Momaha November 2022

WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR

Get a jump start on the holidays with 10 family-friendly events

HISTORICAL HIKES

Step back in time at seven Nebraska state parks

CONTENTS

THE

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2022

editor in chief KILEY CRUSE kiley.cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

consulting editor COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK cbclark@owh.com 402-444-3118

assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

contributors RACHEL GEORGE RACHEL RADLOFF DAVID CODR THE BOOKWORM NEB RASKALAND MAGAZINE/ NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION designer EMILY SHULLAW cover photo NEBRASKALAND MAGAZINE/ NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION advertising sales manager NICK CAVALLARO nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2022 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

KILEY

Everychild,everywhere,deservestheverybest.It’swhyChildren’sHospital & MedicalCentercombinesthelargestgroupofpediatricspecialtiesinthe region,themostadvancedtechnologyandthebiggestheartsallinone place.Together,inthissafeandwelcomingenvironmentofexcellence,we’re shapingthefutureofpediatricmedicinetodelivertheverybestforkids. VisitChildrensOmaha.orgorcall1.800.833.3100tofind a physiciannearyou.

A TIME FOR GRATITUDE

Let this be the year to start a new tradition: Friendsgiving! A cozy autumn picture book, featuring a sweet and universal take on Thanksgiving — the perfect treat for fall. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and Berry, Ginger and Willow are enjoying the delights of fall. When these old friends join with new friends to bask in the bounty of the season, there is a lot to be thankful for — and a new tradition is born … Friendsgiving!

The popularity of Friendsgiving celebrations grows every year — whether it’s because of that weird uncle or the distance between your home and mom’s table, “The Friendsgiving Handbook” is here to help make it your best holiday meal. This illustrated book is essential for hosting a Friendsgiving celebration, whether it’s a potluck or a sit-down affair.

‘POOKIE’S THANKSGIVING’ by Sandra Boynton

‘EVERYDAY GRATITUDE’ by A Network for Grateful Living Happiness is rooted in gratitude. In this beautiful collection, you’ll nd inspiring quotes and thoughts from well-known minds such as Maya Angelou, Confucius and Anne Frank, combined with original re ections and practices to help you recognize the abundance of opportunities for gratitude and joy — all around you, every day. Hand-lettered art makes this a stunning gift to treasure.

And Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without:

‘MARY ENGELBREIT’S LITTLE BOOK OF THANKS’

by Mary Engelbreit

No matter the season or the reason, a simple expression of thanks is always welcome. In this joyful collection of quotes about gratitude and blessings, readers will delight in the special moments in life that bring a smile to our faces. Each quote, from distinguished writers like Walt Whitman and Maya Angelou, is paired with autumnal art from Mary Engelbreit, making this little book of thanks a big book of happy!

It’s Thanksgiving! Join Mom and her little Pookie as they prepare for the yummiest of holidays. Told and illustrated with Sandra Boynton’s celebrated charm, “Pookie’s Thanksgiving” is lled with a cornucopia of family, gratitude, and pie!

Oh, POOO-KIE! Little POOO-KIE! It’s time to start baking! Thanksgiving is here! There are pies that need making!

‘‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING’ by Dav Pilkey

On the day before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts — and bulging bellies — reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.

with more than 6,000-square-feet of space.

www.bookwormomaha.com.

‘FRIENDSGIVING’

by Nancy Siscoe, illustrated by Sabina Gibson

‘THE FRIENDSGIVING HANDBOOK’ by Emily Stephenson

‘I TTAKESA TRIBE’

AUTUMNDILLON SPECIALFOR EARLY DEVELOPMENTNETWORK

We’re theDillonfamily!We have3 wonderfulchildren:Jackson,10; Nova,3;andRiley, 2. Joeand I have been married since2017, afteralmosttwoyearsoftryingtogrowour family, wewere blessed with Nova. Nova issosweetandalwayshasbeen. FromthedayNova wasborn,shehasmade myhusband giggle Hestillcannothelp butlook atherandgiggle WhenI askwhy, hesays,“she’s socute,soinnocent, I just can’t help it.” Shedoes that toeveryperson shemeets,youcannothelp butfall inlove with hersweetsmile.Ouryoungest,Riley, isspunky She’s hersister’s biggest fanand future advocate.

Ithadbeen almost a year sinceI’dseen Nova with childrenheragein a daycare setting. I will neverforgetwalking into daycare that first day, itwas 2 months before Nova’s secondbirthday Shewas soglaringlydifferentfromherpeers,but washerquiet,sweetself,happysitting in thecorner

fromthechaosof aroomof15two-year olds.

Athertwo-yearcheck-up, I addressed myconcernswith herpediatricianandwe were introducedtotheEarlyDevelopment Network. We started servicesinApril 2021 andsobeganourjour ney Nova was diagnosedwith level 2 autismonDec 1, 2021.

Atthat momentnothing hadchanged, however everything felt different.I started towonderwhen peoplelookedatus,could they tell? I felt alone.Even thougheveryone I talkedtowaskind andsupportive; I felt no onecouldunderstand first-handallthebig feelings I washaving Myhusband felt much differentlyanddidn’t feel that isolationas I did Hefeltrelieved bythediagnosis, aswe finallyhadtheanswers weneededtoget Nova thehelp she requires.

