Charlotte Parent Oct 2018 by Morris Media Network

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Putting scary dreams TO BED

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Adventures for Kids Who Love Cars PUMPKIN PATCHES

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HOWLING GOOD IDEAS FOR HALLOWEEN FUN

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CONTENT â&#x20AC;ş OCTOBER 2018

31 Ways to Have a Howling Halloween Make everyday in October spook-tacular with these ideas for Halloween fun

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes Pick the perfect pumpkin, sip apple cider and navigate a corn maze at these nearby farms

Put Scary Dreams to Bed Advice on how to help children shake off nighttime fears

Welcoming Refugee Families to Charlotte How supporting children and families new to the city supports the community

Explore North Carolina Rail Trails Six rail trails across North Carolina connecting rural and urban destinations

IN EVERY ISSUE 5

FYI

10 Growing Up 11 Families Managing Media

24 Excursion 31 Daddy Derek

CALENDAR 25 Our Picks 26 Daily Calendar + On Stage

16 charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Finding Time to be Like a Kid This October

morrismedianetwork.com

ctober is one of the best

EDITOR

Michele Huggins

months in the Carolinas in

ART DIRECTOR

my opinion. With cooler

temperatures and crisp blue skies, it’s enticing to fly the coop and go play. Each October, I like to take my sons to a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin to carve a Jack-o-lantern. I still have pictures of my oldest son sitting on his dad’s lap carving their first pumpkin together when he was 3. My youngest, who is almost 3 this Halloween, is ready to dive into costumes and superhero escapades, which is sure to bring

Melissa Stutts

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opportunities for great photos and likely some good laughs. October is a month that we can be kids with our kids and escape into the glow of fall. There’s something magical about Halloween. It takes adults back to their childhoods and allows the kid inside us to shine dressing up with the kids and watching movies like “Hocus Pocus” as a family. Trick-or-treating is also a highlight for the costumed-clad on Halloween, and this year kids in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have a teacher workday on Halloween giving them plenty of time to get geared up to knock on doors and gather their bounty. Separating out copious amounts of treats and

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swapping with friends are also memories kids remember for a lifetime. The feature 31 Ways to a Have Howling Fun Halloween on page 12 offers ideas for enjoying the holiday all month long. From making spooky desserts, decorating your yard with cobwebs and ghosts, and venturing to the farm to take a hay ride, take some time to put the grownup work on hold and enjoy the excitement with the kids. For the younger ones, Halloween might also cause some new fright at night. Check out the story on page 16 to see how to put scary dreams to bed for good and help all get a good night’s sleep. And I personally love the story on page 20 that shares how our community is rallying around refugees and immigrants to help them feel at

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home in Charlotte. As Charlotte becomes more and more of a melting pot of families, it’s wonderful to know organizations like ourBRIDGE are helping to connect longtime Charlotteans with newcomers. Be sure and share your Halloween pictures with us on Instagram. We love seeing creative costumes for the bigs and littles. Follow us @charlotteparent.

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

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Meet representatives from the area’s top schools at the Charlotte Parent and Charlotte Magazine School Fair, Oct. 13, at Spirit Square in uptown Charlotte. Photo by George Lainis

Charlotte Parent School Fair Welcomes Area Schools Make plans to attend the Charlotte Parent School Fair, Oct. 13, noon-4 p.m. at Spirit Square Uptown for an opportunity to one-on-one with representatives from top Charlotte-area schools, covering grades prekindergarten to grade 12. If you are considering applying to a private or charter school, this a great opportunity to start gathering information as many schools’ application process begins in January. Representatives can answer questions about the application process, and share information about the school’s philosophy, curriculum and other amenities at the School Fair. Following is a short list of suggested questions to ask representatives. What is the average class size? What is the average student-to-teacher ratio? What extracurricular activities and athletics are offered? Is there an emphasis on arts or sciences?

When are admission applications due? Is testing required for admission? For private schools: Is financial assistance available? How about transportation? What is the school’s philosophy and mission?

Carowinds Announces Copperhead Strike, the Carolinas’ First Double Launch Coaster Keeping the pace fast and exhilarating, Carowinds announced Copperhead Strike, the Carolinas’ first double launch coaster, to launch in the 2019 season. Copperhead Strike simulates the harrowing chase of getaway cars racing through rolling farmland, sending riders on two launches through a relentless winding ride over half a mile of steel. In this innovative ride, the coaster dynamics are carefully crafted to offer a thrilling and intense low-to-the-ground experience. With three 16-passenger trains fashioned after 1930s coupes, Copperhead Strike sends riders cruising into a Jojo roll right out of the station. They then go into a lightning fast launch to a 360-degree loop, the second of five inversions, moving into a series of near-miss twists, turns and flips. Without slowing down, the ride launches a second time to accelerate into a memorable hang time loop, leaving passengers breathless and wondering which way is up. The new coaster is the central element of Blue Ridge Junction, a new immersive, richly themed area inspired by the majestic beauty and easy-going culture of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Caroli nas. Learn more at carowinds.com/copperheadstrike.

Pedal to Porch Combines Bicycling and Neighborhood Storytelling Learn about Charlotte’s history and meet neighborhood heroes at Pedal to Porch, a community bike ride that includes stops along a route where residents use their front porch as a stage to tell their story. The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 6 in the Five Points neighborhood of Charlotte’s Historic West End. A casual bike ride begins at 4 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your own bike, or borrow a Charlotte B-cycle. Register to borrow a B-cycle bike online. Kids bikes and trishaws are also available to borrow. Pedal to Porch was started by Detroit resident Cornetta Lane in 2015. The initiative uses the power of storytelling to lower the barrier of connection between neighbors, initiate new conversations, and celebrate neighborhood history. With continued support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the project is spreading to other cities, and Charlotte is its first expansion location.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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FYI | education

Maximize Parent-Teacher Conference Time Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to discuss your child’s needs, but the meeting is usually a brief 20 minutes, so come prepared with these tips. 1. Know what you want to discuss. Teachers will have information to share, but be ready with your questions for the teacher. 2. Save the small talk. Times goes fast, so keep the conversation focused. 3. Be ready to listen. Put your phone and any other distractions aside so you can listen and focus on what the teacher has to say. 4. Be positive and objective. Steer clear of complaints if you can, and focus on objective questions about expectations, homework, testing and how you can help your child at home. 5. Take notes. Expect to hear a lot of information about curriculum goals, test scores and assessments. Take notes to reference for questions in future.

Mecklenburg County is funding 33 new prekindergarten classrooms in the 2018-19 school year to serve 600 more 4-year-old children.

Mecklenburg County Offers Free Pre-K through MECK Pre-K For the 2018-19 school year, Mecklenburg County is funding 33 new prekindergarten classrooms to serve 600 more 4-year-old children. Classes are in four- and five-star high-quality child care centers throughout Mecklenburg County. Each classroom has a maximum of 18 children with a certified (or certifiable) licensed teacher and a teacher assistant. “Each six-and-a-half-hour school day will be filled with hands-on, project-based lessons and activities to foster children’s confidence, creativity, critical thinking skills, and to promote positive growth and development for all children,” says Trinisha Dean, who was recently hired by Smart Start to direct MECK Pre-K. Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, a private nonprofit partnership that funds local programs for children from birth to age 5 and their families, will administer MECK Pre-K. To learn more, visit smartstartofmeck.org/meckprek or call 704-943-9585 to see if your child qualifies.

16 North Carolina School Districts Awarded $800,000 in Coding and Mobile App Grants Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recently received an $80,000 grant as part of 16 North Carolina school districts that were awarded $800,000 in grant money as part of the second round of the state’s Coding and Mobile App Development Grant Program. Superintendent Mark Johnson launched the program with funding from the North Carolina General Assembly in 2017. The funds go toward providing professional development for teachers, developing and implementing middle and high school courses in computer science and programming, and offering computer-oriented summer camp opportunities. The grants range from $28,000 to $80,000, and will be used to train teachers and to support partnerships with local businesses to help schools develop computer science, coding and mobile app development programs for middle and high school students. “The coding and mobile app grant program will empower students to create and contribute – not just use and consume – in the digital economy and to actively engage as informed citizens in our complex, technology-driven world,” Johnson says.

$9,532

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

The per pupil expenditure for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students in the 2018-19 year. Source: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Data

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FYI | health

What is 3D Mammography? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Something women should know is the recent addition of 3D mammography that produces multiple image “slices” of the breast, allowing physician radiologists to view the breast in layers. The benefits are significant. According to Charlotte Radiology’s clinical data, derived from more than 50,000 screening exams performed in 2017, 3D mammography offers: • Better visualization of lesions, reducing obstructions and minimizing the effects of overlapping breast tissue, which helps radiologists to more easily distinguish normal tissue from abnormal tissue. • Greater accuracy and improved detection with a 41.3 percent increase in cancer detection rate. • Improved image quality for all women, but particularly women with dense breast tissue that can more easily mask certain cancers. • Less patient anxiety and costs with a 15.4 percent decrease in call backs and stress related to expenses and follow-up exams. From a patient perspective, a lowdose 3D exam isn’t very different from a 2D exam. Both are performed on the same scanner and require the same compression of the breast. 3D technology produces multiple images from multiple angles. Most screening appointments are completed in just 20 minutes. Source: Charlotte Radiology

Car Seat Safety Update A recent update from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children remain in a rearfacing car safety seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics specified children should remain rear facing at least until age 2. The new recommendation removes the specific age milestone. Once a child is facing forward, he or she should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, until reaching the height and weight limits for the seat. Many seats can accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more. When children exceed these limits, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belt properly fits, typically when a child reaches at least 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years old. When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for optimal protection.

The Importance of Active Learning The structure of school and busy schedules often mean children aren’t being given all the time they need to participate in physical activities. The rigor of today’s learning environment keeps them in desks during the day, and after school they’re whisked away to activities, homework and family time. While children spend the day immersed in academics, it’s also important to make time for a different kind of learning — active learning. The concept of active learning embraces a child’s ability to learn simply from being physical. By using the body as a tool, they acquire knowledge of movement and learn how to inhabit their bodies and move their body in space. Dedicated time for free play allows for active learning as children create and make up their own movement and use their imaginations. Studies show that children should have a dedicated 60 minutes per day of this kind of play outside of school where they’re typically being told what to do, which limits imagination and self-direction. This dedicated time can include functional activities you might find on the playground like monkey bars and other typical playground games like running, hiding, hoping, skipping and jumping. charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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FYI | people fun children’s places like Discovery Place.

Luca Barbosa, center, with his parents Renato Barbosa and Kaci Barbosa. The couple owns and operates the mobile bartending service Jade & May.

Best advice ever received: Do what you love, love what you do! Proudest parenting moment: Our proudest parenting moment was being able to celebrate our son’s one-year birthday a few months ago with family and friends. A few days later Luca began walking and all the milestones are really a great part of it as well.

Get to Know: Kaci Barbosa BY MICHELE HUGGINS

aci Barbosa, along with her husband Renato Barbosa, owns Jade & May, a mobile bartending business. She is also a part-time interior design assistance and mom to their son Luca Barbosa.

