Suburban Parent July 2015

Happy trails Try a family outing on horseback I 6

Down on the farm Plenty of fun and a bit of history at area farms I 4

A product of NICHE Publications, a division of Daily Herald I WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

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Edible explorations

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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Learning to love berries of all hues Weeds took over the little strawberry patch in our front yard so I’ve had to rely on the farmers market and produce aisles for my berry needs this summer.

I happily start most mornings with a strawberry smoothie or a bowl of yogurt topped with sliced strawberries, blueberries or raspberries (red, or fresh-picked wild black raspberries when available).

Yet Henry has always shunned berries, preferring a bananas or a Deborah Pankey & Henry Gabriel Clementine to start to the day.

Then on Mother’s Day, I made strawberry shortcake with freshbaked biscuits and white sauce. No pound cake and whipped topping for us. That version reaches back to my family’s roots in Southern Illinois. Anyway, the warm sugary sauce that draped the ruby berries was too much for Henry to resist. And guess what? He liked it. He even gobbled up strawberries once the sauce was gone.

With the berry door now open, I seized the opportunity to introduce other fruits from the berry family. Blueberries seemed a natural progression.

There’s a lot to love about blueberries.

They’re native to America and while low in calories have respectable amounts of potassium, fiber and vitamin C. One drawback is the short growing season — they peak about now and are wrapped up by September. When you can get them fresh from the fields, they shine in cakes and cobblers, pancakes and pies.

To save your harvest for future enjoyment, spread them on a sheet pan in a single layer and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a bag and they’re ready to be used in baked goods or smoothies. You can use fresh or frozen in these Lemony Blueberry Minicakes.

We hesitate to call them cupcakes, because that connotes copious amounts of frosting and we forgo frosting for a zesty glaze.

Henry says: I never really liked blueberries, or any type of berry for that matter. They either were too tart or not sweet enough. There would be only one perfect berry in a bunch and that wasn’t enough for me. So I guess I didn’t dislike them, I just didn’t like them enough to eat them.

As I’m growing up, I’m trying new foods more often. Berries now taste more appealing to me.

A few days after we made these minicakes, I made what my mom called blueberry fritters.

We rolled blueberries into batter and dropped small clumps into oil and deep fried them.

So as for other parents with picky children, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

• Deborah Pankey, former food editor at the Daily Herald, is the mother of two boys. Her youngest, Henry, is a seventh-grader who is slowly coming out of his picky eater phase.

Volume 6, Issue 7 July 15, 2015 Suburban Parent A product of NICHE Publications, a division of Daily Herald 155 E. Algonquin Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 427-4300

Chairman, CEO and Publisher Douglas K. Ray President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Stone Assistant Vice President and Director of Strategic Marketing and Innovation M. Eileen Brown NICHE Editor Kay Long

Courtesy of Deborah Pankey

Graphic Designer Ana Hinkhouse

These Lemony Blueberry Minicakes have a surprise in the middle.

Division Sales Manager, Entertainment & New Business Development Mike Evans

Lemony Blueberry Minicakes 1 1¼ 3 2 1

box (about 15 ounces) white cake mix cups water, divided egg whites tablespoons vegetable oil box (3 ounces) lemon-flavored gelatin,

1 8 1 1-2

divided cup blueberries, rinsed and stemmed ounces cream cheese, softened whole egg teaspoons lemon zest

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two standard muffin tins with cupcake liners.

Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add 1/4 cup dry gelatin to the mix and beat on low speed 1 minute, then on medium speed 4 minutes. Gently fold in blueberries.

In another bowl, beat cream cheese with whole egg and lemon zest until smooth.

Using a dough scoop or a spoon, add batter to each muffin cup about one-third of the way full. Put a dollop of cream cheese mixture into each, then top with the remaining batter. Bake about 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Set pans on a rack to cool.

For the lemony glaze: Microwave ¼ cup water in a microwaveable measuring cup on HIGH for 30 seconds. Add remaining dry gelatin mix and stir until dissolved. Brush onto top of each warm cup cake. Sprinkle with additional lemon zest of raw sugar, if desired.

Serves 24.

Source: Deborah Pankey

Director of Advertising Pete Rosengren

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Parent-to-parent: A special connection

Fathers find fellowship with D.A.D.S. out that the conversations are completely free flowing.

Rather than formal agendas or guest speakers they prefer to let the topics develop more organically. So at any given time they might be discussing what’s happening in schools, the importance of a dad’s active role in an IEP, the latest legislation affecting families with a child with special needs, who has a good dentist, or even the latest techniques used for potty training.

Sometimes their meetings are simply a beer, lively conversation and whatever game happens to be on the television. Beyond the D.A.D.S. group meetings, they get together for a family picnic in the summer, a holiday party with spouses and often provide the manpower for charity events supporting NADS and other similar organizations.

