Neapolitan Family December 2023 Issue by Neapolitan Family

DECEMBER 2023

neafamily.com

COMPLIMENTARY

THE

Holiday ISSUE

2023

GIFT GUIDE | FUN & FESTIVE HOLIDAY RECIPES | FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN STOCKING STUFFERS FOR THE ADVENTUROUS FAMILY

SWING

into naples zoo for something new!

For the first time in our 50-year history, Naples Zoo welcomed four Bornean orangutans. Visit today to meet these red-haired, great apes.

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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Contents

DECEMBER 2023

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide

From the Publisher

Community News

Find something for everyone on your list, without leaving SWFL!

Collier County Public School Update

Family Holiday Fun in SWFL

Fun & Festive Holiday Recipes

ON THE COVER

Recipes to make with the kids this busy holiday season . by Anna Snyder

Guiding Children Through Global Turmoil Navigating news, misinformation in times of war. by Andrea Stetson

Spreading Joy Collier County organizations making the holidays brighter for children. by Andrea Stetson

Stocking Stuffers for the Adventurous Family Find ideas for the whole family by Karen T. Bartlett

How to Teach Kids Religious Tolerance Accepting diversity in a changing world. by Kimberly Blaker

Kindness Corner Meet the fourth grader who is inspiring inlcusivity. by Andrea Stetson

JACOB SAIDA, 6, and is in 1st grade at Community School of Naples. MATAN SAIDA, 4, iand attends Temple Shalom Preschool. He loves playing his guitar and singing.

Cover photo by Monica Alvarez monicaalvarezphotography.com 305-815-3495 info@monicaalvarezphotography.com

2023 Naples

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

from the publisher… the parenting magazine devoted to collier county

Co-Publisher Stacy Nicolau snicolau@neafamily.com 239-370-5333

THIS MONTH Hope for the Holidays

Co-Publisher Jane MacNealy jmacnealy@neafamily.com Calendar Editor Liani Belcher Travel Editor Karen T. Bartlett Feature Writers Anna Snyder Andrea Stetson P.O. Box 110656 Naples, FL 34108 info@neafamily.com Visit us online at neafamily.com

2023

Proud Member of

Editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials. Articles and advertisements in Neapolitan Family do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Neapolitan Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Neapolitan Family is available free of charge at distribution points throughout Collier County, as well as digitally at neafamily.com.

The origin of Hanukkah was to celebrate the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem thousands of years ago, after three years of fighting for the right for the Jewish people to stay in their land and practice their religion. It was not meant to be a major holiday; merely a festival of lights commemorating the miraculous burning of a scant amount of oil once the Temple was illuminated. When we selected our cover kids for December, we already knew this was our year to do a Hanukkah cover. What we did not know was that this cover family was going to become personally affected by a war in Israel that would make this year’s festival of lights oddly reminiscent of the continued plight of the Jews to exist. Our cover kids, Jacob and Matan, enjoy a sneak peek of lighting the Hanukkah menorah with their mother, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, while they wait for their father, Asher, to return from his service trip to his homeland Israel. In this issue, we provide guidance on how to talk to children of all ages about war. On page 20, Andrea Stetson talks to area students about how they are hearing about war, and to educators and parents on the best way to navigate the news and misinformation on social media. On page 22, Kimberly Blaker advises parents that religious tolerance begins at home and offers ways to guide children to appreciate diversity in a changing world. We also have pages of fun ways to celebrate the holidays, with our calendar full of holiday events, recipes that kids can help with, ways to help those in need, and some unusual stocking stuffers. Neapolitan Family wishes everyone a holiday season full of peace and joy. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year!

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS BRING SOME “BUDDY” YOU LOVE TO “ELF THE MUSICAL” AT BROADWAY PALM!

his holiday season, Broadway Palm brings you the most magical gift of all; the smash hit ELF The Musical. Based on the popular film, this charming and whimsical musical comedy will spread holiday cheer for all to hear! The New York Times says ELF The Musical is “Splashy, Peppy, SugarSprinkled Holiday Entertainment!” This hilarious musical comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Buddy, a young orphan, crawls into Santa’s bag and winds up in the North Pole where he is raised, unaware that he is human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to discover his true identity. This modern day holiday classic is sure to bring out the true spirit of Christmas….after all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

ST. ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL TEACHER AWARDED THE 2023 HISPANIC HERITAGE IN EXCELLENCE AWARD

t. Elizabeth Seton School

proudly announces their Spanish Teacher,Mrs. Fabiola Galarraga-Cole is one of only four teachers in the state of Florida selected for the 2023 Florida Hispanic Heritage Excellence in Education Award from Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. In recognition for her achievement, she was also awarded $2,500 from Volunteer Florida. Mrs. Cole, an educator at the school since 2017, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from John Carroll University and a Master of Education specializing in Latin America and International Studies. Mrs. Cole teaches weekly Spanish classes to students in Grades PK-8.

Elf The Musical now playing through December 25, 2023 Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees.

This recognition reflects Mrs. Cole’s commitment to education and her remarkable contributions to her students and the community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

For more information,visit BroadwayPalm.com

For more information, visit saintelizabethseton.com

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

SHOP LOCAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Find something for everyone on your list, without leaving SWFL!

Norman Love Confections The 2023 Holiday Collection, which includes two choices of Advent calendars, is available at Norman Love Confections’ chocolate salons in Fort Myers, Naples, Estero and Sarasota, as well as online. www.NormanLoveConfections.com.

Gulfshore Playhouse Tickets to a Family-Friendly Holiday Musical: “Winter Wonderettes”

Pure Florida Fin-tastic Added-Value Gift Certificates! Gifting an experience with memories that last a lifetime. Get a $60 Gift Certificate for only $50, or a $125 Gift Certificate for $100. Gift certificates can be used for sightseeing & sunset cruises, dolphin, eco & island shelling tours, backwater and deep sea fishing trips, and water craft rentals. 1200 Fifth Avenue South, Naples, Florida (239) 263-4949 • www.purefl.com

Featuring a confection of 1960s holiday hits like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and more sung in “marvelous” four-part harmony, this delightful musical will put you right in the holiday spirit. 755 8th Avenue, South Naples, FL www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org

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Fun &Festive HOLIDAY RECIPES By Anna Snyder

love the holidays, I really do. But if your family is anything like mine, the weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break are some of the most scheduled, intense, anxiety-producing weeks of the year. Our calendar includes school performances, church choirs, office dinners, volunteering, cookie-decorating events, piano recitals, and Christmas parties.

obscure ingredients and complicated kitchen techniques. I asked Jessica for some of her best holiday recipes that my daughter, Winnie, could easily help me make. Jessica gave me a sneak peek of a dessert bundle she’s planning to offer for families like mine, who never want to attend a special event empty-handed.

