June 2022 by Western New York Family Magazine

VOLUME 39, #4 JUNE 2022

FREE!

BUFFALO’S TRAGEDY Encouraging Tolerance, Compassion & Solidarity

Infant Formula

SHORTAGE

r me Sum DE: INSI Pull Out & Save!

! o G

Award Winning Academy of Theatre Arts 2022/2023 ATA Theatre Season

FALL REGISTRATION is

NOW OPEN! Spots fill up quickly, so sign up today!

For more information visit our website!

www.academyoftheatrearts.com Call 810 -0551 today! 4231 Transit Road Williamsville, New York 14221

Contact 810-0551 or info@academyoftheatrearts.com

2 WNY Family June 2022

June 2022 • Volume 39 • Issue 4

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Michele Miller

Where It’s At! Happy Father’s Day!

GENERAL MANAGER Paul Kline SALES REPRESENTATIVES Jennifer Staebell Paul Kline GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Karen Wawszczyk Melanie Schroeder CONTRIBUTORS Barbara Blackburn • Donna Phillips Richard De Fino • Deborah Williams Kathy Lundquist • Myrna Beth Haskell Mike Daugherty

/WNYFamily

Features: 6n 8n

Bonding Through Downtime: 25 Great Daddy-Daughter Date Destinations by Christina Katz

10 n

5 Ways Kids are Impacted When Dad’s Not Involved by Dad’s Resource Center

12 n

Encouraging Your Child’s Tolerance, Compassion, and Solidarity Towards Others by Jeanine DeHoney

/WNYFamily

Visit Our Web Site www.wnyfamilymagazine.com To Reach Us: Advertising Department advertising@wnyfamilymagazine.com Calendar Submissions calendar@wnyfamilymagazine.com Subscriptions subscriptions@wnyfamilymagazine.com Editorial Submissions michele@wnyfamilymagazine.com MAILING ADDRESS: 3147 Delaware Ave., Suite B Buffalo, NY 14217 Phone: (716) 836-3486 • Fax: (716) 836-3680 PRINTED BY: Commercial Printing Division The Post-Journal, Jamestown WE ARE AN AUDITED PUBLICATION CIRCULATION (copies printed): 20,000 © 2022 Western New York Family, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without permission is strictly prohibited. Inclusion of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement by the publisher. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS: MAILED FIRST CLASS, IN AN ENVELOPE SAME DAY ISSUE IS DELIVERED FROM THE PRINTER: $28 one year, $52 two years, $75 three years. Phone & online orders accepted with credit cards. Gift subscriptions available. Single copies & back issues by mail, $2.50. IF YOU MOVE: Missed issues will not be replaced if we do not receive an address change before issue mailing date.

Today’s Dads are Engaging Their Kids More

19 n SUMMER GO! GUIDE A Special Pull-Out Section • Close-to-Home Places to Enjoy Summer Fun! • Amusement Parks: Longtime Family Favorites! • 12 of the Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit on Your New York State Vacation 57 n

10 Ways to Enjoy Summer With Your Teen by Rebecca Hastings

60 n

The Family Pet

Directories:

50 n Summer Camps 58 n Wellness Choices

Regulars: 5 n Web Finds / What’s New In The Kid Biz 14 n Raising Digital Kids 21st Century Piggy Bank by Mike Daugherty 16 n Journey Into Fatherhood First Night Away From Home by Richard De Fino 17 n Parent Previews by Kirsten Hawkes 18 n Pick of the Literature by Dr. Donna Phillips 47 n Dear Teacher by Peggy Gisler & Marge Eberts 48 n Special Needs Success Story: Music Therapy Helps Children Gain a Sense of Accomplishment by Nicole Forgione 54 n Tweens and Teens 7 Mistakes Parents Make with Teens by Kathryn Streeter 56 n Single Parenting One (Healhty) Parent Can Make A Difference by Diane Dierks, LMFT 62 n The Kid Friendly Kitchen Hero Sandwiches & Strawberry Shortcake by Kathy Lundquist 63 n The Kiddie Gourmet The Royal Family Restaurant by Barbara Blackburn

You’ll find FREE courtesy copies of WNY Family at all Buffalo area Wegmans and 300 locations including Public Libraries, Doctors’ Offices, Child Care Centers and many of our advertisers. (Look for us INSIDE Wegmans on the racks where newspapers are sold, even though we are still FREE, or in some stores, on the FREE rack in the store foyer.)

Find this entire issue online at www.wnyfamilymagazine.com June 2022 WNY Family 3

LlamaAdventures.us * Llamas at your event * Llama hikes * Farm visits * Educational programs Booking Summer & Fall adventures now: LlamaAdventures.us

Buffalo Creek $10.00 per class - $100.00 Unlimited

Llamas

360 Park Rd., Arcade, NY 14009

The Original Fun Family Movie Experience... Call or visit our website for times and films scheduled on our 5 giant outdoor screens.

625-8535

WWW.TRANSITDRIVEIN.COM

Summer Acro Camp with Miss Debbie Molloy

July 6, 13, 20, 27 ★ August 3, 10, 17, 24 ★ BEGINNER 5:30pm INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED 6:30pm $10.00 per class - $100.00 Unlimited

CALL TO REGISTER

CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO

Celebrating our 41st Season

~ Certified member of Dance Educators of America ~

4837 Union Rd., Cheektowaga (Near Cleveland Dr.)

★ 634-3395 ★

www.csds.dance

22ND ANNUAL!

healthy CHIL CHILD D, healthy FA MILY

A Special Pull-Out Section

Health & Wellness Matters to WNY Family Magazine Readers! Join us in educating local parents about how they can improve their family’s health. s For Keid ag s 4-12

Space Reservation Deadline:

Friday, June 10, 2022

Before and After School Programs

CALL TODAY 639-8500

Today’s families and staff choose Just for Kids! JOIN OUR TEAM of

amazing educators! Staff & Managment positions available Resumes to: HR@justforkidsonline.org

Best Places To Work Finalist Buffalo Business First, 2019

4 WNY Family June 2022

DISTRICT LOCATIONS:

Amherst, Cheektowaga: Central & Sloan, Grand Island, Sweethome, Williamsville

SELECT SCHOOLS:

Contact Your Sales Representative or Call (716) 836-3486 x104

Healthy

WNY Family Magazin

Healthy Child, Family e • July 2021

20th Annual

Appearing in our July 2022 Issue

Ss. Peter & Paul: Willamsville & Hamburg; St. Mary Swormville

www.justforkidsonline.org

Healthy Children begin

with Hea lthy Par

ents!

July 2021 WNY Family 17

web.finds Father’s Day is coming and that means it’s time to show your appreciation with a gift. He probably has enough ties and coffee mugs. How about buying something that will please dad but, at the same time, also benefits a good cause? All of the products here do just that!

ELI & ELM PILLOWS

These pillows conform to your head and neck allowing for proper support. They feature cooling properties, optimal airflow, and are anti-microbial. Designed to support those who sleep on their side, back, or front. Eli & Elm donates thousands of pillows to Habitat for Humanity every year. ($95.99, eliandelm.com)

WINE NOOK

This decorative wooden cabinet comes in several colors. It includes a 3-liter fillable bag, chalkboard area for labeling, and chalk. Fill with his favorite boxed wine, sangria, cold brew, lemonade, and more. For every Wine Nook purchased, a tree is planted through the National Forest Foundation. ($79, winenook.com)

FUEGO BOX ECO CRATE

For dads who like it hot, this box includes four different hot sauces and one limited edition spice. For every crate sold, they pledge to plant FIVE trees in your honor, more than enough to offset the emissions from shipping your spicy crate! ($59.99, fuegobox.com)

CHUNK NIBBLES

This salty and sweet gourmet snack mix comes in four flavors — S’Mores, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberry, and Original. A portion of every Chunk Nibbles sold is donated directly to Blue Star Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that rescues and trains shelter dogs to be service dogs, and pairs them with military veterans. ($5.99, chunknibbles.com)

What’s New... IN THE KIDBIZ RESEARCHERS FIND BIOMARKER FOR SIDS: SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) accounts for about 37% of sudden unexpected infant deaths a year in the U.S., and the cause of SIDS has remained largely unknown. On May 6, 2022, researchers from The Children’s Hospital Westmead in Sydney, Australia released a study that confirmed a theory held by the Mayo Clinic and many in the medical community, which suspected this phenomenon could be caused by a defect in the part of the brain that controls arousal from sleep and breathing. The theory was that if the infant stopped breathing during sleep, the defect would keep the child from startling or waking up. (https://mayocl.in/39OK7tO) The Sydney researchers were able to confirm this theory by analyzing dried blood samples taken from newborns that died of SIDS and other unknown causes. Each SIDS sample was then compared to blood taken from healthy babies. They found the activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was significantly lower in babies who died of SIDS compared to living infants and other non-SIDS infant deaths. BChE plays a major role in the brain’s arousal pathway, explaining why SIDS typically occurs during sleep. The researchers wrote, “This finding represents the possibility for the identification of infants at risk for SIDS prior to death and opens new avenues for future research into specific interventions.” Now that this biomarker has been further confirmed, researchers can turn their attention to a solution, working on a screening test to identify babies who are at risk for SIDS and hopefully prevent it altogether. Find the complete study at https:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352396422002225 June 2022 WNY Family 5

riage and Family and used data on 2,194 fathers from a national study on fathers of children ages 2 through 18. The researchers assessed fathers’ perceptions of negative masculine behaviors by evaluating responses to a variety of statements, such as “It is essential for the child’s well-being that fathers spend time interacting and playing with their children” and “It is difficult for men to express warm and tender affectionate feelings toward children.” The results from the responses showed, on average:

Today’s Dads Are Engaging Their Kids More

ociologists at Brigham Young University and Ball State have found that a majority of fathers today are relatively involved in their children’s lives. Whether it’s physically being there for a baseball game or piano recital, or emotionally being there to provide warmth or support in a tough time, there appears to be a shift in how fathers are viewing their roles. “We found that today’s dads spend more time, provide more care, and are more loving toward their kids than ever before,” said Kevin Shafer, BYU sociology professor and a co-author of the study. “Most dads see themselves as playing an equally important role in helping their children as mothers do. At the same time, however, there is a group of dads who believe they are to be breadwinners, disciplinarians, and nothing more.” The study also showed a correlation between fathers who exhibit negative aspects of traditional masculinity and fathers who are less involved with their children. “It’s important to understand what 6 WNY Family June 2022

masculinity is and is not,” Shafer said. “In some circles, when people hear terms like hegemonic or toxic masculinity, they think those are attacking all men. Not so. There are some very beneficial aspects of masculinity — being goal-oriented or being loyal, for example. However, we are talking about more problematic aspects of masculinity — like aggression, detached relationships, not showing emotion, and failing to ask for help. These are negative aspects of traditional masculinity, and our research suggests it hurts families.” Shafer believes this new research has provided a better, broader examination of masculinity and fatherhood than in previous studies. The study was published in the Journal of Mar-



Fathers of younger children engaged with them several times a week



Fathers of older children engaged with their child between once and several times a week and knew a lot about their child’s activities



Fathers of younger and older children only sometimes engaged in harsh discipline



Fathers of younger children stated that warm behaviors toward their child are “very much like me”



Fathers of older children acted warm toward their child between often and always



Finally, fathers of older children also generally agreed that their child turns to them for emotional support

Previous research indicates that many fathers struggle with the balance of adhering to masculine norms while still being more emotionally available and nurturing toward their children. This has been more of a trend as of late, but not something drastically new. Sociologists have noted that over the past several decades, fatherhood ideals have continued to change due to shifting paternal expectations and behaviors.

“Fathers continue to navigate changing social expectations,” said Lee Essig, another co-author of the study and BYU graduate student. “As current social trends are pushing for men’s increased familial involvement, we see more fathers stepping up to engage more actively in their children’s lives in various ways. As we teach boys and men to be more emotionally aware and cultivate emotional well-being, these men and boys will be able to become better fathers for their children, as they will be able to provide for them not only through financial contributions, but by being emotionally and mentally present for their children and their wellbeing.” Based on the study, the researchers provide the following reminders to fathers: 



It’s okay to show and feel your feelings. Doing so will help you be a better, more involved, and engaged father. Be an example. Children learn by example and demonstrating beliefs and attitudes that are supportive not

only benefit the father-child relationship, but they also teach children positive behaviors. 