The Chicagoland D.A.D.S. group meets monthly in Downers Grove, but also hosts other events, like a summer picnic, throughout the year.

Huston, who coordinates the Chicagoland D.A.D.S. website, encourages more dads to check out the group. He says there are some dads who don’t make the meetings but still like the virtual fellowship offered through the website. There is no cost to join and it is open to everyone in the Chicago area.

He says they have dads from all over Chicagoland attending.

But if that isn’t convenient for

you, he can put you in touch with another chapter.

The Chicagoland D.A.D.S. group doesn’t have agendas and there is no pressure placed on dads attending. Rather it is all about a safe, enjoyable place where dads can listen, share, brag, learn, grow and find fellowship. Maybe even share a beer or two.

See Page 10

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

too gets to brag about both his sons, 8-year-old Cody with Down syndrome and typically developing 5-yearold Ryan. What he really finds helpful though is sharing the challenges that come with raising a son with Down syndrome and learning from dads who are on the other side of those challenges.

“Sometimes it’s hard to hear what to expect. But, for better or worse, I want to know,” Huston said. “It has helped me ease into some things, made it a little less challenging.”

While there is mentoring that takes place, Connors is careful to explain that he doesn’t go so far as to give advice. “I am cautious about mentoring. Advice should come from professionals. I can only share what I went through with Avery. Every child is different and things, like therapies and special education, change over the years.” He goes on to say, “I try to listen more than anything else. There are a lot of I-knowwhat-you-are-feeling huddles that go on when we get together.”

Peter Vargulich, whose son, Tommy, also 18 years old with Down syndrome, finds himself in a bit of a different place than some of the dads in the group. As a member of this group, Vargulich has been tapped by NADS to reach out to the parents of a young girl who was going through heart surgery. About half of the infants born with Down syndrome have some sort of heart defect. For many, surgery is often necessary at a very young age. Vargulich was asked to connect with the family during a difficult time. “I was able to meet with them. They were struggling.

I was honest about the good and not-so-good parts that come with heart surgery,” recounts Vargulich. “I tried to be constructive and hopefully help by reducing some of their apprehension.”

Connors is quick to point

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“When Avery was younger, I remember coming back from a Special Olympics track and field meet. Avery did great!

She got a medal in her event and was so excited,” recalls Steve Connors, Avery’s father. “I was so proud of her. She threw the tennis ball 8 feet.”

Connors Sherry explains that Manschot it was a huge accomplishment for Avery, now 18 years old, who has Down syndrome. He also explains that there are times when it can be difficult to share that type of excitement and the sense of pride he feels for Avery’s achievements with fathers of typical kids. All dads are proud of their kids. But when talking with dads whose kids are playing club sports, he wonders whether or not they can really relate to Avery’s struggle to achieve an 8-foot throw.

Six years ago, Connors, along with several others dads, started a support group of sorts where dads of children with Down syndrome can gather to listen, share and even brag a little (or a lot) to other dads who “get it.”

This group is modeled after the national D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome) organization.

The Chicagoland D.A.D.S. group is intentionally set up in a relaxed environment where dads can come to find fellowship among one another. The group meets the last Sunday of every month at Emmetts Ale House in Downers Grove. As it says on the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) website, dads can come together to “share what you know and learn what you don’t” … maybe even enjoy a beer at the same time.

For Aaron Huston, this is his time to unplug for a few hours. Like Connors, he

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Down on the farm a place for learning, making memories

By Mary Jekielek Insprucker Daily Herald Correspondent

The popularity of visiting the Farmer in the Dell is growing. Last year, about 48,000 visited Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg.

“People are looking for a prosthetic memory,” said Jonathan Kuester, farm operations coordinator for Volkening Heritage Farm. “They can’t go back to their grandparents’ farms, so they do the next best thing.”

And why not? Spending time with Old MacDonald is a great way for kids to learn vegetables do not grow in a can hard work puts food on the table and while animals provide food, they also answer many other calls.

In bygone days, farming was common. Now-a-days, surrounded by tight subdivisions or tall buildings, the rare entity possesses an allure, a thrill, a mystery. It is a relaxed, sit-on-the-back- porch history lesson to explore.

Here is a small sampling of the many farms open to the public. Check websites for more in-depth information.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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Kline Creek Farm 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago Call: (630) 876-5900 Hours: Vary; check website Cost: Free Web: dupageforest.com “When you come for a visit it’s like stepping back in time to a slower pace and unique experience,” said Kline Creek Farm’s Suzanne Clark.

Kids can pick up a pitchfork to bail hay and learn firsthand how 1890s children helped with mom and dad chores including laundry and rope making. Evenings in the Country events allow for picnics, hikes, wagon rides, music and games at dusk.

