Planning for the holidays
Holiday events calendar p. 7
Preplanning for outings p. 11
Meet the Tiny TrailBlazer p. 12 The Buddy Walk p. 14
Hello, (585) families
Here we are facing another autumn. The leaves are changing and there are pumpkins in every store and farm stand. Soon enough it will be evergreen boughs and holiday lights. It is that time of year when it is hard to keep track of all the fun community events happening in the (585). That’s where our family holiday calendar comes in handy. It’s nice having everything going on listed in one place, so it is easy to refer to as my family plans out what we’ll be doing these next few months.
Publisher Jane F. Milliman
Creative Director Cathy Monrad
Managing Editor Christine Green
Production Manager Caroline Kunze
Staff Photographer Renée Veniskey
Contributing Writers Emily DiCesare, Cambrie Eckert, Terri Ercole, Sarah Killip, Audrey Mead, Sarah Mead, Jinelle Vaiana, Deena Viviani
Editorial Interns Paige Kingsley and Erin Patanella
Vice President, Sales Caroline Kunze
Sales & Marketing Michaela Neer
FEEDBACK
The other feature I just love in this issue (and all of our issues, actually) is the Book Nook. Did you know that our writer, Deena Viviani, is a children’s librarian? She knows about all the new and exciting books for babies, children, middle grade, and teens. She also writes about books for the grown-ups in our sister publication (585) magazine. Parents, you should take a gander at her column and choose a few books by local authors to read this season, too. Happy fall!
We’d love to hear what you think! Write to jmilliman@585kids.com or (585) Kids, 1501 East Avenue, STE201, Rochester, NY , 14610.
DEADLINES FOR LISTINGS
Calendar listing deadlines for our upcoming issues are as follows:
For Winter 2025 issue: Nov. 10
For Spring 2025 issue: Feb. 10
For Summer 2025 issue: May 10
For Fall 2025 issue: Aug. 10
ADVERTISING
If you’d like to learn about advertising in an upcoming issue of (585) Kids or on our website, please call (585) 413-0040.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE PRINTED BY
—Christine Green, Managing Editor
Photo by
Christine Green
2024 HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
Emily DiCesare is an E.R. doc by trade, salad blogger by passion, who lives in Brighton with her family.
Cambrie Eckert is freelance journalist with a degree in journalism from SUNY Brockport.
Terri Ercole is an elementary school teacher and volunteer with the Center for Youth in Rochester.
Sarah Killip is a freelance writer and photographer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting and a master’s degree in English.
Audrey Mead is a curious h grader with a passion for reading. She loves Legos, performing in musicals, and writing stories.
Sarah Mead is a writer who loves children’s books and dance parties in the kitchen. She lives with her family in Victor.
Anna Overmoyer a traditional and dimensional illustrator who grew up in the forest of Upstate New York. anna-overmoyer. square.site.
Anu Scofield is a lifelong reader and writer studying English and
Communications & Media at Nazareth University.
Jinelle Vaiana is a freelance writer and copy editor, and a selfproclaimed “word nerd.” She’s been writing for local publications for more than ten years.
Deena Viviani is the young adult services librarian at Brighton
Photo by Renée Venisky Design by Cathy Monrad
Renée Veniskey is a photographer
• Gingerbread creations fill the historic mansion*
• Hand-crafted wreaths *
• Festive tabletop displays *
•Visit with Santa December 5
• Holiday films at the Dryden Theatre November 9–January 5
*Take one home through the silent auction
• Mantel displays celebrating diversity
OCTOBER
2024 HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
BY JINELLE VAIANA
FALL FEST AT SENECA PARK ZOO
Oct. 1–31
For the entire month of October, the Seneca Park Zoo will celebrate the season with all things fall, including a variety of seasonal sweets available to eat and drink. “Spooktacular!” weekend events (Oct. 17–19) will include pumpkin carving demonstrations, trick-or-treating, storytelling, cra s, and more. Members receive free admission to the zoo and discounted Spooktacular! admission. Seneca Park Zoo; 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester; 336-7200; senecaparkzoo.org
HALLOWEENFEST AT THE FARM
Oct. 4–28
cra swoman Veronica Reitter will lead hands-on corn husk cra workshops, and Hodinöhsö:ni educator Leon Briggs will lead a fry bread demonstration. Organic farmers and local organizations will also educate visitors on topics like food justice history, climate-conscious eating, ethical
This outdoor event—happening Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October—will feature a “3D Halloweenthemed walking trail,” costumed characters walking the grounds, interactive games, spooky wagon rides, a DJ on Friday nights, and live music on Saturday nights. Football fans won’t miss the game, thanks to the farm’s TVs, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Leashed dogs allowed. Lincoln Hill Farms; 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua; lincolnhillfarms.com
AGRICULTURAL FAIR
Oct. 5–6
Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Agricultural Fair will include a farmer’s market for shoppers to explore, as well as livestock and cooking demonstrations, puppet shows, live music, and more. Seneca
and more at the eenth annual Trail of Terror. Children must be at least ve years old to be admitted.