Jessica shared tips for bringing kids into the kitchen. “I try to involve the boys in anything we make, and I let them have a hand in picking out the recipe.” She advises, “Lower your expectations, and know that letting kids help Enter Newly Neptune Meal Plans, by Jesin the kitchen will probably be a total mess. sica Neptune, a local mom of two boys Buying my boys their own set of kid-friendly who loves being home, cooking, and inplastic kitchen tools changed the game for r family volving her kids in the kitchen, even though Jessica Neptune and he us. I’d encourage parents to practice cooking ica Neptune oto credit Jess Ph Noah and Luke are still toddlers. She creates with children when the situation is low-stakes; the holidays are stressful enough without trying to monthly meal plans based on the philosophy that introduce a new skill.” when we have a dinner plan, we spend less and nourish our families more. And, when we involve our children, we Here are some holiday favorites – a few from Jessica save time in the long run as they grow and develop skills. and a few from me. Her $10 meal plans include only tried and true recipes Happy cooking! that her family loves. Each month is unique and free from Family fun often gets pushed to the back burner during these weeks, and the thought of holiday cooking feels overwhelming.

CLASSIC CORN CASSEROLE (Jessica, adapted from TwoSistersCrafting.com)

1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 1 can creamed corn 2 cans whole kernel corn (drained) 1 cup sour cream ½ cup butter, melted Shredded cheese Fold together the mix, drained creamed corn, drained corn, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour mixture into a greased, oven-safe baking dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

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YOYO’S COOKIES (Anna Snyder)

My mom makes one type of cookie, again and again, to rave reviews. They’re nourishing – appropriate for breakfast, even – but feel like a treat. At Christmas, she puts a red or green peanut M&M in the center and calls it a holiday cookie. 2 sticks of butter, softened

2 cups flour

1/2 cup cane sugar

1 tsp. sea salt

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1½ cups quick oats

1 tsp. vanilla

12 oz. dark chocolate chips

Beat together softened butter and sugars. Add in eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients, and beat those into the butter mixture. Add in oats and chocolate chips. Beat well. Form balls of cookie dough and place onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

PRETZEL CANDY CHRISTMAS CREATIONS (Adapted from a million recipes on the internet by Anna Snyder)

BEST SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

 Pretzels

(Anna recipe adapted from JoyFoodSunshine)

 Hershey’s kisses

Every time Winnie and I make cut cookies, I use the same recipe from JoyFoodSunshine. It’s a simple recipe, but the secret is using organic ingredients.

 M&Ms (we like peanut butter, but you can use any red and green M&Ms) Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Place pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Unwrap Hershey’s kisses and place them on top of the pretzels. Place in oven for 5-6 minutes. Pull it out of the oven and let it cool slightly. Place a red or green M&M on top and press down.

1 cup salted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp. vanilla Anna’s daughter, Winnie enjoying her creations. Photo credit Anna Snyder

2 large eggs, room temperature 2½ cups flour ½ tsp. baking powder

NO BAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

½ tsp. salt

(Jessica recipe, adapted from The First Year)

CRUST:

Stir together the ingredients for the crust until a thick mixture forms. Press the 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs mixture into an ungreased springform ¼ cup brown sugar pan. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes before adding the filling. Remove excess 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted moisture from the pumpkin puree by placing it on a few paper towels on a plate FILLING: for a few minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat 2 packages of full-fat cream the cream cheese and 1 cup of powdered cheese at room temperature sugar. Add in the pumpkin pie spice and 1½ cups powdered sugar, divided pumpkin puree. Set aside. In another bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and ½ ½ cup pumpkin puree cup powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff 1 tsp. cinnamon peaks form. Mix the whipped cream and the cream cheese mixture together at low 2½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice speed until just combined. Scoop the filling 2 cups heavy whipping cream into the crust and smooth it out. Cover with 2 tsp. vanilla plastic wrap and refrigerate for six hours.

Cream together butter and sugar, add in vanilla and eggs. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat until combined. Divide dough into two equal portions, and shape each into a round, flat disc. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Remove one sugar cookie disc from the refrigerator; let it sit for a few minutes to soften. Roll it out to 1/3 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut the dough and place cookies on cookie sheets covered in parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes. Let them cool completely before decorating.

SECRET WEAPON: NANA

Noah Neptune helping his mom in the kitchen.

We have a few secrets for hosting successful cookie-decorating parties. I have a nana – my mother-in-law – who makes the frosting and helps coordinate the usage of ingredients. (She’s a retired kindergarten teacher, and it shows!) Children decorate far fewer cookies than you think they will, requiring far more sprinkles than you ever imagined. I place giant pieces of parchment paper with each child’s name on our counter, and we place finished cookies on the parchment. Nana brings plenty of plastic knives, spoons, paper plates, and bowls. We cover our kitchen table with a plastic disposable tablecloth for easy clean up.

Photo credit Jessica Neptune

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS By Jennifer Kupiec

Drumming Up Success The Benefits of School Partnerships

Tommie Barfield Elementary Drum Club students joined the Lely High School Drum Line in the stands during a Friday night football game on Oct. 13. Photo provided by CCPS.

hen schools partner together, good things happen. Take Tommie Barfield Elementary School, for example. The school offers a drum club to students, run by music teacher Craig Greusel and technology teacher Jody McCarty. To enhance the experience for its drum club students, the school contacted Lely High School to see if its Drum Line would be interested in working together. The results have been nothing short of fantastic. “All of our leadership clubs have a service-learning project that goes with them, and so that’s kind of how this idea came about,” explained Alyssa Ledbetter, principal of TBE. “Lely is our high school, our feeder partner high school, so many of our kids will be going there. Therefore, we thought it would be a great opportunity for them to come together in this unique partnership and connect

