like having a personal space where they can enjoy a measure of solitude. Others prefer the camaraderie of pals in the close quarters that a clubhouse or tent creates. The following child-sized spaces are great starts to help kids carve out their own small territory in an adult-sized world.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Crazy Forts

Galactic Bed Tent

Crazy Forts is a 69-piece kit that allows kids to craft their own vision of the ultimate blanket fort. Reminiscent of Tinker Toys assembly, one kit contains 25 ball joints and 44 sticks that join together in a multitude of structural possibilities. The ball joint’s multiple openings allow for a variety of unique angles and connections that foster the creative vision of young architects. The materials are pretty kid-tough, but adult supervision to introduce the instructions ensures that kids will learn the best ways to make the connections. Once the framework is created, just add your own bed sheet and an original Crazy Fort is ready.

Sleeping under the stars has a whole new meaning with the Galactic Bed Tent! Creating an enclosed personal space right around a child’s twin size mattress, this tent offers both an marvelous galactic tableau for waking hours as well as a cozy celestial surrounding for the slumber hours. The dark blue interior is decorated with silver stars and features a starburst LED light in the apex. Giving a small space the big outer space treatment, the Galactic Bed Tent is a stellar choice for creating an inspirational personal place for both rest and play!

(Crazy Forts)

(Hearthsong)

Jungle Safari Tunnel Tent

Pirate Ship (Box Creations)

Designed for high-seas adventures (upon an indoor imaginary sea), the Box Creations Pirate Ship combines durable cardboard with easy assembly to create an ideal play space for young buccaneers. With an additional creative outlet, the ship is covered with fantastic graphics that both underscore the trappings of a pirate ship while also hinting at denizens of the deep. While the ship comes with four markers, the outstanding graphics really deserve a broader range of colors (adding a full pack of markers will enhance this kits appeal). Building on the versatility of the cardboard box, the Box Creation Pirate Ship takes this popular recyclable medium and adds all new avenues of creativity and pretend play.

(Pacific Play)

When outfitting young adventurers, the Jungle Safari Tunnel Tent meets the needs of an outdoor expedition in style. With a water-resistant floor that measures 4’ x 4’ and an additional 4 feet of tunnel, this tent space is ideal for a small group of young explorers to meet, play and plan their adventures. Featuring a zip-up privacy curtain and vented mesh screens for air circulation, this play space is great for front yard or back porch set up. With strong shock-corded tent poles that slip inside pole pockets, this tent is better assembled by adults until kids get a feel for how the set up works. Breaking down flat, the tent and tunnel fit easily in their storage bag between safaris!

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

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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One fun way to do this is to choose a theme for holiday gift exchanges. A themed gift exchange can encourage creativity, challenge you to think outside of the box, and result in thoughtful and meaningful gifts. To get started, you’ll want to enlist the interest of the people with whom you exchange gifts. When you talk to your family and friends to suggest themed gifts they may get more excited about the idea if you have a few examples to share. Here are some to get you started.

Consumable goods.

The idea with this theme is to purchase gifts that will be consumed, or used up. This can include everyday products that might be hard for someone to buy (think recent college grad) to more high-end items that we do not necessarily buy for ourselves, but that are appreciated gifts. Almost anything you buy as a consumable good can be put in a basket, coordinating container, or a gift bag. Put a bow or a ribbon on it and you’ve got a thoughtful gift that the receiver will love. * Shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products from the salon, or specialty products for his or her hair type. Curly shampoo for curly hair, etc. * Ingredients to make a specific meal – don’t forget to include the recipe. * Art supplies for a crafter, painter, writer, sculptor, etc. What do they use that you could purchase for them? A ream of paper for a writer can be a highly thoughtful, useful, and inexpensive gift. * Monthly membership to wine, fruit, chocolate, etc. This can be a one-time gift or a membership to a monthly club that sends out an item a month for a defined period of time. All of these items also make a great one-time gift, too. * Body products. Nail polish supplies. Face wash, moisturizers, and body balms. There is so much out there that leaves us feeling pampered that we don’t necessarily purchase for ourselves, but that make great gifts.

The gift giving part of the holiday season sometimes gets a bad “wrap.” We are inundated with reminders of what is most important at this time of year: time with the people we love, warm embraces, carols, sharing meals together, and just slowing down to be with one another in a way that we often are not throughout the year. Despite all of these messages, we still spend more money in December than almost any other time of year. The stores are stocked to the brim with gift ideas ranging from random mugs to specialty socks to coffee and beer sample kits. The same old gifts year after year can get kind of boring. If holiday shopping is more of a bore than a pleasure, than its time to perk up the experience and get excited about gift giving again. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Experiences. The gift of an experience is one that can be

treasured for years to come. When you give someone the gift of an experience, you are giving him or her permission to take time away from a daily routine and do something fun, and you have made

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it easier by doing some of the planning in advance. Tickets or brochures can be printed, put in a box, and wrapped with a bow. It might be the lightest box and the smallest package, but that usually means good things. * Tickets to visit a museum or historical site. This could be in the recipient’s hometown or a city close by, or somewhere you know they are planning to visit in the near future. * For a family, tickets to a water park or other amusement park. A quick Internet search will let you know if the recipient’s hometown has an indoor water park for places that have a long, cold winter. * Reservations and a gift card to a fancy or special restaurant. * A weekend away at a beautiful place or a spot that has meaningful memories. Valentine’s Day is not that long after the holiday season, making it a perfect time to plan a romantic getaway for a special couple on your list.

Homemade gifts. Thanks to the wonder of the web we can find instructions to make everything from homemade soap to homemade computers. This may be one of the most thoughtful ways to give gifts. This can also be one of the most overwhelming ways to give gifts! It’s not always easy to come up with an idea for something you

can make, especially if you do not consider yourself to be a crafty person. However, if you engage in a homemade gift exchange you will be able to find ideas for homemade gifts regardless of your current skill level. * A photo album, scrapbook, or digital photo book. This is a great way to both preserve memories and to let someone special know you love them. Whether you put together a scrapbook of photos from your sister’s baby shower or document your vacation to Disney World for your kids, this homemade gift will be one that is treasured for years to come. * Homemade goodies. Pasta and sauce can be homemade and packaged to give. Bread makes a wonderful gift. Jams and jellies. The dry ingredients for cookies, brownies, or even soup in a mason jar. The sky is the limit with this homemade gift idea. * A painting, quilt, sculpture, or other piece of original art. If you’re an artist, put your skills to use and make gifts for the people you love. * A piece of furniture for the home or office. One year a parent made me a sandwich board for my classroom with dry erase boards on each side, wheels on the bottom, and a basket in the middle to hold markers and supplies. It was completely homemade, useful, and thoughtful.

Donations. Similar to an experience,

when you decide to make a donation on someone’s behalf, you still have the option to gift-wrap a certificate or documentation of the contribution and leave it under the tree as a gift to open. Donations can be given to charities, favorite parks, research causes, churches, community organizations, etc.

Product specific. This could be fun if you have a group of people you exchange gifts with that has a shared interest. If everyone loves Tupperware, why not make it a Tupperware holiday? If all the members of your family have a big trip planned this year, everyone gets to give and receive travel themed gifts. Once you choose a theme for your holiday gift giving the fun begins! Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare your themed gifts, especially if you are making something from scratch. Above all, have fun with this! mp Sara Marchessault is a writer and coach. Her work helps clients to more fully experience joy in their daily life. Sara has maintained a personal journaling practice for 25 years and is currently working on her first book on the topic of journal writing. These days her journals are getting lots of stories about playing with her kids and the awesome ups and downs of being a mom.

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Montgomery 10th Annual Interfaith Christmas Nativity Exhibit Experience the beauty of hundreds of nativities, traditional and extraordinary, and listen as community groups perform songs of the season. This wonderful celebration is a gift to the community and provides an opportunity for each of us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and find spiritual peace during the busy holidays. December 2-6 from 1-8 p.m. A special concert for Seniors and Veterans will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 from 9:3010:30 a.m.; 3460 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery. Open to all. FREE Admission. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. www.MontgomeryNativity.com 18th Annual Lights of Love Dec. 3rd, 6 p.m. For a contribution of $15 or more to the Jackson Hospital Foundation, a light will be placed on the Lights of Love tree inside of Jackson Hospital in front lobby in honor, or in memory, of someone special to you. For contributions of $100 or more Moravian stars will be placed on the tree. For contributions of $500 or more a decorative angel will be placed on the tree. Christian music will be presented. An invitation to the ceremony will be sent to those honored or to the family of those memorialized. Contributions will benefit the McGough Oncology Unit at Jackson Hospital. For more information, call 293.6940. 2015 Capital City Christmas Parade The City of Montgomery would like to invite you to the 2015 Christmas Parade. The lineup will begin this year at the Capital steps to Fountain. The event will be held Friday, December 18th at 6:15 p.m. A limited number of parade entries will be accepted. All questions about a parade entry and parade festivities should be directed to Denise Welch at (334) 625.2118 or Visit www.montgomeryal.gov for entry forms. 2015 Capital City Governors Tree Lighting December 4 at 5:15 p.m. - Governor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Capitol

“A Christmas Carol” at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ad on page 39)

Through December 24. The snowy London streets ring with carols that set the stage for Dickens magical tale of hope and redemption. Join us as the ghosts of the pasts, present and future reMontgomery Parents I December 2015

awaken Scrooge’s conscience. A great family outing to brighten your holiday. Recommended for children ages 6+ and up. Prices starting at $30. Please visit us at www.asf.net. Alabama Farmers Federation Presents Wynonna & The Big Noise Christmas Concert Sunday December 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center; Tickets prices: $67, $57, $47 and $37. Tickets can be purchased online or at the MPAC Box Office. Aldersgate UMC Christmas Events 6610 Vaughn Road Sunday, December 6, 4 p.m. The Great Christmas Cookie Caper. Christmas Cookie contest, Mission projects and concert. Sunday, December 13: “The Silence and the Sound”, 10:30 a.m. Lessons and Carols Service; A heart stirring presentation featuring the Chancel Choir, Children and Youth Choir’s and Orchestra. Wednesday December 24: Christmas Eve Service; 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Communion, Carols and Candlelight. For more information call (334) 272.6152.

Annual Holiday Light Festival The Montgomery Zoo (ad on page 63)

December 3-6, 10-13, 17-31; 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thousands of Christmas Lights illuminate The Montgomery Zoo in shapes of animals and Christmas themes. See the beautiful displays by train or by foot. Enjoy live entertainment, food, gifts and pictures with Santa. Free for members, Cost $15 for children ages 3 and up, which includes a train ride. Age 2 and under are free. For more information please call 240.4900. Candlelight Harpischord Chamber Concert Wednesday, December 2nd; 6 p.m. Christchurch, 8800 Vaughn Rd. You are invited to Christchurch’s free concert of sacred and secular music. The 45 minute performance will feature instrumental and vocal pieces performed by the church’s chancel choir and soloists from the church as well as outside professionals. The free concert in the church’s sanctuary will begin at 6 p.m. It will be followed by a champagne and dessert reception in the parish hall. Reception tickets, which are $25 each, will be available by calling (334)387.0566, ext. 203, beginning Wednesday, November 11th. Proceeds from the reception will benefit the Christchurch Pipe Organ Fund. Please visit www. christchurchxp.net for more details.

Christmas Open House Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. until noon., Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, 919 Felder Avenue. Guest appearance from Santa Claus. Donations requested. Call 264.4222. Please visit us at www.fitzgeraldmuseum.net. Cruising With Santa December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 Family Friendly; Boards at 6:30 p.m., Cruises 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., $46 per adult & $26 per child. This cruise will include dinner, entertainment and Santa!! Cash Bar. Please visit us at http://www. montgomeryal.gov.

Eastdale Mall (ad on page 9)

Breakfast with Santa Benefiting Child Protect Saturday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. Santa always starts his day off with a good breakfast, and this year Eastdale Mall invites you to join him! Breakfast sponsored by Cinnabon is $5 per child and all proceeds will go to Child Protect. For more information, or to make reservations, please email Suzanna.wasserman@aronov.com. WLWI Giveaway Saturday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. I-92 and Eastdale Mall are giving you the chance to win a $2,500 Shopping Spree! From November 18 - December 14, listen to WLWI 92.3 FM to qualify for a chance to win! Call Mall Information Desk, 277.7359, for more information. Eastern Hills Baptist Church presents 11th Annual “Hanging of the Green” Sunday, December 6 from 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Come help us ring in the Christmas season celebrating the hope found in the Christ Child! Also featuring: Youth Choirs, Drama, Celebration Ringers (hand bells), Ensemble, Narration, Interpretive Movement, Visual Arts and more. Come early for a good seat – No admission charge. Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery (in the Forest Hills neighborhood) (334) 272.0604 ext. 214 or www.ehbconline.com.

Frazer Memorial UMC presents Christmas Musical (ad on page 47)

Wesley Hall, December 13 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Frazer presents this community wide production, Christmas Theatre. Fun for the entire family!

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Please call (334) 272.8622 or www.frazerumc.org. “Candlelight Worship” December 24 , 5 p.m. in Sanctuary and 7 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Glenn Miller Holiday Concert featuring Airmen of Note December 17 at 7 p.m. Annual Glenn Miller Holiday Concert. This year’s performance is free to the public. Will be accepting canned food donations for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. This performance will be held at the Davis Theatre. Featuring The United States Air force Band, Airmen of Note, premier jazz ensemble, will perform holiday and Glenn Miller favorites. The Airmen of Note ensemble was created in 1950 to carry on the style and tradition of the Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Dance Band. Please call 241.9567. Governor’s Mansion Christmas Open House Tours 1142 South Perry Street, Montgomery, 834.3022 The 1907 Governor’s Mansion will be aglow with lights and filled with the spirit of the season. December 7, 14, and 21 from 5:30 until 7:30. 1142 South Perry Street.

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Two for the Holidays: The Long Christmas Dinner and The Santaland Diaries Cloverdale Playhouse, Montgomery’s Community Theater, December 10-20. THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER by Thornton Wilder. The Long Christmas Dinner–nine decades long–showcases the lives of several generations of the Bayard family, and some of their Christmas dinners. Wilder breaks the boundaries of time as we measure it, and invites us to partake of “one long, happy Christmas dinner”-past, present and future. THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris is based on the outlandish and true chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience

as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. This hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. Please call the box office (334) 262-1530 or boxoffice@ cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

Holiday Open House @ Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

(ad on page 86) December 5th, 1 to 4 p.m.; The festivities for the event include musical performances by local school choirs and performance groups, holiday art projects, cookies and lemonade, and horse and carriage rides in the park. Holiday Open House is free and open to the public, so invite your friends and family and spend the afternoon at MFA celebrating the season. Holiday Pops Concert December 14th, 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Join the MSO for an evening of everyone’s seasonal favorites. To order tickets please call the Symphony office at (334) 240.4004. Huntingdon Annual Christmas Celebration Share some holiday cheer at Huntingdon College’s annual Community Christmas Celebration Thursday, December 3rd, on the Huntingdon Campus. The celebration includes: 6:30 p.m., the Arrival of Saint Nicholas, in front of Flowers Hall plus 6:45 p.m. Tree-lighting Ceremony and caroling, in front of Flowers Hall; 7:00 p.m., A Service of Lessons and Carols, combining Biblical readings by members of the Huntingdon community interspersed with music from the College’s Concert Choir; Ligon Chapel, Flower’s Hall. The events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Huntingdon College Office of Community Relations at (334) 833.4515.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis December 5th; 5k Run or Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation Also 1 mile fun run (chasing an Elf) for under 8’s and 1 mile walk for those of us who want to support the Arthritis Foundation. Please visit us at http://JBRMontgomery.kintera.org/. Old Alabama Town Open House December 15th, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy the holidays, early-Alabama style! Live holiday music, traditional pioneer crafts for children, storytelling & costumed guests, cookies and hot cider. Please call (334)240.4500 or www.oldalabamatown.com for more information.

First Baptist presents The Living Christmas Tree (ad on page 55)

First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street December 11-13, Come join us for the “Living Christmas Tree”. Performers will delight you atop the 40 ft. set resembling a Christmas tree on stage. Please call (334) 834.6310 or visit us at www. montgomeryfbc.org. A Montgomery Family Christmas with Keith and Krtistyn Getty: “Joy – An Irish Christmas” Presented by Baptist Health at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$35. Tickets can be purchased online or at the MPAC Box Office. The Montgomery Chorale Holiday Performances Messiah Sing Along December 15th at the The Sanctuary of the Church of the Ascension. Tickets, please call (334) 265.3737 or visit website at www.montgomerychorale.org.

