CoverA01
Your life up north
Up North
FAMILies
Shopping on a budget
Tips for keeping your holiday finances merry
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2 Your LIFE UP NORTH
Contents 23
10
On the cover: The Ledig family of Pellston participated in our Up North Families holiday edition cover photo shoot. They are parents, Shannon and John Ledig, along with their children Katharine, 10, Jack, 8, Mark, 6 and Shannon Reese, 4. John is store manager at Home Depot in Petoskey. Many thanks for our photo shoot sponsors: Site sponsor — Stafford’s Perry Hotel; Wardrobe sponsor — The Circus Shop, Inc.; Book sponsor — McLean and Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey; Prop sponsor — Meyer Ace Hardware, Petoskey
features 6 Family Voice Lisa Doublestein Thalia Ferenc Gina Dunnaback Rich Bachus
10 Family Health Breakfast ideas
14 Out of the Mouths of Babes Kids’ quotes
20 Feature story Holiday budgeting
16 Busy Bodies Indoor & outdoor winter activities
23 Looking ahead Christmas Eve book picks from McLean & Eakin, Booksellers
18 Family Challenge Big families
12 Picture this... Costumes on parade Up North Families
3
FAMILies
Up North
Your life up north
December/March 2011 - Volume 1, Issue 2 Publisher Doug Caldwell Editor Julie Witthoeft Photography M. Chris Leese Layout and design Wendy wolfsen For Advertising information contact Advertising Director Christy Lyons (231) 439-9329 clyons@petoskeynews.com Advertising Sales Beth Flynn (231) 439-9328 bflynn@petoskeynews.com
© Up North Families, all rights reserved, 2011-12. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect any endorsement for any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement that there is approval for such endorsement.
Editor’s
Note
There are a few things that can make or break my Christmas. Break — credit cards and sick children. Make — winter walks Julie Witth oeft or sledding, decorating, baking and consequently overeating, board games, puzzles, Christmas Eve church service and family reading. Only one of these is out of my direct control — sick children. No matter how much I hammer home hand washing and pump them full of vitamin C, if the germs find us, we could suffer. As for the other long list of controllables...they are now my holiday “to do” and “not to do” list. Instead of finding myself knee deep in dangerous debt, as David Leusink, president of Bay Winds Federal Credit Union warns against in the budget article inside this issue of Up North Families, I opted to pull together a booth at the Nov. 5 Northwest Michigan Mom-2-Mom sale in Petoskey where I sold our gently used kid gear. Out with old and in with cash for the new! Now to manage time expectations and ensure my “make” list is fulfilled. Just when it starts to seem overwhelming — the school events, work gatherings, cookie parties — I think back to the Evans family of Boyne City whose story appears on page 18 inside. With 11 people under their roof they have made family time the top item on their “make” list. The real magic of Christmas isn’t wrapped up under the tree, it’s spending time with the people we love. From my family to yours, I wish you a blessed holiday season and healthy, happy New Year!
Up North Families is published quarterly by Northern Michigan Review, Inc. Up North Families Magazine 319 State St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770
The next edition of Up North Families publishes in February 2012. If you have any story ideas or feedback, email or call jwitthoeft@petoskeynews. com or (231) 439-9355. 4 Your LIFE UP NORTH
Safe and Fun!
Doesn’t every child deserve all their shots? By age two, your child should have:
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Up North Families
5
Family
voice
The destination gift that gives back
W
e have two daughters, each with her own head of unexpected blonde hair, each with her own set of skippeda-generation blue eyes. They like dress-up, reading and macaroni. They both love the color purple. One, however, could play with dirt and sticks and be blissfully happy. The other likes stuff. It’s not difficult to see how this happened: I’m not a stuff person, my husband is. He’s got his cool jeans and vintage glasses; our oldest daughter has her boxes of Barbies. The problem we’re experiencing with Berit’s stuff, though, is her desire for more - choosing toys in fantasy shopping sprees when catalogs arrive, wanting everything she sees on TV. While we’d love to give our children every item that brings joy to their lives, we know that’s a freight train to Brattsville, and a drain on our bank account. In place of the piles of stuff at birthdays and holidays, my husband and I have decided to give destination gifts. Sure, there will be a few packages under the tree. But we’re also doing a bit of traveling to see relatives, and while we’re downstate we’ll stop into the museums, maybe see a show. This is our gift to our family - time together, sharing experiences. In the past we’ve held giant birthday parties for our toddling
6 Your LIFE UP NORTH
By Lisa Doublestein
tots. From now on we’re going places with our growing girls, like the Disney Princesses performance in Grand Rapids (Berit) and a horseback riding family event (Marta). We hope this will lead to traveling to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Canada over the years, and will give our girls a desire to experience new places, ideas and cultures. When we do buy toys, it’s exciting to think that they might have a story behind them - Remember counting out the Canadian dollars for this doll? Does this plastic horse remind you of the one you rode in Arizona? Which states on this puzzle have we been to? And while we may hope to replace Berit’s passion for stuff with a passion for family travel, the best gift of all could come in her comfort with, say, studying overseas, learning languages or digging into history. Or she’ll want to buy Safari Barbie. Could go either way. Lisa Doublestein, 33, is a freelance writer and mother of two from Petoskey. Her current projects can be found in Traverse Magazine and Country Lines Magazine. Before the wee ones came along she was a reporter for the Petoskey News-Review, where she won several state and national writing awards, none of which are helpful with potty training.
