october • 2018
complimentary
Halloween fun for everyone Special Healthy Families issue: Fall edition Breast cancer prevention tips
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Contents
october
features 10 The Halloween costume dilemma
14 Haunted happenings throughout NH
18 Seclusion and restraints laws departments
24 Breast cancer prevention tips
27 What you need to know about disordered eating
34 Pumpkin — the powerhouse pantry item
3 From the editor’s desk 4 The short list 8 I want that 38 Dad on board 39 Raising teens & tweens 40 House calls 42 Out & about 44 Time out
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from the editor’s desk Put a different spin on Halloween Just a quick flip though this month’s issue and you can tell that I think Halloween is a pretty big deal. I can’t be the only one obsessed with the holiday. I’ve noticed that the number of Halloween events, haunted houses and Halloweenrelated retail shops has increased. Toward the end of September after a few nights of crisp, fall air, the holiday kicks into full gear with houses decorated as they would be at Christmas, except with orange and purple lights and pumpkins that light up. Halloween may be the perfect holiday. It is fun and full of fantasy and whimsy, but minus the arduous task of picking out the perfect Christmas gifts and all the shopping. But while making lists and checking them twice is a ways away, you still might find yourself driving store to store looking for the Captain America costume that your child just has to have for a ½ hour of trick-or-treating time. As the holiday gets more popular, it seems that stress levels are going up for parents as well. Before things get out of control and Halloween rivals Christmas for money spent, it’s time to think about doing a few things differently this year. I still remember the plastic Pac-Man costume I begged for, but what I remember more is the care a nd thought my mom put into creating original costumes using what we had around the house. A pillowcase and construction paper became a tea bag; a long skirt and jewelry became a gypsy. On a rainy day or a weekend, challenge your kids to use their imagination to come up with an original costume. Have them sketch it out and figure out how to put it all together, with your help of course. Also, trick or treat is a lot of gimme gimme. If your child just won’t back off their incessant request to be a Marvel character, instead try to re-focus the holiday on what you can do as a family or for others — bake some Halloween treats, make your own decorations, carve pumpkins, have a neighborhood party, and perhaps donate some of the trick-or-treat haul. Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com) sends care packages to those serving in the military. You can donate candy to them directly, or host a local drive to collect candy that will be sent to the troops.
contributors • october Mary Ellen Hettinger, APR is an award-winning reporter, editor and writer, and accredited public relations professional. She won a bronze award in 2017 from the Parenting Media Association for her news feature on perfluorochemicals in New Hampshire’s water supply.
Melanie Plenda is an award-winning freelance journalist and mom based in Keene. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic.com, The Daily Beast, American Baby, and Parents. com among other media outlets.
Michelle Lahey is a food writer who has been writing about (and eating) food in New Hampshire for over 10 years. In addition to focusing on food, you can find her sipping on a good IPA, correcting other people’s grammar, or hiking in the White Mountains.
Melanie Hitchcock, Editor
sponsor note Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the Children’s Hospital at DartmouthHitchcock (CHaD) are proud to sponsor this Healthy Families issue. After all, the health of children and families is what we’re all about. DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK (D-H) is a nonprofit academic health system serving northern New England. D-H provides access to more than 1,200 primary care doctors and specialists in almost every area of medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock — the only children’s hospital in New Hampshire — four affiliated member hospitals, 24 ambulatory clinics, and the Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT and NH. The D-H system also performs world-class research, in partnership with the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 3
the short list
compiled by melanie Hitchcock
This month on www.parentingnh.com:
Get ready for Halloween
Do you want to know what fall festivals are happening this month? Or where the haunted houses are? In this month’s issue, we have you covered with pages of the Granite State’s best scary (and notso-scary) happenings for families. You will also find these lists exclusive to our website: • Where to pick your own pumpkins: www.parentingnh.com/pumpkinsnh • Where to pick your own apples: www.parentingnh.com/apples • Trick-or-treat times for towns and cities across the state (updated as information is made available): www.parentingnh.com/trickortreat • Granite State corn mazes: www.parentingnh.com/cornmazes • And find event more in our fall guide at www.parentingnh.com/fall
Happy Halloween, boys and ghouls!
for even more fun ParentingNH.com
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Help us honor NH’s top teachers Does your child have a favorite teacher they can’t stop talking about? Are you a teacher who wants to brag about an inspiring colleague? Are you a principal who wants to bring attention to a special teacher in your school? Nominate them to be recognized in ParentingNH ’s second annual Top Teacher issue in December. ParentingNH wants to hear from you about those dedicated and talented teachers who not only are excited about teaching but also get students excited about learning. The magazine will select several teachers to feature in the December 2018 issue. The nomination period is Oct. 1 to 31. Look for the nomination form at www.parentingnh.com.
G.I.R.L. Expo NH offers everything exciting for girls Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains will host G.I.R.L. Expo New Hampshire: Everything Exciting for Girls at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The expo is open to the public and includes performances, hands-on exhibits, free workshops, giveaways, and more. The expo offers G.I.R.L.s (Go Getters, Innovators, Risk-Takers, Leaders)™ ages 5 to 18 plenty of opportunities to broaden their interests in the outdoors, STEM, healthy living and life skills through interactive activities, plus hands-on workshops for girls and their families. Attendees can explore the world of science and programming with robotics, coding, and circuits in the STEAM Zone. The Outdoor Adventure pavilion is sure to excite everyone with Airsoft riflery, archery and more. Over 100 exhibitors will give everyone a chance to connect with businesses and organizations. Also, don’t miss the stage performances featuring Kristina Lachaga and the Girl Scout Pastry Chef Competition. Admission is $3 in advance for Girl Scouts, $5 for the public and at the door. For tickets and full schedule go to http://bit.ly/gexpo2018.
The G.I.R.L Expo will feature, from top to bottom, a pastry competition, singer Kristina Lachaga, and STEAM activities such as water robotics.
Keene Author Publishes third children’s book The Winter Adventure of Stanley the Cat is a new book by D. Ann Hollon of Keene. It is, in part, a true story. There was a little girl named Mary Leigh and Stanley was her cat. But, as far as Stanley having a friend named Maximus Mouse, that is where imagination takes off. This is Hollon’s third children’s book. The first, The Christmas Pony, was published in 2012. The second book, The Adventures of Stanley the Cat, was published in 2015. The Winter Adventure of Stanley the Cat is illustrated by Kathleen Shea Kirstein of Troy. She also illustrated Hollon’s first two books. Find it at www.amazon.com.
courtesy photos
The winners are… Congratulations to the following readers who won prizes by filling out ballots this summer for ParentingNH’s reader poll, Family Favorites. • Christine Maguire of Manchester: Pass to Mount Washington Auto Road • Gene Clark of Charlestown: Pass to Mount Washington Auto Road • Paul Loffler of Derry: Splash birthday party at The Workout Club • Meghan Boudreau of Nottingham: Family pass to Conway Scenic Railroad • Anne Sartorelli of Manchester: Birthday party at Nuthin’ but GOOD! Times Look for the complete list of 2018 Family Favorites award winners in the November issue of PNH. www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 5
the short list continued
30 years of Walking for the Animals of MHS Monadnock Humane Society’s 30th annual Walk for Animals returns to its original location at MHS’ Swanzey location. In the weeks leading up to the Walk for Animals, animal lovers in the community will be asking family and friends to sponsor them. On Saturday, Oct. 13, starting at 10 a.m., everyone walks a maximum of three miles on recentlyrenovated trails that wind through the fields and wooded areas on the MHS property. A celebration party follows the walk and reaches full swing at noon. The public is invited. Music will be provided by Jack the DJ and Heather and Jennifer Samperisi will take professional Halloween pet portraits. The Walk also includes food trucks, a vendor village, a meet-and-greet with therapy pet teams, dog training demonstrations, contests (including Pet Halloween Costume Contest — with or without a human), Adopt a Plush Toy Pet, and more. For more information, go to www.mhswalkforanimals.com. MHS’ Walk for the Animals includes a three-mile walk, right and bottom, and pet portraits, top right. courtesy photos
6 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Attention teen filmmakers The New Hampshire Film Festival, celebrating its 18th year, is holding a Young Filmmakers Workshop to coincide with this year’s festival, which is being held Oct. 11-14. The Young Filmmakers Workshop (YFW), a comprehensive, multi-day journey through filmmaking for 14-18 year olds, begins Friday at the opening night ceremony and continues through Sunday. The workshop is part film school, part film race. Participants are put in teams to write, produce, act in, direct and edit an original short film that is completed and screened at The Music Hall during closing night ceremonies. The students learn as they go, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and sitting in educational sessions with local filmmakers and attending industry professionals. YFW alumni have gone on to become writers, directors and producers of successful independent films and major motion pictures. The workshop is directed by communications media specialist and local filmmaker John Herman. For more information and to register (space is limited), go to www.nhfilmfestival.com. You’ll also find a schedule and more information about the festival weekend’s events on the website.
Practice time. Show time. College saving time. The first step to helping their dreams come true is to make saving part of your routine. The UNIQUE College Investing Plan account offers tax-deferred growth and no minimum to open an account.1 There’s also the Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards® Visa Signature® Card, which lets you earn unlimited 2% cash back2 on everyday purchases. Rewards are deposited directly into your 529 account to make sure your saving and spending are in perfect rhythm.
To learn more, or to open an account, visit
Fidelity.com/unique
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or call 800.544.1914.