Where in Charlotte do you live? Where did you grow up? We live in the Cotswold area and have been here for the last three years. I’m still fairly new to Charlotte, but my husband has been here for about 15 years. I was born and raised in the little city of Asheboro, North Carolina. Tell us about your job. What do you like most about it? What are the challenges? I am the owner of our mobile bartending business and also a part-time interior design assistant. I

love the interaction with my clients the best. I get to meet so many different people and it’s always fun to spark conversations. My challenge is definitely that we only have one mobile bar. When dates get booked, we have to turn people away. We are in the process of working on a second bar for that reason. What’s the hardest part of juggling family life and work life? We try to incorporate some of our work life as family time. For example, we do our grocery runs/farmers market

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

runs together as a family and like to clean and organize our caravan with our son. It is definitely hard most days, but we try to incorporate as best as we can to make the most of it. What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? I love that there are so many things to do and places to go. We love taking trips to the park uptown in the afternoons or just going out for ice cream on the weekends. It’s definitely a bonus that we have the NFL/ Panthers team and so many

Lowest parenting moment: I’d like to think I haven’t really had any low parenting moments yet. The hardest time probably was having to decide whether we needed to put our son in daycare. Now that he has been going for a while, we feel so much more confident and proud of this decision. What are three things you can’t live without? 1. Luca 2. Calendar/Phone 3. A good margarita or mojito. What is your favorite Instagram account? Ours of course! Jade and May Company @jadeandmaycompany Last book read? “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” my son’s favorite book. What inspires you? My son and my family inspire me every day without a doubt.

It’s not about feeling better

Every day, more than 32,000 people choose us for their healthcare. From the region’s most advanced heart program and cancer institute to a nationally ranked children’s hospital, we remain strong in our commitment – not just to delivering better care, but to delivering the best care. For all.

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GROWING UP

Self-Esteem Savvy Helping kids develop positive self-worth BY MALIA JACOBSON

irst introduced by psychologist William James over a century ago, the term self-esteem has become synonymous with participation ribbons, unwarranted praise and unneeded ego-stroking on the part of parents, coaches and teachers. Self-esteem, however, or a person’s concept of personal self-worth, is far from pop psychology fluff. Per today’s top researchers in the field of neurology and child development, self-esteem is foundational to healthy childhood development. Research published by the US Department of Health and Human Services links healthy self-esteem to better overall physical and emotional health, improved problem-solving, better relationships and lower levels of stress. Building healthy self-esteem begins early, but caregivers can help self-worth flourish at any age. Here’s how.

EARLY YEARS

Multiple Choice Long before children begin school, they develop concepts about their self-worth that may influence academic performance later on. A child’s self-esteem is highly developed by age 5, say researchers at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington. Children with higher self-esteem are more willing to persist and are more motivated to complete tasks than those with lower self-worth. Allowing young children to make choices as soon as they’re able, usually once they become verbal around age 2, can help develop their budding sense of self and

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

foster positive self-esteem, says licensed professional counselor Caroline Racher Turak, play therapist at The Stone Center for Counseling in Charlotte. “I use choice giving with children as young as 2-1/2, as long as they are verbal.” Allowing a child to choose, say, whether he’ll wear shoes or boots to the playground, allows him to view himself as an individual capable of making good choices and learning from those decisions, both today and years down the road.

heaped praise on kids in an attempt to build self-esteem. But this approach can backfire, causing children to fixate on external validation and measures of success outside of their own control. Far from a fountain of positive self-worth, excessive praise may result in anxious, unmotivated kids with lower self-esteem, according to research reported by the American Psychological Association. The praise habit is so ingrained in modern parenting that it can be hard to kick, says child psychiatrist Vinay Saranga, medical doctor and founder of Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry in Apex. “Parents can and should express admiration and pride in their child’s achievements,” he says. But it’s best to be specific, as in, ‘I love the colors you picked for your painting,’ instead of a vague ‘Great job!’” “Focus on encouragement rather than praise,” Turak says. “Encouragement recognizes the work a child did to earn the accomplishment, as in, ‘you really worked hard to earn that A’ and focuses on building internal validation, while praise emphasizes external validation.” TEEN YEARS

Body Image Blues As exposure to negative media messaging and pressure from peers piles on, teens’ view of their bodies can become distorted. With older children and teens, parents should model behaviors that show a strong sense of selfworth and a positive body image, says Turak. “Parents of teens should be mindful about how they talk about their own bodies in front of their teen. If a parent is looking in the mirror and talking about how they need to lose 10 pounds, it can be detrimental to how the teen views themselves,” Turak says. “But I like to remind parents that it is not what you have done that matters most, but what you do after what you have done. Basically, how you repair.” If you catch yourself bashing your body in front of your teen, find a moment later to say “I realize I haven’t been talking nicely about myself and others, and I’m going to do better.”

ELEMENTARY YEARS

Encouragement Effect In years past, well-intentioned parents

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health and parenting journalist and mom.

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FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA more about technology. Fortnite is not an educational game and Fortnite skills do not develop his science or engineering skills. Your child’s mind is not being stretched.

5 Fortnite Myths Every Parent Needs to Know BY MELANIE HEMPE

oes your child play Fortnite every day? Are his only friends on Fortnite? Does your child get furious and have meltdowns when you take away the game? Has he lost a sense of

curiosity for other hobbies? Let’s be honest, parenting around video games is no easy task. For years I mistakenly thought that my son was benefiting from his video games. But instead of benefitting our kids, games are derailing them from things they once enjoyed: getting together in-person with friends, developing hobbies and life skills, and reinforcing family attachment. The myths in

support of Fortnite sound convincing, but let’s take a closer look at the research. 1. It’s just a cartoon, its not violent. Some people, especially your kids, will argue that Fortnite isn’t as bad or as violent as a game like Call of Duty. Blood or no blood, this game is violent and human avatars are being shot and killed. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statement on virtual violence, “Cartoon violence can have detrimental effects … first-person shooter games are not appropriate for any child ... violent video games teaches children to associate pleasure and success with their ability to cause pain and suffering to others.” 2. He won’t have any friends if he doesn’t play. Socializing on a video game cannot replace in-person socialization, especially for shy, socially awkward kids. Your child’s

social awkwardness may only grow worse on Fortnite. If your child tells you he’s going to lose all his friends if he doesn’t play, then he needs to find some new friends or new hobbies that introduce him to new friend groups. 3. He is learning strategy skills. What does this really mean? Video game strategy does not transfer into real-life skills. First, kids need to develop some real-life strategies. Strategies like doing homework on time, cleaning his room and finding motivation to pursue purposeful activities. The strategies for these life skills are not found on Fortnite. 4. Gaming ignites an interest in technology careers. Playing more Fortnite leads to ... playing more Fortnite, not learning

5. Gaming develops his creativity and imagination. Game designers are not concerned with developing your child’s creativity. Like rats in a research lab, your kids are reacting to a predetermined program and preset algorithms. They are not creating anything. Don’t confuse the humorous skins and funny dances that your kids can buy with real money for creativity and imagination. The truth is gaming leads to addiction. Over time, your child’s brain is rewired to only choose Fortnite over other activities. Chronic high levels of adrenaline and dopamine from video game overuse causes stress and cravings that lead to addiction. Tips for Replacing Fortnite • Take your leadership back and take the power away from the game. Remove it if necessary. • Partner with other families who are also interested in taking a break from the game. • Get educated about the physical and longterm effects of video game overuse. • Help your child restart old and discover new hobbies. • Follow a daily schedule to keep your child on track with the good stuff: real play, reading, face-to-face time, chores, exercise and nature. • Spend one-on-one, non-tech time with each of your kids every day. Parents who use a loving approach with a coach’s heart are more successful at managing their children’s entertainment screens. Don’t back down from what you know is best for your child. If it feels like Fortnite has taken over your home, then it’s time to go back to the basics. Like a good coach, make the necessary substitutions you know are needed to turn your team around. Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families reduce childhood screen overuse. familiesmanagingmedia.com. charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

Ride a ghost train. Enjoy safe, scary fun on the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 21 to Oct. 27. Advanced tickets $38. tweetsie.com.

WAYS TO HAVE A

h wling

HALLOWEEN Make this Halloween your best Halloween yet.

Take a family bike ride to look at Halloween decorations. This is a fun fall past time that gets the family moving. Bake a pumpkin pie. You need a reward for that bike ride, right? Go pick a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch. The list of pumpkin patches is long, but make it a day of fun at Fall Frolic, the last three weekends of October beginning Sat., Oct. 13, at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. Or check out Harvest at the Haven, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon at Children’s Garden at Wing Haven Gardens located at 260 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. ascgreenway.org.; winghavengardens.org. Read spooky stories. Foster their love for reading with special Halloween books.

COMPILED BY MEGAN FINKE

Roast marshmallows and make s’mores over a fire in your backyard barbecue. Nothing beats time together with family and friends.

Halloween is a fun time for the whole family. Make the most of October and venture around

Bring your sweet tooth to Halloween Cupcake Wars. Come in your costume and make homemade fondant and buttercream. At Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio at Rea Farms, Oct. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. $39. flourpowerstudios.com.

Charlotte to see some sights and have some frights.

March in the costume parade at Boo-seum. Celebrate with a not-so-scary event with games, crafts and a costume parade at Main Street Children’s Museum, located in old town Rock Hill, S.C., Oct. 21, 1 to 4 p.m. chmuseums.org.

MAKE A Make it scary, make it goofy, but make it together! Head to a nearby pumpkin patch (see page 14 for the big list of where

to getOCTOBER a pumpkin) to find the perfect pumpkin. 12 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” A classic for the whole family. Make scary Halloween ghosts to hang. All you need is a paper plate and some toilet paper and you have a haunting new friend to hang in the yard.

Stuff a scarecrow. Even if you aren’t on a farm, a scarecrow is a fall decoration that has been around forever. Plan a Halloween costume party. Invite your kids’ friends and their parents for a Halloween party. Stream in spooky tunes and play silly games. Find your way around a haunted corn maze. Go at night with the tweens and teens in your family, or go by day with kids of all ages. Rural Hill in Huntersville has a large corn maze (ruralhill.net), or check out Country Days Corn Maze in Indian Trail (countrydayscornmaze.com). Other options include Lewis Farm Festival in Huntersville (lewisfarm.org) and Scarrigan Farms in Mooresville (scarringanfarms.com). Plan a trip to Scarowinds. If you’re into a frightfully good time, Scarowinds (at Carowinds) doesn’t disappoint with its mazes and scare zones, and all-to-real terrifying costumed actors. Open Friday through Sunday through Oct. 28. Scarowinds has corn mazes, face painting, and lots more fun for the younger set during the day. scarowinds.com. Visit a Halloween store and try on different costumes. To help decide on the perfect costume, bring the whole family and make it a fashion show. Go to your local library on Halloween Day to hear some spooky ghost stories before you

ATTEND THE

Spirits of Rosedale Tour. Take a night tour through the house at Historic Rosedale Plantation and encounter livinghistory team that presents a family-friendly program and stories about spirits bound to the plantation. Oct. 19-20 and 31. $15. historicrosedale.org.

begin trick-or-treating. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will be working on literary skills combining their love of spooky stories. Appropriate for all ages. cmlibrary.org.

SPOOKIFY YOUR YARD

with fake cobwebs and spooky lights.

Get festive at Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights. Take a Saturday and get Trick-or-treat the festival the family outside to make the yard as spooky as with free treats throughout possible. the Renaissance Festival Village located on Poplar Tent Road between Huntersville and Concord. $25 for adults; free for children 12 and younger. Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. carolina.renfestinfo.com. Find a cute costume for your pet. Why should everyone get to dress Make Strawberry Ghosts. up except the animal? Dip strawberries in melted white chocolate chips, cool, and then use baking markers to make scary ghost faces. Bob for apples at your Halloween party. It is one of the most classic Halloween games that must live on forever. Watch “Hocus Pocus” as a family. Laugh and scream as a family at the three Salem witches, or pick another Halloween favorite to enjoy together. Spend an afternoon with your child creating a trick-or-treat candy bag to use on Halloween. Buy an inexpensive canvas tote bag and use fabric pens and paint, googly eyes and glitter to make the best bag on the block. Play Pin the Wart on the Witch. A pin-the-tail-on-donkey type game with a Halloween twist. Witch print-outs are easily found on Pinterest. Buy and make Halloween cookies. If you don’t have the time to make them from scratch, buy the classic prepackaged Halloween cookies.

