SWFL Parent & Child August 2020

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

AUGUST 2020

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 3

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contents |

18

27

16 ask the expert What to do if you suspect someone is being abused

18 in the kitchen Tips to make healthy family dinners a staple

21 dining out Lee County gets its first kitty cafe

23 kid stuff Explore the Castle Builder exhibit at C’mon

25 teens How to cope with your senior’s last year of school

27 a helping paw Naples mom Shoshana Tanner talks about her work with Topaz Assistance Dogs

31 back-to-school anxiety Simple ways to help children deal with back-to-school stress

50 ALSO INSIDE

33 stay or go Parents and experts talk about the back-to-school conundrum of 2020: Should kids attend in person or online?

7

editor’s note

8

our contributors

9 online

40 tips for special needs Family Initiative lends advice to help kids adjust to an atypical year

43 snap money If you don’t need that P-EBT card, here’s how to donate the funds

11

me time

12

5 things

14

fyi

45 snapshots 54 around town 55 calendar

44 safety corner Substance abuse and pregnancy don’t mix, but Healthy Start can help

58 last look

50 travel Whitewater rafting in West Virginia offers socially distant adventure

57 voices Pace Center for Girls, Lee County makes a difference

ON THE COVER

Isabella Shaw-Terry, 6, of south Fort Myers is photographed outside Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts School in Fort Myers. | PHOTO BY ANDREW WEST

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 5

Begin your Journey...

DISCOVER THE CANTERBURY ADVANTAGE !

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6 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

editor’s note |

swfl

Part of the USA TODAY Network

Volume 21, Issue 8 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com Regional VP, Sales William R. Barker General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey kathryn@swflparentchild.com Editor Pamela Smith Hayford (239) 335-0448 pamela@swflparentchild.com Art Director Lindi Daywalt-Feazel ldaywalt@gannett.com

Editorial Contributors Melanie Black Amato, Esther Copeland, Tanni Haas, Leigha Messner, Jennifer Nelson, Linda Oberhaus, Charles Runnells, Andrea Stetson, Jennifer Thomas Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Shawna Devlin Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com Distribution (239) 335-0211 Southwest Florida Parent & Child is a FREE publication distributed at more than 500 locations throughout Southwest Florida by The News-Press Media Group. All rights reserved. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Any opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions of the magazine or publisher.

THE BIG DECISION

W

e’ve had to make some tough decisions this summer. In July, my family and I were supposed to go to my brother’s wedding in Ohio. July 11 to be exact. My husband, the kids and my mom were all supposed to pile into a mini van and drive to Ohio for the big event. It was going to be a week-long adventure full of family, love and hugs. My kids were looking forward to seeing their uncle and new aunt. I truly thought we could do it. In June, the number of new COVID-19 cases was relatively flat. We bought lots of masks, stocked up on hand sanitizer, planned out how we’d eat meals on the road and disinfect hotel rooms.

But then the numbers jumped. 4,049 new cases.

5,822. Then 9,585.

The decision would have been easier if my brother and his wife had canceled the wedding.

Or if travel bans would have prohibited us. But Ohio wasn’t experiencing the same numbers we were. And travel bans weren’t going to happen.

It took me some time, but I realized I was hoping someone else would make the tough decision for me. In the end, I knew it would be irresponsible of us to drag our germs 1,200 miles and potentially deliver the novel coronavirus to family and friends who have risk factors — there are many of them. And my mom is a frontline worker. If we went and someone got sick, I couldn’t live with myself.

I thought I’d feel better after making the decision. But the stress of that one was quickly replaced by having to determine whether my daughter will go back to school in person or online. Four options. None of them ideal. But I’m not alone in this. My daughter has an opinion. My husband is equally invested.

And thousands of parents across Southwest Florida are pondering the same issue. Many of them shared why they’re keeping their kids home or sending them to school in our cover story starting on page 33. If nothing else, I hope you know you’re not alone. Whatever decision you make will be the right one for your family.

PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ

parent &child S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

PAMELA SMITH HAYFORD, Editor

Member of

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from you. Send your photos, letters or comments to: pamela@swflparentchild.com. Or visit us online:

swflparentchild.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 7

| contributors

COOL 4

SCHOOL

M

eet the contributors to this issue of Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine.

Esther Copeland • Spotlight • Esther

Copeland is a writer and educator living in Lee County with her daughter. She especially enjoys writing about the people of Southwest Florida, travel and single parenting.

Tanni Haas • Simple Ways to Help Kids

Cope with Back-to-School Anxiety • Tanni Haas is a writer and professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

Charles Runnells • Dining Out •

Charles Runnells is the arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press, a part of the USA Today Network. He has worked at the newspaper since 1998.

Leigha Messner • In the Kitchen • Leigha Messner, a registered dietician and new mom, is a clinical dietitian with Lee Health.

She can be reached through media@leehealth. org or by calling 239-424-3120.

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Andrea Stetson • Cover story, Kid Stuff and Teens • Andrea Stetson writes for magazines and newspapers throughout Southwest Florida. She has also been a news producer and writer at television stations in Fort Myers, Miami and Scranton. Andrea lives in North Naples with her husband, daughter, dog and eight bunnies. Her son graduated from Georgia Tech.

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Jennifer Thomas • Travel • Jennifer Thomas is a freelance travel writer who has extensively explored the U.S. and destinations abroad. A journalism graduate from Bowling Green State University and an Air Force veteran, she is the owner of the FSR Ventures public relations firm and Beauty Results PR. Jennifer lives in Fort Myers with husband Bill, daughter Kylie, and golden retriever Rosebud.

online |

swflparentchild.com Get the latest event information and family news every day on our family-friendly site.

Your back-toschool resource Let us help you ease into the new school year. Online, we’ll post updates from the schools, The News-Press and the Naples Daily News, plus tips for things like adjusting to a new schedule and ideas for great lunches. Find it all on swflparentchild.com.

Get SWFL Parent & Child anywhere at any time LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @swflparentchild FIND US ON PINTEREST pinterest.com/ swflparentchild READ US ON ISSUU issuu.com/swflparentchild

Looking for something to do?

Our website has plenty of ideas. There’s our calendar and list of attractions, but we also have lists of ways kids can continue to learn at home and features about local organizations hosting online events and activities.

Miss an issue?

SWFL Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues. Did you miss the summer list of things to do in Southwest Florida from our June issue?

It’s online. Or the birthday party issue in February? It’s online. Or maybe you wish you could find that list of where kids eat free (or nearly free) from the November issue? It’s online, too. Just visit swflparentchild. com and scroll to the bottom of the page. You’ll also find past stories individually on the site.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 9

me time |

CUDDLE UP, BUTTERCUP When it comes to room temp, one person’s comfort zone is another’s deep freeze. If you’re someone who’s always cold in the AC, cozy up with these cuddly finds. | FROM REVIEWED.COM, PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK

PLUSH SLIPPERS • Given that we tend to lose heat via our extremities, a cozy pair of slippers is a must when looking to stay warm. This best-selling pair of booties features a thin rubber sole to prevent slipping, a handmade soft suede leather outer and a pile lining.

The Chrissy is $49.95 at minnetonka.com.

FAVORITE FLEECE

• Fleece might not seem compatible with summer months, but when it’s presented in as thin a layer as this Bedsure blanket, it’s more of a gentle drape than an asphyxiating weight on your skin. Available in 26 colors, it’s the perfect addition to your WFH routine and ongoing home décor project. $14.99 on Amazon.com.

POPULAR PAJAMAS MUST-HAVE SWEATS • These joggers

are as comfortable in the winter as they are in the summer when the AC is blasting. And they’re so, so soft. Made of sustainable modal French terry and nontoxic dyes, they’re also great for the planet. They’re quite tailored for sweats (almost fitting like cuffed leggings), so size up if you’re looking for a looser fit. $78 at wearsoftwear.com.

• Fashion rules go out the (open) window during quarantine. That means pajamas are perfectly acceptable all-day attire. Made of modal and Spandex, this best-selling PJ set with over 1,400 reviews is a great bet. With its classic, old school look, you’ll feel surprisingly put together while you work and play from home. $65 at Nordstrom.com.

DATE NIGHT • Take a stroll in the moonlight. On select nights in August and September, you and your love

can stroll the grounds of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, enjoy a talk on the property’s history or listen to music on the Ford lawn at sunset. On August 4 and September 1, a full or nearly full moon lights the night talks, while live music takes place August 14 and September 18. Tickets are $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members, at edisonford.org.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 11

| 5 things

BACK TO SCHOOL

IN PERSON, IN CLASS

For kids physically going back to school, these finds are bound to make life a little easier and a little more fun.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

• Face masks are going to be part of our lives for a while, so why not get ones that express your personality? Vistaprint has an enormous array of designs you and your kids will love — you can even customize them. They’re available in kid sizes and have a slot for a filter. $13 at vistaprint.com.

KEEP IT TOGETHER • A pencil

pouch is vital for keeping all those loose writing instruments in one tidy place. This mini backpack case by Yoobi also has a smaller pouch that’s perfect for erasers or sticky notes. An elastic band on the back makes it easy to attach to a notebook or binder. $5.99 at Target, target.com.

PUT A NAME ON IT • It’s so easy to mix

COOL KID LUNCH TOTE • Here’s a stylish way to tote your lunch to school. The Pep Rally lunch bag has a single compartment and a zipper closure. $12.99 at Staples, staples.com.

READY IN A FLASH

• Kids can use these flashcards over and over again thanks to the wipe-off surface. One side is blank, the other is ruled. Plus, the set comes with a dry erase marker attached with an elastic band. $4 at Staples.

12 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

up water bottles. Help your child identify their favorite drink dispenser with personalized bottle bands from Mabel’s Labels. They’re washable and durable. Available in 16 designs and five colors. (They’re also great for baby bottles and sippy cups.) $9.99 for two at mabelslabels.com.

5 things |

BACK TO SCHOOL

TUNING IN FROM HOME For kids logging into class at home, these school supplies can make learning a little more interesting.

STAY SHARP •

This is our favorite pencil sharpener, the X-Acto Bulldog vacuum mount pencil sharpener. A flip of the lever secures it to any nonporous surface, and the cutter smoothly sharpens pencils in a flash. $6.99 on Amazon.com.

NOW HEAR THIS

• As cool as AirPods might be, some work calls for a comfortable, over-ear headphone. The JBuddies Studio wireless kids’ headphones have 22 hours of playtime with volume-safe sound. $30 at JLab Audio, jlabaudio.com.

KEY TO SELF-EXPRESSION • Turn your keyboard into a work of art with keyboard decals from Keyshorts. Easy application and removal. Choose from a variety of designs, like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” $28.95 at keyshorts.com.