There are many ways to be a man — being a “tough guy” is associated with poor parenting, which can negatively affect children.



Fathers should not be afraid of be-

ing nurturing, caring and hands-on. Children and families all benefit when they do. Source: https://news.byu.edu/news/studytodays-dads-are-engaging-more-their-kids. Ball State sociology professor Richard Petts was the third co-author of the study.

Coming up in August & September Does your business encourage kids and adults to Get Fit & Stay Active?

DANCE • GYMNASTICS FITNESS • MARTIAL ARTS WELLNESS & NUTRITION

Call your ad rep directly or call

836-3486 x 104 Promote your business to over 55,000 readers Increase your fall enrollment!

in print and online for as little as the price of a month’s tuition for a single student.

June 2022 WNY Family 7

— by Christina Katz

if dad runs, make it a run/ride combo. 13) Out to ball games. Baseball, basketball, football — she’ll love a game at the stadium. 14) Ride sleds or slides. Maybe you have a nearby mountain with sledding in the cold months and alpine sliding in the warm months. 15) Hit concerts. Pack a picnic for the outdoors or earplugs for the rockand-roll. 16) All-you-can-eat buffets. Go hungry and then pace yourselves once you get there.

Bonding Through Downtime:

25 Great Daddy-Daughter Date Destinations

ust as moms and daughters can bond by spending special time together, dads and daughters need quality time, too. I have learned that making memories with her dad is just as important for my daughter as making memories with me or with the entire family. So, the next time your husband and daughter are due for some quality time together, pull up this list of delightful destinations, choose one or two, and shoo them out the door. They’ll come home worn-out, happy, and more bonded, and these are gifts that will last them both a lifetime. 1) Breakfasts out. Test-drive joints until they discover their faves. 2) Trips to the city. Take the bus, the train, or the subway. Then walk everywhere else. 3) Visits to the zoo. Don’t forget coins for animal snacks and money for people snacks. 4) Bowling dates. Who can win the best of five? 5) Amusement park romps. Spin around first; eat cotton candy after. 6) Tourist traps. Is there a famous something-or-other shop nearby that they’ll love? Succumb to the hype. 8 WNY Family June 2022

7) High-wire acts. Zip lines, airtrams, and skyscrapers — anything with a view just for the thrill of it. 8) Arcade outings. Zingbang-pop! Make those tokens last, so you can play for hours and combine your prize tickets. 9) Miniature golfing. Try a new course within a thirty-mile radius every time you go. 10) Historical landmarks. Take indoor or outdoor tours. Try to learn little-known facts. 11) Day hikes. Wear two pairs of socks and sturdy shoes. Bring Bandaids, trail mix, and water. 12) Bike rides. They can both ride. Or

17) Waterslides or waterparks. Bathing suit up and scream all the way down. 18) Horse or racecar tracks. Decide how much you will each bet and stick to it. 19) Short road trips. Pick nearby towns you’ve never been to, jump in the car, and go. 20) Go fishin’. Dad can bait the hook with worms if she doesn’t want to, but she just might surprise you. 21) Geocaching. Download the official Geocaching app at http://www. geocaching.com and off to hunt you go. 22) Grab a matinée. Ticket prices are cheaper so splurge for popcorn, candy, and a drink. 23) Roller or ice skating. Check out open skate times and party themes like neon or disco skates.

24) Attend local festivals. Arts, collectibles, rocks, literary — whatever she’s into! 25) Go out for ice cream cones. Take walks along a local scenic path or visit a town park.

Shhh! Don’t Tell Them You Didn’t Want To Go I’ve got a little secret when it comes to daddy daughter dates: I often encourage my husband to take our daughter to places I would rather not go. You know what I mean — those noisy, crowded, high-up-in-the-air places you may not always be all that crazy about either. The fact is, great daddy daughter date destinations are often raucous, dusty, or sweaty places moms might rather avoid. As for when they choose places I enjoy visiting, that’s okay. I can take a pass. I’m perfectly happy staying behind so my husband and daughter can have some adventures together that are just about the two of them.

Souvenirs Dads & Daughters Cherish: ♥

Bumper stickers of their favorite destinations

♥

Matching T-shirts or baseball caps

♥

Anything they can win together

♥

Postcards, stickers or magnets

♥

Photos of them posing together

♥

A concert or game program

♥

A pocketful of pretty rocks

♥

A five-dollar memento of her choice

Author, journalist and writing coach Christina Katz tries not to dance a jig after her husband and daughter leave for some together time, but she usually just can’t stop herself.

Are You Following Us On Social Media? If not, you’re missing out on great content that’s timely and very relevant to YOU as a WNY parent!

P LU S … our Facebook and Twitter feeds

offer DIFFERENT info than our print publication or even our online event calendar.

www.facebook.com/wnyfamily Be sure you’ve got access to all the latest family fun events, parent tips, and news relevant to moms and dads by liking and following us today!

www.twitter.com/wnyfamily

June 2022 WNY Family 9

5 Ways Kids are Impacted When Dad’s Not Involved

Having less socialemotional development.

Research published in the Annual Review of Sociology finds that there is strong evidence that father absence negatively impacts a child’s social-emotional development.

Having less of a relationship with extended family.

Divorce tends to lead to children having less of a relationship with the extended family of the noncustodial parent (i.e., grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins). The child also loses many family traditions and celebrations.

Dads’ Resource Center takes a look at how children suffer when Dad’s not in the picture

ccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 22 million children have a parent who does not live in the household. That equals 26.5% of all children. Most often, it’s the father who is absent from the home, and may even be absent from the child’s life. People underestimate the impact that not having Dad around has on the well-being of children, and ultimately on society as a whole. “More than any other project or cause that society needs to work on, we must work with passion and urgency to eliminate the systemic barriers to singlefather involvement in the lives of our children,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder of Dads’ Resource Center. “We must make the time to educate our neighbors about the overwhelming evidence — backed up by thousands of years of anecdotal evidence and numerous studies over recent decades that shows children develop much better when both of their parents are actively involved in their lives.” Dr. Myers is on a mission to help shed light on the fact that there is a serious problem when it comes to child custody. The default of most courts is to simply give primary custody of the child to the mother, leaving the father pushed 10 WNY Family June 2022

to the side and receiving very little time with his children. They often go from being a large part of the child’s life to seeing them on a limited basis as the court allows. Children who do not get much involvement with their father are impacted in numerous ways, including in these five:

Being less physically healthy.

Fewer children who are raised in nuclear families are considered to be in poor health. Research published in The Linacre Quarterly showed that 12% of children raised in a nuclear family were considered in poor health, compared to 22% of children of a single parent.

Experiencing more financial instability.

According to research published in the journal The Linacre Quarterly, custodial mothers lose up to 50% of their household income and are more likely to receive public assistance. The median income of divorced mothers is only 47% of married-couple households. Children living with just their mother are more likely to be in poverty.

Learning how to be a father.

Children who grow up with an absent father tend to repeat the pattern, according to research published in the journal Parenting Science and Practice. The quality of the relationship and involvement a child has with their father tends to be passed down across generations. “Mothers and fathers give different but equally important things to their children,” added Jeff Steiner, executive director of the Dads’ Resource Center. “Children need both their parents to be fully engaged as they are growing up to have the best chance of being successful in life. But, far too often the system unnecessarily prevents fathers from being able to do so.” Dads’ Resource Center issued a report on the impact of dads not being involved in their children’s lives. The re-

port, titled DRC NLSY97 Analysis Executive Summary, warned that children who do not grow up with their father in their household: 

Are less likely to graduate from high school or graduate from college.



Are less likely to vote, donate to a charity or volunteer their time.



Are more likely to have been convicted of a crime, use hard drugs, and smoke.



Are more likely to have intercourse before the age of 17 and to need mental health treatment.



Make less money per year as an adult and much more likely to use government welfare programs.

Dads’ Resource Center was started by Dr. Myers, a father of eight and the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. The mission is to help combat the issues associated with children growing up without their fathers in the home. At its heart, the center is a child advocacy organization that aims to ensure that each child has the appropriate involvement and contributions from both parents. Dads’ Resource Center has been established to benefit children of separated or divorced parents by advocating the importance of fathers having adequate opportunities to fulfill their role of fatherhood. The group helps get information regarding the issues out to the public and works with fathers to help make improvements. To get more information, visit the site at https://dadsrc.org.

Higher education has become a major investment, whether prospective students are freshfaced undergrads or mature adults seeking career change or advancement.

WNY FAMILY READERS DEFINITELY PLACE A HIGH PRIORITY ON EDUCATION. REACH THEM IN OUR SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE SPECIAL SECTION “SHAPE THE FUTURE.” 59% plan to invest in education/classes for their children or themselves in the coming year.* 33% have children between the ages of 1318, preparing to make decisions about their college choice and careers.* *Source: CVC Audit, June 2019 Space Reservation Deadline:

Thursday, August 10, 2022

CALL 716-836-3486 EXT. 104. June 2022 WNY Family 11

— by Jeanine DeHoney

Encouraging Your Child’s Tolerance, Compassion, and Solidarity Towards Others Just before the layout of this issue was finished, and only two days after the horrible mass shooting took place in our city, this article arrived. Its message is not only heartfelt, but wise.

By way of introducing herself, Jeanine DeHoney wrote, “As an African American, my heart has been heavy because of the tragic recent event that happened in Buffalo this past weekend to a mainly African American community. Like the nation, I am grieving, but I also think this is another time, a time we keep having to revisit unfortunately, to take action, and for me it begins with our children. It begins with doubling down and teaching as fervently as we teach them so many other, much needed, daily lessons. Lessons about tolerance, compassion and solidarity towards others. As parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers, even neighbors, we can find ways to plant seeds in our children’s hearts so that as they get their wings and leave our nests, their hearts will only bloom with love.” 12 WNY Family June 2022

t’s difficult for children of all ages to watch the recent tragedies in the world, what’s been happening to people of color and disenfranchised communities, and to know that many of their peers of different races and cultures suffer due to the racism, prejudices, and hate of others. As parents or grandparents or caretakers, words can sometimes fail us when it comes to expressing how we feel as it can be for children, tweens and teens. This though is an opportune time to have a more heartfelt dialogue as a family; to turn off the television, put away the phones, and gather around the table to look into each other’s eyes and really listen. This is the time to revisit conversations you may have had previously during the last few years when similar tragic times or times of unrest filled the headlines. This is a time to talk with your children about social issues such as racism, injustice, poverty, gun violence, even the banning of books, etc., and to talk about the importance of showing tolerance, compassion and solidarity towards others. For it’s not just adults, but also children, who can be an extension of accord, change, and healing. Here are 10 ways to encourage your child’s tolerance, compassion and solidarity towards others:

1) Buy books for your child that celebrate diversity, different genders and identities, and the history, culture, or faith of others. Exposing your child to a myriad of age appropriate books that

acquaint him or her with people, places, and things that are dissimilar from what is reflected in his or her environment teaches tolerance. You can also find other parents with whom you can start a book club for your child, either virtually or in person.

2) Share lessons

during commonplace conversations with your child about humanitarians who championed social injustice and fought for civil and human rights, women’s rights, and the poor and needy — famous humanitarians such as Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Amanda Gorman, youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Teach them about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who defied threats of the Taliban to campaign for the right to education and became a global advocate for human rights, women’s rights and the right to education; Daniel Dae Kim, South Korean-American actor and producer, who’s been an active voice in “Stop Asian Hate” campaigns; Ellen Ochoa, who made her mark by becoming the first Hispanic American woman to go to space with a nine-day mission in 1993, and so many more. Your child doesn’t have to wait until a designated day, holiday, or month in history, to learn about awe-inspiring humanitarians.

3) Encourage your child to become a positive advocate for change in big or small ways

but always be the example, someone he

or she can mirror and have a blueprint to follow even in his or her own unique way. Pick an evening to brainstorm with your child and maybe even some of your child’s friends with a parent’s permission, on ways to share an empowering message about solidarity and spread awareness to their peers. One example is signing or starting a petition to bring notice to an issue and bring about change.

4) Encourage your child to use his or her creativity

6) Think of ways you and your child can fund raise for a charity, food bank, shelter or afterschool center in an impoverished community or donate to a crowd funding campaign.

Some ideas might be designing and selling T-shirts, giving away toys or clothes, having a bake sale, or a garage sale.

ity of other races in your home. Art is a dialog starter. A painting or sculpture or even a neighborhood mural you walk past each day, can cause your child to ask questions and talk about what the artist is trying to convey and cause a healthy dialog about cultures.