Megan Finke is a Charlotte freelance writer who enjoys Halloween fun throughout the Queen City.

Walk the Schiele Trail-o-Treats. Come in costume for an evening of treats, planetarium shows and hands-on activities. Bring your own flashlight. Oct. 27, 5-9 p.m. Schiele Museum, Gastonia. $7$9. schielemuseum.org. Collect left over candy and give it to the homeless shelter and children’s hospitals. Once Halloween is over, share the candy bounty. Some local orthodontists offices also collect candy for other prizes. Host a trunk-or-treat at your church or neighborhood community center. Great for little kids who don’t have the stamina to walk the neighborhood on Halloween night.

Eat

candy corn. It’s only around once a year, so enjoy it now!

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF October is the month to head out to nearby farms to pick the perfect pumpkin. If you’re up for the challenge, wind through a corn maze with the family and see if you can conquer the clues. See below for locations and hours of local farms and pumpkin patches, plus special activities held throughout the month. CHARLOTTE Hall Family Farm hallfamilyfarm.com Kids’ activities, corn maze, pumpkin picking, pedal carts and musical hay ride. LOCATION: 10713 Providence Road W., Charlotte | 704-562-4021 COST: Activities for children are free. Corn maze, pedal carts and hayrides: $2-$8. Children younger than age 2 admitted free. HOURS: Through Oct. 31: Sun.Thurs., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

FORT MILL Anne Springs Close Greenway ascgreenway.org Fall Frolic Weekends include kiddie corn maze, horseback rides, kayaking, pedal carts, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and corn hole. LOCATION: 1604 U.S. Highway 21, Fort Mill | 803-548-7252 COST: $6-$12. Kids under age 4 admitted free. $5 parking fee. HOURS: Oct. 13-Oct. 28. Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Horse rides available Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun., 1-4 p.m.

INDIAN TRAIL Wise Acres Farm wiseacresorganic.com Wagon rides, giant corn pit, barrel train and pumpkin picking. LOCATION: 4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail | 704-628-6232 COST: $3 wagon rides, $3 corn pit, $2 barrel train. HOURS: Sept. 21-Nov. 4: Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hodges Farm Pumpkin Patch hodgesfarmnc.com Hay rides, pumpkin picking, farm animals and hay mountain for climbing. LOCATION: 3900 Rocky River Road E. | 704-608-8897 COST: Free admission. Hay rides are $5 or free for children age 3 and younger, and are available on Saturday and Sunday. HOURS: Open seven days a week, Sept. 29-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

GASTONIA Lewis Farm Fall Festival lewisfarm.org Hay rides, maze, pony rides, barnyard animals, pumpkin picking, and fall-themed games. LOCATION: 330 Lewis Road, Gastonia | 704-842-1208 COST: $7; children younger than age 2 admitted free. $5 pony rides. HOURS: Sept. 29-Oct. 28: Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sun., 1-6 p.m.

Country Days Corn Maze countrydayscornmaze.com Corn maze, barnyard animals, games and farm activities. LOCATION: 416 Joe Lee Helms Road, Indian Trail | 704-753-1299 COST: $5-$8 for maze; children age 3 and younger admitted free. $1 for most other activities. HOURS: Sept. 28-Nov. 4: Fri.; 5-10 p.m.; Sat.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sun., 2-8 p.m.

Carrigan Farms Pumpkin Patch Tour carriganfarms.com Hay rides, a petting zoo, fresh apple cider and pumpkin picking. LOCATION: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville | 704-6641450 COST: $11 per person for hayride to pumpkin patch and a pumpkin, a visit to the petting zoo and fresh apple cider. Cash or check only! HOURS: Sept. 29-Oct. 31. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch are offered Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with wagons departing every 15 minutes. Weekday pumpkin patch hay rides depart Tues.-Thurs. at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

HUNTERSVILLE Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze ruralhill.net Hay rides, corn hole, pumpkin picking and a 7-acre corn maze. On Oct. 21, don’t miss the Halloween in Huntersville at Rural Hill starting at 4 p.m. LOCATION: 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville | 704-875-3113 COST: $8-$16. DAY MAZE: Through Nov. 4: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

MONROE Aw Shucks! awshucksfarms.com Corn maze, pumpkin picking, kids play area, hayrides, bonfires, corn hole, horseshoes, animal barn, paddle boats and more. LOCATION: 3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe | 704-709-7000 COST: $8-$10, plus extra fees for certain activities; children age 3 and younger admitted free. HOURS: Open Fridays-Sundays, through Nov. 11.

Lazy 5 Ranch Fall Festival lazy5ranch.com Pumpkin slingshot and painting, marshmallow roasting on Saturdays and Sundays, straw castle, corn box, corn hole plus a pumpkin patch. LOCATION: 15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville | 704-663-5100 COST: $8-$11. Cash only; no pets. $1 for pumpkin slingshot. Wagon rides cost $3-$5 dollars extra and require a reservation. HOURS: Sept. 30-Oct. 28: Mon.-Sat.,

CONCORD Riverbend Farm riverbendfarm.net Wagon rides, pumpkin picking, 10-foot Holstein cow, tractors and a farm-themed playground. LOCATION: 12150 McManus Road, Midland | 704-888-2891 COST: $5.50 for ages 2 and older. HOURS: Oct. 1-31. Mon.-Fri., 3:30-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sun., 1-6 p.m.

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

FAMILY FRIENDLY FLASHLIGHT MAZE:

SEPTEMBER HOURS: Fri., 6-10 p.m.;

Through Nov. 4: Fri.-Sat., 6:30-9 p.m.

Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sun., 1-6 p.m. OCTOBER HOURS: Fri., 6-11 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sun., 1-6 p.m. NOVEMBER HOURS: Fri., 6-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sun., 1-6 p.m.

9 a.m. until one hour before sunset; Sunday, noon until one hour before sunset. Some activities are only available on Saturday and Sunday. Patterson Farm visitpattersonfarm.com Pumpkin patch tour, corn maze, and puppet show. LOCATION: 10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla | 704-636-4005 COST: $9-$21. Purchase tickets online. HOURS: Sept. 17-Sept. 30: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1-31, Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m. Do not miss the 1 p.m. puppet show or hayrides, which depart at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. STATESVILLE Regal Farm Corn Maze regalfarm.com Corn maze, giant slingshot, checkers, hay tunnel, mini maize,

hay mountain and more. LOCATION: 347 Bell Farm Road, Statesville | 980-777-6277 COST: $9 for ages 5 and older, children 4 and younger admitted free. Many activities are free, but some cost $2. HOURS: Sept. 29-Oct. 28: Fri., 6-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-10 p.m.; and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Rescue Ranch Fall Fun Days rescueranch.com Corn maze, hay rides, hay art, games and a straw maze. LOCATION: 1424 Turnersburg Highway, Statesville | 704-768-0909 COST: $5-$8 for the corn maze. Free for children younger than age 2. HOURS: The corn maze is open throughout October: Fri. and Sat., 7-10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Fall Fun Days include animal presentations, a corn maze, hay

rides and pumpkin painting take place Oct. 27 and 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. WEDDINGTON The Hunter Farm thehunterfarm.com Pumpkin picking, feeding/petting barn, plus hay rides and food trucks on weekends. LOCATION: 13624 Providence Road, Matthews | 704-846-7975 COST: $9.50-$10.50 (includes a small pumpkin); grandparents and children younger than 2 admitted free. HOURS: Sept. 30-Nov. 11: MondayFriday, 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. YORK COUNTY, S.C. Bush-N-Vine Fall Farm Fun bushnvinefarm.com Pick your own pumpkin and hay rides (on Saturdays). Live music and

bounce house for kids available on certain weekends. LOCATION: 1650 Filbert Hwy., York | 803-684-2732 COST: $5; children younger than 2 free. Admission includes hayride to pumpkin patch and $2 off purchase of pumpkin HOURS: Sept. 29-Oct. 31: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Hayrides on Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cherry Place Farm cherryplacefarm.com Pumpkin patch, hay ride, farm animals and corn maze. LOCATION: 1922 Oakdale Road, Rock Hill | 803-325-4715 COST: $8; includes baby pumpkin HOURS: Oct. 4-26: Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sun. 1-6 p.m. Tiffany Wolff is the Charlotte Parent calendar editor.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

Putting Scary Dreams to Bed Two local experts help unpack nightmare facts and explain how to make nights less frightening for kids BY MALIA JACOBSON

“But I can’t sleep. I just had a nightmare.” When your pajama-clad child pads into your bedroom after another bout with the boogeyman, take heart: Nightmares are a near-universal childhood experience, and having intense, frightening dreams isn’t necessarily a sign that something’s wrong. But since these dreams can disrupt slumber — sometimes for the entire family — its worthwhile to try and minimize their intensity, frequency and negative impact on sleep. Here’s expert advice on ending night frights from two licensed Charlotte psychologists who help children and adolescents struggling with nightmares and insomnia: Kristin L. Daley, PhD, of Southeast Psych, and Lisa Seropian, Psy.D, who runs a private practice working with children and adults.

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Are there certain life events or developmental stages that make nightmares more likely? “The majority of adults report having experienced a memorable nightmare at some point in their childhood, and nightmares are most common between the ages of 5 to 11,” Daley says. “Some research suggests that creative individuals may be experience more nightmares. Psychological distress is the most common trigger for nightmares, but this doesn’t mean that you should fear that your child has been through trauma if they have a nightmare. However, it may be helpful explore with them whether or not they have been feeling any increases in stress.”

SCIENCE HAS NEVER BEEN SO MUCH FUN!

What’s the difference between nightmares and night terrors? “A night terror is a sudden episode of intense fear during sleep, accompanied by fear-based physiological reactions such as rapid or shallow breathing, sweating, flushed face and dilated pupils,” Seropian says. “Episodes can be accompanied by physical aggression such as flailing arms, kicking and thrashing about. Night terrors typically occur between the ages of 3 and 12, most commonly closer to age 3, and occur during very deep sleep. Night terrors are far less common than nightmares, and have little in common with nightmares except that both can be related to stress. With nightmares, the child is easily awakened and can respond to environmental cues like noise or touch, and may recall the episode and even details of the dream. Night terrors aren’t usually remembered the next morning. During a night terror, caregivers should not wake the child or try to reason with them. If a child is flailing, gently hold them, and consider using a cool washcloth to help bring their body temperature down, but do not try to get the child to talk about or recall the episode the next day. After a nightmare, however, it can be helpful to talk about the episode later, in order to help work through the underlying stress.” How can parents help a child return to sleep after a nightmare? “The first thing that parents can do is try to evaluate and manage any household stress that could be contributing to these experiences,” Daley says. “It is good to try to soothe child back to sleep by comforting them, but don’t bring them into your room, as this can create even more sleep disturbances. I like to have children identify something in their room (preferably a large stuffed animal or body pillow) that can be a source of comfort when they experience distress. Do not add nightlights, as the addition of light can further disrupt sleep and increase the likelihood of more nightmares. If they are really afraid of the dark, give them a flashlight they can use to ensure safety, or a light-stuffed charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

SOOTHING SLEEP SPACES Kristin Daley, PhD, and Lisa Seropian, Psy.D., agree that improving your child’s sleep environment can help reduce nightmares. Here are five factors that can help make nights more soothing and less stressful. Temperature: Sleeping in a space that’s too warm can reduce sleep quality and increase the likelihood of nightmares. The ideal sleep temperature is between 65 and 68 degrees fahrenheit. Light: Sleeping with nightlights or electronic devices in the bedroom can lead to the fitful, poor quality sleep that breeds night frights. Keep lights out of the bedroom and invest in blackout curtains. Sound: A child’s sleeping space should be soothing and comforting. Intrusive, disruptive noises can pierce this calming atmosphere. If noise pollution interferes with sleep, consider a white noise machine or a soft fan to mask external sounds. Familiarity: Sleep spaces that feel comforting and familiar can help children relax into a soothing slumber. When sleeping away from home, bring along elements that can increase your child’s feelings of safety, like blankets, stuffed animals or framed family photos. Comfort: An uncomfortable mattress, pajamas that restrict movement or trap heat, or stiff, scratchy bedding can all inhibit relaxation and reduce sleep quality, which can make sleep disturbances like nightmares more likely. Find bedding and pajamas your child loves and encourage a tidy room — making the bed and maintaining a clean bedroom are proven to improve relaxation and sleep.