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“The Nutcracker” by Montgomery Ballet December 11-13 Montgomery’s Favorite Holiday Tradition for over 40 years presented by The Montgomery Ballet. The world’s most famous Christmas ballet. A Montgomery tradition since 1976, this year’s production promises to delight all ages with brilliant dancing, beautiful scenery, and colorful costumes. All reserved seats. Tickets are $10 to $30 for adults. We offer military, senior and student discounts. Prices are dependent on convenience and/or handling fees. For reservations, call (334) 409.0522 or visit www.montgomeryballet.org. The Shoppes at EastChase Photos with Santa: Meet Santa at his outdoor workshop in front of Blackfinn. December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20 21, 22, 23 and 24. Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sundays from 1 – 6 p.m. Friday, December 11 from 5 – 8 p.m. *Pet Night Photo package prices vary. Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, December 12 & 19, from 8-10 a.m. Enjoy breakfast and visit with Santa for just $5 at Panera Bread! Reserve your spot by calling Guest Services at (334) 279.6046. Photo package prices vary. Select time between 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Reservations must be made through the The Shoppes at EastChase Guest Services Office. Call 334-279-6046 to reserve your spot! Baking Cookies with Santa: Saturday, December 5, 8:30-10:00 a.m. Bake yummy holiday cookies with the Big Guy himself for just $10 at Williams Sonoma! Reserve your spot by calling Guest Services at 334-279-6046. Select times between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Carriage Rides: December 5, 12, 19 (FREE) Carriage Rides provided by Capitol City Carriage

Service: “Tis the season to enjoy a seasonal horse drawn carriage ride around the property – Selected dates from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Located adjacent to Genghis Grill Salvation Army Angel Tree: Bring joy to an area family this year by selecting a child’s name from The Salvation Army Angel Tree, located at Guest Services next to Ware Jewelers. Purchase the requested gifts and return them unwrapped by December 10th. They will be delivered magically for the big day. For more information call 334-279-6046 or visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com.

“Tis the Season!” and the “Alien Who Stole Christmas” at W.A. Gayle Planetarium (ad on page 67)

Beginning December - This great traces the development of many of the world’s endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season, from the burning Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights, to the lighting of the Menorah and luminaries. It also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice. Not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Pagan, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more lighthearted seasonal traditions: from gift-giving and kissing under the mistletoe to songs about lords a-leaping, and ladies dancing. And the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well. For tickets, call (334) 241.4799. Or visit http://mongomery.troy. edu/planetarium for details.

Just for Kids

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(ad on page 37)

Robotics Camps Working with a buddy, your child will enjoy fun, hands-on projects building and animating LEGO® robots. Each session encourages creativity and imagination as kids brainstorm, build and experiment with amazing robots. It’s a wonderful way to develop critical STEM and problem solving skills. (Grades 4-6): Experiment with advanced STEM concepts, create and bring to life sophisticated robots based on themes such as Safari Adventures and Movie Stunt Sets Bot Lab (Grades 2-4): Stretch your imagination and skills by creating new robots based on fun themes, such as Superhero School and Dino World Coding Camps Your child will learn computer programming through engaging, hands-on projects like animating stories and creating video games. Plus, our technology platform is seriously cool… kids have thousands of backgrounds, props, characters and music to choose from to help bring their imaginations to life. Game Design Studio (grades 3-5): Get familiar with programming by designing and building 2D video games from start to finish, including animated players, music and sound effects. Game Design Studio (grades 6-8): Build a strong foundation of programming skills by building a different type of video game each day—complete with game logic and physics. Robotics Camps: Monday – Wednesday, December 21-23 (9:30 – 12:30) Carnival Exploration!

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Coding Camps: Monday – Wednesday, December 2123 (9:30 – 12:30) Game Design Studio Volleyball Camp presented by Huntingdon College Volleyball Team and Wilson YMCA December 21-23, 8 am to noon For boys and girls ages 6-15. Cost is $50 for members and $75 for non-members. Register by calling James Garvin 271.4343 or email jgarvin@ymcamontgomery.org. YMCA Camp Chandler Holiday Camps 1240 Jordan Dam Road, Wetumpka, Alabama Christmas Camp Dec. 20-22 arriving on Dec 20th at 4-5 p.m. and departing Dec. 22nd at 4-5 p.m. This adventure is for old and new campers (ages 5-14), old and new staff, friends and relatives. Fee: $105 (members) and $120 (non-members), which includes t-shirt and camp store. Please call 229.0031 for more info. New Years Eve Bash @ Camp Chandler Dec. 31st - Jan 1st, arriving Dec. 31st at 3 - 4 p.m. and departing Jan 1st at 10-11 a.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve Camp Chandler style with “ball drop,” dance, and fireworks. Ages 5 - 14. Parents, let us take care of your children’s fun, so you can celebrate the New Year together. Fee: $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers.. Call 229.0031 or log on to www.campchandler.org for more information on all camps.

Eclectic Christmas Begins With Christ: An Eclectic Christmas December 1-8, Come join us in December to experience the true story of the first Christmas. This event will take place at 1455 Claud Road Eclectic AL, 36024, just south of Eclectic on AL Highway 63. Please call 578.4846 or visit our website at www. aneclecticministry.org. If registering through the website, your reservation will be confirmed as soon as possible. Admission is free, and donations are accepted and appreciated to help with expenses.

Millbrook Christmas Music and Tree Lighting Millbrook Village Green Stage, December 3 at 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., Performances by school, church and group choirs and Christmas caroling for everyone. Refreshments for sale. The Spirit of Christmas Parade, “The Miracle on Main Street”, Dec 5th, Parade is at 2 p.m. Millbrook’s Annual Christmas Parade will begin at the Sports Complex behind Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and will end at the intersection at City Hall. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Winter Wonderland” Christmas”. Activities will be from 1:30 a.m. until 4 p..m. Vendors will be set up at Village Green Park; there will be arts, crafts, and food. This is one of the great things about living in a small community - family fun, not too crowded and loads of excitement for everyone. No admission fee. Call (334) 285.7232.

Prattville Annual Christmas Concert by Prattville Community Chorus and Prattville Pops TBA. Doster Center. This event is free and open to the public. Please check www.pratvilleal.gov under Events for updated information. City of Prattville Annual Christmas Parade Friday, December 4th at 7 p.m. Parade will begin that the Autauga County Courthouse. Theme: “Christmas Around the World”; Lots of floats,

dancers, horses, candy and trinkets for everyone. This is a free, family friendly event. Applications available online at www.prattvilleal.gov. Please call 595.0854 for information. East Memorial presents He Has Come For Us December 6th , 10 a.m. and at 6 p.m. East Memorial Baptist Church, 1320 Old Ridge Road, invites the Public to experience Admission is free. For more information contact the church office at (334) 365.7500 or visit website at www. eastmemorial.org. Merry Christmas, Dear Grandpa December 10 - 12, 18 -19 at 7:00 p.m. December 13 and 20 at 2:00 p.m. Don’t miss Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theater’s production of Merry Christmas, Dear Grandpa, by Michal Jacot. Amber has invited her whole family to her new home to have the “perfect family

Christmas.” She has decorated her house, carefully planned the meal, and even ironed her shoelaces! Once her brother, sister, parents, and curmudgeon of a grandfather show up, though, nothing goes right. Just when the dinner can’t get any worse, it ends up with a twist or two that makes it, indeed, the perfect family Christmas. For more information call 334-595-0851 or visit wobt.prattvilleal.gov. Prattville’s Nutcracker Ballet Visions of sugarplums, swirling flowers and magical snowflakes will grace the stage at the Jefferson State Community College Performing Arts Center this December. The Nutcracker celebrates the power of human imagination, which children have in abundance. This production is performed by students of C.J.’s Dance Factory, The Prattville Ballet and by local children and adults in surrounding Autauga, Elmore and Chilton counties. Where: Jeff State Performing Arts Center

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When: Saturday, December 12th, Time: 2:00 Kingdom of the Sweets (matinee for children) and 7 pm. full production. General admission: $12.00 for more information call: 334-467-8603.

Tallassee Christmas Tree Lighting December 4th at 5:30 p.m. at Veterans Park. Holiday Parade December 5 at 10 a.m.. Begins at Tallassee Church of Christ and goes thru Central Blvd down to Barnette Blvd. and end at Tallassee Highschool. For more information please call (334) 283.5151.

Wetumpka Christmas on the Coosa December 12th: Character Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Characters work around the room and sing. Great family event. Christmas extravaganza with arts and crafts, parade, food, quilt show, classic car show, entertainment and activities on the Coosa River culminating with a spectacular fireworks exhibition at dusk. Gold Star Park & the Courthouse Veranda, Wetumpka. Booths will begin selling at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fireworks immediately following Boat Parade at 5 p.m. Please call (334)567.1313 or (334)567.4811. www.wetumpkachamber.com. City of Wetumpka Tree Lighting December 1st, in Gold Star Park. Photos with Santa and hot cocoa. Please visit www.cityofwetumpka. com for more information.

“Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas” At the Wetumpka Depot The Wetumpka Depot Players will present Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas Monday, November 30- Friday December 5 at 9am, 10:30 and noon daily. Based on the book of the same name, this production is a must-see for Fancy Nancy fans. Call 868.1440 or email kmeanor@wetumpkadepot. com for availability. The Depot Theatre is located at 300 S Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Wetumpka. Nativity and Luminary Open House December 4th, Downtown Wetumpka from 6 p.m. Please visit www.cityofwetumpka.com. New Year’s Eve Party December 31st behind the City Administrative Bldg. 9 p.m. until midnight. Fireworks, DJ and a whole lot of fun! Wetumpka Christmas Decoration Contest December 8th; 6:00 p.m. Businesses and residential. There will be judging to those who have submitted applications. Prizes will be awarded.

Calera Santa Claus Special Train Ride The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he poses for photos. Each child will receive a Christmas gift! November 28th, December 5th, 12th, & 19th. For tickets and info call (800) 943.4490 or order online at www. hodrrm.org.

North Pole Express Train Rides Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Fridays, December 4,11 and 18 Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19 Sundays, Dec. 6 and 13 Please visit our website www.hodrrm.org for times. “All Aboard” says the conductor, and your journey begins. Through the dark night, the magical train speeds to the top of the world! Upon arrival at the brilliantly decorated North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves board the train to visit with everyone, so be sure to bring your camera! You’ll enjoy chocolate milk and cookies and sing Christmas carols along with the live musician, Mr. Jim. Listen to a special Christmas

story and receive a Christmas gift.

Birmingham and North Alabama Ballet presents George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” With its tenth annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, Alabama Ballet remains one of only seven companies in the world currently licensed to present this holiday classic. All performed to Balanchine’s brilliant specifications; dazzling choreography, opulent costumes, and extravagant sets make this production unlike any other. The addition of a community cast of children from the area make this performance truly magical. Join us December 11-13 and 18-20 at the Samford Wright Center for this joyous spectacle. In addition to the Birmingham performances, Alabama Ballet will also tour to Anniston, AL. Balanchine’s Nutcracker™ is more than a performance; it is a holiday tradition you and your family do not want to miss. (205)322.4300. www.alabamaballet.org. Admission charged. Samford University Wright Center.

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Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Breakfast in Santa’s Workshop at the McWane Science Center Two dates to choose from: December 5 or 12th; 8:30am until 10:00 a.m.. Bring your little elves to have breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. Decorate gingerbread houses, have breakfast together, explore the Winter Wonderland exhibit and visit with Santa! Be sure to bring your camera! Ticket includes admission to the museum, breakfast, activities and visit with Santa! Reservations are required. Call (205) 714.8414. Cost: $20 Adults, $15 Kids for non-members and $15 adults and $10 kids for members. www.mcwane.org Christmas Sound, Water, Laser and Light Show DeSoto Caverns Thru January 4. This special light show celebrates the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is shown on every caverns tour. www.desotocavernspark.com Winter Wonderland! at McWane Science Center Brrrr! When the weather outside is frightful, McWane is so delightful! Through January 10; Come inside the museum this holiday season and let your imagination be your guide through the new Winter Wonderland exhibits where snowflakes glisten above your head and toy trains zip around the tracks. Inside this holiday exhibit, wonder is in the air as children explore the snow room where everyday they can touch the “almost” snow! Kids’ laughter can be heard as they try to catch fish through the ice. Brave winter wonder seekers can even sled down a giant snow hill between the third and second floors in the museum. Then, skate around the ice pond in your slippery socks. www. mcwane.org

Out of State/Georgia Annual Fantasy In Lights Callaway Gardens The most spectacular holiday light and sound show in the south begins Through Jan. 2! Nestled amidst wooded landscape of Callaway Gardens, Fantasy In Lights is the Southeast’s most spectacular holiday light and sound show with more than eight million twinkling lights celebrating the holiday season. This spectacular show has attracted almost two million visitors since it opened in 1992. With more than a dozen larger-than-life lighted scenes, Fantasy In Lights remains unique in that its scenes are custom-designed especially for Callaway Gardens–to celebrate not only the joy of the season but the wonder of nature in this idyllic setting. Drive your car or ride the Jolly Trolley to experience scenes like March of the Toy Soldiers and Snowflake Valley. At Robin Lake Beach, enjoy ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and ‘The Nativity’, light and sound shows enticing passers-by to stop, reflect and enjoy. Sunday, November 14, the annual March of Dimes Walk – one night each year is reserved for walkers only to hike the winter wonderland of Fantasy In Lights. No vehicles allowed! For tickets please visit www. callawaygardens.com. Atlanta New Year’s Eve Peach Drop December 31; Peachtree Street, Downtown Atlanta Georgia. This Block Party for Thousands offers live Musical Performances by local artists and musicians, as well as a midnight Fireworks Spectacular. Tickets are available at a variety of local sources. Stay downtown and enjoy the festivities at Underground Atlanta ... enjoy the ‘official’ Peach Drop at midnight - followed by a really awesome New Year’s fireworks display, with live performances.

Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Snow Mountain is Atlanta’s first snow park! The 2015/2016 season opens November 21, 2015 – February 28, 2016. Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park transforms into a winter wonderland with Snow Mountain. Bundle your family up and get ready for snow tubing, snowballs, snowmen and snow angels. Based at Stone Mountain Park’s famous Laser Lawn, Snow Mountain keeps your entire family busy for hours. A 400’ foot tubing hill and a snow play area filled with a blizzard of snow activities make Snow Mountain Atlanta’s not-to-be-missed winter attraction. There’s even a play zone reserved for your littlest snow bunnies. Snow Mountain’s state-of-the-art snow-making magic guarantees you tons of fresh snow daily. And with two Mountain SnoLifts to get you up the tubing hill, you’ll want to go again and again! www.stonemountainpark.com Stone Mountain Christmas Through January 3. There is nothing like the Christmas season that magically transforms Stone Mountain Park into a land of enchantment. Within the glow of more than two million twinkling lights, you can watch live entertainment, engage in fun attractions and reconnect with friends and family during this special time of year. Make a Stone Mountain Christmas a part of your holiday tradition. Events include Wonderland Walkway, Snow Angel Castle, Holly Jolly Cabaret, The Polar Express 4D Experience, Snow Angel Fireworks and Snowfall Celebration, Sleigh Ride, Simply Christmas, Christmas Parade, Visit with Santa Claus, storytelling and live shows, great food and holiday shopping! For details and tickets, www.stonemountainpark.com.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

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Doing Your Style Right With Denim From casual days to cozy nights, from 18 years of age to 80, denim is one of the most versatile fabrics in your wardrobe. It can be dressed up with your favorite pair of heels or accented with the perfect piece of statement jewelry. However you choose to wear this classic fashion piece, it certainly makes us ladies feel feminine and comfortable. Denim never goes out of style and has undoubtedly outlasted all other trends that have come and gone throughout the years. You know denim has kept its style when you find some retro stylish jeans still hanging in your mom’s wardrobe. And yes, I did what any fashionista would do...I tried them on and rocked them out! Here are a few denim pieces that you can rock out when it comes to your style:

Denim jacket- This is a key piece for anyone’s wardrobe. I absolutely love a denim jacket. You can dress this item up or down and incorporate it in with any current trend. Every closet should have a denim jacket...a thin one to throw over dresses on warm summer nights or a thicker one to wear in the cooler days of fall and winter. A denim jacket, black skinnies, a few classic accessories, and your Montgomery Parents I December 2015

favorite white blouse is just one simple way of making that denim jacket look fashionably fabulous!

Denim Dress- A denim dress is something that looks great on everyone. I consider it your new version of the little black dress. Thanks to the endless cut options this dress can look great on anyone, no matter your body shape or age. A denim dress can be every woman’s go-to item in her closet. Add your favorite pops of color, layer or accessorize and make this your favorite any-season style.

Denim jeans- Ahhhh, denim jeans, the start of a beautiful fashion friendship. The denim jean is the staple piece to everyone’s wardrobe. A good pair of jeans is a timeless possession, tops the list of comfort wear, and can be worn any time of the day or night. The great thing about jeans is there are a variety of options that fit every woman’s shape and can be styled to your liking. Whether it be a skinny jean, boyfriend jean, flare leg, straight leg, dark denim, white or even colored denim, it’s all about finding what works for you and your style. The options are endless!

for their wardrobe. I have at least three hanging in my closet now, and yes, I wear them several different ways. The denim shirt is a classic, versatile wardrobe staple that can be worn with a variety of bottoms. As a casual piece, the denim shirt is usually used to create casual yet chic outfits, or to make structured pieces look more relaxed. In short, denim shirts are a great addition to many outfits in a wide range of settings.