9) Attend cultural events with your child. Explore museums with your child to learn about the history and achievements of other ethnicities. A great place to start is the Smithsonian, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and The Museum of Native American History (MONAH) — which you can also do virtually.

to show unity towards other races and cultures. Children are so creative. Your child can create a painting, write a poem, a song, or an essay that can be posted on social media to inspire others or put in a school newsletter or even displayed in a venue like your neighborhood library or community center, etc.

10) Find as many opportunities to

5) Find safe and diverse youth organizations your

remind your child not only how valued he or she is but that everyone, no matter their ethnicity, religion, culture, socioeconomic background, or gender, is valuable, and has a purpose. When your child can freely celebrate the differences and strengths of others, it can have a ripple effect and be a guiding light towards walking hand in hand in tolerance, compassion, solidarity, and most of all love.

child may be interested in joining online or in person — organizations that focus on leadership, peaceable unifying strategies, and advocacy for those who are marginalized, and organizations through which they can form connections with people whom they might not ordinarily encounter. Youth organizations have always been in the forefront of civic and social acts and change through organizing, protesting, and marches, during the Civil Rights Movement to the Parkland Shootings. And remember that younger children can also benefit from playing and connecting with a diverse group of other children especially outside of school.

8) Display multicultural artwork that shows the multiplic-

7) Continuously support minority-owned businesses

when you shop with, or for, you and your child or family and friends. Make your child aware that when small businesses are thriving from your financial support and patronage, it helps our communities thrive as a whole.

Jeanine DeHoney is an award-winning writer and former arts enrichment teacher and Family Services Coordinator at an early childhood center. Her work has been published in Essence, Emerge, GRAND, Your Teen For Parents Magazine, My Brown Baby, Mothering.com, Skipping Stones Multicultural Magazine, The Children’s Ark, Literary Mama, ScaryMommy.co, Parent Co., Brain Child Magazine, and many more. June 2022 WNY Family 13

RAISING DIGITAL KIDS — by Mike Daugherty

21st Century Piggy Bank

eaching your kids to manage money is an invaluable life lesson. As a child, my parents would physically hand me money for completing chores around the house as part of a weekly allowance. The few dollars I had could only be used when we occasionally drove to a brick and mortar store; an activity often saved for the weekend. I was limited to their supply of toys and their pricing scheme. The limited options and pricing meant that I had to think through exactly what I wanted in the days leading up to the trips. In my opinion, these old-time inconveniences helped teach my generation the value of money.

14 WNY Family June 2022

ing, spending, saving, and even investing. It blends the old school mentality with the digital age to create a fantastic learning environment. Let’s take a look at how BusyKid can help in each of those four categories

Earning

Growing up in the digital world adds some additional layers that complicate this once simple system. For starters, children can browse online at thousands of retailers with millions of items to purchase. They can purchase anything from anywhere, and it will arrive in under 48 hours. This global economy of instant gratification does teach children to do things like compare prices; however, it lacks the valuable lessons we learned as youths. The BusyKid app takes a modern approach to teach children financial literacy. This feature packed application includes everything parents need to teach their children about earn-

BusyKid was designed with families in mind. The app allows parents to create an allowance based on the age of their children. Allowances can be tied to chores, or chores can be independent opportunities to earn additional money. Tasks, such as doing the dishes, are assigned a monetary value. Parents can choose to give them to specific children or leave them available for anyone to complete. Once a chore is completed, the child clicks “I did it.” Parents are notified of the completion and must confirm that the child satisfactorily completed the job before the app will pay the money. Rewards allow parents the opportunity to give kids a bonus for good behavior, to recognize an accomplishment, or just going above and beyond. Rewards are also a great way to account for money that kids get for a birthday, holiday, etc. Collect the physical cash and add the same amount to their account digitally. Earned money is not transferred to the child’s account right away. Children have a set payday, similar to most adults. The app’s creator wanted children to get accustomed to the idea of a direct deposit. They work all week and get paid at the end of the week instead of instant gratification. Parents can adjust the payday to the day of the week that works best for their family in the app’s settings.

Spending One unique feature of BusyKid is the debit card that is issued to each child. It works in the same way other traditional debit cards do. They can swipe it at the store or enter their information online, and the money is taken directly from their account. There are safeguards and alerts to ensure that they do not spend more than they have been allotted. The app keeps a detailed history of every purchase, easily accessed inside the parent app. Using a debit card tied directly to their available balance to make purchases mimics adults’ spending habits. You can choose to make the purchases on your own and subtract the money from their account manually for those not ready to go the debit card route. Children can donate money to charity as well. At the moment, children must choose between the charities that have partnered with BusyKid, such as Toys for Tots and the Special Olympics. According to the website, there are plans to allow kids to create a charity, such as a local church or youth organization. The app also includes BusyPay which works similar to Venmo. Children are provided with a QR code they can use to request money or pay their debts.

more about BusyKid at www.busykid.com. If you are interested in more affordable options, check out RoosterMoney. Apps like Star Banks Adventure and Adventure Capitalist teach kids about complex financial principles through gaming without using real money. Any of these apps are great ways to educate your child on money management! Mike Daugherty is a husband, father of three young children, author, speaker, Google Innovator, and possible Starbucks addict. He is a certified educational technology leader who has served in a variety of roles through his twenty-year career in public education. Currently, Mike is the Director of Technology for the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School district in Northeast Ohio. As an IT director he has developed creative, well thought out solutions that positively impact teaching and learning.

Saving Learning to save is another essential aspect of financial literacy. Putting money aside for a large purchase, rainy day, or an unplanned activity can be a difficult lesson. Children can choose to set any amount aside on their own. BusyKid allows parents the option to specify a percentage of earned money that will be automatically moved into a savings account. Many financial planners recommend an automated approach to adults when saving money, so again, we see a parallel between the BusyKid app and the adult world. Children can see how much they have saved but cannot move money out of their savings without parent approval.

Investing Purchasing stocks through an app is not a new concept. Entrepreneurs built apps like Robinhood for that exact purpose. BusyKid believes that a basic understanding of the stock market is critical for today’s youth. It does take some additional steps to get this portion of the app set up. Once the setup is complete, children can buy a stock for no additional fee inside of the app. There is a minimum $10 purchase, though. Selling the stock needs to be done through a third-party app, which does charge a small fee. I consider this portion of the app more of a teaching tool than a genuine investment opportunity. Kids can transition their stocks to another platform once they have a strong understanding of investing. BusyKid is an amazing application for teaching children about managing their finances. The app’s design makes it simple for parents, even those folks who are not tech-savvy. Kids love earning money, checking their balance, and exploring the option BusyKid provides them. Quality products are rarely free, and this is no exception. Plans start at $38.99 per year, which includes the app and a debit card for up to five children. Parents can learn June 2022 WNY Family 15

trying to avoid a painting catastrophe. She would spend the night at her Aunt Jen’s. A short 30-minute drive away.

First Night Away From Home

’m happy to report that a few months ago, Andrea and I were able to scratch off another milestone, albeit this was not a milestone of our daughter’s and certainly not a traditional accomplishment in the sense. But nevertheless, I am proud of my Andrea and myself, as this was big for us. At nineteen months and some odd days, Violet spent her first night away from home and away from her parents. If you’re wondering why this is such a big deal and why it took us nineteen months to temporarily release Violet into someone’s care, I can tell you, it is not because we were selfish, or overbearing, but it’s for a more personal reason. It all stems back to Louis and our fears of “the worst possible outcome.” We’ve been struggling with the idea of having Violet sleep over somewhere, simply because when we can’t see her, we feel like we are no longer in control of her fate. But every day we’re getting better by doing our best to worry less and not stress out as much. When we finally came to an agreement that it was time for us to take this leap of faith, we didn’t make the decision after someone had mentioned, again, that Violet could sleep over. Or 16 WNY Family June 2022

because we just needed some alone time. We did it when we realized how difficult it was to paint a house with a toddler running around. Not to mention, our two cats and thirteenyear-old, 90-pound dog who is only getting clumsier by the day. When we bought our threebedroom ranch, it didn’t seem like a major undertaking at the time knowing every single room in the house needed to be painted, and I do mean every single room, but it has since proven to be a monumental task. Andrea was first to break out the paint cans and brushes. Using time off work and weekends while Violet slept, she made the best of what little free time she had to get as much painting done as possible. Me on the other hand, I despise painting, so I waited a little longer to participate. But once I did, I quickly realized why Andrea was so overwhelmed. With Violet being as rambunctious as she is these days, she can only be entertained for so long until she’s bouncing off the walls. At times, all the toys in the world and walks around the neighborhood cannot seem to tame the tiniest of humans. So, we decided we needed her out of the house and what better time to help ourselves get over our fears than

We had our predictions of how it would go, for the both of us and for Violet. First, we wondered if we would start crying as we said goodbye and drove away. Then we thought she might be uncomfortable without her mom and dad around. And finally, we worried she might be up all night, unable to sleep because she wasn’t in her crib. Well, I can honestly say we were wrong about everything. We didn’t cry, she wasn’t uncomfortable, and she slept all night. If anything, she had a great time. It turns out we worry too much. I ended up dropping her off after we ate dinner. We figured this way we could tire her out as much as possible. We brushed her teeth, threw her in her jammies and loaded her up in the car with her favorite books and toys. And of course, her beloved dolly, Sophie. Once we got there, I shuffled Violet through the front door along with the giant sack of goods I brought over (possibly over packed) and started to give my sister-inlaw the basic run down of instructions, which she happily took note of, even though she is a professional mother of two children herself. I only stayed for a few minutes, not wanting to make a production out of it and potentially upset Violet. As I went to say goodbye and make my exit, she was sitting on the floor with her Uncle Duane. Her two cousins were there, too. I knew she was in good hands. It was never a question. When I walked out the door, she wasn’t fazed at all. Neither was I. My drive home was quiet, but a good quiet. This was a great first step. Richard De Fino, a freelance writer by night, first became a father at age 34. After losing his first-born son Louis, at birth, he was determined to keep his memory alive the best way he knew how; through words. Now, with the birth of his daughter Violet, he plans on continuing to share his fatherhood journey each month with WNY Family readers.

Family Movie Options: In Theaters and Streaming Online The Bad Guys

Theaters

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

A-

The Bad Guys are a notorious gang with a knack for pulling off successful heists – until their luck turns. To stay out of prison, they have agreed to take “goodness lessons” and turn over a new leaf. This movie does the impossible: it tells a fun heist story at a kid-friendly level. Even adults will find themselves involved in the character arcs, laughing at the jokes, and appreciating the story’s themes about biases, stereotypes, and the intrinsic value of doing good. Photo ©Universal Pictures

Sneakerella

Disney+

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

TV-G

B+

El has a passion for sneaker design and the beautiful girl he just met is looking for a shoe designer with street cred. They should be able to solve each other’s problems but there are some cruel stepbrothers and a few lies in the way before the young couple find their happily ever after. This gender flipped remake of Cinderella comes with an exuberant soundtrack, mostly clean content, and strong messages about honesty and hard work. Photo ©Disney+

Marmaduke

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

TV-Y7

B+

The Winslows are astonished when a champion dog trainer tells them that their rambunctious Great Dane, Marmaduke, has potential. In fact, the trainer is so confident, he enters Marmaduke in a dog show. The first 40 minutes of this film drift along on a tide of predictable mediocrity until it takes a sharp turn into offensive ethnic stereotypes and casual racism. The animation, despite an attempt at clever stylization, looks like it came from a video game and the voice acting is somehow worse. This film aims low and succeeds. Photo ©Netflix

Along for the Ride

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

TV-14

A-

B-

C-

C+

Auden has decided to spend the summer after high school with her dad, breaking free from her critical mother and her own intense, socially awkward self. In their beach town, Auden meets Eli, an insomniac with his own burdens. This is a good-hearted teen summer romance flick with comparatively light negative content. The romance is sweet and messages about courage, selfconfidence, and loss are delivered without being preachy. Photo ©Netflix

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Theaters

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

B-

C-

C+

After fending off a colossal tentacled monster, Doctor Stephen Strange finds a girl bearing the corpse of another Dr. Strange from a parallel realm. As Marvel continues to explore the Multiverse, the storyline gets much darker. The strong horror elements in the story make it unsuitable for children as do scenes involving demons, torture, and gruesome death. Older Marvel fans will appreciate the increased complexity of the story and the return of Wanda Maximoff as an intriguing movie villain. Photo ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com June 2022 WNY Family 17