Restored farmstead structures include a barn, iceCourtesy of Kline CreeK farm house, smokehouse, On wash day at Kline Creek chicken coop, sumFarm, visitors get to see how mer kitchen and clothes were cleaned in the sheds. The farm1890s. house tours present information on quilting, canning, celebrations and other period topics.

Depending on the season, historically costumed interpreters engage in 1890s activities such as orchard work, curing sausages, or tending to Southdown sheep and Shorthorn and Angus cattle. Percheron work horses plant and harvest crops.

Visitors can conclude their day with a break at the Timber Ridge Visitor Center. The center has information, snacks, honey, soaps, toys, etc.

EVENT: 1915 Country Fair, Sept. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free (except wagon ride). Professor Marvel’s Flea

Courtesy of VolKening Heritage farm

Volkening Heritage Farm gives kids of all ages a chance to learn about and experience life on an 1880s farm.

Circus; Acrobatics, Tent of Wonders, Sling Shot Arcade.

Volkening Heritage Farm 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg Call: (847) 985-2102 Hours: Vary; check website Cost: Free Web: parkfun.com Many know Schaumburg was a German farming community during the 1880s. However, did you know you could bite into a taste of that time at the Volkening Heritage Farm? Farm chores, games and livestock, oh my!

Drop-In Days, 10 a.m.to noon, has the charm of churning butter (July 16) and making ice cream from scratch (Aug. 20). Exploring the 1852 farmhouse with costumed staff sewing, baking and concocting home remedies can be interesting.

Although, it is the “privy” that the kids get a kick out of the most.

Courtesy of VolKening Heritage “People come to farm the farm because Be ready to pitch in when you they long to connect visit Volkening Heritage Farm.

to the past,” said Volkening Heritage Farm’s Jonathan Kuester.

EVENT: Wake Up and Work, July 25, 6:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m., $45/residents, $65/non-residents per family. Day starts with chores of milking cows, feeding animals, collecting eggs and cleaning stables. It ends with period breakfast in farmhouse.

Historic Wagner Farm 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview Call: (847) 657-1506 Hours: Vary; check website Cost: Free Web: glenviewparks.org On long drives through the countryside, kids will often ask, “What’s that big, round, tall thing?” After a visit to the Wagner Farm’s silo, they will know. They can actually step inside the two-story structure and crank the silage machine. They will learn about the corn plants delivered to the top and get to build a silo replica.

This 18.6-acre farm, owned by the Glenview Park District, is the last remnant of land farmed by the Wagner family since their arrival in this area from Trier, Germany, in the 1850s. Visitors can tour the 1920s Wagner home, barn, pig sty and chicken house. In addition to the cows in the pasture, Wagner Farm has chickens, pigs and horses Jeff and Ned. The Heritage Center contains interactive exhibits and a 1930s grocery store. The Museum Store carries tag-a-long nostalgic souvenirs.

Your adventure may include cow-milking demonstrations, storytelling, riding a tractor or grabbing a sweet

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Courtesy of BlaCkBerry farm

Blackberry Farm in Aurora gives visitors plenty of hands-on opportunities to experience farm life as well as a Victorian-era exhibit of stores.

Blackberry Farm 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora Call: (630) 892-1550 Hours: Vary; check website Cost: $4.50-$8 Web: foxvalleyparkdistrict. org

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

“Blackberry Farm depicts pioneer era farming when people had to clear their own land, build their own houses, sew their own clothes and Courtesy of BlaCkBerry farm find their own food,” said Jeff Long, public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District.

The 54 acres at Blackberry Farm contains five museums including the Carriage House, the Early Streets Museum, the Farm Museum and the Huntoon House. In the Carriage House, there are 40 carriages, sleighs and commercial vehicles. The farm collection has a variety of rare implements dating from the mid-1800s to 1910. The Streets Museum houses 11 late Victorian-era exhibit stores including a toy store, photography shop, music shop, pharmacy and general store.

Piglets, sheep, chicken and goats hang out at the Discovery Barn for petting zoo delights. Pioneer Cabin (1840s) handles the candle and soap making, while Weaver’s Cabin (1860s) spinners spin wool and flax.

Unlimited rides, such as train, carousel, wagon and paddleboats, are include in admission price. Kids can pretend to plant crops while riding pedal tractors, or play farm hand on ponies.

EVENTS: All About Chicks, 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 25 for ages 3-6.

Hold baby chicks, visit the hatchery, paint eggs and gather eggs from the nest. Cow Encounters, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 25 for ages 3-6. Visit a cow, make a cow craft, take a turn at churning butter and taste the final homemade product. Cost for each is $15 for residents and $20 for non-residents.