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the older kids with the younger kids and create that experience for them.” “I like playing drums,” shared TBE fifth grader Kai Rossi. “It gets me entertained.” “Coming back [to TBE] has been nice, because I haven’t been back here in a couple of years,” said LHS Drum Line member and former TBE student Maggie Poling. “It’s nice to see the kids and how they love drum club.” “I like playing drums because drums, it’s like you can play a rhythm,” added Ethan Pattath, another fifth-grade student at TBE. LHS 10th grader Ben Musgrave hopes to teach the younger students that “music can be fun.” Principal Ledbetter wanted to take the program one step further with its success. “We thought it would be a great experience for them to go to

a high school football game and see the whole thing – Friday night lights, the band, the drum line – and experience that with them there. From the moment they stepped off the bus at Lely High School, I heard them say this is the best day of their life, making this whole experience worth it.” We spoke with some TBE students while at the Friday night game. “Since I was a kid, I liked drumming and everything, so I think it’s why I got back to drumming,” shared Michael Lake. “I like getting my spirit back on!” “It was really fun to cheer with the cheerleaders and watch the gameplay,” added Suraya St. Germain. One of the highlights for the students was witnessing everyone doing the LHS cheer, “Go, Lely, Go, Lely, Go!” We encourage each of our schools to take the opportunity to connect with their partner schools. You never know the fantastic, enriching experiences that may be found! NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN IN SWFL MULTI-DATE EVENTS

50TH ANNUAL 5TH AVENUE CHRISTMAS WALK AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY WITH AVENUE DINING. Dec. 8-9, 5-10 p.m. Enjoy the official Christmas tree lighting on 5th Avenue South and amazing holiday experiences, including a living nativity by the First Church of the Nazarene, skating rink, live music, and Santa Claus. Location: 5th Avenue S., Naples. Visit www.fifthavenuesouth.com. FREE FIRST NAPLES CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. Dec. 8-10, 7 p.m. This special Christmas event will include a full orchestra, choirs, and an inspiring nativity display. Location: First Naples, 3000 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Visit www.firstnaples.org/christmas/#NCC HOLIDAY LIGHTS: CALUSA NATURE CENTER. Dec. 8-10, 15-17, 21-24, 29-30, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy cheery holiday nights this coming winter with a a third of a mile trail decorated with holiday lights and fun. Location: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. Visit www.calusanature.org/holidaylights.

HOLIDAY NIGHTS. Dec. 1-27, 5:30-9 p.m. Thousands of lights, hundreds of historic decorations, and one unique holiday experience await you nightly. Location: Edison and Ford Winter Estates. 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Visit www. edisonfordwinterestates.org or call 239-334-7419. HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT. Dec. 14, 15, 16, 8 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m.; Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Enjoy as singer and American Idol alum Clay Aiken sings with the Naples Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic Chorus, and Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus in their annual program of beloved holiday tunes. Location: Artis–Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Visit www.artisnaples.org/events/holiday-pops. JOHNSONVILLE NIGHT LIGHTS IN THE GARDEN. Dec. 1-30. Enjoy live music and hot chocolate while strolling through the illuminated gardens. Location: Naples Botanical Gardens, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples. Visit www.naplesgarden.org.

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

Make memories with your family this holiday season with any of the events in our Holiday Fun Guide — many of them are free! Events featuring Santa are indicated with the Santa icon

We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of the information, but it is always a good idea to verify the details before you attend. Scan the QR code to go to the Neapolitan Family Online Calendar to get the most up-to-date list of events.

MAGIC OF LIGHTS: PREHISTORIC CHRISTMAS. Dec. 1-30, 6-10 p.m. It’s the Magic of Lights with millions of LED lights, creating a magical drive-through experience for the whole family. Location: Collier Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave., Naples. Visit magicoflights.com or call 239-455-1444. NAPLES LIVE NATIVITY. Dec. 8-10, 6-8 p.m. Nativity with live animals, the birth of Christ re-enacted, characters in full costume and Christmas carols at this outdoor event. Location: Seagate Baptist Church, 1010 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/seagatebaptist. FREE

1 FRIDAY

AVOW KIDS FIRST FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT. 5:30-8 p.m. Come to Avow’s Movie Night showing of Jack Frost and strengthen your family bonds and meet new friends. Enjoy the movie and dinner. Location: Avow Ispiri Community Center, 1205 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples. Visit avowcares.org or call 239-261-4404. FREE

JINGLE BELL BASH. 5:30-7 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with Children’s Museum of Naples’a annual Jingle Bell Bash. Location: Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Road, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com.

2 SATURDAY NAPLES SNOW FEST. 4-8 p.m. No matter what the “real” weather is that day, snow will be in the forecast to celebrate the winter holiday. There will be the snow, kids games, bounce houses, face painting, and music! Location: Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3874 City Gate Blvd. N, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/PCSCNaples. NAPLES WINTER CELEBRATION. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Come and meet Santa and join Collier Parks and Rec in celebrating this holiday season in its Winter Wonderland! There will be arts and crafts, games, bounce house, music, and food!. Location: Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/ GoldenGateCommunityCenter.

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FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN IN SWFL SANTA’S BLOCK PARTY. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring kids workshop bags, performances, firetruck, ice cream, and of course, Santa. Location: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers. Visit fortmyersfestivaloftrees.com

HANUKKAH WORKSHOP. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Get ready to celebrate Hanukkah by listening to stories, singing songs, and making a craft. Location: Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. Visit www.collierlibrary.org/events. FREE

SANTA IN PARADISE AT THE PINE ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. 12 p.m. The Pine Island Public Library is ready for Santa to visit. Families will enjoy holiday crafts, and children will receive a free book Location: Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia. Visit www.leelibrary.librarymarket.com. FREE

WINTER CONCERT: A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER. 6-7:30 p.m. Soprano Jodi Keogan and accompanist Seth Weinstein, perform holiday favorites combined with seasonal songs! Location: South Regional Branch Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy, Naples. Visit www.collierlibrary. org/events.