Denim accessories- Now, I know this sounds crazy, but yes, I think a few things denim as far a accessorizing can be fun. I have seen some really cute denim heels, wedges, flats, and casual shoes that can add a fun soft pop of color to any simple style. I’m not opposed to even incorporating a dark denim handbag. Denim shorts- You can’t go wrong with the perfect denim shorts; they are ranked high on the list of timeless trends. Feared by some and loved by many, the versatility of this wardrobe staple makes it a musthave for warm months. The key is knowing how to wear them. I would compare denim shorts to the perfect pair of denim jeans...same styling method and all, but of course you are a lot cooler. Enjoy your denim and remember this is a fun and easy way to amp up your style!

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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The Roles Children Play in Bullying Few would argue that bullying is a major concern for parents and teachers alike. It’s important to understand the many roles that children can play in bullying. Kids can bully others, they can be bullied, or they may witness bullying.

behavior and occasionally join in. These children are not directly involved in the bullying behavior but they often laugh or provide support for the children who are engaging in bullying. This may encourage the bullying to continue.

Children Who Bully: These children engage in bullying behavior towards their peers. There are many risk factors that may contribute to the child’s involvement in the behavior. Often, these students require interventions to change their behavior and address any other challenges that may be influencing their behavior.

Outsiders: These children remain separate from the bullying situation. They neither reinforce the bullying behavior nor

Kids Who Are Bullied: These children are the targets of bullying behavior. Some factors put children at more risk of being bullied, such as being socially isolated, socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation or disability, but not all children with these characteristics will be bullied.

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Kids Who Assist or Reinforce: These children may not start the bullying or lead in the bullying behavior, but serve as an “assistant” to children who are bullying. These children may encourage the bullying

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defend the child being bullied. Some may watch what is going on but do not provide feedback about the situation. Even so, providing an audience may encourage the bullying behavior. These kids often want to help, but do not know how. Kids Who Defend (“Upstander”): These children actively comfort the child

being bullied and may come to the child’s defense when bullying occurs. When they see bullying, they report it or find someone who can help. Most children play more than one role in bullying over time. In some cases, they may be directly involved in bullying others or being bullied, and in other cases, they may witness bullying and play an assisting or defending role. Every situation is different. Some kids are both bullied and bully others. It is important to note the multiple roles kids play, because those who are both bullied and bully others may be at more risk for negative outcomes, such as aggression, depression or thoughts of suicide. Raising awareness about all types of bullying can make schools and communities safer places for everyone. The ROCK Task Force (Respect Others, Create Kindness) is a group of over 65 members whose mission is to prevent bullying through awareness and education. For more information, please visit www.rocktaskforce.com. In conjunction with the Montgomery Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Montgomery Parents is devoting space for a series of articles on bullying to raise awareness. Check out next month’s issue to learn what kids can do if they are being bullied and what they can do if they witness bullying.

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Do your boys prefer to duke it out rather than talk it out? Raising brothers to work out conflict respectfully despite wildly different personalities or fierce competitive streaks can prove challenging. But set a positive example, and you’ll find that nur-

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turing brotherly love isn’t impossible!

The good news is sibling rivalry is normal. To keep competition good natured, avoid labeling and comparing one child to the other. Encourage your sons to compete against themselves instead of each other. “Teach them that it’s not about whether you are better than anyone else. It’s whether you are doing better than you were at the beginning of the year or at the beginning of the season,” says child psychologist Dr. Jane Sosland, University of Kansas Medical Center, and mom to three children, twin sons, ages 18, and a daughter, age 15. If your son expresses sadness or frustration over a loss, acknowledge the disappointment. “We all feel disappointment. Validate how he feels without trying to convince him that the way he feels is wrong,” Sosland says.

Inspire cooperation. “Parenting boys is a lot of fun,” says Jenny Brandt, early education childhood professional and a mom of two boys, ages 3 1/2 and 2. “Whether they are wrestling in the living room or helping me cook dinner, they bring a different perspective to my life which I greatly appreciate.” 72

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Encourage healthy competition.

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Brandt says she and her husband started early teaching their sons to cooperate by defining how to play nicely. “We encourage them to use their words, offer another toy to use, and take turns,” she says.

Build empathy. Brandt fosters empathy between her boys by teaching them to acknowledge each other’s feelings. She might say to her older son, Rhett, that Hank looks sad and involve him in finding ways to make his brother feel better. “Rhett, now on his own, notices that Hank is sad and he’ll say: ‘Hank do you want me to sing your favorite song?’” she says.

Reinforce the positive.

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Describe what respectful behavior looks like. For example, if one child answers a question from his brother with a grunt, explain that to show respect he must answer the question. “You can say: ‘I don’t want to talk about it right now.’ Just as long as the

response is something civil,” Sosland says. Identify times when your children are most likely to squabble, such as when they are tired and hungry. When the car ride home from school became a sibling battleground, Sosland started a program where her kids earned a poker chip for mutual respect and cooperation. In order to attain the reward of a special outing, her kids had to work as a team to compile an equal number of chips.

Stop bullying behavior. While it is important to give your children space to solve conflicts, intervene if one child is hurting the other, physically or emotionally. Separate your kids and tell the offender that he can rejoin the family when he agrees to treat his brother kindly.

Role model. Many of us share the funny or frustrating things our kids do with friends and

extended family members. But Brandt says this behavior may inadvertently teach our kids that it’s acceptable to portray family members in a negative light in front of others. Make a family rule that you won’t embarrass or say negative things about each other in front of people outside of the family. Instead make it a habit to point out the positive things each person does. You and your partner can also model a respectful relationship to your children through your treatment of each other. Celebrate each other’s wins and empathize with each other’s frustrations and losses. Over time, your sons will learn that their brotherhood is unlike any other bond. By honoring and respecting each other’s differences, their friendship will last a lifetime. mp Freelance writer, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two close-knit brothers, 8 and 10 who are keen on aggravating each other (and their parents). Christa is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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ate

Set in a beautiful community just off Taylor Road in Montgomery, Montessori School at Hampstead provides a handson, tailor-made approach to education that nourishes a student’s curiosity inside and outside the classroom. Our students are able to work at their own pace and receive the time and attention they need to excel. We offer programs not found at other schools such as farm-based and international curricula along with fundamentals, French, Art, and P.E. We welcome students age 18-months to 9th grade.

334-356-1969 MSHMontgomery.org 73

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A Page in a Book Kids Dig Dinosaurs A kid’s first introduction to dinosaurs has become a childhood rite of passage in this century. Even though they haven’t roamed the earth in millions of years, dinosaurs have surged to the front of the pack among creatures that stir kids’ imaginations. Perhaps it’s their bizarre forms or the sheer size of these prehistoric marvels that capture a child’s attention. But it’s common knowledge that once a kid meets dinosaurs, they’re instantly hooked on the whole world of wildlife that ruled the earth so long ago. The following titles are delightful early introductions to dinosaurs that younger children will really sink their teeth into!

If I Had a Raptor

by George O’Connor (Candlewick Press) What would it be like to adopt a raptor and keep it as a pet? In this title, one young girl wants to have all her bases covered when it comes to bringing a baby dinosaur into the family. It would need a bell (because it’s so tiny it could get lost). And it would need plenty of cozy places to curl up in and sunny spots to stretch out in. The girl thinks that her raptor would probably sleep all day (and run around all night). As the girl’s visions of a raptor as a pet expand, young readers will smile as they begin to pick up the similarities between pet raptors and pets of a feline variety. With illustrations that underscore the cat-like behaviors a raptor might exhibit, this title is a delightful what-if musing on adopting a dinosaur as a pet.

Dinosaur Kisses

by David Ezra Stein (Candlewick) As soon as baby Dinah emerged from her egg, she was ready to explore her great big world. She wastes no time as she begins to stomp and chomp her way around it. But when she sees a kiss for the first time, Dinah knows that it’s something that she wants to try, too. But unfortunately her instincts to whomp, chomp, and stomp send her mission to kiss someone awry. Even when she finally (carefully) learns how to pucker up for a kiss, she accidentally eats her target instead. Just as it seems that kissing isn’t something that is going to work out for Dinah, another option emerges. A perfect partner breaks out to help her whomp, stomp, and chomp her way to a kiss that works for dinosaurs like her.

Dino-Baby

by Mark Sperring, Illustrated by Sam Lloyd (Bloomsbury) Dino-Baby is a sweet story that follows one dinosaur family as they prepare their child for the arrival of a new baby. The older sister learns the importance of quiet time during naps as well as the joys of baby dino kisses. Teaching the baby good manners and how to use the potty are also important things that an older dino sibling can help with. It’s a special privilege for older siblings to be the one to introduce new arrivals in their family to the wonderful world of dinosaurs. “Dino-Baby” is both an ideal baby-on-the-way title as well as a sweet picture book introduction to dinosaurs that a big sibling can look forward to sharing with the new baby.

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

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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Family Karate Center News

Wetumpka Girl Scouts Recognize Recent Accomplishments

Six months ago, Master Carole Smith, owner of the Family Karate Center, became the first female to test for 7th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She started training in Montgomery in 1971, and is still teaching here 44 years later. Students and parents of the Family Karate Center went together to surprise her when she was promoted with a knighting-type ceremony from Grand Master John St. James at Black Belt Camp. “Master Smith is very kind and patient with her students, and as parents, we could not ask for a better instructor for our children,” said one parent. “Our children have seen Master Smith break barriers as a female in the martial arts, and now many of our female students and youth have raised their goals and confidence also.”

Wetumpka Girl Scout Troop 9339 recently had its Investiture/Bridging/Re-dedication ceremony. The troop welcomed nine new girls, saw eight girls bridge to a new level and eight girls re-dedicated themselves to the troop. The troop also recognized three girls who are starting their fifth year and six girls who are starting their sixth year with the troop. The troop consists of girls ranging in age from five years old through sixth grade. Troop 9339 also recognized the first girls in its history to earn the Bronze Award. This award is the highest level that can be achieved by a Junior Girl Scout. The girls chose to make greeting cards for the Cards-4-Kidz program at the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in Yorba Linda, Calif. They each spent more than 20 hours on this project. These girls are Carson Jones, Lauren Grace Harp, Emily Owen & Ally Colquitt.

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Meet the 2015

Families of the Year Edited by Alison K. Rouse For 27 years, the Family Guidance Center of Alabama has sponsored Families of the Year Awards, recognizing outstanding families nominated for exceptional family teamwork, individual growth and family involvement. This year three families from Alabama’s River Region were honored at a special ceremony at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts on November 15. In addition to the Family Guidance Center and Montgomery Parents magazine, sponsors of the program include: WSFA-TV, Aronov, Sterling Bank, Cumulus Broadcasting, the J.K. Lowder Family Foundation, O’Donahue Design and Minuteman Press. For more information about the awards selection or the Family Guidance Center, please call 270-4100 or visit www.familyguidancecenter.org.

Banks Family

The Malcolm & Cournisha Taylor Banks Family In 2013, Montgomery residents Malcolm and Cournisha Banks were still adjusting to life as newlyweds when they received a life-changing phone call. Cournisha’s 10-year-old niece, Madison Taylor, would be coming to live with them in their one-bedroom apartment. Given only about three days’ time to prepare for Madison’s arrival, the couple made some quick adjustments that have helped their “instant family” thrive. The Bankses Montgomery Parents I December 2015

set daily, weekly and The Vicky monthly goals to make Simpson sure that all of MadiFamily son’s needs are met. NominatCournisha stays home ed by Ouida during the day, helps Delashaw, Madison with her this Monthomework, and tries to gomery family provide opportunities is comprised for spiritual, mental of Vicky and physical growth. Simpson Both Cournisha and and her four Simpson Family Malcolm began to adopted work harder to earn daughters: more so that they could move into a twoEden, Kendall and Mackinley, who are bedroom apartment for Madison to have all 15 years old, and Journey, who is her own space. 14. Her biological son and 12-year-old In an effort to improve Madison’s grandson live with her as well. Vicky is a well-being, the Bankses changed her diet single mother who has devoted her life to and eating habits, got her more active, adopting girls from China. She has used took her to social events and church, and all of her personal and financial means to even changed her school. Now 13 years take several trips to rescue girls who were old and in her second year as a student about to “age out” of Chinese orphanages. at Success Unlimited Academy, MadiThis month, she will add another young son’s attitude, self-esteem and grades girl from China to her family. have all changed for the better. Her career goals include everything from joining the Army, to becoming an anesthesiologist, to becoming a dancer. To encourage her love of dance, Malcom and Cournisha took her to tryouts for a community dance team known as the Dynamic Dancing Beats. After Madison made the team last year, the whole family has become active participants. Cournisha is Snipes Family a coach and assistant director for the team, and Malcolm is a supportive Vicky works full time as a nurse and “dance dad” who cheers his new daughhome schools her daughters, two of whom ter on. have special needs. She has medi“Since Madison moved in with us, she cally, spiritually and financially provided has made me a better man and a better for each of their individual needs, even person altogether,” says Malcolm. “I love spending weekends working as a nurse in to see my wife interact with her because it Dothan to help with finances. Her parents, shows me how great of a mother she will who live in Dothan, keep the girls while be when we have our own children.” she is working. 76

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“Vicky is the most sacrificial and godly lady that I have ever met,” says Delashaw. “She has exemplified the heart of an angel and a servant of the Lord.”

The Buddy & Denise Snipes Family Montgomery residents James E. “Buddy” Snipes, III, his wife Denise, and their children, Morgan, 20; Jackie, 18; Ginny, 15; and Charlie, 14, were nominated by First United Methodist Church Pastor Lawson Bryan. Many people acquainted with the Snipes family comment on how much the family works together, sometimes to aid their church or community, and sometimes to support each other’s individual interests. Together the Snipeses have restored and maintained the family farm, Tanglewood—a home built in 1819 and now open to the community for weddings, bonfires and events for church groups and Brantwood Children’s Home. The whole family also participates in entering contests at the Alabama National Fair, ranging from cooking and crafts, to awardwinning rabbits. The family’s extracurricular activities are only a part of the story, as Buddy is also the owner of J.E. Snipes Construction and Denise works with Jenkins Brick Company. The two oldest daughters, Morgan and Jackie, are now students at the University of Alabama, where Morgan is majoring in accounting and Jackie plans a career in nursing. Ginny is a sophomore at LAMP with future plans to become a veterinarian, so the family encourages her volunteer work with the Montgomery Humane Society. Charlie is a freshman at The Montgomery Academy who has made several All-Star baseball teams through the Southeastern Dixie Boys Youth Baseball League. Through it all, the Snipeses remain active in serving their church’s youth council, teaching Vacation Bible School, serving on the administrative board, and chaperoning and serving on a variety of mission trips both locally and abroad. “While this family is impressive in terms of involvement and support for one another, there is an even greater impact that they have on the church and community through their amazing spirit of hospitality to all people,” Bryan says. “The Snipes family models openness to all people and a willingness to do their part for the good of the church and community.” mp 77

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Calendar/Support Groups Ongoing

Ala. Dept. of Archives & History Exhibit galleries include a children’s gallery and a reference room for genealogical and historical research. Hands-On Gallery includes Grandma’s Attic where you can try on clothes, uniforms, shoes, try an old typewriter, sit at an old school desk or experience making a quilt square. Also visit our History at Home web page to print off fun activities you can do at home. In addition, there are FREE, guided tours of the Museum of Alabama EVERY Saturday at 1 p.m. This is a general overview of Alabama history in our museum galleries led by one of our staff or experienced docents. Stay tuned for upcoming events from the Archives, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook. Call 242-4435 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka has weekly after-school Arts Clubs which meet on Thursdays from 4-5 & 5-6 p.m. There are three clubs: Guitar (acoustic), Clay (polymer, ie “sculpy”) and Painting/Drawing. Each Club is $20 a month. Students for Guitar Club must be 10 years old, but 7-yearolds are welcome for the other two. Clubs are limited to the first 10 students, for one month. While children are in Arts Clubs, parents are welcome to stay and browse our Gallery or Resource Library, or just wait in the kitchen with a soda! Studio space is also available on a lease basis. The Pottery Studio is available to ARRAC members trained on the wheel. First Saturday of every month is a free Sit & Sew, from 9 a.m.-noon. Bring your hand-sewing project or sewing machine for a morning of sewing with the ladies. (Bluegrass Jam is going on at the same time in another room.) 300 W. Tallassee St. (former Wetumpka Jr. High building), Wetumpka, AL 36092. Visit www.arrac.org or see us on Facebook: Alabama River Region Arts Center, or call 578-9485 for more information. Artists In Action: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of EVERY month at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts from noon-2 p.m.. Local and regional artists at work. For more info, call 240-4333. “Artworks,” a hands-on children’s exhibit. FREE. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays. For more info, call 240-4333. Bama Brushstrokes Art Club Meets 9 a.m., 2nd Saturdays of each month, Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. Club members include beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Activities include seminars with wellknown artists. Classes are taught by our members or guest artists. We share our talents with our community in various programs, such as the Memory Box Project for hospice patients through sponsorship by the Society of Decorative Painters. Our chapter creates finished paint projects and murals for various hospitals, libraries, and communitybased organizations. For more info, contact Diana French, president, at garnet2@bellsouth.net. Brain Pump Are you looking for a fun outlet for your child that nurtures wellness, fitness, coordination, balance, attention and learning, all while interacting and playing with their peers? If so, then Brain Pump might be what you are looking for! Brain Pump is a group exercise class, targeting children 4-12 years old. The class is the collaboration of a physical therapist and a kinesiology professor combining traditional therapy and exercise concepts with the latest cutting edge research on movement and the brain. The intensity of the class is also designed to keep the child’s heart rate at a level that research shows most stimulates the brain. This is all done in a fun, energetic setting, that seems much more like playing than exercising. Brain Pump is taught at Metro Fitness on Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m. Please contact Tiffany Higginbotham at Body Logic PT & Wellness (334380-5920) if you are interested in reserving a spot in the class. New classes begin January 9. Celtic Dance Classes Fridays at Montgomery Ballet from 4-5 p.m. We welcome boys and girls ages 6 to adult. Call Amanda at (706) 4579254 or e-mail Celtic.traditions@gmail.com for more info. Central Alabama Contra Dancers