10042 S. River Rd., Hunt; trailo errorhuntny.com
AUTUMN ARTISAN MARKET
Oct. 12
Genesee Country Village & Museum; 1410 Flint Hill Rd., Mumford; 538-6822;
HILTON APPLE FEST
Oct. 5–6
The town of Hilton will celebrate the forty-second anniversary of the Hilton Apple Fest with two days of great family fun. Visitors can enjoy free admission, entertainment, and parking. Experience live entertainment, food, cra s and more. Henry St, Hilton; 392-7773; hiltonapplefest.org
TRAIL OF TERROR
Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2
In this haunted attraction, visitors will travel along an acre-long walking trail where creepy costumed characters await. Expect strobe lights, fog machines,
Tinker Nature Park in Henrietta will host an artisan market this season, featuring a variety of vendors. Arts and cra s of all mediums will be available, as well as prepared foods and general merchandise. The park features a 1.2mile and a half-mile trail, as well as a playground, nature center, and the Tinker Homestead & Farm museum.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tinker Nature Park; 1525 Calkins Rd, Henrietta; 359-7044; henrietta.org
APPLE FESTIVAL AND OPEN HOUSE
Oct. 12–3
Visitors to the Rochester Folk Art Guild’s Apple Festival and Open House can experience guided studio tours and explore the 350-acre campus. The community and cra center is home to resident artists who will showcase their work at this free festival, alongside visiting artists. Fresh apple cider will be pressed onsite, and farmhouse lunches and snacks will be available for purchase as well. The festival will also include live music, interactive workshops, and a special talk by Navajo weaver Marilou Schultz.
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Rochester Folk Art Guild; 1445 Upper Hill Rd., Middlesex; 554-3539 bit.ly/FolkAppleFest
NOVEMBER
ROCHESTER ROYAL PRINCESS BALL
Nov. 2
SWEET CREATIONS GINGERBREAD DISPLAY
Nov. 9–Jan. 5
DISNEY JR. LIVE ON TOUR: LET’S PLAY!
Oct. 16
Mickey Mouse is readying the Clubhouse for a playdate with his pals from SuperKitties, Disney Jr.’s Ariel, the Puppy Dog Pals, and more in Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play! A strange disturbance keeps interrupting Mickey, and Team Spidey will do everything they can to help save the day!
6 p.m.
Kodak Center; 200 West Ridge Rd. 254-0181; kodakcenter.com
HAUNTED STROLL
Oct. 27
This New York State Historic Park, featuring a Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion and formal gardens, will host its annual Haunted Stroll again this year. Visitors will stroll through the gardens— including the Rock Garden, the Peacock House/Aviary, and more—encountering spooky characters along the way.
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park; 250 Gibson St., Canandaigua; 394-4922; sonnenberg.org
FAMILY FUN DAY: TRICKS & TREATS
Oct. 27
Visitors to this Family Fun Day at the Rochester Museum & Science Center are encouraged to wear their favorite costume and visit trick or treat stations around the museum. Kids can collect candy and participate in hands-on activities, including mask-making, “candy” corn hole, and more.
Rochester Museum & Science Center; 657 East Ave.; 271-4320; rmsc.org
This event, geared toward three- to seven-year-olds, is a princess character–themed event, with appearances by and meet-and-greets with Cinderella, Snow Sisters, Frog Princess, Tower Princess, and more. The Royal Princess Ball will feature stage performances, dancing, games, singalongs, and more.
10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
The George Eastman Museum will be taken over by dozens of deliciously decorated gingerbread houses. These visual treats for the family will be auctioned o in a silent auction. Visit their website for admission information. Eastman Museum; 900 East Ave, 327-4800; eastman.org
RIT Inn & Conference Center; 5257 W. Henrietta Rd.; (651) 494-4566; dreampartyforyou.com
ROCHESTER CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL
Nov. 2
The twenty-seventh annual Rochester Children’s Book Festival is a free event that will feature presentations for all ages, as well as a cra room for kids. There will be y authors onsite to interact with and sign books for purchase.
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Monroe Community College
1000 E. Henrietta Rd.; rcbfestival.com
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET!
Nov. 9
Sugar plum fairies and snow akes will dance their way onto the stage in this production of the Christmas favorite, The Nutcracker. The production features performers from all over the world, as well as puppetry and acrobatics.
3 p.m.
West Herr Auditorium Theatre/RBTL; 885 E. Main St.; 222-5000; rochesterauditoriumtheatre.com
THE ERIC CARLE STORY SHOW
Nov. 9–10
Thee stories of author Eric Carle come to life in this dynamic stage production. Three new stories grace the TYKEs stage: From Head to Toe, The Very Quiet Cricket, and Little Cloud. This premier production brings beloved Eric Carle characters to life by world-class puppeteers.
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
TYKEs (Theater Young Kids Enjoy) 1200 Edgewood Ave., 461-2000 jccrochester.org/arts-culture/tykes
CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS
Nov. 15–Dec. 2
The Shops will host its annual Thanksgiving sale at the Corning Museum of Glass. Customers can choose from handmade glass and thousands of other gi s this holiday season. Guests do not need to pay Museum admissions to attend this event or bene t from discounts.
Corning Museum of Glass; 1 Museum Way, Corning; (800) 732-6845; home.cmog.org
MAKER FAIRE ROCHESTER
Nov. 16
The Maker Faire is a place for engineers, cra ers, science clubs, authors, and others to share what they’ve made and what they’ve learned. Families may see projects featuring robots, digital fabrication, rockets, DIY science projects, urban farming and sustainability, and more. Educational workshops will be hosted onsite and local food will be available for purchase.
RIT Gordon Field House; Quarter Mile Walkway; 943-1897; rochester.makerfaire.com
LITTLE MERMAID
Nov. 22–24
The Cobblestone Community Players will present Disney’s The Little Mermaid this November. Ariel, everyone’s favorite mermaid, will realize her dream of leaving the sea for the land. On November 8 from 12:30–1 p.m., the Players will perform a free preview of the show.