M. Chris Leese - Up north Families
Split families:
Inventing new holiday traditions
I
By Thalia Ferenc
f you and your family are enduring a divorce or separation this year, the holidays won’t be like they used to be, even if you are trying hard to fake it. In this season, many children – and, let’s face it, a lot of adults – find themselves wishing their family could be like the Norman Rockwell paintings, or at least the candlelit ads for gift giving. You can’t offer your children that warm, perfect nuclear family around the tree. What you can give them is all the love they have always had, though it may now arrive in separate packages. Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukah is often the cause for bitter fights over time with the children. For some parents, it is unthinkable that the kids might be someplace else on Christmas morning. I understand those emotions. As a mom, I was always the one who made Christmas happen at our house – the shopping, the baking, the decorating were my territory, and my joy. I will never forget the pain of my first Christmas without my children. Yet, I knew they needed time with both of their parents at this special, magical holiday. We began the process of inventing new traditions that year. Some of them have continued through time and are now shared with my grandchildren as
well. On “Cookie Day”, a week or two before Christmas, we get together to decorate sugar cookies and make an ornament for the tree. Our “Christmas” may not take place on December 25, but we’ll sing carols around the fireplace and brunch on a special egg casserole. These were not things we did when I was married to their father, but they have become cherished traditions for my household. When we are divorced or separated, we must create a new kind of Christmas, not seek to continue a past that can never be again. I had to find ways to take care of myself on Christmases when the chil-
Northern Michigan
dren were with their father. That first year, I stayed alone and cried. I needed to mourn and I gave myself time to do that. But I also resolved to discover better ways to celebrate in the future. The holidays have continued to be rich and joy-filled for me, with many special activities and new memories each year. Then, as now, I gave my children permission and time to enjoy both sides of their family. Parents never really stop being parents, and though my daughters are grown, I must still accommodate to their father’s needs for his family events. The holiday season is about love and giving. It is a time to let go of anger and to start again, a time to be generous and flexible with parenting time for special events, a time to place children’s needs ahead of our own, a time for kids to have experiences they will treasure for a lifetime. This year, gift your children with the freedom to have two full parents, even if they can’t be together. Thalia Ferenc, LMSW, DCSW is a psychotherapist whose office is located near Bay Shore. Her private practice includes a subspecialty in divorce and separation adjustment for children and adults. She has twin daughters, five grandchildren, and a happy, long-term second marriage.
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Blogs Up North Families
Events
7
Family
voice
Dealing
with an out-of-control, self-destructive teen
P
owerless, as if standing behind a glass window watching my child drown, and there was nothing I could do about it. This is how I felt when my son, at age 15, started using drugs and getting into trouble. The school began to call with complaints of him missing classes, not doing his work, and bringing illegal substances to school. The police department called about stealing and minor-in-possession charges. Problems at home were many, too. He was out of control and heading down a path of self-destruction. Feelings of being a failure as a parent, anger, bitterness, anxiety and depression began to fill my life. I didn’t know where to turn for answers. I was in an unhealthy relationship with his father at the time and we had been parenting with two totally different parenting styles for 15 years. We were beginning to see the results of these dynamics. I reached out to my family, went to counseling, and Alanon, attended parenting classes, read books on becoming healthy-minded and spoke with anyone that could help. I realized that I had to make changes. I wanted to show my son that it was never too late for people to change and make better choices. Over the past several years I have slowly made drastic changes in my life for myself and my children. I recently spoke with Erik Larson of Petoskey who works with teens and their families on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and asked him to shed some light on why kids struggle in 8 Your LIFE UP NORTH
By Gina Dunneback
this area. He said, “There is a lot of peer and even media pressure on kids today.” And added that, “Kids who have learning disabilities, A.D.D, or A.D.H.D and start to feel disengaged from feeling successful can be at a higher risk for these issues.” Larson stressed, “Parents need to take substance abuse as a serious health issue and seek outside help as soon as possible.” A few therapists that I have had personal experience with and would highly recommend include Larson; Scott Hickman at Foundations For Families and Kelly Daunter at Family Psychological Services. I know there are many more and each person needs to find his or her fit but these are a great start! In working with troubled teens myself, as a substitute caregiver in some foster homes in the area, I have really learned a lot, just by listening to them. I asked one
of the boys this summer why he felt he couldn’t do well living at home with his parent. He told me, “Nobody holds me accountable when I make bad choices.” Another boy told me that being raised without a father has affected him greatly. These are some pretty profound things to hear from kids. I realize (and am happy) that not all parents will have to experience things to these extremes with their teens, but I believe that all parents worry about their children especially in today’s society with so much out there to distract them. I am really passionate about a new program that I have had personal experience with — the Little Traverse Bay Area Young Life. You can look them up online at www. younglife.org. I talked with Cory Gibson, our local Young Life area director, and he states, “It’s evident in the lives of teens today that they are desperately striving to determine a valid and compelling purpose for life. Most of them want to have influence and impact. We want to help facilitate this process during such a critical time in a kids’ life.” As for my son, it has been eight long years of trials, and by the looks of things at the moment, we aren’t done yet. But I haven’t given up hope that God will see me and him through, as he has been faithful in doing since the beginning of it all. Gina Dunneback, 43, is a Vassar native who has lived in Petoskey for just over three years. She is raising five children with her husband Rob Dunneback and refers to herself as a domestic engineer. She also mentors juvenile delinquent teens and works as a substitute caregiver in foster homes.
