Lehigh Valley Family Spring 2010

Family Lehigh Valley

Spring Issue 2010

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In This Issue:

18 Tips for Successful Yard Sales Ideas for In-Home Date Nights Step Up Your Spring Style Athletes for Christ

w w w. l e h i g h v a l l e y f a m i l y. c o m

Family Lehigh Valley

OUR TEAM Publisher Jeff Tintle, II

Editor

Laura Putt editor@lehighvalleyfamily.com

Copy Editor Vicki Bezems

For Advertising

contact 610-762-9011 or sales@lehighvalleyfamily.com

A Thrive, LLC Publication P.O. Box 414 • Macungie 18062 610-762-9011 editor@lehighvalleyfamily.com

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Spring 2010 Copyright© 2010 by Thrive, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher. Thrive, LLC assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions. Thrive Media, PO Box 414, Macungie 18062, www.lehighvalleyfamily.com.

Lehigh Valley Family’s monthly issues are available online at www. lehighvalleyfamily.com. Print issues are published quarterly (fall, winter, spring and summer issues) and are available at libraries, churches, health clubs, medical facilities, child care centers, preschools, educational centers and other locations where publications are generally found. Print subscriptions are available for $10 (4 issues).

COVER PHOTO by Monkey Business Images

From the Editor As I prepare this issue for print, the snow is beginning to melt. Birds are chirping and flying about looking for food and twigs to build their nests. The sun is shining a bit brighter and the days are longer. I too am feeling the effects of the changing season.

For many of us, spring brings a resurgence of energy, a boost in emotion, and a general sense of cheer. We eat more healthfully and exercise more. We live more passionately.

This spring I’d like to challenge you to become engaged in a part of the community you are passionate about. Perhaps it is helping an elderly neighbor do a spring cleanup in his or her yard, or

prepare and serve meals to the needy. Opportunities are all around us.

As for me, I signed up to run my first half marathon. It is a personal challenge but will also help raise money for a local organization, Via. The half marathon is in September, and in the meantime I will participate in many of the smaller events, such as March of Dimes Walk for Babies, Walk Now, Autism Speaks, and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley’s run/walk.

This spring, take a few moments to decide what needs within our community you can be passionate about. While you’re at it, why not make it a family project? You will not only help the community but enrich your own lives in the process. I wish you and your family a happy springtime!

Register for lessons today!

Instruction on most all instruments and voice Private, semi-private, and group instruction All Ages 23 North Sixth Street, Suite C • Allentown, PA 18101 • info@cmslv.org

www.cmslv.org

610-435-7725 www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Lehigh Valley Family

SPRING 2010

Family

Table of Contents

Lehigh Valley

ONLINE!

Lehigh Valley Family offers a monthly online magazine with fresh content, articles, listings, calendar of events, videos, links and more! It’s all free and available online. Also sign up on the web site for a free email subscription to Lehigh Valley Family’s news and updates.

Fun Facts...page 5 Have an In-Home Date Night...page 6 Athletes for Christ...page 8 Community Music School...page 9 Community Bulletin Board...page 10 Palliative Care for Kids...page 12 Growing Green Camp for Special Kids...page 14 Private Schools in the Lehigh Valley...page 16 Come Again?

Silly myths and sayings from our childhood...page 19 Step Up Your Spring Style...page 20 Product Reviews...page 21 18 Tips for Successful Yard Sales...page 23 This Isn’t Your Grandma’s Charm School...page 25 Monthly Stuff and Fun Things to Do...pages 26-31

FUN FACTS There are roughly 9,000 taste buds on our tongues.

A blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in a month.

The second full moon is called the blue moon.

A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds.

Beavers have orange teeth.

Oranges do not ripen after you pick them, but lemons do.

It is said that ancient Egyptians trained Baboons to wait on tables.

Like fingerprints, no two lip impressions are the same.

The average American eats fifteen pounds of apples each year.

The world record for spitting a watermelon seed is 70 feet.

Dragonflies can’t walk.

The oldest known animal was a tortoise that was 152 years old.

The average American will eat 35,000 cookies in his lifetime.

You share your birthday with about nine million other people in the world.

There is a town called Big Ugly.

An ant has a better sense of smell than a dog.

Shrimp can only swim backwards.

Frogs cannot swallow if their eyes are open.

Children grow faster in the springtime.

It takes 454 dollar bills to weigh one pound.

Thomas Jefferson invented the clothes hanger.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Lehigh Valley Family

Have An In-Home Date Night!

By Laura Putt, Lehigh Valley Family No one can deny the importance of couples having date nights on a regular basis (sans children, of course).

Some experts recommend that couples spend alone time together once a month, others once a week. All agree that it is of the utmost importance to the health of a relationship to have this time together. Without it, couples often grow apart.

We live busy and complex lives, separate from each other. As we age and experience life, it is natural that we change and grow. If we don’t spend time as a couple, the harsh reality is that after the children leave the nest, we may feel there is no common ground to keep us together.

We simply don’t know each other anymore. Date night is insurance against this common issue affecting marriages.

Given this frightening reality, why not begin planning together-time?

Realistically, it isn’t possible for most couples to have a night out on a weekly basis. Aside from scheduling conflicts, there is the cost of a sitter plus the actual date itself! And who has that in their budget these days?

Recognizing the need for parents to have fun with each other and reconnect after a busy and stressful week, Lehigh Valley Family will begin to feature in-home date night ideas. Going forward, you can find these in-home date night suggestions in the monthly “Top Things to Do” section of our magazine (pages 26-31). In the meantime

we’ll get you started with these ideas! Put the kids to bed early or provide them with their own special activities, while you carve out a few moments to yourselves. It’s sure to pay off!

• Make a nice brunch while the baby naps. Serve on your best china, and make mimosas if your palates desire!

• Picnic. Pick a warm night and take dinner outside.

Spread the blanket, and voila! A private picnic for two!

• Bath for two. Bubbles, music, champagne, fluffy towels.

Need we say more?

• Fondue feast. Slice up some goodies to dip into chocolate.

Fresh fruit, marshmallows, brownies, rice crispy treats -anything is better dipped in chocolate, even conversation.

• Jazz night. Make a tray of appetizers and beverages to enjoy and turn on a genre of music you don’t normally listen to. Sit together for at least an hour, and dance to at least one song.

• Karaoke night! Be silly and sing for each other. And no karaoke machine needed! Visit freekaroke.com.

• Break out your favorite board games and play the best out of three. Play Twister if you feel like moving around a bit!

• Cheese tasting. Visit your neighborhood farmer’s market or specialty store. Explain what you are doing and ask them to prepare a small sampling tray for you.

• Beer garden. Visit a local store where you can purchase different varieties of beer. Many stores allow you to mix a six pack of different varieties. Pour into glasses and notice how different they all are. Even the labels are discussion items.

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Make a playlist and dance. Sit down together and create a playlist of each of your favorite songs. When you are done, slide the furniture out of the way and cut a rug!

• Crossword games. Work together to solve it.

• Seafood feast. Go shopping together and pick a few different types of seafood. Prepare the feast together and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

• Video game competition. Yeah, I know. We’re always telling the kids to turn OFF the video games! Well, they must be so addicting for a reason. Find out with a bit of friendly competition.

• Frisbee or catch. Go outside and talk while tossing a ball or Frisbee. This is a good way to get men to open up. (Men naturally prefer talking side by side or while engaging in an activity.)

• Wii Fit or kick box video. Work out together. It’s good for you, fun, and guaranteed to elicit a few laughs!

• Dance lessons. Find a website that offers dance lessons and music. Try to figure out the moves together. Ballroom and swing dancing are just a few types to try.

• Look at old yearbooks or photo albums from before you knew each other. Tell stories about your childhood years.

It is amazing what we don’t know about our spouses.

• Stargaze from your lawn chair or hammock. Snuggle up together under a blanket and enjoy the nighttime sky.

• Eat your favorite fast-food, on your best china, in bed!

• Plan a dream vacation and, if it’s in a foreign land, learn the language of that country together. Over the course of a few months or years, you can save up the money while learning enough of the language to get by!

Whatever you and your spouse decide to do, do it with an open mind and heart. Remember that the activity is more about investing in your relationship and each other than it is the activity itself.