Cobblestone Arts Center; 1622 State Route 332; 398-0220; CobblestoneArtsCenter.com
DEREK HOUGH: DANCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Nov. 23
Derek Hough is well known to television audiences as an Emmy-winning Dancing With the Stars professional dancer and, later, judge. He has also acted on stage, in movies, and on TV, and served as a judge on NBC’s World of Dance. In this performance, he and a cast of professional dancers will dance to holiday songs, both old and new.
8 p.m.
Kodak Center; 200 W. Ridge Rd.; 254-0181; kodakcenter.com
SANTA’S WONDERLAND EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
Nov. 23–Dec. 22
2024 HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
in their favorite royal costume or holiday attire.
10:30 a.m.
OFC’s The Old Farm Cafe; 3450 Winton Pl.; 667-0954; ofccreations.com
DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE
CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL
Dec. 3–8
Families will ride a heated, vintage train “to the North Pole,” where they will have a chance to visit Santa, enjoy face painting, family photos, visit the elf house, and more. Souvenirs and food concessions are available for purchase. The ride takes two hours and twenty minutes, and children two and under ride free.
Arcade and Attica Railroad; 278 Main St., Arcade; 492-3100; aarailroad.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Nov. 23– Dec. 29
This holiday classic follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. The spirits show Scrooge who he has been, who he is, and who he may become in the future. Visit the website for times, tickets, and more information.
Gena Theatre; 75 Woodbury Blvd.; 2324382; gevatheatre.org
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING BRUNCH WITH ELSA
Dec. 1
At this event, recommended for kids between three and eight years old, Elsa will use her magic to light a Christmas tree, with her sister Anna by her side. Tickets include a brunch bu et, and there will be live music, snow ake making, a photo op with the Frozen sisters, and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress
The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heartwarming holiday classic brought to life. This heartwarming classic will bring smiles to every child and adult who attends.
West Herr Auditorium Theatre/RBTL; 885 E. Main St.; 222-5000; rochesterauditoriumtheatre.com
ROC HOLIDAY VILLAGE
Dec. 6–29
This event has become a staple holiday event for the Rochester community. The village o ers family-friendly fun, shopping, food, and drinks. The public can vist Santa, enjoy free ice skating, and more. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 5353 Court St.; rocholidayvillage.com
FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
Dec. 7
This Irish-inspired Christmas concert has already seen three sold-out tours in Ireland and the UK, and it stops this holiday season in Geneva. Singers, musicians, and dancers will perform a lively concert featuring holiday favorites and traditional Irish sing-along songs. Smith Opera House; 82 Seneca St., Geneva; (315) 781-5483; thesmith.org
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Dec. 7
The Manchester Fire Department will be hosting their third annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa this year. An $8 breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, and a drink. Children three years old and under are free.
8–11 a.m.
Manchester Fire Department; 8 Cli on St., Manchester; bit.ly/ManchesterPancakes
SCHOOL OF ROCK
Dec. 7–22
Based on the lm starring Jack Black, School of Rock is a musical about Dewey Finn, a failed rock star who turns a class of prep school kids into a jamming rock band. The musical will run every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday between Dec. 7 and 22.
JCC’s CenterStage Theatre; 1200 Edgewood Ave.; 461-2000; jccrochester.org
KID’S HOLIDAY SHOP
Dec. 11
Lots to the Tots, a nonpro t organization, will host this year’s Kid’s Holiday Shop at Lake Shore Country Club. At the event, kids will shop independently for their loved ones with the aid of a “holiday helper,” allowing them to choose gi s in secret for family and friends. All items will be $5 and under. Part of the proceeds will go toward the purchase of holiday gi s for children in need. Any visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy for disadvantaged youth will be entered to win a prize.
Lake Shore Country Club; 1165 Greenleaf Rd.; 967-3905; lotstothetots.com
ATTICA COOKIES & PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Dec. 14
Bubbys Breads and Bakery/Maplewood Market will host Santa and Mrs. Claus this season. The shop will have cookies and cocoa available, and kids can stay busy with facepainting and a cra table. Baked goods and breads will also be available for purchase.
1:30–3:30 p.m.
Bubbys Breads and Bakery-Maplewood Market; 11099 Maplewood Rd., Attica; (716) 870-8347; bit.ly/BubbysSanta
Ready, set... let's chat first!
Preplanning for adventure can save many headaches
Have you ever looked forward to a fun family activity only to have it crumble and dissolve into tears and disappointment? Hopefully these tidbits about communicating can bring more fun, and just as important, some peace to your time together.
Let’s imaging going to the pumpkin patch, but these tips can help with any activity.
COMMUNICATION. If the best laid plans are only known to one person, those plans can dissolve into frustration for the others. This includes little ones who o en have plans of their own. Knowing what comes next can be powerful. Have a preadventure chat. Set guidelines in a positive way so your group hears what the day looks like from your perspective. And yes, save some wiggle room for great ideas that come up during the chat. Keep it short, simple, and most of all keep it light.
KNOW THE VENUE. Investigate by checking out the website and social media, and by listening to friends who have gone before you. Before even leaving your home, you’ll have an idea of what to expect at the venue. Are there hidden costs like gi shops, hayrides, and painted pumpkin choices? If these aren’t in your budget, talk before you get there about other options. Maybe plan a special snack at home while decorating pumpkins. I’ve been to pumpkin elds where a tiny gourd was ve dollars and the smallest pumpkin I saw was over een dollars! I’ve also been to a local farm stand with thousands of pumpkins conveniently grouped by price. One wise mom managed expectations by challenging her four children to nd the “best” pumpkins from a circle that she had chosen (based on price). All four went home to carve their very best pumpkins.