Everyone, school-age through adult, is invited for a little exercise and a lot of fun. Singles, couples and entire families are welcome. All levels of experience - including no experience. Dancing is on 1st and 3rd Fridays from 7-9 p.m. at the MASDA building, 2200 Popular St. For more info, visit www.contralines.com or email info@contralines.com. The Central Alabama Tennis Association (CATA) is a volunteer-based tennis organization formed to provide programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout central Alabama. The CATA has four essential charitable and educational purposes: (1) to promote and develop the growth of tennis in central Alabama area by providing a variety of educational and charitable tennis programs and services; (2) to educate the community concerning the importance or tennis and the benefits that can be derived from tennis; (3) to expand the opportunities in the community for learning tennis and to offer opportunities for learning tennis to individuals who do not have access to tennis; and (4) to provide programs and services in the community that teach participants scholarship and fair

December2015 info or to tour the museum, call 242-1861 or visit www. firstwhitehouse.org. Friday Night Hoops Attention students in 5th through 12th grades: Are you looking for something to do on Friday nights? Get together with your friends for pick-up games of basketball every 1st and 3rd Friday at the Bell Road YMCA from 9 p.m.-midnight. Students must be dropped off by 10 p.m. and cannot leave without being picked up by parent or guardian (unless students drove themselves). Must be playing basketball to be involved. Participants must have a photo ID (i.e. School ID). $3 for members; $7 for nonmembers. For more info, contact James Garvin at (334) 271-4343 or jgarvin@ymcamontgomery.org. Garden Tours Local gardens include Southern Homes and Gardens, Blount Cultural Park’s Shakespearean Garden at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Grace Episcopal Church, Prattville’s historic gardens in Old Pratt Village and the Wilderness Park, and Wetumpka’s arboretum at Ft. Toulouse. For more info

Find a listing of Public Library Storytimes and Events at MontgomeryParents.com!

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

play and that permit access to volunteers and instructors who can serve as positive role models and mentors. For event info, call Ernie Rains, CATA Community Coordinator, at 324-1406 or e-mail www.centralalabama.usta.com. The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa A private, non-profit, community-based organization located at 2213 University Blvd. in downtown Tuscaloosa, next to City Hall. Current hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed most holidays. Special programs are held for preschoolers weekly. Admission is $5 per person, with no charge for museum members or children under the age of 1 year. Special discounts are available to schools. For info, call (205) 3494235 or visit www.chomonline.org. Civil Rights Memorial A monument to those who died and/or risked death in the struggle for civil rights. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery. For information, call 264-0286. Cloverdale Playhouse “Third Tuesdays” Montgomery’s singers and songwriters perform in our intimate theater space each month on the third Tuesday. Join us for a musical evening in Old Cloverdale. For details, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Also contact us about volunteer opportunities, auditions, and the Playhouse School! Cool Kids Cook is a faith-based ministry with classes offered at different locations. Please call 220-3651 if you’d like to attend or volunteer with this ministry. Cupcakes by Tish Offers Cupcake Decorating Workshops and Parties for Kids and Teens Every fourth Saturday, classes will be offered for children ages 4-6, 7-10 and 12-15 between noon and 6 p.m. at The Shoppes at EastChase location. The hour-long workshop is $25 per child and gives each child the opportunity to learn the art of cupcake decorating. Each child will receive a Cupcakes by Tish apron and four decorated cupcakes with a variety of candies, sprinkles, and goodies that adds personalization. Older kids and teens will be shown the basics of fondant decorating. To register, contact Special Events Coordinator Ebony Ware at (334) 356-5292 or parties@cupcakesbytish.com. First White House of the Confederacy Open on Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This year begins the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The First White House of the Confederacy played a significant role during the war and served as Jefferson Davis’ family residence from February-May 1861. Located at 644 Washington Avenue in downtown Montgomery, neighboring the Alabama Department of Archives and History. For more

in Montgomery, call 1-800-240-9452 or visit www.VisitingMontgomery.com. In Prattville, call 361-0961 or visit www.prattville.com/visitor/history. In Wetumpka, call 567-3002 or visit www.wetumpka.al.us/features. Other numbers are: Blount Cultural Park (274-0062 or www. blountculturalpark.org); Grace Episcopal Church (215-1422); Old Alabama Town (240-4005 or www.oldalabamatown. com); and Alabama Garden Trail (1-800-ALABAMA or www. touralabama.org). W. A. Gayle Planetarium Public Shows offered Mon.-Thurs. at 4 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. and first & third Saturdays at 2 p.m. Admission $6.50/ person, children under 5 free, seniors $5.50/person. 1010 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Call 625-4799. Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a family-friendly space filled with interactive and educational hands-on exhibits for children age eight and under. Imagine It! also offers birthday parties, memberships and field trip tours. Museum hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $11 plus tax for adults and children ages 2 and above. Imagine It! is located at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more info, visit www.imagineit-cma.org or call (404) 659-KIDS [5437]. Montgomery’s Freedom Rides Museum Road to Equality: The 1961 Freedom Rides yearlong exhibit features works of art from top Alabama artists and offers unique interpretations of one of the most pivotal desegregation events in the nation’s history. Located in the capital city’s recently restored 1951 Greyhound Bus Station, the exhibit will remain open every Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment throughout the year. For more info, visit www.freedomridesmuseum.org or www.montgomerybusstation.org MOOseum, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Children’s educational center featuring past, present and future in agriculture and the cattle industry. Free. Group tours should be pre-scheduled. Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. -noon and 1-4 p.m. Last scheduled tour of the day starts at 3:30 p.m. 201 Bainbridge St., Montgomery. For info, call 265-1867 or visit www.bamabeef.org. Old Alabama Town 19th and early 20th century outdoor history museum. Tours Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 6-18. Under 6 free. 301 Columbus St., Montgomery. For information, call 240-4500. Prattville-Millbrook Newcomers Club

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Calendar/Support Groups A non-affiliated social club geared to new people moving into the area AND to those looking to form new friendships or just learn more about the area. We will also have interest groups that meet during the month at various times and locations. They could be groups such as canasta, bridge, lunches, movies, etc. General meetings are second Tuesdays September-May at 10 a.m. at the YMCA on McQueen Smith Road. For more information, contact Nancy Schrull at (334) 356-5026 or nschrull@theschrullgroup.com Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery Street, 241-8615. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sundays and holidays, closed. Admission 12 years and under-$5.50/Over 12-$7.50. Alabama college students with a valid student ID: $6.50; discount price for both Museum & Children’s Wing: adults: $14, children $10 Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Enjoy the outdoors together, while experiencing a variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation. Visit the 1870s town of Crossroads and enjoy live entertainment, skilled craft demonstrations, shopping, dining and more. Additional attractions include: the 4-D Theater, The Great Barn, Paddlewheel Riverboat, Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, Pedal Boats, Mini-Golf, New Camp Highland Outpost and Treehouse Challenge, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Antique Car & Treasure Museum. The Regular One-Day All Attractions Pass is $24 (plus tax) for ages 12 and up, and $19 (plus tax) children ages 3-11. For an additional fee, guests can also “Ride the Ducks” sightseeing tour. Required parking permit is $8 for one day or $35 for an annual permit. Call (770) 498-5690 or visit www.stonemountainpark.com. Toastmasters International is an organization that was founded in 1924. Its mission is to help individuals with their communication and leadership skills. Each club provides an atmosphere where individuals can speak without being criticized or judged, yet provide effective evaluations. We also offer the opportunity to take on leadership roles as club president, vice president, and other officer positions that teach planning, time management, organizing and parliamentary procedures. Anyone 18 years or older can join Toastmasters. We currently have six clubs in the River Region. Toastmasters is now starting a club named The River Region Toastmasters in the Prattville/Millbrook area. Meet every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Journey Church located at 2050 Commerce Street, just off I-65, exit 179. For more info, contact the interim president, Gene Ann Hildreth, at 361-6333 or alabamasoupgirl@aol.com. Tales for Tots Join us for this FREE introduction to art in storybooks and in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts galleries for young children and their families. Each time a different work of art and special story will be presented. Next classes are December 9 from 10:30-11 a.m., and 11-11:30 a.m. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org for more info. YMCA 7 to 11 Club Calling all children ages 7 to 11 for this fun, free event. While Mom and Dad are working out, join us for games, arts & crafts, service projects and more. Earn special beads for participation and try to break records for superior achievements. Monthly special events will be hosted as well. Check with your YMCA center or visit ymcamontgomery.org for more details.

Classes

Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes troubleshooting common problems to establish a successful breastfeeding experience. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $15. Class schedule is subject to change, so please call 293-8497 to register or for more info. Caring For Your Newborn Helps new families become familiar with the basics of caring for your infant in the first six weeks after birth. This interactive class covers routine hospital newborn procedures along with bathing, diapering, swaddling and soothing, normal infant behavior, appearance and sleep patterns. Partners are encouraged to attend. $20 fee per couple. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. Expectant moms should register for classes by the fifth month of pregnancy for best selection as class space is lim-

ited. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Childbirth Basics Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year at Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 by your 4th month of pregnancy to register. Childbirth Preparation Class Comprehensive four-week evening series covers all aspects of the labor and delivery experience, admission process, medication and anesthesia options including epidurals, Caesarean sections, coping and comfort measures including breathing and relaxation techniques. Postpartum care and newborn characteristics are included. A maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education. This class is $60 per couple. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more information. Expectant moms should register for classes by the fifth month of pregnancy for best selection as class space is limited. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp Fast-paced Saturday class including the same information offered in our weekly series in a compressed format. Maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. Fee is $60 per couple and includes 2 box lunches. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org for more information. Expectant moms should register for classes by the fifth month of pregnancy for best selection as class space is limited. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Chinese Language Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Office of Far Eastern Initiatives offers Saturday classes for children and adults. The one-hour weekly courses are provided free-of-charge as a service to the community. For more information or to register, contact April Ma at 244-3018 or ama@aum.edu CPR & First Aid The American Red Cross offers classes in adult and infant/child CPR as well as first aid and babysitting classes monthly. Call 260-3980. Diabetes Education --Prattville Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available Wednesdays by appointment at Prattville Medical Park. Call 213-6360 for more information. Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 213-6360 for more info. Family Nutrition Classes Fun, hands-on 3 or 6-week in person or online course developed by well-known pediatrician Dr William Sears. Classes focused towards parents of children age 3-12. Content includes: Traffic Light Eating, Brainy Breakfasts, the Truth about Fats, Powering up with Protein and Play, and more! The goal is to learn simple ways to improve the health of your child through lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition. Fee includes materials, activities, and a snack. A 2-hour preview class is available. For more information, contact Alissabeth Taylor at alissabethtaylor@gmail.com or via Facebook www.Facebook.com/LeaninCentralAL. Foster Parent Training Classes Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries sponsors foster care training classes in the Tri-County Area. For more information on foster care or to register for the classes, please contact Bobbi Olson, Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, at 334430-7569 or e-mail bolson@abchome.org. Infant Safety/CPR Class Teaches parents and grandparents the American Heart Association’s Family and Friends CPR for infants and children, including care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands-on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. Class will also help parents with creating a safe environment for their child. Classes are taught by certified CPR Instructors, but this class is not a certification class. $10 fee per person. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org for more info. Expectant moms should

December2015 register for classes by the fifth month of pregnancy for best selection as class space is limited. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Maternity Area Tour Only Baptist Medical Center East maternity area tour for expectant mothers and families not attending Childbirth Preparation Class or Boot Camp. This tour is complimentary and is offered on select Saturdays of each month. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Classes Includes water aerobics, step-floor aerobics and strength training. SportsFirst. Call 277-7130. Pregnancy Nutrition Classes Fun, interactive 3-week series of nutrition classes developed by well-known pediatrician Dr. William Sears. Classes focus on lifestyle choices, attitude, and exercise at any stage of pregnancy; Optimal nutrition before, during and after pregnancy; Transition from pregnancy to motherhood. Courses can be taken separately or as a series. Jump in any time! Materials and snack provided with fee. For more information contact Alissabeth Taylor at alissabethtaylor@ gmail.com or via Facebook - www.Facebook.com/ LeaninCentralAL. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Baptist Medical Center East class provides expectant mothers with information about breastfeeding including various factors influencing lactation, advantages of breastfeeding, basic anatomy and physiology of milk production, specific techniques to promote a successful breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding equipment and supplies. Classes are taught by IBLCE instructors. Partners are encouraged to participate in this class. $20 per couple. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. Expectant moms should register for classes by the fifth month of pregnancy for best selection as class space is limited. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.-noon. NICU Conference Room, Baptist Medical Center South. Take the main hospital elevators to the 2nd floor. Go left off the elevator. Take an immediate left down the first hallway you come to (which only goes to the left). The conference room is the last door on your right at the end of the hallway, just before the back entrance to the NICU. This class is free to the community. Moms in their second trimester are welcome. Those that qualify will receive incentives. No children please. This is a learning environment. Call (334) 286-2829 to register. Sibling Preparation Class Fun one-hour class is designed for expectant “big brothers and sisters” ages 3 to 8. They will learn about the arrival of their new baby through an introduction to the hospital experience and the early days at home. Parents should plan to attend with their child. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule. Slow Flow Yoga Take a break from your desk and relieve stress with some slow flow yoga at Old Alabama Town! Instructor Juliet Thomas provides downtown workers with a convenient way to stretch and reenergize before going back into the office. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30-12:15, and 12:30-1:15. Beginners welcome! No registration needed; just come to Molton South Building. Enter through the Rose House, located on Columbus St. between N. Hull and Decatur. Parking is available along Decatur and N. Hull. Drop in fee: $12; 5-class pass: $50 (exp. 60 days) Monthly unlimited: $65. Mat rental: $1. Pay by cash or check payable to Juliet Thomas. Blocks will be provided. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early. Wear comfortable clothing, something to easily move around in. Mats and props are provided if needed, although students may prefer their own mat after a few yoga sessions. Bring water to hydrate on your walk back to the office! No sugary drinks or other food allowed. For more info, call (334) 240-4500 or (334) 207-0909 or e-mail juliet.yoga@icloud.com.

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Calendar/Support Groups Services

American Cancer Society seeks Volunteers for Road to Recovery This program is designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatment. Road to Recovery volunteers can be individual drivers with time to help others or even local companies who allow employees to provide transportation on company time in company cars. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer. For more information, or to volunteer, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Hospital Volunteers Volunteers are needed at Baptist Medical Center East, Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville Baptist Hospital. Duties vary by facility but include delivering mail and flowers, transporting patients, staffing waiting rooms and information desks, and furnishing coffee for visitors. Volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. For more info, call 286-2977. Hospice Volunteers Through volunteering at Baptist Hospice, the opportunities to help are endless. Our volunteers are an important part of the patient’s care and are the heart of the hospice family. There are many other ways to help, such as special projects and events or providing administrative support for the staff, that are essential. Volunteers often have special talents and innovative ideas that add so much to our program. Please call Gloria @395-5018 to join our dynamic team. Volunteer Services Jackson Hospital is looking for volunteers for the information desk. These volunteers are needed for the evening shift, 5-8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be friendly and eager to offer information to those visiting the hospital. With this position, a free meal will be given as well as a parking spot next to the lobby. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are asked to work 4 hours a week. They must complete an application and pass a background check and health screening. If you are interested in volunteering, call 293-8967 or visit www.jackson.org/patients_volunteers.html and fill out the application. Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville. Both centers have the ability to diagnose up to 84 different sleep disorders. There are four board-certified physicians and a clinical psychologist on staff between the two centers. For more information, call 286-3252 for Baptist Medical Center South and 361-4335 for Prattville Baptist Hospital. Jackson Sleep Disorders Center Jackson Hospital houses a sleep disorders center on the third floor of the Goode Medical Building to monitor those who are suffering from sleep disorders. For more information, contact your physician or the Sleep Center at 293-8168. Jackson Hospital Offers Animal Therapy Program to Pediatric Unit Jackson Hospital’s Animal Therapy Program is a vital part of its patient care. Animals in the program are limited to dogs, and no other animals are allowed to participate. Currently, there are 10 dogs in the program. Their handlers have undergone extensive training and orientation, and visit the hospital weekly. For more information, please call 293-8894.