Improving Quality of Life for Children 2200 W. Hamilton St., Ste. 201 Allentown, PA 18104

610.770.1515

Steven Chu, CPO Owner-Practitioner

• Experienced Pediatric Practitioner • Lower & Upper Limb Prosthetics • Scoliosis/Spinal Bracing Treatments • Cranial Remolding Helmets • Advanced Pediatric Orthotics • Free House Calls with Referral

www.valleypo.com

Strength when you need it most

I’m scared... now what?

When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, you don’t know where to turn. It seems as if everything suddenly changes. You have questions and you need answers. Who will help them? Who will help you?

St. Luke’s Hospice enables you and your loved one to receive the support and care you need, at home.

Hospice care can be provided by a team of physicians, staff and volunteers on an as needed basis. Hospice care includes: s ! CARE PLAN CENTERED AROUND YOU s !SSISTANCE WITH PERSONAL CARE s 0AIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT AS NEEDED s 3UPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Request information about hospice care as soon as your loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

To learn more about hospice, visit www.mystlukeshospice.org or call 610-954-1100.

Athletes for Christ

By Quay Brashear, Athletes for Christ

Parents, have you ever wanted your child to participate in a youth sports program, but were afraid because of all the horror stories you heard about long practices, screaming coaches, and win at all cost attitudes?

Moms, have you ever wanted to take a fitness class or work out with other women in a setting where you will not be judged, and at the end of the workout feel empowered and encouraged because your class not only focused on you physically but emotionally and spiritually as well?

Dads, have you ever wanted to compete at a high level on team sports such as softball and golf, or be part of a fitness program where the environment encourages you to be the best husband, father, and male role model you can be, while training you physically and spiritually?

If anyone in your family answered yes to the questions above, then Athletes for Christ has a place for you.

Athletes for Christ is a non-denominational sports ministry based here in the Lehigh Valley. The focus of AFC is to provide team sports and activities where people get fit physically and spiritually. We have programs for children as young as three and activities for people as old as 95.

The AFC children’s programs include basketball, flag football, and soccer teams. We currently have three basketball teams, two flag football teams, and six soccer teams. They all compete against three greater Lehigh Valley youth programs. For girls, we offer cheerleading, ballet classes, and a Girls for God Program that teaches girls about self-esteem, honoring their bodies, and being the young lady God wants them to be. These activities are

geared for children ages 3 - 14.

Moms, we have over 180 ladies a week who take our fitness classes. This women’s only program is designed for you to feel rejuvenated and restored. We offer 12 Zumba Fitness Classes and three yoga classes, and we are in the process of adding a walking club and a running club in the next couple of months.

Dads, we have a place for you as well. We currently offer softball and golf. During play this past summer, one of our softball teams won three championships. Our golf outings are second to none. We are also looking to add flag football and basketball to our program in the fall of 2010.

Our family activities include hikes, bike rides, exercise classes, and family backyard games.

For more information go to www.athletesforchrist.net.

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Meet the Students of Community Music School Rebecca takes voice lessons and enjoys performing for both CMS and school.

While she is not going to major in music in college she “plans on joining the university choir.”

Samantha sings and aspires to be an actress.

“I love to sing, especially songs that are now on the radio. I enjoy performing cause it really boosts my energy up.”

Summer Day Camp

Rock Climbing Boating Snorkeling Arts & Crafts and more!

•• 1 Week sessions start June 21, running Birthday parties – Nountil August 27. clean-up, no planning, • Monday - Friday day camp; 9:00 - 5:00; free care cake. extended available from 8:00 - 6:00 • For children entering grades 2-9.

•• 10-1 Camperjump to counselor ratio.in the Splash, & slide • Fingerprinted and back ground checked camp Aqua Park. staff.

Climb on First theAid Sky Challenge •• Staff CPR and certified with AED on ropes site. course & rock wall. high • All counselors 18 years or older.

• Relax in the sun with a beautiful • Camp Director with over 15 years camp and lake front view education experience.

Fun adventure.

•• Full and and half day options available.

4733 Hanoverville Rd. Bethlehehm, PA 18020 610-759-2270 www.dutchsprings.com

Sabrina has been playing flute at CMS for 2.5 years and says that when she first came she had difficulty playing certain songs; now she plays them with ease.

Jaden plays piano and violin and composes his own music. “I love to put chords together and improvise.”

A little more adventure...a little more extreme...above and below the surface!

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Lehigh Valley Family

Community Board!

Lehigh Valley Walk Now Autism Speaks April 17. Lehigh Parkway. Registration 8:30 Walk at 10.

Pediatric Special Needs Expo Thursday June 3. 9-3 The Palace Center, Allentown. www.specialneedslv.com Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley Saturday March 20 Spring 8k Run/5K Walk Ironton Rail Trail, Whitehall www.cancersupportgroup. org/runwalk2010.

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Easter Seals Walk With Me June 16 Lehigh Parkway www.walkwithme.org

Summer Camp program has openings Parents looking for 11 weeks of fun educational activities can sign up now for Cityspace’s full-day summer camp. The camp, which runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 21 through Sept. 2, includes weekly swims at local pools, an indoor soccer program, an outdoor garden, a computer education program, field trips to places of local interest, and music and theater events.

All children who are going into kindergarten in September, to age 13, are eligible to enroll in the summer camp. Children also receive lunch for the majority of the summer camp. Weekly fees are $132. This year we are offering free registration and $15 gift cards to a local grocery store for each parent who is referred to us by another parent. To receive the gift card, the child must complete a two-week enrollment period. Some scholarship assistance is also available to eligible parents.

Our swim program trains children to be safe in the water. Children participate in a positive, physical outlet that is refreshing on a hot day. Planned by our Keystone STAR 2 certified teachers, our field trips encourage children to learn more about the history of the area and to get fresh air and exercise. Trips include visits to museums, gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, and events that will enrich their cultural and educational experiences.

Cityspace, a Keystone STARS-approved center, has provided quality child care in a safe environment since 1989. This nonprofit, state licensed, schoolage center has room for 72 children. Under the direction of Connie Rought, Cityspace offers a variety of experiences. In addition to computer training and a summer camp, programs include arts and crafts classes, music, dramatics and puppetry, science and nature, healthy lifestyles, urban gardening techniques, cooking and nutritional classes, writing workshops, educational games, reading and physical education. The goal is to help children build self-confidence and to promote the spirit of cooperation in the midst of a culturally diverse environment.

Cityspace is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents will need to drop their children at child care center at 457 Allen St. before 9 a.m. to have their children participate in these summer activities. Our secure entrance is on the Fifth Street side of the Dubbs Memorial United Church of Christ building.

For information, call 610-432-2632 or email Cityspace@verizon.net. Visit us at www.dubbsmemorial.org/cityspace.htm.

Pediatric Special Needs Expo

Summer Summer Camp JuneCamp 15 to Sept. 3 June 21 to Sept. 2

What: Our 12-week camp includes swimming, field trips, arts and crafts and special What: Our 11-week camp includes swimming, field events.

Fees by and the week. trips, arts andare crafts specialSome events. Fees meals are by included. the week. Some meals included.

Who: Childrengoing goinginto intokindergarten kindergartentotoage age 13 Who: Children When: Monday to Friday 9 am - 3 pm. Child-care When: Monday to Friday 9 am - 3 pm. Child-care center opens at 6:30 am. Closes at 6 pm. center opens atAllen 6:30 St.,Allentown am. Closes at 6 pm.

Where: Cityspace, 457 How: 610-432-2632 cityspace@verizon.net Where: Cityspace, 457orAllen St., Allentown

How: 610-432-2632 or cityspace@verizon.net

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20 years of service

Thursday, June 3, 2010 The Palace Center 623 Hanover Avenue, Allentown Pa 18109 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Over 80 pediatric businesses and organizations will provide information about resources and services available for special needs families and pediatric caregivers in Pennsylvania. FREE!

www.specialneedslv.com

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Hanover Township Community Center Launches Enrichment Program Time and money are the two most precious commodities of our lives. Fortunately for Hanover Township residents, these commodities are considered when caring for the most precious thing in our lives --- our children. The timing could not be any better as busy parents scramble to enroll their children in preschool and other activities.

Like other organizations, the Community Center has a preschool for 3, 4 and pre-k classes on weekday mornings and afternoons. Unlike other organizations, they also offer an enrichment program in the Community Center and have access to a fitness center, arcade, craft area and other recreational and educational activities.