Please carefully consider the plan’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit, or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. The UNIQUE College Investing Plan is offered by the state of New Hampshire and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a New Hampshire resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary’s home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.
Zero account minimums apply to self-directed brokerage accounts only. Account minimums may apply to certain account types (e.g., managed accounts) and/or the purchase of some Fidelity mutual funds that have a minimum investment requirement. See https://www.fidelity.com/commissions and/or the fund’s prospectus for details. 2 You will earn 2 Points per dollar in eligible net purchases (net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns) that you charge. Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. Upon approval, refer to your Program Rules for additional information. You may not redeem Reward Points, and you will immediately lose all of your Reward Points, if your Account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to Program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). Reward Points will not expire as long as your Account remains open. Certain transactions are not eligible for Reward Points, including Advances (as defined in the Agreement, including wire transfers, travelers checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, lottery tickets, and ATM disbursements), Annual Fee, convenience checks, balance transfers, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, overdraft advances, interest charges, fees, credit insurance charges, transactions to fund certain prepaid card products, U.S. Mint purchases, or transactions to purchase cash convertible items. The 2% cash back rewards value applies only to Points redeemed for a deposit into an eligible Fidelity account. The redemption value is different if you choose to redeem your Points for other rewards such as travel options, merchandise, gift cards, and/or statement credit. Other restrictions apply. Full details appear in the Program Rules new card customers receive with their card. Establishment or ownership of a Fidelity account or other relationship with Fidelity Investments is not required to obtain a card or to be eligible to use Points to obtain any rewards offered under the program other than Fidelity Rewards. The creditor and issuer of the Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. The Fidelity Investments and pyramid design logo is a registered service mark of FMR LLC. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917. © 2018 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 790730.4.0 1
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| october 2018 7
I want that
compiled by melanie Hitchcock
Glow-in-the-dark play Kids can squish, squash and sculpt mysterious or spooky shapes with Glow-in-the-Dark Playfoam. The nontoxic formula never dries out and is mess free so kids can sculpt that spider and leave it sitting out, without mom having to worry. The pack includes eight Playfoam pods in six glowing colors. Available at www.amazon.com; $8.99
Costume fun for everyone They’ve seen the movies and now they want to dress as their favorite Marvel hero or PIXAR character. New costumes available from Disney in 2018 include Rey from Star Wars: The Last Jedi; Marvel’s Spider-Man and Black Panther, and costumes for the entire family from Incredibles 2. There’s even a Captain America pet harness for your pooch.
Sparkling potion Doom & Gloom Black Holographic Glitter Moisturizing Potion gives you the chance to vamp it up. PABA and paraben-free, infused with antioxidants and essential nutrients, this magical potion leaves your skin feeling bewitching. Available at www.sunshine glitter.com; $14.95
Available at www.shopdisney. com.
8 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Head bone to the neck bone
Batty for this backpack
This soft foam Skeleton Floor Puzzle encourages kids to explore the human body by piecing together a life-sized puzzle. It features 15 illustrated pieces with both formal and common bone names printed on the reverse side. It’s the perfect activity and décor for spooky-themed parties.
Austin is the perfect “Little” backpack for school, travel and fun outings. Your little will feel big with their very own backpack that they can pack and carry themselves. Austin comes with a removable name tag that is great for school or day care, but easily comes off when it’s time for travel.
Available at www.amazon. com; $29.99
Available at www.animal packers.com: $33.95
• NH’S PEDIATRIC SEDATION EXPERTS • COSMETIC DENTISTRY • OROFACIAL MYOLOGY AND ORAL HABIT ELIMINATION
Halloween Party October 27th
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| october 2018 9
Not-so-sweet
The Hallow e
dilemma
H
alloween costumes for teen and tween girls run the gamut from Tinkerbell and other Disney princess costumes to zom-
bies and superheroes like Batgirl. But a quick look at one popular Halloween party store website shows a commonality -- most teen costumes reveal skin and reflect glamorous, if not sexy, versions of popular storybook or cartoon characters. Moreover, other ones even sexualize food, including one called “Sexy French Fries,” which features the words “hot fries” on the mini skirt. There’s no question that Halloween costumes marketed to children can scare parents with the messages they send. Teen girls are anxious to play the role to impress their friends and express their independence. But what may seem like harmless dress up, can in fact cause harm to teen girls unaware of the message they are sending with their costumes. Katelyn Ordway at age 12 dressed up as a parochial school girl when she went trick-or-treating with friends 15 years ago along Salmon Falls Road in Rochester, her father following behind her in his truck. Now 27 and expecting her first child, she remembers the fear she felt when a man approached her and looped his arm around her waist when she walked down a side road to a house. “I immediately started screaming, obviously scared, and as I started to scream, my dad jumped out of the truck and the man dropped me,” she said. “I had no doubt in my mind that if I had been wearing an age-appropriate costume, he would have been less inclined to come after me. I’ll let my kids trick-or-treat like mine did; but their costumes will be appropriate.” Teen girls are inspired to dress a certain way early on, thanks to popular cartoon characters promoted by the media who reinforce gender stereotypes. In Adie Nelson’s 2000 study, “The Pink Dragon
10 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
and too sexy:
w een costume How to talk to your daughter about what’s age-appropriate By Krysten Godfrey Maddocks
8
Join Us For Our K-8 Open House
7
November 17th 10am-11am
6
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Learn About Our Cradle to Careers Roadmap
is Female: Halloween Costumes and Gender Markers,” she analyzed more than 400 costumes, and found that Halloween costumes continued to reproduce messages about gender. Not surprisingly, feminine costumes from age infant through teen featured princess and beauty queen themes. Megan Fedorowicz of Exeter said she is already experiencing challenges dressing her eight-year-old daughter for Halloween, who is years away from being a teen. “When you look at the little witch costumes, they are short and include garters and things like that,” she said. “I just went to the Halloween store, and everything is tight and short — it’s mind-blowing.”
Talk to your teen Before waging war with your teen on what is appropriate dress for Halloween, parents need to listen to their thoughts and have an open discussion about values, suggests Julie Jordan, a nurse practitioner at Derry Medical Center who regularly sees teens in her practice. Engaging in a conversation about what is OK to wear and what is not is the first step toward finding common ground with your teen. “It starts with being a good role model — they are going to do what they see,” Jordan said. “For some parents, they are going to be okay with certain costumes — and others will not be. You need to talk about the values in your own household.” Before shutting a teen down and saying “no” to a costume that you think shows too much skin, Jordan recommends finding common ground. It might make sense to adjust a costume to make it less provocative or revealing rather than rule it out. For example, teens can wear leggings under a short skirt or a tank top under a skimpy top. It’s important for teens to feel like they can make independent choices, but those should conform to family values, she said. Teens definitely dress risqué at Halloween to get attention, Jordan said, and some costumes may serve to give them attention they don’t feel they are getting at other times of the year. She adds that social media has amped up teens’ desire to impress their friends with Halloween costume and other clothing choices. Social media can amplify what might be a bad choice; kids can be called out for being too provocative with their choices, which can also be detrimental to self-esteem. “You need to watch what they are watching on social media and see what they are looking at,” Jordan said. “Kids do feel singled out and can
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| october 2018 11
NOW ENROLLING TODDLERS! . - 5:30p.m. 0a.m 7:0 n e Op
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13 tips to keep your teens safe on Halloween • Review and obey laws. Discuss private property, town curfews, and alcohol regulations with your child. Be upfront and warn that police are patrolling and looking for misbehaving teens. • Host a party or bonfire for your teen and their peers. Invite everyone to your house and ensure they get to enjoy the night safely.
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Halloween fun for everyone Special Healthy Families issue — Fall edition Breast cancer prevention tips
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• Recruit them to hand out treats or host a trunk-or-treat. Teens might be willing to offer refreshments to the little ghouls and goblins haunting your doorstep. • Hunker down for a scary movie marathon. Grab a pile of frightening DVDs for a screamfest. For large crowds, use a projector and large sheet to supersize the fear.
october • 2018
complimentary
• Encourage your teen to avoid posting or texting incriminating evidence. Children make mistakes occasionally, and they often share those bad decisions on social media all too willingly.