LAPTOP CHARACTER • Yeah, you have plans for the kitchen table or

CUT THE CORD

• One less wire to worry about is always nice. The SureTrack Dual Wireless Mouse can track on almost any surface and offers several connectivity options. $29.99 at Kensington.com.

a desk to be your child’s study spot, but sometimes they’ll want a change of pace. The LapGear lap desk comes in a variety of fun designs to make laptop work a little more comfortable. They’re also portable, great for road trips. $19.99 on Amazon.com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 13

PHOTO SPECIAL TO SWFL PARENT & CHILD

| fyi

WINTER THE DOLPHIN GETS NEW HOME AND THEMED HOTEL Winter the Dolphin — star of the “Dolphin Tale” movies — got a bigger habitat for her and her friends this summer. The 60,000-squarefoot new space allows the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to care for twice as many rescued animals. Guests also get an up-close viewing opportunity out of the deal: a 40-foot-wide, 14.5-foot-tall viewing window into the dolphins’ new habitat. Plus, now when you visit Winter, you can stay in her themed waterfront hotel, Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club. Part of the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels, the newly renovated property has a dolphin and marine life theme and boasts eco-friendly practices. There’s an outdoor pool, beach cabana rentals and two on-site restaurants. Proceeds from each stay at the family-friendly hotel help pay for the care, education, research and conservation of marine mammals at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Get details at wintersbeachclub.com.

CONSERVANCY NATURE CENTER EXPANDS The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is expanding its nature center with a $4.5 million renovation that will add new interactive exhibits and galleries to the Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center. The additions include an augmented reality exhibit that lets guests interact digitally with threatened animals, an invasive species gallery and a climate change gallery that features Science on a Sphere, a system developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The nature center is closed until the project is completed, which is expected in early 2021. Staff will continue to admit and treat injured, sick and orphaned animals at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital in Naples. Anyone who finds an injured animal is asked to call 239262-2273. While the nature center is closed, families can enjoy the center’s online educational videos and activities at conservancy.org/virtual-learning.

14 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

CHILDREN’S AUTHOR LAUNCHES PODCAST FOR KIDS Southwest Florida children’s author Julie Woik has created a podcast with her star character, Lilly, as the host. In each episode, Lilly shares a fan letter, doles out advice, celebrates good deeds and encourages children to tell their stories. Find the free podcast at lillythelash.com/podcast.php.

Her book series “The Life and Times of Lilly the Lash” are aimed at helping children build character.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO SWFL PARENT & CHILD

fyi |

FLORIDA GARDENING MADE EASY Gardening can be a great learning experience for kids. But Florida gardening and landscaping is unlike in any other place in the U.S. Florida kids now have an easy way to learn about Floridafriendly gardening in a new book created by UF/IFAS Florida Master Gardener Volunteers Kim Pepitone Cottrell and Evelyn Lavaughn Davis.

“From the get-go, it is important for kids to understand the connection to science when they talk about plants and gardening,” Kim says in a news release. “We want to teach children from the beginning that they can make a positive impact on our environment, even when gardening in their own backyards.” The book sells for $6.99 at ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p1538-growing-up-florida-friendly. aspx.

DONATION TO HELP KIDS IN NEED OF CLOTHES AND SUPPLIES A new program to help children in need of clothing and school supplies is launching this fall thanks to a $100,000 commitment from The John E. and Aliese Price Foundation to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties.

The United Way Gifts in Kind program will provide clothing, shoes, hygiene items and school supplies to children struggling with homelessness and other challenges, as identified by School District of Lee County social workers and school resource officers.

The program works directly with manufacturers, so that $100,000 could generate as much as $3.2 million in goods for our local kids.

EAST NAPLES SEVENTH GRADER HONORED BY DUKE Cadence Eva Goddard, a seventh grader at East Naples Middle School, was recently honored for achieving an exceptional score on the ACT, the same test taken by college-bound high school students. Cadence took this above-grade-level test as a participant in the Duke University Talent Identification Program, also called the Duke TIP. Each year, Duke TIP identifies a select group of students as academically gifted, based on their standardized test scores, and invites them to take the ACT or SAT. The highest scorers are invited to a special recognition ceremony.

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 15

| ask the expert

IS SHE IN DANGER What do I do if I see a mom who might be in an abusive relationship?

It is common to see an angry confrontation or act of physical violence and question if you should take action, especially if the person is not a close friend or family member. Too often, we might tell ourselves that it’s not our business, but this approach can lead to disastrous results.

On September 17, 2009, Naples resident Guerline Damas and her five children were murdered in their home by her abusive husband. Members of the community later shared they were concerned for Guerline’s safety but failed to report their suspicions to authorities.

The best course of action if you see something is to say something, specifically by calling 911. Even if you don’t know definitively whether it’s a domestic violence situation, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

It is extremely important that you do not intervene personally as this could escalate matters and result in injuries to yourself as well as the victim.

Just make the call and let law enforcement do their job. If the victim is in public, such as her driveway, she may actually be safer than behind closed doors with the abuser, so the sooner a concerned citizen makes the call to 911,

GETTY IMAGES

Q: A:

If you suspect a person might be in an abusive relationship, these steps could save a life. | BY LINDA OBERHAUS

the better.

Because it crosses all ethnic, economic and geographic boundaries, it is important to recognize the signs of domestic violence in your family,

friends and coworkers. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not

Linda Oberhaus has served as the CEO of The Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples since 2007. She has received numerous awards for her work, and she’s mom to Christopher, a military veteran and graduate of the National Aviation Academy, and Brooke, a graduate of the University of North Florida.

16 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

ask the expert |

want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and financial deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence/abuse can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship.

Many victims do not consider themselves abused because they have not been physically beaten and most will not offer up the fact that they are being abused. They may use alcohol and prescribed medications or experience depression. A recurrent history of being “accident-prone” is also a clue, as is an overly attentive partner who attempts to answer questions for the victim, or one who bullies and criticizes her publicly.

If you suspect your friend or coworker might be a victim of abuse, here

are some things you can do.

• Don’t blame the victim — there are numerous reasons why she may stay.

• Suggest she discuss a safety plan with The Shelter’s trained advocates: 239-775-1101.

• Tell her you are afraid for her, her children and/or pets; teach children to dial 911.

• Let her keep extra keys and an “escape bag” at your house or office.

• Be there when she needs you. Empower her to make decisions for herself and respect those choices.

• Help with child care, transportation, a place to stay, job, lending money, but do not risk your own safety.

• Give her this web address: naplesshelter.org.

Remember that domestic violence is not somebody else’s problem, it’s every-

one’s problem. Last year in Collier County, there were 1,611 calls to 911 regarding domestic violence. Hundreds more went unreported. Chances are very likely you know at least one of these victims. If you see something, say something and help put an end to domestic violence and human trafficking in Collier County.

ASK THE EXPERT We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything.

We’ll find the answer. Send your question to editor@ swflparentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 17

| in the kitchen

BACK TO

THE TABLE M

Tips to make family dinners easy and nutritious, no matter how busy your crew gets. | BY LEIGHA MESSNER

y kitchen has taken on many new labels these past few months — fast-food joint, diner dive, farm-to-table eatery, and gourmet gastropub. The identity crisis comes as an attempt to combat “food fatigue” and keep my foodie spirit alive during quarantine.

Throughout the process something great has happened; my husband and I have removed ourselves from

18 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

the coffee table and our worn-out remote and relocated to the dining room table.

Prior to this, breaking bread as a family came with many perceived obstacles. A recent poll by NPR showed that more than two-thirds of parents would want to eat with their kids every night if they could.

It takes energy, both mental and physical, to plan what to have, for whom and when, and then actually prepare the meal. Coupled with

the increased trend in dual-earner and single-parent families, various schedules and conflicting food preferences, it is understandable that eating together more frequently is daunting.

Gathering together around the table has numerous benefits for everyone in the family. Capitalizing on some time-saving tips in the kitchen can lessen the burden of stress and make family meals happen more consistently in your home.

in the kitchen |

• Make a reservation at your table: Start by scheduling a family meal one or two times per week where each family member knows to be home at a particular time. If conflicting schedules prevent togetherness at dinner, try a family breakfast or lunch. By making a commitment to eating at least one meal together each week, it’s likely to be a goal everyone can meet, maybe even becoming the most looked-forward-to family routine.

• Simplicity is key: The notion that meals need to be “Top Chef ” quality every time you’re in the kitchen is a recipe for disaster. Choose recipes that will take you 30 minutes or less and take shortcuts with timeSHEET PAN saving appliances like a pressure or slow cooker. Use your local DINNERS grocery to help with the prep.

Sheet pan dinners Grab a rotisserie chicken, have are an easy way shrimp steamed from the seafood to save time in the counter, and reach for frozen kitchen. No need for fancy appliances vegetables and fruits. Food does or cooking not have to be made from scratch techniques to create to be delicious and nutritious. a nutritionally • Let the food do the multitasking: Choosing ingredients

balanced meal. The recipe on the next page can be easily adapted to your preferences. Simply chop all ingredients, place onto cooking sheet, top with oils/ seasonings and roast until done.

that can be repurposed for multiple meals saves time and money.

With the rotisserie chicken you picked up, use the next meal for chicken fajitas, chicken salad, a breakfast burrito, or casserole.

• Be Flexible: Picky eating is a common complaint of most parents and could sabotage expectations of a family meal. While parents are the gatekeepers of what, when and where food is offered, allow your child to decide whether to and how much they will eat. Don’t feel defeated if your child does not initially consume the food. Research suggests that it could take up to 30 plus exposures to accept a new food. To satisfy different preferences and make dining fun, offer a themed meal with a variety of toppings to enhance exposures while catering to individual tastes — like a taco, burger, stir-fry or pasta bar. Have older children help discover new recipes. Allow them to be a part of the cooking process and become involved in meal time routines like setting the table.

Leigha Messner is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a clinical dietitian at Lee Health.

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| in the kitchen

BAKED CHICKEN BREAST OVER ROASTED VEGETABLES Serves 12

INGREDIENTS

• 5 carrots • 5 celery stalks • 2 pounds chicken breast • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 11/2 teaspoons garlic powder • 11/2 teaspoons onion powder • 1 teaspoon chili powder DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Dice carrots and celery into 1-inch cuts.

Transfer vegetables to a baking sheet and pour 2

tablespoons olive oil over them.

3. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over chicken breast. Place chicken breasts over chopped celery and carrots.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken and rub it in with your hands. Place chicken breasts side by side, making sure there is no overlap.

5. Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until juices are clear or a meat thermometer reads 160-170 degrees.

Note: Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, it could take longer.

6. Cover with foil and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes while the juices settle before slicing.

SOURCE: Adapted from Lee Health Farmacy Rx Teaching Kitchen

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dining out |

LEE’S FIRST CAT CAFE OPENS

You can get your coffee fix — and your cat fix — at the new Cattyshack Cafe in Gulf Coast Town Center. | BY CHARLES RUNNELLS

PHOTO BY ANDREW WEST

Y

ou can’t buy a mocha, a mimosa or a caffé Americano at the new Cattyshack Cafe. They’re not on the menu.

But here’s what you can get: A meow-cha, a meow-mosa and a caffé Ameri-gato.

They’re the same drinks, of course — just with a kitty-cat spin.

In fact, almost everything at the Gulf Coast Town Center cafe has a cat theme (and a golf theme, too).

There’s cat-shaped food. A cat-sized golf cart with a scratch-able steering wheel. Even a bathroom sign urging visitors to “PLEASE WASH YOUR PAWS.” And then there’s the main attraction: A room-full of cats where visitors can hang out and sip coffee for 50 minutes.

It’s Lee County’s first cat cafe.

“We’re excited,” says Andrew Townsend, who owns the new cafe with fiancee Amber Redfern. “We’re just happy to finally be able to bring this to Fort Myers.”

There are more than 100 cat cafes in the United States, Amber says, but none of them are in Southwest Florida. Planet Tails in Naples closed several years ago.

Cattyshack had been tentatively scheduled to open in January, but permitting delays and the coronavirus kept pushing back opening day. That didn’t stop curious cat lovers from

Amber Redfern and Andrew Townsend opened the Cattyshack Cafe in the Gulf Coast Town Center. It offers a coffee shop-style cafe with beverages and food.

peering through the cafe windows, though — or sometimes just walking right in.

“People are just walking in off the streets,” Amber said before opening day in June. “It’s obvious that we’re not open, but people walk in and they’re just so excited.

“They’re just so passionate. And to give those people an outlet and something to support in this scary time, it makes us feel good. And it’s good for the community as a whole.”

Like other cat cafes, Cattyshack lets visitors drink coffee and eat while spending time with freeroaming cats (no cages). If the cats get stressed, they can flee through a small, cat-shaped door into a neighboring “escape room” that’s inaccessible to guests. That’s where the cats can use the litter boxes, eat, nap or just relax.

You can even adopt one of the cats, if you want. They all come straight from the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 21

| dining out

PHOTOS BY ANDREW WEST

The timing is perfect, says the humane society’s executive director, Jennifer Galloway. It’s kitten season in Southwest Florida, and Cattyshack is another way to find homes for those new kittens.

“Their success is our success,” she says. “Because the more successful they are, the more adoptions we’ll have. And we’ll be able to spread our message.”

Jennifer says she’s excited about the partnership with the cafe.

“I think it’s an awesome concept,” she says. “It’s going to be fun for people.”

To gather research for their new business, the couple visited 20 cat cafes in six states and saw what worked and what didn’t work. Then they put those lessons to use in Cattyshack.

The 2,100-square-foot cafe is divided into two rooms: The main cafe on one side, where people order their food and drinks; and a cat room called The Mulligan Room where 15 to 20 cats can lounge and frolic on catwalks, cat furniture and a putting green shaped like a paw.

For a $15 fee, people can take their coffee and food into the room for about 50 minutes and hang out with the kitties. Reservations are required.

“It’s a relaxing, calming environment,” Amber told The News-Press last year. “The cats are fun, and there’s toys and you can interact with them.”

The couple wanted everything in their new cafe to be fun and memorable. That includes free-roaming cats in The Mulligan Room and cat-friendly décor with climbable palm trees, cat-themed books in a bookcase and a stuffed cat named Maudie on the “roof ” of a faux clubhouse.

There’s always something to look at.

“Whenever people come here,”

Andrew Townsend, one of the creators of Cattyshack Cafe in the Gulf Coast Town Center, watches as kittens play in their new space.

Andrew says, “we want them to want to take a photo.”

The cafe’s golf theme comes from Andrew’s love of the Chevy Chase movie “Caddyshack.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it,” he told The NewsPress last year. “And we both golf.

We’re not the best …”

The cafe sells coffee, beer and wine (including a full espresso bar), graband-go foods such as grilled cheese sandwiches and pasta salad, and specialty drinks such as their “cereal milk lattes”— lattes made from milk that’s been soaking in Cap’n Crunch, Frosted Flakes and other breakfast cereals. The freshly roasted beans come from Fort Myers company Chocolatte’s Coffee and Roasting.

The various coffee drinks have catthemed names, such as The Tabby, The Calico, The Tuxedo and a soothing lavender latte called The Cat Nap. To keep things hygienic, separate air-conditioner systems prevent the “cat air” in The Mulligan Room from

mixing with the cafe air, Andrew says.

Plus there’s an airlock-like vestibule between the two rooms.

Owning a cafe is an all-new adventure for the couple, who are both longtime animal lovers. Andrew is a former professional poker player who later earned a business management degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. Amber is the bursar at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers — a job she says she’ll maintain.

They’ve signed a five-year lease in the former Fresh Planet Cafe at Gulf Coast Town Center, near The Cigar Bar and Outback.

Amber and Andrew eventually plan to hold special events at the cafe, including cat yoga, cat crafts and painting with cats. The room will be available for group rentals, too.

Cattyshack Cafe is at 9902 Gulf Coast Main St., Suite D-140, in Gulf Coast Town Center, near Outback, Sport Clips and The Cigar Bar. To learn more, visit facebook.com/CattyshackCafe or cattyshackcafe.com.

— Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)

KIDS & CATS Children are welcome at Cattyshack Cafe, but there are a few rules. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No more than two children per adult may enter at a time and no strollers are allowed in the Mulligan Room. It’s recommended you book your reservation prior to 4 p.m. on your preferred date. The entry fee is required of all guests.

22 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

kid stuff |

BUILDING

CASTLES The traveling Castle Builder exhibit at C’mon uses Legos to teach engineering skills and fun. | BY ANDREA STETSON

PHOTOS BY ANDREA STETSON

W

FROM TOP: • Connor Elliot, 11, uses giant Legos to build a castle wall. • A Lego replica of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, is one of the creations in the new Castle Builder exhibit at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. • Vonnie Heckler and her granddaughter Viviana Heckler, 5, look for the missing transparent brick in one of the stations. Viviana’s brother Dominic, 7, and their mother, Jennifer, look at another exhibit within the castle walls.

hen you combine the love of Legos, the excitement of castles and dragons, and the ability to create and build with both interlocking bricks and virtually, you have the recipe for the new Castle Builder exhibit at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, also known as C’mon.

The traveling exhibit will be on display through the end of August.

Beth Housewert, director

of play and learning at C’mon, says Castle Builder is a great exhibit because it is something everyone can enjoy.

“Legos are multi-generational,” Beth says. “Also they are gender neutral. We know there is a well-loved beauty in Legos and everybody loves that engineering idea: to take their idea and make it into a reality with Legos. Everybody loves to build. And it is multi-sensory.

So many kids are working on those fine motor skills. And it gives them inspiration just looking at these.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 23

| kid stuff To make sure people of all ages can enjoy the exhibit, Castle Builder has regular Legos and the larger Duplo blocks. There is even a model of Beaumaris Castle done in Duplo blocks to show how intricate and creative something can be even with the bigger blocks.

There are also Lego creations made with standard size bricks of castles around Europe including Arundel Castle in Sussex, England, Blarney Castle in Ireland and Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.

While the children enjoy looking at the castles and the giant, red Lego dragon, they enjoy the hands-on activities even more.

The exhibit features five stations: • Build, Build, Build: Construct castles, learn about real world castles, building secrets and castle defenses.

• Explore a Giant Castle: Explore the inside of the royal castle.

• Aim a Catapult: Build a fortress wall on screen and test its strength with a virtual catapult 3D computer program.

• Defend the Castle Walls: Climb into a lookout tower and slide back to the ground.

• See a Dragon: In the dragon’s cave, children and adults can create and share their own fantastical stories.

Connor Elliot, 11, began his visit by creating a virtual Lego wall around a castle that was projected onto a screen.

Then he took a giant catapult and aimed it at the castle. As the virtual boulder smashed into the projected wall, Connor could see he created a wall strong enough to withstand the virtual attack. Connor then went to another station where he grabbed giant Legos and made a real Lego wall in front of a picture of a castle.

What were Connor’s favorite parts of the traveling exhibit?

“Building the wall and the Lego tables,” he says.

Connor Elliot, 11, uses a virtual catapult to aim at computer generated castle walls that he built in the new Castle Builder exhibit.

Conner adds he would recommend Castle Builder to his friends.

“You get to build your own wall and your own castle,” he says. “You learn to build your own structure. It boosts your creativity.”

His mother, Dina Elliot, hopes the exhibit will motivate her son to create great things with the Legos he has at home.

“I am hoping it is an inspiration,” she says and jokes to him, “Connor, I am expecting some big Lego structures.”

Vonnie Heckler explored the exhibit with her grandchildren.

“It’s amazing,” she says. “It is mind boggling that you can create all these things out of Legos.”

Dominic and Viviana Heckler, ages 7 and 5, explored all the stations in the Castle Builder exhibit.

Viviana liked the slide from the castle lookout tower the best. Dominic stood beside a giant Lego dragon admiring the creation.

“This one is my favorite,” Dominic said.

Jennifer Heckler says the exhibit was great for her children.

“There are lots of hands-on things to do,” Jennifer says.

The exhibit, produced by the

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, is aimed at transporting children and their families into a fanciful kingdom of Legos where they can not only build castles and learn about castles, but explore them and learn about their structure and defense systems.

While most of the exhibits at C’mon are there all the time, the museum has one room dedicated to traveling exhibits. When Castle Builder leaves August 31, museum officials will begin installing the next traveling exhibit, which features Argentina.

The Argentina’s Ninos exhibit will be on display September 13 to January 17. The exhibit is part of the museum’s cultural series. C’mon previously had an exhibit about China. The Argentina exhibit will have a climbing wall, a Mercado (market), school, Argentina soccer, foosball, a dress up area and more.

“It’s depicting the life of a child in Argentina and what is different and what is the same as children throughout the world,” Beth explains. “It broadens a child’s understanding of what that culture is all about. It is to help facilitate tolerance and acceptance.

It helps kids learn about other kids.

We think it will be really cool to see the diverse population that comes to experience it and learn from it.”