SCIENCE & SANTA HOLIDAY EVENT & CRUISE WITH PURE FLORIDA. 9-11:30 a.m. Santa Claus is coming to Pure Florida, along with Mr. Glen with holiday science experiments and crafts on a fun and relaxing sightseeing cruise. Location: Pure Florida, 1200 5th Ave S, Naples. Visit www. purefl.com or call 239.263.4949. TROPICAL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR AT COCONUT POINT. 5-8 p.m. Enjoy music, performances, singalong, parade, Santa photos, and tree lighting. Location: Coconut Point Mall, 23106 Fashion Dr, Estero. Visit www.simon.com. FREE

5 TUESDAY

BONITA SPRINGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK. 4:30-8:30 p.m. The official tree lighting at the park with performances, snow piles, and a snow slide. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the event as well. Location: Riverside Park, 27310 Old US-41 Road, Bonita Springs. Visit www.cityofbonitasprings.org. FREE CITY OF NAPLES CHRISTMAS PARADE. 6:30-8 p.m. The 2023 Annual Christmas Parade begins at 11th Avenue South. Location: Downtown Naples, 5th Avenue South, Naples. Visit www.naplesgov.com. FREE

6 WEDNESDAY HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH SARAH HADEKA. 2-3 p.m. A Holiday Concert with Sarah Hadeka, a singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and guitarist who currently resides in Naples, Florida. Location: Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. Visit www.collierlibrary.org/events.

7 THURSDAY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Naples biggest Chanukah party of the year will be an incredible outdoor concert by Jewish singer and rapper, Nissim Black.’ Location: Cambier Park Bandshell, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Visit www.naplesgov.com. FREE CRAFTER’S CORNER: HOLIDAY SHELL CRAFT. Dec. 7, 2-3:30 p.m. Making holiday shell crafts and get introduced to a few of “treasures” found on southwest Florida beaches. Location: Golden Gate Branch Library, 2432 Lucerne Road, Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org/events. FREE

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Broadway Bootcamp: Winter Wonderland

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Ages 8 - 13 December 18 - 22, 2023 1PM - 4PM Tuition: $250

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May 11 at 7:00PM, May 12 at 2PM & 7:00PM, May 14 at 7:00PM, May 15 at 7:00PM, May 16 at 7:00PM

Visit gulfshoreplayhouse.org or contact Steven Calakos scalakos@gulfshoreplayhouse.org to register and for more details.

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

8 FRIDAY

GINGERBREAD HOUSE EXPERIENCE. 4-8 p.m. Gather friends and family for a beloved holiday tradition in a unique new experience: the Gingerbread House Tour. Location: The Ritz-Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/ ritzcarltonresortsofnaples. BONITA SPRINGS MOVIE IN THE PARK. 6-8 p.m. Enjoy the 2009 version of a Christmas Carol with the whole family. Location: Riverside Park, 27300 Old US 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Visit www.facebook.com. FREE PARENTS NIGHT OUT. Dec. 8, 5:30-9 p.m. Enjoy a festive Parents Night Out at the YMCA. Wear your favorite pjs or ugly sweaters and enjoy holiday crafts, snowball dodgeball, movie magic, and more! Pizza dinner will be provided. Location: YMCA of Collier County (Naples), 5450 YMCA Road, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/YMCANaples.

Be a Girl Scout. As a Girl Scout, you’ll have the chance to explore the world around you, have a blast, and—most importantly—find the space to be truly, totally yourself. That’s what being a Girl Scout is all about. Don’t miss your chance to grow, learn, and laugh with a supportive crew at your side.

9 SATURDAY

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD. 5-8 p.m. Holiday attractions including Christmas parade, entertainment, snow mountains, toboggan snow slide, Santa pictures, Santa’s workshop, air slide, bounce house, games, and food. Location: Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee. Visit www.collierparks.com. FREE HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE & SUNSET CRUISE WITH PURE FLORIDA. 5-8 p.m. Get the best seats to watch the MIACC Holiday Boat Parade with Pure Florida and enjoy a gorgeous Naples sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. Location: Pure Florida, 1200 5th Ave S. , Naples. Visit www.purefl.com or call 239.263.4949. HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Decorate a cookie and make a fun holiday craft at the Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library. Location: Vanderbilt Beach Branch Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Visit www.collierlibrary.org/events. FREE HOMEMADE HOLIDAYS FAMILY DAY. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Get crafty for the holidays and make all sorts of holiday decorations, ornaments, and more, inspired by Florida, nature, and old-fashioned holiday traditions. Location: Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. Visit colliermuseums.com. FREE SANTA PAWS! ON THIRD. 12-2 p.m. Bring your pet on a leash and pose with jolly old St. Nick for a treasured memory. A professional photographer will be capturing memorable photos. Location: Third St. South, 1207 3rd St S., Naples. Visit thirdstreetsouth.com. NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN IN SWFL WINTER HOLIDAY STORYTIME. 10 a.m. Celebrate the winter holiday season with fun stories, songs, and crafts. Meet a special visitor from the North Pole. Location: South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero. Visit www.leelibrary.librarymarket. com. FREE WINTER WATERLAND. 12-2 p.m. During this event they will provide games, music, photos with Santa and food vendors will be available! Location: Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/ CollierParks.

11 MONDAY

COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION AT MERCATO. 5-6:30 p.m. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples invites the community to its annual Chanukah celebration and menorah lighting. Location: Mercato at the Lawn, 9118 Strada Place, Naples.

12 TUESDAY

“FROZEN” CRAFT FAMILY NIGHT. 6 p.m. Families with children ages 6-13 are invited for “Frozen”themed crafts, coloring and holiday fun. Location: East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres. Visit Visit www.leelibrary. librarymarket.com JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE. 6 p.m. “Polar Express” fans of all ages are invited to a special holiday party. This celebration will include activities, crafts and a visit from Santa. Location: North Fort Myers Public Library, 2001 N., Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Visit www.leelibrary. librarymarket.com. FREE

14 THURSDAY

HOLLY JOLLY SANTA VISIT. 11 a.m. – Noon Children and families are invited to a heartwarming holiday experience at the library. Stop by the children’s room to enjoy festive crafts, play enchanting games and snap a photo with Santa himself. Space and supplies are limited. Location: Bonita Springs Public Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs Visit Visit www.leelibrary.librarymarket. com. FREE COZY HOLIDAY READING CIRCLE. 2-3 p.m. Let’s bring cheer to our day by discussing our favorite holiday books or stories. Location: Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. Visit www.collierlibrary.org/events. FREE

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15 FRIDAY

BABY HOLIDAY CRAFT. 10 a.m. Celebrate the holidays with a festive craft for you and baby. Using your baby’s footprint, you will create a memorable ornament for you or a loved one. Location: Riverdale Public Library, 2421 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers. Visit www.leelibrary. librarymarket.com. FREE BIG CORKSCREW ISLAND REGIONAL PARK GRINCHMAS FAMILY EVENT. 6-9 p.m. Holiday event for the entire family. Enjoy music, games, crafts, raffles, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, candy bags, and more. Location: Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, 810 39th Ave. NE, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/CollierParks. CANDELIGHT CHRISTMAS CAROLS. 6:30-8 p.m. 2023 Candlelight Christmas Carols includes caroling, a food truck and beverages. The event benefits Hope4kids. Location: Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S., Naples. Visit www.naplesgov.com. TUBA CHRISTMAS. 6:30-7:30 p.m. A remarkable evening of music in Sugden Plaza from sousaphone, euphonium, tuba, and baritone horn players. Location: Sugden Plaza, 701 5th Ave S., Naples. Visit www fifthavenuesouth.com.