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• Encourage light-colored clothing and reflective wear. It may be en vogue to wear black or hooded sweatshirts, but your teen still needs to consider safety and avoid being profiled by the police. • Review driving safety. Remind your teen that children are unpredictable. It can be hard to see costumed wee ones as they dash across the streets. • Track their texts, social media posts, and monitor their cell phone activity. Actively monitoring your teen will help keep tabs on their whereabouts. • Honor curfews. Remind your teen about curfews to avoid consequences. • Hide the eggs, lock up the toilet paper stash, and camouflage other trickster faves. Remember when they were toddlers and you would say “out of sight, out of mind”? Make it harder to find these items to create less temptation. • Look for “haunted houses” and other fun activities that take scary beyond Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin. Offer to drive and enjoy a night with your teen and her pals. (See page 16 for some suggestions.) • Embrace the ethereal night and look for real ghouls. Gather your teen’s friends and download some haunting apps onto their smartphones. There are apps for ghost hunts or you can create your own haunted photos. • Limit the number of friends in a car. Be proactive: remove distractions for your teen driver and limit the number of kids allowed to ride. SOURCE: www.teensafe.com
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356 Exeter Road • Hampton Falls • New Hampshire 03844 12 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
experience depression if they don’t feel like they fit in. You never want them to hide things from you; it’s very important to keep an open line of communication — this isn’t just about costume, but dressing provocatively beyond wearing a costume, too.” Safety should be a major part of your discussion at Halloween and afterwards. Aside from debating the appropriateness of a costume, parents should also discuss what might happen if their child experiences any unwanted sexual advances, Jordan said. “You need to ask them, how would you handle that? You need to remind them to be aware of their surroundings,” she said. Ordway said she chose her costume years ago under pressure to be attractive, and the result was unwanted physical attention from a stranger. She was lucky, she said, that she was able to run away and avoid getting hurt. Krysten Godfrey Maddocks regularly writes for higher education and technology organizations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 13
Halloween fun for Spooky or not-so-scary, there’s something for everyone
FOR ALL AGES Saturday - Monday, Oct. 6-8
Pumpkin Festival CANDIA – Charmingfare Farm, Route 27. Spend a day at the farm and celebrate the mighty pumpkin. Bring the whole family and join in all the festivities. The kids will love the Pumpkin Festival games, including sack races, pumpkin spoon races and a pumpkin-rolling contest. Test your skills at the Cow Pie Fly or Cow Milking Contest. Face painting, tractor train rides, horse-drawn hay rides, pony rides. $22, children; 23 months and younger get in free. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 483-5623; www.visitthefarm.com Various dates in October
Corn Maze and pumpkin fun MEREDITH – Moulton Farm, 18 Quarry Road. Get lost in
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the maze! Admission to the corn maze is $7 per person ($5 for children 3-6; free under 3). The last admission is one hour before the farm closes to allow explorers to enjoy getting lost and playing the trivia game that is part of the maze. Make sure to visit the pick-your-own-pumpkin patch. Free tractor rides to and from the patch are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 28. For more information, go to www.moultonfarm.com/corn-maze. Friday, Oct. 5 - Sunday, Oct. 7
Great Pumpkin Festival MILFORD – Downtown Milford. The annual Great Pumpkin festival is a fun-filled, family event that features the Milford Ambulance Service Duck Race, Pumpkinfest Color Fun Run, beer and wine tasting, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, a haunted trail, arts and crafts show, pumpkin lighting, giant pumpkin weigh-in, pumpkin catapult, live music, children’s activities, pumpkin carving and fireworks on Friday night. For complete schedule, go to www. milfordpumpkinfestival.org.
Various dates in October
Corn mazes at Beech Hill Farm HOPKINTON – The 2018 Corn Mazes are open every day (weather permitting) through Halloween at Beech Hill Farm & Ice Cream Barn from 11 a.m. to dusk. There are different mazes every year. This year the themes are Blackbeard’s Revenge and Beehive Challenge. The mazes are approximately four acres in size and take about 40 minutes to find all the answers. The cost for adults and children older than 3 is $6 for all three mazes. Each maze includes a brochure with a scavenger hunt. 2230828; www.facebook.com/pg/ beechhillfarmandicecreambarn Saturday, Oct. 13
Pumpkin Fest SOMERSWORTH – Somersworth Plaza. This family event celebrates all things pumpkin. Pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, pumpkin catapult, pumpkin bowling, hay rides, cookie decorating, scarecrow making, family photo shoot, live entertainment, and loads of pumpkin-themed games and more. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and take part in the parade at the end of the day. Wrist bands are $12 per child, adults free only when assisting a child in activities. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 817-9751; www.nhfestivals.org
all ages Sunday, Oct. 28
A Family Halloween WOODSTOCK, Vt. – Billings Farm & Museum, Route 12. Doughnutson-a-string, pumpkin carving, Halloween tales, wagon rides, and lots more. Costume parades at noon and 2 p.m. Admission: Adults, $16. Children in costume admitted free when accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-802-457-2355; www. billingsfarm.org Dates through October
Coppal House Farm and Corn Maze LEE – 118 North River Road. Marvel at this agricultural feat of engineering as you make your way through living walls of corn more than 10 feet high. The corn maze will delight and challenge all ages. The maze is professionally designed and cut by a company in Missouri. This year’s theme is the shamrock. Check website for events held throughout the month. Public flashlight mazes in 2018 are Saturdays, Oct. 6 and 27. Night mazes are 7-9 p.m., $12 at the door ages 5 and older. Bring your own flashlight. Includes bonfire, and cider and donuts while supplies last. Daytime corn maze admission prices are
13-plus, $9; ages 5 and older, $7; free for children younger than 5. Go to www.nhcornmaze.com for more times and dates. 659-3572 Friday, Oct. 12 & Sat., Oct. 13
Pumpkin Festival 2018 LACONIA – Downtown Laconia. Fun and activities for the entire family. Highlights include Pumpkin Festival beer garden, car show, duck derby, zombie walk, costume parade, kiddie rides and games, live music and pumpkin carving. Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. For complete schedule, go to www. nhpumpkinfestival.com. Friday, Oct. 26 & Sat., Oct. 27
Ghosts on the Banke PORTSMOUTH – Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St. Come and meet the Ghosts on the Banke at Strawbery Banke’s famous family-friendly Halloween celebration. Long-dead sea captains, 17th-century shopkeepers and wayward pirates haunt the streets and houses of Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhood as you trick-or-treat safely from house to historic house. Tickets: $8; children 1 and younger free. 5:30 to 8 p.m. www.strawberybanke.org; 433-1107 Sat., Oct. 13 & Sunday, Oct. 14
Giant Pumpkin Weighoff and Regatta GOFFSTOWN – Goffstown Village, Main Street. NH Giant Pumpkin Growers Association and the Goffstown Main Street Program join forces in hosting the annual
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta. Don’t miss this chance to see gargantuan gourds competing for prize money then get turned into boats and raced down the Piscataquog. For more information, go to www. goffstownmainstreet.org.
FOR YOUNGER KIDS Friday - Sunday, Oct. 19 - 21 and Oct. 26-28
Pumpkin Patch Express NORTH CONWAY – Conway Scenic Railroad, 38 Norcross Circle. All departures are from the North Conway Station for a leisurely roundtrip train ride aboard vintage coaches to the White Mountain Cider Company in Glen, where each child can visit the “Pumpkin Patch” and select their own pumpkin. Costumes are encouraged. Reservations also strongly encouraged. For more information on fares and departure times, call or go to the website. 3565251; www.conwayscenic. com
to explore exhibits like the Cave Explorers Bat Cave, Dino Detective and Green Screen Adventures in Travel. Meet the Wacky Scientist and check out his fantastical experiments, visit the Fairy Circle to make fairy doors and friendly spiders, create take-home crafts, get your face painted in the Muse Studio, and more. Participate in the costume contest, and try out the trick-or-treat scavenger hunt to receive a special prize. $10, adults and children; $9, seniors; free for children younger than 1 and museum members. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 742-2002; www. childrens-museum.org Saturday - Sunday, Oct. 13 -14, Oct. 20 - 21, Oct. 27 - 28
Children’s Trick or Treat CANDIA – Charmingfare Farm, Route 27. Charmingfare Farm’s Children’s Trick or Treat is perfect for little ghouls and boils who don’t wish to be frightened, but still want the excitement of wearing their favorite costume and having a fun-filled Halloween adventure. This event
Saturday, Oct. 27
Not-So-Scary Spooktacular DOVER – Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St. Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 15
Halloween fun for all ages CONTINUED
is merry-not-scary! Five special attractions featuring candy stops for trick or treating. $22; children 1 and younger, free. Check-in times are 10 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. Go online to reserve your time. 483-5623; www. visitthefarm.com
FOR OLDER KIDS Fridays, Oct. 12, 19, 26; Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, 27; Sundays, Oct. 21, 28
Harvest of Haunts CANDIA – Charmingfare Farm, Route 27. The fields are full of unthinkable sites, decaying crops and creatures that will make your blood run cold. They’re waiting for all those who dare experience the four terrors of the harvesting. You’ll encounter four heart-pounding scares. Tickets: $29. Go online for check-in times. 483-5623; visitthefarm.com Sept. 28-29; weekends through October; Oct. 31
Fright Kingdom NASHUA – 12 Simon St. Five frightening attractions including Apocalypse Z and Bloodmare Manor. Don’t miss the Monster Midway featuring concessions, games, photo opportunities and entertainment. Tickets are $25; upgrade to the Fright Pass at $36 to skip the wait and take a Coffin Ride. www.frightkingdom.com Friday-Sunday, Oct. 12-14; 20-21, Thursday- Sunday, Oct. 25-28
Haunted Overload LEE – DeMeritt Hill Farm, 66 Lee Road. Consistently ranked one of the top haunted attractions in the
16 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
country. Haunted Overload blends astounding handmade sets, gigantic monsters and spellbinding characters with spectacular sound and lighting to create a twisted, terrifying Halloween experience like no other. This haunted attraction is a pre-ticketed event, so buy your tickets early. Tickets: $26; available at website. For times and more information on day haunts, go to www.hauntedoverload.com
Various dates through October
Sept. 22-23, 28-30; various dates in October
Various dates in October
Screeemfest SALEM – Canobie Lake Park. Enjoy your favorite rides and venture into one of the five haunted houses, including the new Facility 235. Free parking. Be sure to check out the Rocktoberfest event listing online. Prices and times vary. For more information, go to www.canobie.com. Sept. 21-23, 28-29; various dates in October; Nov. 2-3
Spooky World presents Nightmare NewEngland LITCHFIELD – Mel’s Funway Park, Route 3A. Nightmare New England is a massive 80-acre Halloween Scream Park. The scale and variety of the park offers something for even the boldest of Halloween fanatics. Five terrifying haunted attractions and multiple sideshow attractions are featured. Don’t miss Lights Out on Nov. 3 where you explore the park in the pitch dark. Selected as one of America’s Top Haunts. Prices and times vary. Go to www.nightmarenewengland.com for details.