Support Groups Adoption Support

Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer Memorial UMC. However, the group will meet in room 8253 in November. For more information, call Monica Russell at 409-9477 or the church office at 272-8622. Autauga/ Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@childrensaid.org.

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

Birth Parent and Adult Adoptee Support Group Children’s Aid Society hosts a free support group for adult adoptees and birth parents. This group provides emotional support for people at all stages of the life-long adoption process. Meetings held at Children’s Aid Society, 2141 14th Avenue South in Birmingham. For class dates and times, call Audrey Derevenko at (205) 943-5343 or e-mail adereven@childrensaid.org. Panda Pals is a support group for families who have adopted or in the process of adopting children from China. We have playdates, family nights and get-togethers to talk about raising our children from China. If you would like to join our group, just e-mail PandaPals2005@yahoogroups. com or call Tracie Singleton at 395-8215.

Cancer Support

American Cancer Society, including Montgomery, Elmore & Autauga Counties: **To access or sign up for these programs, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Look Good…Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program in which trained volunteer cosmetologists help female cancer patients deal with the side effects of treatment. Patients are taught beauty techniques to enhance their appearance and self image during or after treatments, including ways to disguise hair loss and skin changes. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 for more info. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors on a one on one basis. Free wigs and other supplies for cancer patients Free rides to treatment through our Road To Recovery program (where volunteer drivers use their cars and time to take in need cancer patients to treatment) Free lodging through the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham (if patients are sent to Birmingham for treatment) On-line cancer information classes and support group through cancer.org. Information anytime and trained specialists at 1-800ACS-2345. General Cancer Support Group held at Christ Church, 8800 Vaughn Road, Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. This is an open group. For more information, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie Diemayer at 467-4578. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 2nd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Provides education, awareness and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family or friends. For more info, call 272-8622 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net.

Divorce Support

Boundaries Study for singles meets each Tuesday through November 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. This study helps singles learn to set boundaries with emotions and help avoid the harmful behavior of others. For more info, call the Singles office at 495-6386 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org. DivorceCare will begin meeting at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday night, January 14, from 6-8 pm. It fosters a weekly supportive and caring environment to heal the hurt of separation and divorce. You will experience the GriefShare group as an oasis in the midst of a difficult season of your life. The DivorceCare experience involves a dynamic video presentation, group share time, and personal workbook exercises. Facilitators for DivorceCare are Todd Smith, Wendy Timbie and Becki Harrison. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. DivorceCare and DivorceCare 4 Kids First Baptist Church Montgomery, Wednesdays starting August 22 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15 (scholarships available). Contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@montgomeryfbc.org or 241-5125. Divorce Care, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays through November 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call (334) 495-6386 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for more info. DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K), Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays through December 1 from 6-7:30 p.m. This group is for children ages 5 and up and helps children of all ages heal from the pain of their parents’ separation and divorce. Call (334) 495-6386 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for more info.

December2015 Gambling Support

Gamblers Anonymous meetings in the River Region Area: Saturdays @ 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 5375 U.S. Hwy. 231 (Directly across from the Winn-Dixie shopping center), Wetumpka. Call (334) 567-7534. Sundays @ 5 p.m., Mental Health Association, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Mondays @ 6 p.m., St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery. Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 334-541-5420

Grief Support

Bereaved Spouses Support Group A new ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church, USA (Unavoidably Single Again) Ministries is designed to offer ongoing support, social events and fellowship to those who have lost their spouses to death. The group is open to ALL widowed individuals, regardless of age, religious beliefs, or length of marriage or widowhood. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the church’s building, 301 Dalraida Road. Please e-mail Lynda Coats at farauthor@aol. com for more information. “Big Leap!” Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is designed to meet the needs of children who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. This group provides a hands-on, safe space for age-appropriate expression of grief. These sessions aim to increase feeling identification, decrease self-blame or guilt, and build coping skills. Through music, art, and play we meet your child or grandchild on their level. We encourage your children to hold tight to their memories as they make a “big leap” into their new future. This group is open to children ages 7-11. Space is limited to 6 participants so call 279-6677. Start date will be determined once reservations are confirmed. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW “Comfort and Conversation,” Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is intended to address those affected by a recent loss (0-12 months after death). Through meeting with others who are walking a similar journey, you will be encouraged to work through the complications of your loss, understand your pain, and adjust to your new reality. Space is limited, so please call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW Compassionate Friends, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, first Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. For more information about the group, call (334) 284-2721. “Connect,” Fridays at 11 a.m., biweekly, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is for those who have already walked through the initial grieving process but still desire to connect with others who share similar experiences. This group will allow you to meet new people, stay active in the community, and look ahead to a bright future. We will share lunch, visit museums, volunteer, attend movies, and participate in area events. We even have a fishing trip on the agenda! This group is ongoing and does not have a participation limit. It’s time to have fun again, come join us! For more info, call 2796677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. Grief Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Rm. 3105. Call 272-8622 for more info. GriefShare will begin meeting weekly at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday night, January 14, from 6-8 pm. This program is non-denominational and features biblical concepts for healing your grief. You will find a warm, caring environment for your journey through grief and loss. You will not be left alone to deal with all the grief issues in your life. Three key parts make up your GriefShare experience: video seminar; support group time; and workbook study. GriefShare will be led by Howard and Carol Payne and Jim Williams. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. GriefShare, Hospice of Montgomery’s office located at 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery. Meets Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. through March. This FREE group is for individuals, families and caregivers in the River Region. Registration required to attend. HOM provides quality palliative care to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in our community affected by terminal illness; maintains the highest ethical standards;

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Calendar/Support Groups and educates the community about the hospice concept and end-of-life issues. For more information or to register, please contact Candace Fales at 279-6677 or cfales@ hospiceofmontgomery.org. Grieving With Hope, St. Mark UMC, meeting weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. The group offers a place to share, care and heal from the losses of life. Facilitated by Dr. Lennie Howard and Marie Parma. Contact the church at 272-0009. Honoring Angels Like Owen, Inc. (HALO) offers family-oriented, Christian-based grief support groups that meet monthly. These groups are for families who have lost a child from 20 weeks gestation up to the age of 2 years old. Our parents’ group is for mothers and fathers. Our siblings’ group is for children ages 6-15. Both groups meet at the same time and place. These groups offer faithbased healing through sharing and emotional support. Meetings offer an outlet for sharing your child’s memory and your day to day struggles, while receiving support of others who have been in similar situations. Please feel free to bring photos of your child to share. HALO also offers free professional photography for families facing the loss of a child up to the age of 2 years old and needs-based financial assistance for burial. Visit www.honoringangelslikeowen.org or call (334) 328-1202. Hospice of Montgomery (HOM) Grief Support Thursdays in October beginning Oct. 8 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The group will meet at Hospice of Montgomery’s office located at 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery. The Grief Support Group is open to the community. HOM’s bereavement program is a voluntary one offered to family members and loved ones of HOM’s patients who want this type of support. Grief education programs are also available to individuals living within Hospice of Montgomery’s service area. For more info, call (334) 279-6677 or visit www.hospiceofmontgomery.org. Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. We normally meet the last Thursday night of each month at Grace Baptist Church in Wetumpka, 304 Old Montgomery Highway. For more info, contact Alice Scarborough at (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis at (334) 567-8754 or e-mail us at mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook--Mourning to Morning Group. Our purpose is to glorify God as we serve Him in comforting and encouraging each other in our grief and growth.

Homeschool Support

ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. 2nd and 4th Fridays year-round from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http://www.onlineecho.com

Illness Support

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets 1st Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in room 3103 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more info, call 272-8622. The Renaissance Spirit Group (an adult day group for Alzheimer’s patients in their early to middle stages) meets each Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 3101 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Registration is required. For more info, contact Nancy McLain at (334) 233-2139. Cardiolife, a FREE educational series for congestive heart failure patients and their caregivers, meets 4th Thursdays of each month, 10-11 a.m. Diabetes Center classroom, Jackson Hospital. For more info, call 279-6677. Topics include: Lifestyle Changes, A Heart Healthy Diet, Proper Fluid Intake, Importance of Daily Weights and Exercise Tolerance. Support for this program provided by River Region Supportive Care – a Division of Hospice of Montgomery. Facilitated by Arla Chandler, RN, BSN, MBA. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step-Christian process to help you cope with hurts, hang-ups, and habits on a weekly basis. It will begin meeting at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday night, January 14, from 6-8 pm. This Christ-centered recovery will provide a safe place to share and to heal. You will also experience hope and strength for each day. “Celebrate Recovery” will be led by Jeff McFarland. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA) is a 12step spiritual recovery program for overcoming addictions. Using the steps and the Bible, we help build self-esteem,

responsible behavior, learning to make amends for destructive behavior, then fill the void in our hearts by developing a loving relationship with God. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 p.m. Please contact the Prattville Church of Christ office, 344 East Main St. in Prattville (334-365-4201), for additional information. Depression/Bipolar Support Group meets 1st Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 3101 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group is for those with depression and bipolar illness and their families. For more info, call 272-8622 or visit dbsamontgomery@yahoo.com. Meetings also available 3rd Saturday afternoons from noon-2 p.m. at Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway. For more info, call 652-1431. Depression & Bipolar Support, Montgomery Public Library Main Branch, 245 High Street downtown, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 3rd Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.; OR 1609 West Street, north off Carter Hill and Narrow Lane, 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 201-9638 or 652-1431 for more info. Gluten Intolerance Group (www.gluten.net) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide support to those with any form of gluten intolerance. GIG-Montgomery assists with awareness of diverse potential symptoms, which can range from fatigue and headaches to nausea and intestinal problems. Guidelines are provided on how to eat safely both at home and eating out. Another objective is to facilitate more effective communication between the local gluten-free community and stores, restaurants and the medical community. Meets 2nd Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., at Taylor Road Baptist Church, Fellowship Suite (faces entrance of EastChase-NE. Turn on Berryhill Rd. by EastChase). Check the blog for special “alternate site” meetings (www. glutenfreemontgomery.blogspot.com) For more info, you may also e-mail dr.hetrick@charter.net or visit the group’s Facebook page. Montgomery Area Mended Hearts, First floor of Montgomery Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Baptist Medical Center South. For anyone who has experienced cardiac illness. Third Mondays, alternates between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 286-3410 for more info. NAMI Montgomery (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) provides understanding, education and information to family members and friends of those who suffer mental illness. The NAMI Montgomery Family Member Support Group meets second Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room 3103 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Call Mary Jo Logan (2712280) for details. OCD Support Group (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) Long showers, multiple hand-washing, rituals, checking the stove, hoarding and symmetry. This support group is open to anyone who has struggled with OCD. You’re not alone anymore. This group is just getting started so a specific meeting time has not been set yet. Location will be 5500 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery. Call Donald at 220-7555 for more info. Overeaters Anonymous, Unity of Montgomery, 1922 Walnut St., Saturdays from 3-4 p.m. Contact Misty at 3249568 or Carol at 467-5742. Parkinson’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, normally meets on 4th Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Room 8114. Group is for Parkinson’s patients and their family members. However, the group will meet on the 3rd Thursday in November due to Thanksgiving. It will not meet in December. For more info, call 272-8622. Traumatic Brain Injury Support, cafeteria at HealthSouth on Narrow Lane in Montgomery. 2nd Thursdays at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Alabama Head Injury Foundation for anyone with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or related disability. For more information, contact Holli at (334) 290-0646 or e-mail: ahif_montgomery_auburn@ yahoo.com. Visit www.ahif.org. Veterans OEF/OIF Caregivers Support Group meets 3rd Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 3108 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group provides support and understanding to those caring for OEF/ OIF Veterans. For more information, contact LaQuana Edwards, Caregiver Support Coordinator at CAVHCS, (334) 727-0550 ext. 5350.

Parent Support

Circle of Moms Club Meets Nov. 2, 16, & 30; also Dec. 14 & 28 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at UAB School of Medicine Basement Auditorium, adjacent to Baptist Medical Center South. Bring your

December2015 baby, your questions, and hang out with other moms and moms-to-be. Learn from each other and have a great time at this free breastfeeding club. A lactation nurse will be at each meeting to offer expert help. A baby scale will also be available to monitor the weight of your baby. Light lunch provided, and door prizes! For more info, call (334) 286-2829 or e-mail llrambo@baptistfirst.org. D.A.D.S. (Dad and Daughter Saturdays) Second Saturdays at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library in downtown Montgomery at 11 a.m. D.A.D.S. is the vision of local resident and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce staff member Ron Simmons and his daughter Erin. It gives fathers and daughters an opportunity to read together to create fun, educational memories. All fathers in the River Region are invited to bring their daughters to the library to read, laugh and have fun. This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library and Dreamland Barbeque. For more information, call Ron Simmons at (334) 777-8596. La Leche League of Montgomery Area has served local mothers since 1984. Women who are pregnant, interested in breastfeeding and nursing mothers are invited to attend our free mother-to-mother support meetings or e-mail with breastfeeding questions. Our leaders are experienced breastfeeding mother volunteers who have completed an accreditation program through LLL International. At monthly meetings mothers share their questions and concerns as well as the benefits and joys of breastfeeding. Join us with your babies. Children of all ages are welcome. We currently have morning and evening meetings. For more info, e-mail us at LLL.Montgomery.AL@gmail.com or visit http://www. llli.org/groups/@llli*group*montgomery or “like” us on Facebook facebook.com/LLL.Montgomery.AL. Mom2Mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of children ages birth-5 years at Frazer United Methodist Church to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. E-mail Mom2mom@frazerumc. org for more information. Moms’ LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) First Baptist Church, Prattville. Meets twice monthly from 8:30-11:45 a.m. in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Prattville August through May. For moms of all stages and ages of life. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guests, special guest speakers and a lot of fun! Cost is $5 per meeting. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call Kelley Manning at 361-7919. The Montgomery Multiples Club is a non-profit organization offering support to the mothers and families of twins, triplets, and more in the Central Alabama region. They have a mom’s night out with dinner once a month. They also have a yard sale twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. For more info, visit http://montgomerymultiplesclub.org. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Moms, need a little break? MOPS is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Visit www.montgomeryfbc. org/MOPS or contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Are you in need of a time-out? Then have we got the place for you! MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. Childcare is provided. For more info, e-mail VFCMOPS@gmail.com. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Redland Baptist Church in Wetumpka. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month from 9-11 a.m. during the school year. We will also have scheduled play dates and mom’s nights out. Women can come just as they are to build friendships, be encouraged by each other and gain practical parenting strategies. Moms get together to share food, laugh, and hear inspiring speakers. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. In a MOPS group, you experience authentic community, mothering support, personal growth and spiritual hope, all to help you be the best mom possible. For more info, please call (334) 567-8649 or visit www.mops.org/redlandmops.

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Calendar/Support Groups Pregnancy Loss/Infertility

Hannah’s Prayer, Prattville First United Methodist Church, 2nd Thursdays and 3rd Sundays. Support group for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues. Call (334) 365-5977. Sav-A-Life conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet eight consecutive Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. The “Forgiven and Set Free” Bible study is used. Confidientiality is assured. Please call Kathy at 260-8010 for information. “Take Heart,” Room 116 at Eastmont Baptist Church, first Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. Support group for women dealing with infertility and/or miscarriage. Contact Melissa at (205) 913-2667 for more information.

Single Parents Support

Single and Parenting! A new group for single moms meeting every Tuesday through December 1 from 6-7:30 p.m. for hope, encouragement, guidance and parenting ideas. For more info, call 495-6386 or e-mail singles@ frazerumc.org Single Moms’ Care and Support Group, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, 910 Perry Hill Road (corner of Perry Hill and Harrison Roads). Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15-8 p.m. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants-16 years. Call 272-3174 for more info. Singles’ Small Groups, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info. SWAK (Single with Amazing Kids), Maxwell / Maxwell Gunter AFB. This network is connecting and empowering single parents and their families through information, encouragement, and many family-oriented events throughout the year. We meet the last Wednesday or Thursday of each month. For more info, e-mail t2763@aol.com. Join us on Facebook—SWAK (Single with Amazing Kids) for daily restaurant specials, area kid-friendly events, and tips/ideas for families on a budget. TNT (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Bldg. 7000. A meal ($5) and program are provided. For reservations, call 272-8622.