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treat from the old-fashioned soda fountain.

EVENT: Picnic Supper, Barn Dance and Ice Cream Social, Aug. 29, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Cost: To be determined.

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Plan now to see our nation’s treasures

By Andrea Guthmann TravelingMom.com

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“Warning,” cautions the diamond-shaped yellow sign, “Bear crossing.” I can see the excitement in my 6-yearold daughter’s eyes as we continue our hike. We’re in Wyoming, in a state of wonder.

Being scenery-starved Midwesterners, we love answering the call of the wild on our vacations. Want to take a walk on the wild side yourself? Next year marks the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service, a great opportunity to introduce your kids to the natural wonders of the U.S. Here are a few must-see national parks that should be on every family’s bucket list.

courtesy of Austin Adventures

Austin Adventures took care of making sure the family saw it all, including Lower Yellowstone Falls.

courtesy of ymcA of the rockies

YMCA of the Rockies is a good lodging option for families to consider when exploring the Rockies.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Rocky Mountain highs Who doesn’t want their children to experience the Rockies?! Camping is one affordable option, but another budget-friendly approach is the YMCA of the Rockies. When I first suggested it to my then 12- and 14-year-old boys, they thought I was on a Rocky Mountain high. Had I been listening to too much John Denver? Isn’t the Y where we play basketball and take swim classes? I’m not talking about overnighting at your neighborhood Y. I’m talking about the rustic lodge and cabins that generations of families have enjoyed, just outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

I’d first heard about Y of the Rockies from my former colleague, Jay Shefsky, reporter and producer at WTTW Channel 11. He made two summer trips with his wife and daughters and still had fond memories. “There were organized hikes with knowledgeable guides and tons of kid-friendly activities,” he said. “We’d hike in the morning, then my wife and I would collapse and the kids could safely play miniature golf or do arts and crafts with the Y staff.”

Another lodging option is renting a condo at one of the nearby ski resorts. Winter Park is the closest major ski resort to Rocky Mountain National Park. Besides the lower rates on lodging, staying at Winter Park when it’s not actually winter has other perks. “We have special events in Winter Park Ski Village virtually every weekend in the summer,” says Steve Hurlbert, public relations director for Winter Park Resort.

Yellowstone National Park & the Grand Tetons Bison, geysers and bears ... oh my! I’d long wanted to take my children on this ultimate wilderness adventure. Since our three kids range in age from 6 to 16, we needed to come up with a vacation plan that had enough excitement for the teenage boys, while still being manageable for our 6-year-old daughter. We decided on a group tour with Austin Adventures, an adventure travel outfitter specializing in family trips.

All we had to do was get ourselves to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After that, Austin Adventures took care of the meals, set up our lodging and organized our activities, including rafting the White River, planning perfect hikes for families with kids, and scenic bike rides. The guides even got a special tandem bike for my husband and daughter to ride together so she could keep up with the group. Each morning our friendly and knowledgeable guides would have the vans loaded with gear, snacks and water for another day of adventure. This is a family trip where even Mom and Dad will feel like they’re on vacation.

We stayed at the iconic Old Faithful Inn in a room looking out at the famous geyser.

Until visiting, I always thought there was just the one geyser, Old Faithful. Not so. Yellowstone is filled with geysers, some erupting right on schedule, like Old Faithful, and some shooting off a surprise when you least expect it.

They’re a curious geothermal anomaly that excited our teens as much as our 6-year-old. Not an easy task!

Be aware that summer reservations for Old Faithful Inn and Yellowstone campsites book up a year in advance.

Any trip to Yellowstone should be combined with a

courtesy of AndreA GuthmAnn

Bison can be seen grazing at Yellowstone National Park.

courtesy of AndreA GuthmAnn

Hiking Yellowstone National Park was easy with Austin Adventures making sure everything was planned.

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You never know what you might encounter when visiting a national park. courtesy of AndreA GuthmAnn

Grand Canyon National Park Looking to get yourself, and your kids, unplugged from the cellphones and computers that occupy most of our daily lives? Well, sign off from your Facebook feed and get ready for some digital detox as you descend into the ultimate natural wonder, the Grand Canyon.

The best way to see the Grand Canyon is by raft. There are dozens of Grand Canyon outfitters to choose from, but two of the most respected are O.A.R.S. and Western River Expeditions. O.A.R.S. has been offering family rafting trips since 1969.

The minimum age for weeklong Grand Canyon trips is generally 12, but

courtesy of Austin Adventures

Rafting is a great way to see national parks such as the Grand Canyon National Park, and, pictured here, Wyoming’s White River. kids as young as young as 7 can come on shorter trips of three to five days.