Haunted Acres CANDIA – 224 Raymond Road. Five attractions, including ¼-mile nightmare walk. Maniac’s Midway area, food and 1,000-foot zip line (with ticket upgrade). Open rain or shine. Free parking. Tickets online: $21. For more information on open and close times, go to www.hauntedacresnh.com.
Ghoullog at the Cranmore NORTH CONWAY – Cranmore Mountain, 1 Skimobile Road. Enter 12 years of fear at the Ghoullog! The approximate 50-minute haunt features more than 15,000-squarefeet of indoor space through a series of dark rooms, scary mazes and unknown places, plus an outdoor element which leads the unsuspecting through the dark woods with all of the scares and screams you’ve come to expect. Will you be able to make it out unharmed? Don’t miss the Broken Skull Pub and Haunted Playground. Go online for ticket prices and hours. 1-800-SUN-N-SKI; www.theghoullog.com
For more information and additional events, go to www. parentingnh.com.
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Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part series that looks at the use of restraints and seclusions in New Hampshire schools. Next month, ParentingNH takes a look at the incident review process and possible alternatives to the practices of restraint and seclusion.
More reports,
fewer investigations A look at what has transpired since state law changed to limit the use of restraints and seclusions By Melanie Plenda
L
ast year an elementary-age student in a New Hampshire school was placed alone in a utility closet to bring their behavior under control.
Another elementary school student was left alone in a room locked from the outside with a bungee cord for the better part of an afternoon. And in three other schools, three officials were subject to state disciplinary action for “overly aggressive” use of restraints to curb problem behavior. These are a few examples of the misuse of restraint and seclusion; the practices themselves are not illegal. However, four years ago, the legislature amended state laws to limit the use of restraint and seclusion at the urging of disabled rights groups who recognize these techniques are primarily used on mentally and physically disabled children. The new law set up strict guidelines on what school officials could and could not do and mandated that these practices be relegated to emergency situations only where the student or others are in imminent danger. However, last year New Hampshire schools reported 2,782 incidents that rose to the level of requiring restraints or seclusion, almost double the number of restraint and seclusion incidents re-
18 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
ported in the 2013-14 school year. Why have incident reports increased? According to an investigator with the state Department of Education, there are a number of reasons including an overabundance of caution, misunderstanding the details of the law and lack of training.
The law and why it changed Before 2014, school officials only had to report using restraints on a child if the child was unreasonably restrained and they didn’t have to report seclusions at all. “There were incidents that came to our attention that prompted our recommendation to the legislature that they regulate the use of seclusion,” said Michael K. Skibbie, Policy Director for the Disability Rights Center-NH. Skibbie said before the law changed, the Disability Rights Center had represented clients who had received broken bones as a result of restraints used on them in New Hampshire schools. Disability rights advocates wanted to see more documentation of restraints and seclusions to get a better understanding of how often it was being used and to encourage using other options.
‘‘
Close to 100 percent of schools are no longer using seclusion per se. What they are using is time-out rooms or safe rooms… Those are not a situation where the student is alone; there is always a staff member. There are no locks.
’’
— Richard Farrell, contract investigator with the state Department of Education
Under the amended law, restraints — defined as bodily physical restriction that immobilizes a person or restricts the freedom of movement of the torso, head, arms, or legs — could only be used in emergencies, to ensure immediate safety, “when there is a substantial and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to the child or others.” Restraint can only be used by trained staff members, “using extreme caution when all other interventions have failed or have been deemed inappropriate and can’t be used.” The law defines what does not constitute a restraint. An educator can briefly touch or hold a student “to calm, comfort, encourage, or guide”, so long as “limitation of freedom of movement of the child does not occur.” An educator can also temporarily hold a student’s hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or back to get a child to stand or walk safely to a location so long as the child is in an upright position. The law also allows a person to defend him or herself or another person from what could reasonably be believed to be “the imminent use of unlawful force by a child.” As for seclusion, the amended law makes it so that this practice — defined as the involuntary placement of a child in a place where no other
person is present and from which the particular child is unable to exit — can only be used when a child’s behavior poses a “substantial and imminent risk of physical harm to the child or to others,” and only as long as the danger lasts. Further, the law established it can only be used by trained personnel after “other approaches to the control of behavior have been attempted and unsuccessful, or are reasonably concluded to be unlikely to succeed based on the history of actual attempts to control the behavior of a particular child.” The law also said that the seclusion room has to be like all the other rooms in the school. The room cannot be locked and a staff member either needs to be in the room with the child or continuously monitoring the child through an observation window. Parents also need to be notified if their child was restrained or secluded as soon as possible and before the child goes home for the day. School officials have to log incidents of restraint and seclusion in a report that details, among other things, the duration of the seclusion or restraint; a description of the actions of the child before, during, and after; a description of other relevant events preceding the use of seclusion or www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 19
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restraint, including the justification for initiating the use of restraint, etc. They also need to describe actions taken to address the emotional needs of the child during and following the incident and future actions to take to control the child’s behavior. Richard Farrell, the contract investigator with the state Department of Education, said the majority of incidents reported by the schools are of incidents where students are taken to “time-out rooms” — an empty classroom, library or office. The door is not locked and a teacher or staffer is always with them. Technically, this is not seclusion, and so, Farrell said, they should not be reporting these incidents, which may be why the number is so high. The law also established that a school’s seclusion and restraint logs are to be audited every three years or every year if it’s determined that a school has multiple complaints or multiple restraints of the same student over a period of time.
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According to data provided by the DOE, the number of reported seclusions increased from 554 in the 2013-14 school year to 1,122 in the 201617 school year. The use of restraints, according to state data, increased from 916 to 1,660 in the same time period. According to the Civil Rights Data Collection — a national survey sent to school districts across the country — the majority of seclusions and restraints are used on students with disabilities. Surveys show that in the 2015-16 school year, of the 122,000 students nationwide who experienced restraint or seclusion, 71 percent involved children with disabilities. In recent years, disabilities rights advocates have argued that any use of these practices is too much and that districts need to utilize different techniques. “There are many schools in this country that never use restraint,” said Skibbie. “That tells me that we could do a lot better at reducing its use than we have so far.”
Fewer investigations While the numbers of reported incidents of restraints and seclusions has gone up since the law changed in 2014, incidents that rise to the level of investigation by the state have gone down, according to Farrell. It is Farrell’s job to investigate allegations of misconduct for certified educators at public schools, charter schools, public academies and private schools. He has the ability to take administrative action against a certified teacher or administrator in the state, meaning he can recommend that the person’s license be revoked or suspended. When asked why the numbers of reported incidents have risen since the law changed, Farrell said the majority are not incidents of restraints and seclusion, but are being reported out of an abundance of caution. Schools are reporting every time hands are placed on a child or a child is taken to a “time-out” room with a teacher or staffer. Of the restraint reports, Farrell said he was only asked to investigate about 25 for possible statute violations last year. Farrell said the majority of investigation requests come from the districts, followed by parents, DCYF and occasionally, police. Before the law change, Farrell said, they’d typically be asked to investigate about 50 cases per year. The year the legislation was amended, that number jumped as parents were filing more complaints, self-reporting from schools increased there was confusion over the RSA, according to Farrell. Since then, he said, there has been more training.
20 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
“The number [of investigation requests] has actually gone down significantly since the first several months,” Farrell said. ParentingNH asked to see the reports made by the schools and Farrell’s reports. He said those records are not public, citing privacy laws.