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

animal that will time out after a few minutes. Try not to change bedtime routine, as this will reinforce the fears. But it’s OK to engage in some mild distraction as part of the bedtime routine — reading is a great distraction at bedtime.” When should caregivers consider seeking help for a child experiencing nightmares? “A nightmare here or there shouldn’t be a source of concern. Nightmares are considered excessive when they occur more than once per week, even after the source of stress has resolved,” Daley says. “Parents should consider seeking psychological help if they observe that the nightmares have resulted in fear of sleep or are a source of distress during the day.” What can families expect if they seek out therapy for a child’s nightmares or insomnia? “A licensed psychologist skilled and experienced with children and youth is well qualified to assess your child or teen for any underlying psychological or emotional problem such as anxiety, depression or trauma,” Seropian says. “With younger children, a qualified therapist will use play therapy to help your child identify causes of stress, worry or emotional conflict. Children and teens of all ages respond well to cognitive-behavioral techniques. These may include meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery to teach your child to reduce their overall experience of tension and to improve their baseline level of emotional and physiological relaxation.” What can parents do to reduce the likelihood or frequency of nightmares? “Maintaining a consistent bedtime and bedtime routine and improving the sleep environment can help. Sleep disruptions can increase the possibility that we will wake out of REM (rapid-eye-movement, or lighterstage) sleep, so changes in our sleep environment like being in a hotel or moving to a new room can slightly increase the possibility that we experience nightmares,” Daley says. “It is important to think of sleep as a time of intense vulnerability, and recognize that our brain needs a firm sense of safety to allow us to sleep well. Think about the touch, sound and scent of your child’s sleep environment, and try to make these sensations as soothing as possible.” Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health journalist and mom.

Sil Gonzo, executive director of ourBRIDGE, spends time connecting with program participants. Photo courtesy of ourBRIDGE

Welcoming Refugee Families to Charlotte How family-to-family support makes a difference

W BY JULIA PELLY

When Babin arrived in Charlotte from Nepal, he was just 4 years old. He remembers feeling overwhelmed by his new surroundings and having trouble understanding everything that was happening around him during his early weeks and months in the United States. In 2010, soon after Babin’s arrival, he started kindergarten and began attending a daily after-school program called that was called The Bridge. Now called ourBRIDGE, this local organization serves refugees, immigrants and first generation children in kindergarten through seventh grade. “ourBRIDGE gave me a place to feel at home,” says Babin, “when I was at ourBRIDGE I didn’t feel alone and I started to settle into life in Charlotte.” According to the Pew Research Center, the United States admitted 84,995 refugees in 2016, the year with the most recent complete data. Of those nearly 85,000 individuals, between 600 and 700 were settled in Charlotte. While the number of arriving

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

refugees has dropped in the last 18 months due to new restrictions and a ban on refugees from certain countries, it’s estimated that there are close to 17,000 refugees currently living in the Charlotte area. The refugee families who call Charlotte home hale from all across the globe; they have diverse backgrounds, varied circumstances and a whole lifetime of unique experiences. The one thing these individuals all have in common is that they are unable to return to their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, religion or national origin. With the recent debate around the United States refugee program, many nonprofit leaders worry that misconception about who refugees are and how they come to the United States impacts the welcome and support they receive once they arrive in Charlotte. “The refugee vetting process is very through,” says Marsha Hirsch, the executive

After-school particidirector of the Carolina pants at ourBRIDGE. Refugee Resettlement ourBRIDGE serves refuAgency. “The majority of gees and immigrants in refugees are families that kindergarten through seventh grade. Photo include mothers, father courtesy of ourBridge and children who were willing to make the dangerous journey to the United Stated and wait, often for years, for the chance to have a better life.” When families in Charlotte learn about students at their child’s school who are refugees, or drive by an organization that serves refugee families, they might feel empathy but they may not realize just how much they have in common with newly arrived families. They also might not know what they can do to help those who’ve just

After-school participants at ourBRIDGE join in club activities. Photo courtesy of ourBRIDGE the support.” Reaching out to the agency or organization closest to your neighborhood and engaging you neighbors in a group project are great ways to lend your support.

become Charlotte residents to feel welcomed and embraced by their community. Family-to-family and parent-to-parent, we have a responsibility as a community to support those who have journeyed across the world to make Charlotte their home. We also have the wonderful opportunity to learn about countries and cultures that may seem unfamiliar, meet our neighbors and build lasting connections and friendships. Following are ways that your family can help support and welcome refugees right here in Charlotte. About the Refugee Experience One of the most important ways that local families can support newcomers is to get to know them. “Learning about the joys and challenges that refugees experience is one of the most important steps local residents can take to show their support,” says Sil Ganzo, the executive director of ourBRIDGE. “When you learn about and appreciate other cultures, you’re showing that you care.” One way that you can learn about the unique culture and experiences that refugees and immigrants bring is by attending cultural events held at ourBRIDGE, which aims not only to support newcomers and their families as they acculturate to the United States, but also to help the children they serve to celebrate the culture of their home nations. It’s also important to make sure that your children are exposed to a range of people throughout their life. Working to increase diversity in

schools, being intentional about participating in activities that draw diverse attendees and broadening your own social circle are ways to ensure your children grow up comfortable learning about others, sharing their culture and knowing how to be an ally. Bust the Myths Whether it’s misconceptions about the refugee vetting process, confusion around how much government support refugees receive or a failure to recognize the myriad of ways that immigrants contribute to the community, it’s important to speak up when you hear people perpetuating myths. “Getting to know your newly arrived neighbors and spreading the world about how much richer our community is for their presence is a great way to help create a community that is welcoming and supportive,” Ganzo says. Connect With Support Organizations Charlotte is home to a number of organizations that work directly with refugee families. These organizations do everything from outfitting apartments for newcomer families to providing school supplies and school uniforms to refugee youth and they need your support. “At the Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, we’re always in need of home goods, backpacks and school supplies” Hirsch says. “We’ve had lots of parents groups or church groups volunteer and are always grateful for

Use Your Talents When it comes to supporting newly arrived children, you don’t necessarily need to speak a second language or have a specialized skill. “Think about the things you’re already good at and consider how you can use your talents to support refugee or immigrant families,” says Mark Landon, the family advocate at Merry Oaks International Academy which serves a large population of newcomer families. “We’ve had volunteers who like sports and others who like to read to the kids. No matter what skills you have, you can make a difference.” Lobby for Newcomers Due to myths and misinformation about refugees and immigrants, some communities and government officials are not as welcoming as they should be. “At ourBRIDGE we call our supporters LERDs. LERDs are people who live by Love, value Education, Respect all neighbors and celebrate Diversity” Ganzo says. You can be a LERD by making sure that your representatives know what you value and asking them not to make choices that disservice everyone in the community. Reach out to your representatives by phone, email or U.S. mail to let them know that you value refugees and immigrants and that you are committed you are to supporting them in your hometown. When newcomers arrive in the United States they often arrive with very few belongings and years of insecurity and trauma behind them. As a community, it’s our job to help them feel welcome and to offer support as they transition to life in the United States. “What I want people to know most about refugee kids is that we’re just regular kids,” Babin says, “We like to have fun, we work hard and we can do anything we set our mind to.” Julia Pelly works full time in positive youth development and lives with her husband and two young children in Southeast Charlotte. charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways offer great views of uptown Charlotte. Photo by Katie Lloyd, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department

North Carolina’s

RAIL TRAILS Turning old rail lines into recreational, scenic pathways BY JAN WHARTON

Over the last century, more than 100,000 miles of railroad tracks have closed. Many of these forgotten rail lines are enjoying a new life as rail trails. Old rail lines are ideal for recreational trails. The already cleared paths are wide, flat and continuous for miles —

running through cities, historic districts and rural areas. The trails are perfect for biking, hiking, walking, running or horseback riding, and — when paved — are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Rail trails width allows speedier hikers to pass by, and flatter terrain makes for easy riding or walking for younger children. Many trails also offer nearby amenities, including bathrooms, local

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

businesses and restaurants, and creeks or other natural wonders to explore. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has supported rail-trail development across the country for more than 30 years. The group estimates there are 200 rail trails in the U.S. — 32 of which are in North Carolina totaling 188 miles. Plus, 17 North Carolina rail-trail projects are currently in development.

Rail trails are added regularly to North Carolina’s systems of trails, and existing trails are being enhanced. One great benefit is the economic boon created by trail users eating at nearby restaurants, shopping in nearby stores or visiting historic or recreational sites. The trails listed here represent just a few of those that are easily accessible across the state.

THE WINSTONSALEM STROLLWAY A popular

Flat, paved paths along the American Tobacco Trail in Durham make for easy bike rides. Photo by Dave Connelly

IRWIN CREEK AND STEW ART CREEK GREENWAYS The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways in Charlotte run 2.2 miles along Irwin and Stewart Creeks in center city Charlotte. A portion of each runs along an old rail bed. The trails are paved and are good for biking, walking, running and inline skating. They’re also wheelchair-accessible. The Irwin Creek Greenway begins at Ray’s Splash Planet and continues through Frazier Park and Wesley Heights neighborhood. After crossing under Interstate Highway 77, the trail becomes Stewart Creek Greenway and continues to the Phillip O. Berry Recreation Center. Gwen Cook, a Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department planner, says the greenway is well used and surrounded by residential neighborhoods, and is a safe option for families. Both greenways are part of the Carolina Thread Trail, a regional network of greenways and trails that traverse 15 counties across both of the Carolinas. Trail highlights include public art in front of Ray’s Splash Planet, three tunnels, a long line of Sycamore trees at Sycamore Street, and the Children’s Memorial Walkway and Garden in Frazier Park.

Parking is available at Ray’s Splash Planet beside Irwin Avenue Open Elementary School, at Frazier Park, at Bruns Avenue Elementary School and at Philip O. Berry Recreation Center. Learn more at mecknc.gov/parkandrec.

CHARLOTTE RAIL TRAIL The Charlotte Rail Trail is a 4.5mile pathway that runs parallel to Charlotte’s light rail, the LYNX blue line, from 7th Street Station in Uptown to New Bern Station in Sedgefield. It connects the neighborhoods of Sedgefield, Southside Park, Brookhill, Dilworth, Wilmore and South End. This paved trail is good for biking, inline skating and walking, and is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available on the street and at businesses along the path. Learn more at charlotterailtrail.org.

AMERICAN TOBACCO TRAIL The American Tobacco Trail system, located in Durham, Chatham and Wake counties, covers 22.6 miles and is the longest rail trail in North Carolina. The trail ambles through city scenes, pine groves and open rural areas. Hikers frequently spot wildlife such as beavers, hawks, owls, turtles and deer while walking the trail. The trail is paved from its

northern trailhead to New Hope Church Road — about 7.7 miles — and this portion is good for cycling, hiking, running, roller blading and is wheelchair accessibility. The southern portion of the trail is covered with stone-dust and accommodates equestrians as well. Hunters may also use the southern section to get from one field to another, but are not allowed to carry loaded weapons on the trail. At the southern end of the trail, parking is available at Wake County Park’s equestrian trailhead and at Cary’s trailhead park, where the restrooms resemble Santa’s workshop. Visit triangletrails.org to locate additional parking options along the trail.