Independent of the preschool, parents are given the option to take advantage of the enrichment program from 7-9 a.m. or 3-6 p.m. where children and teens can be safe, receive homework assistance, and take advantage of the many activities.

This is a great asset to parents who work or just need time to run errands. Parents don’t need to sign a contact but have the option to buy blocks of hours. Once children are pre-registered, parents only need to register 24 hours in advance to book their children’s time. Depending on the number of hours purchased (between 10 and 50), each hour is between $3 and $7, not bad considering that the children are safe, are with friends and have an array of activities available to them.

To take advantage of the enrichment program you must be a member of Community Center (it is not necessary to live in Hanover Township) The enrichment program is first come first serve with limited group sizes.

For more information and specifics on the program, contact the Hanover Township Community Center at 610-317-8701. Visit them at http://hanovertwpnc.org/recreation/ or in person at 3660 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem 18017.

Learning and Education through Advancement in Reading

• Certified Wilson Reading Specialists • Wilson Fundation Program • Linda Mood-Bell Programs • PSSA Coach Programs • FAST Forward Programs • Kindergarten Readiness • Group Sessions Available • Excellent Study Skill & General Tutoring Available Accepting all major credit cards!

Patricia J. Lear, M.Ed. Learning Specialist/Diagnostician

2031 Hay Terrace, Suite 300 Easton, PA 18042

610-252-0965

www.leareducationalcenter.com www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Lehigh Valley Family

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Palliative Care for Kids

By Jeff Tintle, Lehigh Valley Family and www.getpalliativecare.org

Children are supposed to be healthy and energetic, with the promise of a full life before them. But when illness threatens that future, everyone involved feels the impact deeply.

That’s where pediatric palliative care can help. As with adults, palliative care for children focuses on comfort. It works to relieve physical, emotional, social, and spiritual suffering in facing curative treatments. But palliative care for children differs from adult care in some important ways.

Course of Illness / Resilience Children are resilient. Serious illness in childhood is rare and the course of disease often can’t be predicted. A child may recover from a serious illness after seeming very near to death.

Even for a child with a condition that someday becomes fatal, there may be times when he or she lives a “normal” life, in between hospital stays and illness. Both caregivers and parents often choose to take otherwise “heroic” steps in hopes of reversing a serious disease.

Understanding Disease Children range widely in their ability to grasp the physical and spiritual meanings of disease and death. Young children often can’t understand why they have to go through painful procedures needed to diagnose and treat their physical condition.

Identifying and Treating Pain and Other Symptoms Infants and children often can’t express their specific discomforts. So, a major task of pediatric palliative care is to identify these symptoms and figure out how to treat them.

Many factors make treating children different from

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treating adults. For one, children’s bodies process medicines in ways that differ from how adults’ bodies do; also, dosages are based on the child’s weight. Both of these concerns make prescribing medicine for children a special skill. Also, children often can’t swallow pills. Thus, pediatric palliative care teams work with pharmacies to make syrups, dissolvable capsules, or skin patches that help make medicines easier for children to take.

Special Concerns of the Young Family When a child is diagnosed with a serious condition, the life of his or her family changes. Because many childhood illnesses are rare, children and their parents often must travel far from home to seek help from centers that specialize in treating these conditions. In so doing, the family leaves behind its support system, and often its sources of income.

Young families especially may quickly use up savings and sacrifice employment to be with a child in the hospital. The sick child’s siblings are often forgotten members of the family during the times their parents focus their attention on the ill one.

Hope / Protection / Disclosure Hope is an important part of palliative care. Preserving hope and protecting the patient from bad news frequently occurs in the face of serious illness. When the patient is a child, the urge to protect him is stronger than when the patient is a mature adult. Oftentimes parents and even medical caregivers hesitate to discuss a serious prognosis with a child patient in hopes of preserving hope. However, studies show that even very young children can understand the

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

seriousness of a disease, and open communication actually helps alleviate fears of the unknown. Pediatric palliative care providers are trained to help children express their emotions and cope through play, music, or other modalities.

Decision-making Although parents must legally consent for medical care on behalf of their child, the concept of assent is important in pediatric palliative care. Children as young as seven to 10 years of age may be able to express informed opinions about their medical care. Adolescents especially expect that they should have a say in what procedures they do or do not undergo. Sometimes the pediatric palliative care team can help clarify or enhance a child or teenager’s understanding of their condition and help include them in discussions about treatment choices.

In pediatric palliative care we add life to the years.

Children living with serious medical conditions can still be children, and palliative care teams can help.

“When treatment moves from curative care to comfort care and an individual is given less than six months to live, hospice services are available. Hospice is traditionally associated with those over 65, as it is a medicare entitlement, but hospice is available to all and is at least partially covered by many health insurance plans.” Dr. Rick Baxter, a Hospice and Palliative Care Physician at St. Luke’s Hospital, describes hospice as “a team driven, patient approach to care where the team comes together with the patient and family to define a plan of care based on needs to maintain the patient’s quality of life.” Dr. Baxter continues “Palliative care is similar to hospice but a child may still be provided the same kind of care with an emphasis on comfort to maximize quality of life independent of the time frame but in the content of dealing with a life threatening illness.”

To see the full interview with members of the St. Luke’s Hospice and Palliative Care team visit www.lehighvalleyfamily. com. For more information contact St. Luke’s Hospital’s Hospice and Palliative Care at 610-954-1100.

Hanover Preschool

Hanover Township Community Center

2010-11 Open Registration: x Young 3 yr olds x 3 yr olds x 4 yr olds x Pre-K Preschool Camps and Fun Fridays running this summer!

Ph: 610.317.8701

x x x

Traditional preschool programming Enrichment Programs - pick and choose the schedule that works for you!

Full day summer camp programs 6 to 12 years old!

Open to Resident and Non-Residents

www.hanovertwp.org 3660 Jacksonville Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18017

HTCC

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Tips on Choosing the Right Palliative Care Provider for Your Family Provided by PSA Health Care 1. Determine what your needs are (pain management, symptom management, assistance with care to remain in the home) 2. Use the following criteria for choosing a provider: -Does the provider specialize in what your needs are?

-Is the provider familiar with navigating the health care system?

-Can the provider give references from others who have used their service?

-Will a registered nurse manage your case and will they make regular visits to your home?

-Does the agency have a nurse on call 24 hours?

-Does the agency participate with your insurance?

3. Ask the provider to meet with you to discuss what your needs are. If you meet with more than one provider, select the provider with whom you feel the most comfortable, one who is open and honest.

4. Remember, it is your right to choose a home care provider or to change home care providers.

P.R.E.P. for SUCCESS LLC Pennsylvania Renaissance Educational Programs

Tutoring by experienced, certified PA teachers, in your home, for all ages and for all subjects • All Ages and All Subjects, K-12th grade and adults • Flexible Tutoring (any day & any time to fit your schedule)

610-967-2670 • www.prepforsuccess.com • Lehigh Valley Family

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Grow Green This Summer

At Easter Seals Eastern Pa’s New Summer Camp

By Laura Putt, Lehigh Valley Family

F

amilies blessed with special children living with disabilities or developmental delays know one thing for sure: These children want to have fun and live life to its fullest, just like all kids do!

Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania (ESEP) has recently developed a new and exciting program to aid in the mission of having fun and obtaining autonomy. This summer will be the first year that children and young adults with special needs can attend a residential camp, the Growing Green Camp, designed specifically for them.

Alex Humanick, Lehigh Valley and Pocono Division Vice President, has been with Easter Seals for over 10 years. He knows the importance of programs that strive to empower children. His idea for the Growing Green Camp is threefold.

First, this camp will be an excellent way for special needs kids to achieve greater independence in their lives.

Second, the camp will provide children with therapeutic recreation and the ability to learn and grow with other kids like themselves. Lastly, the camp will teach children about organic gardening and green landscaping in a specially designed vegetable and herb garden.

The camp will be held at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, found within the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. In this beautiful setting, the kids will participate in a number of programs designed with their special needs in mind. A typical day might find campers enjoying one of the five trails that start and end on the campus, working in the organic garden, horseback riding, participating in music events, learning about nutrition, and much more.

What is so extraordinary about this camp is that while the children are actively participating in typical 14

camp activities, they are building knowledge, selfconfidence and forming friendships with other kids just like themselves. The value of this camp is beyond measure for the children and young adults who have always dreamed of attending summer camp.