16 SATURDAY MARCO ISLAND CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE. 6-9 p.m. Countless lights and garland grace vessels large and small that will travel up and down Marco River for the 35th Annual Marco Island Christmas Boat Parade. Location: Marco Island Esplanade , 800 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. Visit www.facebook.com.FREE MARCO ISLAND COOKIES AND MILK WITH SANTA. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Santa will be flying in via helicopter‑ on the Mackle Park field. Afterward, bring your Christmas list to Santa and enjoy cookies and milk. Location: Mackle Park, 360 Worthington St., Marco Island. Visit www.facebook.com.

17 SUNDAY ANNUAL HOLIDAY SCIENCE SPECTACULAR. 6:30 p.m. Mr. Glen combines humor, action, and high-quality educational content on stage this holiday season. Location: Norris Center in Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave., S., Naples. Visit www.naplesgov.com.

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

19 TUESDAY

MOVIES ON THE LAWN MERCATO. 5:45 p.m. Enjoy the holiday movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” under the stars. Location: Mercato, 9127 Strada Place, Naples. Visit experiencemercato.com.

21 THURSDAY WINTER WONDERLAND: SANTA’S LIBRARY. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet Santa, enjoy crafts, activities, and more. Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral. Visit www.leelibrary.librarymarket.com. FREE

22 FRIDAY

MERRY MINGLE & JINGLE HOLIDAY EVENT. 9:30 a.m.1 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with us at the Y! Location: YMCA of Collier County (North Campus), 5450 YMCA Road, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/ YMCANaples or call 239-394-9622.

23 SATURDAY

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 8-11:30 a.m. Enjoy a buffet of fun breakfast favorites, delightful decor, live music, a hot cocoa cart, and children’s activity stations. Also, storytime with Mrs. Claus. Location: The Ritz-Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Visit www.facebook.com/ritzcarltonresortsofnaples. HOLIDAY ON THE BAY. 3-7 p.m. Holiday entertainment including complimentary photos with Santa, Dickens period carolers, a festive snow show, and a visit from the furry and reptile friends from Kowiachobee Animal Preserve, and Location: The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd N., Naples. Visit www.venetianvillage.com. FREE

IN THE MAIN THEATRE

NOV 10 - DEC 25

Based on the popular film, this hilarious musical comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. This family holiday classic is sure to bring out the true spirit of Christmas.

28 THURSDAY NOON YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION. 11:30 a.m. Celebrate the end of 2023 at this family friendly daytime bash with fun, music, and dancing. Location: Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral. Visit www.leelibrary.librarymarket.com. FREE

31 SUNDAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE GULF. 6 p.m. Enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks fired from a barge just past the Naples Pier. Location: Naples Pier. Visit www.naplesgov.com. FREE

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

NOV 28 - DEC 24 $25

LUNCH & SHOW!

See all your favorite crack-alackin’ friends as they escape from the New York’s Central Park Zoo on an unexpected journey to the world of Madagascar.

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GUIDING CHILDREN THROUGH GLOBAL TURMOIL

Navigating News, Misinformation in Times of War By Andrea Stetson “We must warn you that the images you are about to see are disturbing.” This is heard almost every day on the news as broadcasters talk about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The images are disturbing, and so are the stories: stories of death and destruction, stories of a terrorist group going on a brutal attack, killing and kidnapping, or stories of Russia invading its neighbor. “It is devastating. People are losing their lives, and some people don’t have places to go,” said Veronica Trinidad, 14, a student at Aubrey Rogers High School in Naples. Then there also is all of the misinformation. A national survey of Generation Z teenagers showed that 52% of teens get daily news from social media. Images of war fill their screens as they scroll through an avalanche of information. Another study by the Anti-Defamation League showed up to 70% of participants reported seeing misinformation on social media. This can make it confusing and scary for children and teenagers. Collier County mom Jamye McIntyre, who is Jewish, makes a point of helping her twin 14-year-old boys understand what is going on in the world and feel safe amidst the violence. “We are very upfront,” said McIntyre. “I try not to hide things from them because they are going to hear about it. I would rather they get my accurate version than what they hear at school. They know what is going on,” McIntyre said. “They see what is on the news.” Her sons, who did not want their names to be used, agree that they are very aware of the violence. “A lot of people have died, and it is a major problem,” one said. “It is getting out of hand, [with] the protests and the violence,” his twin added.

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At Aubrey Rogers High School, students in the AICE General Paper class watch CNN10 almost daily and discuss the issues. “We are learning about how Israel is fighting in the Gaza Strip, and people are having to evacuate and hospitals are getting blown up,” Veronica said. “We heard a kid got his head blown off. I didn’t want to see that. It’s bad.” Like Larry Olmedo, 16, other students get most of their news from TikTok. “I am seeing videos of explosions and villages getting destroyed and families being torn apart,” Larry said. “Before we saw how the Ukraine army was outnumbered by the Russians, and we thought the Ukrainians would lose the war. I just hope it gets resolved.”

EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES AND MANAGING EXPOSURE Maria Ellis, mental health coordinator for Collier County Public Schools, agrees that making children feel safe while also understanding what is happening is important. What details parents should discuss with their children depends on the child’s age and personality. Ellis suggests watching a child’s reactions and monitoring anxiety levels. “For the younger kids, avoid having any kind of conversation about war before bedtime,” she stressed. “Give them some time to process it before their little brains go into dream mode. With the younger kids, let their questions guide you. Our goal is to separate the real from the imagined fear. When providing facts to the younger kids, they should be brief and factual. Always validate their feelings.” Ellis said with younger children, the focus should be on reassuring them that they are safe.