THE BREVARD BIKE PATH The Brevard Bike Path is a 5-mile paved trail in Brevard, a mile of which follows the old Carr Lumber Company railway corridor and extends into the Pisgah National Forest up to the Davidson River Campground. Learn more at traillink.com/trail/ brevard-bike-path.

1.2-mile rail trail that links Winston-Salem’s modern business district with historic Old Salem. The first section is paved and runs through several downtown blocks and crosses beneath Interstate 40. Soon after the overpass, the trail surface changes to crushed stone and opens up to green spaces, abundant flora and historic residential neighborhoods. Street parking is available at the north end of the trail along Fourth Street or at the south end of the trail at Old Salem Visitors Center. Learn more at traillink.com/trail/winston-salem-strollway.

RIVER TO SEA BIKEWAY This 11-mile paved, on- and offroad bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line in Wilmington was a rail line that originally carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach by trolley. The bikeway includes neighborhood residential streets, off-road multi-use paths, and a few busy arterial roadways. This route is probably better for older children, as some portions ride alongside traffic. Learn more at traillink.com/trail/river-to-thesea-bikeway. Jan Wharton is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Winston-Salem with her husband, three sons, two dogs and three cats. Never a dull moment. Visit janwharton.com to learn more about her writing.

Learn more about rail trail projects in the U.S. at RAILSTOTRAILS.ORG.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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EXCURSION

Exploring NASCAR Country BY BRYAN M. RICHARDS

rowing up, my world revolved around cars. For the longest time, I believed this need for speed was the influence of my dad. In our house, Sundays were for racing, not football, and we were always tinkering on a project car in the garage. Now that I have a son of my own, I’m not so sure the love of cars in little boys is learned, but rather inherent. I traded my own souped up Mustang for an SUV and lawnmower years ago. Yet, nary is a day when my son isn’t zooming cars across our living floor with a smile on his face and Lighting McQueen on his T-shirt. His passion for race cars has re-fired my own spark plugs. There thankfully are plenty of options right here in NASCAR country to get him up-close and personal with racing without the big league ticket price.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM AND TEAM STORE Start your tour of Hendrick Motorsports 110-acre, 12 building complex in the twoteam shop buildings that are open to the public. The lobby of the 9-24 Building – where shop engineers begin building cars that will eventually race for the checkered flag – is filled with display cars from all three of NASCAR’s series. Kids can mechanics working on cars through the floor-to-wall window. The cars are finished in the 48-88 Building, where the 48 car, 88 car and race trophies are on display. There’s also a video display with a live overhead shot of the garage. Wrap up your Hendrick Motorsports experience in the museum and store. Check out race and championship winning cars

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Taking the Pit Crew Challenge at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of nascarhall.com like Jimmie Johnson’s 2016 Cup Series championship car, cars from the movie “Days of Thunder,” a collection of every Hendrick diecast car made, and notable helmets like Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s custom skull helmets. The museum and team store is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The team shop is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is free. 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., Charlotte. hendrickmotorsports.com NASCAR HALL OF FAME The racing awe starts the moment you enter the hall of fame with Glory Road. The spiraling ramp is lined with 18 cars depicting iconic moments in NASCAR’s history. As you climb, notice how the display banking increases to demonstrate the steepness of actual turns. Challenge your family to see who can keep their footing the longest on Talladega’s 33-degree embankment. The Race Week exhibit is a family favorite because it lets fans get behind the scenes of NASCAR’s inner workings. Team up and race the clock for a practice pit stop or pair against each other to see who can change a tire the fastest. Call a race as a TV announcer. Flag a race as an official. Tour a hauler or try your hand behind the wheel in a racing simulator. There’s also a kids section complete with a pint-sized pit simulator so nobody feels left out. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $12-$25; and free for ages 2 and

under. 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte. nascarhall.com. CAROLINA SPEEDWAY Carolina Speedway in Gastonia hosts weekly dirt races, drawing upwards of 70 cars across eight divisions. The races are broken into digestible qualifying, heat, and main event races (meaning you can leave whenever attentions spans wane and you won’t miss anything). My son didn’t stop laughing or smiling at his first race, pointing at the cars as they slid through the mud-filled turns and jumping up and down in excitement. As this is an evening event, there is plenty kid-friendly food from the concession stand like corn dogs, chili cheese fries, and boiled peanuts. The mid-race Kids Break with the track mascot Mud Wagon the Dragon provides plenty of candy to stay awake and energized. Races are held Friday nights the second weekend of March through mid-October. The gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and free for ages 11 and younger. 6355 Union Road, Gastonia. carolinaspeedway.net. Bryan M. Richards is a beer, food, and travel writer who has happily added family travel writing to his credentials. His work has appeared in Men’s Journal, AAA’s Go, and just about anything with the word Charlotte in it. He’s using his son as an excuse to buy a mid-life crisis car.

October 2018 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Enjoy a morning of activities at Squirrel Lake Park in Matthews Oct. 13.

Charlotte Parent and Charlotte Magazine School Fair | Oct. 13 Meet one-on one with representatives from the best public and private Charlottearea schools all in one place. Choosing a school for your child is a big decision. Meet representatives from some of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best prekindergarten through grade 12 schools all in one family-fun-filled afternoon. Noon-4pm. FREE. Spirit Square Uptown, 345 N. College St. charlotteparent. com/clt/school-fair.

Trick-or-Treat in the Park | Oct. 26 Don your favorite family costumes or just give the kids another opportunity to dress up and join hundreds of other costume clad trick-or-treaters gathered at Harrisburg Park for costume contests, inflatables, candy, games and trick-ortreating with local merchants. 5:30-9pm. $3. Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg. harrisburgnc.org.

Kids in Nature Day | Oct. 13 Come out for fresh air, fishing, nature walks, STEM activities, nature crafts, animals and more fun for the whole family, plus fun on the playground. 10am-1pm. FREE. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews.

Enjoy rides, music, crafts and festival food at the Pineville Fall Festival, Oct. 19-20 at Lake Park in Pineville. Photo by Vicki Bryant

Pineville Fall Festival | Oct. 19-20 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the food, music, rides, arts, crafts and a local student art show at the Pineville Fall Festival. Stop by the family stage on Saturday for kid-friendly performances. Fri., 6-10pm; and Sat., 10am-10pm. FREE. Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. pinevillenc.gov.

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See Fall Works by Charlotte Ballet, Oct. 11-13 at Knight Theater. Photo by Todd Rosenburg

ON STAGE Matilda the Musical (Through Oct. 21). McColl Family Theater, 300 E. 7th St. Recommended for ages 6 and older. $22+. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, this full-length Tony Award-winning Broadway musical follows Matilda Wormwood, a girl who immerses herself in books. Matilda uses the magical powers she discovers within herself to create a better life for both her and her loving protector and teacher Miss Honey. ctcharlotte.org. PlayPlay! Theatre: Psshh. (Oct. 4-7). Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road. $12. 704-366-5007. The youngest show-goers can experience a stage performance created just for them with props and visuals that captivate the youngest minds. Recommended babies to age 3. charlottejcc.org. They Fight. (Oct. 4-13). Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. Ages 5 and older. 7:30-9:30pm. $10-$15. 803-780-4823. A fast-paced show comprised of the most popular Shakespearean scenes and some lesser known works that have plenty of sword-slinging gusto comedy and drama. blumenthalarts.org Fall Works (Oct. 11-13). Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $15. 704-372-1000. Charlotte Ballet presents a triple bill that celebrates the centennial of two landmark artists, Leonard Bernstein and

Jerome Robbins, introduces Medhi Walerski, and premieres a new work by Sasha Janes. The family matinee on Oct. 13 features special preshow activities beginning at 1pm that include dance classes and a costume-creation station, before the abbreviated, one-hour performance. charlotteballet.org. The Hundred Dresses. (Oct. 12-21). Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St. E., Matthews. $14 adults; $12 students and seniors. 704-846-8343. A story about a girl who is teased by her classmates because she is different, and always wears the same faded blue dress to school, although she claims she has a hundred dresses at home all lined up in her closet. matthewsplayhouse.com. The Addams Family. (Oct. 18-21). Joe V. Knox Auditorium in The Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. $10-$15. 704-662-3334. Mooresville Community Children’s Theatre presents the cooky, spooky bunch. mooresvillechildrenstheatre.org. Halloween Spooktacular with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. (Oct. 27). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 11am. $14-$24. 704-972-2000. Don your best costume and join in a frightfully fun, and spooktacular concert. Hear Halloween-themed music including favorites from films like “Harry Potter” and “Jaws.” charlottesymphony.org.

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

1 MONDAY

3 WEDNESDAY

Budding Adventures. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 3-7. 10-11am. FREE. Explore various nature topics in the classrooms before heading into the forest to uncover the wonders of the natural world. Register online. parkandrec.com. Small Stalks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704-829-1252. Preschoolage children can explore nature with songs, games, crafts and play in Lost Hollow Children’s Garden. dsbg.org. Wee Sprouts. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2 and younger. 11:15am-noon. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704829-1252. Join in sensory exploration, singing and fun. dsbg.org. Pretty as a Picture. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 8-14. 6-7pm. FREE. Discuss age-appropriate beauty tips, selfimage, appropriate relationships with other girls and cultural awareness. parkandrec.com.

Child Safety Seat Inspection Station. Matthews Police Department, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 8am. FREE. Certified technicians check and help families install carseats. No appointment necessary. Bring the vehicle, seat and, if possible, the child for the most assistance. safekidscharmeck.org. Family Cooking Class. Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. Ages 7 and older. 6:30-7:30pm. $5. Parent participation required. parkandrec.com.

2 TUESDAY Special Needs Jump Time. Sky High Sports, 601 N Polk St., Pineville. 3-6pm. $5.50. Come jump with music off, lights dimmed and distractions dialed down. During special jump sessions, one parent or therapist is admitted free per paying jumper. clt.skyhighsports.com. STEAM Month: Candy Science. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 5-11. 4:30-5:30pm. FREE. 704416-4400. Perform science experiments using seasonal Halloween candies. cmlibrary.org. Family Storytime: Pajama Storytime. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. 7-7:30pm. FREE. Bring the whole family out to enjoy stories, songs and movement activities in your pajamas. Milk and cookies served. cmlibrary.org.

4 THURSDAY Little STREAM’ers: Magnet Magic. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Have fun creating a magnetic car while learning about magnets and magnetic force. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library. Storytime in the Park. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews. 11-11:30am. FREE. Join Matthews Library for stories, songs and movement at the park. Meet at Shelter A. cmlibrary.org. The Glow: A Jack-O-Lantern Experience. Charlotte Motor Speedway at Carolina Rebellion Campground, 7301 Burton Smith Blvd., Concord. All ages. $11-$35; Children 2 and younger free. Experience a wonderland of expertly-carved pumpkins. Walk the trail of jack-o-lanterns, viewing different themes along the way. Advanced tickets required. theglowjackolantern.com/ charlotte. On Stage: PlayPlay! Theatre: Psshh; and They Fight. See page 26.