Described by many as a life-changing experience, you get to hike Native American ruins, roar through rapids and camp on sandy beaches, all while being surrounded by towering cliffs.

Although our country’s iconic national parks are affordable any time

of year, each year includes many free admission days. Still to come in 2015: Aug. 25 (the National Park Service’s birthday), Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).

• Visit TravelingMom.com to download your free copy of “101 Family Travel Tips.”

One of the most beautiful water parks in

northern Illinois, this is a family destination all summer long. Two 37-foot giant slides in Otter’s Run tower over the pool, with over 600 feet of awesome waterslide excitement. Brave the cliff dives & drop slides in Sea Lion Falls, then relax and float down a 550-foot lazy river in Crocodile Cove. Beluga Beach is designed for tots and non-swimmers, with sprays and sprinklers, a jungle gym, and sand play area.

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few days at Grand Teton National Park.

They’re only 10 miles apart! We stayed at historic Jenny Lake Lodge and spent time relaxing in the grand lobby with its breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Tetons.

Then we explored the area via horseback from Lost Creek Ranch, a dude ranch less than a half-hour from Jackson Hole Airport. Located at the foot of the Grand Tetons, Lost Creek Ranch is surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery.

Combine daily rides with a pool and nightly entertainment and everyone in the family’s happy. Ranch activities included family-friendly dance parties, stargazing with astronomers, visits from local artists, a cowboy cookout and a trip to the Jackson Hole Rodeo.

The Island Café is where you’ll find snacks,

lunch, drinks and delicious ice cream treats.

Mystic Waters is a delightful place to come for an hour, or spend the day. It’s close to home, and the resident rate is just $8/day.

Save all summer with a family pool pass. and group outings of all sizes are just more fun at Mystic. Our party experts are ready to help you to create the perfect event.

Mystic Waters

550-foot lazy river at Crocodile Cove

Giant slides at Ot

ter’s Run

Family Aquatic Center 2025 Miner Street, Des Plaines 847-391-5740 • www.DPParks.org

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

We do parties! Birthdays, family reunions,

education

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Apps for Kids: Road trips

By Chelsey Boutan

A family road trip is a special time for family bonding and adventure. Unfortunately, a road trip can take a wrong turn fast when your kids get bored and start incessantly asking, “Are we there yet?” Keep your kids entertained and happy on the open road with these three iPad apps.

Sago Mini Road Trip Cost: $2.99

Ages: 2 to 5

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Your kids can take an eventful road trip with Jinja the cat. They will enjoy being in charge as they choose a car and destinations to explore on their road trip.

Family Car Games Cost: $1.99 Ages: 4 and up This app has instructions for 100 fun games that don’t require any electronic device while playing.

The app gives easy to follow instructions. Once you’ve read the instructions, put the iPad away. Spend quality time playing these engaging road trip games with your kids.

The Wheels on The Bus Cost: Free Ages: 5 and under Your kids will love dancing and singing along to “Wheels on the Bus” with this app’s graphics and sounds. Nine other interactive and educational games are

Dads look to each other for support From Page 3

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

available for your kids to play including memory match, coloring, playing music and more.

“I wish this group existed 10-15 years ago,” shares Vargulich. “It could have made things much easier.” It’s the fellowship of the other dads that keeps him involved. “I appreciate the understanding of these guys. Sometimes reading and research is no substitute for genuinely connecting with other dads who know what you are going through.”

To learn more about the National Association for Down Syndrome, visit www. nads.org. To connect with the Chicagoland D.A.D.S. chapter, visit www.chicagoland-dads.org.

• Sherry Manschot is the marketing/public relations manager at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. She leads a parent network of special needs families at WDSRA. Manschot can be contacted at sherrym@wdsra.com. More information about WDSRA can be found at wdsra.com.

Farm experiences make lasting memories From Page 5

Primrose Farm 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles Call: (630) 513-4370 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free Web: primrosefarmpark.com This restored 1930s working farm invites you to “come on down.” Eleven structures parade the property including a summer kitchen, barn, dairy stanchions, pump and milk houses and a windmill. Interpreters dressed in 1930s overalls and pattern dresses will give you a tour.

Jersey cows, Berkshire hogs, and Belgian horses offer a glimpse of the “first tools” used on a farm. Folks can meander through the fruit orchard filled with pears, cherries and apples while teaching their children about these healthy

snacks.

If your timing is right, you just might see a worker using antique farm equipment for tilling and threshing. Depending on the season, rhubarb, hops, and herbs may be gathered.

On drop-in Wednesdays and Saturdays ($5-$7.50 per participant), visitors can learn how to milk a cow, feed animals and gather eggs. Parents can take a break on the tire swing!

EvEnT: Primrose Farm Frolic, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 27.

Cost: 2 and under free; children, $4; adults, $8.