The gift of managed expectations By Rich Bachus
W
e have an only child and at 5-and-a-half (don’t ever forget the half ), Laney already knows her way around the local toy store and circles items in kids’ catalogs. Laney’s gimme-gimme gene isn’t too overpowering. She’s even managed to make it out of said toy store empty-handed on several occasions and lived to tell the tale. But after our family entered its fifth year of mostly living off of one income, so the other parent could be home, the income supply didn’t leave much room for extras. So instead, we decided to give Laney a beautiful gift she can use her whole life – the gift of knowing that when we don’t have extra money to buy stuff, we don’t buy extra stuff. We didn’t lay the burden of the bill pile on her shoulders, but we gently let her know when we had and didn’t have extra spending money (which was most of the time) and got a toy
Carol, Rich and Laney Bachus
or treat when we did. It helped that I was self-employed, and she would see when checks came in because we would rush to the bank and deposit them. By letting her in on a few of the dark secrets of being a grown-up (like the fact that electricity costs money), we don’t seem to have shattered her entire childhood. As a matter of fact, she’s even get-
ting pretty good at Monopoly. She beat us last time. But this gift we’ve given her just seems to keep giving back. The other day on the way home from kindergarten – still a few days away from the next pay day, we had an errand downtown. The toy store was only a block away. “We could go to the toy store and get something,” she suggested. But before I could sing my brokedad blues, she said, “… but we don’t have any money now, right?” “Right,” I said. “That’s okay, we can go to the doggie beach, instead,” she said. A $25 run to the toy store averted. My daughter learning to say “no” for herself — priceless! Rich Bachus, 46, is a former-jouralist-turned marketing copywriter with Great Outdoors Copywriting. He lives in Harbor Springs with his wife, Carol, and 5-year-old daughter, Laney.
RC’s Hockey Shop Serving Northern Michigan since 1987 Offering Educational Testing and One-on-one Reading & Writing Instruction for all ages Financial Assistance Available Northern Michigan Center (231) 526-9282 681 E. Lake St., Harbor Springs
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Up North Families
9
Family
health
Family-friendly breakfast ideas By Laura Cherven
DID YOU KNOW?
- Smoothies are a great way to get your daily fruit servings as well as make a great base for adding nutrient dense foods like protein powders, flax/fish oils, and powdered greens. - By choosing organic milk and eggs you are choosing products that are free of synthetic chemicals, hormones and antibiotics. - Every pomegranate is composed of exactly 840 seeds that are surrounded by a sac of sweet-tart juice. One pomegranate contains approximately 48 percent of our daily recommendation of Vitamin C and 11 grams of fiber.
Oat Breakfast Smoothie 1C soy milk, rice milk, or milk ½ C rolled oats 1 banana, broken into chunks ½ bag of frozen fruit, your choice ½ tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. honey Optional: 4 TBS of your favorite protein powder and/or 2 TBS flax oil.
Combine all ingredients in blender and or puree until smooth and creamy. Serves 2
10 Your LIFE UP NORTH
During the holiday season, breads are often gifted and create a mouthwatering twist to french toast.
Banana Bread French Toast
Substitute traditionally used stale bread with banana, zucchini or pumpkin bread sliced.
1 C half and half or milk 4 eggs ½ tsp. vanilla Ÿ tsp cinnamon Pinch of fresh grated nutmeg 1 TBS butter 2 bananas sliced Powdered sugar and/or cup of vanilla yogurt
Whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a pie pan. Melt 1 TBS of butter onto a hot griddle or large skillet to prevent bread from sticking. Dip both sides of bread slices into the milk mixture and place on a hot griddle. Cook until golden, then flip and cook the other side until it’s golden. Pour vanilla yogurt over the French toast and garnish with the sliced bananas and powdered sugar or vanilla yogurt.