5 FRIDAY MyGym Lake Norman Puppet Show. Barnes and Noble — Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. FREE. The local puppeteer troupe from MyGym Lake Norman leads an interactive and imaginative puppet show with songs and book readings. barnesandnoble.com. Music with Holly. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 18 months-5 years. 11:30am-noon. FREE. 704-416-4630. A one-of-a-kind music

› and movement program that is a fusion of learning and listening to all types of songs, playing various instruments, and using your body to express how you feel while doing so. cmlibrary.org. USNWC Fall Festival. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Free admission; $6 for parking; Additional fee for activities. Fri., 4-8pm; Sat., 9am-8pm. 704-391-3900. Enjoy cider sampling and the build-your-own-boat competition, plus live music. usnwc.org. Jazz in the Park. Fountain Park, 300 E. Main Street, Rock Hill. 6-10pm. FREE. Enjoy a children’s lip sync battle, spoken word and live jazz music. onlyinoldtown.com/jazz. Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail. Carrigan Farms, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Enter at West Entrance, Mooresville. 12 and older. $25 per person; cash or check only. 704664-1450. This haunted trail is open Fridays and Saturdays in October and is appropriate for ages 12 and older. Nearing Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 14, 21 and 28 are added, along with Thursday, Oct. 25. scarriganfarms.com. On Stage: Matilda the Musical, PlayPlay! Theatre: Psshh; and They Fight. See page 26.

6 SATURDAY Lewis Farm Fall Festival. Lewis Farm, 330 Lewis Road, Gastonia. All ages. 9am-4pm. $7; free for children 3 and younger. 704842-1208. Every weekend in October, Lewis Farm opens up for fun-filled family days at the farm. Admission to the farm includes horse-drawn hay rides, a maze and slide, a chance to feed barnyard animals, and fall harvest themed games. Additional fee for pony rides. Sat., 9am-4pm; Sun., 1-6pm. lewisfarm.org. Full STEAM Ahead. Carolina’s Aviation Museum, 4672 1st Flight Drive. 1st-8th grade. 11am-noon. Free for members, $3 for nonmembers. Hands-on learning sessions that encourage artistic expression and creativity while incorporating aviation and STEM principles. carolinasaviation.org. #STEAMSaturdays: Coding for Kids. Hygge Coworking West, 2128 Remount Road. Ages 5-13. 9-10:30am. $25. Explore LEGO WeDo 2.0 robotics at your own pace and level. Build and design, incorporate sensors and collaborate with others during the course. Register online. digi-bridge.org.

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

25th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival: Kids Free Weekend. Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 10am-5:30pm. Tickets start at $14; Children 12 and younger free with coupon. Check website for coupon information. carolina.renfestinfo.com. Stories in Two Languages: Spanish. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. 10-10:30am. FREE. Engage your child with stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish. This program is intended for both Spanish speaking and English speaking families. cmlibrary.org. Spooky Science Experiments. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 8 and older. 10-11am. $5. Embrace your inner mad scientist doing science experiments. parkandrec.com. Princess and Pirates Storytime. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. 10:30am. $9. 704-295-1777. Kids can listen to a story, frost cupcakes and meet with a princess and a pirate. sascupcakes.com. Visual Art and Music Community Experience. University City Regional Library, 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd. 1-3pm. FREE. Join in a visual art workshop and project, plus live music. charlottecultureguide.com. Family Fall Festival. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 11am-7pm. FREE. Come out to Indian Trail’s first Family Fall Festival that includes demonstrations, performances, live music and a cultural component. indiantrail.org. On the Trail. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 11am-3pm. Included with museum admission. 704-866-6900. Enjoy an autumn walk along the Nature Trail, guided by a museum naturalist. Suitable for all ages. Walks at 11am, 1 and 3pm. schielemuseum.org. 2nd Annual Food Fight. Ada Jenkins CenterSchool House Heritage Hall, 212 Gamble St., Davidson. 11:30am-2pm. A fundraiser that features a competition of local restaurants and a few daring home cooks. Event includes samples from all competitors, a photo booth, face painting for the kids and live music. adajenkins.org. Hola Charlotte Festival. Uptown Charlotte, N. Tryon St. and W. 6th St. Noon-7pm. FREE. Come for live Latin music, the Latin

American Village highlighting 15 Latin countries, salsa dancing, Latin food and beverages, cultural dance performances, Zumba demonstrations, and Latin art. holacharlottefestival.com. ASC Culture Blocks: Visual Art and Music. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. 1-3pm. FREE. 704-416-7400 . Community School of the Arts provides a visual art workshop series with a different project activity each month. Accompanying the art-making experience is a live music performance. cmlibrary.org. 18th Annual All American Dog Show. Robbins Park, 17738 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 3-6pm. FREE. 704-892-6031. Hundreds of animal lovers and their dogs enjoy this event each year. In addition to fun contests, visitors are able to enjoy vendor tents, concessions and children’s activities. visitlakenorman.org. Dilworth Jubilee. Latta Park, 601 E. Park Ave. 5pm. FREE. Enjoy a pet parade, live music, food trucks, local breweries and festivities. dilworthonline.org/jubilee. Family Campout at Reedy Creek. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. 5:30pm. $15. Learn more about camping, and enjoy nature at a slower pace. Tents, campfire, games, hiking, marshmallows and breakfast are included. parkandrec.com. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; PlayPlay! Theatre: Psshh; and They Fight. See page 26.

7 SUNDAY Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese,7701 PinevilleMatthews Road. 9-11am. Free admission. Families of children with special needs can come early to enjoy smaller crowds, reduced lighting and noise, food and games, and specially-trained staff. chuckecheese.com. Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. Ages 5 and older. $11+. 704-875-3113. Get lost in the giant 7-acre corn maze featuring over 2 miles of interconnecting paths. Take a hayride, play corn hole and hike the trails. See website for times. ruralhill.net. Have No Fear. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. Ages 7 and older. 2:30-3:30pm. FREE. 704-588-5224. Scared of snakes? Bugged out by bugs? Terrified of turtles? Learn why these animals should be revered

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instead of feared. Registration required. parkandrec.com SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older. 7pm-midnight. $31-$70. Fear rises when darkness falls when Carowinds is transformed from a theme park to a scream park during the annual haunt of SCarowinds. carowinds.com. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; and PlayPlay! Theatre: Psshh. See page 26.

8 MONDAY Babes in the Woods. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages birth to 3. 10-11am. FREE. 980-314-1128. Hit the paved trail with your little one, and experience what nature has to offer this month. In case of inclement weather, meet inside the Nature Center for indoor playtime. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com. Nature Story Corner. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 3-7. 10-11am. FREE. Settle in and get comfortable as we take a journey of imagination. Unearth the untold narratives of nature through stories and then walk about the forest exploring and engaging all of our senses. parkandrec.com. Bake the World a Better Place. Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio, 9826 Sandy Rock Place, Suite E. Ages 5-12. 8:30am-4pm. $84. 704-246-6069. Enjoy Union County’s Teacher Workday in the kitchen! Learn important steps in baking and how certain ingredients react to each other. flourpowerstudios.com. Pajama Rama on the Plaza. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. 7-7:30pm. FREE. 704-416-6200. Wear your pajamas for a family story time that is perfect for bedtime. cmlibrary.org.

9 TUESDAY ASC Culture Blocks: Clayworks for Teens. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. 2-3pm. FREE. Join in a hands-on workshop presented by Clayworks. Projects created during a workshop will be brought back to Clayworks to be fired and glazed before being returned to the workshop location for pickup. cmlibrary.org. Victory Bounce Sessions. BounceU of Matthews, 9129 Monroe Road, Ste. 145150, Matthews; and BounceU of Charlotte,

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10624 Metromont Pkwy., Suite 300. Ages 2 and older. 2-4pm. FREE. 704-921-8771. Each Victory Bounce session has free admission, which also includes siblings. bounceu.com/matthews-nc. Free Tuesday at the Schiele Museum. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 4-8pm. FREE. 704-866-6900. Get free entry to The Schiele Museum every second Tuesday evening of the month. schielemuseum.org.

10 WEDNESDAY Little Aviators. Carolina’s Aviation Museum, 4672 1st Flight Drive. Preschool-age children. 9-10am. $5. Join in an engaging hour of exploring aviation through stories, crafts and hands-on experiences that are STEM-focused and aligned with NC Pre-K curriculum standards. carolinasaviation.org. Itsy Bitsy Music Time. Lanti Music, 323-E Unionville Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 5 and younger. 11am-noon. $5 per child; $10 per family. Instruments, parachutes, balls, bean bags and other props are used to create a magical experience of music, movement, and story time followed by open play. Coffee and tea are provided. Preregistration is required, and payment is cash only. lantimusic.com. STEAM Month: Rookie Science Fossil Dig. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 5-11. 4-5pm. FREE. Dig deep into the past, and uncover creatures from long ago in this hands-on program. cmlibrary.org.

11 THURSDAY Preschool Explorers: Pumpkin Hunt. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 2-5. 10-10:45am; and 11-11:45am. $4. 980-314-1128. Little ones and adults discover nature together through crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and outdoor exploration. Preregistration is required. parkandrec.com. Little STREAM’ers: Apple Impressions. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Use apples, paint, and other material to create a still life painting. Also, learn about Vincent Van Gogh another famous still life artists. ci.mooresville.nc.us. PreK Mini Chefs. Town Hall, 315 MatthewsIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 2-5.

11am. $6. Cook a new recipe and take home a new recipe. Preregistration required. itsparksandrec.com. ASC Cultural Blocks: Piano Jazz. Sugar Creek Library, 4045 N. Tryon St., Suite A. 5:30-7:15pm. FREE. Dapper Street presents live Piano Jazz with history, dialog and storytelling. cmlibrary.org. Clayworks: Family Day. Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center, 440 Wesley Heights Way. 6-7:30pm. FREE. 980-314-1114. Clayworks leads participants in a hands-on clay workshop for all ages. activecommunities.com. Fire Starting 101. Lake Haigler Entrance of Anne Springs Close Greenway, 1604 Hwy 21 Bypass, Fort Mill. Ages 8 and older. 6:30pm. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers. Learn a variety of ways to get a fire started, fire safety and the different firewood arrangements you can use to create a campfire. Register prior to the event, and meet at the picnic tables by the Nature Center. ascgreenway.org. On Stage: Fall Works; and They Fight. S ee page 26.

12 FRIDAY Yoga Story Time. Barnes and Noble, Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. FREE. Stretch out their wiggles at children’s yoga story time. Second and fourth Fridays each month. barnesandnoble.com. Friday Nights at Camp North End. Boileryard at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave. 5-9pm. FREE. Enjoy food and music. camp.nc. Adventure Seekers Kids Night Out. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 971 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. Ages 6-14. 5:30-9pm. $25 per child for members; $30 per child for nonmembers. 803-547-4575. Following a pizza dinner, kids enjoy activities with a changing monthly theme. October’s theme is “Slightly Spooky, Super Silly.” Register online. ascgreenway.org. Old Town Cornelius 2nd Friday Street Festival. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 6-10pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artists and kids activities. oldtowncornelius.com. Movie Night: “A Wrinkle in Time.”The Green at Promenade on Providence, corner of

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Providence Road and Interstate 485. 7pm. FREE. promenadeonprovidence.com. On Stage: Fall Works; Matilda the Musical; The Hundred Dresses; and They Fight. See page 26.