“It’s like a big truck show, only the farm version,” said Laura Johns, farm manager.

The event boasts antique and modern farm equipment for kids to climb. There also are wagon and pony rides, face painting, corn cannons and music. Demonstrations will include shelling corn, butter making and woodstove cooking.

Off to college? This book will guide you

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Thirteen long, interesting years.

Imagine: More than 115 months of your life spent with your hiney under a school desk.

That’s a lot, but now you’ve graduated (or will soon be graduating) from high school and (you can barely believe you’re saying this) you can’t wait to get to college. Leaving home won’t be easy, but you’ll be ready once you’ve read “I’ll Miss You Too”

by Margo Ewing Woodacre & Steffany Bane Carey.

And your parents? Ah, that may be a different matter ….

On one hand, you’re very excited about the idea of college: the independence, new friends, new experiences, being an adult. It’s what you’ve been working toward for at least a year, maybe more.

On the other hand, you hate to think of leaving behind your room, your possessions, and everything familiar. College is going to be different, especially if you plan on moving more than a few hours from home.

Will you fit in? What if there’s an emergency? Will your friends still be your friends? You’ll have fears, and you might have tears.

That’s all normal, say the authors. Remember that “all of the freshmen [are] in the same boat.” The first and perhaps most useful thing to do is to attend freshman orientation, which plunges you into campus life and helps diminish self-consciousness. It sounds silly, the authors admit, but it helps.

Try to meet up with your roommate, or at least talk on the phone or online before you have to live together. Remember that nobody’s going to remind you to study when you’re at college. Get to know your professors. Use extra caution when posting on social media while you’re at college; party posts can haunt you for a good long time.

Finally, stay in touch with your parents. They’ll miss you, possibly more than you’ll miss them (and your Mom will

“I’ll Miss You Too” by Margo Ewing Woodacre, MSW & Steffany Bane Carey (2015, Sourcebooks) $14.99, 202 pages. probably cry). Call, Skype, or text them often — not just when there’s an emergency.

Talk to them when you’re in a bad spot, if you think you made a big mistake, or you just need a shoulder and you’re homesick. Remember that you’re an adult now but you’ll always be their kid.

If you’re a parent and you’ve read this far, fear not: “I’ll Miss You Too” has plenty for you as well. Half the book, in fact, is for parents of future college freshmen.

Starting with the fall semester of high school, mother-daughter authors Margo Ewing Woodacre & Steffany Bane Carey walk readers through everything from choosing a college, studying for SATs, and packing for the big move, all the way through secondary education and for a year or two beyond.

They helpfully touch upon issues both happy and thorny, and their words are soothing for parents, teens, RAs and advisers.

Previously published more than a decade ago, this book is fresh and updated and can surely help parents and future freshmen with this transition. If the fat envelope has landed on your doorstep recently, “I’ll Miss You Too” is one book to get.

• Terri Schlichenmeyer, aka The Bookworm, has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book.

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Your guide

to apply for Summer of Creativity Grants by submitting service project ideas that will make a difference in their local communities. More than 100 winners will be awarded individual $500 grants to implement their projects. Select grantees will have a chance to be recognized on Good Morning America or their local ABC affiliate. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 10 by visiting ABC.com/ BeInspired or YSA.org/BeInspired.

to family fun

in the suburbs THEATER

AUDITIONS “ELF” general auditions: The Marriott Theatre will audition young performers for ensemble roles in “ELF” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 20, at Marriott Theatre Rehearsal Warehouse, 1342 Barclay Blvd, Buffalo Grove. They are specifically seeking boys and girls under 4-feet-10-inches tall, able to play 8 to 12 years of age, who can sing and dance. Bring one 32-bar song (about 1 minute in length) in the style of the show and a second piece of your choosing in case the team needs to hear more.

Bring music in your key and an updated headshot and resume. An accompanist will be provided. All ethnicities encouraged to audition. To register or for more information on the show, visit marriotttheatre.com/auditions.

ON STAGE Opera in Focus: Opera in Focus, 300 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows: 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Puppeteers perform over 30 operas in the Kungsholm tradition through elegant puppets. Tickets: $12 adults; $11 seniors 60 and older; $7 for children 12 and younger. Advanced registration required, call (847) 818-3220, ext. 186 or visit operainfocus.com.

purchased at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the Box Office at (847) 577-2121.

GRANTS Summer of Creativity Grants, Youth Service America (YSA) is calling on kids to make this a Summer of Creativity.

YSA helps young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues. ABC Television Group and Disney Friends for Change will award $500 Summer of Creativity Grants to young change-makers who are taking action and caring for the world we share.