Christmas Fruit Salad 6-8 kiwi 2-4 pomegranates
Remove the skin from the kiwi and slice into bite size pieces. Remove the red pomegranate seeds from the pith. Combine the sliced kiwi with the pomegranate seeds and serve.
The Grain Train has recently begun an in-store kids tasting program that aims to positively influence healthy eating decisions by allowing children to discover for themselves the great taste of natural and organic foods. Co-op Kid Approved signage highlights nutritious foods throughout the store that were given an overwhelming thumbs up, so parents may buy an item with confidence that their child is more than likely to also enjoy the item they have purchased. Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (231) 347-2381 www.graintrain.coop
Up North Families
11
picture
this…
Costume capers Halloween brings out the adorable in kids! To celebrate their cuteness, Up North Families offered a Halloween costume photo contest and received over 30 entries! In picking editor’s choice, our editorial team took into account creativity and of course the pure sweet-
” elgivpaererntsyturnednhdisa lilotttleof d l a i c “Spe man. Lovin board, paint a
Julie Witthoeft (231)439-9355 jwitthoeft@petoskeynews.com
ness of the pic. Costumes tend to be the brain child and handywork of a loving mom, dad, grandparent or guardian. With this in mind our grand prize winner will receive the royal treatment — a makeover from Talulu Beauty Lounge in Petoskey!
Nolan’s first Halloween. This is 14-month-old, Nolan, dressed up as a lion. This was his first time trick-or-treating!
PS rd at! some ca k or Tre as the U arshall UPS truck with y Harbor Trun M l il W a r into a at the B 4-wheele . He was a “hit” e p ta t du c
Editor’s Pick: Winner of a makeover from Talulu Beauty Lounge 222 + 224 Park Ave., Petoskey (231) 347-5858 9 a.m.-8 p.m. M-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.
12 Your LIFE UP NORTH
P iper t h pirate e make s r o un d he r s d o w n t t h r o ug h ow n P e t o sk e lecting y, colfor her candy che st! tre asure Argh!
rm Little fa o d in g in
r e ad st a e t s a h 9. g , 2 , m 2 rougha turday, O ct. om a s B Sa mer, Th Petoske y on n owntow
This little swimmer has her mom to thank for making this adorable goldfish costume.
Brandon D the Acroca evitt, n thosaurus. Brandon, 5, love s dino sa This incred urs! ib costume is le one of his grandm handmad other’s e nals, she se orig iems to outdo h er ever y ye ar! self photo was The ta at Ottawa ken E ementary lParade.
Kaitlyn Lam b, meoow w w! Kaitlyn purs he way through r town and enjoys th e day.
Princess and zombie cheerleader trick-or-treat.
Sawyer, 3, wanted to be a scurvy pirate for Halloween so his mom made him this costume! The cutest little Strawberry Shortcake you will ever meet!
t on tric
e k-or-tr
at-
Up North Families
13
Out of the mouths of
babes “Life is like something you borrow,
you just have to give it back!”
“I have a fork for my potatoes,
spoon for my college cheese.” but I need a
”What smells like meatloaf?” 4-year-old girl questions odor from a vacuum cleaner salesman.
My son signed up for cross country skiing in school because he thought that it meant he
got to leave Michigan!
My 9-month-old son was going for a checkup and my 4-year-old daughter (who is very protective) went with us. The doctor came in and was checking my son over and she was talking to him like anyone would talk to a 9-month-old. And my daughter walks over to the doctor and says, “That’s my Mason and he is just a baby and babies don’t talk you silly doctor.
You should know that!”
14 Your LIFE UP NORTH
My 10-year-old son won his first football game,
“A bunch to nothing.”
One day I asked my 4-year-old son if he wanted a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. To my surprise, he said, “No.” It’s his favorite! I asked him why, and he said “Momma, I don’t want a girlcheese sandwich, I want a boy-cheese sandwich!”
“I have a boyfriend at school. I’m not going to marry him though, cause I don’t like boys.”
“Mom, once you do something, you can’t take it back.
We don’t have rewind buttons!”
Submit your kid quotes to Up North Families editor Julie Witthoeft via email at jwitthoeft@petoskeynews.com.
3-year-old boy upon seeing Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel in the commode wondered,
“Why do you put gum in the potty?” As I was rolling myself out of the tent, my granddaughter asked, “Grandma, did you have a good sleep?” I said, “Oh, I’m a little sore.” She replied, “From what grandma?” “Oh I think I was moving around too much,” I said.
“You’re sore from moving around too much?” Giggle giggle as she runs to the playground.
Up North Families
15
busy
bodies
To have your class or recreation facility included in our Busy Bodies listing, email Julie Witthoeft at jwitthoeft@petoskeynews.com.
Outdoor activities
Michigan’s winter wonderland lends itself well to slipping around area skating rinks, sliding down hills on sleds and gliding on skis through woods or down city hills. Many locations in Northern Michigan offer families spaces for these wintertime activities — including a few parks that offer hills for skiing and snowboarding.