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The amended law makes it clear that restraints and seclusions are only supposed to be used in emergencies when students or adults are in imminent danger of harm. Farrell said there was a spike in reporting after the law changed because district officials were confused about what actually constituted seclusion and restraint. “Close to 100 percent of schools are no longer using seclusion per se,” Farrell said. “What they are using is time-out rooms or safe rooms… safe rooms are usually a classroom, office space or another facility within the school. Those are not a situation where the student is alone; there is always a staff member. There are no locks.” Farrell said parents sometimes file a complaint because they might not agree with the child being removed from the classroom. “They don’t want their children to be treated any differently,” he said. “Sometimes …the school doesn’t articulate what they’re using and how they’re using it. It becomes more about communication than anything else.” Farrell added it’s very rare for actual seclusion to be used in a public school. “Most all schools use options that don’t include having a student in a room, by him or herself with no staff,” he said. Seclusions are also not supposed to occur for long periods of time, Farrell said, they are an emergency measure, and they have to be as short in duration as possible. “I’m going on six years doing these investigations,” Farrell said. “I can tell you there have been instances where schools have utilized seclusions improperly, and those were aggressively investigated both by the SAU and by the Department of Education. And we have been very successful in correcting those errors.” Farrell says that since the law was amended, he’s been notified of no more than 10 instances of seclusion violations. Of those 10, seven were deemed unfounded. “And by unfounded I mean they were not seclusion rooms,” Farrell said. The other three that come to mind, he said, were seclusion issues. Of the three, one room was “summarily closed,” and improper for student use. The second incident he said was seclusion but was found to be proper. In the last one, he said, an elementary school student was put in a room where the educator used a bungee cord to keep the door shut. The child was left in there for “the better part of an afternoon,” Farrell said. “[The bungee cord and duration of seclusion] led us to believe that this seclusion was not part of the statute,” Farrell said. “We investigated, and the individuals that oversaw that — the DOE and the SAU — worked together… That individual is no longer employed.” As for restraints, Farrell said, the use of restraints comes down to safety. “And restraint, like seclusion, should be the least restrictive, shortest period of time,” he said. While the statute requires restraints to be used only by people trained in these techniques, Farrell said nothing in the statute requires that anyone be certified in any specific type of restraint. “Many school districts use or train their people in different types of restraint techniques. Some of those become certified in those types of re-
2/21/18 1:44 PM
straint techniques, but it’s important to note that nowhere in the statute does it require certification to use restraint,” he said. Of the approximately 25 reports that came to Farrell’s office this year to be investigated, he said three resulted in state disciplinary action, while others were “employment issues, where the educator involved in the restraint didn’t violate the statute, but violated individual SAU rules.” Farrell said the three instances where the state took action as situations where the educators were “overly aggressive in the use of restraint.” He declined to give specific details, but instead supplied the state’s list of license revocations. The list, which includes revocations dating back to the 1980s, did not specifically describe the scenarios in which these teachers or administrators lost their licenses. “I’ll tell you very honestly that we end up exonerating more teachers that are accused of illegal restraint than we take action against,” Farrell said. As for injuries resulting from restraints, Farrell did not disclose that number, but said injuries associated with restraint almost always come from facilities that are residential and educational such as Crotched Mountain, Easterseals, and Spaulding Youth Center, among others. “[They] have to deal with very difficult situations of very difficult students,” he said. “They take the most at-risk kids, and those are the kind of spots where you find any kind of injury.” “The number of injuries in terms of restraints, especially in the SAUs, charter schools, public schools, are very limited. And frankly, there are more injuries of staff members than there are of students.” Melanie Plenda is an award-winning freelance journalist based in Keene.
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 23
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24 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
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www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 25
What you need to know about disordered eating If your child has an unhealthy relationship with food, pay attention By Mary Ellen Hettinger
M
eghan says she is a vegetarian because she loves animals. But as far as you can tell all she eats are salads. She’s always freezing cold, and has she grown taller or is she just skinnier?
Matthew’s going out for track and runs miles a day but he’s sworn off carbohydrates and fights fatigue every day. Are these teens dealing with normal angst and insecurities or is there a larger issue at work? There are several types of eating disorders, and some are combinations of disorders. What they all have in common is an unnatural relationship to food. People without this condition eat at regular times, when they’re hungry, and usually a range of foods in appropriate proportions. Someone with an eating disorder may refuse or pretend to eat despite being hungry. Or they may seem to eat normally with others, while hiding food and gorging themselves on thousands of calories a day in secret.
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 27
‘‘
A serious eating disorder has the potential to affect and disrupt virtually every system of a person’s body.
’’
— Marcia Herrin, Herrin Nutrition Services, Lebanon
28 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Some binge eaters then “purge” or throw up what they’ve eaten, also in secret, to avoid gaining weight. Some become hooked on laxatives while others exercise compulsively trying to burn off what few calories they did eat. The eating disorders most are familiar with are anorexia nervosa, where someone eats very little or restricts most foods, or bulimia nervosa, where someone throws up to avoid gaining weight. How can you tell the difference between a typical teenage preoccupation with appearance — frequent mirror checks, lengthy bathroom grooming rituals — and mood swings, and a child with an eating disorder? The difference is the extreme. Hope Damon, a registered dietician in New London who has been working with people with eating disorders for almost 30 years, said disordered eating means not having a comfortable, healthy, manageable relationship with food, and if a parent has a history of disordered eating, their child may not have a good role model.
Severe consequences “A serious eating disorder has the potential to affect and disrupt virtually every
system of a person’s body,” said Marcia Herrin of Herrin Nutrition Services in Lebanon. Herrin founded the Dartmouth College Eating Disorders Prevention, Education, and Treatment Program, and teaches pediatric residents at the medical school about nutrition and eating disorders. “When the body belongs to a child or adolescent who is still growing, the results can be heartbreaking.” Hormonal and glandular systems are out of whack. Frequent vomiting breaks down teeth. The heart (a muscle) and brain shrink. Metabolic and endocrine abnormalities associated with malnutrition, Herrin noted, can lead to “cognitive deficits,” that is, the inability to think. “The risk to bone health is the most serious long-term complication, Herrin said. “There’s a short window to fix it during adolescence, but if not fixed then, the person may be dealing with a lifelong problem. There’s no treatment for osteoporosis.” Changes in bone mass and abnormalities of the brain underscore “the need for swift and aggressive treatment” because this damage may not be reversible, Herrin said. Binge eating can lead to obesity, type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes. High lev-
Common symptoms of an eating disorder Emotional and behavioral • In general, behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns • Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting • Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.) • Appears uncomfortable eating around others • Food rituals (e.g., eats only a particular food or food group [e.g., condiments], excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch) • Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals • Any new practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism) • Withdrawal from usual friends and activities • Frequent dieting • Extreme concern with body size and shape • Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance • Extreme mood swings
Physical • Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down • Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.) • Menstrual irregularities — missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a “true” period) • Difficulties concentrating
SOURCE: National Eating Disorders Assocation; www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 29
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The selfie culture Although experts agree that social media doesn’t cause eating disorders, the selfie culture puts a lot more pressure on kids to look good. “The selfie culture has a very significant impact,” Kathy Corkery said. “Twenty, thirty years ago kids got their messages from print media like magazines and TV commercials. Now they’re inundated with quick images of the world at large. People with eating disorders compare themselves. Although not causal, social media can fuel the fire.” Hope Damon bemoans our “immediate, 24/7 access to images of people who hugely overvalue appearance.” Especially when the people we look at can manipulate their appearance “in extraordinary ways,” through body sculpting surgery and digital images. “If I could wave a magic wand, kids would have very little access to media, which doesn’t present diversity,” she added.
els of blood sugar increase the risk of heart disease. Gastrointestinal and bowel problems such as bloating, constipation and stomach pain are typical of an eating disorder, and the extreme — nausea, vomiting and a distended stomach — may be signs of an impending stomach rupture, which can be fatal.
When to seek help “Every now and then a person or a parent will call me who isn’t sure if a person or their child has enough of an issue to need help. I always say we aren’t going to do that person any harm by doing an evaluation,” Damon said. One obese patient of hers had a son who played football that she was worried about; he didn’t want to eat any carbs. Damon gave him some perspective about what he needed to grow and be strong and he was receptive. Corkery agreed: “Early detection and intervention, even if it doesn’t meet the full diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, it’s much easier to work on improving health if you’re not trying to overcome years’ worth of behaviors.” Because many people do not get help soon enough, “It’s way better to get a professional perspective than wish you had two to three years down the line. It’s easier to deal with any behavioral medicine problem when it’s less entrenched,” Damon said. What causes someone to develop an eating disorder? “What we thought was the cause has changed,” said Kathy Corkery, a licensed social worker and clinical director of the Center for Eating Disorders Management in Bedford. “We were trained that it was a control issue, often with a trauma history. But now real thinking and research points to correlations between a genetic propensity for illnesses, with some being more susceptible in combination with environmental stresses/influences and triggers.”
30 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Treatment At the Center for Eating Disorders Management, all patients see a licensed social worker or mental health provider to determine if there is any co-occurring psychiatric illness first. Regular counseling often includes family counseling in the case of younger children (Corkery has seen a child as young as six). Counselors work with parents to improve food and nutrition and manage emotions that contribute to unhealthy behaviors. Therapies may specifically address trauma, and there is group therapy and peer support. The goal is to improve the quality of life, the clinical director said. Meal plans are basic and there’s a concentrated focus on medical care by nurse practitioners, so clients don’t have to be hospitalized. “Some of our clients are very physically compromised, whether 70 pounds or above 500 pounds. So we monitor their medications, do urinalysis, EKGs and vital signs. It’s a complicated illness.” Insurance covers the treatment. “There is a much greater incidence of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and addiction in the population with eating disorders,” Damon said. “If coexisting conditions aren’t recognized and adequately addressed, it’s very hard to get the eating disorder under control.” Up to 69 percent of patients with anorexia nervosa and 33 percent of patients with bulimia nervosa have a coexisting diagnosis of OCD, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Also, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, up to 50 percent of individuals with eating disorders abused alcohol or illicit drugs, a rate five times higher than the general population. Family-based treatment for childhood anorexia is a game changer, Marcia Herrin said. In the past treatment consisted of psychological education with the child, pointing out the error of their ways and trying to figure out other psychological issues. Sometimes this helped depression, but the child still didn’t get better from the eating disorder.