Fast forward to2022,wemetwith the EarlyDevelopmentNetwork everytwo weekstocreatea plan forourfamilyand Nova’s success.They providedsupport through anIndividual FamilyService Plan (ISFP)that allowed ourfamilytoshare our strugglesandcreatea strategy Oneday, I woke upand realized how“not alone” I

There wasanamazing groupofpeople becoming a part ofourjour neywith autism, oneofthem connectedtousthrough andherlittlecharismaticpersonality were creatingourowncommunity anditwasonly appropriate tocall it“Nova’sTribe”sinceshewasthe centerofitall

I share updates fromallofher differentappointmentswith Nova’s Tribe.Theemailchainconsistsof ourservice coordinator, doctors, therapists,family, friends and more.IfNova accomplishes a milestone, weallgettocelebrate ittogether Mostrecently she didartforthefirst time.Ifwerun into bumpsinthe road, wecan strategize together Herteam is there tocelebratehersuccessesat everyturn.Being a parentto a child h autismisnotmeanttobedone alone,ittakes a village, a community, and tribeofpeopletohelp your childgrow

Rightnow, there is a motheroutthere feeling exactly how I didatthebeginning alone.There is a tribeofpeopleout there waiting tofindyou There are other special needsmoms outthere,like me, rootingyouon.Connect with your school districtorEarlyDevelopmentNetwork. They were myfirst connection and support systemas I navigatedautism ThankyouKristin,Julieand Teresafor your special part inourjour ney, youare forever members ofNova’sTribe.

It’s nevertooearlytoaskquestions aboutyour child’s development. Take advantageoffreeearlyintervention servicesthrough your schooldistrict. Call 402-597-4936orvisitourwebsite at omahaedn.esu3.org.

TheDillonfamily:

DILLON F AMIL Y PHOTOS

Autumn,

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

TOWERBALL

If you’ve played cornhole, you’re probably pretty familiar with this style of lawn game. Great for all ages and group sizes, the four-sided, 360-degree toss game is the ultimate casual group competition. Includes collapsible tower, 8 hackey-style balls, and backpack carry case. 100% weatherproof materials, playable indoors or outdoors. calibergames.com, $189.99

A YEAR OF GRATITUDE

This page-a-calendar invites deep exploration of what it means to open yourself up to the gifts available to you, with daily inspirations, blessings, questions for reflection, affirmations (I greet each passing moment as precious), and thoughtful quotes. Plus Gratefulness Practices to help you nurture a positive outlook: Cultivating a sense of astonishment about your comforts — running water, a laptop, a refrigerator — helps keep you grateful. bookwormomaha.com, $16.99

BLENDJET 2

This portable blender takes smoothie making to the next level. I admit I was skeptical that a rechargeable blender could have the power to crush ice. But its super powerful technology really does power through the ice, frozen fruit, or leafy greens in no time. It comes in a host of fun colors and has an optional add-on 32-ounce jar to double your capacity. The company’s website has many recipes and they also offer ready-to-blend smoothie and latte mixes — just add ice and milk. This will be a great addition to your kitchen as well as being perfect for keeping at the office, taking camping, or along on kids’ activities. blendjet.com; BlendJet 2, 49.95; XL jar, 29.95

ECOSOUL PALM PLATES

These plates grow on trees! Made from ultra-sustainable, naturally-fallen palm leaves — you can feel good with every bite. The durable, wood-like feel won’t buckle under pressure, so you can fill your plate with firsts, seconds … and thirds. Plus, each one has its own unique variation in texture and color (compliments of Mother Nature). They are available in 8- and 10-inch round and square plates. www.ecosoulhome.com, 50 10-inch round plates for $28.99

DOOZY DICE

Need a game that’s more family friendly? Doozy Dice is an addictive game of strategy and chance with twists and turns on every roll. Easy to learn and fun to play again and again. Their team had so much fun creating Doozy Dice. They found themselves laughing and having a ton of fun at the twists and turns of the dice. amazon. com, $19.99

HOLIDAY KICK-OFF

RACHEL GEORGE Nonpareil Staff Writer

‘CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY’ CONCERT

Get into the Christmas holiday spirit early with a concert tonight. Join the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, as they collaborate with the Creighton University Orchestra and the St. James United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for a 7 p.m. performance. Cost is $10 per person and tickets can be found at paceartsiowa.org.

TREE OF LIGHTS

American National Bank, 8990 West Dodge Road, will host the Salvation Army Tree of Lights for the 17th year. The tree lighting ceremony is set for Friday, Nov. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the bank. The event is free and open to the public. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Parking is available via the 90th Street entrance only. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook at 6 p.m.

HOLIDAY HEROES CHILI COOK OFF

The Bellevue Police Department will host its annual Holiday Heroes Chili Cook Off on Nov. 11 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bellevue’s Beardmore Event Center, 3730 Raynor Parkway. Sample some award-winning chili to raise funds for Holiday Heroes (Shop With a Cop), a partnership between the Bellevue Police Department and area schools to identify children in need. Police officers and firefighters take the children shopping for clothing and Christmas wish list items. Cost is $10 for ages 9 and up.