PROPER ATTIRE: Wear the right clothing and bring extra. Pumpkin picking shoes are not the same as princess shoes. A toddler covered in mud and/or ice cream is not going to remain happy. Plan for a weather change.
Once there, try to stay as close to the plan as you and the group feel comfortable with. Remember, be prepared to pivot a little. The point is not to follow a checklist step by step to the dismay of everyone but to guide you to an easier and more fun day.
HOW LONG IS TOO LONG? Have you ever gotten to your destination only to discover that some of your little ones have physically or mentally checked out long before you’ve thought they would? As any parent knows, di erent children have di erent tolerances for crowds and activity levels. I have one child that took a half hour to pick out a pumpkin, while my other son grabbed the rst one he saw. I learned to bring a backpack with books, small toys, and quick snacks so that the more enthusiastic kids could continue while giving a break to the ones that needed it. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to call it a day. This applies to many scenarios—restaurants, family gatherings, birthday parties, etc. Why push an adventure longer if it’s time to pack it up and head back home?
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED. All that said, you can’t plan for everything, nor should you. But talking with everyone about what the day may look like can be an adventure changer. If your plan shi s, always try to be transparent or engage the rest of the group in what is happening so there are fewer surprises. This might seem like common sense, but I remember days when I was tired, stressed, or just going with the ow and forgot snacks, a change of clothes, extra diapers . . . It happens. There were plenty of days I wish I had given my children a heads up about expectations. It probably would have saved tears and a lot of money in unexpected stu ed animals and treats.
There are many amazing adventures in the area to discover. Remember—plan, share the plan, and go have fun.
— BY TERRI ERCOLE —
Meet a tiny trailblazer
Nine-year-old interviews local celebrities
Reporter Avery Shepard is funny, charming, and very, very smart. She also commands a room, has a big personality, and comes to the table with important questions for the politicians, celebrities, and other notable people she interviews. She’s right there up there with all the best local media personalities. So what makes Shepard stand out?
She’s only nine years old.
The Tiny TrailBlazer, as Shepard is known, started her career last year when she saw her dad watching YouTube.
“I watched my dad one day, and I said, ‘I wanna start a YouTube channel.’ He said, ‘Okay, I do this for a living, so I can help you. We started interviewing people, and this is what we do now,” Shepard tells (585) Kids.
Shepard interviews people around the area (and beyond), so that her viewers can learn more about who they are and what they do in the community. She has so far interviewed more than y people including David Koechner from , Rochester mayor Malik Evans, and Efran Rameriz of Napoleon Dynamite
In between Shepard’s reporting duties she goes to school and loves to play soccer. She has a little brother, a dog named Bear, and a cat named Pickles. When asked about what she likes best about the (585)
area she says,“I like the zoo, I like going to Seabreeze, I like going to Darien Lake, I love all that stu .” She goes on to sing the praises of local food as well. “I love to eat. The city has a lot of good restaurants. Voula’s is a great one. I love Radio Social; I get to see the person I interviewed [Triston Dunlap]— I love him so much.”
She relies on her mom and dad and says that they both support her in di erent ways.
“My mom [Lisa Shepard] supports me by giving me advice,” says Shepard. “She supports me by giving me good examples of what I should do and good tips, and by saying kind and nice stu to me and making me feel more con dent.”
Shepherd’s dad, Zechariah Shepard, not only runs her social media and lms Tiny TrailBlazer content, he also gives her much needed emotional and family support. “I look up to him as a good example,” she says. “He’s shown me a lot. I trust my dad. He’s a big in uence and example for me. I love exploring with my dad, and he’s just always been there when I needed him.”
When I ask Shepard who she would like to interview next she exclaims, “Cristiano Ronaldo is a soccer player, and I want to interview Josh Allen. Do you know who that is?”
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE TINY TRAILBLAZER:
Favorite
Favorite animal: Kittens
She likes to read and write
She loves clothes
She doesn’t like it when it is raining
Sometimes she likes the snow
She likes to bake cookies with her mom Readers can nd her on YouTube at @thetinytrailblazer andon Instagram @the_tiny_trailblazerr_.Shepard can also be found by searching “The Tiny TrailBlazer” on Facebook.
Yes, Avery, we do know who Josh Allen is. This reporter has no doubt Ms. Shepard will indeed get that coveted interview with Mr. Allen one day.
Photos by Renée Venisky
color: Blue
— BY CHRISTINE GREEN —
Private lessons and group classes for strings, flute, voice, guitar, harp, chamber music, Suzuki, fiddle, and more!
LET’S BE BUDDIES
TCelebrate friends at the Buddy Walk
he twenty-eighth annual Buddy Walk is Sunday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event brings hundreds of people in the community together to celebrate the many abilities and possibilities of people with Down syndrome.
The Buddy Walk will be held at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus, a place that has provided summer fun to children with disabilities for more than 100 years. From a splash pad and climbing wall to nature trails and a zip line, this place has it all and will be the perfect setting for a walk with friends and family.
“It’s one of my favorite days of the year!” says Cheryl Carleton, president of the Flower City Down Syndrome Network (FCDSN). Attendees will enjoy food, music, games and much fun!
Cristina Rothfuss loves to see the community celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, including her ten-yearold daughter, Avery. In anticipation of the walk, members of the network are asked to share a personal accomplishment about their family member with Down syndrome. Rothfuss says, “On the path of the walk these achievements and photos are shared. It’s a great way to celebrate our members and a personal highlight of the walk for me.”
The Buddy Walk is FCDSN’s only fundraiser and the money raised goes directly to its local programs which support individuals with Down syndrome
— BY SARAH MEAD —
and their families. This includes reimbursement programs, nancial assistance, educational activities and plenty of social events, all free to local families.