Staff at the Growing Green Camp will be well versed in the needs of the campers. College students who are studying physical occupational therapies, special education, psychology or pre-med are being recruited and thoroughly trained. A camp nurse will be available 24-7, and all staff members are required to pass background checks.

If ESEP’s Growing Green Camp Sounds like a good fit for your child, sign up today! Space is limited to thirty campers per session, with six sessions throughout the summer. Visit www.esep.easterseals.com and go to the services page. There you’ll find a brochure and registration form.

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Who is Easter Seals?

Easter Seals is a national not-for-profit organization that brings help, hope, and answers to adults and children with physical disabilities and developmental delays through in-home and center-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy. For more than 85 years, Easter Seals has offered assessment, treatment, family support, and community education and assisted children and adults living with disabilities -- and the families who love them -- to lead healthy, productive lives. ESEP provides services to more than 3,000 children and young adults annually. Nationally, Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs.

Bring home high quality healthcare from compassionate and capable providers.

PSA HealthCare is a home care agency that provides nursing and home health aide care to special needs children and adults in Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Montgomery and Schuylkll Counties. PSA has a team of caring professionals with the technical skills, knowledge and commitment to provide the highest level of quality care.

PSA specializes in providing care to technology dependent children and adults.

Call today for your free in home evaluation.

Allentown 1125 South Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite.107 Allentown, PA 18103-7903 610-439-5700 • www.psakids.com

Support ESEP and be a part of Walk With Me on June 16, 2010 When you sign up for this event, you’ll be partnered with an Easter Seals Honorary Ambassador, a child or adult with a disability who has benefited from our services. You’ll get to know your ambassador through photos and personal stories, and you’ll get to meet him or her on the day of the walk! Consider gathering friends and coworkers to form a team, or sponsor a walker by making a donation. Every dollar raised stays here in our community, helping Easter Seals provide services and support for your friends, family and neighbors with disabilities… because everyone deserves to live with equality, dignity, and independence. Go out to the Lehigh Parkway on June 16 and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities!

Inspiring

Our enriched curriculum means new and exciting opportunities every day!

Contact us today to find out how your child can benefit from our vibrant program.

Preschool (age 3) - 8th grade

THE SWAIN SCHOOL

1100 South 24th Street z Allentown 610-433-4542 z www.swain.org www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Lehigh Valley Family

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Your Guide to Private Schools in the Lehigh Valley

Private schools have been a part of our educational system since our nation was conceived. Unfortunately most Americans know very little about private schooling, and what we think we know may turn out to be a misconception. In our quest for a snapshot of private schooling in the Valley, I reached out to schools in the region to answer some of the top questions or assumptions many of us have about private education.

Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?

A. Montessori is an entirely different philosophy of education. Montessori teachers view the child as a whole, taking into account his cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual development. The classrooms are carefully prepared, encouraging self-discipline and a true love of learning. Schools group the children in three-year age spans, allowing the child, parent and teacher to form a supportive, rewarding and lasting relationship. Children in Montessori learn at their own pace, repeating activities at will, internally reinforcing self-chosen information. The program is truly multi-disciplinary, with “special” classes woven into the curriculum. As opposed to the traditional teacher-centric role in classroom activity, Montessori encourages the child’s active participation in his own learning. In place of endless worksheets and textbooks, Montessori allows students to manipulate developmental materials with builtin error control. This type of classroom is a working, active community of learners, who have the freedom to explore and develop their own interests. The best way to compare the two programs is to arrange to observe at your local public school and at an authentic Montessori school. Take note

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of the way the teacher interacts with the children, as well as the students’ overall reaction to the learning environment. This will help you to make an informed decision about your child’s academic future. (Submitted by Lehigh Valley Montessori Academy) Q. What are the top three reasons for parents to choose a private school education over public schooling?

A. Small class size is perhaps the biggest advantage to a private school education. For example, class size at The Swain School in Allentown, Pennsylvania is typically between eight and fifteen students.

This allows teachers to make personal connections with each student every day. Students have the opportunity to take an active part in their own education by asking questions and sparking

interactive discussions, which enhance their ability to learn the material and develop analytic and communication skills.

Educators at private schools have the opportunity to provide an enriched educational experience well beyond the more restricted programs that many public schools are required to provide. Traveling to a local stream to take measurements and experiments may be a part of learning the scientific method, as is cooking and devouring an Afghani feast for a social studies unit on the Middle East. Teachers also have the time and opportunity to teach the nonacademic elements that are so important to developing minds.

Small private schools strive to create a warm, nurturing, allinclusive atmosphere where diversity is celebrated and everyone can feel like a valuable member of the community. Cultures, religions, foods and ideas from all over the globe are celebrated, as well. (Submitted by The Swain School) Q: Private schools have the stigma of being exclusive to elite families in the area. Many families feel intimidated by this notion. Can you confirm or dispel this myth?

A: Many private schools, including the Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, are committed to maintaining and supporting a community that is socially and economically diverse. Often times, a significant number of the student body receive need-based financial aid.

At The Academy, we recently devoted an entire day to community service, and students within all three of our divisions -- Lower, Middle, and Upper -- took part in activities aimed to benefit 24 organizations as the students learned about caring for others. Moravian Academy Upper School students fulfilled a community service requirement, but most found this particularly rewarding and will go well beyond it. They plan

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

to pursue volunteer opportunities mentoring and tutoring local children through the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem, participating in blood drives, working to clean up and preserve the environment, and volunteering at local hospitals and shelters.

At Moravian Academy, we certainly do have an “elite” program, but we are definitely not an elitist community.

(Submitted by the Moravian Academy) Q. Many parents would like their children to be in a school environment that reinforces the family’s religious beliefs. How much time or focus is allotted to religious education at a typical religion-based private school?

A. The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is unique in that we have a longer school day than most elementary and middle schools. Our school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. This extra time allows us to provide a similar amount of time focused on general core studies similar to that of what other schools do. Our extended day allows us to provide second language instruction (Hebrew) in grades PK through grade 8 as well as provide our Judaic courses.

Additionally, students enrolled in grades 4 through 8 are able to select from various elective courses. Some of these courses are Judaic or Hebrew language courses while others are of the general studies nature. This means that a student’s family can make some choices regarding their child’s religious course of study. Each child’s individual schedule and plan varies according to their needs, so religious focus varies depending upon those selections. Our school is very fortunate in that our Judaic education compliments our general studies education and vice versa. Many topics that we teach about in our general studies curriculum are easily integrated with our Judaic curriculum. A simple example is that when our students are learning about fractions in general studies, they are also learning about tithing in their Judaic studies. Our mission is to provide a holistic approach to our children’s education. By integrating lessons; infusing students with knowledge, values and ethics; and providing Jewish families with choices, we are able to produce confident students who develop a joy for lifelong learning. (Submitted by the Jewish Day School) Q: I think I’d like to pursue private education. How do I get started?

A. First do your homework, and be organized. Begin compiling lists of private schools in the area. Visit www. lehighvalleyfamily.com/education for a listing of schools in our area. Determine as a family what the child’s educational needs are, this will help you start narrowing down schools.

Second, schedule school visits and interviews. Choosing a K-12 private school is much like choosing a college or university to attend. You want to visit the school and see www.LehighValleyFamily.com

if you and your child like it. Attend the school with a prepared list of questions. Write down the answers so you will remember things most clearly when comparing and contrasting schools later. Private schools don’t have to accept your child, so put your best foot forward when you are at the school. At this time, the school will tell you about the application.

Third is the testing phase. Schools will typically test the child before acceptance, to assure the school program will be a good fit for the child, and vice versa.

Lastly, acceptance. Or not. Generally schools accept students for the following school year in early spring. Don’t panic if your child is not accepted or placed on a waiting list. The school might not be the right fit, and if you are on a waiting list, it’s possible a place may open up.

There is a plethora of private schools in the Lehigh Valley.

You can find one for nearly anybody: religious schools, art schools, single sex schools, schools that help children with special needs, to mention just a few. Take a look at our guide for a complete listing of private schools in the Lehigh Valley. This chart, and other resources, are available on www. lehighvalleyfamily.com, under Education.

Thank you to all of the schools who participated in our search for information about private schooling.

Questions To Ask at an Interview with a Private School 1. What are this school’s strengths?