WINTERFEST

The annual Winterfest celebration will be held Nov. 18 at Bayliss Park, 100 Pearl St. in Council Bluffs. The event includes the Bayliss Park holiday lighting ceremony, set for 6 p.m., along with Santa’s workshop, food trucks,

‘THE NUTCRACKER’

American Midwest Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” this holiday season, both in Council Bluffs and Omaha. The Council Bluffs performances are set for 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, and 2 p.m. Nov. 20. The performance will be held at the Hoff Family Arts &

Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St. The Sunday performance is sensory-friendly, meaning it is designed to increase accessibility for people on the autism spectrum. The Omaha performances are set for 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, and 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Orpheum Theater, 1200 Douglas St. Tickets can be purchased at amballet.org/tickets.

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

Mark your calendars for Nov. 21. The

“Making Spirits Bright” holiday tradition in Springfield will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will include a soup supper, Christmas Parade of Lights, fire pits and s’mores, caroling and a tree lighting ceremony. The event is held along Main Street.

2022 HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Holiday Lights Festival celebrates its 23rd season this year. Festivities kick off on Thanksgiving at 6 p.m. at the Gene Leahy

Makers Village (6 to 8 p.m.), an outdoor holiday movie, live reindeer, face painting, balloon art, crafts, carolers, cocoa and more.

Family-friendly events to boost your festive spirit

Winterfest at Bayless Park

JOE SHEARER PHOTOS , COUNCIL BLUFFS DAILY NONPAREIL

Mall, 1001 Douglas St. Following the lighting ceremony, there will be a free Making Spirits Bright Concert at 7 p.m. at the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. The concert will feature a special guest vocalist accompanied by the Nebraska Wind Symphony.

Lighting displays will also be set up in the Old Market from 10th to 13th Streets and Harney to Jackson Streets; in North Omaha along North 24th Street from Burdette to Ohio Streets; and in South Omaha along South 24th Street from L to Q Streets. Lighting displays will remain up through Jan. 2.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Join Papillion Mayor David Black as he flips the switch to light the city on Nov. 26. Bring the whole family to downtown Papillion (First and Washington Streets) for hot chocolate, s’mores, popcorn, pancakes, entertainment and free carriage rides. Visit with Santa and his reindeer friends at the Historic Portal School House. Downtown businesses will have extended hours and there will also be a Christkindl Market featuring local artisans. Events begin at 4 p.m. The tree lighting kicks off at 6 p.m. For a schedule of events, visit papillionfoundation.org.

LA VISTA TREE LIGHTING AND SOUP SUPPER

Let your Christmas spirit shine at La Vista’s annual tree lighting celebration on Nov. 28 at the City Hall campus and Central Park, 8116 Park View Blvd. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to light the city’s Christmas tree, plus there will be a free soup supper and entertainment in the Community Center gymnasium featuring Ho Ho Elvis. The performance will last an hour. Afterward, head over to Santa’s workshop to visit Santa and his reindeer, and stroll through the winter wonderland in Central Park. Visits with Santa will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Additional visits with Santa and his reindeer are scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9 and 13. En joy cookies with Mrs. Claus while you wait to see Santa.

GREENERY & GLITTER

The annual holiday celebration returns to downtown Gretna on Dec. 4. The downtown festivities will run from noon to 4 p.m., with the city’s tree lighting event set for 4 to 6 p.m. in Peterson Park. New activities are being planned and added; more details to come.

“The Nutcracker”

Omaha’s Holiday Lights Festival

AMERICAN MIDWEST BALLET

Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD

KILEY CRUSE PHO TOS , THE WORLDHERALD

CALICO CORN CRAFT

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Calico Corn is often used as a fall decoration. Get the kids involved in the fun and let them make these pony bead calico corn decorations.

Our testers, ages 2 to 8, had a blast making these. They stayed engaged in the project for more than a hour. The two steps that involve twisting the pipe cleaners proved to be the hardest part for their little hands.

This is also a great craft to practice math concepts. Our kids practiced counting as 14 beads per pipe cleaner is about perfect. And when it comes to stringing the beads, they can be added in a completely random order. But our kiddos made some very cute decorations practicing the AB and ABC patterns they were learning in school.

• F all-colored pony beads: white, yellow, orange, red, maroon and/or brown

• T an pipe cleaners

WHAT YOU DO

1. Twist four pipe cleaners together at the center. Then fan them out to look like a star (or one of our testers said it looked like a spider).

2. In any order, add about 14 pony beads to each of the eight pipe cleaner segments. There should be about 1 to 1½ inches not filled with beads.

3. Bring the pipe cleaner ends together. Take the top portion of one of the pipe cleaners and wrap it around the other seven to secure the top. Slightly fan out the remaining to look like the tassels of corn.

Add about 14 pony beads to each of the 8 segments of pipe cleaner.

With a little help, even a 2-year-old can make this craft.

STEP BACK IN TIME and explore Nebraska’s history at these state parks

MARJIE DUCEY World-Herald Staff Writer

Nebraska’s state parks hold a wealth of history, just waiting for you to explore.

Each one is a unique experience, says Bob Hanover, the assistant division

administrator in charge of historical parks for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

“From Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, where champion trees grow, to Ashfalls Fossil Beds, where prehistoric fossils have been unearthed, to Buffalo Bill Ranch, where the grounds recapture the life and career of the famed frontiersman, visitors have a chance to

see preservation and dedication to Nebraska’s past at work,” he said.

Visitors can step back in time, Hanover said, and see replicas of buildings that once stood on those same grounds or walk past the wagon ruts carved into the earth by pioneers on the Oregon and California trails. They can stand where some of Nebraska’s most famous

legends made their names.