“Highlight the people that are trying to help, the people that are doing the right things,” she explained. The discussions are different with middle and high school students. “With the older kids, it will be more complex and involved,” Ellis said. “More mature kids might focus on the politics surrounding the war. It is really important in this type of situation to limit the exposure. It can make it feel like it is unsafe everywhere.” Rick Duggan, executive director of exceptional education and student support services for CCPS, agreed that monitoring and controlling the amount of exposure is important. “Some people have MSNBC or Fox News just running in the background all day, and that is probably not the best idea,” he said.

UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES Rabbi Ariel Boxman, director of lifelong learning at Temple Shalom in Naples and director of Temple Shalom Preschool, believes that with little children, the best action is to avoid the terrors of war. “It just doesn’t fit into their world,” she said. “We are suggesting they avoid it as much as they can.” NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

With little ones, that can be as simple as not having the news on and not talking about it when children are present. But Boxman knows that is not always possible, especially with older children and teens. “They are not going to be able to shield their kids,” she added. Boxman believes that the older students attending Temple Shalom’s religious school understand that there is a war in Israel and that there is a terrorist group that began the conflict and is perpetuating it. “We explained that Israel is simply defending herself and working tirelessly to retrieve the hostages. We were careful not to discuss the torture, rape, or mutilation,” she points out. “The message I am sharing with them is that what happened on October 7th is from a terrorist group, not from the Palestinians. Reinforce that there are many good people, and [the terrorists are] people who have a lot of hate in their hearts,” Boxman explained. She said Temple Shalom messaged their families that they refrain from using TikTok. “It is ideal to avoid it completely, but when a child comes across it, it has to be addressed,” Boxman noted. She also stressed the importance of allowing children to discuss what is happening in the war openly. “Let the children share what they are feeling, what they saw. Just let them speak. What we might think they are feeling might not be what they are feeling.” Boxman said.

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PERSONAL STORIES Because they have family in Israel, Rabbi Boxman has to carefully guide her children as well. “We explained that there were some people in Israel who made the choice to use violence rather than use their words. By doing so, a lot of people got hurt, and so many people are sad.”

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In November, Boxman’s husband, Asher Saida, took 19 duffel bags of requested supplies gathered by the Naples Jewish community to his home country. “When Asher left for Israel, we told [our children] that he was going to help protect the people of Israel and teach the importance of using words to get what we want, rather than violence.” Temple Shalom’s Rabbi Adam Miller also traveled to Israel in November. Miller’s wife, Jennifer Siegal-Miller, said her children were nervous about the trip. “We told the boys that he was going and that he was going to be safe and that he was going to visit people who were mourning and injured,” Siegal-Miller said. “We explained that it’s what Jewish people do when somebody is hurt and lonely and sad: we go, and we are with them.”

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HOW TO TEACH KIDS RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE Accepting Diversity in a Changing World By Kimberly Blaker

staggering 11,634 hate crime incidents involving 13,337 offenses were reported in 2022, according to FBI data. Because most hate crimes go unreported, the actual number is likely much more significant. Of concern to parents is that young men under 26 are the perpetrators of a considerable percentage of these violent acts. Religious-based biases, as well as ethnic and racial biases, are learned during early childhood, explains the Leadership Conference Education Fund. Young children exposed to these prejudices hold numerous stereotypes by the time they reach the age of 12. In a society as diverse as the United States, it’s disturbing to see the misconceptions often held toward those who are different — including those of other religious faiths. As parents and educators, we must strive to change these patterns so our kids grow into kind and accepting adults. Part of the problem is that kids, like adults, learn of violence perpetrated by individuals within a particular religion and believe that everyone within that faith is violent. So, kids should understand there will always be a few bad apples within any religion, even their own.

TOLERANCE BEGINS AT HOME We must first recognize that our attitudes and actions toward those of different faiths play a crucial role. Children are observant and catch even the subtlest stereotyping and discriminatory behaviors. According to experts, attitudes held by those living in the home will have the most significant impact on the way children perceive people who are different. You can encourage your child to accept other faiths and even those of no religion in many ways. If you haven’t already, explain your beliefs to your child and why you hold your views.

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Read books with them on world religions, diversity, and tolerance. Have open discussions and encourage questions. Explain the importance of religious freedom for your family and why it’s essential for others. Then make sure your child understands being accepting of another doesn’t mean you must hold that person’s beliefs as true.

LEARNING TOLERANCE OUTSIDE THE HOME Talk to your kid’s school to ensure that textbooks and curricula are current to reflect equity and multiculturalism. Ask teachers and staff if and how they approach teaching tolerance in the classroom. If the school or class doesn’t already include tolerance education in its program, try to help activate it. Ask if you can share ideas with staff. Also, learn other ways you can assist the school in promoting positive attitudes toward diversity. Help your child develop acceptance by sharing the beliefs of relatives and friends who hold different views from your own. Ask those of other views to share with your child what they believe and why. Ensure these adults understand your purpose so they won’t attempt to proselytize your child or criticize your beliefs. Instead, ask them to share their beliefs with neutrality. When your child discovers that good, well-respected family members and friends hold a wide range of views, your child will be better equipped to accept others as well.

FIGHT INTOLERANCE Another recommendation by Tolerance.org is to actively encourage your child to fight stereotypes and intolerance. Help your child form a club study circle or sponNEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

sor a walkathon for diversity. Your child will have the opportunity to meet kids of other beliefs while learning the importance of social responsibility at the same time. Confront biased behavior expressed by family and friends, especially if your child witnesses it. For example, if Grandma complains that her “Jewish neighbors don’t take care of their lawn,” don’t brush the comment aside. Otherwise, both Grandmother and your child will take your silence as acceptance of the remark. Confronting family and friends isn’t easy, but it can be done. Don’t criticize. Nonchalantly but clearly acknowledge Grandmother’s frustrations with the unkempt yard. Then, point out it has nothing to do with being Jewish. By doing so, your child will learn such biased comments are not necessarily valid. It also teaches your child not to be apathetic toward intolerance. Finally, if your child attends church, Sunday school, or other religious functions, talk with the leaders and teachers to learn their attitudes and levels of tolerance. While many are accepting of different religious views, some religious leaders perpetuate intolerance by preaching against those of other faiths. Other religious leaders may contribute to stereotyping in more subtle ways. Kids are very perceptive, though, and will recognize the biases. If you do detect prejudiced attitudes, look for another church or denomination that’s less biased. Finally, talk with your church about ways it can teach and promote religious tolerance among its youth. After all, the desire for peace on earth is common among most of the world’s religions. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online store, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com

Share these books on world religions and religious tolerance with your child. The Kids Books of World Religions by Jennifer Glossop See Inside World Religions by Alex Frith God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams Sacred Myths: Stories of World Religions by Marilyn McFarlane All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold What Do You Believe? Big Questions About Religion by DK Publishing

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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HOLIDAY HELPERS By Andrea Stetson

Spreading Joy

t’s not easy for everyone to have a happy holiday season. There are many local families who have struggled this past year. But here in Collier County, the holidays are made much happier by a wealth of local groups that zero in on children who need some extra care.