Tracy Barone appreciates all that Flower City Down Syndrome Network has to o er. Her family looks forward to Seabreeze day, Red Wings and Amerks games, bowling, and family camp night at the Sunshine Campus. Her twelveyear-old son Tyler had the best time this summer when he stayed there for three nights. He can’t wait to go back again and wants to stay even longer next summer. See page 18 for a full interview with Tyler!
The network was formed in 1991 as a voluntary, nonpro t organization consisting of families, professionals, and others who are interested in providing education, support, and opportunities to people who have Down syndrome. It currently serve more than 250 individuals and their families in the Greater Rochester area. These volunteers have thought of everything from baskets for families welcoming a baby with Down syndrome to college scholarship opportunities and everything in between.
The network recently announced the establishment of a rst-ever endowed scholarship to both Nazareth College and Roberts Wesleyan University. Carleton explains, “These new scholarships aim to attract and assist more students who will professionally serve individuals
with Down syndrome. FCDSN awarded both local colleges $28,000 to fund the scholarships and hopes to fundraise to include more local colleges and universities in the future.”
For many families, it’s the support and networking that has been the most valuable service of all. Not only does FCDSN promote community wide acceptance of people with Down syndrome, but it also provides a safe space for parents to give each other advice and assistance when it comes to working with educators and medical professionals.
But you don’t have to be a member of the network to join this party! The Buddy Walk is an event for all local families. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what it looks like when everyone in our community is included and valued, and it’s also a whole lot of fun.
BUDDY WALK
WHEN October 20, 2024
WHERE Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus
TIME 10:00a.m.–1:00 p.m.
For more information on the Buddy Walk or Down syndrome, visit: sunshinecamp.org fcdsn.com
provided by FCDSN
Photo
By Anna Overmoyer
A head above the rest
Meet the Masai giraff e
— BY SARAH KILLIP —
If you’d like to see eye-to-eye, you better grab a ladder—with their heads soaring up to eighteen feet off the ground, they’re the tallest land animals in the world but weigh less than a rhino. Any guesses? They’re easy to spot! And have lots of spots . . .
The Seneca Park Zoo is home to four Masai giraffes— JD, a three-year-old male; Iggy, a seven-year-old female; and her two calves, Olmy, a two-year-old male, and Pippi, a female who turns one in December. They’re native to East Africa and are the national animal of Tanzania.
Maggie Kinsella, a zookeeper at the Seneca Park Zoo, explains that while giraffes are very tall, they weigh less than one might think. A fully grown adult male giraffe will weigh around 2,500 pounds. In comparison, the zoo’s rhino weighs around 4,400 pounds.
“They’re very stretched out—a small adult female giraffe could weigh the same as a big horse,” Kinsella says.
Iggy is the only adult of the tower—that’s the term for a group of giraffes—that has finished growing, standing about fourteen feet tall.
“They usually finish growing when they’re about seven,” Kinsella says. “And their ossicones, which are the little horns on top of their heads, will be fused to their skulls at that age. The ossicones start off as cartilage and turn to bone as the giraffes get older.”
Aside from height and weight, a key difference between male and female giraffes is their ossicones.
“The ossicones on male giraffes will be balder on top; they won’t have as much hair or the cute little tops that females generally have,” Kinsella says. “Males also have a median lump on their face, which is kind of what it sounds like—a big lump right along the bridge of their nose. As they get older, more calcium gets deposited on that lump, making it bigger. They also develop other little calcium bumps on their face, making their skulls heavier. Males use their heads and ossicones to compete for females. So, an older male will have a better chance at winning a fight because as he ages, his skull gets heavier with the extra calcium.”
But what about their personalities? Giraffes are a very friendly, nonaggressive species. In terms of fight or flight, they’re flight—if anything is even remotely scary, they’re usually going to run away from it.
“They live in big herds out in the wild, but they’re not really territorial. They won’t fight over space, and it’s very easy to introduce giraffes to each other. They’ll smell each other, and then they’ll be friends,” Kinsella says.
Kinsella explains how giraffes aren’t necessarily active animals and tend to wander around. The four giraffes at the zoo, however, get a lot of enrichment during the day to keep them busy.
“We have a bunch of different toys that we fill with hay, lettuce, and treats, and we’ll hang those up at different heights for them. We also use a bunch of different smells— we’ll spray perfume on things or sprinkle spices around for them,” Kinsella says.
Their training sessions are primarily focused on learning simple actions that help with veterinary tasks. And while giraffes are very sweet animals, they take longer to train than some of the other animals at the zoo.
“They’re all trained to stand on our scale so we can weigh them, and we do that once a week or so,” Kinsella says. “They are injection trained; Iggy and Olmy are both trained for foot care—they’ll put a foot up on a block and let someone file their hoof. Iggy is trained to let us take blood from her, and they are all target trained. We take target poles, and wherever we put them, they’ll touch with their nose and get a treat. We use that to help move them around the exhibit and explore.”
One exception to the veterinary based training, however, is a special talent the zookeepers taught Olmy last year— how to paint.
“We have a special made easel and a big tennis ball hanging from a rope, and there’s a hole in the bottom of the ball that we put a paintbrush inside. We dip the brush in paint, and Olmy moves the tennis ball with his nose, dragging the brush on a canvas and making really cute paintings,” Kinsella says.
Some of Olmy’s paintings are sold in the gift shop at the zoo, and a lot are sold through the zoo’s AAZK chapter (American Association of Zoo Keepers). All the proceeds from those paintings go back to the animals.