2. What are the qualifications of your teachers and what is the faculty turnover rate?

3. At what intervals will I get reports about my child?

4. How does the school support a child who is having difficulties?

5. What is a typical day like for the students?

6. How does the school handle discipline problems?

7. How is this school involved with the outside community?

8. What are the safety and security levels of the campus? Who has access to my child? Is this an open campus?

9. How are the children transported to and from school?

10. What kind of financial aid is available?

• Lehigh Valley Family

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SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN The 14 Member School Districts of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 Provide Special Education Programs for Special Needs Children Allentown School District Catasauqua Area School District East Penn School District Jim Thorpe Area School District Lehighton Area School District Northern Lehigh School District Northwestern Lehigh School District Palmerton Area School District

Panther Valley School District Parkland School District Salisbury Township School District Southern Lehigh School District Weatherly Area School District Whitehall-Coplay School District Carbon Career and Technical Institute Lehigh Career and Technical Institute

The School Districts listed above, either directly or through various other education agencies including CLIU #21 provide special education services which may be required by children with special needs.

Types of programs and services are: (1) Academic Support (a) Gifted Support for students identified as mentally gifted. The focus is to provide instruction beyond the regular curriculum. (b) Learning Support for students whose primary identified need is academic learning.

(2) Life Skill Support For students where the focus is primarily on the needs of students for independent living as well as general daily living skills.

(3) Emotional Support For students whose primary identified need is for emotional support.

The focus is primarily on behavior management.

(4) Sensory Support (a) Deaf or Hearing Impaired for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. (b) Blind or Visually Impaired for students who are blind or visually impaired.

(5) Speech and Language Support For students who are speech and language impaired.

(6) Physical Support For students where the program is modified primarily to meet the need of the physically disabled student.

(7) Autistic Support For students who are autistic. The focus is primarily to develop daily living skills.

(8) Multidisabilities Support For students who are multihandicapped. The focus is on daily living, self help, and independent living.

Screening Kindergarten screening activities include a review of informal social and health history, developmental areas, functional vision and hearing, and speech and language. Kindergarten screenings are held during the spring at the school district. Further screenings are conducted through the Instructional Support Teams in each school throughout the year for any student that may be in need of special education services.

Parents who wish to request screening and evaluation for their child may do so by contacting the principal or counselor in their child’s school building.

Evaluations If you believe your child needs special education services, an evaluation will be conducted by a team. The team shall be composed of the parents, persons familiar with the child’s development, persons knowledgeable in such areas of suspected disability, persons trained in the appropriate evaluation techniques and, if possible, persons familiar with the child’s cultural background. All information gathered through the screening and/or reevaluation process is considered confidential under Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act. Questions regarding services for special needs children can be addressed to:

Allentown, Ms. Deb Hartman (484) 765-5000 Catasauqua, Mr. Robert Spengler (610) 264-5571 East Penn, Ms. Linda Pekarik (610) 966-8354 Jim Thorpe, Mr. Vaughn Shappell (570) 325-3691 Lehighton, Mr. Shaun McElmoyle (610) 377-4490 Northern Lehigh, Ms. Mary Kay Williamson (610) 767-9858 Northwestern Lehigh, Dr. Mark Scott (610) 298-2121 Palmerton, Mr. Robert Dailey (610) 826-7101 Panther Valley, Mr. Dan Borden (570) 645-0386 Parkland, Mr. Robert Thornburg (610) 351-5555 Salisbury Township, Ms. Nora Perron-Jones (610) 797-2206 Southern Lehigh, Mr. Scot Engler (610) 282-3121 Weatherly, Ms. Dawn Stanley (570) 427-8687 Whitehall-Coplay, Ms. Donna Viglianti (610) 439-1431 Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Mr. Dan Borden (570) 325-3682 Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Ms. Deb Handshue (610) 799-1326 Lehigh County Detention Center, Mr. Thomas Mullen (610) 769-4111 Lehigh Valley Hospital Transitions Programs, Mr. Thomas Mullen (610) 769-4111 Liberty Lehigh Valley (STAT) Mr. Thomas Lindeman (610) 769-4111 Nonpublic/Private Schools, Ms. Deb Dendas (610) 769-4111 Preschool, Ms. Bonnie Evans (610) 769-4111 Youth Forestry Camp #2, Mr. Thomas Lindeman (610) 769-4111 Youth Services Agency, Mr. Thomas Lindeman (610) 769-4111

Preschool Children with Special Needs Parents who have questions regarding their child’s seeing, hearing, learning, talking, moving about, manipulating objects, understanding, showing emotions, getting along with others, playing with toys, taking care of himself/herself should phone CLIU #21, which offers Project Connect, a preschool program for children with special needs. Project Connect can provide information, screening, evaluation, programs, therapy, parent involvement, and referral to community agencies at no cost to the parent.

For further information phone the CLIU #21 at 1-800-223-4821 or 610-769-4111.

Nonpublic Schools/Private Schools Duties owed to students with disabilities enrolled in private schools by their parents are limited to child find activities and a genuine offer of a Free Appropriate Program of Education (FAPE) from the school district of residence. Students unilaterally enrolled in private schools by their parents have a right to participate in services, however, no private school child with a disability is entitled to any particular service or to any amount of service.

(300.455(2))

Admin-Keegan-Word Doc-Child find – SEART 11 x 17 w 2 columns w spacing

Lehigh County Detention Center Lehigh Valley Hospital Transitions Program Liberty Lehigh Valley Secure Treatment for Adolescents in Transition Nonpublic/Private Schools Preschool Youth Forestry Camp #2 Youth Services Agency

Come Again?

Did you ever stop to think about the logic behind many of the sayings and half truths told to us by our parents and grandparents when we were kids? Here is a collection sure to bring back memories of your own childhood, or just make you vow to be a better parent.

It’s amazing what we believed as kids!

White Lies May Leave Us Scarred for Life: “If you bite you nails a hand will grow in your stomach.”

“You think that’s bad? I had to walk to and from school, five miles, in the snow, up hill both ways, and without shoes.”

“If you wet the bed the monster living underneath it will drown.”

“Skip school and your eyes will fall out.”

“My sister said that if I peeked in her diary a flaming gnome would pop out and eat me.”

My mother told me that if I was eating or chewing on anything while going to the bathroom, the candy would taste like pee and poop. I still take my gum out of my mouth before I enter the bathroom.

“Don’t make ugly faces because if an angel flies by, your face will freeze like that.”

When I was little, any time I asked a question and my Mom answered it; I would ask her how she knew that.

And she would say, every time, “Because I’m Mother Nature”.

Mom said she had eyes in the back of her head. It must be true; she always saw the naughty things I did when I thought she wasn’t looking.

Old Fashioned Sayings We Haven’t Heard Lately: • “It’s black over Bill’s Mother’s.” (It looks like rain) • “Heavens to Betsy!”

• “Run between the raindrops!”

• “My nose itches - somebody’s coming with a hole in their britches.”

• “She looks like she was pulled through a pipe backwards.” (She is disheveled.)

• Dropped your food? Instead of the 5 second rule, it was; “Pick it up and eat it God made dirt And dirt don’t hurt so put it in your mouth and let it get to work.”

• “Who’s plucking this chicken?” (Said when you think you need help on a task but you are doing just fine on your own.)

• “What does any of this have to do with the price of tea in China?”

• “He was like a bull in a china shop.”

• “That kid is wilier than a coyote.”

“Don’t pick your nose or your head will cave in.”

• “Mind your P’s and Q’s.”

“Mom’s belly is getting so big was because she swallowed a watermelon seed, and it is growing in her belly.”

• “Back when Hector was a pup.”

• “All’s well that ends well.”

“If you stand on your head your liver will turn over.”

• “He’s so ugly he’d make a freight train take a dirt road.”

“If you swallow gum your insides will stick together.”

• “Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs.”

“Don’t sit on concrete; you’ll get hemorrhoids.”

Every so often when I got ready for school I would notice Tweety lying on the bottom of the cage, or hanging upside down from his perch. Mom would put him in a paper bag and take him to the doctor. When I got home from school, Tweety would be fine. Sometimes he was a different color, but that’s what the bird medicine does sometimes. www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• “A game that ends in a tie is like kissing your sister.”

• “Six of one and half a dozen of the other.”

• “Never you mind.”

Moral of the story: Always tell the truth!