To keep children safe while in the traveling exhibit and throughout C’mon, the museum now has timed tickets for either 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 5 p.m. In between those two sessions, all the Lego blocks are either switched with clean ones or cleaned with an electric static spray. Beth says this also happens at all the exhibits throughout the museum. Everyone who enters C’mon must wear a mask at all times.

Beth says patrons don’t mind masks and other restrictions.

“A lot of people are just excited that we are open and there is something to do in the community,” she says.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Castle Builders • WHERE: Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, aka C’mon, 15080 Livingston Road, Naples • WHEN: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Closed Wednesday and Sunday. • COST: $12 for children 1 and older, $10 for adults, free for members, teachers and infants. • PHONE: 239-514-0084 • ONLINE: cmon.org

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teens |

FROM FIRSTS TO LASTS How to cope with your senior’s last year of school.

F

BY ANDREA STETSON

or Amanda Sullivan, of North Port, the tears began on senior night last October. Everything was a last — last homecoming, last time watching her daughter cheer at a basketball game.

“How are you keeping it together,” she asked on Facebook.

Amanda’s daughter graduated, but now she has another high school senior and another year of lasts. For parents going through these last school moments for the first time, it is unchartered territory. For those watching their youngest during their senior year of high school, it could mean an upcoming empty nest.

Amanda has five children ranging in age from 4 to 17. Her second child is now starting her senior year. Amanda says there are some things she will do differently this time.

“I am going to make sure I am going to make all the games,” she says. “I didn’t get to make all

my daughter’s games last year.”

Her daughter is on the cheer team at North Port High School. Amanda also wants to cherish the moments more.

“I am a photographer, so I am at most of the events taking pictures,” she explains. “This time around I am going to be leaving the camera at home and staying in the moment. I think if you have the camera or even record on your phone, you are missing the moment. It is kind of being more present. I was there last year, but I wasn’t present. I was behind the camera. Let somebody else take the pictures.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 25

| teens

Lynette Coffey has been an active band mom for eight years, even serving as president. When her son Charles graduated from Gulf Coast High School in Naples in 2016, her daughter Caroline began school there. When Caroline reached her senior year last fall, she knew that it was the end of an era for her, yet going through Charles’ senior year was more difficult, she says.

“I think Charles was more emotional for me,” she says.

Caroline graduated in May, so now Lynette’s been through two senior years. She has advice for parents about to embark on watching their child enter their last year of high school.

“Savor each moment,” Lynette advises. “Just bring all that positive energy into your heart and lock it away in a special place. Take pictures. The kids say, ‘Aw, Mom, stop’ but keep taking pictures. As much as we sometimes hate Facebook, the lows and the highs show up. I feel the growth in myself when I see them.”

Paul Simeone, vice president and medical director of mental and behavioral health at Lee Health, not only helps people with this time in their lives but is also a parent who has had two children graduate from high school and leave home for college.

“There is no point in not acknowledging the loss of these experiences,” he says. “I went through many, many lasts.

What I would remind them is there is a lot of grief, but also the joy of moving forward, and that is true for everybody.

You don’t want to deny the grief. But when a door closes another door opens.”

Paul says the key is to look ahead and know that there are so many more fantastic experiences to come with grown children.

“We went through a whole series of lasts, but I can’t tell you how many wonderful experiences we have gone through with our kids as adults,” he says.

People can get into a “stuck phase,” he continues, where they can’t imagine their life in the future, but this can be a time to create a new future.

“Reinvention is a wonderful thing,” he stresses. “I would remind people that this is not an end. We have a series of beginnings. If you are engaged with your kids and you are engaged in their lives, you follow them and they can follow you. In that point of view it is very helpful.

If the child who will soon graduate is the youngest or only child, many parents may also be facing an empty nest. Paul

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“We went through a whole series of lasts, but I can’t tell you how many wonderful experiences we have gone through with our kids as adults."

— PAUL SIMEONE

says that’s also something that parents can turn into a positive growth experience.

“A framework is really important,” he says. “It is a very, very significant stage in the adult developmental journey. As a stage of development, empty nester is important. It really leverages what has been going on in your life up until that point.

“When their kids are leaving home, it is all about what their own personal journeys are like developmentally.

“If you are in a marriage that is expansive and adventurous, you are leveraging a lot of personal development, but you are taking one another with you.”

Hobbies or new adventures can top the list, he says.

“My coming down here was a perfect example of an empty nester syndrome,” Paul says. “I had a great job in Boston, but I had the opportunity to come down here. Parents have to have their own meaning project. They have to have their own sense of where they are going and what they have to take with them and what their identity is about, and it has to be uncoupled from being a parent. You can begin to build new structure.”

While Paul is upbeat and talks about the positives in having a high school senior and then an empty nest, he acknowledges that it is not easy.

“Challenges and opportunities. It is really a mix,” he says.

“There is a kind of a loss of structure and purpose and meaning. Our lives were really built around raising our kids to be good people, to be involved in the community, to have a moral and intellectual life. All these things become a purpose in life. When the kids go away that does not evaporate, but it changes.”

PHOTO BY JON AUSTRIA

spotlight |

Shoshana Tanner, founder of Topaz Assistance Dogs, with her dog Callie at the North Collier Regional Park in Naples.

GOOD Pups become more than man’s best friend in the hands of Shoshana Tanner. They become life-changing service dogs to families near and far. | BY ESTHER COPELAND

PHOTO SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD

DOg Zipper is an autism assistance dog and his boy’s name is Brenden.

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P&C: What gave you the idea for Topaz?

Shoshana Tanner: The idea for Topaz originated

and grew initially from my own personal need. Ten years ago I was on my way to graduating high school and looking to go to college. As someone who is profoundly deaf, this presented a whole new level of challenges: independence, safety and living alone without depending on my family to assist me. I knew a service dog was the right choice for me because while technology has come a long way, I found it not to be reliable — plus, I am a huge dog lover.

I contacted numerous organizations across the country, but none were able to serve me and my needs for a dog trained both in hearing alert and medical assistance. I spent many years working along with other organizations, and in 2016 we founded Topaz Assistance Dogs as a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to provide safety and independence to children and adults with disabilities. We focus and specialize in assisting individuals with multiple disabilities/conditions or more complex needs that might not be able to be served by other programs.

TO SW FL PARENT

Shoshana and Robert’s daughter Madison with Ziva.

P&C: How long is the process to get a dog?

Shoshana: The entire process takes an average of 18 months from the completion and acceptance of the client’s application to matching and training alongside their new canine partner.

P&C: Where are you from originally?

Shoshana: I am originally from southeast Florida. I moved to Texas (Dallas area) for about four years and returned to Florida to call Southwest Florida home.

P&C: Could you please briefly describe your childhood?

Shoshana: My childhood was average. My mother was a special needs teacher, so I had a lot of hands-on assistance and therapies. I was in mainstream school with some honors programs. In high school I moved schools five times in four years and had the assistance of a sign language interpreter in my classes.

I got my first family pet dog at age 8 or 9 years old, a yellow Labrador named Katie. It was also at

VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT

Veterinarians help ensure the Topaz dogs get regular checkups. They’re fed a high-quality food, and specialists are on hand to make sure the dogs are treated well.

The center even has a treadmill for the dogs. Volunteers are also an important part of the process. In the early months of a dog’s life, volunteers train the puppies with basic obedience. Whether raising puppies, grooming dogs or collecting supplies, there are a variety of ways people can help. Get details at topazcanine.org.

28 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

PHOTO SPECIAL

ho doesn’t like a puppy? They’re cute and jovial — they instantly light up our days.

But puppies and dogs can also do something most remarkable. With the right training, they can enhance and even save the lives of their owners. The Naples-based nonprofit Topaz Assistance Dogs prepares Fidos and Rovers to live a life of service for children and adults with special needs.

I recently spoke with the founder about her love of animals, her reasons for starting this labor of love, and why she keeps on going. Shoshana Tanner runs the organization and her husband, Robert, serves on the board.

& CHILD

| spotlight

PHOTO SPECIAL

TO SW FL PARENT

& CHILD

spotlight |

age 9 that I began working at a local nonprofit no-kill animal shelter on a weekly basis. I did always feel a bit different due to my hearing loss and use of hearing aids and not knowing many other children with hearing loss.

P&C: What is the best part of running your organization?

Shoshana: It would have to be being honored to work with such amazing dogs and incredible clients. Nurturing the learning and bond between

the two is by far the greatest, seeing the new-found quality of life the dogs provide the clients.

P&C: What is the hardest part?

Shoshana: The hardest part is fundraising to make what we do possible.

It costs us about $35,000 to $60,000 to raise, train and provide lifetime support for each dog and client team.

We only ask clients to help offset $10,000 (we help with fundraising/ grants/sponsorship as possible), but there is a large amount of funding

that we need to make up.

P&C: How is your family life? Kids? Routine?

Shoshana: We live on five acres on a ranch in the Golden Gate Estates in Naples. I have a sweet 10-month-old daughter named Madison. She was born with a congenital eye condition, so since she was a month old we have been in and out of many different specialists across the state for testing.

She goes to physical therapy weekly and one of our dogs in training always joins along. I truly believe

Shoshana gets a kiss from her dog Callie. Callie is a 1-year-old Labrador retriever service dog trained by Topaz Assistance Dogs.

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| spotlight

the dogs have played an important part in helping her catch up on her age-appropriate milestones she was behind with (sitting/moving).

PHOTO SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD

P&C: How are you and your organization coping with COVID-19?

Shoshana: COVID restrictions have been difficult for

the dogs who were used to going out into the community for training. We have had to get creative to make sure their training is maintained and follow CDC guidelines for our trainers, volunteers and clients.

P&C: How do you decide on the animals you provide (i.e. type)?

Shoshana: Topaz Assistance Dogs trains for mobility

(neurological or physical needs), seizure response, diabetic alert, and for individuals on the autism spectrum.

As well as a combination of any of these or additional needs (such as hearing or PTSD). It depends on the client’s needs; all of our dogs are custom trained for their needs and lifestyle. As for the dogs, we evaluate where their strengths and interest lie. Then we help mold them for a job they truly enjoy. For example, a dog who loves playing tug and retrieve could be put into a mobility assistance career where they will use those skills to open doors and pick up dropped items. Most of the dogs are Labrador retrievers.

P&C: Where do you see yourself and Topaz in one year?

Shoshana: In one year I hope to see our organization

thriving and growing in our Southwest Florida home.

We will have new puppies in the program as well as local volunteers. (Topaz is expecting its first full litter of puppies to be born at the center.)

P&C: What is the most interesting thing about your family and organization?