ICE SKATING RINKS
Avalanche Mountain Preserve 1129 Wilson St., Boyne City (231) 582-6597 Hours: 4-9 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends, weather dependent gov.boynecity.com Skate rentals available, warming hut Charlevoix Ice Rink North Point, corner of Pleasant Street and Mount McSauba Road (231) 547-3253, (231) 547-3267 www.cityofcharlevoix.org Hours: Call ahead Skate rental available Griffin Arena 3450 Harbor-Petoskey Road (M-119) (231) 487-1843 Call ahead for open skating hours, which vary through the season, or visit www.griffinarena.net Harbor Springs Skating Rink 740 East Main St., Harbor Springs (231) 526-0610
Indoor activities
Winters are great for the great indoor-lover. There’s no guilt in cozying up on the couch with a movie or a book — or spending a day inside bowling, playing arcade games or splashing in pools. And at least one venue — Big Bear Adventures — in Indian River offers not only cross country ski and snowshoe rentals, but guided winter rafting trips down snow- and ice-bound silent rivers. 16 Your LIFE UP NORTH
Hours: 3-8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Skate rentals, hockey equipment available, warming hut, concessions Petoskey Winter Sports Park 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey (231) 347-1252 Hours: 4-9 p.m. weekdays; noon-9 p.m. weekends and holidays; noon-9 p.m. Christmas break and canceled school days Outdoor rinks, concessions, warming hut, skate rentals $5 daily unlimited.
CITY SKI HILLS Mount McSauba Corner of Pleasant Street and Mount McSauba Road (231) 547-3267, (231) 547-3253 Hours: Call ahead www.cityofcharlevoix.org Terrain park; rentals available for snowshoes, cross country skis, snowboards, skis
Kiwanis Park 1100 Arbor St., Harbor Springs (231) 242-0569 Hours: Staffed 3-8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; noon-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday Warming hut, concessions Petoskey Winter Sports Park 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey (231) 347-1252 Hours: 4-9 p.m. weekdays; noon-9 p.m. weekends and holidays; noon-9 p.m. Christmas break and canceled school days Concessions and warming hut www.cityofcharlevoix.org Sled rentals available; not supervised
Petoskey Winter Sports Park 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey (231) 347-1252 Hours: 4-9 p.m. weekdays; noon-9 p.m. weekends and holidays; noon-9 p.m. Christmas break and canceled school days One rope tow, no charge, concession and warming hut
SLEDDING HILLS
Avalanche Mountain Preserve 1129 Wilson St., Boyne City Hours: 4-9 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends gov.boynecity.com Sleds available on first come, first served basis; warming hut Mount McSauba Corner of Pleasant Street and Mount McSauba Road (231) 547-3267, (231) 547-3253 Hours: Call ahead
LIBRARIES
Libraries are little oases of warmth that hold solitude and escape in books and magazines — and often quiet rooms where a person looking for refuge from a winter day can sink into a story. But they also lend music and movies for families to enjoy at home, as well as programs designed for toddlers, children, teens and adults. Area libraries: Alanson Public Library, Alanson, (231) 548-5465 Bliss Branch Library, Levering, (231) 537-2927 Boyne District Library, Boyne City, (231) 582-7861 Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix, (231) 547-2651
Crooked Tree District Library, Boyne Falls, (231) 549-2277 Crooked Tree District Library, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-2111 Harbor Springs Library, Harbor Springs, (231) 526-2531 Indian River Area Library, Indian River, (231) 238-8581 Jordan Valley District Library, East Jordan, (231) 536-7131 Mackinaw Area Public Library, Mackinaw City, (231) 436-5451 Pellston Branch Library, Pellston, (231) 539-8858 Petoskey District Library, Petoskey, (231) 758-3100
BOWLING, ARCADES AND MINI-GOLF
Northern Lights Recreation on M-119 in Harbor Springs is the whole package: families can bowl at its 16-
lane bowling alley. They can play an 18-hole indoors miniature golf course. Or they can try their hand at billiards or the arcade. Hungry families can lunch at the Sassy Loon restaurant inside the building, which features lunch and dinner seven days a week, and weekend entertainment by bands. On Friday and Saturday, Northern Lights offers glow bowling. For more information, visit www.northernlightsrec.com or call (231) 347-3100. The Jungle in Petoskey also offers arcade games and an indoor miniature golf course. (231) 348-8787 INDOOR WATERPARK
Think your swimming is over for the season? Think again. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain resort in Boyne Falls has 88,000 square feet of indoor slides, kids pools, a surf simulator and a lazy river. It also has climbing walls, two eateries and a multi-level arcade with more than 100 games. Full- and half-day admissions are available, and children 2 and younger are free. Hours vary. Visit www.avalanchebay.com or call (800) 462-6963.