PICK OF THE LITERATURE — by Dr. Donna Phillips

athers come in many shapes and sizes. Some are athletic. Some are more studious. They can be serious or humorous. They can be young or old. They can be present or absent. They can be adventurous or homebodies. Some prefer the great outdoors while others prefer an armchair. Most often, they are a combination of these. Regardless, they play such an important role in a child’s life. Traditionally mothers were seen as the nurturers while the father’s role was more to challenge and expose the child to the outside world. Now, fathers can comfortably do all of these things. Father’s roles also often change over time as young children grow into young adults. Regardless, research shows that the part a father plays in the development of a child and a society cannot be overlooked or underestimated. Considering all of this… how do you plan to celebrate the men in your life? Whether they be a father, grandfather, uncle, brother, mentor, or friend, you can be sure there is a book to recognize the part they play in your family and your life. A perfect board book to celebrate Father’s Day is Can You See My Daddy (Random House, New York, 2022, 18 WNY Family June 2022

$9.99). Written by Becky Davies and illustrated by Mel Armstrong, it is a hide and seek book for the young ones. Bright colors and textures enhance adorable underwater characters as they take us on an adventure looking for their father hidden in the nooks and crannies of the ocean floor. As we explore, we learn about what makes each father special though simple poetry and engaging illustrations. This book is perfect for a father to share any time of the year. My Dad is Awesome (Penguin Young Readers, New York, 2022, $9.99), by Bluey and Bingo, is an honest look at a father from the perspective of his children. Sometimes silly, sometimes stern, he is always ready for an adventure. Whether taking them to school, taking them on vacation, or taking care of them, they always know that he is there to love and protect them. There is no doubt that any reader will find a bit of their father in this delightful story. Grandfathers get it! They have a special place in the hearts and minds of a family and often have the time,

wisdom, and perspective to share it. In Grandpa & Jake (Viking, New York, 2022, $17.99), written and illustrated by Julie Fortenberry, we see just how special this relationship is. Every time Grandpa watches him, Jake can be sure there is an adventure in his future. Today is no exception, but they are going to a place where his grandfather used to take him when he was little. As they set off, it is easy to tell what other adventures they have had together. Jake asks — Are we going to pick peaches? Are we going on a boat? Are we going fishing? Are we going to the beach?” The questions go on and on, but Grandpa’s answer is always the same “No, we are going inside but we might see some of those things there.” Even getting there is an escapade until they reach the steps of the local library and the adventure really begins. As they sit on the floor together, exploring all the places books can take you and the many things you can see and learn, Jake whispers, “You must have loved your grandpa.” “I did. And he loved me, too,” whispered Grandpa.” The torch has been passed. The perfect words of Leah Henderson and the glorious artwork of E. B Lewis grace us with their new book, Daddy Speaks Love (Nancy Paulsen

r me m u S

! o G Guide

Western New York Family Magazine

June 2022

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 19

20 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Agriculture/ U-Pick Farm Greg’s U-Pick Farm

Look Forward to

NUF REMMUS

An in the dirt, educational, hands on experience for the entire family! CSA shares, U-pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pumpkins available. Visit our farm market and bakery for fresh produce, pies, and more! Bring a group, book a field trip. Pick here! Grow here! Have fun here! 9270 Lapp Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032 • 716-741-4239 www.gregsupick.com

See ad on page 25

Attractions Aquarium of Niagara

As of our issue print date, the following events were scheduled for 2022. Be sure to check websites for the most current information and any COVID restrictions or advance registration requirements due to limited attendance.

June

Go on an aquatic adventure at the Aquarium of Niagara! Meet more than 120 species of animals including rescued seals and sea lions, penguins, jellyfish, and more. Enjoy presentations, hands-on animal interactions, and educational demonstrations. Open daily at 9am. 701 Whirlpool St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301 • 716-285-3575 www.aquariumofniagara.org See ad on page 37

4 • The King’s Birthday Youngstown oldfortniagara.org

Arcade and Attica Railroad

4-5 • Geneseo Air Show Geneseo nationalwarplanemuseum.com

Come aboard the Arcade & Attica Railroad and step back in time on our 2 1/2 hour excursion. May - December with many special events. Be sure to visit our website. 278 Main Street, Arcade, NY 14009 • 585-492-3100 See ad on page 29 www.aarailroad.com

Discover Niagara Shuttle

Enjoy a day of discovery as you connect to over 17 destination sites along the 14 mile route from the “Falls to the Fort” on the free Discover Niagara Shuttle. Park and discover! 716-222-0729 www.discoverniagarashuttle.com

See ad on page 29

Midway State Park

Make lasting memories at one of the oldest amusement parks in the nation! Family friendly atmosphere with nostalgic rides, arcade, go-karts, mini-golf, gift shop, museum, and great food! Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (see our website for days/hours). 4859 Route 430, Bemus Point, NY 14712 • 716-386-3165 parks.ny.gov/parks/midway See ad on page 29

Campgrounds Houghton Letchworth KOA

Only 12 miles from Letchworth State Park, this tranquil, family-owned KOA offers more than 80 sites for trailers & tents, along with cabins to rent. Enjoy themed-weekends, catch-and-release fishing, playgrounds, a general store, indoor & outdoor heated pools and a fun-filled lodge! 7632 Centerville Rd., Houghton, NY 14744 • 585-567-4211 www.HoughtonKOA.com

See ad on page 23

Sleepy Hollow Lake

Family friendly campground that offers a wide variety of activities and events. RV, tent and cabin available. Many on-site and planned activities for the entire family. We offer a lake, swimming, fishing, kayaking, tennis, mini golf, themed weekends, rec hall and more! 13800 Siehl Rd., Akron, NY 14001 • 716-542-4336 www.sleepyhollowcamp.com See ad on page 27

5 • Petpalooza Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com 10-12 • Ten Mile Garage Sale Lewiston wnypapers.com/10-mile-2022 11 • Touch a Truck – Safety Fair Lewiston nypa.gov/niagarapowervista 11-12 • Allentown Art Festival Buffalo allentownartfestival.com 11-12 • Strawberry Festival Forestville merrittestatewinery.com 11-12 • Celtic Faire Mumford gcv.org 12 • 25th Annual Olcott Beach Duck Race Olcott olcott-newfane.com Continued on page 22 Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 21

Look Forward to

MMUS

Family Programs JCC Buffalo

June cont.

12 • Meet Our Past Tour: A Walk Through History Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com 15 • Strawberry Festival Williamsville williamsvillerotaryclub.org

With 2 convenient locations, the JCC features 2 heated indoor pools, a heated outdoor pool, playgrounds, sand volleyball, pickleball, snack shack, and everything else needed for the best summer ever! Join us for Day Camp for children in Grades K-10, relax at the pristine outdoor pool, make new friends, fly down the Dual Zipline, climb the rock wall, and so much more! 787 Delaware at Summer in Buffalo, NY 14209 • 716-886-3172 2640 North Forest Rd. (behind UB at Audubon), Amherst, NY 14068 • 716-688-4033 www.jccbuffalo.org

See ad on page 20

Fairs & Festivals Old Home Days

The Jolly Boys of Williamsville are proud to sponsor the 44th annual Old Home Days. This year, Bank on Buffalo has become a major corporate sponsor to help us with the event. All proceeds are donated to youth groups in the area. Island Park, 5577 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 See ad on page 29 www.oldhomedayswilliamsville.com

17-19 • Kenmore Days Kenmore villageofkenmore.org 18 • Animal Play Day West Falls hawkcreek.org 18 • Strawberry Moon Festival Lewiston artpark.net 18 • Honoring Juneteenth Mumford gcv.org 18 • Mermaid Festival Olcott olcott-newfane.com 18 • Dragon Boat Festival Buffalo RiverWorks hopechestbuffalo.org 18-19 • Lewiston Garden Fest Lewiston lewistongardenfest.com 19 • Free Admission for Dads Mumford gcv.org

Continued on page 24

22 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Farms & Markets Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards

Open every day! Kids welcome, pick your own berries, farm market, pies, ice cream, farm animals, play ground/picnic area. Visit Vizcarra Vineyards and Becker Farms and Becker Brewing Company for wine and beer tastings! 3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport, NY 14067 • 716-772-2211 See ad on page 37 www.beckerfarms.com

Fun Eats Chrusciki Bakery

Sugar, Frosting, & Cupcakes, Oh My! Join Chrusciki Bakery for a fun and interactive class where your child can learn to decorate cupcakes. Sign up online for seasonal classes that are held monthly or host your own private birthday party! 4475 Transit Rd., Buffalo, NY 14221 • 716-681-9866 www.chruscikibakery.com See ad on page 23

Pautler’s Drive-In

Established in 1958, Paultler’s lets you relive the old days with a fun atmosphere, retro décor and fresh food. Try a juicy hand-pressed certified Angus burger, Sahlen’s hot dog, premium soft-serve custard and Perry’s Ice Cream. Kids can’t resist the creamy ice cream and climbing on the playset too! 6343 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051 • 716-636-1690 www.pautlersdriveinofclarence.com See ad on page 33

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 23

Look Forward to

MMUS

Hands-On Fun! Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries

June cont.

25 • Newfane Kids Fishing Derby Town of Newfane locations olcott-newfane.com 25-26 • Free Fishing Days All Fresh Waters of NY State dec.ny.gov/outdoor/89821.html 26 • Hands-On Heritage: Summer’s Bounty Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com 30-July 3 • Ellicottville Rodeo Ellicottville ellicottvillerodeo.com

July

1-4 • Lewiston Bicentennial Celebration Lewiston lewiston200.org

The 37 Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries & the “Library on Wheels” bookmobile provide a variety of year-round, all ages virtual and in library programs, services and more than 3.2 million books including eBooks for everyone! Libraries & library cards are FREE! Visit us soon! 716-858-8900 See ad on page 27 www.Buffalolib.org

Clay Hands Pottery

Paint yourself silly this Summer! It’s easy, pick your piece from a large selection of pottery and choose from hundreds of paints to make your one of a kind creation! Clay Hands offers birthday parties and girls night out, scouts, bridal parties and so much more!! Gift Certificates Available. 10086 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031 • 716-759-1208 www.clayhandspottery.com

See ad on page 33

Designing Dish

Everyone is an artist at Designing Dish – a paint your own pottery store featuring Glass Fusing. Now offering Pottery To Go Kits for individuals and for groups, field trips and private parties. Celebrate summer by visiting us. Facebook and Instagram. 138 Grey St., East Aurora, NY 14052 • 716-655-4456 www.designingdish.com See ad on page 31

Niagara Power Vista at Niagara Power Project

Powerful Fun! for all ages at the Niagara Power Vista. A USA Today “10 Best in Niagara.” 50+ interactive exhibits including a 4D simulated ride. Free admission & parking. For events schedule nypa.gov/niagarapowervista. Discover Niagara Shuttle Service (seasonal). Handicap accessible. 5777 Lewiston Rd. (Route 104), Lewiston, NY 14092 716-286-6661 or 1-866-NYPA-FUN www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista See ad on page 25

Raff’s Playland

One stop shop for summer FUN! For All Ages. Games, puzzles, science, plush, dolls, car/trucks, dinosaurs, books, adult games, logic, baby/toddler, crafts and more. Playmobil, Melissa & Doug, Breyer, Bruder, Thinking Putty, Squishable, Metal Earth, Barbie. Playland for Dramatic Play. 4545 Transit Rd., Eastern Hills Mall, Williamsville, NY 14221 • 716-632-4202 www.raffandfriends.com

See ad on page 33

2-4 • French & Indian War Encampment Youngstown oldfortniagara.org 2-Aug. 27 • Free Family Saturdays (except for July 9 & Aug. 20) Lewiston artpark.net 3 • Fireworks Over Lake Ontario Olcott Beach olcott-newfane.com Continued on page 26

Horseback Riding Greendale Farm

Greendale Farm has been serving WNY with quality riding programs for over 30 Years! Enjoy guided trail rides through 100 acres of the beautiful Holland Hills. Currently scheduling summer adult trail rides. Reservations are required. Call today! 10379 Crump Rd., Holland, NY 14080 • 716-479-2020 See ad on page 33

24 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

9270 LAPP ROAD • CLARENCE CENTER, NY 14032

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE

VISIT US & JOIN TODAY! MID JUNE - MID JULY : U-Pick Strawberries MID JULY - MID AUGUST : U-Pick Blueberries MID AUGUST - MID SEPTEMBER : U-Pick Raspberries SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER : Pumpkins & Fall Fun Visit our farm market & bakery Bring a group or book a field trip!