• Lehigh Valley Family

19

a

Your Style

Step Up Your Spring Style

By Lauren Wuscher, IMAGEine U

The spring season has always been known as a time of change: It starts to get warmer, the days get longer, and nature awakens and blooms. With so many changes, it’s also a great time to make some adjustments to your wardrobe and appearance. With my advice, you can make slight tweaks to your current style in order to look better and feel better.

Never let your wardrobe show you’re having a bad day. You may be sick, your kids may have kept you up all night, or you may be fighting with your boss; but you should never let it affect your wardrobe. When I feel down, I make sure to take a few breaths, calm myself down, and think about what makes me look the best. If I know that I look great, then I already feel better about everything else going on in my life. I don’t know what it is about a nice outfit or my favorite pair of shoes, but they always put a little “spring” in my step and make me a little happier. When I dress down in baggy clothes or an old pair of jeans it just brings me down. So step it up (even if you don’t feel like it) because it will make you feel like a million bucks.

• Go Au Natural - Fabrics can help to slim your appearance (especially helpful if you gave up on that New Year’s resolution to exercise). In general, fabrics that are made from natural, not man-made, fibers will make you look better because man-made fibers (especially rayon) can cling to your body in all the wrong places. Natural fibers (such as cotton) lay on your body differently and tend to enhance all areas.

• Have Fashion Confidence - As I always tell my clients, “Don’t follow every single trend, follow your instincts.”

If you try to be someone that you are not, you won’t feel 20

yourself and you won’t carry yourself confidently (thus you won’t look good and your clothing won’t look good).

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try on things that you normally wouldn’t wear; sometimes that can be the best way to figure out what you look best in, but don’t make your closet something that you are not.

• Make a Statement - Clothing can compete with itself. You might have a great jacket or top on, but if you overdo it and pile on other accessories or key pieces that you love, that great jacket will be hidden under it all. Pick one item that you want to stand out and build around it. If you want the focus to be on a watch, then make sure you stay away from adding cuff links, rings, bracelets, and other jewelry.

• Add Some Color - Wear more than just black and white. Black, white, and neutrals look good on almost everyone, but you’re playing it safe. There are so many possibilities out there and you’re wasting them. Plus, you look boring. Add some great hues into your wardrobe. All colors have subliminal meanings that people pick up on with when they see you. Red is strong and emotional. It evokes feelings such as sex, power, and energy. Blue is calming and makes people think of loyalty and wisdom. Yellow is youthful, fun, happy, and energetic. Green represents money and wealth, not to mention it’s also a very relaxing color to the eye. So mix it up! Have fun and stand out from the neutral crowd.

Most importantly, have fun with your wardrobe. It’s getting warm outside and you should feel good about it.

Let your positive attitude reflect your style and express yourself.

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Gotta Have It!

The BEST Products for FAMILIES

1

...Tested by YOU!

1. Crayola TaDoodles Tub Crayons

“I have to admit they weren’t something I’d be inclined to pick up myself, but they are so much fun! My 20 month old daughter loves them. If she isn’t actually coloring the walls of the bathtub, she loves playing with fun and easy-to-hold shapes: a pig, dog, and elephant that float in the water and hold a crayon! The crayon colors are orange, yellow, and red, and wash off bathtub walls easily. My only complaint is that the yellow doesn’t really show up; green or blue may have been a better choice. My husband and I also enjoy these toys. We have been writing each other little love notes for the other to see next time they shower! TaDoodles are fun for the entire family and under $7.00! We’ll be buying refills soon.”

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2

2. Kushies Baby Training Pants. “These super cute training pants are perfect for beginning potty training. They have worked beautifully! She wears regular underpants at home; and these for when we go on outings, just in case of an oops! Aside from being reusable, kids can actually feel when they are wet, and clothing is still protected. They don’t hold enormous amounts of fluid but are perfect for outings.

The diapers wash up with ease and retain their shape and softness. They hold no lingering stains and odors, which can sometimes plague cloth diapers. Plan on using a more absorbent disposable diaper for naps and bedtime. A pack of 2 costs about $17, which is quite good in comparison to disposable training pants which are expensive and not reusable. Kushies is a highly recommend product for potty training your little one!”

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(Product Reviews Continued on Page 22) www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

21

(Product Reviews continued from page 21)

3. Reebok Easytones

These sneakers promise you that you will get a better butt and better legs with every step, because the soles are designed to mock walking on sand. Another promise is that this technology improves muscle tone in the hamstrings, calves and glutes up to 28%. If that is true, we love them!

What we aren’t loving about this shoe are the color options and the $89 price tag.

Unfortunately, testers had some fashion sensibility which prohibited them from wearing the shoes with jeans to run errands. Aside from the color, the shoes are well liked. Everyone thought they felt “funny” at first, but quickly got used to soles which are designed to throw off one’s balance a bit.

One tester noticed after wearing these shoes in the house for two days to vacuum, scrub toilets, and tote kids around that her legs definitely felt more tired. We recommend these shoes only if you already have a fairly active lifestyle and you’d like to get a bit more burn in your day. If you sit for the majority of the day, save your money.

4. Mint.com

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Around my house, I’m the budget tyrant. I recently became bored with my old budget system and decided I’d finally give mint.com a try, as I’ve heard so many great things about the site.

I found the website very easy to navigate and simple to set up. I simply found my bank or credit card, plugged in passwords and voila! My financial picture was there.

Best of all it was even broken down into different graphs.

I could see where I spend most of my money (You’re welcome, Wegman’s and Home Depot!). I could also plug in a budget and lo and behold, three days before the end of the month I received an email telling me I’d gone over my grocery budget, thanks to it automatically linking to my credit card activity.

My only complaints about the site are that it didn’t readily bring up the forms for my investment accounts and second bank account. Also, because I bought toiletries at a grocery store, it showed up that I’d gone over my grocery budget, when reality, I meshed toiletries into the grocery area. I probably can fix that, but haven’t been using the site quite long enough to figure it out.

Overall, this site is great. Especially the pretty graphs that show the grim reality of our spending and saving, and also provide ways to save money! Oh, and speaking of saving money, did I mention this great site is FREE?

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SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Advertising

18 Tips for Successful Yard Sales

5. Join forces with

friends, neighbors or family members.

By Jason White, FrugalDad.com Block yard sales, or multifamily sales, tend to bring a lot of foot Growing up, my mom was the queen of yard sales. We traffic.

Consider splitting the cost of advertising amongst used to joke that if I didn’t want something included in a all participants and use a portion of your sales to pay for it. yard sale I should lock it away in my closet. Looking back, she was setting a great example in the hopes I wouldn’t grow up to be a pack rat.

Admittedly, I have accumulated my share of our household junk, and I am trying to inspire members of our household to get rid of theirs. Yard sales are also a great way to generate some quick cash to get that emergency fund in place, or to contribute to your debt snowball. Here are a few yard sale tips our family has implemented over the years to have a successful yard sale.

Scheduling

1. Schedule yard sales around the first of the month.

Most people who are paid monthly, or bimonthly, receive a paycheck around the 1st of the month (or the end of the previous month). For this reason, we try to schedule yard sales on the first Saturday of the month.

2. Check the 10-day forecast.

Nothing ruins a good yard sale faster than rain. Keep an eye on the 10-day forecast before submitting your advertisements and selecting a date. There are no guarantees, but significant weather patterns (fronts, tropical systems, etc.) are fairly predictable within a couple days.

3. Plan on starting early. Most hard-core yard sale

scavengers will start looking around 7:00 am (some as early as 6:00 am).

4. Consider a pre-sale the Friday night before and invite

your friends and coworkers. Assuming you don’t mind friends going through your belongings, ask them to come by the night before to look through things ahead of time. I’ve sold some larger items by doing this, including computer monitors, baby furniture, etc. A side benefit of a pre sale is the more you sale the night before, the less you have to put out on Saturday morning. www.LehighValleyFamily.com

6. Check out free advertising sources. Credit union

bulletins and community websites are a great source to advertise your yard sale. Many people also list their yard sales on Craigslist.

7. Use traditional advertising (newspapers) for larger sales.

If you are planning to try and sell some high-end items, such as electronics, furniture, or a used car, consider paying to advertise in your local newspaper.

Signage

8. Keep it simple. Nothing works better than poster board and Sharpie markers. If you have some old boxes lying around you can also gather up some pieces of cardboard to write “YARD SALE” on and include your address.