Shoshana: One very unique thing about our orga-

nization is that it was founded by an individual with a disability. This allows us to have that unique and empathetic approach to working with our clients. The custom nature of our dogs’ training is also very special; every client is an individual and we take a lot of time to get to know them personally.

30 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Ziva and Zipper

P&C: What can people do when they see a service animal? What should they do or not do?

Shoshana: The best thing to do when you see a work-

ing service dog in public would be to admire from afar; distracting the dog with noises or petting could put the handler in a compromised position.

P&C: What do you wish people knew when it comes to what you do?

Shoshana: I wish people knew that the training of

these dogs is very intensive, taking 18 to 24 months and hundreds of hours of training. Fake service dogs are a huge issue; slapping a cape on your dog does not make it a service dog. Emotional support dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs must be trained to perform tasks to directly assist with the individual’s disability.

Faking a pet as a service dog is not a victimless crime; it is impersonating someone with a disability.

P&C: What was your best compliment from a client?

Shoshana: The best compliments we get from clients

are how much their dog has improved their life, improving the quality and even saving their lives (specifically the diabetic alert dogs waking their partner in the middle of the night to low blood sugar).

well-being |

BY TANNI HAAS

7 SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY

A

fter a long summer, a lot of kids feel anxious about the prospect of going back to school in the best of times. They’re often the most anxious when they’re about to go to a new school, are going through a transition year from elementary to middle school or middle to high school, or when a best friend has moved away over the summer break. What do you do to make your kids less anxious and more excited about the upcoming school year? Experts agree on the following:

1.

TALK WITH YOUR KIDS ABOUT THEIR ANXIETIES

If you suspect that your kids are experiencing back-to-school anxiety, talk with them about it. Instead of sitting them down for a formal affair, talk about their anxieties as a natural part of your end-of-summer conversations.

“Kids often say more when there’s less pressure to ‘have a talk,’” says Caroline Miller, editorial director of the Child Mind Institute.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 31

| well-being

Ask open-ended questions that you know will get them to speak.

Listen carefully to how they respond and acknowledge their anxieties no matter how exaggerated they may seem.

“When children know they can share their observations or challenges, and their parents will listen, they go to school with the parents’ calm, steady voice in the back of their minds,” says Laurie Hollman, a child psychotherapist.

STAY POSITIVE AND PROJECT 2.

CONFIDENCE IN THEM When you talk with your kids, stay positive and let them know that you have confidence in them.

“Your enthusiasm will be noticed and remembered,” says Kurt Smith, a counseling psychologist.

Focus your conversation on how well everything turned out in previous years, and assure them you’re confident about this year, too. It can be helpful to recount your own backto-school experiences with anxiety and how you overcame them.

“Kids love to hear stories from their parents’ childhood,” says Joan Munson, a clinical psychologist, “because it helps normalize any difficult feelings they’re experiencing.”

You can also help them normalize their feelings, she says, simply be reminding them “that all children have these fears and they’re not alone.”

SCHOOLDAY ROUTINES 3. PRACTICE You can help ease your kids’ anxieties by having them practice their school-day routines, like waking up in the morning at a specific time, getting dressed, packing the school

32 » AUGUST 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

bag, eating breakfast and traveling to school.

Lynn Bufka, a clinical psychologist, says that practicing school-day routines will instill in your kids “a sense of mastery over the situation” and “will help them feel like it’s more under their control.”

Indeed, research shows that kids who prepare in advance for the upcoming school year are less anxious and do better academically.

to be with their classmates in an unpressured setting.”

Joan agrees: “If your child hasn’t seen school friends over the summer, it isn’t too late to invite them over to help your child get re-acquainted with them and excited for school.

Visits to the park, pool or movies with old friends — and new ones, too — can make your child feel more comfortable when they encounter their peers at school.”

THEM IN ROLE PLAY 4. ENGAGE

MAKE THE FIRST 6.

SCHOOL DAY SPECIAL

It’s helpful to role play the schoolrelated situations that make your kids the most anxious.

“The best way to gain mastery over worries,” says Katie Hurley, a licensed social worker, “is to practice taking control over worrisome situations.”

This can be anything from riding the school bus to participating in class discussions.

“If you discover that your child’s afraid of riding the school bus,” Joan says, “set up an area in the house and do a ‘pretend’ ride to school.” Similarly, “if they’re afraid to ask the teacher questions, do role plays together on how to speak up in class.”

5.

ARRANGE PLAY DATES WITH CLASSMATES Pre-coronavirus, experts recommended arranging play dates with your kids’ friends, especially if you know that those friends are likely to be their classmates during the upcoming school year. If you can maintain the current guidance on social distancing, it’s something to consider now as well.

“Play dates before school starts,” Laurie says, “can help prepare them

The first day of school should be treated like a special occasion.

“Letting them choose what clothes to wear or breakfast to have can provide a sense of control and excitement about school,” says John Piacentini, a child psychiatrist.

But don’t assume that this will magically reduce all your child’s anxieties. Joan emphasizes that parents ought to “set aside a time in the evening to discuss how their child’s day went and to listen to any concerns.”

YOUR OWN ANXIETY 7. CHECK Try to control any anxieties that you may experience yourself.

Anxiety is contagious, so if you’re anxious, your kids can get anxious, too. As Katie puts it, “if you appear overwhelmed and anxious on the first day of school, your child is likely to follow your lead.” Instead, child psychologist Julia Burch suggests that parents “try to model the calm behavior you’d like to see in your child.”

If you stay calm and focus on all the great things your kids are about to experience, they’ll end up getting more excited than anxious about the upcoming school year.

cover story |

TO GO

TO SCHOOL

OR NOT?

That is the big question for Southwest Florida families as they weigh the risks and benefits of sending children to in-person classes in the age of coronavirus. Here, local families share their thoughts and experts offer advice. | BY ANDREA STETSON

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 33

| cover story

I

t’s one of the biggest decisions a parent will make this year. Should they send their child back to classrooms? Is it safe? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? All over Southwest Florida and the rest of the country, parents are battling with this difficult decision. Some parents have already enrolled their children in virtual school, while others can’t wait for their children to be back in the classroom. Then there are those who are still undecided. We talked with parents around Southwest Florida along with educators and a doctor to examine the criteria being used to make this choice.

Staying Home Most families with health problems are steering toward virtual learning.

Kayla and Kyle Reitz know school is not safe for their family. Their daughter has an immune deficiency and Kyle is being treated for cancer.

“It is very scary,” Kayla says. “I am not comfortable with taking that risk with either of their lives. I am concerned for both of them. Our district is so big. Schools and class sizes are not going to allow for proper social distancing. My daughter cannot fight viruses at all. If she were to get even the flu, it can do significant damage. So we have to be very careful. It is very unsettling.”

Kayla teaches virtual school, and Kyle is a teacher in Lee County. Kayla says her daughter would be a fifth grader at Gulf Elementary under normal circumstances. She also has a child going into second grade and one ready for VPK if they were to return to school.

“I understand parents have to work, but this is a very scary reality, and I don’t believe sending them back as normal is the right decision,” Kayla says.

Kayla is also concerned about school staff.

“We are not only thinking about students, but I am also thinking about my husband,” she continues. “While everyone is saying that kids don’t spread it, we also have to think about the staff. And there are a lot of teachers that are immune compromised. It is a concern. We need to think about them as well as the students. It is not fair to make them choose between their health and their job. We don’t know who these kids are living with.

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cover story |

LEE COUNTY FOUR OPTIONS They could be carriers. While they are saying that asymptomatic spreading is rare, you don’t know who they are going home to. It could be an elderly grandparent or a parent going through radiation. I also understand that parents have to work. I understand how they are feeling. But going back full force is a very unsettling feeling.”

Elizabeth Cardenas Flores, of Immokalee, has four children; three of them have severe asthma.

“Until I feel comfortable enough and see lower numbers or an actual treatment that works, or a vaccine, mine will stay home,” she says.

Immokalee is one of the hot spots in Southwest Florida with high numbers of COVID-19 cases.

“As of right now, I am going to say no. It is just too many,” Elizabeth says. “It just seems like it is spreading like wildfire here. It is kind of scary.”

Elizabeth, whose children are 15, 11, 7 and 4, says it is a tough decision.

“I am ready for them to go to school because it is good for them and it is good for me, but it is not worth the risk,” she decides.

Bree Oldfield agrees. She has asthma and her husband has COPD. Her children, ages 7 and 5, would normally attend Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School in North Fort Myers.

“They have elderly grandparents,” Bree says about her children. “And if they carry the virus home, there are a lot of other people involved. You can’t just think about yourself and your own kids. They really should let it slow down and continue virtual school for a while. I think we are rushing too quickly to get our children back in school. Staying home isn’t great, but at least staying home is safe.”

There are also some parents who have healthy children but are keeping them home to avoid the new atmosphere.

“We decided just to keep them home,” says Tiffany Nicole Byron. “With all the things they are talking about changing in the school, we don’t think it is the best environment for them.”

Tiffany has six children ages 11, 9, 8, 5, 2, and 3 months.

Her four oldest would normally attend Gateway Elementary.

“To go to school and wear masks, and not participate in gym or recess or do field trips, I don’t want them to look back and remember school like that,” she says.

Jessica Ramos, whose daughter would attend Pelican Elementary in Cape Coral, agrees.

“I think I am going to be keeping her home,” Jessica says. “Her emotional health and her mental health are super important to me. She is a very bubbly person. She

The school board delayed the start of classes to August 31.

• In-person classes: Face-to-face instruction five days a week with health and safety protocols in place.

• Lee Virtual School: Students are enrolled in a full-time virtual school that is fully accredited and run by the School District of Lee County.

• Lee Home Connect: Students are paired with a teacher from their school for at-home, full-time online learning. This model will follow a traditional daily schedule.

• Home school: Students are enrolled in the district’s full-time Home Education Program where the parent or guardian teaches the child at home.

COLLIER COUNTY FOUR OPTIONS As of July 23, the first day of school is August 19.

• In-person class: Face-to-face instruction five days a week with health and safety protocols in place.

• CCPS Classroom Connect: Students follow a similar school day schedule, virtually at home, as their on-campus peers, with teachers from their enrolled schools.

• eCollier Academy flexible option: Online classes that follow a flexible schedule with prerecorded skills and concepts with multiple examples and independent practice. Teachers will also have live weekly academic meetings with each student.

• Home school: A parent or guardian teaches the child at home. * eCollier Academy, part of Collier County Public Schools, is a full-time virtual learning option with local teachers.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY THREE OPTIONS The first day has been delayed to August 31.

• In-person class: Face-to-face instruction five days a week.

• Charlotte Virtual School: A full-time franchise of Florida Virtual School that serves as Charlotte County’s virtual instruction program.