PICK HERE. GROW HERE. HAVE FUN HERE. MORE INFO, BOOK YOUR GROUP & CSA SIGN UP:

716-741-4239 GREGSUPICK.COM

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 25

Look Forward to

MMUS

Indoor Recreation Cornerstone Ice Arena

July cont.

4 • Independence Day Parade Orchard Park everythingop.com

Everything’s better on ICE! If skating isn’t your thing - or you just want a change of pace – check out our Ice Bumper Cars! Rides are 10 minutes long during our public sessions or you can book a private party for up to 25 people with 12 cars. Pre-register at www.CornerstoneIceArena.com. 1 Grigg Lewis Way, Lockport, NY 14094 • 716-438-7698 www.CornerstoneIceArena.com See ad on page 27

Gymnastics Unlimited

Flip into summer with us! Your child will be head over heels joining our classes, fun mini day camp, birthday parties, open workout or open tumbling! 70 Weiss Ave., West Seneca, NY, 14224 • 716-677-0338 www.gymnastics-unlimited.net See ad on page 29

Niagara Climbing Center

2-Aug. 14 • (weekends only) Sterling Renaissance Festival Sterling sterlingfestival.com

Enjoy family friendly fun as Niagara Climbing Center invites all ages to experience the excitement of climbing! Never climbed before? No problem! We will teach you our ropes! Open 7 days a week. 1333 Strad Ave., N. Tonawanda, NY 14120 • 716-695-1248 www.niagaraclimbingcenter.com

8-10 • Pirate Festival Olcott olcott-newfane.com

Urban Air Adventure Park

9 • Fairy House Festival Lewiston artpark.net 9-10 • Taste of Buffalo Buffalo tasteofbuffalo.com 12-15 • Old Home Days Williamsville oldhomedayswilliamsville.com 15-17 • Galbani Italian Heritage Festival Hertel Avenue, Buffalo buffaloitalianfestival.com 16 • Crafts in the Gardens Buffalo buffalogardens.com 16 • Burger Fest Hamburg hamburgburgerfest.com 17-24 • Canal Fest City of Tonawanda canalfest.org Continued on page 28 26 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

See ad on page 37

Urban Air is the ultimate indoor adventure park and a destination for family fun. Our park features attractions perfect for all ages and offers the perfect destination for unforgettable kids’ birthday parties, exciting special events and family fun. Walden Galleria – 1 Galleria Dr., Buffalo, NY 14225 • 716-568-7083 www.UrbanAirBuffalo.com See ad on page 37

Living History Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House

Visit the events calendar at martinhouse.org throughout the summer to discover family programming, including the free Architecture Adventures outdoor series. Kids will experience architecture, landscape, and art in entertaining and engaging ways. Advance reservations required for most events. 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14214 • 716-856-3858 www.martinhouse.org See ad on page 27

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Visit New York State’s Largest Living History Museum! Less than 1 hour from Buffalo, Genesee Country Village & Museum has fun for the whole family as costumed interpreters bring history to life at a living, working 19th-century village. Visit www.gcv.org. 1410 Flint Hill Rd., Mumford, NY 14511 • 585-538-6822 www.gcv.org

See ad on page 25

Old Fort Niagara

Old Fort Niagara offers exciting living history programs and authentic 18th century buildings and fortifications. The Fort presents daily history adventures and a full calendar of special events that are fun for the whole family. Connect with Niagara’s past as you walk in the footsteps of history. 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY 14174 • 716-745-7611 www.oldfortniagara.org See ad on page 31

er Ice B u m p Ca rs a t

Fun!

bumpegr bumpin

BIRTHDAY PARTIES | HOCKEY PUBLIC SKATING | FIGURE SKATING LEARN TO SKATE | FUNDRAISING

See the public skate schedule online at cornerstoneicearena.com

1 Grigg Lewis Way | Lockport, NY 14094 | 716.438.7698

Great e Niaga r ra Regio n

ay Weekdials Spe c

Camping & RV Park RV • Tent • Motorhome • Park Model Rentals

30/50 Amp Pull Through & Back In Sites City Water Playground Beach Saltwater Pool Laundry Activities and more

•

Located Between Buffalo & Rochester

For Reservations www.sleepyhollowcamp.com

716.542.4336

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 27

Look Forward to

MMUS

Nature & Outdoors Adventure Calls Outfitters, Inc.

July cont.

18-24 • Chautauqua County Fair Dunkirk chautauquacountyfair.org 23 • Classics at the Carrousel Car Show North Tonawanda herschelcarrousel.org 23-24 • Civil War Living History Mumford gcv.org 23-24 • Sanborn Area Farm Festival Sanborn sanbornhistory.org 23-30 • Genesee County Fair Batavia gcfair.com 21-30 • Quaker Days Orchard Park everythingop.com 24 • Hands-On Heritage: Star Spangled Celebration Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com 30-31 • Old Olcott Days Olcott olcott-newfane.com 29-31 • Buffalo Irish Festival Outer Harbor facebook.com/ BuffaloIrishFestival Continued on page 30 28 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Come experience Letchworth State Park as only we can show you - from the bottom up! Paddle class I/II rapids on our guided trips. Perfect for families with younger children and novice paddlers. P.O. Box 391, LeRoy, NY 14482 • 888-270-2410 See ad on page 31 www.adventure-calls.com

Outdoor Recreation Panama Rocks Scenic Park

Explore a world of towering rocks, passageways, and caves hidden in an ancient forest. “A place that defies description... something that should not be missed.” - Kelly P. (TripAdvisor) See why Panama Rocks is the #1-rated attraction in Chautauqua County! 11 Rock Hill Road, Panama, NY 14767 • 716-782-2845 www.PanamaRocks.com See ad on page 25

Parks & Beaches New York State Parks

From swimming to golfing to camping to the wonder of Niagara Falls, experience your local state parks this summer! Visit www.parks.ny.gov to find your next adventure. 250 throughout New York State www.nysparks.com See ad on page 33

Shopping Centers Eastview Mall

Eastview is a super-regional shopping center with more than fifty stores that are unique to the market including L.L. Bean, Madewell, LEGO, Soft Surroundings, and H&M. Eastview is also home to the only Von Maur and Dick’s House of Sport in the northeast. Step into a higher form of shopping at Eastview! 7979 Pittsford-Victor Road (I-90 to Exit 45, Victor) • 585-223-4420 www.eastviewmall.com See ad on page 31

Restaurants Parkside Meadow

The Parkside Meadow restaurant and bar is a cozy neighborhood pub serving homemade soups and sandwiches plus a fish fry every Thursday and Friday, chicken wings, fresh salads, pasta dishes, vegetarian options and a kids menu. Décor - old Buffalo history museum. 2 Russell St., Buffalo, NY 14214 • 716-834-8348 www.parksidemeadow.com See ad on page 33

Arcade & Attica Railroad “Come aboard the Arcade & Attica Railroad and step back in time on our 2 1/2 hour excursion!”

TRAIN EXCURSIONS MAY – DECEMBER

Summer 2022

SUMMER 8 WEEK PROGRAM

with many special events

278 Main St. • Arcade, NY 14009

585-492-3100

www.. aarailroad www aarailroad.. com

Starts July 5th

Quality Gymnastics: Ages 1-18yrs ~ Weekly Themes Trampoline & Tumbling Classes: 7-18yrs Open Tumble/Cheer Class July/Aug. - Mon. 8:50-9:45pm July/August Open Workouts Wed. 7:15-9pm Returning!! Mini Camp! Every Mon/Wed from 9:30am-12pm or 12:30pm - 3pm

70 Weiss Ave. • Orchard Park/West Seneca (Near Duff’s & Leisure Rinks)

• 677-0338

www.gymnastics-unlimited.net

Making mories Me at Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway State Park is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Midway State Park offers a family friendly atmosphere that visitors have come to love. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a whirl and ride the go-karts, or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying cotton candy, others can stop by the Gift Shop or test their skills at classic midway games.

For More Information Visit: www.parks.ny.gov/parks/midway 4859 Route 430 | Bemus Point, NY 14712

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 29

Vacation Destinations

Be Sure to Tell Our Advertisers You Saw Them in the WNY Family Magazine

! o G

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

Plan a summer vacation to the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region of Western NY. Discover the unrivaled natural beauty of our many lakes, waterways and trails as well as experience one-of-a-kind cultural attractions. Request a Free Travel Guide. Main Gate: Route 394, P.O. Box 1441, Chautauqua, NY 14722 • 866-908-4569 www.tourchautauqua.com See ad on page 46

VisitErie

Looking for a simple, unforgettable escape? Miles of beautiful beaches and loads of family fun are waiting for you in Erie, Pennsylvania. Make Your Escape. Get Your Free Adventure Guide at VisitErie.com. 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Erie, PA 16507 • 800-524-3743 www.VisitErie.com

mer m u S

See ad on page 23

Guide

NUF REMMUS

Look Forward to

August

3-6 • Gerry Rodeo Gerry gerryrodeo.org 3-7 • Niagara County Fair Lockport cceniagaracounty.org 3-7 • Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Jamestown comedycenter.org 4-7 • Attica Rodeo Attica atticarodeo.com 4-7 • Eden Corn Festival Eden edencornfest.com Continued on page 22

30 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

4-25 • Kids Free Days Thursdays ONLY Mumford gcv.org

13-14 • Lewiston Art Festival Lewiston artcouncil.org

5-7 • Oinktoberfest BBQ Cookoff Clarence oinktoberfest.com

14 • Hands-On Heritage: Lazy Days of Summer Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com

6 • Enchanted Wild Fest West Falls hawkcreek.org

19-20 • Pendleton Farm & Home Days Lockport facebook.com/pendletondays

6-7 • Revolutionary War Living History Weekend Lancaster hullfamilyhome.com

24-Sept. 5 • New York State Fair Syracuse nysfair.ny.gov

10-21 • Erie County Fair Hamburg ecfair.org

27 • Urban Farm Day Tours Buffalo urbanfarmday.com Continued on page 43

OLD FORT NIAGARA Youngstown, NY

Presents Siege 1759

Pottery Painting and Glass Fusing. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

A GrAnd reenActment ★★ From the French ★★ ★ And IndIAn WAr ★

July 2 - 4, 2022

★ Muskets and cannons

Now offering Pottery To Go Kits Individual Kits, as well as Parties to Go! 138 Grey Street, East Aurora, NY

716-655-4456 • www.designingdish.com

★ Artisans and Merchants ★ Fun for the Whole Family

Learn more www.oldfortniagara.org | 716.745.7611

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 31

lies is the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (http://bnhv.org) located in Amherst. It is a 35-acre historical park with a dozen restored historic buildings furnished in period style. The museum is open for tours and special events.

Close-To-Home Places to Enjoy

Summer Fun!

— by Christine Smyczynski

ooking for fun things to do with your family this summer? There’s so much to do in our region and beyond that you could go years without visiting the same attraction twice. This article offers just a sampling of things to put on your to do list. Whether you enjoy museums and historic sites, outdoor adventure, trains, or aviation, you will find a fun place to visit. Be sure to check ahead with each attraction before visiting; some may require advanced reservations, have changing hours, or have various restrictions due to COVID.

Our Region’s Diverse Culture, Heritage & History There are a number of museums and historic sites that focus on the diverse cultures in our region, as well as on the

history and architecture unique to Western New York. There are also numerous festivals taking place all year long that highlight our area’s many ethnic backgrounds. Want to learn about Buffalo’s connections to presidential history? The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site (www.nps.gov/thri), also known as the Wilcox Mansion, located on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, was where Theodore Roosevelt took the presidential oath of office following the assassination of President William McKinley at the 1901 Pan American Exposition in Buffalo. Another presidential connection to the Buffalo area was 13th President Millard Fillmore. You can visit the Millard Fillmore Presidential Site that was once his home in East Aurora when he was first starting his law career (www. aurorahistoricalsociety.com). Fillmore is the only US President buried in Buffalo. You can visit his gravesite in Forest Lawn Cemetery (www.forestlawn.com). Many towns and villages in our region have historical museums; one of the larger ones that would be of special interest to fami-

32 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Those of you interested in military history may want to visit one of the historic forts in our area. Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is located in Youngstown on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River. The fort’s structures, preserved as they stood in the 1700’s, include the French Castle, the oldest building in the Great Lakes region. The fort’s costumed staff demonstrate 18th century military life and re-enactments are held several times during the year. One of their major events is the French and Indian War encampment, which takes place this year from July 2nd to July 4th. Just across the Niagara River in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is Fort

George Historic Park (www.pc.gc.ca). The fort played a key role in the area during the War of 1812. Also located in Canada is Historic Fort Erie, which also features artifacts from the British Garrison of the War of 1812 (www.niagaraparks.com). School-aged kids, grades 3 and over, may enjoy touring the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Darwin Martin House (www.darwinmartinhouse.org) in Buffalo which features docent-led tours. This National Historic Landmark prairie-style continued on page 42

Clay Hands Potter y

Visit us or like us on

A Pottery Painting Party Place and more...