“Spending time in one of our state historical parks is an irreplaceable, fun and educational experience,” Hanover said.

Renae Blum of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission came up with some great places to explore if you want to learn more about Nebraska’s past.

ASH HOLLOW STATE HISTORICAL PARK

A major stopover on the Oregon and California pioneer trails, Ash Hollow State Historical Park near Lewellen has several trails that allow visitors to explore its history. A steep half-mile trail leads to the crest of Windlass Hill, where deep ruts carved by thousands of covered wagons are still visible. The easy halfmile Cliff Line Trail takes visitors past the 1903 rock schoolhouse, and the Ridgeline Trail by the visitor center has an amazing view of the North Platte River valley, showing where the California, Oregon and Mormon Pioneer Trails converge. Once at the top, pause to remember those lost during the Battle of Blue Water, then stop in the visitor’s center to learn more.

ROCK CREEK STATION STATE HISTORICAL PARK

Known as the site where James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok began his gun ghting career, Rock Creek Station features 6 miles of multiuse hiking trails that wind through beautiful native grasses and wooded areas. From the trail, you can view wagon ruts from westward travelers and reconstructed buildings at this former stagecoach and Pony Express station. Those curious to learn more can stop in the visitor center to see what Rock Creek Station was like during its heyday. The parks’ trails are mostly easy walking, and those who bring their horses can use an equestrian campground at the nearby Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area.

FORT ATKINSON STATE HISTORICAL PARK

One of the earliest U.S. military posts west of the Missouri River, Fort Atkinson can claim

several rsts: the rst school, farm, hospital and library in what would become the state of Nebraska. The fort was active from 1820 to 1827, and several buildings have been

reconstructed. Two trails are available: a halfmile path winding through native grasslands and a 1.5-mile trail leading through timber below the bluff.

ASHFALL FOSSIL BEDS STATE HISTORICAL PARK

Nearly 12 million years ago, volcanic ash engulfed this ancient watering hole, entombing innumerable animals. National Geographic has called it the Pompeii of the Plains. Visit the Rhino Barn to see the fossils as they are unearthed, then walk the 1-mile nature trail and imagine what the land would have looked like when prehistoric rhinos, horses, camels and birds roamed the earth. Visitors can also take the Verdigre Overlook Trail about 150 yards out to a scenic overlook of Verdigre Valley.

INDIAN CAVE STATE PARK

Named for the large sandstone cave within the park, Indian Cave State Park encompasses 3,052 rugged acres bordering the Missouri River. The cave bears petroglyphs likely carved some 1,500 to 1,800 years ago by nomadic

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

NEBRASKALAND MAGAZINE/NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park

©Mapcreator.io | OSM.org, Lee Enterprises graphic

Lincoln

Omaha 80

NEBRASKA COLORADO

KANSAS

IOWA

SOUTH DAKOTA

Ash Hollow State Historical Park

Rock Creek Station State Historical Park

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park

Indian Cave State Park

Bu alo Bill Ranch State Historical Park Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

SwimLessons

people who used the area for temporary shelter. Though marred by modern carvings, some petroglyphs are still visible; bring binoculars to view them from the new boardwalk. Then go for a hike on Trail 11 that starts just 120 yards from the cave. The first quarter is a steep hike, so be prepared with good shoes!

BUFFALO BILL RANCH STATE HISTORICAL PARK

Home of famed showman and scout William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park at North Platte recaptures the life and career of the famed frontiersman, Army scout and buffalo hunter-turned-showman. Tour Cody’s mansion home and barn, and then go for a walk on the 5 miles of hiking trails at

the adjacent Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area. These trails are located at Buffalo Bill’s ranch, offering the chance to walk the grounds where this famous man once lived.

ARBOR LODGE STATE HISTORICAL PARK

This beautiful estate in Nebraska City was home to J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. The highlight of this 72acre park is the historic mansion, with its 52 rooms and countless historic artifacts belonging to the Morton family. The park also includes an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, more than 200 varieties of lilacs and a tree-themed playground. Make sure to visit the walking trails and see trees planted by Morton himself. The trails include a lilac walk, tree trail, and trails through the whispering pines.

marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

NEBRASKALAND MAGAZINE/NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION

Station

Historical

RSV SEASON

What parents need to know

DEB BALZER Mayo Clinic News Network

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can cause severe problems, especially for young children and older adults, has increased illness and hospitalizations.

“We’re seeing relatively high rates of infection occur earlier in the fall than usual,” says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. “We are seeing much more than we generally see.”

It’s a prevalent virus that mostly causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most children will be infected with the virus by age 2. But for some children, it can be severe.

“RSV is a respiratory virus. When it infects young children, especially those under 2 years of age, it causes inflammation in the airways. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and the most common cause of pneumonia in young kids,” says Dr. Rajapakse.

Dr. Rajapakse says because children have a small airway when they develop inflammation due to RSV, it can cause difficulty breathing. Because of this, many children need to be hospitalized to manage their RSV infection, especially kids under 6 months old.

SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms of RSV infection may be mild. It may take a few days into the illness for more severe symptoms to evolve.