SUPER SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES One of the biggest supporters of making the holidays happier for local children in need is the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, which teams up with area groups to bring an array of programs to the community.

and officers at Naples Sheriff Kevin Rambosk l to distribute gifts. pita Community Hos nty Sheriff ’s Office.

“The thing we like is to be a part of the community, and this is one of the ways we get to do that,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “That is what it is all about.”

This is the 17th year for Celebrate With a Star, an annual giving program for children in the Guardian Ad Litem program. The sheriff’s department and members of the community purchase gifts from an Amazon Wish List, and deputies then distribute them to about 200 children. Photo from the Collier Cou

For almost a decade, Shop with a Sheriff has been a popular holiday tradition. Local schools identify 80-90 children who are in need. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples provides $100 for each child to buy items for the holidays, with shopping assistance from a deputy. Then there is Santa’s Ride Toy Drive/Sydney’s Goodnight Lights where deputies bring gifts to children at North Collier Hospital by Immokalee Road in dozens of police cars with the lights flashing.

CHERISHING TRADITIONS Celebrating the holidays for the first time without a loved one can be tough. That’s why Avow in Naples has a list of events to make it easier for children and their families who have experienced a loss. On Dec. 19, the annual Avow Winter Community Festival features games, activities, Santa, a bounce house, and other treats. Last year it attracted more than 300 parents and children. Renee Stoll, director of communications, says the festival is a soft introduction to Avow’s services. “They can see this feels familiar and it is not as scary as they

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Collier County Organizations Making the Holidays Brighter for Children thought,” Stoll said. “They see it is a cool free event for the community.” When a loved one is gone, sometimes traditions disappear too, and Stoll says Avow doesn’t want that to happen. So the nonprofit maintains its own traditions, such as its annual Cookie Decorating Party on Dec. 20. “This event brings a holiday ritual back for the kids to enjoy and express times when they may have baked holiday cookies with the relative they lost,” Stoll said. There is also a Holiday Caroling event on Dec. 22. “We try to reinforce with the family that it is ok to start new traditions, and it is ok to go back to old traditions,” she explained. Avow’s services aren’t only for kids who have experienced the death of a loved one. They are for any child dealing with any kind of loss: a parent incarcerated, a parent deported, a move that takes a child away from friends, and more.

CELEBRATING AT THE SHELTER There’s also a lot of celebrating going on at The Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples. The building is decorated for the holidays, complete with a North Pole mailbox for Santa letters. Each child receives several gifts that are specifically requested by their parents or from a Santa letter. Adults get presents too. The shelter holds a Christmas brunch with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus on Christmas morning.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Kids at the Shelter for Abu sed Women and Children in Naples get a visit from Santa. Photo from the Shelter for Abused Women and Chil dren.

For some children “home for the holidays” is a shelter. There are 11 families with a total of about 30 children at the St. Matthew’s House shelters in Naples and Immokalee. “We do a residents’ Christmas party where Santa comes on the winter solstice,” said Bob Irzyk, St. Matthew’s director of marketing and communications. “We have cookies and Santa hands out gifts.” The shelter works with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Naples Police Department to buy gifts specifically for each child. The shelter also hosts Five Days of Christmas, which NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

Piles of toys and games are donated to the Guadalupe Center so parents can go on a free shopping spree. Photo from the Guadalupe Center.

features an event each day for five days: baking cookies, movie night, caroling, gingerbread houses, and the Santa visit. The giving goes beyond the shelter doors. “For our single residents that have kids elsewhere, we allow them to shop for extra toys to give to their kids,” Irzyk explained. Gifts also are provided for children living in the Wolf Apartments, low-income housing owned by St. Matthew’s House.

BOUNTIFUL BIKES About 400 local children will receive a bicycle this holiday season from Bikes for Tykes. Since the Naples volunteer group started in 1987, it has distributed more than 46,000 bicycles. “The last quarter of the year is extremely busy for us,” said Skip Riffle, founder of Bikes for Tykes. The organization teams up with various groups for bike build days. This year’s groups include the Port Royal community, the Salvation Army, and DeVoe Subaru. Bikes for Tykes’ 16 volunteers also spend hours in a garage in Golden Gate making old bikes look like new to distribute to local children.

SHOPPING SPREE The Guadalupe Center does things a bit differently when

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

▶

it comes to bringing children a happy holiday. It invites parents to its yearly Holiday Gift Shop, where they receive free presents for their children. Groups such as the Seminole Tribe and the Community School of Naples help with the project. Last year 682 families arrived to get gifts for almost 2,500 children. Even wrapping paper is provided. “It is so popular that we run it for a couple of days,” said Bob Spano, vice president of programs at Guadalupe Center.

BEYOND TOYS Laces of Love provides sneakers to children in need all year, but during the holidays, it gears up for a special event. Founder Jeanne Nealon says each year the group donates hundreds of shoes to the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee for its Holiday Gift Shop, where parents go to shop for free for the holidays. “They don’t ask for toys,” Nealon explained. “They ask for clothing and shoes. The parents are so happy when they get shoes. It’s sad, but it is true.”

neafamily.com 25

TRAVEL By Karen T. Bartlett

STOCKING STUFFERS FOR THE

sk me what I’d love to find in my stocking this year, and my answer is the same as always: the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture, even as a tourist. For example, Scotland’s Highland Games are not an option next year, but I still can watch kilted Scottish strongmen carry 300-pound rocks, flip 25-foot,100pound tree trunks into the air, play brute-strength tug of war, and other medieval feats of might to honor their clans. Surprisingly, Florida hosts two of the country’s top Highland games, and the biggest one this side of Scotland is barely a two- hour flight away: Scottish and Celtic dancing, border collie herding, food tents, and soul-stirring piping and drumming. Scottish clans gather from around the country and the world, and even spectators (not all of Scottish descent) proudly wear their tartans. Here’s the scoop and some other ideas fo r t h e experience-seeker in your family.