Support and strategies There are many aspects of treating eating disorders, but for it to be successful, parents need to step up and take back control of the kitchen and meals, according to Herrin, author of The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders. Adolescents and parents need to be trained and supported by professionals to take over their child’s eating habits, which is hard for Americans, she said. Many parents have high-functioning kids who are used to more freedom. “The kids think they know better and aren’t used to dad/ mom saying, ‘You have to eat this; you can’t just eat quinoa or brown rice for dinner,’” said Herrin. “It’s very hard for modern parents to set limits on presumably competent children. Moms worry about their relationship with their teen, but their health depends upon it.” Herrin’s advice for parents struggling to set limits is to “fight the
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| october 2018 31
disorder, not your child.” The stakes are high. Anorexics have the highest rate of suicide of any mental health disorder, and they are also susceptible to sudden death from heart issues. Death rates are also higher than normal in people with bulimia and “eating disorder not otherwise specified” (a diagnosis for those with a mixture of atypical anorexia or bulimia). An anorexic who is 24 percent below her desirable body weight is already in a medically concerning state, said Damon.
“To get her on a meal plan, I always start with a discussion that includes the parent. What is she willing or able to eat? What ‘fear foods’ is she resistant to eating? The ‘voice’ of an eating disorder, the thought process, is not a wellness voice. I try to be flexible about food to not create the mindset that accompanies an eating disorder. “The challenge for a lot of dieticians that don’t do this work,” Damon said, “is that a lot of messages support eating fruits and veggies, for example. But someone with an
eating disorder translates this to ‘only’ and discredits other food groups. A meal plan gives structure and then there is lots of discussion, support and negotiation to find some way to eat adequately.” Mary Ellen Hettinger, APR is an award-winning reporter, editor and writer, and accredited public relations professional. She won a bronze award in 2017 from the Parenting Media Association for her news feature on perfluorochemicals in NH’s water supply.
Eating disorders in boys Unlike girls, who often slide into eating disorders by dieting, boys have different factors, Marcia Herrin said, including being chubby as a child, depressed, participating in high-risk sports, and alcohol abuse. “Eating disorders are as hard for boys and men as they are for females. But they don’t even have the language that young women do,” said Hope Damon. “I don’t even ask ‘Do you know anyone else with an eating disorder?’ any more. Now I say, ‘Who else do you know with an eating disorder?’ Females are oh-so-familiar with this; it’s in their developmental language.” Guys will tell you about girls they’re concerned about, but won’t ID a male peer, Damon continued. “Guys don’t perceive themselves as having a problem. They want to build six-pack abs, they get invalid advice online, and from some coaches.” “They want to emulate star athletes, even if that’s not the body type their genetics accommodate,” the dietician added. This is similar to a pear-shaped endomorphic curvy girl trying to look like a stick-straight ectomorphic model. At the Center for Eating Disorders Management, Kathy Corkery said they have seen more male patients over the past decade — men and teenage boys suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and less well-known conditions. Corkery said there’s an increase in the openness among males to seeking services, with pediatricians and primary care providers identifying disorders in the male population.
32 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
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Keeping Your Teen Driver Safe Behind the Wheel By Chelsie Mostone
Back to School The start of another school year is a good time to remember that both parents and teenagers need to work together to keep teenagers safe behind the wheel. During 2015, New Hampshire teen drivers made up two percent of overall drivers, but were involved in over 16 percent of the car crashes. These crashes were related to teens’ inexperience behind the wheel.
Youth Operator Program The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD’s) Youth Operator Program uses peer leadership groups in New Hampshire high schools to discuss topics such as distracted driving, use of seatbelts, and driving while impaired. The program is currently in 15 high schools and uses educational information provided by guest speakers, presentations, and various statistics related to the individual school or the state in general. Using observational assessments that identify driver electronic device usage as well as driver and passenger belt usage in a school’s student parking lot, the Youth Operator program provides schools with solid statistics to discuss safe driving topics with their students, and is a reason that school administrators have adopted this program. When a parent is giving their newly licensed teen the keys to a vehicle, it can be nerve-wracking. Parent support plays a vital role in preventing teen driver crashes. Parents have the greatest influence over their teenager’s driving behavior. Since March of 2017, there has not been a 16- or 17-year-old driver fatality in the state. Although this is a better number than other states, it does not allow us to relax and stop providing education on safe driving. The Youth Operator program continuously works to provide new and exciting learning opportunities to guide teens toward safer decisions behind the wheel.
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Not just for pumpkin Canned pumpkin is a healthy addition to your dishes year round By Michelle Lahey
N
o Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a large piece of pumpkin pie for dessert (with whipped cream, of course).
But from breakfast dishes to desserts to savory creations, canned pumpkin puree is a fall-friendly staple that is multi-purpose — and isn’t just for pie anymore.
“Pumpkin can be prepared like any hard winter squash,” said Emily Schoonmaker, personal chef, caterer, and owner of Off Your Plate Meals based in Durham. “I often look to butternut squash or sweet potato recipes for pumpkin inspiration.” Just like butternut squash and sweet potato, pumpkin is great in savory dishes, too. Schoonmaker loves adding pumpkin puree to soups and stews for extra body. Pumpkin also adds extra flavor and thickness to dishes like lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and even chili — a must-have for cozy football Sundays. As the beloved pumpkin pie has proven, pumpkin puree is great in desserts and sweet dishes, too — but its powers go far beyond. “I love adding pureed pumpkin to breakfast foods — like oatmeal, waffles, and pancakes,” said Jil Murphy, founder and editor of the food and lifestyle blog, JilCooks.com. “Blending it into yogurt, smoothies, and milkshakes is also delicious….And then, my personal favorite, it can be used in so many different baked
34 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
goods — from breads and muffins to cookies and cheesecakes.” Pumpkin also works well with a variety of different flavors. In addition to the usual fall spices — such as nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon — it also pairs well with garam masala, vanilla, maple, chocolate, and sage, to name a few. If you’re not yet sold on pumpkin’s versatility (and deliciousness) perhaps the health benefits will win you over. “Adding pumpkin to anything automatically pumps up the nutritional value of whatever you add it to. It has a lot of fiber and vitamins, and doesn’t add a lot of extra calories,” Murphy said. Some of pumpkin’s nutritional benefits include being rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and beta-carotene. Pumpkin puree also comes in handy for baking when you’re trying to decrease the amount of fat used. Baking for a vegan friend or colleague? Pumpkin can be substituted for eggs in a wide variety of recipes. “Use ¼-cup puree for each egg in a recipe and use a one-to-one ratio for recipes calling for oil (one cup of oil can be replaced
pie anymore
West African Peanut and Pumpkin Stew Serves 4-6 • Recipe courtesy of Emily Schoonmaker This is a bit of a hodgepodge of many similar stews enjoyed throughout West Africa. It’s thick, spiced (but not too spicy), warming and perfect for fall. It can be served over rice or not. You can add additional protein in a few ways — by sautéing diced chicken (I prefer thighs) in the pot between steps 1 and 2; adding a cup of red lentils with the tomatoes and greens (although you’ll need to increase the cook time by 10 minutes or so) or adding a can of drained chickpeas with the tomatoes. • 2 T. neutral oil (like canola or peanut) • 1 medium yellow onion (diced) • 2 inches of ginger root (minced or grated) • 4 medium cloves garlic (minced or grated) • 1½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste • 1 tsp. ground coriander • 1 tsp. ground cumin • ½ tsp. ground turmeric • ¼ tsp. ground cardamom • ⅛ tsp. cayenne (or more to taste) • 6 c. broth (chicken or vegetable), divided • ½ c. natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth) • 1 14-oz. can pumpkin puree • ½ c. tomato paste • 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted is best), drained • 1 bunch sturdy greens (kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, kohlrabi greens, etc.), ribs removed, leaves stacked, rolled and sliced crosswise into 1-inch strips • Minced cilantro and chopped peanuts for garnish (optional) • Sriracha or plain yogurt for heat-adjustment (optional) Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and ginger, turn heat down to medium, and sauté 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant and starting to get golden but not brown. Adjust the heat if you need to.
with one cup of pumpkin),” Schoonmaker said. Pumpkin puree is available in grocery stores year-round, so why wait until the leaves start changing every year to get your pumpkin fill? “Being in New England, pumpkin and the fall months go hand-in-hand, but with great quality, canned pumpkin available year-round, there’s no reason not to have it be a part of your repertoire,” Murphy said. From pancakes to pasta dishes to milkshakes, canned pumpkin is so much more than pie filler. Michelle Lahey is a food writer who has been writing about (and eating) food in New Hampshire for over 10 years. Outside of food, you can find her sipping on a good IPA, correcting other people’s grammar, or hiking in the White Mountains.
Add dry spices — coriander, cumin, turmeric, cardamom, cayenne — sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly so they don’t burn. Add salt. Add 1 cup of broth and let it sizzle as you scrape the bottom of the pot to release any good stuff stuck there. Add remaining broth, raise the heat, and bring it to a simmer. Meanwhile, put the peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and tomato paste in a heatproof bowl. Once broth is simmering, adjust heat to keep it at a gentle simmer. Ladle some hot broth over the peanut butter mixture and stir until it’s smooth. Add mixture to the simmering broth and stir. Add tomatoes to the pot and then add greens to the pot. Simmer for about 10-15 more minutes (depending on how soft you like your greens), stirring frequently. If stew is too thick for your taste, add a bit more broth or water. Taste and adjust salt. Add black pepper if desired. Serve soup with a garnish of cilantro and coarsely chopped peanuts. Let diners add Sriracha to their bowls for extra heat. Plain yogurt can be used as a garnish to tame the heat.
www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 35
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behaviorial and mental disorders in children
Equipping and skills to
being afraid of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers, not wanting to sleep alone; being clingy, not wanting to be away from a parent.”
What’s the best way to discuss my child’s anxiety or mental health issues with him/her?