“Symptoms of RSV include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, kids might not want to feed as much or have difficulty feeding, and they may be more fatigued than usual. The real things we make sure to ask parents to look out for are signs of difficulty breathing or working hard to breathe. This

When small children develop inflammation due to RSV, it can cause difficulty breathing. Because of this, many children need to be hospitalized to manage their RSV infection, especially kids under 6 months old.

ADOBE STOCK

can include sucking in. You might notice it at the base of the throat or between the ribs, a child that’s breathing fast, a child that’s having difficulty breathing and feeding to the point where they’re getting dehydrated,” Dr. Rajapakse says.

TREATMENT

Seek immediate medical care if your child (or an adult) has difficulty breathing.

Most mild RSV cases go away in a week or two. There are no specific treatments, though you may want to administer overthe-counter fever and pain relievers (never give aspirin to children). And drink plenty of fluid.

PREVENTION

There are no preventive RSV vaccines currently.

There is an antibody product called palivizumab for some children who may be eligible. It is administered usually in five monthly doses throughout the RSV season. Dr. Rajapakse says those children are a relatively small group, including those with underlying conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease or children who were born prematurely.

Tips for parents to help reduce RSV infection:

• Wash your hands frequently. Teach your children the importance of hand-washing.

• Avoid exposure. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Limit your child’s contact with people who have fevers or colds.

• Keep things clean. Make sure kitchen and bathroom countertops, doorknobs and handles are clean. Discard used tissues

right away.

• Don’t share drinking glasses with others.

• Don’t smoke. Babies exposed to tobacco smoke have a higher risk of getting RSV and potentially more severe symptoms.

• Wash toys regularly. Do this, especially when your child or a playmate is sick.

Along with those tips, Dr. Rajapakse says the measures that were adopted for the COVID-19 pandemic are also effective for helping slow the spread of other respiratory viruses, like RSV.

“RSV is a respiratory virus, so it’s spread by respiratory droplets or by touching droplets from someone who’s infected. Avoiding people who are sick, washing your hands, even wearing a mask would prevent transmission of RSV as well,” adds Dr. Rajapakse. Children under 2 are not recommended to wear masks.

Gratitude Pick-Up Sticks a fun way to talk about thankfulness

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

Are you looking for a way to teach children about thankfulness in a way that’s fun? Try playing

Gratitude Pick-up Sticks. It’s a game everyone can play.

When you’ve got multiple generations together for the holidays, it can sometimes be hard to nd activities everyone can participate in together. This one ts the bill. This game allows family and friends to express gratitude and what better way to teach kids than by modeling the behavior.

Players take turns picking up colored sticks. Match the colored stick to the chart and tell what you are thankful for. Are you grateful for soccer or Hot Tamales?

While this game is great for the holidays, it’s a game you can play all year long to encourage an attitude of gratitude.

HOW TO PLAY

1. Start by holding all of the pick-up sticks in your hand.

2. Drop the pick-up sticks, letting them fall randomly.

3. Each player takes a turn pulling a stick from the pile. An important rule is to not make any other sticks move, otherwise you lose your turn and won’t get the stick.

4. Every time that you pick up a stick, name what you are grateful for based on the color of the stick and the category.

5. The player that has the most sticks at the end of the game wins.

Don’t have pick-up sticks? You can make them from bamboo skewers. Simply use markers or paint to color the bamboo skewers. Caution: make sure to take a pair of scissors and cut off the sharp tip so no one gets hurt!

Or for a noncompetitive option, assign numbers 1 to 6 to the statements and take turns rolling a dice.

Source: teachbesideme.com

KILEY CRUSE

AWAKENING A LOVE OF THE ARTS

RACHEL RADLOFF Rose Theater

Preschooler Amelia squeals in excitement when it’s time to go to The Rose Studios. Like any Rose student, she loves the music, the movement, and seeing her friends. Unlike other Rose students, however, Amelia doesn’t use words to communicate her excitement. Her smile, though, says it all.

Amelia’s early years weren’t easy. She was hospitalized repeatedly with constant infections, breathing and feeding issues. She began missing developmental milestones and struggling with communication and fine motor skills. When Amelia was just two years old, she was diagnosed with an expressive language delay and identified as non-verbal. She uses a combination of noises, sign language and just a handful of words to communicate. Despite these challenges, Amelia has always been a fighter.

Amelia’s parents were surprised when a professional recommended trying a dance class to help with communication, fine motor and sensory skills. Therapies such as art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, and dance/ movement therapy are often recommended for students like Amelia because they offer a universal form of expression that does not require spoken language. Experts explain that dance classes can provide students with a sense of vitality, joy, and overall wellbeing that can boost their self-esteem and confidence.

Amelia’s parents enrolled her in a Creative Movement class at The Rose with the hope that Amelia would benefit from the stimulation music and dance provide. Eager to find ways of helping their daughter, they decided to give it a try.

One week into the class and Amelia had already learned four new words. By the second week, her mother noticed Amelia was babbling and engaging more with her teachers. She also began to learn more sign language. That was just the beginning. Amelia had just finished her class and was waiting to be picked up. As her mother stepped out of the car, Amelia ran up to her mother enthusiastically

and shouted, “Hi, Mama!”

It was the first time she had ever called her mother by name.

Amelia’s family believes this sudden improvement is a direct result of the environment the Rose Theater provides. “The Rose is a magical place where children — all children — have a place to belong, grow and enjoy being a kid,” her mother says.