13 SATURDAY JAARS Day. JAARS Center, 7405 Jaars Road, Waxhaw. 9am-4pm. Free admission. Lunch, aircraft rides and 4-wheel-drive rides may be purchased. 704-843-1630. Stroll around the campus and take a close-up look at how transportation, technology and media support JAARS’s Bible translation partners. Sample international food, and take an aircraft or four-wheel drive ride, and visit the museums. jaars.org/events/jaars-day. 2nd Saturday at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Seeing Sparks. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 10am-4pm. $12-$25; Children 2 and younger free. During this science workshop, race through a series of fun experiments to discover the chemical reactions that move cars and the safety measures that protect drivers and crew members. nascarhall.com. Girls on the Hike. Ivory/Baker Recreation Center, 1920 Stroud Park Ct.. Ages 10-16. 10am-3pm. $5. Participants can improve physical and mental health by connecting with nature on hiking experiences. parkandrec.com. Lego Program. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 5-11. 10-11am. FREE. Learn mathematical concepts of sorting, building and geometry while using Lego building blocks. cmlibrary.org. Ayrsley Fall Fest. Ayrsley Commons Courtyard, 2135 Ayrsley Town Blvd. 11am-4pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, interactive children’s activities and shopping. ayrsleyfallfest.com. Charlotte Vegfest 2018. The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. 11am-4pm. FREE. Meet local and national vendors, hear speakers and enjoy vegancooking demos and kids activities. veganclt. com/charlotte-vegfest. Family Day at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St. Noon-4:30pm. $8 adults; Free for children under age 18. Explore the Bechtler collection through special hands-on art activities and familyfocused museum tours. Complimentary

guided tours of galleries at 1 and 3pm. bechtler.org. Lost Hollow Music Fest. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Noon-5pm. $7-$13; children under 2 admitted free. 704-825-4490. Hear live Blues performances, and enjoy food trucks and beverages. Music festival is included with garden admission. dsbg.org. Family Day. Cabarrus Arts Council, 65 Union Street S., Concord. 1-4pm. FREE. Create personal art creation stations and see a special performance by Soul Street Dance in the Davis Theatre at 4pm. Tickets for Soul Street Dance are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. cabarrusartscouncil.org. Urban Art Slam. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 4-10pm. FREE. See hip-hop and reggae performances, street artists, a live graffiti wall, plus food trucks and craft breweries. oldtowncornelius.com. NHRA Carolina Nationals. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Three-day ticket packages $99+; children 13 and younger admitted free. Every ticket is a pit pass, giving fans unmatched access to the drivers and crews who drive these 10,000-horsepower machines. charlottemotorspeedway.com. Movie Under the Stars. Charlotte Premium Outlets, 5404 New Fashion Way. 6:3011pm. FREE. See an outdoor screening of “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.” Movie begins at dusk in the parking lot near Under Armour. Rockin’ the Burg Concert Series. Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg. 6:30-9pm. FREE. A free, family-friendly outdoor concert series features food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and interactive art to provide a fun evening of family, food, music and art. harrisburgnc.org. On Stage: Fall Works; The Hundred Dresses; Matilda the Musical; and They Fight. See page 26.

14 SUNDAY Fall Frolic. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 9am-4pm. $10 members; $12 nonmembers; children 4 and younger free; plus $5 parking fee. 803-547-4575. Celebrate fall with wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo, pedal carts, horse rides, face painting

CALENDAR › ›CALENDAR and kayaking. ascgreenway.org/greenwayevents/fall-frolic. The Great Pumpkin Fest. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 10-5pm. $48+. Family-friendly Halloween attractions for young children, including a costume parade, hay bale maze, foam zone, plus rides. carowinds.com. Family Fun Nature Hike. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 7 and older. 1:30-3pm. FREE. Discover something new on this guided 2- to 3-mile hike while playing environmentally educational games. parkandrec.com. Butterfly Project Anniversary Event. Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road. 3pm. FREE. 704-366-5007. Come celebrate the anniversary of the Levine Jewish Community Center’s butterfly project. Enjoy a Charlotte Ballet performance and a garden ceremony. RSVP by phone. charlottejcc.org. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; and The Hundred Dresses. See page 26.

15 MONDAY Budding Adventures. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 3-7. 10-11am. FREE. Explore various nature topics in the classrooms before heading into the forest to uncover the wonders of the natural world. Register online. parkandrec.com. STEAM Month: Lego Club. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. Ages 5-11. 6-7pm. FREE. The library supplies the Legos; participants supply the imagination. cmlibrary.org.

16 TUESDAY Story Time and More. Children’s Garden at Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. 10-11am. Free for members; $10 for nonmembers per family. Enjoy a seasonally themed story and craft activity in the Children’s Garden. Children can water vegetable plants, dig for worms, and explore the sensory and butterfly gardens. Recommended for children younger than 10, but all are welcome. winghavengardens.org. Sight Words Galore. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 1-4. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Help toddlers identify words through interactive games and letter recognition. parkandrec.com.

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

STEAM Month: Preschool Storytime, Awesome Animals. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 3-5. 11-11:30am. FREE. Celebrate STEAM Month, with this special story time program about animals. cmlibrary.org.

17 WEDNESDAY Fall Festival at South County Library. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. 10am-noon. FREE. Enjoy games and literary activities that celebrate fall. Costumes are welcome. cmlibrary.org. STEAM Month: Rookie Science Jr: Spiders. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Ages 4-6. 4-5pm. FREE. Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities and experiments. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

18 THURSDAY Little STREAM’ers: All About Me. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Create a life-size portrait, measure you height and weight and discuss what makes you unique. Also, enjoy the story “I Like Myself” by Nancy Carlson. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library. STEAM Month: Rookie Science Jr. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Ages 7-11. 4-5pm. FREE. Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities and experiments. This month’s theme is spiders. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org. On Stage: The Addams Family. See page 26.

19 FRIDAY Carolina Balloonfest. 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville. See website for prices; children 12 and under admitted free. Bring your cameras, lawn chairs, and blankets to experience a family-friendly festival featuring more than 50 hot air balloons, live music, food, wine and craft beer, kids’ zone, and artisan marketplace. Fri., 3-8:30pm; Sat., 7am-8:30pm; Sun., 7am-6pm. carolinaballoonfest.com. Halloween Spooktacular Candy Crawl. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 6-9pm. FREE. 704-821-8114. Wear your costumes for this community event that features a candy crawl, face painting and crafts. nc-indiantrail.civicplus.com.

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Cupcake Wars. Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio, 9826 Sandy Rock Pl., Suite E. Ages 5-12. 6-8pm. $39. 704-246-6069. Come in costume, and make homemade fondant and buttercream. Participants can also enjoy tortilla pizza for dinner. flourpowerstudios.com. Spirits of Rosedale. Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St.. Ages 6 and older. 7-9:30pm. $15. See the Spirits of Historic Rosedale Plantation return to life. Tours of the stations in the house start every 20 minutes beginning at 7pm. historicrosedale.org. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; The Addams Family; and The Hundred Dresses. See page 26.

20 SATURDAY 2018 Buddy Walk. 9201 University City Blvd. 10am-1pm. FREE. The Buddy Walk is a 1-mile walk and family fun day that celebrates individuals with Down syndrome and promotes community inclusion. Enjoy a day of music, games, networking and celebration. dsa-gc.org. Family Storytime: Daddies and Donuts. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 9:15-9:45am. FREE. In this special story time, come share donuts and stories with your dad, grandpa, uncle or caregiver. cmlibrary.org. Harvest at the Haven. Children’s Garden at Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. 10am-noon. $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers per family. Learn how to provide for the birds throughout the winter, explore the garden for creepy crawlies and get your craft on pumpkin style. Recommended for children ages 10 and younger and their families. winghavengardens.org. STEAM Month: Storytime From Space. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. Ages 3 and older. 10-10:30am. FREE. This special STEAM themed story time for ages 3 and older features a story read by an astronaut on the International Space Station. STEAM related activities to follow. cmlibrary.org. Windy Hill Apple Harvest Festival. Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Hwy., York. 10am-6pm. See livestock, shop for goods at the farm stand and try some of the delicious apple cider. windyhillorchard.com.

Bilingual Stories and Music. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Recommended for ages 6 and younger. 11:15am-noon. FREE. Criss Cross Mangosauce presents a Spanish/English story time with music, plays and stories. mintmuseum.org. Family Friendly Clay Workshops at Hickory Grove Library. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 5 and older. 1pm. FREE. 704-416-4400. Join a Clayworks teaching artist and learn how to roll, pinch, poke, slip and score clay into a ceramic project, plus see how a potter’s wheel works. Preregistration required. charlottecultureguide.com. The Lego Challenge: Fairy Tale Fun. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 6-12. 2-3pm. FREE. Learn mathematical concepts of sorting, building, and geometry while developing problem solving and innovating thinking skills. Preregister online. cmlibrary.org. Spirits and Stories: Brattonsville by Twilight. Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells. 3-9pm. Adults $8, Seniors $7, Youth $5, members and ages 3 and under free. By day, the living history plantation is filled festivities, including hands-on activities and harvest demonstrations. At twilight, historically dressed interpreters lead guests on a spooky candlelit path to encounter spirits of the past. chmuseusms.org. Cramerton Fall Festival. 100 Center St., Cramerton. 4-6pm. FREE; $5 unlimited game-play wristband. Enjoy games, prizes, candy, food vendors, a costume contest, a bounce house, pumpkin contest, trick-ortreating and cakewalks. visitgaston.org. Halloween in Huntersville. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. All ages. 4-8pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, balloon twisters, airbrush tattoos, bounce houses, and a Halloween Egg Dash. Explore the maze and pumpkin patch for additional fee. ruralhill.net. Laketoberfest. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 4-9pm. FREE. Festival features live music, NC beer, food trucks and a kids’ zone with crafts and games. lnwc.org/ laketoberfest.html. Nature at Night. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. 5-9pm. $5; children younger than 2 free. 980-314-1128.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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CALENDAR

Enjoy live animals, crafts, night hikes, hayrides, hotdog meal (1 meal per person), s’mores and storytelling. Bring flashlights. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com. Family Fun Night: Fall Harvest Festival. Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill. 6-9pm. FREE. 704-5452335. Enjoy a cool fall evening featuring a scarecrow and costume contests, games like giant Jenga, corn hole, sidewalk chalk and bubbles, inflatable bounce house, an obstacle course, plus music and food. minthill.com. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; The Addams Family; and The Hundred Dresses. See page 26.

Wee Sprouts. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2 and younger. 11:15am-noon. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704-829-1252. Visit the Garden for a morning of sensory exploration, singing and fun. Explore colors, shapes, movement, texture and a host of other topics in a safe and nurturing environment. dsbg.org. Candy Art. Town Hall, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 5-10. 6:30-8pm. $10. Have fun turning wafers of chocolate and other sweet treats into beautiful candy art. Create marshmallow animals and sculptures that are fun for all ages. indiantrail.org.

21 SUNDAY

23 TUESDAY

Tractors Galore at Patterson Farm. Patterson Farm, 10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla. 10am-6pm. $9-$14. Come out and touch tractors of all shapes and sizes. visitpattersonfarm.com. Bootanical. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11am-3pm. $7-$12; children in costumes admitted free. 704-825-4490. Make s’mores, play fun games and watch Pumpkin Chunkin,’ plus a costume parade for kids. dsbg.org. Boo-seum. Main Street Children’s Museum, 133 E. Main St., Rock Hill. Recommended for ages 6 and younger. 1-4:30 pm. $6; children younger than 1 free. Enjoy games, activities, crafts and a festive costume parade. chmuseums.org. Vampirina Disney Junior Play Date. SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. 1-3pm. FREE. Families can visit Center Court for this year’s Vampirina Disney Junior Play Date. simon.com/mall/southpark. On Stage: Matilda the Musical; The Addams Family; and The Hundred Dresses. See page 26.

Toddler Time at Sky Zone. Sky Zone, 10200 Centrum Pkwy., Pineville. Ages 5 and younger. 10-11am. $8. Let your little ones to discover the joy of being active while bouncing under the supervision of their parents and without interference from bigger kids. skyzone.com/charlotte. Preschool Storytime, Shapes. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 3-5. 11-11:30am. FREE. To celebrate STEAM Month, enjoy a special story time program about shapes! cmlibrary.org. Rookie Science. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. Ages 5-11. 4:30-6:30pm. 704-416-6400. Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities and experiments. cmlibrary.org.