Giraffes are herbivores, and a feature that helps them eat all different kinds of plants is their tongue.
“In the wild, giraffes eat a lot of acacia trees,” Kinsella says. “They have really big thorns that can be three inches
long, and that’s part of the reason why giraffes have this super long, sticky tongue. Their tongues are about eighteen inches long, and along with their lips, they’re prehensile, meaning they function like a hand. They can twist their tongues around branches and pick up twigs, and they use it to carefully pick leaves off spiky trees; the blackish purple color acts as a natural sunscreen.”
Their diet at the zoo mimics what they would eat in the wild and mainly consists of hay. They eat three different kinds of hay, varying amounts of giraffe grain, and different produce.
“They really like lettuce and kale; sometimes we’ll offer them broccoli, bell peppers, or parsnips, and they really like carrots. We offer them big branches and sticks, and they’ll mainly eat leaves, but they like willow branches and some of the smaller willow shoots,” Kinsella says. “They’ll have access to their hay all day, but they only eat when they’re hungry, and they get a breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
Giraffes typically live into their teens, but there have been some that live into their twenties or even reach thirty; and while there is a relatively stable population of giraffes, they are endangered. Like many animals, their main predator is humans.
“There are a lot of ways to help the giraffes even though we don’t live around them in the wild,” Kinsella says. “There are organizations you can get involved in to help support them—the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Save Giraffes Now are two. Locally, the zoo is a great place to learn more about them and other ways you can help.”
JUST FOR KIDS
Audrey Asks...
A musician
BY AUDREY MEAD WITH SARAH MEAD
Audrey is a curious thirteen-year-old who wants to learn more about everything. She is searching for kids in the Rochester area who are doing big things.
Twelve-year-old Tyler Barone is in sixth grade at Victor Intermediate School and loves to watch musicals, play
What is your favorite food? Cheeseburgers and fries!
Do you have any pets? I have two cats, Sofia and Stella. I have a dog named Oliver.
What is your favorite movie? Hocus Pocus!
Who are your best friends? Gus and Logan and Emma and Lily from school.
instruments, dance, and sing. He lives with his brother Noah, sister Lily, and his mom and dad. He is known at his school as “the mayor” because he brings a smile to everyone’s face with his friendly attitude.
What is your favorite tv show? Jessie (on Disney) and Julie and the Phantoms (on Netflix).
Are you dressing up for Halloween? Yes, I’m going to be Bertram [the doorman from Jessie].
What is your favorite song? “One way or another” from Hocus Pocus
What is your favorite place to visit? I get to go to Myrtle Beach every year for my birthday!
Do you have any favorite teachers? Yes! Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Bocchino.
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.
What is your favorite thing to do at school? I like music class. I play the guitar and sing the red snake song.
What is your favorite thing to do at home? Jump on the trampoline, swim, and swing.
Do you have any collections? Marbles and hot wheels.
What is your favorite hot wheels car? The orange Mustang.
Do you like sports? I’m a Bills fan. I love Josh Allen. I play football and baseball [with the Victor Challenger teams].
What is your favorite book? The Little Critter book series.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Work at the zoo and feed the elephants. [Tyler ended the interview by acting out a funny scene from The Zookeeper, one of his favorite comedies.]
Tyler’s family is part of the Flower City Down Syndrome Network and participates in many of its social events like Seabreeze day, bowling and the Buddy Walk. To learn more about the Buddy Walk, check out page 14.
Tyler’s mom, Tracy, wants kids to know that they can always ask questions if they see someone who has Down syndrome. She wants us to remember that kids like Tyler can do more and understand more than we think they can. She adds, “Everyone wants to have fun and play and feel included.”
Photo of Tyler Barone by Christopher Mead
Tyler Barone
By Christine Green
Hide and seek
Farmanimals
Canyoufindthewordshiddeninthepuzzle?
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF LEGO
RMSC to unveil Sean Kenney’s “Animal Super Powers” exhibit this fall
— BY
CAMBRIE
ECKERT —
Yand many of us still play with as adults,” Uzelmeier says. Through LEGO bricks, this exhibit will allow children and adults alike to dive into the colorful, imaginative world of LEGOS and learn hands-on about the different types of animals and their unique “super powers.” Starting September 27, visitors can walk through countless large LEGO displays of their favorite animals, ranging from pandas to mountain goats. Even some plants, like the Venus flytrap, will be featured in this exhibit.
As visitors explore, they can learn about different animals’ super powers. For example, did you know that tree frogs have sticky toes? Or that mountain goats can climb steep cliffs? These cool abilities are what make each animal special and unique, helping them to survive and adapt to their environment.
“These are giant LEGO sculptures of animals. In some cases they might be full-size renditions. In other cases they might be blown up, like a dragonfly,” Uzelmeier says. “The biggest one is the polar bear, which is over 133,000 bricks.”
Uzelmeier says that sculpture took about 852 hours to build, while the smallest sculpture, a Koi fish, took only eighteen hours and 1,900 bricks to build.
Anyone can be a LEGO artist! At this new exhibit, there will be special tables for kids to build their own sculptures, just like Kenney.
“Not only will visitors be able to come and marvel at the incredible sculptures, done by the artist John Kenney, but there will also be lots of build tables where they can build their own things and explore their own curiosities,” he says.
These interactive elements invite visitors to directly engage with the sculptures and displays. Whether constructing a wild animal or a unique creation, these hands-on activities offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the joy of creative play and problem-solving.
et again, the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) is raising the bar with its latest exhibit, “Animal Super Powers.” This LEGO exhibit showcases various “larger-than-life-sized” animal sculptures, built by full-time LEGO artist Sean Kenney, that visitors can interact with.