COMMUNITY POOLS Charlevoix Area Community Pool, (231) 547-0982
to learn or refine skills.
East Jordan Community Pool, (231) 536-2250
ART CENTERS Boyne Arts Collective, Boyne City, (989) 295-9643
Harbor Springs Community Pool, (231) 526-4824
Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, (231) 347-4337
WINTER FLOATS
Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Charlevoix, (231) 547-3554
The paddling season doesn’t have to end, either. Big Bear Adventures in Indian River, along with offering cross country ski and snowshoe rentals, guides winter rafting trips down the Sturgeon River. Groups can find one more way to get outdoors while enjoying the winter landscape during the hour-and-a-halflong float. Big Bear Adventures, Indian River, (231) 238-8181
Jordan River Art Center, East Jordan, (231) 536-3385
THE ARTS
The arts are no seasonal offering in Northern Michigan, blowing away with the autumn leaves. Instead, galleries flourish through the cold months with winter- and holiday-themed displays. Too, many communities have art centers, which host exhibits as well as classes and workshops for nascent or established artists
Charlevoix Public Library
Re-Boot Your Kids!
Will work in mud puddles, snow banks and walking in the rain!
321 E. Lake St. • Petoskey • 231.439.9500 • bearcuboutfitters.com Up North Families
17
Big FamiliesA18
family
challenge
Big family: Giving The gift of time and relationships
J
ennifer and Nicholas Evans of Boyne City have nine children. Jennifer said with a big family, the holidays can be hectic, but they are always exciting and memorable. “We try to concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas and this helps keep costs down,” said the mother of one-year-old twins and their siblings who range from 3 to 18 years old. She said that for them, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ. So, to save money and time spent in the kitchen, they treat the holiday like a birthday party complete with birthday cake. “We often have a fun birthday-type meal such as sloppy joes instead of the elaborate Thanksgiving-type meal,” said Evans. She said it helps the kids remember what the holiday is all about for their
18 Your LIFE UP NORTH
By Aebra Coe
“I like that no matter what we set our mind to do, if we are united we can accomplish anything,” — Jennifer Evans, Boyne City mother of nine
family. She said that when cooking, they will often make everything from scratch. She commented that when you start with basic ingredients it is usually less expensive. “So mashed potatoes start as boiled potatoes and our meat is either raised here or purchased by the animal from
local farmers, which also keeps the cost down,” Evans noted. “We believe that what kids want more than stuff is time and relationships,” she said, going on to say they concentrate on spending time having fun together on Christmas. It is free and, according to Evans, her kids love it. She said they all usually wake up early on Christmas day and everyone opens their stockings and snacks on fruit found in them. Then, some of them head out to take care of their animals while others make a big breakfast. After breakfast, they open the rest of the gifts, read the Christmas story and spend the rest of the day relaxing and playing games together. When it comes to gifts, Evans said they learned a while back that if they
aren’t careful, it is easy to go overboard on Christmas and then January birthday celebrations suffer. “I don’t like bills coming for things I have already used or given away, so we pay cash for everything, which saves money in the long run,” she said. As an experienced mom of many, Evans had many tips to give on how to save on buying gifts for Christmas. She said they buy up gifts when they go on clearance throughout the year, keeping in mind everyone on their list and their ages and interests. She said that is usually her biggest way to save. The family also makes gifts, usually out of wood. “Often we use scrap or salvage wood,” she said. “We have also made name
plaques for kid’s rooms; those were a big hit, and dresser top book shelves.” She said that Dave Ramsey’s website often has inexpensive gift ideas around Christmas time. “We started when they were quite young helping them makes gifts for aunts and grandparents,” she said of her kids. “The gifts may have not been the greatest at first, but it was laying the ground work for them becoming givers. That was the important part.” Now, the older kids are good at making and purchasing gifts and they get so excited about what they are giving they don’t think much about what they may be getting. “They are so excited that they can hardly keep from telling a sibling what
they are giving them,” she said. “The week or two before Christmas is also filled with tomfoolery as the more mischievous children try to get the kids that don’t keep secrets so well to spill the beans about their gifts.” Evans said the focus on giving is important to the family, especially during the holidays. She said one of the kids will choose a charity and they will all do extra jobs or sell something to raise some money to give to the charity. “We also always do shoe boxes with Operation Christmas Child,” she said. Jennifer said that is an example of her favorite part of having a big family. “I like that no matter what we set our mind to do, if we are united we can accomplish anything,” she added.
Aebra Coe/Up North Families Jennifer and Nicholas Evans of Boyne City have nine children and keep Christmas costs down by focusing on the meaning of the holiday. The Evans family includes (back, from left) Katelyn 16, Elizabeth 10, Amanda 11, Rachel 18, (middle, from left) Jessica 5, Jennifer, Nicholas, Nathaniel 7, (front, from left) Lindsey 1, Samuel 3 and Laura 1.