• Home school: A parent or guardian teaches the child at home.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 35

| cover story

is very touchy feely. If she went to school, and not be around her friends and not sit down next to them, that will crush her spirit more than having to stay home.

They are little kids. I refuse for that to be the new norm for my daughter. That can have a lasting effect. I prefer to shield her from that experience knowing it won’t be forever, instead of exposing her to this.”

This decision is bringing a record number of students to virtual school.

Al Shilling, principal of Lee Virtual School, says enrollment is booming.

“If school were to open right now, we would have as many as 510 new students,” he said at the end of June.

“We ended the year in the 340 to 350 range. Everything was just limping along normal, and then we get a couple of students a day and then all of a sudden it just started.

There was one day when we had 25 applicants a day.”

Tania Clow, communications manager with Florida Virtual School, is expecting a lot of new students, too.

“We have not yet seen an increase in enrollment yet,” she said at the end of June. “A lot of families are waiting to see what the school districts will do. We are anticipating that we will see an increase in enrollment.”

Tania advises parents to go to flvs.net for more information.

Back to school There are also parents who are ready for their children to go back to school. Most working parents say they don’t have a choice and rely on schools opening.

Cheryl Courson has three children, ages 7, 11 and 13, who attend Sea Gate Elementary, Pine Ridge Middle and Naples High School.

“I do plan on sending them back,” Cheryl says. “It is actually what they want. If they have a hybrid, I am open to that, too. I don’t think that all virtual school is right for my family. My kids want the social life with their friends. As a working mom, it is very hard to do school with three kids of different ages at three different schools. If this hit children worse, I think I would feel differently. Luckily they are not immune compromised.”

“I wish I could afford to stay at home,” adds Priscilla Rymer, a hairstylist who has two kids, one in kindergarten and one in fourth grade at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts in Lehigh Acres. “I am a working mom. I have no other choice but to rely on school. I am send-

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cover story |

ing them back one hundred percent. I would have to quit my job, which I can’t, to teach my two kids.”

Angela Bell, a partner with Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold in Fort Myers, says it is harder for working parents who have young children. Her children are 7 and 4. Her oldest will be a second grader at Evangelical Christian School, while her youngest will attend VPK at McGregor Baptist Church’s Learning Cove.

“I am sending my kids back to school, one hundred percent,” Angela says. “As a working parent it was really hard on them and really hard on me when they were home. If the schools go with the CDC guidelines, I will be sending my kids to school.”

Undecided While many parents have already made their decision, there are still many who are still undecided.

“I am going to see what it is like when it gets closer,” says Melissa Allen.

She has a 14-year-old who attends Gateway Charter High School and a 12-year-old at Bonita Springs Charter School.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOWN HALL As students go back to school, will they be safe?

Superintendents, teachers, students and health experts join us for a conversation about coronavirus and classrooms with the News-Press and Naples Daily News. Masks, physical distancing, deep disinfecting are the new normal — will that be enough?

Join us August 10 at 9 p.m. when we start the conversation, then join the Facebook live town hall the next day at 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 37

| cover story

“First of all you have to look at the class size and what the school is doing, how they have put into place the protocols required by CDC. How much have they done as far as sanitizing, and reconfiguring classrooms to help children social distance?”

— ELIZABETH ELLIOTT

While Melissa works full time as an interior designer with Romanza Interior Design, her children are old enough to stay home alone.

“My kids are older, so they would transfer classrooms,” she says. “If I know they will be safe in school, then they will go.”

Jaida Lee Solis, whose children are 7, 8 and 9 and attend Venice Elementary, is also waiting to make a final decision.

Advice For parents who are still undecided, experts have some advice.

Elizabeth Elliott, a professor of early childhood education and the undergraduate division chair for the College of Education at FGCU, says there are several things to consider.

“First of all you have to look at the class size and what the school is doing, how they have put into place the protocols required by CDC,” she says. “How much have they done as far as sanitizing, and reconfiguring classrooms to help children social distance?”

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Elizabeth says the best plans are ones that keep children isolated within their classrooms and not with students throughout the school.

“The coming and going of children has to be really in a way that is well organized so that children are not interacting with different children and are only interacting within the classroom,” she explains.

That way if a child is infected, she says, then only the classmates are exposed and not hundreds of children.

“Can you prevent exposure? No, you are you going to have cases,” she says. “I believe all the sanitizing in the world is not going to stop the spread. I think schools have to be really systematic and cautious as they move forward.”

There will be students who have parents working at jobs with a great risk of COVID-19 contact, and that could bring the disease into the classroom, she says.

“Children have trouble wearing a mask,” Elizabeth says.

“And the teachers wearing a mask is very difficult. So families have to look at the benefits verses the risk. What benefit will my child get verses the risk? If we were by August having the numbers go down, I personally would feel more comfortable.”

cover story |

Dr. Piedade Silva, the medical director of pediatric medicine for Lee Physician Group, also has some advice.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that children go back to school because the isolation can cause problems,” she explains. “The isolation, the social issue, so they recommend regular children without preexisting conditions go back.”

For children with preexisting conditions, she says it depends on the severity.

“Kids that are in chemo or organ transplant, those are ones that you say no,” she explains. “Those are the easy decisions.”

It gets more complicated for others.

“Then there are the kids in the middle, like the asthmatics or those with other chronic illness,” she continues. “Those decisions are best made with the child’s pediatrician.”

Piedade recommends that parents talk with their child’s doctor before making a choice and consider other family members.

“It is not just the child, but the rest of the family at home,” Piedade says. “Does the child have a parent that is undergoing chemotherapy? That needs a discussion, too. If there is someone in the immediate family that is at high risk, they need to have a discussion with the doctor of the adult person, too.”

Piedade recommends that parents go to the American Academy of Pediatrics website, aap.org, to learn about the school guidelines by ages regarding COVID-19.

What others are saying As the clock ticks toward the first day of school, the debate heightens. When Kara Elizabeth Johnson posted a question on Facebook asking parents if they were sending their children back to school, she got 303 comments in just one day.

“Yeah, they need to GOOOOOOO,” writes Dina Rosado.

“I will be sending my children,” writes Haley McCarthy. “My kids do so much better in school then they have doing online at home.”

“They will be there (school) bright eyed and bushy tailed,” writes Melissa Langford.

“Mine are staying home. I enrolled them in free online public school,” comments Martel Ann Johnson Schildgen.

“It is literally impossible to put in social distancing measures in place at schools,” states Lauren Ashleigh.

“I am one of those parents that is scared to send my daughter back to school,” writes Ginnie Davis. “The Covid-19 numbers keep going up. Personally I would rather home school her instead of taking any chances.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 39

| special needs

TIPS FOR AN

ATYPICAL

SCHOOL YEAR

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Family Initiative explains how to help children with special needs adjust to the changes. | BY DAVID BROWN

special needs |

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cross the world, families are trying to figure out what the coming school year will have in store for their students — from new kindergartners entering school for the very first time to seniors wondering if they will get to participate in the rites of passage that come along with making it through their school career. Parents of children with disabilities are facing an additional challenge of making sure their children’s unique needs will be met with the unpredictability we are all facing.

Approximately 14% of students in public schools across the country receive special education services. In Lee County, there are close to 12,000 students who receive these services.

One very common diagnosis for these children is autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 1 in 54 children in the United States has an ASD diagnosis.

As parents of children with ASD determine which of the four schooling options are best for their child, they have many variables to consider. For parents who are able to stay home, will they be able to serve as their children’s teacher? Therapist? Advocate? Administrator?

Will they be able to manage their child’s behaviors and their educational needs? For parents who are unable to stay home with their children but do not feel comfortable sending their child to school, where can they find someone who can help them be able to fill those many roles the schools provide? For parents who send their children back to school, will their child be able to manage the changes they will encounter when they return?

Children with ASD typically prefer familiar routines and experience difficulty with unexpected changes. The lack of familiarity often causes anxiety for children on the spectrum. Many parents report their children have regressed emotionally, behaviorally and academically since schools closed unexpectedly this spring. Parents have worked tirelessly to create a “new normal” for their children, creating routines and schedules for their time at home. Transitioning to a novel routine, one that none of us can predict, will bring additional challenges.

What can parents do to help their children? Here are some tips that will help parents regardless of the educa-

tional choice they make for their students:

1. BEGIN PRACTICING NOW: Most schools have delayed the start date. Use this time to have your child become familiar with the changes. Practice wearing a mask by making it a fun game instead of a “have to” in order to help your child begin to tolerate masks. Starting now gives parents time to figure out what material and type of mask may work best for their child. Begin to practice a school schedule. Slowly start increasing academic type demands. This may include things like activities at the table or reading time with no electronics.

For children returning to school, put tape arrows on the floor so they know how to follow one-way directional hallways. Use a forehead thermometer to take their temperature each day so a new person doing this is not scary when they return to school. Familiarity will assist in making the transition less difficult when school begins.

2. TALK ABOUT IT: As with practice, the more familiarity your child has, the better. Keep in mind, however, many children with ASD may already be worried about the coronavirus and the precautions people are taking. Use this time to reduce their anxiety by explaining how things may be different but the changes are to help keep us all healthy. For children who have difficulty with verbal language, pictures may be helpful.

3. GET SUPPORT: This is hard. For everyone. Find support from other parents, from the school district, teachers, and from the community.

Family Initiative offers a number of virtual support groups for ASD parents each week.

All parents across the globe are facing some of the same challenges right now, so know that you are not alone. You will be making the best choice you can with the information you have for your individual child’s needs. We are all in this together, and with the help of the entire community, each child can have a successful school year.

David Brown is the president of Family Initiative Inc., a Southwest Florida-based nonprofit that focuses on helping children with autism and their families. To find out more or to get involved, visit fi-florida.org.

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community |

DON’T NEED THAT P-EBT CARD? Here’s how you can donate the funds to feed others. | BY ADAM MOLLOY

P

arents and guardians of students enrolled in the School District of Lee County received Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT, cards from the Florida Department of Children and Families this summer. The P-EBT cards are designed to help our families with children who would have received free or reduced-price meals if schools had not closed due to COVID-19.

Lee families received the cards with a one-time benefit of $313.50 per child without applying or needing to meet income requirements to receive the benefits. Since every Lee County public school offers free lunches through the National School Lunch Program, all our students received the cards, whether they had taken advantage of the free lunches or not.

The P-EBT cards aid those families that are struggling during this challenging time. We know that there are many in our community that need the food that P-EBT cards provide. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of families served by Community Cooperative mobile food pantries has grown significantly, as many people have suffered because of rising unemployment.