Youth ages 5-18 in the U.S. are eligible

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

MUSIC Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. at Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Accomplished jazz chanteuse Karen Marie Richardson effortlessly emits the sweet and sultry swing of legendary jazz great Ella Fitzgerald. Karen’s homage to Ella bursts from the stage in an astounding feat of musical artistry, as she croons signature tunes from Ellington, Gershwin, and more including “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Cry Me a River.” Tickets: $40, stage tables $45. All tickets can be

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“Pinocchio” runs through Aug. 2 at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences in Lincolnshire.

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Disney’s Mary Poppins, Schaumburg on Stage, Barrington High School, Richard C. Johnson Auditorium, 616 W. Main St., Barrington: 7 p.m. Friday, July 31, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Tickets: $15 online; $16 at the door. Purchase tickets: showtix4u.com or (866) 967-8167.

“Pinocchio,” Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire: 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, now through Sunday, Aug. 2.

The show is a one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages and is followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast. This musical tells the story of Pinocchio’s eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy. Single ticket prices are $17.23 per person (includes fees and taxes). Groups of 20 or more receive a discount by calling (847) 634-5909. Free parking is available at all shows. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call (847) 634-0200 for tickets and exact schedule, as show times and dates vary.

“The Winter’s Tale,” First Folio Theatre, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. off Route 83, Oak Brook: 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, now through Sunday, Aug. 9. In the theater’s annual outdoor Shakespeare Under the Stars series, a royal family is ripped apart when King Leontes’ envy brings about the death of his wife, the rejection of his best friend, and the estrangement of his newborn daughter. Broken hearts are mended when the king’s abandoned child falls in love with a Bohemian prince. Filled with wonder, magic, and mystery, “The Winter’s Tale” is a celebration of faith and redemption, of holding on and letting go, and the transcendent power of love. Free parking is available on the grounds. Tickets: $29 Wednesdays and Thursdays ($25 for seniors and students) and $39 on Fridays through Sundays ($35 for seniors and students).

Contact: (630) 986-8067 or at www. firstfolio.org.

“Moon Over Buffalo,” Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. at Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m.

Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, from Thursday, July 16, to Sunday Aug. 16. Get an inside look at life backstage in the 1950s in this madcap comedy. George and Charlotte Hay’s careers as big time stars are fading as the family performs in Buffalo, New York — a far cry from the bright lights of Broadway. But when a big time producer wants to see Charlotte for a movie role, can they get their act together in time to make a good impression? Tickets: $38 and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at (847) 577-2121.

“Beaches,” Drury Lane Theatre,

100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace: Wednesdays through Sundays, now through Sunday, Aug. 16. This preBroadway production of “Beaches” is a new musical based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart and the film of the same name. Performance schedule: 1:30 p.m. ($45) Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. ($45) and 8 p.m. ($55) Thursdays; 8 p.m. ($60) Fridays; 5 p.m. ($60) and 8:30 p.m. ($60), Saturdays; and 2 p.m. ($60) and 6 p.m. ($55) Sundays. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and tickets for senior citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available.

Tickets: Druly Lane Theatre box office at (630) 530-0111, TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000, or www.drurylane.com.

FAIRS Kane County Fair, Kane County Fairgrounds, Randall Road and Route 38, St. Charles: 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 15 and 16; 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18; 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Concerts, bull riding, demolition derby and racing pigs. Animal exhibits and displays by local 4-H groups. Plenty of rides, food, and competitions. Admission: $5-$10. Free for ages 2 and younger. Free for military with ID on July 15. Seniors and ages 2 and older free until 5 p.m. on July 16.

Contact: kanecountyfair.com.

DuPage County Fair, DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, July 22 to 26. Carnival rides, food vendors, a rodeo, demolition derby, livestock exhibits and more.

Returning this year: the Axe Women Loggers of Maine. Admission: $4-$10.

Kids younger than 3 are free. Contact: dupagecountyfair.org.

Lake County Fair, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1050 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, July 29 to 31; 10 a.m.

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to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. A summer evening’s demolition derby, with figure eight races and smashing school buses, an American Motorcycle Association sanctioned Motocross event, rodeo, a midway with carnival rides and games, live music, food, livestock barns and a mall with 4-H exhibits. Racing monkeys on the backs of dogs and racing geese will entertain. Admission: $8-$10. $5 for seniors ages 65 and older and kids 6-10, Children ages 5 and younger are free. Check website for details on free military admission. Contact: (847) 6807200 or lcfair.com.

McHenry County Fair, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Country Club Road 1/4 mile east of Route 47, Woodstock: Buildings generally open at 10 a.m. each day, and events can run until midnight, Wednesday, Aug. 5, to Sunday, Aug. 9. Theme for 2015 is “Homemade — Homegrown.” Magic shows daily, hypnotist show Friday and Saturday, concerts, demolition derby, livestock, rides and a row of food options at “Food Alley.” Barnyard Buddies educational program for children lets them learn about different animals.