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Feature
story:
Tips to avoid shopper’s regret By Aebra Coe
How much to spend during the money all at holidays is a very personal choice, ac- once,” he excording to David Leusink, president of plained. Bay Winds Federal Credit Union. But, Leusink there are some common mistakes that, said the danif avoided, can prevent shopper’s regret ger of uscome January. ing credit at According to Leusink, to determine Christmas how much to spend, first look at your with the indiscretionary spending — what’s left tention of after all your bills are paid. Then, with- paying it in that amount, set an upper limit for off the next what you will use for gifts and stick to month is that, David Leusink, President, Bay it. “Something Winds Federal Credit Union “Make a list, set a budget and stick is bound to to it. It’s so easy to go overboard,” said come up the next month.” Leusink. Life presents many unseen chalCommon mistakes include procras- lenges and counting on paying off a tination, forgetting additional expenses large amount you’ve used for holiday and using credit, according to Leusink. gifts can create a much heavier burden Procrastination, or putting off start- in subsequent months, said Leusink. ing saving can lead to stress, anxiety If you buy on credit one year, chancand depression when bills start to roll es are you’ll just be catching up by the in during January and there’s no money next Christmas and the cycle will reto pay them, said Leusink. peat itself, leading to more anxiety. He said it is wise to begin saving “Good feelings should be attached for Christmas on the first of the year. to the holidays, so it’s best to avoid “Now would be the perfect time to start those budgeting traps,” he noted. planning for 2012,” said Leusink. The last common mistake to avoid There are Christmas club accounts, is forgetting about hidden expenses or a basic savings account can be when creating a budget for the holiused and a little money set aside each days. month beginning on the first day of the There are items other than gifts New Year. such as food, wrapping paper, shipping Another solution Leusink offered costs and travel expenses that must be to get the best of procrastination is to considered as well. Leusink suggests buy one or two gifts each month, be- including those expenses when setting ginning in January. “That way you can an upper limit for holiday spending. buy items when they’re on sale and you Giving advice on some good ways don’t have to invest a large amount of to save on gift giving, Leusink said 20 Your LIFE UP NORTH
homemade gifts are inexpensive and can be especially meaningful. He said that as one of 14 children in his family, he learned early on that it’s not about how much money you spend on gifts that makes them special. He can vividly remember the homemade pajamas his sister sewed and the wooden toys his brother made for him as a child. Leusink suggested that if you don’t have any discretionary money to set aside for gifts, fun and free activities such as sledding or building a snowman together can be enjoyable and memorable experiences.
Need assistance this holiday season or want to help those who do? These programs can help: Safe Home Harvest Food & Supply Drive The Women’s Resource Center Safe Home provides 24/7 safety and support to survivors of domestic abuse from Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Otsego and Cheboygan counties. Donations of non-perishable foods, household supplies, personal care items, and financial contributions help provide needed items for survivors and their children staying at the Safe Home. A ‘Needs List’ is available at wrcnm.org. Donations accepted at the agency’s administrative office and Gold Mine Resale Shops in Petoskey, or their offices in Cheboygan, Gaylord or Mancelona. Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, 423 Porter St., Petoskey, (231) 347-1572, info@wrcnm.org. Domestic Abuse Holiday Gift Program Provides gifts, toys and gift cards to domestic abuse survivors and their children who receive services through the Safe Home. Your donation will help bring holiday joy to these many families. Donations accepted at the agency’s administrative office, or contact the Safe Home Coordinator for details at (231) 347-1572. Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, 423 Porter St., Petoskey, (231) 3471572, info@wrcnm.org. Charlevoix Department of Human Services Community Christmas Applications can be picked up at local churches, schools, Head Start and food pantry. Referrals are also received from Department of Human Services. A card will be sent to recipients approximately 10 days before distribution to confirm status. Those served include anyone in the Charlevoix school district or who attends a church in Charlevoix. Cut off date for applying is Dec. 9. Gifts are given to children only, food is provided for the entire family. Distribution date is Friday, Dec. 17 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Charlevoix. For more information, call Shirley Gillespie, Community Resource Coordinator Antrim, Charlevoix-Emmet Department of Human Services, 2229 Summit Park Drive, Petoskey (231) 348-1636, gillespies@michigan.gov. Boyne City Department of Human Services Community Christmas Applications can be picked up at local churches, schools, food pantry. Referrals are also received from Department of Human Services. Help is based on need. Cut off date for applications is Dec. 15. Gifts are given to children only, food is provided for the entire family. Distribution is at the Early Childhood Development Center. Distribution date is Tuesday, Dec. 20. For more information, call Shirley Gillespie, Community Resource Coordinator Antrim, CharlevoixEmmet Department of Human Services, 2229 Summit Park Drive, Petoskey (231) 348-1636, gillespies@michigan.gov.