Helping children
deal with mental health and anxiety issues can be challenging for the entire family. ParentingNH reached out to a trio of professionals to learn how to spot these challenges and best deal with them. Our experts: Dr. Susan McLaughlinBeltz, MA, PhD, CCTP; President/Neuropsychologist at the Neurodevelopmental Institute of New Hampshire, in Manchester. Carrie Chiasson, PsyD – Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center. Sandra Norton, LICSW, Director of Adolescent and Family Clinical Services at the Center for Life Management, in Derry.
What are some common signs of anxiety or mental health issues in children? McLaughlin-Beltz: “Common signs of anxiety include restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, low frustration tolerance, difficulty maintaining composure in highly active environments, sleep disturbances, physical ailments, difficulty separating from parent, aggressiveness, chewing on clothing or picking at skin, and crying. Children with other mental health issues may also exhibit some of these symptoms in different combinations.”
36 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Chiasson: “Our bodies experience physical signs which include nausea and stomach pain, headaches or migraines, trembling, shortness of breath, or muscle tension. Children and teens also experience cognitive signs such as worrying, ruminating, dwelling, pessimism, and focusing on insecurities or negative outcomes. Finally, there are behavioral signs of stress which can include displays of clinginess, crying, irritability, avoidance, changes in sleep or appetite, reassurance-seeking, anger outbursts, and difficulty concentrating.” Norton: “Symptoms vary but can include irritability, sleeplessness, jitteriness or physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches. Other possible physical symptoms are: Change in appetite, eating more or less, headaches, stomach aches, bedwetting, nightmares, sleep disturbance, trouble falling asleep and or waking during the night. Emotional and behavioral symptoms include having worries, not able to relax, having new fears or recurring fears such as
McLaughlin-Beltz: “It’s best to have some individual time with your child in a setting where he/she feels safe and comfortable. Discuss some things that can make many people and even animals get anxious such as thunder storms, talking in front of people, making new friends, getting called on in class, or going new places. Many times making up stories where the main character has to face a challenge and then talking about different ways to solve their problems can help children feel more comfortable sharing their fears. Also, ensure the child that you are there to help them solve any problems that they feel unable to solve.” Chiasson: “The tone of the conversation matters. I would urge parents to be matterof-fact and clear without painting a picture of how horrible it might be to have anxiety or some other mental health challenge. It can also be helpful to normalize whatever it is you see going on in your child, as there are many other children and teens experiencing the same thing or at least something incredibly similar. Picking your timing can also be crucial. If you have a stressed teenager, right when she is about to start a project due the next day after just having gotten home from soccer practice is probably not the best time. Striking when the iron is cold will likely lead to better results than when emotions are already high.” Norton: “When your child is struggling with a mental health issue it can be stressful for the entire family. It is helpful to build a support network of relatives and friends. It is important to listen to your child’s feelings, stay calm, praise even small accomplishments and modify expectations during stressful times. Keep a calm, structured atmosphere at home. Daily routines and plenty of quiet time are helpful; provide steps the child can take to relax; help the child devise and practice problem solving skills; encourage positive self-talk; reward desired behavior; help the child analyze anxiety-provoking thoughts and identify anxiety-reducing
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parents with resources keep their children healthy thoughts; help the child learn to recognize and name feelings.”
Should I share my child’s anxiety or mental health diagnosis with his/her school? McLaughlin-Beltz: “Yes,definitely. The staff is there to help your child grow and develop the problem-solving skills necessary to become successful adults. Some children need more support managing daily stressors and developing adaptive coping strategies.” Chiasson: “It is certainly not a requirement to share your child’s anxiety or mental health diagnosis with the school, but I usually recommend it. I understand parents can be concerned about their child being labeled in a negative manner or the
stigma associated with a diagnosis. However, the benefits outweigh the anticipated costs. If the school is alerted to a child’s areas of weaknesses and strengths, the school and family together can come up with an action plan for how to help the child learn and grow most effectively.” Norton: “It can be beneficial to share your child’s mental health diagnosis with the school in order to help you and the teacher work together to support your child. The school’s awareness of the situation will help the teacher better understand and respond to your child’s needs and the teacher can respond appropriately to common situations such as being late to school or difficulty completing tasks.”
We Care and Can Help Children, Adolescents, Young Adults and Families • Depression, Anxiety, Attention Deficit, Autism, Bullying, Substance Use,
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www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 37
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dad on board The BIG question What does she want to be when she grows up? She has a few ideas. BY BILL BURKE From the time kids are young, they’re asked what they want to be when they grow up. My high school junior has been asked that question dozens of times as she starts to consider her future. I’d always tell her that she doesn’t have to know yet, but someday soon, that answer won’t cut it. She’ll have to decide how she wants to earn her “take Dad to Disney” money. When I was just the Kid on Board, I knew that if I couldn’t be Evel Knievel or play for the Boston Bruins, I wanted to be a writer. Since the cape-andhelmet ensemble isn’t particularly flattering on me and my hockey sense can be best described as “not good,” I went with the latter. (Note to long-suffering English teachers: Ta-daaa!) Her mom wanted to be a truck driver when she grew up. She loved cars and driving — still does — and when she was little, “Smoky and the Bandit” made bootlegging Coors look like a pretty great way to make a living. Since she couldn’t grow an awesome Burt Reynolds mustache, she opted for the high-tech world. I’d like to see my daughter decide on a sensible career where she can build a happy life free from financial worries — but at the same time I don’t want to kill any of her dreams. She has come up with a few ideas: Art teacher: She says it sounds like fun and it’s probably a lot more achievable than, say, ‘rock star.’ I promote this one because it’s a future I can easily envision. I can see her using her creativity to help shape young minds during the school year and then touring with her band all summer. Rich person: “I’d be a great rich person,” she says. I agree. Her reasoning is sound, but her execution is flawed. She says she’d give it all to charities and those in need, which means after a few weeks of big-hearted philanthropy, she’d run out of money. Rock star: She can throw thunder with the best of them, but says: “I don’t want to be famous. I just want to be part of a well-known band.” I wanted to be a rock star, too, but the only thing I may be worse at than playing hockey is playing music. I still do it, though. My dog has seen some incredible private concerts over the years, so he’s convinced I’m the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, whatever the dog equivalent of Jimi Hendrix is (Jimi Houndrix?) My wife wants our daughter to be an accountant. We have a good friend who built a great life doing just that, but neither of us knows what being an accountant entails other than meeting up with us on vacation and inviting us to the lake house in Maine. Actually, that’s starting to sound like a pretty good plan. Bill Burke is not a motorcycle stunt driver or professional hockey player who lives in southern New Hampshire. Future rock star Katie.
38 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
raising teens & tweens
Inspiring the next generation of writers!
Heroin? Not my kid The opioid epidemic and its link to prescription medication BY Tracey Tucker Many parents in my practice who have kids in recovery, or are active users or experimenting ask me, “How did my kid ever get exposed to heroin? I only thought serious junkies did heroin.” Some kids begin experimenting with marijuana and slide into a network of friends that expose them to more options such as mushrooms, prescription stimulant medication, Molly or ecstasy and prescription pain medication. Some of these choices are easier than others to obtain, including medication found around the home. Kids will tell you that many of their peers offer them stimulants such as Vyvanse, Ritalin or Adderall, which are prescribed to kids diagnosed with ADHD. But the biggest factor of heroin use among adolescent and early adults is access to prescription pain medication or opioids. Research says prescription pain medication can be found in one out of every five homes. Parents and kids are prescribed pain medication for a variety of valid reasons—torn muscle, bad back, dental or orthodontist work or surgery. Think about how many pain pills are in the reach of kids of all ages. And think about the nature of an adolescent — experimenting, risk-taking, rule-bending. This does not account for all kids, but for those who are prone to addictive behavior, high-risk taking due to mental or emotional health concerns or kids with excessively challenging home and social lives, this is of certain alarm. Heroin has become a larger issue because heroin costs less and it takes less to achieve the same effect as pain pills. An average pain pill can be sold for $25-$30 on the street, making it a pricey habit. In addition, because of the increased regulations on pain medication distribution, the supply of these drugs is limited. So once a kid or adult becomes addicted to pain pills, they look to maintain their high elsewhere. Given the easier access and cheaper option these two drugs provide, this is why we are seeing kids and young adults transition from prescription painkillers to heroin, and even fentanyl. What can we do? First, recognize that drug addiction can happen to any family and any kid. The idea that “my kid will never do drugs, especially heroin” is no longer true. Kids and adults from all socioeconomic statuses are becoming victims to substance abuse, especially heroin. Second, if you have pain pills in your house and you are not using them, get rid of them. If you are using pain medications, make sure they can’t easily be accessed by your kids. And unless your child absolutely needs a prescription pain medication, opt for a higher dosage of an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen. Finally, have ongoing conversations with your child about substance use. The more kids know, the more they are able to make educated decisions about potential risk-taking. This column was reprinted from the May 2017 issue of ParentingNH. Tracey Tucker is Executive Director of New Heights: Adventures for Teens and a licensed mental health counselor at Tradeport Counseling Associates in Portsmouth.