I have heard from many parents asking about how to best share or donate the benefits of their P-EBT card. Community Cooperative has provided an avenue to use P-EBT cards to help the community and pay it forward. While the cards are

not transferrable, families who do not need the help can use their cards to buy food to donate to Collective Cooperative food pantries, so families who do can continue to receive it.

At their no-touch drive-thru pantries, Community Cooperative offers 50 to 60 pounds of pre-packaged food, enough for a week for a family of four. The Mobile Food Pantry is one of Community Cooperative’s most effective ways to bring much needed food, specifically fresh produce, into areas that have been deemed food deserts with limited access to large retail stores with fresh food and grocery products.

The non-transferrable cards expire next summer and can be used to buy food at stores that display a Quest or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, logo, including Publix, Target, Walmart, 7-Eleven, Trader Joes and others. Community Cooperative can use donations of peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna and chicken, mayonnaise, macaroni and cheese, cereal, breakfast/granola/snack bars and shelf-stable milk. Donations should be dropped off at Community Cooperative, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers.

For information, call 239-332-7687 or visit communitycooperative.com.

Thank you to Community Cooperative and all the other organizations supporting our families. If you do not need your P-EBT card, please consider paying it forward by helping other families affected by the pandemic.

Adam Molloy is coordinator of community engagement for the School District of Lee County, a former teacher and Golden Apple winner.

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| safety corner

OPIOID HELP

Among its many services, Healthy Start helps pregnant women who are dependent on substances. And there are ways all of us can help. | BY MELANIE BLACK AMATO

F

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inding out you are pregnant can be one of the most exciting moments in your life or perhaps a terrifying moment, especially if it is your first child. Now imagine you are at an opioid addiction treatment center when you hear the news.

Sounds like a rare occurrence — actually, it is not.

We have all watched and read the news about the increased use of opioids over the past few years.

In fact, about 80% of the world’s opioid supply is consumed right here in the United States. With one third of reproductive-age women filling an opioid prescription, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is important to note that 86% of women abusing opioids indicate they did not plan to get pregnant. Why is all of this data important?

Because it paints a picture. A picture of another epidemic in our communities.

Across the U.S., addiction treatment centers are seeing an increased number of women in their facilities, many of whom are pregnant. Sadly, we have seen a staggering number of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, a withdrawal syndrome that occurs in a newborn exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in the mother’s womb.

Drug-related deaths are the leading cause of death to women during pregnancy and within one year after giving birth. Mothers are succumbing to their addiction, leaving innocent babies without a parent. Blaming, shaming or questioning the morals of women who find themselves in this situation will not address this crisis. It requires a coordinated effort by our community.

Among our other initiatives, Healthy Start is working to change the direction for substance-using mothers.

In 2016, Healthy Start created a task force with over 20 community partners to collaborate and identify opportunities to prevent and address opioid dependence and pregnancy. This year, Healthy Start of Southwest Florida

Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.

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received a grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families to work with pregnant women who are dependent on substances. Early identification and intervention is the key, which can result in a beautiful outcome for both mother and baby. The mission of Healthy Start is very simple: to ensure every pregnant woman has the resources she needs and to give every baby the chance for a healthy start in life.

Each woman enrolled in our substance-exposed program works directly with a registered nurse throughout her pregnancy. The nurse provides home visits, screenings and education, parenting support and other resources. By encouraging women to enroll in our home visiting services and rallying community support, these women have a better chance to raise happy, healthy babies.

We can all play a role to encourage positive and meaningful outcomes for high-risk pregnant women. It may be a contribution of baby supplies like diapers or baby formula, volunteering your time at a local nonprofit or hospital, or sharing information on services available in the community.

If you would like more information on Healthy Start services or the Drug Exposed Newborn Task Force, visit healthystartbaby.org.

Melanie Black Amato is the associate executive director of Healthy Start of Southwest Florida.

| snapshots

COVER MODEL We had so much fun at our cover shoot, we just had to share this outtake of cover child Isabella ShawTerry, 6, of south Fort Myers. She’s photographed outside Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts School in Fort Myers. Photo by Andrew West

Spalsh of fun »

Makara Custer, 7, of Fort Myers plays in the splash pad area of Sun Splash in Cape Coral. The waterpark reopened for the summer season in early June. Photo by Andrea Melendez.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 45

| snapshots

HAPPY RETIREMENT • George Abounader poses for a portrait at his home in Marco Island. Last June, Abounader retired after serving 21-years as principal at Marco Island Middle School. Photo by Jon Austria

TALENT AWARDED • Ainsley Lavy, a

Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra member who recently graduated from Estero High School, is the 2020 winner of the Southwest Florida Symphony Society’s John Hudson Scholarship. The award is $1,000 toward her college studies. She has been accepted to study cello at the Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Photo by Kaci Boone / Courtesy of Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

PACE CLASS OF 2020 • The Pace Center for Girls, Lee County celebrated the graduation of four Pace students with

a socially distanced drive-thru celebration in June. Friends, family and staff lined the parking lot with decorated cars and banners and cheered on the graduates. From left: Sophie will attend Florida SouthWestern State College for her associate degree before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University for her MBA. • Shinesha plans to attend Hodges University to earn a degree in psychology. • Chantelle will attend Hodges University to pursue a law degree. • Alax plans to attend a technical college in pursuit of a culinary arts degree and one day open her own bakery. Photos courtesy of Pace Center for Girls; Lee County

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snapshots |

CAPE GRADUATION

• Principal Chris Engelhart greeted graduates and took photos with them as a drivethru graduation was held for Cape High School in July.

The students picked up their diplomas via car drive up at the back of the school. Those who wanted a picture with the principal in their cap and gown came around to the front and met up with the principal. Clockwise from top left: Tyrone Belcher • Madison Bickford • Jazmyn Coronado • Ki’yah Benjamin Photos by Andrea Melendez

WELCOME

• Baptisms continue with safety precautions during coronavirus at at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church in Naples. From left to right, godparents Dimitri Amuraritei and Olga Nenchuk and parents Nicolae Cozmolici and Eugenia Cozmolici listen as the Rev. Gleb McFatter leads the baptism of Alexa Cozmolici.

Photo by Alex Driehaus

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| snapshots

MEALS OF HOPE • Students

from Golden Gate High School work with Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies to pack 10,000 meals for Meals of Hope at Grace Place in Golden Gate. From left: Ilse Cruz and Marisol Esteban • Wood-Kelly Forvil, Dashena Latortue and Flore Louima Photos by ALex Driehaus

Send us your snapshots: Send your images with a brief

description and names of the people in them to editor@swflparentchild.com

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snapshots |

DRIVE-IN FIREWORKS • Attendees watch from their cars during an Independence Day drive-in firework and laser light show at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs on July 4. Photo by ALex Driehaus

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 49

| travel

ADRENALINE RUSH

W

hen thinking of vacations as Southwest Floridians, we might imagine a getaway with a relaxed, chilled beach vibe, or an historic destination like St. Augustine, or even an adrenaline-rich vacation that features roller coasters or surfing. One Fort Myers dad and daughter duo ventured to West Virginia for a thrilling water adventure: whitewater rafting.

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PHOTOS SPECIAL TO SWFL PARENT & CHILD

Find thrills in the whitewater rapids of West Virginia, whether you’re an experienced rafter or a 6-year-old kid. | BY JENNIFER THOMAS

Richard “Rick” Tommelleo and his 15-year-old daughter, Aubin, added a stop in West Virginia as part of their Ohio trip last summer and this year as well.

While extra safety and health precautions were in place this summer vacation, the pandemic did not take away the thrills and excitement of the whitewater rafting experience.

“We are following guidelines to promote the health and well-being of our guests and staff alike, including increased cleaning protocols and requiring masks on

travel |

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » AUGUST 2020 » 51

| travel

transportation to and from the river,” says Heather Johnson, owner of River Expeditions in Oak Hill, West Virginia.

Rick’s brother and friends went a few years ago and had nothing but amazing reviews of the destination and activities. Plus, it’s only four hours from his hometown.

“Aubin and I first went last year during the week toward end of June. We rented a Deluxe cabin, which has a rustic look but complete with amenities, and rafted the lower New River on the second day during our trip,” he says. “The half day rafting trip, complete with lunch, was the most enjoyable part of our getaway as neither of us had rafted before.”

Like hurricanes, river rapids have categories, Class I through Class VI. They’re ranked in volume of water, geography of the rapid, difficulty, and any downstream dangers and ease of recovery with Class I being the easiest, calmest waters and Class VI being the most difficult.

“We rafted in two or three Class V rapids, a couple of fours, several threes, and some twos,” Rick recalls.

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“As first-time rafters last year, we are now hooked. The adrenaline going through those rapids will keep you coming back.”

The New River has two distinct sections. The scenic and playful Upper New River (Class I-III) is appropriate for multi-generational families with children as young as 6, Heather says.

“The Lower New River ‘Gorge’ (Class III-V) also welcomes beginners, ages 12 and up, with amazing scenery and a classic whitewater rafting experience,” she says. “Our single-day adventure is the most popular with excursions lasting from five to seven hours, including shuttle transportation and a picnic lunch alongside the riverbanks.”

travel | Rick says he planned a repeat trip to River Expeditions this past June and again in 2021 to help prepare him and Aubin to raft the Upper Gauley.

“This is a more aggressive part of the river,” Rick explains. “Aubin has to be 16, and I figured we needed the experience to be comfortable in rafting the more difficult part.”

The Upper Gauley also is best for people with experience. To raft the Lower Gauley, no experience is required and rafters can be as young as 12, Heather says. The guidelines are for fall flow, which begins the Friday after Labor Day. Aubin says she loved trying a completely different type of activity and vacation.

“Something I was most excited about was that it was a brand new experience for us both and whitewater rafting was so fun,” she recalls. “For our next trips, I’m most excited to experience the Category V rapids because they were such a thrill.”

Parents can introduce kids to whitewater rafting as early as 6 years old at River Expeditions. Heather says the Upper New River is a “mild, gentle introduction to rafting where we also take inflatable kayaks, called duckies, for an added adventure. Kids (ages 6-11) raft free with a paying adult on the Upper New River trip.”

River Expeditions also features an onsite zipline course (minimum age 10, minimum weight 70 pounds), stand-up paddleboard tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, bridge walk tours, children’s museum and an exhibition coal mine in nearby Beckley and countless hiking trails throughout the New River Gorge National River parklands.

Perfect for families, River Expeditions’ campus features a full-service campground and RV sites, as well as cabins classed from rustic to luxury — with five queen beds, fireplace, private hot tub, full kitchen and more amenities.