Special Needs Support

Alabama Angels Pageant, a nonprofit pageant for males and females of any age with special needs. Participation is free. 2016 pageant date TBA. Visit www. alabamaangels.org and look for us on Facebook! Central Alabama Autism Support Team (C.A.A.S.T.), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Hwy. 31 in Prattville from 6-8 p.m. 3rd Thursdays quarterly (Feb., May, Aug., Nov.). Visit www.easysite.com/caast or e-mail casst50@yahoo. com for more info. Down Syndrome Support, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 2nd Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Childcare provided. Call Hope Smith at 328-8766 or visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com for information. Montgomery Area Hearing Loss Support Group meets monthly at the Wesley Building of the First Methodist Church in Montgomery on 2nd Thursdays at 4 p.m. It is affiliated with the nationally recognized non-profit advocacy group, Hearing Loss Association of America. The purpose is to bring together all adults and parents of children who would like to know more about hearing losses, its causes and its possible corrections. Licensed audiologists make brief presentations explaining their local programs, their offices and the availability of hearing tests, of possible medical corrections, and/of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Refreshments at each meeting. For more info, contact HearingInfo@earthlink.net. River Region Autism Support Group, Cafe Louisa (in Old Cloverdale), 1036 E. Fairview Ave. We meet on 1st Saturdays from 4-6 p.m. This group is comprised of parents whose children are on the autism spectrum. We also welcome others involved with autistic children, such as grandparents, friends, teachers, therapists, etc. For more info about how to join the group, or if you plan to attend a meeting, e-mail Lyra Stephens at LyraStephens@ yahoo.com. Special Needs Skate 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Looney’s Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. in Montgomery.

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5 admission. For more information, contact Lyrastephens@yahoo.com.

Teens/Families Support

Life is Fun Together (LIFT): This is a FREE program through Family Guidance Center of Alabama and a partnership with the Alabama Healthy Marriage and Relationship Initiative (AHMREI). LIFT provides relationship and marriage education and real-world skills through fun, distinctive workshops, information & referral services, ongoing support, and the LIFT library. Singles, non-married parents, stepfamilies, premarital couples, and married couples can all enjoy the benefits of LIFT workshops: ELEVATE blends 7 practical skills with an understanding of the physiology of human interaction (the heart-brainbehavior connection). Couples can get skills to help manage stress and reduce conflict. Learn how to relax, get to know each other more deeply, and make your relationship something you look forward to every day! In Relationship Smarts (RS+), participants learn what true love really is, the role of “brain chemicals,” how to build healthy relationships, how to handle breakups, the “red flags” to domestic violence, relationship skills, and so much more. Written for 9th through 12th graders, RS+ is a solid, basic curriculum for adults too. Date Nights! is a program for couples that are in committed relationships. Using the Basic Training curriculum, participants get the unique opportunity to enjoy a date together at a local restaurant- ON US! Topics include benefits of a healthy marriage, communication, surrender, problem-solving as a team, and intimacy. How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (or Jerkette) is a great program for singles and daters. Participants learn the technical definition of a “jerk” and how to spot one, how to build a healthy relationship, and the five things to know in order to be able to predict what someone would be like in marriage. For Couples Only is a must-have for any couple in any stage of their relationship. Using the Mastering the Mysteries of Love curriculum, couples go through intensive training in communication, conflict management, and problem-solving. Smart Steps for Stepfamilies was created for couples where at least one partner is not the biological parent of at least one child in the family. This curriculum is useful for all stepfamily couples regardless of whether the couple is married. A children’s component is often available. Contact Tonya Rogers at 270-4100, trogers@familyguidancecenter.org, or www.familyguidancecenter.org today! Support Group for Teens with difficulties communicating with parents and friends. Contact Felicia Pressley at Pressley Counseling by leaving a message at (334) 625-0159.

This Month

Tuesday, December 1

Wetumpka Christmas Tree Lighting 5 p.m. pictures with Santa; 6 p.m. Wetumpka Middle School Band performs and tree lighting. Gold Star Park, Wetumpka. ASU Celebrates the Montgomery Bus Boycott 60th Anniversary -- Through December 7 Events take place all week in a variety of locations and times. For more info, call (334) 229-4483 or visit www. alasu.edu/news/news-details/index.aspx?nid=2594 Alabama River Region Arts Center Christmas Faire -- Through December 22 ARRAC Center, 300 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka.

Wednesday, December 2

Capital City Master Gardener Association Lunch And Learn Series Open To The Public The first Wednesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. Sessions are held at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, next to the Curb Market. The Capital City Master Gardener Association provides a monthly educational series called “Lunch and Learn,” on a variety of gardening topics in a classroom setting. Related handouts from the Alabama Coopera-

December2015 tive Extension Service are provided each session at no cost. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches to each event. Iced tea and water will be provided.

Thursday, December 3

City of Millbrook Christmas Tree Lighting 6 p.m. Village Green, Millbrook. Caroling and refreshments for sale. Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Fellowship Series The Montgomery Symphony Association presents its two Artists in Residence, violinist Nadir Khashimov and cellist Natalie Helm, in a six-concert series known as the Fellowship Series. These artists-in-residence will be joined by a number of guest artists on these exciting chamber music programs. All concerts will be presented in the Wilson Auditorium located in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature Natalie Helm on cello and Katherine Dowling on piano. Single tickets are available for $17 for adults. Students age six and over are admitted free. For more info, call (334) 240-4004 or visit www. montgomerysymphony.org/fellowship-series/. Baptist Healthcare Foundation Presents Keith and Kristyn Getty 7 p.m. at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Keith & Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music today as preeminent modern hymn writers. In re-inventing the traditional hymn form, they have created a distinguished catalogue of songs teaching Christian Doctrine and crossing genres by connecting the world of traditional and classical compositions with contemporary and globally accessible melodies. Tickets begin at $25. Visit www.mpaconline. org or call (334) 481-5100 for tickets. Ala. Dept. of Archives and History Hosts More Than A Bus Ride Film Screening The Ala. Dept. of Archives and History will host a free screening of William Dickerson-Waheed’s film, More Than a Bus Ride, at noon. This film, originally released in 2005, has been recently re-edited for the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This is the first public screening of the newest version of the documentary. The movie profiles a courageous group of women and the lawyers who represented them in the struggle to fight racial discrimination on the buses in Montgomery in the 1950s. It features interviews with plaintiffs, attorneys, and members of the original Montgomery Improvement Association, several of whom are now deceased. Visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Old Alabama Town Holiday Revue 7 p.m. Celebrate the holidays, early-Alabama style! Join Old Alabama Town for a holiday show filled with original and traditional music, poems, monologs, fun and laughter. Featuring Karren Pell and the OAT Revue Crue. For more info, call (334) 240-4617 or visit www.oldalabamatown. com/. Christmas Lights Festival at Montgomery Zoo Also December 4-6, 10-13 and 17-31 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly. See the Montgomery Zoo transformed into a Winter Wonderland sparkling with thousands of lights. Take a leisurely stroll, a brisk train ride or see the lights atop the Zoofari Skylift Ride. Visit Santa, enjoy the nightly live entertainment, craft hut, petting zoo… and no winter’s night would be complete without some warming hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies. Call (334) 240-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo.com. Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents An O. Henry Christmas -- Also December 5; 10-12; and 17-19 Theatre doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 6:15 until 7. The show begins promptly at 7:30. Tickets are $26.50 and include dinner and the show. Members of the military can purchase tickets for just $21.50. Reservations must be paid in advance. To make reservations or for more information, call 877-840-0457 or visit http://www. ticketforce.com/. Red Door Theatre Presents Always a Bridesmaid Also December 4-5 & 12-13 Downtown Union Springs. All performances at 7:30 except December 13 at 2:30 p.m. By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten; directed by Kim Mason. directed by Kim Mason. Always a Bridesmaid is the rollicking tale of four loyal and determined women who definitively answer the question, “Just how far are you willing to

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Calendar/Support Groups go to keep a promise to a friend?” If you’ve ever elbowed a stranger out of the way to catch a bride’s bouquet, seriously questioned the mental stability of the duo saying “I do,” or been forced to wear the world’s ugliest bridesmaid dress, this deliriously funny comedy is definitely for you…and your dearly beloved! Written by the same playwrights who brought you The Hallelujah Girls and Mama Won’t Fly, this might be their funniest play yet! Tickets may be obtained by calling (334) 738-8687 or visiting www.reddoortheatre.org. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents A Christmas Carol -- Through December 24 A heart-warming, holiday must-see that will get you into the swing of the holiday season with Scrooge’s search for redemption and a spectacular, magical evening of ghosts, spirits, festivity and goodwill. “God Bless Us, Every One!” Visit www.asf.net or call 271-5353.

Friday, December 4

Capri Classics Presents It’s a Wonderful Life 7:30 p.m. The classic Frank Capra film featuring James Stewart. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org. Wetumpka Nativity/Luminary Night 6 p.m., downtown Wetumpka. For more information, contact Tiffany at (334) 567-1384. Prattville Christmas Parade 2015 Annual Christmas parade with floats, bands, antique cars, fire trucks, police hummers, dancers, horses, and lots of candy and beads being tossed to the crowd. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting State Capitol. Events begin at 5:30 p.m. Following the tree lighting, stick around for the Capitol Open House from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and enjoy refreshments, art show & gift collection for foster children. Santa Claus will also be available for pictures. Free and open to the public. For more info, visit (334) 242-3935. 11th Annual Daddy Daughter Diamond Princess Ball Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery will host this event at the Ware-Farley-Hood House at Old Alabama Town. The ball, which is black tie optional, is the only father-daughter event of its kind in the area, giving dads the chance to spend a special night with their little girl. Upon arrival, each princess will be fitted with a tiara of her own. Daddys and their princesses can dance the night away to the lively playlist of DJ At Large. Tickets are $120 for one couple, and $60 for each additional guest. The Diamond Princess Ball is open to girls grade six and under. Reservations for the ball, which will be from 6-8 p.m., can be made by calling Landmarks at (334) 240-4500. Pike Road Tips Off Christmas Begin the evening by cheering on the Pike Road School basketball teams when they take on Tallassee at 5 and 6:15 p.m.! Then join us at Town Hall for the Annual Tree Lighting. This winning combination is sure to get you in the Christmas Spirit! This year’s event will include Christmas carols, a Christmas story from Mayor Stone, s’mores, hot chocolate and Santa Claus. Festivities are planned to begin after the basketball games; approximately 7:30 p.m. Can’t make it to the basketball games? Join us at Town Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. for a FREE Christmas movie. The Pike Road Community Enrichment Group will host this Family Movie Night prior to the annual tree lighting activities. 45th Annual Montgomery Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show -- Through December 6 Garrett Coliseum. Dealers will have beads, crystals, geodes, rough, cabochons, gem stones, finished jewelry, tools, supplies and mineral & fossil specimens. Club members will display their individual collections and will give demonstrations on gem and rock cutting, faceting, cabochon making, and knapping. Show Times: Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $2/adults or $3 for weekend pass; free/18 & under with student ID and 1 paid adult. For more info, visit www. facebook.com/events/867992066555371/. Harriott II Cruising with Santa -- Weekends Through December 19 255 Commerce St., Montgomery. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. Cruises from 7-9 p.m. Prices: $46 per adult; $26 per child. Live entertainment and full holiday meal Provided. Cash bar available. Santa will be on board. Call (334) 625-2100 for more information.

Parents’ Night Out at United Gymstars & Cheer Also November 13 6:30-10:30 p.m. $20/first child; $15 per sibling. Pizza and drink provided. Fun games, trampolines, rope swing, tumble tracks, foam pits and more! Call (334) 284-2244 to reserve your spot! Walk-ins accepted until maximum number is reached. Visit www.unitedgymstarsandcheer.com for more info.

Saturday, December 5

Holiday Open House at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 1-4 p.m. The Museum invites you to an afternoon of holiday cheer at the 20th annual Holiday Open House. Local choral groups will perform throughout the Museum and the studios will bustle with holiday crafts including the ever-popular Reindeer Feed Bags. The galleries will be open, as will ARTWORKS. Be on the look-out for a certain red-suited guest who will listen to all holiday wishes.There is no charge for Holiday Open House, but we encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or canned goods for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Visit www.mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4333 for more info. Innaugural Geek Breakfast Don’t miss the first-ever Geek Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at the Egg and I. This will be a monthly community-driven meeting for local (and visiting) technology-minded people. Each month attendees will congregate over bacon, eggs and plenty of coffee to discuss topics like social media, digital marketing, design, programming, and ways to better their communities. Find us on Facebook. Baking Cookies with Santa Kids can enjoy baking yummy treats with Santa at Williams-Sonoma at The Shoppes at EastChase from 8-10 a.m. The baking fun will be $10.Reservations must be made through the The Shoppes at EastChase Guest Services Office. Call (334) 279-6046 to reserve your spot! 26th Annual River Region Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Fun festive event with a great course, so come dressed in your favorite holiday costume and have some fun. Eddie the Elf will be back for the 1 mile Elf Chase, Santa Claus will be there too and who knows who else may show up, so tie jingle bells to your shoelaces, and let’s raise funds to help find a cure for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving. Help raise funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. For more info, call (334) 557-1577 or visit www. kintera.org/. Montgomery Bus Boycott Festival Join Montgomery City-County Public Libraries in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Bus Boycott from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Featured guests include MC Bill Ford, news anchor Elise Roberts, author Richard Bailey, Carver Elementary School, Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, Fresh Anointing House of Worship choir, local award-winning poet Jonathan “JP Da Poet” Peterson and more! This free event will have prize giveaways and activities for the whole family. For more info, call (334) 240-4982 or e-mail khayes@mccpl. lib.al.us. Millbrook “Spirit of Christmas” Parade 2 p.m. Starting at the City’s Sports complex and ending at City Hall. Call Kathy Kelley at 285-7231 or Celie Allen at 260-6400 for more info. Prepared Childbirth Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Topics include Topics include: pregnancy, labor, birth, options for pain management, medical procedures,cesarean birth. Sessions are taught throughout the year, from 9 a.m.-noon. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Preregistration is required. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 or e-mail liz.owen@jackson.org. Breakfast with Santa at Grandview Family YMCA Millbrook. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m.; children’s activities begin at 8:30; and Santa Claus arrives at 9 a.m. Tickets for this event are only $5 per person and include breakfast, an ornament craft and a picture with Santa. In order to prepare enough food, tickets must be purchased in advance. Contact Bill Myers at (334) 290-9622 or bmyers@ymcamontgomery.org. Free Children’s Holiday Art Workshop Choose between 10-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Prattville Creative Arts Center (beside PPD). Children will be able to create a piece of artwork to keep or to give as a gift to

December2015 family or friends. This workshop is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. To register or for more info, please contact the Special Events Office at (334) 595-0851. Available for children ages 4-12 years old. Home Depot Kids’ Workshop Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Today’s project is “Holiday Stacking Blocks.” After building, decorate your project with fun stickers and different paint colors. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin. 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 5-12. Free. Trekking through the Past: Landmarks Foundation Fall 2015 Walking Tours (Rescheduled from November 8) 9 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, Eastern Ridge. Join Jeff Benton as he launches the first tour of the Eastern Ridge. You will visit graves of Civil War heroes, a Union burial plot, the Jewish Eternal Rest area, the graves of Hank and Audrey Williams, and many more! Meet at the Hank Williams site, which is well marked from Upper Wetumpka Road (easternmost gate). $10 tour admission, free to Landmarks Foundation members. PLEASFE NOTE: If it looks like rain, please check facebook for news on possible cancellations. E-mail rrussell@landmarksfoundation.com with questions. “Art, Talk and a Movie: Creative Perspectives on History” 5:30-8:30 p.m. Reception and screening of The Long Walk Home at the Capri Theatre with award-winning writer, director and Montgomery’s native son, John Cork. Cork will join I Am More Than’s founder Michelle Browder and other talented artists from around the country for this event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The shoes and their artists will be on display at the Capri Theatre as well. I am More Than’s mission is to share with students and the general public the need to continue the march for equality, racial and social justice. For more info, call (334) 269-3024 or e-mail iammorethan@icloud.com. AUM Offers Free Mandarin Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Confucius Institute continues to offer free Mandarin classes to the community. To register, send the student’s name, age and contact information to ama@aum.edu. Carriage Rides at the Shoppes at Eastchase Also December 12 & 19 2-5 p.m. Carriages rides will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Take a ride around EastChase and enjoy the beautiful holiday sights and sounds. For more info, call (334) 2796046 or visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com/. Alabama Nature Center Weekends -- Also December 12 & 19 Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m. to enjoy the first of the day’s activities. Take a look around the the Discovery Hall, enjoy the movie specials in the theater, and explore the trails. Vending machines will provide snacks/ drinks. Gift shop will be open. December 5 is Lanark Hike/Animal Encounter; December 12 is Christmas at Larnark; December 19 is Edible Winter Plants Hike/Animal Encounter. Visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call 1-800822-9453.

Sunday, December 6

Special Needs Skate -- Also December 20 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. Looneys Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5. For more information contact Lyrastephens@yahoo.com. Alabama Farmers Federation Presents Wynonna Judd: A Simpler Christmas 7 p.m., Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The five-time GRAMMY award-winning and New York Times best-selling author, Wynonna Judd, is best known for her commanding voice and rich storytelling in song. Tickets begin at $37. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100 for tickets.