RMSC director of exhibits Calvin Uzelmeier talked to (585) Kids about why this exhibit was selected.
“We do quite a bit of research to see what’s out there. What’s been really popular? What is what? What have visitors and other museums really liked? We’ve done surveys with our own audience here in Rochester, through social media and through email, to find out topics that our community is interested in. And so—we choose our travelers based on that,” Uzelmeier says. “There’s been a lot of interest in animals.”
Whether young or old, anyone can enjoy this exhibit, he says.
“We also really like this kind of creative play and build and giving people the opportunity to explore their imaginations with this toy with brick that so many of us are familiar with
Each sculpture in the exhibit, from the detailed tree frog to the magnificent polar bear, highlights a different “super power” of the animal kingdom. These educational aspects are seamlessly integrated into the exhibit, proving that learning about animal adaptations can be both fun and memorable.
“We also really like this idea of kind of creative play and build, giving people the opportunity to explore their imaginations,” he says.
In addition to Kenney’s sculptures and interactive LEGO building tables, RMSC is also adding a damselfly sculpture from its own collection.
“One of the things that we always do with any traveling exhibition, we always like to make it kind of uniquely Rochester,” Uzeglmeier says.
This blend of global artistry and local pride ensures this display to be a uniquely engaging experience. This temporary exhibit is perfect for anyone who likes animals, LEGOs, art, or all three, to have some interactive fun and discover the super powers of the animal kingdom.
“Animal Super Powers” at RMSC is a must-see! Visitors can dive into a world of giant LEGO sculptures and interactive fun, learning the unique abilities of animals while also unleashing their own creativity. From towering polar bears to delicate Koi fish, this exhibit promises an unforgettable adventure for all ages. The exhibit is open through April 27, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to build, learn, and be amazed!
Seasalt
BY JINELLE VAIANA
HOLIDAY CHEER COMING TO HILTON
The village of Hilton will celebrate its third annual Hilton Holiday Celebration on Main Street on December 7. All Main Street businesses will participate in the event—which has nearly tripled in size in only a couple of years—o ering specials, deals, and giveaways.
The streets will be lined with een to twenty local vendors, o ering food and arts and cra s. There will be free popcorn and hot cocoa, as well as holiday activities like visits with Santa, caroling, wagon rides, and the Scavenger Hunt of Christmas Past, hosted by the Parma Hilton Historical Society.
“There is just something magical about the holiday season and bringing a community together for one single reason,” says Ryan Rockefeller, assistant recreation director for Hilton-Parma Recreation. “This is also a free event to attend, and we want everyone to feel welcome and included—no matter where you’re from, who you are, or what your socio-economical background is.”
A DJ and a live band will provide the festive tunes to keep visitors entertained, and there will be stations for holiday cra making and a kids’ zone with games for the little ones. La Danse will perform a recital during the event as well. The festivities will conclude with the community tree lighting at the Community Center gazebo.
Organizers are expecting about 3,000 visitors to the event, says Rockefeller, adding, “It’s just an awesome event for a small town with a big heart!”
PITTSFORD’S NEW INDOOR PLAYGROUND
Jess Swinford was a stay-at-home mom when she moved to Rochester one year ago from Hawaii. As she tried to ll her days with her toddler son, she realized he wasn’t a fan of any of the area’s indoor playgrounds. That’s when she had the idea for ROC Kid City, an indoor playground she opened in Pittsford, across from the Pittsford Plaza.
Even though she had never opened a business before, Swinford found herself calm and focused during the process. Her biggest challenge was nding a space, and once that happened, she says things quickly fell into place.
Swinford’s vision for ROC Kid City,
which opened in June, was simple. “I wanted to create a fun, safe, clean space for children to explore, imagine, and play. And at the same time, (for) the adults to be able to sit and relax a little, while being able to easily view their children,” she says.
The indoor playground is recommended for children ages ten years and younger, and features a so play area for babies and toddlers, a multi-level play structure, a train table area, slides, a ball pit, interactive wall games (via a projector), a climbing wall, a role play area featuring an ice cream truck, an Augmented Reality Sandtable, and much more.
Parents can reserve a party room for groups of up to een adults and een children, or they can rent out the entire 7,500 square feet for a special event.
Swinford has been happy to see the ow of guests in her door, and excited to hear their positive feedback. While she’s focusing on her current location and ensuring its continued success, she hopes to open a second location in the next ve years.
BRIGHTER DAYS: A SAFE HAVEN FOR KIDS’ MENTAL HEALTH
Prior to the opening of Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Care Center on the URMC campus in July, if a child was facing a mental health crisis, they would visit their local emergency room or
Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). The child and family would get the care they need, but wait times were long and the system lacked an individualized approach.
Today, Brighter Days o ers families an option for immediate and safe mental health care, with een patient rooms sta ed by thirty caregivers, open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. The walkin facility was opened with the support of the Brighter Days Foundation, which helped fund the center with a $1 million gi , as well as the e orts of other donors to Golisano Children’s Hospital. It took ten months to build and open the facility.
Mike Scharf, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, estimates the center will see about 3,000 patients in its rst year. And for any of those children who may not have access to transportation, West Herr Auto Group has donated a vehicle to get them to Brighter Days.
The mission was to open a child- and family-centered service to evaluate and intervene for youth in crisis, says Scharf, and to do so in a calming, individualized manner. So far, he’s been satis ed with the outcomes of the program.
“We have been pleased to see all of the processes we planned come to fruition,” says Scharf, “including a much more family-centered and quicker process— compared to CPEP and the ER—to help youth de-escalate when in distress and connect them with appropriate services and return home.”