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www.parentingnh.com
| october 2018 39
house calls The rules of (crossing) the road Talk through pedestrian and traffic safety with your kids BY Jim Esdon
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Now that the kids are back in school, there are many things parents and children should do to prepare for a happy and healthy school year. A key way is reiterating the importance of pedestrian and transportation safety with your children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each morning school buses keep 17.3 million cars off roads that surround schools. School buses play an important role in keeping kids safe. They are the safest vehicle on the roads because of their size, color and marking. We encourage parents to send their kids on the school bus as opposed to driving them yourselves. Having your child ride the school bus decreases traffic congestion around schools; there are also environmental benefits to doing so. Early on parents should start talking to their kids about how to cross a road safely. It is important for parents to understand that up until age 10, children do not have the cognitive ability to cross a road safely without assistance. We have done a number of simulations with children and their parents at the Injury Prevention Center at CHaD using a simulated road. During these simulations, we go over all the rules, and even though we explain how to cross a road safely, kids will still cross the simulated road without fully accessing the potential vehicle dangers around them. That is why parents and drivers need to be aware that even though a child may know what they are supposed to do, they are not able to judge speed or distance. A child should really make eye contact with a driver before crossing the street. And, it is especially important for drivers to be aware of children walking out between parked vehicles. According to the Safe Kids — an organization dedicated to keeping children safe and preventing childhood injuries—48 percent of drivers in school zones are distracted by multiple things. Since July 1, 2015, there has been a New Hampshire Hands-Free Law, which prohibits the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving or stopped in traffic. It’s important to enforce traffic safety rules with your children, and have your child verbally repeat those rules back to you. Simply giving you a head nod does not mean your child understands what you are saying. We want parents to know that part of going back to school is getting children there safely—whether they are walking, biking, in cars or on a school bus. Jim Esdon is the program coordinator for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) Injury Prevention Program. For additional information related to this topic, reach out to the Injury Prevention Center at CHaD via email at ipc@hitchcock.org.
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40 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
We did it again! This year, ParentingNH was honored with 7 gold awards and a bronze award by the Parenting Media Association at its annual Design and Editorial Awards Competition. ParentingNH brought home gold awards for Best Website, Humor Column, Special Series, Editor’s Note, Travel
Feature, Ancillary Publication Overall Design and Ancillary Publication General Excellence (Family Summer Fun Guide); and a bronze award for Profile Story. This marks the 11th year in a row that ParentingNH has been honored by PMA, and we are pumped!
out & about
compiled by melanie Hitchcock
Members of Team Bravery with Avery at the 2017 CHaD HERO. Avery is this year’s HERO ambassador. Photo courtesy of CHaD
14 SUNDAY HANOVER – Dartmouth College Green. The premier athletic fundraiser for Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), the HERO features family-friendly races and activities that support kids and programs at New Hampshire’s only children’s hospital. Highlighted by the HERO half-marathon, the HERO features events for everyone. All events will take participants, decked out in their superhero attire, through the Upper Connecticut River Valley to the Dartmouth Green. Friends, families and spectators can also take in the HERO festival. The festival features food vendors, KidZone with rock climbing wall, face painting, live entertainment and a bounce house. Each year a CHaD kid is select ed to be the ambassador of the HERO. This year’s Kid HERO is Avery Smith, 5, who has been fighting leukemia since April 2017. Her father, Chris, started Team brAVERY for the 2017 HERO to support Avery’s battle with cancer and to empower every child and family receiving care at CHaD. Heroes and spectators alike can check out the full schedule by going to www.CHaDHERO.org. 42 www.parentingnh.com | october 2018
Tale Trail Every day through Oct. 11
NH Fall Festival and Children’s Book Festival
CANTERBURY – Petals in the Pines, 126 Baptist Road. Take the self-guided Tale Trail, following the page-signs of the book On One Flower, reading as you walk along our woodland and garden trails. Open your eyes to a late-summer flower, the goldenrod, and witness “minibeast park” a place where many different insects visit for food. The Trail leads you to the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom pavilion where you’ll find hands-on, self-guided activities about insects and other pollinators. Bring a snack or lunch and enjoy your time here. Suggested donation: $5-$15 per family. 9 to 6 p.m. 783-0220; www.petalsinthepines.com
PORTSMOUTH – Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St. The NH Fall Festival, presented on Columbus Day weekend since 2009, is a traditional New England country fair with demonstrations from crafts people, heritage breed and farm animal exhibits, farm animal and livestock demonstrations, presentations on heirloom seeds and food preservation, and more. This year the event also incorporates the 4th annual Children’s Book Festival featuring 20-plus local authors and illustrators in the TYCO Visitors Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults, $19.50; children under 17 free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 433-1100; www.strawberybanke.org
6 SATURDAY
Follow the signs of the Tale Trail.
courtesy photo
CHaD Hero
APPLE FESTIVAL & BAND CONCERT 7 SUNDAY drawn of yourself or your child by iDraw caricatures; and experience an Angel Reading with Elizabeth Carrignant. Also live music, and instrument try-its and demos. Tickets: $5; adults free when accompanied by a child and free for younger than 2. www.mcmusicschool.org
Enchanted Forest 19-20 FRIDAYSATURDAY CONCORD – New Hampshire Audubon McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road. The Enchanted Forest is an annual family event. It includes a walk through the forest with skits along the way, indoor games, live animals, face painting, live music, refreshments and more. Rain or shine. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 for members; $10 for non-members. Reserve your spot at www.nhaudubon.org.
Spamalot
Costumed participants from the 2017 Wicked Fit Run.
courtesy photo
HOLLIS – Town Common, 2 Monument St. The annual Hollis Apple Festival features the best of the best: New England apples, homemade apple crisp and pies, and homemade ice cream. A family fun event with games, face painting and craft vendors. Entertainment provided by the award-winning Hollis Town Band. The Apple Festival has kicked off the autumn season for more than 50 years. Apple orchards surround the festival with endless apple picking fun. Make a day of it. Proceeds support academic and musical scholarships. Rain location is Hollis Middle School, 25 Main St. Free admission. 2 to 4 p.m.
WICKED FIT RUN 27 SATURDAY CONCORD – Rollins Park. Join Families in Transition-New Horizons (FIT-NHNH) for its 7th annual Wicked FIT Run, a family-friendly, costume themed, 5k run/walk. By creating a team, running in the race, sponsoring the event, and/or sponsoring a participant, you will support Families in Transition-New Horizons’ efforts of providing a home and hope for homeless families and individuals in Concord, Manchester, Dover and Wolfeboro. For more information, go to www.fitnh.org.
just how important and interesting they are. For ages 7-10. Cost: $12 for adult-child pair +$4 for additional child. 10-11:30 a.m. www. prescottfarm. org
Opens Oct. 19
Fall Fun Festival and Craft Fair 13 SATURDAY MANCHESTER – Manchester Community Music School, 2291 Elm St. Join MCMS for a fun day of crafts, food, face painting and a costume contest for the kids. Crafters will be on hand offering a host of handcrafted items for sale. You can also try your hand on a pottery at Studio 550’s table; have a caricature
MANCHESTER – Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Performances through Nov. 10. Go to website for show times. Tickets: Adults, $39-46; children (6-12), $25. 6685588; www.palacetheatre.org
Our Big Backyard Series: Beautiful Bats 27 SATURDAY LACONIA – Prescott Farm, 928 White Oaks Road. Bats are one of the most misunderstood animals in our ecosystem. Come learn about the life of bats and
www.parentingnh.com
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time out
courtesy photo
Fun without the kids at last year’s Night at the Boozeum.
photos courtesy of the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
Halloween fun for those over 21 by melanie hitchcock
Y
ou may be too old to trick or treat but Halloween isn’t just for the kids. If you are looking for something to do that’s geared toward adults, there’s ghoulish fun to be had this month. Whether you want to be scared or are just looking for a fun time out, here are a few suggestions for your next date night.
Night at the Boozeum Thursday, Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m. www.childrens-museum.org
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover opens its doors just for the grownups as part of its Throwback Thursday program. Leave the kids at home for a 21-plus night of BOOzy fun. Play with slime, take the Mummy Wrap challenge, eat donuts on a string and play in the exhibits. Be sure to wear your costume (encouraged but not required). Enjoy a cash bar and refreshments or play a tune on a wall-to-wall Music Matrix.
Evil Dead the Musical
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 19-21, 26-28, and Oct. 31 www.rochesteroperahouse.com Evil Dead The Musical at the Rochester Opera House takes the elements of the cult classic films The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness, and combines them for a crazy, funny and bloody theatrical experience. It’s more funny than scary, but it’s the only show with a “Splatter Zone” — a section of the audience that gets covered in fake blood. With this combination of blood, jokes, cheesy effects and musical numbers, Evil Dead The Musical is unlike any live show you’ve ever seen. Cash bar available.
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Boos! & Brews
Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 27 www.eventbrite.com When you mix spirits with ‘spirits,’ it can be a lot of fun. Take a two-hour haunted pub-type crawl of Manchester’s Millyard. Hear the stories of murders and crimes of passion of Manchester while sampling adult beverages. This tour takes you off the beaten path and into the dark and hidden side of the Queen City. The stories come alive as presented by colorful guides. You’ll also enjoy up to six samples from two local breweries. PLUS – If you are looking for traditional outdoor haunted house type of fun, turn to Page 16 to get details on the Ghoullog, Nightmare New England and more.
ParentingNH will honor the Granite State’s most dedicated and talented teachers in its December issue. Nominate a special educator to be recognized in PNH ’s second annual Top Teachers issue.
Nomination period is Oct. 1 to 31. Find the online nomination form at
www.parentingnh.com.