FOR THE SCOTTISH EXPERIENCE On Jan. 13-14, catch the 46th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, home of the Bolder Boogie.The current record holder, Lord of the Trolls, carried his 326-pound stone cross a distance of 7 feet. flascot.com On April 1, head to Dunedin, Florida’s authentic Scottish town, for its 56th Highland Games and Festival. A highlight is the spectacular massed band, where hundreds of pipers and drummers play together. dunedinscottisharts.com The grandfather of them all is the Gathering of the Clans and Highland Games, July 11-14, on Grandfather Mountain, 90 minutes north of Asheville. North Carolina has the largest percentage of Scots-Irish descendants in the U.S., and the meadow feels much like the Scottish Highlands. It starts with a torchlight ceremony and ends with Family Day, adding kid-size versions of ancient games, face painting, crafts, and more. In its 68th year, the gathering draws over 100 clans; scores of vendor tents offering food, clan-culture immersion, souvenirs, and tartans; and up to 40,000 visitors. gmhg.org

FOR THE DOG In less than three hours, you and your four-legged bestie can be hiking together on a dogfriendly trail at Alderman’s Ford Preserve, part of the 4,000-acre Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve, located east of Tampa. Its steep riverbanks, rocky whitewater river, and trails meandering through giant cypress and live oak forests may make you forget you’re still in Florida. 813-672-7876.

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NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

Adventurous Family FOR THE KIDDOS Anytime is good to play among gazillions of Legos in every shape and size. Still, you’ll see Lego Santa, Lego Elves (and live ones), a giant Lego Christmas tree, dancing gingerbread people, and sensational holiday displays only during Holidays at Legoland in Winter Haven each weekend this month. One family package includes an outrageously colorful Lego-themed hotel room, treats, and passes to the Legoland and Peppa Pig theme parks. Generally geared to ages 12 and under, the whole family, even grandparents, can enjoy Holidays at Legoland. All shows, and many rides, are accessible for people with disabilities, and Legoland Florida Resort is a certified autism center. legoland.com/florida

FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE IMMERSION More than 23,000 enslaved Africans were brought through the port of Savannah, Georgia, in the holds of ships and sold in the public squares. Yet for over two decades in modern history, their story was shared with visitors primarily by one man: Johnny Brown and his Freedom History Tours. The native Savannahian, whose great-great-grandfather was an enslaved woodcarver from West Africa, bases his tours on his love of the history, art, architecture, and the untold backstories on the trail to freedom and beyond, especially the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights movement. He’ll take you to the Beach Institute Museum and the Laurel Grove South Cemetery and point out significant places like the Second African Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. practiced his “I Have a Dream” speech before the March on Washington. 912-398-2785

Last year, Savannah native, activist, and performer “Sistah Patt” Gunn, owner of Underground Tours, partnered with Kelly Gray Line to satisfy the growing demand to dig deeper into the darkest history of slavery (1748-1864). Sistah Patt titles her tours Master Gullah Geechee Truth-Tellers & Enslaved Reenactors. My favorite is her 90-minute walking tour of the historic riverfront. In her singsong African Creole dialect, she narrates the timeline from the arrival of the first slave ships to the auction blocks to the rice plantations, and finally to the rich Gullah Geechee culture that’s enjoying a resurgence throughout the Georgia/South Carolina Lowcountry. It perfectly complements Johnny Brown’s two-hour coach tour from the riverfront to the salt marshes. Both offer other tailored tours and are experts on where to feast on authentic Gullah Geechee foods, admire or acquire Gullah Geechee art, or visit a historic Gullah Geechee community. undergroundtoursofsavannah.info

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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KINDNESS CORNER By Andrea Stetson

INSPIRING INCLUSIVITY Meet Fourth Grader Christopher Arellano

elated arts are an ideal place for children in general education classes and self-contained programs to mix, but youngsters with special needs often end up isolated. Christopher Arellano, a fourth grader at Highlands Elementary School in Immokalee, is working to change that. When he enters the classroom, he zeroes in on the kids who need help and makes it his mission to be there for them. The children in Hawk Squad have a variety of special needs, from Down syndrome and autism to other developmental delays. Highlands Elementary School has 577 students, including 30 in the Hawk Squad.

“In P.E., I just put a gentle hand on their back to show them what to do and where to go,” Christopher began. “The Hawk Squad students don’t know much, so I help them. If someone falls, I take them to the nurse.” Recently, the students played a noodle tag game, and Christopher buddied with a child as they ran back and forth across the field. He guided the boy to safe zones and showed him how to avoid being tagged with the noodle. Later, he walked the boy to the water fountain for a drink. His enthusiasm and kindness have earned him the respect and admiration of the staff at the school as he tries to build a more inclusive community for all. P.E. coach Marjie Hernandez says it is great to have a student like Christopher who can be relied on to help children with special needs. Hernandez counts on him to escort one of the children, who has diabetes, to the nurse when needed. “He has been trained to know what to do,” Hernandez said. “If they need something done, he will do it.” Christopher has been part of his school’s Special Olympics Action Team, where he helped children with special needs prepare for field day. “I threw a ball so they could catch it,” Christopher described. “For baseball, when the ball dropped, I would pick it up for them. There was a hula hoop, and I helped them go through it, and I helped them kick a ball.”

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Christopher Arellano, 9, in the red shirt, helps one of the children walk from the field to get a drink of water. Photos by Andrea Stetson.

Principal Margaux Horne says she is proud to have Christopher at her school. “I am a special education teacher at heart, so that is special,” Horne said. “That is the ultimate outcome of what we do here, and that is we must be inclusive and nice to all students no matter their background. When they develop these habits now, we hope that will carry over when they leave us.” When he is not helping others, Christopher enjoys playing soccer with his dad and learning origami with his older sister. At school, his favorite subjects are math and writing. Christopher’s drive to assist others stems from a sense of gratitude for his own academic success. “I just want to help,” he said.

NEAPOLITANfamily • December 2023

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