Monday, December 7

Wetumpka Depot Presents Radio T.B.S. Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals -- Also December 8, 10-11 and 13-15

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Calendar/Support Groups Written by Mark Landon Smith and directed by Tom Salter, the action revolves around radio hostesses and society doyennes Vesta Poteet and Dixie Mandrell, who bring to you the comings and goings of the activities in and around The Luna Del Mar Manufactured Home Oasis and Monkey Empire. And what a jumpin’ place this trailer park is! The colossal celebration at Luna Del Mar, penicillin capital of central Florida, honors Jesus and Elvis: A Tribute to the Kings, a little nativity with some rock n’ roll. If you think that this kings’ tribute runs smoothly, you’ll also believe that teased hair is a thing of the past. For tickets or more info, call (334) 868-1440 or visit wetumpkadepot.com. Millbrook Community Players Present Fairy Tale Christmas -- School Showings Through December 11; Public Showing December 12 @ 7:30 p.m. Holiday cheer is driving Queen Malvinia crazy! The former evil stepmother of Snow White’s story is now somewhat reformed, and rules over the kingdom of Happily Ever After. But ever since all the traditional fairy tale characters began getting along, demand for the Queen’s various potions on her website have fallen off drastically. So she’s thought of a new way to boost sales. With the help of Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Wolfgang Amadeus Toothful, alias the Big, Bad Wolf, she throws a Christmas Eve party. Though the Three Little Pigs try to keep the mood happy by singing carols and telling corny jokes, the Queen’s poisoned mistletoe makes everyone angry at each other. Soon everyone will want her nasty spells and wicked charms. Visit www.millbrooktheater. com or call (334) 782-7317 for tickets.

Tuesday, December 8

VEG OUT Montgomery 6-8 p.m. Join EAT South for its monthly plant-based diet pot luck dinners on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Located at the EAT South Farm at Hampstead community. Look for a big red barn! For more information, call 422-9331, e-mail info@eatsouth. org or visit www.facebook.com/VegOutMontgomery.

Wednesday, December 9

Central Alabama Master Gardener (CAMGA) Lunch & Learn Program Held at the Elmore County Extension (ACES) facility on Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka, these free events for the public are held on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at noon and ending at 1 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch and learn. This month’s topic is Holiday Deocrating with Natural Materials. Beverages are provided by CAMGA. For more information, call the ACES office at 567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.

Thursday, December 10

Screenings of the Season 6 Premiere of Downton Abbey 4 and 6 p.m. at the Ala. Dept. of Archives and History. See the premiere of the final season of the hit show before it airs on television in January. Free tickets will be available in the Archives’ Museum Store beginning December 1. Visit www.archives.alabama.gov for details. Light the Night with Hope The Montgomery Cancer Center presents a luminary service of celebration and memory at 6 p.m. on the campus of the Montgomery Cancer Center in the parking area by Carmichael Imaging. Remember and reflect on the impact cancer has had in our lives. Let’s celebrate the ones that have fought, are fighting, have won, have lost, and those that still endure the effects of cancer. Recognize someone special in your life. Visit www.baptistfirst.org/. Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Two For the Holidays: The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder and The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris -- Through December 20 The Long Christmas Dinner showcases the lives of several generations of the Bayard family, over nine decades, and some of their Christmas dinners. Wilder breaks the boundaries of time as we measure it, and

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

invites us to partake of “one long, happy Christmas dinner” past, present and future. The Santaland Diaries is based on the outlandish and true chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. This hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. For tickets or more info, call 262-1530 or visit www. cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Presents Merry Christmas, Dear Grandpa -- Through December 20 This funny, family-friendly play is sure to bring back memories of your family Christmases with eccentric relatives and heartwarming moments. Blair Dyson will direct the six characters of the Hartley family in this very funny play about the “perfect” family Christmas. Cost of tickets is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Special Events Office at 334/595-0851 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov.

Friday, December 11

Parents’ Night Out at the Wetumpka Family YMCA A monthly Parents’ Night Out program for parents of kids 12 years and under offered the 2nd Friday of each month from 6-10 p.m. Games, arts and crafts, a movie and hot dogs are offered. Cost is $10 per child for members and $15 per child for non-members. You must register by the Thursday prior. Call 567-8282 for more info. Prattville Pops & Community Chorus Christmas Concert 7 p.m. at Glynwood Baptist Church on McQueen Smith Road in Prattville. The theme for this year’s concert is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and will feature many well-known Christmas songs with unusual twists, as well as some special music that might not be as familiar. This concert is great for the entire family and admission is FREE, but guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center food bank. For more info, contact the Special Events Office at (334) 595-0851. Town of Eclectic Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting and Cantata 5 p.m. Downtown Eclectic. Events kick off with the parade starting at 5 p.m. leading to town hall for the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. The Cantata will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Elmore County High Auditorium. Elmore County Homeschool Organization Meets Elmore County Homeschool Organization is a non-profit support group for homeschooling families. We provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children & support and encourage their parents in the homeschooling process. We typically meet the second and fourth Friday of every month year-round from 10 a.m. to noon (NOT meeting December 25) at Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. Membership is free and is open to all homeschoolers in the tri-county area. ECHO has field trips, park days, holiday parties, enrichment activities, and a yearly awards ceremony. For details, visit http:// www.onlineecho.com. Montgomery Ballet Celebrates 40th Anniversary Performance Of The Nutcracker -- Through December 13 At Troy University’s Davis Theatre in Downtown Montgomery. Public performances will be offered December 11 at 7:30 p.m., December 12 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and conclude on December 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets vary in price from $15 to $30. Sugarplum Fairy Parties will be hosted on Saturday and Sunday immediately following the 2 p.m. performances. Tickets for the Sugarplum Parties are $10. Montgomery Ballet also offers discounted tickets for members of the military, students, and senior citizens. To purchase, visit www.montgomeryballet.org or call (334) 409-0522.

Saturday, December 12

Dads and Daughters Saturday (D.A.D.S) Calling ALL Fathers and Daughters for storytimes, fun and laughs, 11 a.m.-noon every 2nd Saturday at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. There will

December2015 be singing, dancing and arts & crafts. So come visit us and have an enjoyable time! For more info, visit www. facebook.com/events/1374454692792666/?source=1. Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic 10 a.m. Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Ages 5-12. Free. Online registration opens before each clinic’s date. For more info, visit www.lowesbuildandgrow.com or call your local Lowe’s. Montgomery Music Project Winter Concert 1 p.m. More than 110 students from throughout Montgomery involved in the Montgomery Music Project will take to the stage at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Since mid-September, these students have been learning to play violins, violas, and cellos. Students range from kindergarten through 8th grade. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more info, call (334) 377-2018 or visit www. montgomerymusicproject.org/mmp-calendar-2015-16/. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.-noon. NICU Conference Room, Baptist Medical Center South. Take the main hospital elevators to the 2nd floor. Go left off the elevator. Take an immediate left down the first hallway you come to (which only goes to the left). The conference room is the last door on your right at the end of the hallway, just before the back entrance to the NICU. This class is free to the community. Moms in their second trimester are welcome. Those that qualify will receive incentives. No children please. This is a learning environment. Call (334) 286-2829 to register. Christmas on the Coosa Downtown Wetumpka. Christmas extravaganza with character breakfasts at 7:30 and 9 a.m., a 12K run at 9 a.m., arts & crafts beginning at 10 a.m., parade at 2 p.m., food, quilt show, classic car show, entertainment and activities on the Coosa River culminating with a boat parade at 5:30 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks exhibition at 6. Visit http://www.cityofwetumpka.com/. Christmas at Lanark Learn how to create your own nature ornament, get pictures with Santa, enjoy our Christmas movie special, and make sure to go on the hayride! We will have hot chocolate for sale and plenty of activities to keep you warm! Recommended for all ages. $5 admission. Saturday programs are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Vending machines will provide snacks/drinks. Gift shop will be open. Visit www. alabamawildlife.org/ or call 1-800-822-9453. Prattville’s Nutcracker Ballet This production is performed by students of C.J.’s Dance Factory, The Prattville Ballet and local children and adults in surrounding Autauga, Elmore and Chilton counties. It will be held at Jeff State Performing Arts Center in Clanton. Performance times are at 2 p.m. (Kingdom of the Sweets matinee for children) and 7 pm. (full production). General admission: $12. For more information, call (334) 467-8603. Alabama Eats Tour at the Alabama Dept. of Archives and History 11 a.m. tour led by Haley Aaron, Manuscripts Archivist. Learn about Alabama’s unique food and foodways on this tour of the Museum of Alabama. Visit www.archives. alabama.gov for more info. Breakfast with Santa at Eastdale Mall 9 a.m. Breakfast sponsored by Cinnabon is $5 per child and all proceeds will go to Child Protect. For more info or to make reservations, e-mail david.hagood@aronov.com. The F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Christmas Open House 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Let us tempt you with Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and coffee! In the spirit of Christmas, and the Fitzgeralds’ legacy of infamous generosity to guests, admission will be waived until noon. There will be Christmas music from the 1920s, refreshments, a Christmas tree, and a Santa will be on hand! For more info, call (334) 264-4222 or visit www.thefitzgeraldmuseum.org/ events.html. Breakfast with Santa at The Shoppes At EastChase -- Also December 19 Kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa at Panera Bread at The Shoppes at EastChase from 8-10:30 a.m. $5 includes breakfast and visits with Santa. Reservations must be

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Monday, December 14

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 7 p.m. Concert at 7:30 pm. Tickets begin at $11. Visit www. mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100 for tickets.

Tuesday, December 15

Joe Thomas, Jr. 3rd Tuesday Guitar Pull 7-9 p.m. Three or four regional songwriters perform original music on the Cloverdale Playhouse’s intimate stage. Tickets are $10 at the door. Call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Old Alabama Town Holiday Open House 4-7 p.m. Enter at Lucas Tavern, 310 N. Hull St. It will be a true 19th Century experience with a variety of live music, children’s pioneer-style crafts, storytelling, house tours, history of the holidays, and cookies & cider! Free to the public! Visit oldalabamatown.com or call (334) 240-4500. Christmas Music and Storytime for Toddlers and Preschoolers (ages 18 months - 4 yrs) 10:30 am. Join the fun as we sing, play and dance to some of your favorite Christmas songs. We’ll play egg shakers and rhythm sticks and dance with scarves and much more! Taught by licensed Kindermusik educator Sarah Hall, the class will be held at First Baptist Church Montgomery, 305 South Perry Street. The cost is $7 per child. Enrollment is limited so email Hallhome96@aol. com to reserve your child’s spot!

Wednesday, December 16

Wetumpka Depot Theatre Hosts the CrossStitch Productions Presentation of The Holiday Bug Through December 19 7 p.m. performances except for 10 a.m. December 19.

The Holiday Bug is a puppet performance designed and constructed by a team of master puppeteers. The Christmas-themed production is recommended for ages 7 and up with plenty of clean entertainment for the adults too. Written by Depot alumni Austin Thompson, The Holiday Bug tells the story of Hiram and Gertrude Wool, two sheep trying to get ready for the holidays. Tickets may be purchased at wetumpkadepot.com or by calling (334) 868-1440. The Wetumpka Depot is located at 300 S Main Street.

Thursday, December 17

ArchiTreats: Food For Thought The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Bring lunch and a drink and join us every third Thursday for these FREE lectures sponsored by Friends of the Alabama Archives. Today’s topic is “Collards: A Southern Tradition from Seed to Table,” presented by Edward H. Davis. Call 353-4726 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. ARTtalk at the MMFA 6-8 p.m. Don’t miss the last session this year of this popular program for artists and art lovers alike. Artists can bring one work of art to show for friendly feedback. Light refreshments are also served. Cost is slightly more for non-Museum or Montgomery Art Guild members. Call Brandy Morrison at (334)2404365 or e-mail edsecy@mmfa.org to register. Airmen of Note Live! This Glenn Miller-themed holiday concert takes place at the Davis Theatre. Programming will include new and classic repertoire. Come tap your feet and swing in the holidays with us! Ticket info and time TBD. For more info, visit www.usafband.af.mil/events/. Newcomers Club of Montgomery Luncheon The Newcomers Club of Montgomery invites all women of the River Region to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the

December2015 Arrowhead Country Club. We will have special guests who will demonstrate Filipino tinikling dancing. Cost is $18 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, December 14, to Jan Burdette at (334) 593-9266 or jan8410@bellsouth.net. Visit www. newcomersmontgomery.com.

Friday, December 18

Capital City Christmas Parade State Capitol steps to Court Square Fountain beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, December 19

2015 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl 4:30 p.m. at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. This postseason college football game will match up the Sun Belt Conference against the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The game will be televised live on the ESPN family of networks. For more info, e-mail info@camelliabowl.com or visit espnevents.com/camellia-bowl/. PJ Party with Santa Eastdale Mall from 6-8 p.m. Join Santa for this free holiday party, complete with milk & cookies. Santa will make a special appearance to read a story to the children, and lead them in a few of his favorite songs. Afterwards, head on over to Santa’s Village for a keepsake photo! For more info, call (334) 277-7380 or visit eastdale-mall.com/events/2015/12.

Sunday, December 20

Baptist Health Live Nativity -- Also December 21 Celebrate Christmas with Baptist Health at their 5th Annual Live Nativity from 5-8 p.m. at the DeBoer Building (behind Baptist East and across from Winton Blount Post Office). This is a free event and open to the public. For more info, call (334) 273-4507 or visit www.baptistfirst.org/.

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Calendar/Support Groups Saturday, December 26

will open with a POW/MIA observance and torch ceremony at 9 p.m. on the grounds of the old Elmore County Courthouse. Other activities including a DJ and concessions will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot behind the City Administrative Building.The asteroid fall will be at midnight, followed by a fireworks grand finale. Attendees are welcome to bring tents, tables and chairs. Downtown Countdown: New Year’s Eve Celebration 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Ring in the New Year with Montgomery! The festivities will take place in the Commerce Street Entertainment District featuring live Check out our entertainment plus s ing pen Tuesday, December 29 fireworks and confetti Holiday Hap Dancing with the Stars Live at once the clock strikes onal events seas for de Gui Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center twelve. For more ! love 8 p.m. Tickets begin at $57. Visit www.bjcc. your family will info, call (334) 625org or call (205) 458-8400. 2100 or visit www. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Holifuninmontgomery.com. days in the Studio (ages 6 and older) Harriott II New -- Also December 30 Year’s Eve Party Cruise 10:30-11:30 a.m. Make art projects with a holiday Ring in the New Year on the Alabama River with a theme in the studio and explore drawing, painting, and ride on the Harriott II Riverboat. This cruise features collage techniques! A different project will be featured live entertainment, fireworks display, drink specials each time. Class size is limited to 15 students. All supand refreshments for purchase. Fireworks display plies are provided. Cost: $5 members/$8 non-members will be promptly at midnight. Come enjoy this once for each class. Visit mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4333. in a lifetime experience aboard Montgomery’s only riverboat! Boarding begins at 10 p.m. Boat will cruise from 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Tickets: adult - $60; adult Thursday, December 31 patio - $40. For more info, call (334) 625-2100 or visit City of Wetumpka New Year’s Eve Celebration www.funinmontgomery.com/. Downtown Wetumpka. The evening’s activities Cupcakes by Tish Offers Cupcake Decorating Workshops for Kids and Teens Every fourth Saturday, Cupcakes by Tish will now host Cupcake Decorating Workshops. Classes will be offered for children ages 4-6, 7-10 and 12-15 between noon and 6 p.m. at The Shoppes at EastChase location. The hour-long workshop is $25 per child and gives each child the opportunity to learn the art of cupcake decorating. Each child will receive a Cupcakes by Tish apron and four decorated cupcakes with a variety of candies, sprinkles, and goodies that adds personalization. Older kids and teens will be shown the basics of fondant decorating. To register, contact Special Events Coordinator Ebony Ware at (334) 356-5292 or parties@ cupcakesbytish.com.

December2015 Thursday, January 7

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Lewis Black 7:30 p.m. Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, actor and author Lewis Black is known as the king of rant. Black uses his trademark style of comic yelling and animated finger-pointing to skewer anything and anyone that gets under his skin. His comic brilliance lies in his ability to make people laugh at the absurdities of life. Topics include current events, social media, politics and anything that exposes the hypocrisy and madness he sees in the world. Tickets begin at $25. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100 for tickets.

Friday, January 8

Monster Jam at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center -- Also January 9 Tickets begin at $12. For more info or tickets, visit www.bjcc.org or call (205) 458-8400.

Saturday, January 9

Breastfeeding Class Breastfeeding and lactation education designed for expectant mothers, fathers, and/or support persons. Class includes benefits, basic breastfeeding techniques, and prevention of common problems. 10 a.m.-noon. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. $15 covers mother and support person. Pre-registration required. Call 293-8497 or visit www.jackson.org/ events to register or for more info.

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Soul Shop Suicide Prevention

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Pearl Girls Host Spa-Tacular Open House Pink -n- Pearls for Girls recently hosted a Spa-Tacular Open House for its youth and families. These young ladies participated in skin care and natural hair care workshops provided by Mary Kay Montgomery and Miesha Grover of 4c Beautiful Hair. To top it off, they were treated like queens as Divas 4 Divas of Montgomery treated them to a day at the nail salon. For additional information on how to join us, please contact Grace Harvey at (334) 561-5091.