GLASS FUSING PAINTING POTTERY PARTIES

~ Gift Certificates ~

Paint yourself silly this summer! 10086 Main Street Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-1208

www.clayhandspottery.com

p Shop for SUMMER FUN! One Sto

Eastern Hills Mall | Williamsville, NY 14221 | (716) 632-4202 Store Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 ~ Sun 12-5

Breyer Horses • Plush • Bruder Trucks Science • Puzzles • Games • and So Much More!

www.raffandfriends.com

SU M M E R FU N

Family

MOVIE NIGHT

at Buffalo Harbor State Park

esdays all Summer! WednMovies start at 7:45pm

~ All titles and events are weather permitting and subject to change ~

JUNE 29 - Space Jam Legacy JULY 6 - Encanto JULY 13 - Sing 2 JULY 27 - Home Alone AUGUST 3 - Frozen 2 AUGUST 10 - Tom & Jerry Movie AUGUST 17 - Spider Man: No Way Home PLAY ALL DAY FIELD DAYS – Join Ladders to the Outdoors and get your play on! Use our gear to start a baseball, soccer or football game… or all kinds of other play options! Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 am- 3 pm) starting July 5 HARBOR HIKES AND MORE - Join a family friendly hike or make a craft to take home. Mondays and Wednesdays/Hikes at 10 am and 2 pm and crafts start at noon. Starting July 6 SUNDAY FUNDAY WATER SAFETY EDUCATION - Learn how to stay safe on the waterways of WNY. Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm starting July 3 SKY’S THE LIMIT FESTIVAL – From kites to bugs to birds this is the place to celebrate all things air! Friday, July 22 • 1 pm - 4 pm.

1111 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14203

716-822-1207 • www.parks.ny.gov/parks/buffaloharbor/details.aspx

at ...

GREENDALE FARM

Adult Trail Rides

Enjoy all the famous Buffalo fare like Wings, Beef on Weck, Fish Fry & more in an old Buffalo Museum setting.

Guided Trail Rides through 100 acres of the beautiful Holland Hills.

Reservations required for all activities Celebrating Over 30 Years Serving WNY with Quality Riding Programs

Holland/East Aurora Area For More Information: Contact Susan 716-479-2020

Drive in for a great time! COUPON

$1 OFF an

✶ LUNCH ✶ ✶ DINNER ✶ ✶ ICE CREAM ✶

(716) 636-1690 6343 TRANSIT RD. EAST AMHERST, NY

ICE CREAM

with the purchase of a Regular Combo Meal

www.pautlersdriveinofclarence.com

2 Russell Street Buffalo, NY 14214

716.834.834

Just a short walk from the Darwin Martin House and across the street from the Buffalo Zoo.

HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday: 4:00pm - 8:30pm Fridays & Saturdays: 4:00pm – 9:00pm 2 Russell Street • Buffalo, NY 14214

716.834.8348

ParksideMeadow.com Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 33

— by Deborah Williams

AMUSEMENT PARKS Longtime Family Favorites!

long with beachcombing, baseball games, and fireworks, a day at an amusement park is a quintessential summer activity for the whole family Western New Yorkers are lucky with longtime favorite Darien Lake right in our backyard. In addition, this summer marks the full return of Grand Island’s beloved Fantasy Island under new ownership and a new name: Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World. Here are favorites from New York State, Pennsylvania, and across the border in Ontario: Six Flags Darien Lake, which opened in 1981, is the region’s largest park with a total of 50 rides between the amusement park and waterpark. It is New York’s largest combination theme park and water park. The resort also has a 20,000-seat amphitheater operated by Live Nation. This park truly offers attractions for all ages and interests. Are you an adrenalin junkie or coaster fan? There’s the

34 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Mind Eraser, the Boomerang, the Viper, the Tantrum, the Ride of Steel — one of the tallest coasters east of the Mississippi, climbing 208 feet and reaching speeds of 75 mph and the wooden Predator coaster. There’s a group of Family Rides including the Pirate, the Grand Prix Speedway, the Grand Carousel, Bumper Boats and Bumper Buggies. Then there are Kids Rides and Water Rides. This season the 1,200-acre park is opening a new water slide called Wahoo Wave, a 60-foot-tall slide. It is one of the tallest slides in the park. “Six Flags is committed to making the park bigger, better and now wetter than ever with the addition of this world-class waterpark attraction, Wahoo Wave,” said Park President Chris Thorpe. “With non-stop soaking thrills for the entire family. Hurricane Harbor will be the perfect summertime escape.” Wahoo Wave features twists, drops, and a water wave wall. The whole fam-

ily can experience the six-story slide together in a four-person tube. Look for a new selfie photo spot with a 20-foot-tall shark for your background. Although Darien Lake, located between Buffalo and Rochester, can be an easy day trip, it also offers a wide variety of overnight accommodations including cabins, guest houses, hotel rooms, camping and RV rentals. (Six Flags Darien Lake, 9993 Allegheny Rd., Corfu, 585-599-4641, sixflags.com) Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World, formerly Fantasy Island, plans to be open with a full complement of rides and entertainment as this summer season progresses. Fantasy Island closed in 2020 after nearly 60 years of fun. The Splash World part of the reconfigured 75-acre Grand Island Park opened late last summer for a shortened season under new ownership. The water park, Kiddy Land, and Western Town will be the focus of the park during the beginning of the 2022 season. The new owners are bringing in new rides with a family-oriented theme as the season progresses. The popular Scrambler ride has been installed. The Zamperia Samba Balloon Ride is in the process of being fully restored. It is one of the few rides left behind when the park closed. A classic shuttle loop roller coaster is also under construction. Weather and supply chain issues caused some delays in constructing new rides, but the new owners are confident that 2022 will be a successful year. Many area families are eagerly looking forward to returning to the park with their children. (Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World, 2400 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, niagaraamusementpark.com) Visiting Midway Sate Park on the shore of Chautauqua Lake is a step back in time and ideal for younger children. It is the very definition of family friendly. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park by the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway, the park is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. It is the only

amusement park owned by New York State and operated by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Midway and other similar parks were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a way to earn weekend business. The trolley went from Mayville to Westfield and Midway got its name because it was midway on the lake between spots for ferryboats. The first owners of the park constructed playing fields, tennis courts, bath houses, and a dance hall to entice customers to ride the trolley on weekends. In 1915, a new building was constructed with a kitchen, a large dining room, and space for dancing and roller skating. Today it is home to a museum, gift shop, concession stands, and other facilities. There are grills and picnic tables for visitors who want to bring their own food. There are no admission fees and there are individual ride tickets or unlimited ride wrist bands. Take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl, and ride the gokarts. Everyone loves the vintage train ride. There are classic midway games. The first ride at Midway was the Jack Rabbit roller coaster. The current carousel was made in North Tonawanda at the Herschell Carousel Factory and there are other Alan Herschell rides onsite. (Midway State Park, 4859 Route 430, Bemus Point, NY, 716-3863165, midwaystatepark.parks.ny.gov. Open weekends in June and Wednesday through Sunday in July and August.)

Roller coaster fans should head just north of Toronto to Canada’s Wonderland, a mecca for roller coaster lovers and is among the parks with the most roller coasters in the world. It opened in 1981 on 300 acres and features more than 200 attractions including 17 coasters, two children’s areas and a 20-acre water park called Splash Works. Last year, the park debuted an attraction called Mountain Bay Cliffs where guests can experience the exhilaration of cliff jumping from a variety of heights into the water below, with the ultimate challenge of conquering the highest peak at 25 feet. The Beagle Brigade Airfield, an exciting plane ride for kids is another new attraction. The Yukon Striker is considered the world’s longest, fastest, and tallest dive coaster. It is themed around the idea that it is 1897 and the riders are prospectors seeking gold in northwest Canada. Riders take an exciting (or terrifying, depending on your viewpoint) journey through steep mountains. After making a climb to its first 245-foot drop, the ride pauses for three seconds just over the hill, giving riders a moment to view their fate. Then it plunges into a tunnel at 80 miles per hour. The train soars through four inver-

sions including a complete 360-degree loop — the only one of its kind for a dive coaster. The trains are floorless and are designed to give more of a sense of flying with your feet dangling. This coaster is in the recently themed section called Frontier Canada. Other attractions in this section include the Mighty Canadian Minebuster, Lumberjack, Soaring Timbers, Flying Canoes, Vortex, Timberwolf Falls, and White Water Canyon. There are a wide variety of foods available, but the park’s signature food offering is the Funnel Cakes with strawberry sauce and vanilla ice cream with more than 300,000 sold yearly. (Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr., Vaughan, Ontario, 905-832-8131, canadaswonderland. com) Seabreeze Amusement Park is a historic park in the Rochester suburb of Irondequoit where Irondequoit Bay empties into Lake Ontario. Opened in 1879 as the last stop on the steam railroad, it is one of only 13 trolley parks still operating in the United States. Picnic groves and the lakefront were the main attractions, and the mechanical rides arrived soon after. continued on page 36 Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 35

AMUSEMENT PARKS continued... Many visitors consider Seabreeze the perfect size — not too big and not too small. It is recognized as the third oldest amusement park in the country and the 12th oldest in the world. The Jack Rabbit, a giant wooden roller coaster built in 1920 is the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in America. The 2,150 feet of track includes a spectacular 75-foot drop, awesome dips, a wild last curve, and a finale through a dark tunnel. Other thrill rides run the gambit from the Time Machine — as the hands of time take you full circle and lifts you up three stories — to the Whirlwind, the Log Flume, Bobsleds, Wave Swinger, Sea Dragon Screamin’ Eagle and classic Bumper Cars. The Waterpark features a Soak Zone, Inner Tube Slides, Lazy River, The Wave, and Kiddie Water Fun activities. Family Rides such as the Carousel, the Great Balloon Race, Twirlin’ Cups, a Train, Tilt-A-Whirl and Seabreeze Flyers are designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Every day the Cirque En Vol, a spectacular acrobatics show is presented at the Center Stage. (Seabreeze Amusement Park, 4600 Culver Rd., Rochester, NY, 585-323-1900, seabreeze.com) Sylvan Beach Amusement Park on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake is another park full of nostalgia. This park north of Syracuse is also one of the country’s oldest amusement parks — the first park opened in 1886. It is on the lakefront and just steps from the Erie Canal. For well more than a century vacationers flocked to this region in the summer, leading the area to be called the “Coney Island of Central New York.” It could be a movie set — a perfect mile-long white sand beach, breathtaking sunsets, a fish-filled lake, the bustling Erie Canal, and the old-fashioned amusement park. In fact, it was a movie set back in 1968 when a budding young actress strolled along the beach and danced in the water. The actress was Lisa Minnelli, and the film was The Sterile Cuckoo. Sylvan Beach was known as the playground of Central New York and drew headline entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and the Dorsey Brothers. There are roller coasters, a fun house, vintage arcade games, carnival rides, bumper boats and bumper cars, the Scrambler, and other traditional park rides. Laffland, a long-time favorite, is known for its pretzel carts and is one of just two left in the country that still uses these carts. There is also a Kiddieland area for children with ten rides for the young visitors. (Sylvan Beach 36 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Amusement Park, 112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach, NY, 315-7625212, sylvanbeachamusementpark.com) Six Flags Great Escape, just outside the village of Lake George in New York’s Adirondacks, has had a nostalgic tie with our region since 1994. That was the year that the much beloved Comet roller coaster that had been a favorite at the nearby Crystal Beach Amusement Park just across the lake in Canada was reopened in Lake George. It was moved there and rebuilt after Crystal Beach closed. It fits right in with the charm of Lake George. The park has maintained much of the sweet charm of its origins as a familyrun storybook-themed attraction called Storytown USA. There are many attractions that are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers. Within the park there are “kiddie zones” that offer low key rides and gentle family entertainment. Timbertown has a swing ride and Frankie’s Mine Train, and a small roller coaster. Goosy Gander, Humpty Dumpty, and a quaint Old West Ghost Town are still there to charms today’s kids and rekindle memories for their parents and grandparents. Don’t miss the swan boats and a ride on the park’s scenic river. There is plenty here for thrill seekers including roller coasters, a freefall tower ride, log flume ride, a giant Ferris wheel, alpine bobsled ride, and river raft ride. Ghosttown, an old western town features the newest thrill ride, Adirondack Outlaw, and its premiere steel coaster Steamin’ Demon. continued on page 45

~ Rocking WNY since 1998 ~

• Fun for all ages • Controlled indoor climbing • Friendly instructors • No experience needed 1333 Strad Avenue • North Tonawanda

716.695.1248

www.niagaraclimbingcenter.com

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 37

hether you’re searching for a serene lakeside escape, adventure on the water, or both, New York State has a lake for you. Upstate New York is home to over 100 lakes across its regions, ranging from remote retreats ensconced in mountainous forests to charming, walkable lakeside villages. “I Love New York” has compiled a list of 12 of the most beautiful lakes across the state for a glimmering getaway in New York State.

activities and attractions nearby to enjoy on your lakeside retreat. Take a ferry to century-old Singer Castle on Dark Island, and learn about the history of (or spend the night in!) the gothicinspired castle. Head to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton to see the largest collection of antique boats in the world – you can even go for a ride on a vintage skiff!