Kenney, including a monarch butterfly boasting an eight-foot wingspan and an enormous hummingbird sipping nectar from a colorful trumpet flower. Free with arboretum admission. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Thursday Family Nights, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays in July and August. Be sure to explore the Children’s Garden, Maze Garden, and Tree House Tales.

Enjoy live music, kid-friendly fare, and entertainment after-hours in the Children’s Garden. No registration required.

Free for members, arboretum admission is $5 for nonmembers after 4:30 p.m.

(630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Butterflies and Blooms, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Visitors can immerse themselves in an outdoor butterfly garden with hundreds of live tropical butterfly species from around the world.

A field guide is available to help identify dozens of species in the exhibit. Visitors also can observe butterflies hatching through a window into the pupa emergence room. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

PLANTS & ANIMALS

FUN & GAMES

Nature Connects: Art with Lego bricks by Sean Kenney, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 7 a.m. to sunset daily in July and August. Marvel at 13 larger-than-life displays created from nearly half a million Lego bricks.

Walk the arboretum’s tree-lined grounds on the east side to find nature-themed sculptures crafted by Lego artist Sean

Movie Nights Under the Stars: “The Lego Movie,” Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18 (opens at 6 p.m.). Gather beneath the towering trees of the Arboretum. Follow the adventures of Emmet as he saves the Lego universe in this animated family favorite. Concessions and beverages will also be available during the event.

(630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Destination Asia, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2.

Travel to Asia with culinary delights, authentic musical performances, impressive dancing demonstrations, and more during this second annual cultural festival featuring the dynamic cultures of China, Japan and India, among others.

Hike the trails and explore the Arboretum’s collections of trees and plants native to Asia, including their impressive Ginkgo trees. Free with Arboretum admission.

Wild Wednesday, Visitors Center backyard, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 5. Kids, ages 3-10, can enjoy hands-on nature exploration through games and crafts. Each week has a different theme. No signup necessary, just drop in. Free with paid parking ($5).

History Alive! Series: American Revolution, First Division Museum, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday throughout the summer. Children ages 6-12 are invited to learn about a different military topic each week.

Kids can dress in a soldier’s uniform, interact with interesting artifacts and participate in games and crafts. No signup necessary, just drop in. Free with paid parking ($5).

Model Railroad Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Garden-scale trains traverse bridges and trestles, past miniature scenes of America’s best-loved landmarks and

beautiful gardens planted to scale.

Tickets: $6, $5 for seniors, $4 for kids ages 3-12, free for kids under 3. $1 discount for members. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Theatre-Hikes at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: 1 p.m. weekends in July and August. In July, follow the captivating story of “Iron Mask,” an adaptation by Spencer Davis, and watch as performers attempt to uncover the mystery behind the man whose face and identity is obscured for decades. In August, hikers can play along in a game of “Clue: The Musical,” where they get to select the killer’s weapon and room in which the murder takes place. Low-impact hike suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs will take place on Aug. 2. Each performance lasts about 3½ hours. We recommend participants wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and bring a chair or blanket, water bottle and insect repellent. $10 for adult member, $20 for adult nonmember, $5 for child member, $10 for child nonmember. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

All Ages Youth Basketball Skills Training, St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Road, Palatine: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Northwest Knights, a program under Integrity Youth Sports NFP, offers weekly skills training on Tuesday nights, open to all players ages 8-17 who want to improve their basketball skills. Practices cost $20 for 90 minutes of training from AAU and NCAA certified coaches. Visit www. facebook.com/nwknightsbasketball.

Los Bilinguitos: Waukegan Public

Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan: 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 3:30 p.m. Sundays.

Children, ages 4-7, can listen to bilingual stories, sing songs and create craft projects in the art center. No registration required. For details, call (847) 623-2041 or visit waukeganpl.org.

Family Fun Night: Hastings Lake YMCA, 1995 Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst: 7 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Spend quality time together as a family and meet other families while having fun at the YMCA. These nights are free and open to the entire community. Visit www. hastingslakeymca.org.

Anime Club: Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling: 4 to 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Teens in grades 6-12 can enjoy a new Anime movie or series and Japanese snacks.

For information, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Family Storytime at the Branch, Indian Trails Library District Prospect Heights Branch, 99 Palatine Road, Prospect Heights: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Join the library every Tuesday at the Branch for storytime in English and Spanish. Everyone is welcome.

No registration required. Free, for information, www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Gaming Sundays: Poplar Creek Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood: 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. All ages are invited to bring your friends and games to play or join the Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and other players. Snacks provided, no fees or registration. Call (630) 483-4928.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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