Amelia’s story is proof that the magic of The Rose doesn’t just happen when the curtain rises and the lights begin to sparkle. The real magic happens every day, inside classrooms filled with smiling children and dedicated teachers. It happens when children like Amelia learn to believe in themselves and achieve more than they ever thought possible. Of all the lines spoken at The Rose, perhaps the greatest was a simple, “Hi, Mama!”

The transformative power of dance transcends language

PREPPING YOUR PUP

Tips to successfully introduce your dog to your new baby

DAVID CODR Dog Behavior Consultant

You’re expecting a new baby, maybe it’s your rst. You’ve bought a changing table, bassinet, glider, baby clothes and everything else. But what about your dog?

Welcoming a new child into your home is a wonderful exciting time, especially for rsttime parents. The prospects of all the joy and happiness to come sometimes causes new parents to forget about an existing family member; their dog.

Introducing a dog to your new child doesn’t have to be dif cult. The rst step is

to make sure that you address any existing dog behavior issues, especially if they may impact the new baby. Possessiveness, jumping up, excessive barking (no one is happy when a dog wakes a sleeping baby), aggression, stealing items, etc., can become much more problematic when your attention needs to be focused on the new baby. If your dog has

any of these issues, be sure to reach out to a positive based dog trainer or dog behavior consultant.

BEFORE THE BABY COMES HOME

Preparing your dog to meet your new baby should start a few weeks before the baby comes home.

Reinforcements: If you haven’t already enlisted the help of a dog walker/sitter, start looking for one now. If mom needs to spend time in the hospital, having someone who your dog already knows and is comfortable with who can let it out, feed it, walk it or spend the night with him or her is invaluable.

Practice baby: If your dog likes to jump or gets anxious with new things, practicing carrying a toy baby is a smart move. Wrap the baby up in some of your baby’s clothes and blankets and carry it around the home. This way if your dog gets spooked or jumps up and knocks the toy baby out of your arms, you get a warning without the actual baby getting hurt.

Teaching leave it: Baby toys are interesting to dogs. So are poopy diapers. Toys also have the baby’s pheromones on them and are often scattered around the home. Teaching your dog a strong “leave it” cue now will save you time and frustration later.

Desensitizing baby sounds: Find recordings of baby sounds; crying, babbling, etc., and play those at a low volume when your dog eats its meals. Start this two weeks before the baby comes home at a low volume (so your dog doesn’t stop eating) and turn up the volume slightly each successive meal until its a realistic level.

Baby room training: Training your dog to stay outside the baby’s room is an important step most new parents fail to think of. Dogs love being with their people, so being suddenly ejected from a room everyone seems so interested in can cause problems. Practice having mom spend time in the room with the dog outside with the door open. Some parents use a toy baby for this as well to simulate rocking it to sleep, nursing, or changing diapers on the changing table.

If your dog struggles staying out of the room, try having mom go inside and sitting in the rocking chair while dad stays out of the room with the dog. Dad should give the cue to sit or lay down and say the marker word when the dog sits or lays. The next step is to

wait a few seconds before saying the marker word and treating again. Basically you want to reward the dog every few seconds for sitting outside the room, then progressively increase the delay between giving the treats. The trick is to treat before the dog gets up or tries to enter the room. It will take a few days or weeks for some dogs, but eventually the dog is content sitting outside the room, getting a treat every couple minutes or so.

Baby/mother scent cream introduction: Start putting the various creams and ointments you will use on the baby on mom and dad’s forearms. This way these will not be new smells to investigate when they are on the baby.

Introduce the baby’s scent: When the baby arrives, asks nurse to give you a towel or blanket the baby has been wrapped in and immediately put it in a plastic zip-top bag. When dad or a family member goes home, hold this blanket in one hand behind your back and have some tasty treats in your other hand, also behind your back. Sweep the

blanket out in front of the dog’s nose and after she sniffs it, say your marker word and sweep it back behind your back then give the dog a treat. Repeat this until dog dog is no longer interested in the blanket. Put the blanket back into the zip-top bag (being careful to not touch it with the hand that held the treats) so you can do this again later. Try to practice this exercise a couple of times before the baby comes. If mom stays in the hospital, get a new freshly baby scented towel each day if possible.

THE DAY THE BABY COMES HOME

Dog exercise early: Have someone take the dog out for a walk an hour or so before the baby comes home. Don’t overdo it. A nice 15-30 minute walk usually does the trick. Make sure the dog has at least 20 minutes after the exercise stops before the baby arrives home so it can catch its breath.

Dog handler: Enlist the dog walker/ sitter to be a doggy chaperone the day your baby comes home or when you have family over to meet the new baby. Have the dog on

the leash inside the home (especially if its a jumper) when mom and the baby first come in and after if needed. Ask the handler to plan to be there for the first couple of hours so they can take the dog out for another walk or just sit and give it attention when everyone is greeting the baby. This way you can focus on your new arrivals and know your fur baby is still being looked after.

Fun time for the dog: Have the handler give lots of treats in the first 15 minutes the baby comes into the home. Giving the dog a nice chew or lick item can also help. Bully sticks and cow kneecaps are great chew options. Or if your dog likes to lick, smear some peanut butter on a lick matt. Licking and chewing release feel-good endorphins in your dog’s brain, so giving them after the baby first enters the home can create a positive association while also distracting your dog.