Photos provided
Gobble gobble up these books
BY DEENA VIVIANI
The long Thanksgiving weekend is coming up. Whether your family will be on the road for family fun or hunkering down at home with a turkey in the oven, make sure to carve out some reading time. Here are three courses (picture books, middle grade books, teen books) to whet your appetites and make you thankful for our area’s amazing bookstores and libraries!
APPETIZERS (AGES 3-8)
Bijan Always Wins
By Adib Khorram & Michelle Tran Dial, 2024
Bijan declares himself the winner of everything—even things that are not competitions—until his friends don’t want to play with him anymore.
Just Like Millie
By Lauren Castillo Candlewick, 2024
A shy girl and her mom move to a new apartment, and a pet dog might help her make friends.
The Greatest
By Veera Hiranandani & Vesper Stamper Random House, 2024
When his grandchildren visit, grandfather feels like he’s the greatest at everything!
Lucky Duck
By Greg Pizzoli Knopf, 2024
A duck with no luck wins a prize delivered by a hungry wolf! Maybe her luck is changing a er all…
The Mochi Makers
By Sharon FujimotoJohnson
Beach Lane Books, 2024
Obaachan teaches her granddaughter the family recipe for mochi.
MAIN COURSE (AGES 8-14)
Curlfriends: New In Town
By Sharee Miller Little, Brown, 2023
Charlie is the new kid in middle school, and she has a plan to make a trendy rst impression.
It Watches in the Dark
By Je Strand Sourcebooks, 2024
Oliver and Trisha are stranded in a town guarded by a creepy scarecrow, and they aren’t sure they can escape.
Louder Than Hunger
By John Schu Candlewick, 2024
Jake restricts his eating and exercises nonstop until his mom makes him enter a treatment facility to help him heal.
Slugfest
By Gordon Korman Balzer & Bray, 2024
Yash has to take PE over the summer with other eighth grade “slugs” who may be onto a school-wide conspiracy.
The Wild Robot Protects
By Peter Brown Little, Brown, 2023
Roz loves her island home and vows to protect it from the “poison tide.”
DESSERTS (AGES 14-18)
A for E ort
By Jarad Green HarperAlley, 2024
Jay jumps into freshman year with an unexpected elective: theater—full of memorizing lines and changing friendships.
Brighter Than the Sun
By Daniel Aleman Little, Brown, 2023
Sol lives in Tijuana and crosses the border every day to attend San Diego high school, making her wonder where she ts in—and where she belongs.
The Collectors: Stories
Edited by A. S. King Dutton, 2023
These short stories feature characters with extremely unconventional collections!
Out of Le Field
By Jonah Newman Little, Brown, 2024
Over the course of high school, Jonah joins the baseball team, explores his identity, and comes to terms with being himself.
Stay Dead
By April Henry Henry Holt, 2024
A er her dad dies, Milan and her senator mom are in a plane crash, and Milan is warned not to trust anyone to survive.
FSLOWINGDOWN AND WARMINGUP Crockpot meals to make things easy
or my family nothing says cozy, comfort foods like a crock pot dinner. Coming home from work and school (or waking up in the a ernoon for me) to a house full of warmth and yummy smells sets the mood for a great night.
When my kids were littler and I worked mostly evenings, throwing the ingredients for a soup or stew into the crockpot was the easiest way to feed my family on nights when I was not home for dinner.
Now that I work nights, a slow cooker meal requires a bit more prep, but with planning it is no problem. While I make dinner one night, I precut veggies and sauté meat to be put in the slow cooker the next morning. Then these ingredients can be stored in Tupperware overnight and put into the crock pot the next morning. There are also many recipes online and on Pinterest where all the ingredients can be assembled, placed in Ziploc bag, and frozen. These can be pulled from the freezer and placed right in the crockpot. This method would work well for folks that do meal prep on the weekend. (I also mentioned this in a previous article as a good way to prep meals for caregivers to make when parents are out of town).
While I mostly use my slow cooker for soups, stews, and chilis there are many other great ways to utilize it. It is the easiest (and least messy) way to make spareribs. Simply season with salt and pepper and throw in the crock pot with a bottle of barbeque sauce. A er six to eight hours on high, your ribs are falling o the bone. Another favorite of mine is pulled pork. A whole pork shoulder can be placed in the crock pot. While you can make it with any avors you want, I like to keep it pretty simple. That way the pork can be used one night, for example, for pulled pork sandwiches with BBQ sauce and another night for carnitas tacos or on top of nachos. You could also add it to tomato sauce along with ground beef and some sausage for an over-the-top Bolognese sauce. A pork shoulder is a very inexpensive cut of meat and makes a huge portion that can be used for multiple meals. Again, there are many online recipes for cooking cuts of meat in the crock pot.
For this month’s recipe I o er my husband’s favorite slow cooker meal: White chicken chili.
Prep/cook time: 6–7 hours
INGREDIENTS:
3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion, diced
1 16 oz. jar of salsa
1 can diced green chiles
2 cans navy beans (or one white bean, one black bean)
2–3 cups water or chicken broth (enough to cover the chicken completely)
1 tbsp cumin
Salt and pepper
1 block Monterey jack cheese, cubed
1 block pepper jack cheese, cubed
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place chicken, broth, onion, and salsa in crock pot.
2. Cook on low for four to ve hours. Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then return to pot. Add beans and cheese. Cook on high two hours or until cheese is completely melted.
3. Stir and enjoy!
Great with tortilla chips!
Photos by author
— BY EMILY DICESARE —
White chicken chili
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Philip LaZebnik