provided to children only, food for the entire family. Distribution date is Monday, Dec. 19 at the VFW Hall. Families with children 9 a.m.–noon, food only 1-2 p.m. For more information, call Shirley Gillespie, Community Resource Coordinator Antrim, Charlevoix-Emmet Department of Human Services, 2229 Summit Park Drive, Petoskey (231) 348-1636, gillespies@michigan.gov. Christmas Shopping project of Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan Christ Child of Northern Michigan is a volunteer, ecumenical membership that promotes the well being of children, without regard to race, gender, religious or political affiliations. Through donations and one major fund-raiser, the organization shops and provides food, toys and clothing for needy children in Emmet County. They receive the names of families through the Department of Human Services, Salvation Army, local school counselors and other reliable sources. Last Christmas they assisted 85 families which included 240 children. Contact Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan by mail at P.O. Box 132 Harbor Springs, MI 49737, phone (231) 5267271 or email christchildsociety@att.net. —Aebra Coe
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East Jordan Department of Human Services Community Christmas Applications are available at local schools, Care & Share food pantry and Crossroads resale shop. Referrals are also received from Department of Human Services. Applications will be available in November and serve residents of East Jordan. Help is based on income, poverty level is used. Cut off date for applications is Dec. 10. Gifts are
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Board Certified in General, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Head Start Programs
Serving children and their families prenatal to age five through: • Early Head Start Home Visiting Programs • Head Start Center Based Programs • Family Child Care Partnership Programs Early Childhood Programs designed to include children of all abilities. Call 231-347-9070 or 1-800-443-5518 www.nmcaa.net Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
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Looking ahead
Christmas Eve reads
The night before Christmas:
By Amy Kitscher and Jessilyn Norcross, McLean and Eakin Booksellers
The definition of a tradition is listed in The American Heritage Dictionary as, “The handing down of customs, ideas, and beliefs from one generation to the next.” …but that doesn’t sound quite as heartfelt as, “What we do every year as a family.” Christmas traditions start at home. From opening the stockings before you open the gifts, to wearing ugly sweaters on Christmas day, to dinner at great aunt Mary’s the night before Christmas, to Midnight Mass, etc. On Christmas Eve, it’s easy to make a reading tradition with your little ones. We used to slurp down some eggnog and all read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas together. It is a cozy lovely memory that I will always have of my family. Every year there are so many lovely Christmas and holiday books for children. We would like to suggest the following list, and encourage you to start your own holiday tradition by reading together on Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!
Strega Nona’s Gift Tomie dePaola
The Holiday season is a time of celebration – and nothing says celebration like a feast! Starring two of dePaola’s best-loved characters, this funny story features beautiful art that will delight fans young and old. Ages 3+
The Carpenter’s Gift David Rubel
Family, friendship, and the spirit of giving are at the heart of this inspiring picture book. Opening in Depression-era New York, The Carpenter’s Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his out-ofwork father selling Christmas trees in Manhattan. They give one of their leftover trees to construction workers building Rockefeller Center. That tree becomes the first Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Ages 5+
The Twelve Days of Christmas Illustrated by Laurel Long
Laurel Long brings this classic song to life with breathtaking style. Set against a lush countryside, each day brings a new gift elegantly rendered. And like in the verses of the song, the previous gifts are repeated in every illustration, giving this striking artwork a hidden aspect, culminating in a staggering spread featuring them all. Readers will pore over every page, searching for golden rings, turtledoves, and all the rest, secretly tucked into each stunning painting. Ages 3+
A Bad Kitty Christmas Nick Bruel
A hilarious new holiday picture book about everyone’s favorite naughty feline. A greedy Bad Kitty didn’t get all the presents she wanted for Christmas, but after she goes on a Christmas caper across town and through multiple alphabets, she makes a new friend, finds an old friend, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Or not. Ages 4+
Julie Witthoeft/Up North Families McLean & Eakin Booksellers is located at 307 East Lake St. in downtown Petoskey. The store is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (231) 347-1180 or visit www.mcleanandeakin.com.
A Christmas Tree for Pyn Oliver Dunrea
Christmas is coming. In the craggy rocks on the snowy mountainside, tiny Pyn has her heart set on decorating her very first Christmas tree. She knows that a Christmas tree is just the thing their cottage needs to make the season festive and cheery. Pyn is determined to find the perfect Christmas tree - no matter what. Ages 5+
The Story of Christmas Illustrated by Pamela Dalton
Pamela Dalton s exquisite, intricate scissor-cut illustrations wonderfully illuminate The Story of Christmas. Working in a PennsylvaniaGerman folk-art tradition, rich with lovingly rendered animals and figures, Pamela Dalton has created a book that takes a deserved place among the finest celebrations of Christmas. Ages 4+
eBooks available!
Visit mcleanandeakin.com and begin reading on just about any device! Stop into the store...we’re sure you will find something for everyone. 307 E. Lake St. Petoskey, MI 49770 Call 231-347-1180 or email us at books@mcleanandeakin.com
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