Lake George (Adirondacks)

North South Lake (Catskills)

Surround yourself with scenic vistas from every angle at North-South Lake State Campground, the largest and most popular lakeside campground in New York State (and for good reason). Found in the northeast corner of Catskill Park, the North-South Lake campground has over 200 camping sites, and is just a short hike away from the former site of Catskill Mountain House, which offers picturesque panoramic views of the Catskills Mountains and Hudson River. Kayak, rowboat, canoe, or paddleboard your way across the vast lake, or hike one of its numerous trails. Just minutes to the east of the campground is the town of Tannersville, a quaint village with a charming main street lined with shops and farm-to-table restaurants, including Mama’s Boy Burgers, a truly quality fast-food joint, serving up locallysourced comfort foods and homemade

ice cream. Looking to add a little extra thrill to your vacation? Soar above the trees at nearby Hunter Mountain with New York Zipline Adventure Tours – the highest, fastest, and longest zipline tour in North America.

Black Lake (Thousand Islands)

Fishing enthusiasts from across the world have dubbed Black Lake one of the best freshwater fishing lakes for year-round fishing in New York State. This quiet inlet, just minutes from the St. Lawrence River’s edge is where perch, crappie, bass, and bluegill are known to thrive. This hidden gem isn’t just a paradise for anglers though. For the nonfishing vacationers, there are numerous North-South Lake

38 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Situated deep within the heart of the vast and mountainous Adirondacks lies Lake George, a.k.a. the Queen of American Lakes, a venerable vacation destination year-round, from its concerts, camping, and watersports in the summer through to its ice castles and carnivals in the winter. The 44-squaremile lake is home to 13 charming lakeside communities that make up the entire Lake George Area, each with its own distinct style. From Memorial Day through September 5, take a scenic cruise and soak in the views on The Minne-HaHa, a rare and authentic paddlewheel steamship. Hire a canoe or sailboat and get a closer look at mansions along Millionaire’s Row. Indulge yourself with a lakeside stay at The Sagamore Resort, a secluded premier luxury resort with breathtaking unobstructed views across Lake George and the Adirondack mountains. Indulge your taste buds at awardwinning restaurants, relax at the spa, or tee up at the world-renowned Donald

Black Lake

Ross 18-hole golf course. Take your summertime thrills to new heights with a day at Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor in nearby Queensbury, full of dizzying loops and water rides to keep you cool.

Mirror Lake

(Adirondacks)

Nestled between the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, Mirror Lake serves as the village of Lake Placid’s unofficial town square. Dotted with luxurious lakeside resorts, including the eponymous Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, Mirror Lake is a year-round destination. During the summer season, the lake is full of canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboarders. In the winter months, you can go mush on a memorable dog sled ride. As a two-time Winter Olympics host city, the Lake Placid of today is teeming with both Olympic history and worldclass sporting events, including the upcoming 2023 Lake Placid World University Games. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum brings to life memories from the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games, chief among them the American hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” victory over the Soviet Union. A short drive away, the highspeed Cloudsplitter gondola offers stunning views as it ascends Whiteface Mountain. If you’re particularly adventurous, you can try to join the ranks of “The 46ers,” a term used for mountain climbers who have mastered all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks! In addition to its Olympic history, the area also has a proud heritage as a home to abolitionists and equal rights leaders. The John Brown Farm State Historic Site offers an inside look at this important aspect of New York’s history.

Tupper Lake

(Adirondacks)

For scenic hiking trails, immaculate waters, and charming gourmet eateries, look no further than Tupper Lake, the perfect destination for travelers looking to get lost and feel at one with nature. Wander through wildlife exhibits as you literally walk across the treetops at the Wild Center and Wild Walk. With more than 1,000 feet of bridges that rise up and over the Adirondack forests, this world-renowned interactive center is a must-see for outdoor lovers. Climb further into the skies and gaze at stars at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, an institution providing one of the best destinations for stargazing in the East due to its high altitude. For those looking to head out on the water, head to Ausable Chasm and raft or tube through the waters surrounded by towering sandstone formations that age back 500 million years.

Otsego Lake

Lake George

(Central New York)

Known as the “Glimmerglass” lake from James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales, Otsego Lake’s location in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, bordering the village of Cooperstown makes it one of New York’s most interesting lakeside destinations. Known as “America’s most perfect village,” Cooperstown was named the #2 “small town to visit in America” by Expedia. It’s also where the sport of baseball was created, and you can see this proud heritage on display everywhere from the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum to charming Main Street shops selling memorabilia. The Farmers’ Museum offers a peek at a bygone era and the Fenimore Art Museum is home to an impressive collection of American art. continued on page 40

Mirror Lake

Tupper Lake

Otsego Lake

Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 39

12 BEAUTIFUL LAKES continued...

Cayuga Lake

While in town, a drink overlooking the lake on the porch of The Otesaga Resort Hotel, one of New York’s historic Grand Dame hotels since 1909, is a must. Just outside of Cooperstown, nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy year-round in Glimmerglass State Park. Every summer, the Glimmerglass Festival brings world-class opera and concerts to the north shore of Otsego Lake at the state-of-the-art Alice Busch Opera Theater. Beer and spirits enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that Central New York is home to some of the best craft beverage trails in the country.

Cayuga Lake

(Finger Lakes)

The longest of New York’s glacial Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake boasts a world-class wine trail, plentiful sport fishing (you’ll find 17 species of fish, including smelt, lake trout, and smallmouth bass), and lake towns with plenty to do. On the southern tip of the lake, you’ll find Ithaca, a vibrant small city with a youthful vibe. A perfect foodie destination, Ithaca is home to the popular Ithaca Farmers Market and more restaurants per capita than New York City. You’ll find many of the city’s best eats right downtown in Ithaca Commons, a two-block pedestrian mall full of eateries, independently owned shops, and art galleries. Outdoor adventurers are drawn to Ithaca for its miles of gorgeous parks, hiking trails, and over 150 waterfalls within a 10-mile radius, including the popular Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park (home to a waterfall that’s even taller than Niagara Falls!). At the north end of Cayuga Lake, you’ll find Seneca Falls, a tiny town with an outsized place in history. In 1848, the town hosted the Seneca Falls Convention, a seminal event in the fight for women’s rights. Today, it is home to such sites as the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House. Movie buffs can visit the It’s A Wonderful Life Museum to learn more about how Seneca Falls became the real-life inspiration for the fictional town of “Bedford Falls.”

Skaneateles

Owasco Lake

Skaneateles Lake

Chautauqua Lake

(Finger Lakes)

Rest, relax and revel in the sparkling blue-green waters of Skaneateles that earns itself the crown as “the jewel of the Finger Lakes.” Pronounced “skinny atlas,” the name literally means “long lake” in Iroquois, and is the fifth largest glacial lake in the region. The lake is a popular destination for canoeing, fishing, and fun water sports through the summer months, and close to the charming walkable downtown of its main village by the same name. Shop antiques, boutique stores and dine at farm-totable restaurants. Head out on the water for incredible views of surrounding forests, mansions, and historic homes that line its shores, or take in views from the skies aboard a hot air balloon ride. After a full day, pamper yourself at Mirbeau Inn & Spa, a world-class luxury spa resort in a classical boutique-style inn.

Owasco Lake

(Finger Lakes)

Indulge your senses in the calm crisp waters and peaceful surrounds of Owasco Lake, a quiet retreat nestled between farmlands, parks, and charming lakeside villages. With shallow warm waters, Owasco Lake is ideal for swimming, boating, and canoeing in the summertime, and fishing year-round. On its northern edge you’ll find Auburn, a small city with a big 40 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

history, once home to Harriet Tubman, the famed abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, and politician William H. Seward, who served as Secretary of State in the late 1800s. With 2022 marking the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth, the Equal Rights Heritage Center will feature a collection of exhibits celebrating the region’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement throughout the year. Visit the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park to see her former home and learn about her life and legacy. Travel south down the lake past quaint cottages and private boathouses and explore the Fillmore Glen State Park at its southern tip. An oasis within dense woods, the park offers numerous scenic hiking trails through its long and narrow gorge past five waterfalls.

Chautauqua Lake (Chautauqua-Allegheny)

Chautauqua Lake’s 17 miles offer visitors plenty of recreational opportunities from sandy public swimming beaches to boating and fishing. Tour the lake with a cruise on the Chautauqua Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Belle, an authentic Mississippi Riverstyle steamboat. To get the full Chautauqua Lake experience, plan to stop off at Bemus Point to explore this charming lakeside town, get nostalgic with classic amusement park rides at Midway State Park, and catch a show or lecture at the Chautauqua Institution. While at the Chautauqua Institution, enjoy a lakeside meal on the porch at the Heirloom Restaurant at the historic Athenaeum Hotel. While in the area, a visit to Jamestown for the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum is a must. The Comedy Center, which opened in 2018, uses innovative technology to deliver a unique experience where the museum’s content adapts to your personal taste in comedy. Other features include a comedy karaoke lounge that lets visitors take center stage, and a roast station where you can send some digs to your favorite frenemies.

Lake.” Located on the boundary between the United States and Canada, the Lake Erie shores are home to Buffalo, New York’s second-largest city. Lakeside fun can be had at the city’s Canalside Buffalo waterfront development, where you’ll find water activities for all ages, the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, and Explore & More Children’s Museum. If you’re feeling adventurous, go zip lining on the exhilarating Buffalo RiverWorks high ropes course. Take your trip to the next level with a visit to Niagara Falls, just a half-hour drive from Buffalo. To see another side of New York’s Lake Erie coastline, enjoy a glass of wine lakeside in Lake Erie Wine Country, one of the best underthe-radar wine regions in the U.S. Continue down the lake to tour the Dunkirk Lighthouse, a historic active lighthouse with an onsite maritime museum.

(Multiple Regions)

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

One visit to Lake Erie and you’ll see that it’s not just the size of this body of water that makes it a “Great

With its white-sand beaches and expansive views, it’s easy enough to mistake Lake Ontario for an ocean. Just minutes away in Rochester’s downtown, you can explore over a century’s worth of toys and many hands-on activities at the Strong National Museum of Play, visit the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House to learn about the life and times of the women’s rights icon, and explore a burgeoning craft beverage scene with a visit to the Genesee Brew House, Black Button Distilling, and Rohrbach Brewing Company. Head east to the Thousand Islands and stop by the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and Oswego Lighthouse to learn about the lake’s importance in maritime history. Get closer to nature at Selkirk Shores State Park, where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and some of the best fishing in the state. Find even more adventures to inspire your next trip in “I Love New York’s” 48 Hours Along Lake Ontario blog post (https://www.iloveny.com/ blog/). Source: I Love New York. Sign up for their eNewsletter or download a travel guide at https://www.iloveny.com/ Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 41

agara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center (www.niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org) which opened in 2018 next to the Niagara Falls, New York Amtrak station.