22 MONDAY Small Stalks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704-829-1252. Preschool-age children can explore nature with songs, games, crafts and play in Lost Hollow. dsbg.org.

24 WEDNESDAY Fall Homeschool Day. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Grades K-5. 9:30am-12:30pm. $5-$12. Enjoy hands-on learning about the lifecycle of a pumpkin along with fun facts about bats, birds and fall migration. Registration required. dsbg.org. Full Moon Hike. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 8 and older. 6:30-8pm. FREE. Celebrate the full moon with a gathering in the woods and on the trails. parkandrec.com.

25 THURSDAY Preschool Explorers: Pumpkin Hunt. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 2-5. 10-10:45am. $4. 980-314-

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

1128. Little ones and adults discover nature together through crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and outdoor exploration. Choose one time slot per week/theme. Oct. 11 and 12: Totally Turtles; Oct. 25 and 26: Pumpkin Hunt. Pre-Registration is required. Time slots are 10-10:45am and 11-11:45am. parkandrec.com. Little STREAM’ers: Leaf Rubbings. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Children can learn to sort and make leaf rubbings while learning about the science behind why leaves change color. ci.mooresville.nc.us. Learn and Play Sensory Time. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 2-10. 4:30-5pm. FREE. A fun and interactive story time for children with autism, developmental challenges or sensory sensitivities and their typically developing peers. A parent/caretaker must be present during the program. Siblings welcome. ci.mooresville.nc.us.

26 FRIDAY Creepy Crawly Critter-ween. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. 5-8:30pm. Celebrate the diversity of creepy crawlies at Reedy Creek Nature Center at night. Check out the animals, costume contest, campfire, marshmallow roast, crafts, hayrides and night hikes. parkandrec.com. Halloween March. Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. 5-7pm. FREE. 704-940-9622. Parade along Main Street to receive treats from merchants and organizations. davidsoncommunitycalendar.org. The Spirits of Rosedale Plantation. Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St. Recommended for ages 6 and older. 6:30-9:30pm. $15-$20. The spirits of Rosedale take visitors on a journey through the plantation. Tours of the stations in the house start every 20 minutes. Rosedale’s theatrical production team presents this family-friendly Halloween production. historicrosedale.org.

27 SATURDAY Carolina Renaissance Festival: Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights. Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds, 16445

Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 10am-5:30pm. Adult admission $25. 704-896-5555. Enjoy free child admission with no coupon required for children age 12 and younger. Trick-or-treat the festival with free treats at more than 100 locations throughout the Festival Village. Children and adults are also encouraged to show off their Halloween costumes and enter the Halloween Costume Contest. carolina.renfestinfo.com. Rescue Ranch Fall Fun Days. Rescue Ranch, 1424 Turnersburg Hwy., Statesville. 10am-4pm. $5-$10; children younger than 2 free. 704-768-0909. Families can enjoy a corn maze, hay rides, animal presentations, arts and crafts, music, hay art, sponsor booths and games. rescueranch.com. Spooky Science: Face Your Fears. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. 10am-4pm. $8 adults; $5 youth; free for members and children age 3 and younger. Are you afraid of spiders, snakes or even the dark? Earn your own Bravery Badge by facing your fears as you travel though out the museum’s galleries. Not-so-scary costumes are encouraged. chmuseums.org. Imagine STEAM Festival. Fountain Park in Old Town Rock Hill, 300 E. Main St., Rock Hill. 11am-4pm. Learn about education and career pathways and experience exciting, interactive STEAM learning exhibits for students and their families. imaginesteamfest.org. Not So Spooky Halloween Carnival. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. 11am-2pm. FREE. Take an oldfashioned hayride, go trick-or-treating and visit with Curley the Clown. Wear a costume for the costume parade. matthewsnc.gov. GUTS: Creatives Carving for Wishes. BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St. 1:305:30pm. $10; free for children ages 12 and younger. 704-342-2101. See local and regional creative professionals carving pumpkins to raise funds for Make-A-Wish of Western and Central NC. The event features food, beverages, raffle, temporary tattoos, photo booth, trick-ortreating, an event shop and merchandise; including the expertly crafted pumpkins that are auctioned off at the event! gutscharlotte.com. Belmont Boo Fest. Downtown Belmont, 24 S. Main St., Belmont. 2-7pm. FREE.

› Experience carnival rides, games for children and adults, food vendors, music, a cupcake walk and the annual costume contest. cityofbelmont.org. Halloween in OTC Block Party. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 2-8pm. FREE. Get ready for an all-out block party featuring live music, food trucks, costume contests, games, prizes, trick-or-treating, creepy crafts and family fun! visitlakenorman.org. Trail-o-Treats. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 5-9pm. $7 members; $9 nonmembers. 704-866-6900. Collect treats as you explore the Nature Trail, Catawba Village, PlayScape and other outdoor attractions. Kids are encouraged to attend in costume and bring a flashlight. schielemuseum.org. J Family Night under the Stars. Levine Jewish Community Center, Camp Mindy Rec Hall, 5007 Providence Road. Grades K-5th. 6-8pm. $25-$35 per family of four; $5 per additional family member. 704-944-6739. Discovery Place comes to Camp Mindy Poliakoff Pavilion with its mobile Starlab. Dinner provided. charlottejcc.org. On Stage: Halloween Spooktacular with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. See page 26.

28 SUNDAY Día de los Muertos. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11am-3pm. $7-$13; children under age 2 admitted free. Enjoy live entertainment, crafts, food and activities that celebrate the Day of the Dead. dsbg.org. Creepy Crafting. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. 2-3pm. FREE. Enjoy Halloween themed crafts and learning activities. All are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. parkandrec.com.

29 MONDAY Budding Adventures. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 3-7. 10-11am. FREE. Explore various nature topics in the classrooms before heading into the forest to uncover the wonders of the natural world. Register online. parkandrec.com. Pretty as a Picture. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 8-14. 6-7pm. FREE. Girls can learn about age-appropriate beauty tips, self-image, appropriate relationships with other girls and cultural awareness. parkandrec.com.

30 TUESDAY Fire Building. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 7 and older. 1-2:30pm. FREE. Learn different fire starting techniques, ways to build a fire and how to tend to it. Start a fire using primitive methods like a bow drill then make a tasty treat. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com. STEAM Month: Rookie Science What’s the Buzz? South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 5-11.

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

CALENDAR

3:30-4:30pm. FREE. Join beekeepers Claire and Karen to learn more about bees as they demonstrate all things beekeeping. cmlibrary.org. STEAM Month: Exploring Climate Change. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. Ages 12 and older. 6-7:30pm. FREE. Come hear UNCC Professor Brian Magi speak about how climate change affects the world today and in the future. Register online. cmlibrary.org. Charlotte Performing and Visual Arts College Fair. The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. 7-9pm. FREE. 703-836-2222. The Performing and Visual Arts Fair connects students with hundreds of colleges and universities in one location. nacacfairs. org/pva-charlotte.

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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31 WEDNESDAY HALLOWEEN Halloween Friendly Bash. Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio, 9826 Sandy Rock Place, Suite E. Ages 5-12. 8:30am-4pm. $84. 704-246-6069. Make candy-corn pizza, green beans, mini witches brooms, and a special Halloween edition of Cupcake Wars. Costumes encouraged. flourpowerstudios.com. Ghouls and Goodies. Town Hall, 315 Matthews Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $10. Put on a costume, and come out for a fun Halloween party. indiantrail.org. Fall Festival at Morrison Regional Library. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Ages 3 and older. 2-4pm. FREE. Enjoy Halloween-themed literacy activities and story times. Wear your costume and trick-or-treat around the library. cmlibrary.org. Harry Potter Festival. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 5-11. 2-3:30pm. FREE. Experience a Sorting Hat ceremony, and select a wand. Create a house pet, and compete for house points. Program is for school-age children who have read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Register online. cmlibrary.org. STEAM Month: Haunted Library Escape Room. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. Ages 5 and older. 2-4pm. FREE. Use multiple criticalthinking skills and the library’s online resources in a small group setting to solve puzzles and codes in an interactive escape room game. cmlibrary.org. Rookie Science: Science Spooktacular. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages 3-11. 2-4pm. FREE. Come for an afternoon of slightly spooky stories, kind-of creepy experiments and frightfully fun activities. Costumes welcome. cmlibrary.org. Halloween Party. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 3:30-4:30pm. FREE. Come dressed for the holiday and enjoy a dance bubble party, games and a costume contest. ci.mooresville.nc.us.

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CALENDAR POLICY The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost local and regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/calendar, then click on Submit an Event. Submission deadline for print is the 1st of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2018

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DADDY DEREK

A Little Family Teamwork

Derek James on set with his family and the Mario Bros. at “The Nintendo Switch Family Showdown” Photo courtesy of Derek James

BY DEREK JAMES

n July, my sons Tyler and Chase came bouncing down the stairs screaming, “Dad, you’ve got to see this!” It was a Disney Channel commercial looking for Nintendo-loving families to compete in something called, “The Nintendo Switch Family Showdown,” a game-show style video-game competition. The boys convinced my wife and I to create and send in a 60-second audition video. Working in TV, I had a pretty good idea of what they were looking for, so we gave it a shot. As it turned out, that video of us on our stairs — shot on my iPhone while it balanced precariously on our ironing board — got us a ticket to Hollywood. In August, Disney and Nintendo brought the four of us to Los Angeles for a three-day, two-night stay culminating in a family videogame competition in front of TV cameras and a live audience. Before the trip, we were given an idea of which games we’d be playing and were sent copies of the games to practice — and boy did my sons practice. They even “practiced” on games we wouldn’t be playing in the TV showdown. Each team was given an honorary captain from a Disney Channel show. We were lucky enough to be teamed up with teen star Isaak Presley from the sitcom “Stuck in the Middle.” Isaak was part mentor, part motivational coach and part big brother. He taught us our team cheer — pounding our chests and yelling like Donkey Kong — which made for some good, but embarrassing television. Isaak’s motivation came in handy as we didn’t get off to a great start. The first game was a seeding round of “Just Dance.” While we came in second, only the first-place team received points. The next challenge was “1-2-Switch.” This was

OCTOBER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

a single-elimination tournament. In the first challenge, a player from each team had to hold the controller like a cow udder and “milk” as many cups from the virtual cow as possible. Even though I’m from Wisconsin, I’m horrible at this game. We sent one of the kids up. He gave it a valiant effort, but lost. That guaranteed us last place points. In the final challenge of the first half, “Super Mario Odyssey,” the four of us finished in second place. At half-time, we were in last place. During the intermission, we went back to the green room with our coach Isaak. He gave the best pep talk I’ve ever heard a 16-yearold give. He made us all feel like we were still in the game, reminding the boys of how important it was to be good sports whether winning or losing, and how we were going to have a lot of fun playing the second half of games. We were psyched. Following that speech, we came out of half-time on fire and won the next challenge, a family relay of “Donkey Kong Country:

Tropical Freeze.” We were leveling up! The next game was a single elimination “Mario Tennis Aces” tourney. Tyler and I won our first match, then my wife Kristen and youngest son Chase won the overall winner match in what seemed liked the longest tennis game ever, complete with multiple ties and match points. We were now at the point in the game where the two families with the lowest point totals would be eliminated. The last two standing would then play “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” in a winner-take-all race. In a comeback to end all comebacks, we made it to the finals. But were we first to the finish line? Find out by watching “The Nintendo Switch Family Showdown” on nintendoswitchtogether.com. Derek James is a host of WCCB News Rising. He and his wife live in Charlotte with their two sons who are age 9 and 7.

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