Let the dog investigate in steps: When the dog is calm and relaxed, have someone take the dog by a leash and approach you. Make sure the leash is not tight or dog pulling. If the dog wants to sniff and is still calm, allow it for a few seconds. After it gets done sniffing, say your marker word then give it a treat. If it gets excited, direct your dog to sit and have the handler give it affection or a treat right after. Wait for it to calm down then repeat. The idea is to let your dog get to meet the baby in small increments, but only when its calm and relaxed.

Keep the dog active: Be sure to arrange for walks or doggy day care. Your time and attention will most certainly be focused on the baby so its important your dog gets some attention every day so that it doesn’t feel neglected.

Do not allow the dog to protect the baby: Many people find it endearing or cute when a dog starts to protect a baby. But if your dog thinks that is part of its job, correcting the baby is part of the gig too. It’s important to establish boundaries so the dog understands mom and dad are the only authority figures for the child.

PEXELS.COM

FALL CARAMEL CORN

A SWEET TREAT FOR AUTUMN DAYS AND NIGHTS

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Fall Caramel Corn is a great treat for cozying up by the fireplace. It features salty popcorn, creamy caramel and sweet chocolate. So very delicious and easy to make!

WHAT KIND OF POPCORN SHOULD YOU USE?

Popcorn made from scratch on the stove is your best option. You can also use microwave popcorn, but you should use a type that has no butter flavoring added.

HOW LONG WILL THE POPCORN LAST?

This popcorn treat definitely tastes the best the day it’s made but will keep for a few days in an airtight container.

Fall Caramel Corn

CRUSE ,

WORLD-HERALD

Add brown sugar to melted butter and stir until combined. After boiling the butter and brown sugar mixture, add vanilla. Slowly add caramel sauce to salted popcorn and stir until combined.

1. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil to a medium/large pan with a lid. The oil should generously cover the bottom of the pan.

2. Heat the pan over medium-high heat.

3. Add 3 test popcorn kernels in the pan and put on the lid.

4. After you hear the test kernels pop, take off the lid. Remove the test pieces, add ½ cup popcorn kernels to the pan and put the lid back on.

5. Allow the popcorn to pop.

6. Gently slide the pan around on the burner during the first few minutes of the process to avoid burning the kernels.

7. Take the pan off the heat when the sound of kernels popping slows down. (This should only take 3 to 4 minutes.) Salt the popcorn while it’s hot so it sticks better.

8

. After the popcorn is popped remove all of the un-popped kernels and put 10 cups into a roasting pan. Put in a 200 F oven to keep warm while making the caramel sauce.

9. Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.

10. Add 1¼ cup of light brown sugar. Stir until thoroughly mixed with the melted butter.

11. Stirring continuously, bring the butter and sugar mixture up to a low boil. When it reaches a boil allow it to cook for 3½ minutes without stirring.

12. After boiling for 3½ minutes, add the vanilla and stir for one more minute.

13. Take the caramel mixture off the heat and immediately add the baking soda.

14. Stir the mixture. This will cause the caramel to change colors and foam up a bit.

15. Slowly pour about a third of the caramel mixture over the salted popcorn.

16. Gently fold the mixture in with the popcorn. Continue to add the caramel mixture a bit at a time, stirring between each addition. The popcorn should be completely covered in the warm caramel corn mixture.

17. Pour the popcorn out onto a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil.

18. Let the popcorn cool a little and then sprinkle with your candy mix-ins. We chose to add Rolos, peanut butter M&M’s and Reese’s Pieces.

Game nights a way to keep friends and family connected

MARJIE DUCEY World-Herald Sta Writer

Jim Barber says he was that geek in high school who loved playing “Dungeons and Dragons” with his friends.

He’s proud to say his ve kids are the same.

“It’s cool to be like that now,” he said.

Barber is still playing games, although now it’s with his grown-up children, friends and extended family even as they’ve spread out across the country.

At least three of his children join a group of around eight people who meet virtually every Wednesday for “Dungeon and Dragons” or sometimes “Magic: The Gathering.”

“We play across three different time zones,” he said.

Omahan Nick Zadina also loves game nights, and is part of several groups that meet regularly.

He especially enjoys playing “Lost Ruins of Arnak” with wife, Jenny Sharrick, as they await the birth of their rst child.

“We go out a lot less and then we’ll obviously have the baby and will be home a lot,” he said. “Hopefully, it will be a nice respite for us.”

He’s different from Barber in that he likes playing in person. He’s been fascinated by the intricate pieces and the artwork of the board games since he started visiting Spielbound Board Game Cafe in 2016.

For both of them, though, it’s a way to stay close to the people who matter in their lives. That’s why they’re willing to work around challenges with kids, jobs and busy schedules.

“I think it’s really important to stay connected even as we become more disconnected as families grow and move,” Barber said. “That’s a real problem for people. It’s really kind of sad.”

Barber said his kids picked up playing games organically. They’d watch when he’d have friends over and ask to roll the dice.

Around 9 or 10, they became more serious.

“Magic: The Gathering” was a good one to start with for them, because it’s easy to play and Barber had a big collection of the cards.

He even likes to personalize the games that he plays. He and his siblings created a game, “The Zadina Family: A Card Game,” based on “Apples to Apples.” One question might be about the rst activity on a certain family vacation or his father’s favorite purple out t.