When booking three nights, overnight guests receive a fourth night free. Amenities include a pool, hot tub, souvenir shop, sundries shop, saloon, restaurant, hiking trails, sand volleyball court and a free continental breakfast.

“We love sharing our passion for adventure and watching as children learn to love and value the outdoors,” Heather says.

“Creating amazing memories and experiences is what we do.”

You can make your trip more affordable with midweek discounts.

River Expeditions also holds special events throughout the season, which runs through mid-October.

“No lines, crowds or tourist traps here,” Heather says.

“Enjoy being outdoors in nature while having fun bonding with family and friends. Reconnect with those you may have missed during quarantine.”

IF YOU GO | RIVER EXPEDITIONS Where: 900 Broadway Ave., Oak Hill, West Virginia • When: The whitewater rafting season begins in the spring and runs through mid-October. Summer trips are recommended for families. • Online: raftinginfo.com • Phone: 800-463-9873

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| around town

BABY GATORS

WAIT FOR NO VIRUS

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COVID-19 is no match for Florida gators. The 2020 Hatching Festival is expected to welcome a new batch of baby alligators this month at Gatorama and Crocodile Adventures in Palmdale. The farm is expecting to hatch more than 5,000 eggs. During this time, you can buy a ticket to help hatch a baby gator in your own hands. The catch is that baby gators arrive into this world when they’re good and ready, so the exact dates of the hatchings aren’t set in stone. The festival is scheduled for August 22-31, but gators could start hatching sooner. General admission is $10 for kids, $20 for adults; Hatch and Hold admission is $30 to $45. Gatorama is at 6180 U.S. 27 in Palmdale, which is northeast of LaBelle and west of Lake Okeechobee. Get details at gatorama.com or call 863-675-0623.

A summer night filled with live music The fourth annual Summer Singer-Songwriter Competition is slated for August 21 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. Local and national competitors perform for a chance to win a grand prize of recording time at Six Fingers Studios and a spot at the Island Hopper Singer Songwriter Festival. Tickets to attend are $10. Student tickets are buy one get one free with ID. To compete, the deadline to enter is August 11. Details at sbdac.com.

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Flicks & Fireworks brightens nights at SeaWorld Every Friday and Saturday night through September 6, SeaWorld invites guests to stay late to enjoy dance music, sunsets and fireworks. Or get that drive-in experience with SeaWorld’s park-and-view drive-in movies (where you can also see the fireworks). And there are food trucks selling snacks. $50 per vehicle.

Get details at seaworld.com/orlando/events.

things to do |

PRESCHOOL & VPK

TUESDAY, AUG. 4 Strolling in the Moonlight • Take an evening stroll through the Edison & Ford Winter Estates while enjoying beverages and a talk in the Moonlight Garden. On August 4 and September 1, the event falls near a full moon. On August 14 and September 18, enjoy music on the Ford lawn as the sun sets over the Caloosahatchee. Admission is $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members. Artichoke and Company will be onsite with a cash bar and Coastal Dayz Brewery will have beer available. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome. Tickets available online only. Visitors are required to wear masks in indoor spaces and on guided tours. Each evening event is 6 to 9 p.m. at Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. edisonford.org

DANCE

Celebrating Since 1951

All Ages

Classical Ballet Pointe Tap Jazz Hip Hop Modern Acrobatics Children’s Work

(239)334-3274 www.dancebochette.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 13 Wild Ace Entertainment: “The Best Seats in Your House” • The Alliance for the Arts and Wild Ace Entertainment present an all-ages virtual extravaganza packed with magic, comedy and circus delights. Brittany Sparkles and George Gilbert are Wild Ace Entertainment.

Brittany is known as America’s Circus Sweetheart, and George amazes audiences with magic around the world.

The show is free to stream but donations are suggested.

Registration required at artinlee.org/virtualvarieties. Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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| things to do

ONGOING ONLINE EXPLORE THE AH-TAH-THI-KI The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s AhTah-Thi-Ki Museum launched its first virtual tour. The museum is closed to in-person visits, but the virtual tour lets visitors from anywhere view the permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the Seminole story. Take the tour at ahtahthiki.com.

GET GOLFING WITH FIRST TEE The PGA Tour and First Tee created free interactive and educational golfthemed activities in an online program called Links to Learning. There are character building lessons, coloring pages, journal writing exercises, games, STEM activities and more.

Explore at pgatour.com/links-tolearning.html.

LEARN WITH ROOKERY BAY Find a slew of things to do on the Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s family activities page online. It’s the Kids Free Friday program online. There are downloadable crafts, videos, story time and a naturalist presentation each week. Free. Visit rookerybay.org/ family-activities.

STAY AT HOME STORYTIME Kids can catch a new story, favorite rhymes and songs at 10 a.m. every Wednesday on the Lee County Library System’s YouTube channel. Notifications for Stay at Home Storytime are also posted on Facebook.

#DINGATHOME Sanibel’s famous wildlife refuge, the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge host an array of educational experiences for all ages at dingdarlingsociety.

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org/articles/ding-at-home. There are downloadable activity books and coloring pages, virtual story times, an outdoor scavenger hunt, yoga, crafts and at-home experiments. “Learning about nature is always important for kids and adults alike,” says supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland in a news release. “During this challenging climate of social distancing and selfisolation, it becomes crucial that we nourish our souls with the beauty and wonder of wildlife and its habitat.”

CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Families and schools often turn to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to learn about nature and how to protect the local environment. The nature center staff takes that mission online with lesson plans, hands-on activities, videos, scavenger hunts, guided virtual walks and resources at conservancy. org/virtual-learning.

C’MON The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples created Play & Learn, a free online program to help families continue to learn and have fun while the museum is temporarily closed.

You can access it through C’mon’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram TV and the museum’s website, cmon.org.

NAPLES ZOO The Naples Zoo was one of the first attractions to offer free online learning options. Staff takes viewers on virtual tours of the Naples Zoo and provides numerous educational videos and activities. Access them via the zoo’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. Learn more at napleszoo.org.

SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL The Sanibel Sea School is sending out educational e-newsletters three times a week. Each Nature Near You email provides a different lesson,

ways to explore nature in your own backyard and additional resources.

Plus, on Tuesdays, the school offers a Creature Feature and, on Thursdays at noon, its educators host a live session on Facebook and Instagram.

See the archives and sign up for future newsletters at sanibelseaschool.org/ nature-near-you.

LOVE YOUR REBELLION Poets, here’s your outlet. Love Your Rebellion developed Poetry for the People, a free virtual workshop that refines poetry skills and connects poets, perfect for teens. It’s led by LYR founder Angela Page. While the workshops were hosted on Zoom every Thursday from April 9 to May 7, the 60-minute sessions were recorded and uploaded to LYR’s social media channels. While they are free, donations are appreciated for this nonprofit arts program. Learn more at loveyourrebellion.org/poetry-for-thepeople.

MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Explore historical artifacts and learn about local history through the Marco Island Historical Society’s History at Home web page. There are coloring pages and other printables, activities you can do at home and an open “door” to the museum’s 19,000 objects, photos and artwork through an online database. Visit virtually at themihs.org.

IMAG HISTORY & SCIENCE CENTER Kids can enjoy the fun, educational lessons found at the IMAG History & Science Center online through the IMAG@HOME program. It’s focused on STEM education and local history, and it’s free to all ages. Find lessons, meet-the-keeper live animal encounters, shows, DIY activities and more on the center’s Facebook page.

Learn more at theimag.org.

voices |

UNLOCKING GIRLS’ POTENTIAL

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Cape council member shares how Pace Center for Girls helped her daughter thrive. | BY JENNIFER NELSON

eing a girl in today’s world is incredibly difficult. With distractions and obstacles around every corner, it’s easy for kids to lose their way.

As a parent, we want our children to thrive, but we may not know where to turn when they are struggling.

At Pace Center for Girls, Lee County, academic programs and counseling services are designed to help young women overcome life’s obstacles to find their voice and achieve their potential.

As the proud mom of a Pace girl, I have seen the impact of these programs firsthand.

The transition to high school was really challenging for my daughter. In eighth grade, my straight-A student began dealing with bullying, which led to low self-esteem, depression and poor grades.

By the time she started high school, she fell in with the wrong crowd. This led to behaviors I never imagined my child would exhibit — foul language, disrespect and poor choices.

I was at my wits’ end. I was angry at my kid, scared, panicked and heartbroken. As a single mother who had my own tough childhood, I knew I had to get her into a healthier environment that could help her turn things around. Through my years of involvement with Pace, I was fortunate to be familiar with their programs, impact and success rates. One day, the light went off — she sounded like she could be a Pace girl.

I initially thought my daughter, who comes from a loving family with two caring parents, didn’t fit the “standard” profile. Pace girls are often working to overcome a number of risk factors, some of which include poverty, substance abuse and physical, emotional or sexual abuse. However, I’ve since learned that Pace really is for every girl battling risk factors, including those who are struggling with mental and behavioral health factors like depression and low self-esteem.

Pace’s strength-based programs gave my 15-year-old back her selfconfidence, courage and desire to succeed. You can see it. She has great new friends and her grades have returned to all A’s and a few B’s. We

still feel occasional bumps in the road, but my daughter has made a complete turnaround.

Pace has been a godsend for my family. While I never would have thought my child would need a program like this, I’m grateful I had a place to turn when there was a need.

Parents and children, please know that you don’t have to go it alone.

All girls, no matter their circumstance, have the potential for a bright future. Pace helps find the great in every girl, honoring the female spirit while helping identify their strength, value and enormous potential.

There is a critical need for these services in our community. To support Pace’s important mission, mark your calendars for the highly anticipated Love That Dress! shopping event on Wednesday, September 30 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Estero.

This fashion-forward event is the ultimate moms’ night out, featuring an evening of budget-friendly shopping, music and fun as we raise life-changing funds.

Let’s unlock the door to greater possibilities for the young women of Lee County.

Jennifer Nelson is the executive director of the Uncommon Friends Foundation and serves on the Cape Coral City Council representing District 4. She is also the proud mom of a Pace girl and the event chair of the 12th annual Love That Dress!, which raises funds in support of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County and its strength-based, gender-specific programs that lead girls ages 11 to 18 in finding their voice and achieving their potential. Learn more about Pace at pacecenter.org/lee or 239-425-2366.

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| last look

NIGHT VISION Jonathan Torres, 7, right, uses binoculars as he sits on top of a car with Emily Torres, 3, left, before an Independence Day drive-in firework and laser light show at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs on July 4.

PHOTO BY ALEX DRIEHAUS

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Your heart care heroes.

Dedicated to saving little lives every day. leehealth.org/pediatric-cardiology

Because every child is special.