Reyla Green Named Miss Alabama Sweetheart

Reyla Green, age 9, daughter of TSgt Samuel Green and Krystle Green of Montgomery, has been selected to represent Alabama at the 2015 Miss American Sweetheart Pageant. Green competed at the American Coed Southern States Finals held in Macon, Georgia, Labor Day weekend. She also won the optional talent competition, the On-Stage Speech Presentation, and the Academic Achievement Award for outstanding grades. As the Miss Alabama Sweetheart, Green will attend the National Pageant in Florida at Walt Disney World during the week of Thanksgiving. She will compete for the National Pageant title of Miss American Sweetheart and thousands of dollars in cash awards, prizes and scholarships. She is a third-grade Honor Roll student at Dozier Elementary who loves to read, draw and spend time with her family.

Soul Shop trains church leaders to save lives. In an effort to stem the rising tide of suicide in the River Region, training is offered by The Samaritan Counseling Center, Inc. at 2416 West Cloverdale Park in Montgomery. A session on February 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. is open to the public. One on February 2 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. is specifically for clergy, church staff and lay ministers. The daylong training session for church leaders teaches how to detect the signs of someone contemplating suicide and possibly save their life. Additionally, Soul Shop trains church leaders how to minister to surviving family members after a suicide. Please join First United Methodist Church-Montgomery, First United Methodist Church-Prattville and Grace Pointe Church in sponsoring this important workshop. BestMinds,LLC, is a ministry engaged in helping people deal with difficult life situations, with a specific focus on suicidal desperation. Owner and President J. Russell Crabtree has trained thousands of persons in developing awareness and intervention skills. His book, A Second Day, a Hopeful Journey Out of Suicidal Thinking, chronicles his own personal struggle with suicide. He developed Soul Shop specifically to help leaders in faith communities address those impacted by suicidal desperation. His goal is to equip 20,000 persons by the year 2020. To learn more about Soul Shop, please call (334) 262-7787 or e-mail nthomas@tsccenter.org.

Prattville’s Nutcracker Ballet Features Several Local Dancers

Visions of sugarplums, swirling flowers, prancing reindeer and magical snowflakes will grace the stage at the Jefferson State Community College Performing Arts Center December 12. The Nutcracker celebrates the power of human imagination, which children have in abundance. This production is performed by students of C.J.’s Dance Factory, The Prattville Ballet and by local children and adults in surrounding Autauga, Elmore and Chilton counties. Prattville’s Nutcracker Ballet is performed in two acts. Time after time, children of all ages are delighted by the danced version of the classic Hoffmann tale, featuring the mysterious toymaker Herr Drosselmeier, Marie, her beloved Nutcracker Prince, dancing Snowflakes and battling mice in the first act. The second act, Kingdom of the Sweets, has many confections, putting artistic life into fanciful childish dreams. This will be the fifth biennial production of the Christmas classic. Performance times are at 2 p.m. for Kingdom of the Sweets (matinee for children) and 7 pm. for the full production. General admission is $12. For more info, call (334) 467-8603.

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MontgomeryParents “Parents in the Know, Know Montgomery Parents” The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source

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Are Your Customers WOMEN? So Are Our READERS! We Offer SMART ADVERTISING! Call Today, 213-7940

Home Based Business Directory Creative Wonders Parties No party to big or small--we have creative ideas for them all. Let us set up and decorate your event. Also, book your favorite character! Stress less and book the best today! Call 334-233-8617 or email Jackie at jstouter21@gmail.com.

Authentic Professional Consulting Tabitha Campbell, CEO Medical Billing Services, Bookkeeping, Professional Development Practice Management, Strategic Planning. Call 334.799.3862 or email authenticpconsulting@gmail.com

Kyle-Co Entertainment

Chemistry Tutor Clarence Hann, IV

The Southeast’s Premiere DJ Service

Current Chemistry Teacher Experienced chemistry tutor

DJ style entertainment for all ages and occasions. We play “age appropriate” music. Call Kyle Kessler at: (334) 233-4235 or visit www.kyle-co.com.

Email channiv30@gmail.com or call 334-546-4860. Half off on first session if you mention this ad.

Piano Teacher

Saxon Lawn Service

Nationally certified-Children and adults welcome. 1829 Hillhedge Drive. Please call Miss Bickerstaff at 262-3341.

You grow it, we mow it Affordable pricing Please call 274-0324.

Williams Carpentry Porches, remodeling, sheet rock, painting, hardwood floors. Call Robert Williams at (home) 361-7307 or (cell) 699-3864.

TUTORING 28 years teaching experience Tutoring grades 1st-8th Call Alice Gwin at (334) 300-8350. Email dalice.gwin@gmail.com.

Ala

BIRDMAN

“Doves in Flight” Funerals, Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, and Family Reunions. Call Charles “Tee” Taylor at 334-220-2533.

Nutrition Education

Certified Dr. Sears Health Coach teaching family and pregnancy nutrition classes in the local area and online. Taught by Alissabeth Taylor, RN, HC Consultations and other services offered. For more information, please visit www.alawellness.com or contact Alissabeth Taylor at Alissabeth@alawellness.com.

ROOFTOP MINISTRIES

Concerned for someone in an alternative religion? Lora Brown can help. 25 years experience with pre-evangelism, evangelism and re-evangelism. Free consultations & referrals. I also teach groups. ROOFTOP_MINISTRIES@ HOTMAIL.COM; ROOFTOPMIN.ORG;

334-288-1346

Jackie’s Home Daycare

Mommy, Milk, & Me, Inc.

Quality childcare and education in a fun, safe, Christian environment.

Provides lactation education and consulting, antepartum and postpartum doula services. For more information please contact Tangela Boyd at 334-531-0145.

Located in East Montgomery Years of experience Smoke and pet free/clean home Ages 6 weeks -10 years Call (334) 676-3136.

Email: Tangela@mommymilkandmeinc.com Website: www.mommymilkandmeinc.com

Squeaky Clean

The Piano Man

No job too big or small. Clean/disinfect kitchen and bathrooms, vacuum, dust and floors. Over 13 years experience. Affordable pricing. 334.451.0052

Piano tunings, repair, and restoration. Active member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Contact us today to arrange a time to give your piano much needed attention. Call 569-9662 or visit www.pianoman.net/al

Mental Health Strategist

Dedicated, Result oriented, Resilience building. With 10 years of (Psychology) and Community Practice. My evidence-base approach to integrated care provide: Pro-social relationships, Selfefficacy and a Subjective state of (Mental) well being to Clients, Educational, Hospitals, Federal, State, and Local Government agencies. For rendered services under (Clinical Supervision) please contact: Genevieve Morris Geneva.jiles7@facebook.com

Bow Wow Meow Pet Sitting and Training I have been pet training and pet sitting for over 9 years. Certified Pet Trainer, Free Consultation, Reasonable Prices Call Courtney (334) 354-4183

Southern Quality Lawns, LLC

“HEAVENLY PAGES”

Brother to Brother Entertainment, Inc.

“Quality Service from the Ground Up” Serving the tri county area. Call or email us for a free estimate. Bobby, 334-657-7750. robertsqlawns@gmail.com

Beautifully framed Scriptures. Elegantly custom made for every occasion. Bless someone you love with a gift of eternal value or treat yourself. Call Paige at 334-201-7994.

Get a DJ and a Photographer in one package for your next event. We specialize in birthdays, weddings, luncheons, family reunions, and holiday parties.

by Paige Herring

Contact Matthew Ezell @ 334-202-6869 or Alexander Strum @ 334-235-3518

The FREE AD GUY knows that every business needs a few lucky breaks before it can become successful. That’s why he is offering more FREE ads to Home Based Businesses. In return, the FREE AD GUY would appreciate it if you would tell a friend about Montgomery Parents Magazine. If you’ll just help him spread the word about Montgomery Parents Magazine he’ll keep working for you and your business. If you have already run a FREE ad you can send a request to repeat the ad or make changes. Please understand but we will not accept any phone requests. For new Home Based Business advertisers, just send your information to: FREE AD GUY, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123, or freeadguy@montgomeryparents.com. The FREE AD GUY reserves the right to refuse any ad in case it’s not appropriate for our readers.

Montgomery Parents I December 2015

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AdvertiserDirectory We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents. We hope this directory saves you time as you refer to the magazine throughout the month. Page numbers follow the advertiser’s name.

First UMC, Montgomery, 65

Montgomery Zoo, 63

First UMC, Prattville, 37

Mrs. Sandy’s House, 89

Fleming’s Martial Arts, 85

My Kids Attic, The Shoppes of, 3

Adventure Sports II, 71

Frazer Memorial UMC, 47

New Park, 61

Alabama Christian Academy, 15, Inside Back

From My Closet to Yours, 89

New Testament Christian Center, 45

AL Dept. of Public Health, Inside Front

Go Karting Montgomery, 88

O’Connor Tennis Lessons, 57

Alabama School of Math & Science, 2

Great Leaps Learning Center, 19

Pediatric Nephrology of Alabama, 49

Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 53

Greater Faith Christian Academy, 88

Professional Pediatrics, 12

ASKIN/Synergy House, 88

Holy Cross Episcopal School, 18

Providence Early Childcare/Preschool, 41

Autauga County Family Support, 57

Hooper Academy, 35

Pump It Up Party, 77

Baptist Health, 59

Interscapes, Inc., 8

Q & C Cleaning, 89

Beth’s Heirloom Sewing, 14

Jenny Alexander, MD, 89

River Region Straw, 69

Bradford Health Services, 4

KLynn Ice Skating School, 66

Riverview Camp for Girls, 46

Bricks 4 Kids, 89

Kingry Orthodontics, 69

ROCK Campaign, 42

Chapman Orthodontics, 40

Kreative Moments, 89

Saint James School, 1

Children’s Hospital of Alabama, 21

Kumon, 7

Smiles Galore Parties, 29

Churchill Academy, 20

Learning Tree Child Care, 75

Soul Shop Suicide Prevention, 31

Dentistry for Children, 19

Legacy Early Learning Center, 36

Spacewalker, The, 28

Dr. Kendall Dunn-Orthodontist, 23

Little Lights Creative Learning Ctr, 88

Spotless Cleaning Services, 11

Dynamite Magic & Balloons, 85

Lori Mercer Photography, 45

Success Unlimited Academy, 30

E & S Hobbies, 88

Macon East Academy, 13

Sylvan Learning Center, 37

Eastdale Mall, 9

M.A.N.E., 31

Taylor Road Baptist Church, 68

Easter Seals Central Alabama, 68

Mathnasium, 34

The Dollhouse Toy Store, 88

Eastwood Christian School, 25

Memorial Presbyterian Childcare, 29

The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover

Edward Jones-Lane Easterling, 23

Montessori @ Hampstead, 27, 73

Trinity Presbyterian School, 43

Evangel Christian Academy, 40

Montessori @ Mulberry, 17

Vaughn Park Mom’s Day Out, 71

Evolve Church Learning Center, 77

Montgomery Catholic Schools, 33

Vaughn Road Preschool, 22

Family Karate Center, 28

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 86

Vishnu Dental, 14

Family Support Center, P’ville, 88

Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry/Ortho, 58

W.A. Gayle Planetarium, 67

First Baptist Church, Montgomery, 55

Montgomery Uniforms Plus, 51

YMCA, Montgomery, 49

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The Hunger Games:

Mockingjay (Part 2)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: BSexual Content: C+ Language: C Alcohol / Drug Use: C The MPAA has rated Love the Coopers PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some sexuality. Antici-pointment. No, it is not really a word, but it certainly does describe the way anticipation can meet with disappointment. Although the idea of combining the two definitions is credited to Eleanor (Olivia Wilde), the reality is there are many people suffering from that feeling. And little wonder -- especially during all the hype of the holiday season. On this particular December 24, the Coopers are preparing for a spectacular Christmas dinner, hosted by Charlotte (Dianne Keaton). Yet only her husband Sam (John Goodman) knows that the reason for her obsessive fussing is because this will be the last supper the family will enjoy together before the couple, who have been married for forty years, announce their intention to break up. Their son Hank (Ed Helms) is also having a difficult time keeping things merry and bright for his three kids, due to his recent divorce and job loss. Charlotte’s sister Emma (Marisa Tomei) keeps up the pretense of sharing a loving bond, however she spitefully shoplifts the gift intended for her older sibling. The girls’ father Bucky (Alan Arkin) secretly finds more happiness from the friendship of Ruby (Amanda Seyfried), a young waitress at a restaurant he frequents, than he does from his daughters. And that brings us back to Eleanor, the cynical offspring of Charlotte and Sam, who arrives at the airport and stays at the bar rather than head home where she expects to face the disapproving faces of her worried parents. If this seems like a lot of characters to keep track of, don’t worry. Rags the dog (voice of Steve Martin) narrates all the way through, keeping track of all of the details along with explaining their various back-stories. And what results is a more poignant tale then I was expecting. If the promotions for this movie left you convinced this would be a glimpse into the dysfunctional private lives of a group of people, sprinkled with as many rude jokes and crude comments as the snowflakes falling on the winter landscape, you weren’t wrong. Sexual dialogue, a complacent attitude about adultery and unmarried intimate relations, flatulence jokes, a nod for recreational drug use and even disparaging remarks about God, are all part of the humor presented in this script. That is the disappointing side. The thing I didn’t anticipate was that amidst this trashy tinsel are some themes that shine. There is a good chance you may have a few realizations yourself as you watch these characters working through their perception issues and reactions to life’s disappointments. Still, whether or not the value of these messages will be worth overlooking all the crass clutter they are wrapped in, will be a personal question that could end in either antici-proval or antici-pointment.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Time: 136 min. Overall: BViolence: D+ Sexual Content: ALanguage: A Alcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material. At long last The Hunger Games reaches its protracted close. Surprisingly, in spite of its superficial appeal as yet another story featuring a strong-willed female caught in a lovers’ triangle, it manages to hit home a timely message that rises above expectations. First, know that viewing this final chapter is a waste of time and money if you haven’t done your homework. The film opens precisely where Mockingjay - Part 1 left off. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering from an unexpected attack from her good friend, and one of her love interests, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). The fight between the rebels and The Capitol is firing on all cylinders, both on the battlefield and, even more so on the media. President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), head of the rebellion, has made Katniss the unwitting face of the opposition. In return, President Snow, the crusty dictator of The Capitol, does his own PR work to make up for losing his puppet -- the drugged and tortured Peeta. The two leaders literally face off on TV screens throughout the beleaguered nation while both sides are preparing for the inevitable war. Eventually Katniss, her other man Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Peeta, who is still recovering from the mind controlling substance and psychological abuse inflicted during his captivity, along with their friends Finnick (Sam Clafin) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer), join with the hardened solider Boggs (Mahershala Ali) to attack Panem, where the seat of government is located. With Katniss determined to find Snow and put one of her trademarked arrows into his heart, the group begins to make its way through the impossibly booby-trapped city. Around each corner are dangerous “pods” that inflict bullets, waterfalls of oil and deadly napalm explosions that work to slow the team’s advance. Watching their progress back in the bunker at District 13, we have a feeling that President Coin and her right-hand-man Plutarch (and the final time you’ll see the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) may not have our heroine’s best interests in mind. Following the pattern of the previous movies, violent confrontations are the greatest concern when considering the appropriateness of this franchise for teen viewers. Characters are poisoned, shot with bullets and arrows, drowned in oil, hung from chains and covered in flames. Fortunately, there is no time for sex and the script is devoid of profanity.

What Parents need to know about Mockingjay-Part 2 ...

Violence: Frequent portrayals of violent conflicts throughout, most of which are non-graphic, with only a little blood, bruises and injuries shown. Characters are shot with bullets and arrows -- one is seen with an arrow extending from the chest. A character is poisoned, causing blood to seep from the nose and eventual death. Characters are drowned in an oil-like liquid and one is later seen hanging from chains. Deaths are implied after an explosion. A character is engulfed in flames and is later seen with burn injuries. Bombs explode over a crowd of women and children, some injured and the dead are briefly seen. Grotesque human-like creatures attack characters. Assassinations are planned. Sexual Content: A man and woman kiss. A clothed man and woman are briefly seen in bed. Language: No profanities noted. Alcohol / Drug Use: An unidentified poison is included in an alcoholic drink, causing a character to bleed from the nose prior to death. Social drinking is seen. Morphine addiction is implied. Montgomery Parents I December 2015

What Parents need to know about Love the Coopers...

Violence: Bullying occurs. A fistfight leaves a character with scrapes and burses on his face. The loss of a loved one, and a medical emergency are shown. Sexual Content: Sexual references are frequent and include comments about unplanned pregnancies, unmarried sexual relationships and adultery. A child lifts her dress at the dare of a young boy. Various couples kiss and embrace, and a teen couple French kiss awkwardly and clutch each other. A character admits to being gay and discusses the disapproval he has experienced Language: Crude slang words are used as insults and to describe anatomy. Terms of deity are frequently used as expletives. Mild and moderate profanities, and scatological slang are also heard. Some name-calling occurs. Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters frequently drink alcohol in bars and at home. Use of “pot” is mentioned and snickered at. 92

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