9. Piggyback on neighboring sales.

This is a little trick I picked up as a teenager when my mom would send me around the neighborhood to hang up our signs. I looked in the newspaper Saturday morning to see if there were any other yard sales around our house. I would go to the end of the street these sales were on and hang a sign for our yard sale with a big arrow pointing in the direction of our house. As people left the advertised yard sales they would inevitably see my sign and then look for ours.

10. Advertise around heavily traveled intersections close

to your neighborhood. Once you get potential customers in your neighborhood, use remaining signs to lead them to your house.

11. Keep a count of the signs you post, so later you can

remember how many to take down. There is nothing worse than seeing a huge, hot pink YARD SALE sign for one that happened last month.

(Continued on Page 24)

• Lehigh Valley Family

23

(Yard Sale Continued from page 23)

Pricing

12. Leave sentimental value inside the house. People

Z

Help your little girl become a confident young lady.

shop yard sales for one reason – to get a deal. Just because the change purse used to belong to your great, great Grandmother who brought it with her from Ireland, it doesn’t mean you should stick a $10 price sticker on it and call it antique. Remember, things are worth only as much as people are willing to pay for them.

13. Sell kids or baby clothing from a big box or plastic

bin. Based on the type of clothing, set a fair price for the entire bin and hang a sign made from a half-sheet of paper indicating the price of all items. For example, “BABY CLOTHES – $0.25 each.”

14. If you are short on folding tables, sawhorses and a

sheet of plywood make a good table. If you have some old sheets, hang them over the plywood to protect against splinters. This also provides some space under the tables to hide your empty boxes, or additional inventory.

The Day of the Sale

15. Use a staging area the night before the sale. If you

Call now to pre-register! Limited class sizes For young girls, teens and ladies to learn about etiquette, manners, modeling, self-confidence and more! Group and individual classes available.

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have a garage, or another enclosed space you can safely store things overnight, it helps to set up tables the night before. Our family backs the car out of the garage, sets up tables and throws out everything from the boxes the night before. At 6:30 the next morning all you need is some help walking the loaded tables out into your driveway or yard.

16. Have plenty of change on hand. The day before the yard sale I usually make a run by the bank to get some smaller bills and rolled coins. $50 in quarters, ones and fives ought to do it.

17. Consider getting a cash box. Make change from the

cash box and place larger bills underneath the cash tray. If your yard sale becomes wildly successful, consider making a cash drop by withdrawing the larger bills from your cash box and taking them inside the house. This minimizes the chances of someone making off with all your cash.

18. Remember safety – use the buddy system. The people

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I’ve encountered in my experience hosting yard sales have all been honest, hard-working folks and genuine collectors.

However, the allure of electronics and cash sometimes brings unsavory guests. These types like to try to create a distraction so another one can make off with the cash box.

Work in pairs and assign someone to always have an eye on the money.

24 SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

This Isn’t Your Grandma’s Charm School

The importance of learning etiquette and social graces in today’s society

By Zenddy Etiquette and Fashion Academy

Today’s world is a tough place to navigate. We must constantly bounce between the world of technology and the real world. It is a balancing act, as we must switch back and forth between the two different languages.

Most of the time, we are extremely relaxed, almost to a fault. With so much of our interaction occurring via technology, many of us, and especially our children, are losing the ability to properly conduct ourselves socially.

There is no denying that technology has done magnificent things for our world, but with those positives we have taken a step backwards in the social arena. With texting and instant messaging lingo on the rise, even our language and interpersonal skills are being diminished. Without a doubt, many reading this may think, “What’s the big deal? Our world is a relaxed place with no need for the old fashioned social graces that were once

so important.”

Consider these facts: • A first impression is made within seven seconds of meeting someone.

• Eighty-five percent of landing a new job is due to the social skills shown during the interview.

• Eighty percent of how others perceive us is in through our body language.

Social grace allows for us to navigate through life armed with the confidence that we can maneuver successfully in a variety of settings.

From the classroom, meeting a boyfriend or girlfriend’s parents for the first time, a college interview, a job interview, or even attending a party, it is of the utmost importance that our children learn how to present themselves as they grow into thriving adults.

Does the thought of etiquette school conjure up images of your

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grandma walking with books on her head? Today’s etiquette school arms your child with so much more than proper posture and utilizing the proper fork. It will equip your child with a new set of skills and most of all, increased social confidence!

Adults and children alike must realize the importance of body language, dressing for success, displaying a pleasant tone of voice, a firm handshake, maintaining just the right amount of eye contact, and the list goes on and on. Let’s face it; these skills, which were once something everyone had, have seemingly fallen by the wayside. Our children haven’t been taught their importance, but it is our responsibility to instill social proficiency.

We live in a world where we must be at our best in order to succeed, and etiquette school arms us with the knowledge to put our best foot forward and let our personality and individual skills shine through.

A new addition to the Lehigh Valley is Zenddy Etiquette and Fashion Academy. This academy offers courses in self image, self esteem, etiquette and modeling.

The program focuses on first enhancing inner beauty, followed by the outer beauty and lessons in etiquette. To learn more, visit www.zenddy.com or call 610762-6535. Remember, despite the lackadaisical world we live in, grace is still an important part of our society!

• Lehigh Valley Family

25

MARCH

A Reason To Celebrate

Monthly Observances: Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month; International Ideas Month; International Listening Awareness Month; National Craft Month; National Clean-up your IRS ACT Month; National Ethics Awareness Month; National Nutrition Month; National On-hold Month; Play the Recorder Month; Red Cross Month; Spiritual Wellness Month; Women’s History Month.

Weekly Observances: 1-7: National Words Matter Week; Write a Letter of Appreciation Week; Celebrate Your Name Week; 2-8: National Procrastination Week; 8-14: Universal Women’s Week; National Money Week; 13-22: Yo-yo and Skill Toys Week; 16-23: Act Happy Week; Spring Fever Week; National Bubble Blowers Week.

Special “Holidays”: 1- Pig Day 4- Do Something Day; Learn What Your Name Means Day 5- Name Tag Day 6- World Day of Prayer 9- Napping Day; Get over it Day 11- Johnny Appleseed Day 13- Earmuffs Day 16- Lips Appreciation Day 19- Absolutely Incredible Kid Day 21- Maple Syrup Day 26- Make Up Your Own Holiday Day 30- Grass is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day

March’s In-Home Date Night Suggestion: Fondue!

Visit www.lehighvalleyfamily.com for recipes and ideas on how to make your own fondue and dipping items.

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SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Top Things To Do For March Do Something!

• Play outside together. Not only is it fun but you’ll sneak in some exercise. Play catch, freeze tag, run relay races, or anything you can dream up. Just have fun and be active.

• March 6, 10:30-Noon. First Saturdays at the Reading Room at Northampton Community College, Fowler Family Southside Center. 511 East Third Street, Bethlehem. Join us for a morning and meet storyteller Larry Sceurman.

• March 13, 9-3. Craft Fair at .Northampton Community College’s Spartan Center in Bethlehem.

• See Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz on the 13th at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 16th and Hamilton St. Allentown.

• Go on a “First Signs of Spring” hunt. Look for flowers, robins, birds’ nests, etc.

• Experience TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming on the 14th at Zoellner Arts Center Bethlehem. 7-9pm.

• March 1-7 is Write a Letter of Appreciation Week. Have each member of your family surprise a friend or loved one with a handwritten note telling that person how much they are valued and loved.

• Visit Symphony Hall in Allentown for the Musical Treasure Chest. March 18th at 9:30. This program for children, ages 3-7.

• On the 21st enjoy breakfast for dinner and serve waffles with loads of maple syrup, in celebration of Maple syrup day!

• Head to West Allentown for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the 21st at 12:30.

• March is known for its wind. Conduct an internet search on how to build a kite. Build and fly it!

• Ride the Easter Bunny Express on the 27 and 28th. Rides start at 1pm. W.K.& S. Railroad, Kempton. It will be a 40minute ride with an Easter theme! Departures at 1,2,3,& 4 PM each day.

Photo and craft compliments of Crayola. www.crayola.com

Be Crafty! Make a Wind Wheel March is one of the windiest months of the year.

Turn your cool Crayola Color Explosion designs into Wild March Wind Wheels that spin with the slightest breeze. Visit www.crayola.com for directions. Find the craft page and type in Wild March Wind Wheels.