A family friend, Dave Weisser, created the cards.

that puzzle and doing it with other people,” he said. “There are solo board games. But I like experiencing them with someone else.”

He’s looking forward to eventually playing with his child. He said board games teach you how to win and lose, and how to handle both.

Nick Zadina and his siblings created a card game based on their family. They gave it to their parents for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

NICK ZADINA PHOTO

“We encouraged the kids to game with us because ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ encourages critical life skills such as reading, writing and math as well as cooperative problem solving and thinking outside of the box,” Barber said.

Zadina said board games are an excuse to connect with the people he cares about.

“It’s a way to remember family memories and a way to preserve them,” he said. “For me, that board game is like a scrapbook of our family history.”

He plays different kinds of games with each group. One bunch likes competitive games, his brother-in-law in Iowa likes the narrative-backed versions and a friend enjoys cooperative games. Zadina plays not to win but to have fun.

“For me, one thing I love is opening a new game and learning the rules and mastering

There’s lots of board games out there, he said, even for the very young. But they’ve advanced far beyond “Candy Land.”

As children age, they can build a zoo in “Ark Nova” or pretend they are an Indiana Jonestype explorer in the “Lost Ruins of Arnak.”

He recommends checking out boardgamegeek.com to see what games are trending or how dif cult each might be.

“The best board games take you to another world,” he said.

marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

Nick Zadina and wife Jenny Sharrick plays Lost Ruins of Arnak as they await the birth of their first child.

JENNY SHARRICK PHOTO

Jim Barber plays Dungeons and Dragons every week online.

JIM BARBER

News about heavy metals found in baby food has left parents with a lot of questions.

The low levels of heavy metals found in baby foods likely are a relatively small part of a child’s overall toxic metal-exposure risk.

However, exposure from all sources should be minimized. Toxic metal exposure can be harmful to the developing brain. It’s been linked to problems with learning, cognition and behavior. But keep in mind that many genetic, social and environment factors in uence healthy brain development, and toxic metal exposure is just one.

Stronger rules and regulations for testing and limiting the amount of heavy metals in foods for babies and toddlers are important, but parents can take these steps now to reduce the risk that kids will be exposed to toxic metals in their diet and from other sources.

1 Serve a variety of foods

Give your child a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables (wash in cool water before preparing and serving), grains and lean protein. Eating a variety of healthy foods that are rich in essential nutrients can lower the exposure to toxic metals and other contaminants found in some foods.

2 Read the labels

Be aware that many multi-ingredient baby food blends have the same rst or second ingredient, though. Different avor blends, like kale/pear and spinach/pumpkin, for example, may actually both have sweet potatoes as their rst ingredient. Read the ingredients label to be sure there’s a true variety.

3 Switch up grains

Forti ed infant cereals can be a good source of nutrition for babies, but rice cereal does not need to be only cereal used. Rice tends to absorb more arsenic from groundwater than other crops.

You can include a variety of grains in your baby’s diet, including oat, barley, couscous, quinoa, farro and bulgur wheat.

Multigrain infant cereals can be a good choice.

Try to avoid rice milk and brown rice syrup (used as a sweetener). Brown rice has more arsenic than other rice.

Be sure to rinse rice thoroughly before cooking it. Use extra water when cooking, and drain it before serving.

4 Check your water

Heavy metals can get into tap water. For example, arsenic can contaminate well water, and older pipes may contain lead. You can contact your local health department to have your water tested if this is a concern.

5 Avoid fruit juice

Some fruit juices can contain concerning levels of heavy metals. Plus, juice is high in sugar and not as nutrient-rich as whole fruit. Stick with breast milk or formula for babies under 6 months old, and water and milk until they reach age 1.

6 Make healthy fish choices

Some types of sh can be high in methylmercury and other metals, especially sh that eat other sh, such as shark, orange roughy, sword sh and albacore/white tuna. Eating too much contaminated sh can harm a child’s developing nervous system. But sh is also an excellent source of protein and other nutrients children need. Look for better options, such as light tuna, salmon, cod, white sh and pollock.

7 Breastfeed, if possible

Breastfeeding, rather than formula feeding, also can help reduce exposure to toxic metals. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about six months.

8 Aim for variety in homemade food

Making your own baby food can be cost-effective; it can help avoid potential contaminants from processing or packaging. As a bonus, you can choose the ingredients. Offering a variety of foods is just as important when making your own baby food as when serving prepared baby foods.

9 Address lead hazards at home

There are other important ways to help reduce your baby’s exposure to toxic metals. The most common source of lead exposure, for example, is from peeling or chipping paint from older homes. Soil, some cosmetics and spices, water and certain occupations and hobbies can also be sources of exposure.

Dr. Aaron Bernstein is the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change and a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital.

DR. AARON BERNSTEIN American Academy of Pediatrics

9 ways to avoid exposure to heavy metals in baby food

DREAMSTIME

fantasticallyfrostytakeonRodgers& Hammerstein’s Cinderella.Thisnewholiday productionofthebelovedBroadway musicalwillwhiskyouawaytoawintery wonderland,whereyourfamilywillfind thefamiliarfableofCinderella;ayoung womanwhoovercomesthefrozen heartsofherfamilywiththewarmth ofherhopeanddetermination and ofcourse,alittlehelpfromherFairy Godmother!Withsparklingsets,