Try Something Delicious: Peanut Butter Eggs Ingredients: • • • • • •

1 (16 ounce) package confectioners’ sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup butter 1 tablespoon milk 8 (1 ounce) squares semi-sweet chocolate 1 tablespoon shortening

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanutbutter, butter and milk (if needed for moisture) until blended. Shape mixture into two eggs or make a bunch of smaller eggs. Freeze for 1 hour.

While the eggs are freezing, cut semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and place in top of double boiler with shortening. Melt over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Stick a long-tined fork in top of each peanut butter egg, dip it in melted chocolate to cover then drain on waxed paper. When the eggs are cooled and set, enjoy!

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• Lehigh Valley Family

27

APRIL

A Reason To Celebrate

Monthly Observances: Autism Awareness Month; Home Improvement Month; Holy Humor Month; Informed Women Month; Car Care Month; Celebrate Diversity Month; Jazz Appreciation Month; Straw Hat Month; Southern Belles Month; Physical Wellness Month.

Weekly Observances: 1-7: Pooper Scooper Week; Golden Rule Week; Laugh at Work Week; 5-11: Women’s Nutrition Week; Explore Your Career Options Week; National Networking Week; 13-19: Egg Salad Week; 19-25: Karaoke Week; Week of the Young Child; National Park Week; 22-25: Inspiring News Week; National Whistler’s Week.

Special “Holidays”: 1- April Fools Day; Fun at Work Day; Sorry Charlie Day 2- International Children’s Book Day 4- Easter Sunday 10- National Sibling Day; ASPCA Day 11- Baby Massage Day 12- Licorice Day; Walk on Your Wild Side Day 16- High Five Day; International Moment of Laughter Day 17- Respect Your Mother Day; Teach Your Teen to Volunteer Day 24- Arbor Day; Hairball Awareness Day 29- Sense of Smell Day; National Dance Day 30- National Honesty Day

Be Crafty: Make a Bunny Whiskers Face Which book or movie about rabbits is your favorite? A bunny is a happy, hoppy critter to have around to welcome spring or enjoy bunny books. Your whiskered rabbit can be a puppet, mask, or wall hanging!

For directions on how to make this craft visit www.crayola.com. Go to the craft page and type in Bunny Whiskers Craft.

Photo and craft compliments of Crayola. www.crayola.com 28

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Top Things To Do For April • Plan and play a great prank on your kids on April Fools Day. Do it first thing in the morning, they’ll never expect it!

• April 2nd is Children’s Book Day. Read a few books to your kids, and if they are old enough, they should read one to you too.

• Catch the opening day game and cheer on the Iron Pigs baseball team! April 14 at Coca Cola Park in Allentown.

• Musical Treasure Chest - Featuring Gilles Bernard on Trombone. Happens on the 22nd at 9:30 am at Allentown Symphony Hall.

• Great ready for summer swimming season and brush up on swimming skills at the nearest indoor pool. Find one at a health club, fitness facility, or area high school.

• Love Fairy Tales? See Peter & The Wolf - Family Series on the 25th at 2 p.m. at Allentown Symphony Hall.

• Learn some new jokes to tell at the dinner table, they will help chase the rainy day blues away.

• Plant a tree for Arbor Day. • It is time for spring cleaning! Each member of the family is responsible for cleaning his or her own room.

Donate outgrown clothing or unused toys, and trash what needs to go. Be realistic about what you keep, do you really need it or use it?

April’s In-Home Date Night Suggestion: Jazz Night!

Chances are even if you are fans of jazz you don’t get to listen to it often. Make a playlist and dance a few songs together, or just snuggle up together and listen to the music! Visit www.lehighvalleyfamily. com and visit the fun things to do page for music suggestions.

Try Something Delicious: Eggy Toast

Ingredients • 3 tablespoons butter • ¾ c evaporated milk • ¾ cup water • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 dash pepper • 6 hard-cooked eggs, sliced • 3 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese, sliced thinly.

• 6 slices bread, toasted and cut into triangles www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Directions 1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly mix in evaporated milk and water. Slowly melt in cheese, one slice at a time. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Arrange sliced eggs in a small baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over eggs. Heat in oven at 350 about 5-7 minutes, just long enough to heat the eggs.

3. Meanwhile, prepare toast. Place toast on plates, and evenly spoon heated egg mixture over each plate.

• Lehigh Valley Family

29

MAY

A Reason To Celebrate Monthly Observances: Better Hearing and Speech Month; Clean Air Month; Family Wellness Month; Get Caught Reading Month; Gifts from the Garden; National Egg Month; National Bike Month; National Barbecue Month; National Hamburger Month; National Salad Month; National Salsa Month; National Smile Month; Young Achievers of Tomorrow Month.

Weekly Observances: 3-10: Be Kind to Animals Week; Drink Water Week; Teacher Appreciation Week; National Family Week 10-16: Reading is Fun Week; Nurses Week; Etiquette Week 18-25: Backyard Games Week; Work-at-Home Moms Week; National Effectiveness Week.

Do Something!

• Have a BBQ! Pick a warm evening and grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers. Eat outside, and don’t forget your sweatshirts.

• On May 5, celebrate Cinco de Mayo by donning big somberos, dancing to Latin music, and eating a Mexican recipe for dinner. Ole! • See Pinnocchio! Go to the Historic Ice House on Illick’s Mill Road in Bethlehem between May 7-23.

• Break out the sidewalk chalk and brighten up those walkways!

• Spring Flea Market on May 8th. 8:30-2:30 at Valley Preferred Cycling Center Breinigsville.

Over 150 commercial & private vendors. New and used bicycles. Athletic Apparel. Parts & Equipment. Access the year’s best buys on road, mountain bike, BMX, track, cyclocross, casual riding gear, fixed gear.

• Sit quietly outside and watch all of the birds as they are busy building nests and gathering food.

• Walk through Mayfair. The festival runs from the 27th31st at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. Enjoy renaissance style tents, Berman Sculptures, wandering minstrels, dancers, storytellers, art exhibits, local and national musical acts, hands-on crafts demonstrations, and culinary delights.

• Gather up the first of the spring flowers and take them to an elderly neighbor.

• Visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo and see what the animals are up to. Trying to save money? Go there anyway just for the leisurely drive with lots of animals to see along the way.

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Special “Holidays”: 1- May Day; Mother Goose Day; Stepmother’s Day; No Pants Day. 2- Join Hands Day; Scrapbooking Day. 3- Lumpy Rug Day; National 2 Different Colored Shoes Day 6- School Nurse Day; No Homework Day; No Diet Day; Great American Grump Out. 8- No Socks Day; World Red Cross Day. 10- Mother’s Day; Windmill Day. 11- Eat What You Want Day; National Nutty Fudge Day. 13- Root Canal Appreciation Day. 15- Bike to Work Day; Pizza Party Day 25- Cookie Monster’s Birthday; Towel Day; Tap Dance Day.

May’s In-Home Date Night Suggestion: Cheese Tasting.

Pick up a variety tray from your local grocer. Pictured is a tray of five different varieties from Wegman’s for around $7.00. Pair it with a fresh baguette, salami, and wine for date for under $25.

SPRING 2010 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Be Crafty: Make Mom a Photo Cube With Pizzazz!

Just in time for Mother’s Day! This cute photo cube is a great gift idea for mom, grandma, or any other important person in your life. Decorate a plastic photo cube with Crayola Squeezables™ 3-D Paint and your favorite photos, drawings, and mementoes. Get the directions at www.crayola.com. Visit the craft page and type in Photo Cube.

Photo and craft compliments of Crayola. www.crayola.com

Try Something Delicious: Cheesecake Cookie Cups Ingredients: • 1 package pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough • 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened.

• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk • 2 large eggs • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 can cherry pie filling

Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F. Paper-line 24 muffin cups. Place one piece of cookie dough in each muffin cup. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookie has spread to edge of cup.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour about 3 tablespoons cream cheese mixture over each cookie in cup.

Bake for additional 15 to 18 minutes, or until set.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Makes 24 cookie cups.

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• Lehigh Valley Family

31

WalkWithMe

Wednesday,June16,2010 walkwithme.org/allentown

x x x x x

NEW “Camp Lily” summer day camp for teens Growing Green residential camp in the Poconos Travel Trips: Jersey Shore & Williamsburg Thursday night “Hang Time” teen recreation program Saturday Respite

Call or visit our website for all the details.

Phone: 610-866-8092 or 610-289-0114 www.esep.easterseals.com ‘Services’ page