CLOSE TO HOME SUMMER home is regarded as one of the greatest residences in the world. Martin was an executive at the Larkin Company in Buffalo and had commissioned Wright to design his home. Wright also designed a summer home for the Martin family — Graycliff, located along Lake Erie in Derby. This site also offers guided tours and also holds a farmer’s market on the grounds Thursday evenings during August and September (www.experiencegraycliff.org).

If you want to learn even more about the Buffalo area, go on a tour with Explore BufFUN cont. falo, which offers a variety of walking, biking and bus tours. (www.explorebuffalo.org)

The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca (www.senecamuseum.org) has exhibits depicting Native American history and culture, including traditional crafts and even a partial long house. The Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia (www.hollandlandoffice.com) also has exhibits on Seneca history, along with Genesee County history. It is from this building that the early settlers to Western New York in the 1800’s purchased land. You can learn about our region’s Underground Railroad history at the Ni-

Learn About WNY’s Aviation History During the early 20th Century, Western New York was one of the country’s leading aviation centers. Many of the early flying enthusiasts belonged to some of the numerous cycling clubs popular in this area in the late 1800’s. A group interested in winged flight formed the Aero Club of Buffalo, the oldest aero club in America. Often members would try out their flying contraptions on what is now the Grover Cleveland Golf Course at Main and Bailey. There are numerous museums located in Western New York and the nearby Finger Lakes region that pay tribute to the aviation industry. Located close to home is the Niagara Aerospace Museum (www.wnyaerospace.org), which is at the Niagara Falls Airport. This museum is dedicated to the thousands of area residents who contributed to the aviation industry. It houses a large collection of research aircraft, helicopters, and products made for the aviation industry. There are also three aviation museums a short drive away from Buffalo in the Finger Lakes region. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport (www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org) features a collection of

42 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

early aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, and other items that belonged to Curtiss, who was one of America’s most prominent aviation pioneers. In the Elmira area you can visit the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center (www.wingsofeagles.com) which houses a collection of military aircraft and aviation memorabilia. Museum volunteers also restore vintage aircraft to exhibit and even fly. Also in the Elmira area is the National Soaring Museum (www.soaringmuseum.org) which is home to the country’s largest collection of gliders and sailplanes. Elmira has been dubbed the “soaring capital of the world.” The museum has numerous aircraft on display, along with several hands-on exhibits. You can even experience soaring first-hand at the adjacent Harris Hill Soaring Center (www.harrishillsoaring.org) which offers 20-minute sailplane rides.

Take A Hike! There are many places to enjoy hiking in our area, whether you want to take a short hike or spread it out over multiple days. So, lace up those boots, grab some hiking poles, and get going. If you want to start out by hiking closer to home, you can enjoy eight shorter hiking trails that run parallel to the Niagara River from Niagara Falls to Lewiston. Follow this link to the Niagara Gorge Trail System for a detailed map: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/ NiagaraFallsNiagaraGorgeTrailMap.pdf You can explore two rock parks in New York’s southern tier. Rock City Park (www.rockcitypark.com) just south of Olean, is a 23-acre privately owned park which features huge rock formations. After viewing a video about the park, visitors can hike along the park’s trails. However, you do have to be especially vigilant if you bring young children, as there are crevices and drop offs. Panama Rocks (www.panamarocks.com) in Chautauqua County is also a privately owned park. It features the largest outcropping of glacier-sculpted quartz conglomerate rock in the world. While one could walk the trail in about 20 minutes, most people spend a couple hours exploring the park, venturing off trail, and climbing the formations. This park is also best for school-age children

Look Forward to

NUF REMMUS

August cont.

Rock City

Panama Rocks

or those young enough to be carried in back carriers.

western New York, along with over 2,500 species of plants.

Also in Chautauqua County is the Chautauqua Rails to Trails (https:// chaurtt.org/), which is made up of 30 miles of former railway corridors turned into multi-use trails which run between Sherman and Brocton.

If hiking through a swamp looking for rattlesnakes is a bit intense for you, you can still view snakes and a variety of other critters in a more controlled setting at the Buffalo Zoo (www.buffalozoo. org), which is the third oldest zoo in the country. Animals are viewed in exhibits similar to their natural habitats rather than in cages.

One of the longer trails in our region is the 90-mile-long Genesee Valley Greenway (www.fogvg.org) which runs from Rochester to Olean. Obviously, you wouldn’t hike the trail in one day, but you can always make multiple trips to explore different parts of it. This trail follows the former railbed of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the towpath of the Genesee Valley Canal of 1840-78. A popular access point of this trail is near Letchworth State Park in Mount Morris off NY Route 36.

Learning About Nature Western New York has many places where you can explore nature, learn about fish, birds and wildlife, observe the night sky, and even collect fossils. The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, (www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois) a.ka., the “Alabama Swamps,” because it’s partly in the town of Alabama in Genesee County, is the largest wildlife refuge in New York State. Visitors can observe migrating waterfowl as well as enjoy fishing and hiking nature trails. Also in Genesee County, the Bergen Swamp (www. bergenswamp.org) is a protected 2,000acre nature preserve and swamp that is over 10,000 years old. One can view rare plants and animals, including the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, which is rare in

Another unique place to visit is a fish hatchery. The New York State DEC operates twelve of these in the state (www. dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7742.html); the purpose of these hatcheries is to produce fish to stock public waterways in the state. There are a couple of these fish hatcheries a short drive from Buffalo. The Randolph Fish Hatchery in Cattaraugus County specializes in trout, with over 6 million trout eggs laid a year. It is open year-round and visitors can feed the fish. In Livingston County, the Caledonia Fish Hatchery, also known as Spring Brook, is the oldest fish hatchery in the state; it was established in 1864.

27 • Fiddlers’ Fair Mumford gcv.org 27-28 • Elmwood Festival of the Arts Buffalo Elmwoodartsfest.org

September

3-4 • National Buffalo Wing Festival Highmark Stadium buffalowing.com 3-4 • War of 1812 Encampment Youngstown oldfortniagara.org 8-11 • Niagara County Peach Festival Lewiston lewistonpeachfestival.org 24-25 • Wildlife Festival Lewiston nypa.gov/niagarapowervista

There are also several nature and Audubon centers in Western New York that you might want to visit. Beaver Meadow Nature Center (www.buffaloaudubon.org) in North Java, is a 324-acre sanctuary with marked hiking trails as well as a visitors’ center with exhibits. It also has an observatory with an astronomical telescope to observe the night sky. Audubon Community Nature Center (www.auduboncnc.org) in Jamestown continued on page 44 Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 43

CLOSE TO HOME SUMMER FUN continued... is a 600-acre nature preserve that has five miles of walking trails as well as an exhibit building. Also in Jamestown is the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (www.rtpi.org) which was named after Jamestown native, Roger Tory Peterson, who was one of the greatest naturalists of the 20th Century. The center has outdoor nature trails as well as indoor exhibits displaying Peterson’s life work.

Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum (www.rgvrrm.org). These museums focus on the transportation and railway history of the Genesee Valley. You can even enjoy a scenic two-mile rail ride between the two museums on select dates, advanced tickets required.

Tifft Nature Preserve (www.tifft. org) located less than three miles from downtown Buffalo, is a great place to watch migrating birds and other wildlife. There are five miles of trails and a small lake to fish in. Check their website for family programming.

Here are a couple of suggestions of places to go that you could literally spend the entire day at. These would be great places to go on a rainy day since they are indoors and you could even turn a visit into an overnight getaway.

If you are interested in fossils, check out the Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve in Hamburg (www.penndixie.org). Once a quarry, this 32-acre site contains an abundance of 380-milliion year old fossils. It is a great place to study and collect fossils and learn about local geology.

All Aboard for Railroad Adventures! What kid, as well as parents, doesn’t like riding a train? There are several train excursions in our region that are fun for young and old alike. One of the more popular train rides in our area is Arcade and Attica Railroad (www.aarailroad.com), which has been offering excursions since 1962. You can enjoy a 14-mile round trip ride in restored 1920’s era passenger cars. They also offer a variety of themed excursions for families as well as adults. The Medina Railroad Museum (www.medinarailroadmuseum.org) is located in a 1905 freight house that measures 300 feet long and 34 feet wide, one of the largest buildings of its kind in the country. There are all sorts of railroad memorabilia on display, along with one of the largest HO-scale layouts in the country. The museum also offers rail excursions, including the popular Thomas the Tank engine event taking place on June 10,11,12 this year. In the Rochester area, you can visit the New York Museum of Transportation (www.nymtmuseum.org) and 44 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

Things That Are Just Plain Fun

The Strong National Museum of Play (www.museumofplay.org) in Rochester is a wonderful place to visit with your family. I’m sure many parents are familiar with this museum, as it is one of the nation’s tops children’s museums. My kids loved visiting here when they were younger. Plan on spending the entire day here as there is so much to see and do, with many interactive exhibits. In addition to the permanent exhibits, some of the short-term exhibits include one featuring the popular Paw Patrol (runs through Sept 11, 2022); Material Girl, which focuses on Barbie and her fashions; Millennial Madness, with toys from the 1990’s; and an exhibit on Women and Gaming. If you decide to stay overnight in the Rochester area, some of the other attractions you might want to check out include The Rochester Museum and Science Center (https://rmsc.org) Seneca Park Zoo (https://senecaparkzoo.org/), Ontario Beach Park (https://www.mon-

roecounty.gov/parks-ontariobeach) and Seabreeze Amusement Park (https:// seabreeze.com/) The Corning Museum of Glass (www.cmog.org) is one of New York State’s most popular attractions. The museum, about a 2 ½ hour drive from Buffalo, contains thousands of glass objects representing 3,500 years of glass craftmanship. This is a museum that you should allow an entire day, or more, to visit. The Hot Glass Show is very popular with visitors, along with the many handson exhibits throughout the museum. Visitors can even try their hand at various glassmaking projects (make reservations in advance). The glass projects usually have to cool overnight, so you could plan an overnight stay in the area if you sign up for one of these. (Note: the museum can mail the projects home if you decide not to stay overnight.) There are many other things to see in Corning, including numerous shops and restaurants along historic Market Street (www.gafferdistrict.com), the Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes, formerly Benjamin Patterson Inn Museum (www.heritagevillagesfl.org) which offers tours of their historic 18th century buildings by advance reservation only, and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art (www.rockwellmuseum.org) which contains the collection of art once owned by the Robert Rockwell family. Christine Smyczynski is a Getzville, NY freelance writer and author of several travel books including “Explorers Guide Buffalo Niagara Falls,” “Backroads & Byways of Upstate New York,” and “Western New York Explorer’s Guide.”

AMUSEMENT PARKS continued... Just across the street from the park is the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge, a destination resort with a hotel and indoor park, a Kids Club, spa, fitness center and the Tall Tales Tavern and Johnny Rockets restaurants. (Six Flags Great Escape, 1172 State Rt. 9, Queensbury, 518-824-6060, sixflags.com) Hersheypark is a theme park, a waterpark and a zoo but it is a park like none other because it is in the town that chocolate built. Chocolate is everywhere in this central Pennsylvania town known as the “Sweetest Place on Earth.” Milton Hershey, the creator of the town and the chocolate company opened Hersheypark in 1907 to provide a place of relaxation for his employees and their families. Two years later the zoo was added. The park continued to grow over the years and in 1971 it was developed into a major theme park. There are now more than 70 rides and attractions for all ages, including a turn-of-the-century carousel with hand carved horses and a Wurlitzer Band Organ, a 33-meter-tall Ferris Wheel, live performances in the Amphitheatre, a sea lion show, strolling performers, and huggable chocolate characters. The park continues to grow and in 2020 the new $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown region opened celebrating the life of the founder and bringing people together for happiness, fun, and of course, chocolate. This 23-acre development features the Candymonium hypercoaster (the tallest, fastest, and longest park coaster). This area features the Chocolatier, a full-service restaurant and bar. Watch sweets being made before your eyes at the Sweeterie or enjoy an ice cream sundae at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor, inspired by one of Hershey’s early ventures. New for this summer is the Jolly Rancher Remix reimagined boomerang roller coaster that takes guests and their senses on a flavor ride as they go forward and backward on the same flavorful track. Each ride is different with five randomized flavor rides like Watermelon or Green Apple complete with different music, lights and scents for an only-in-Hershey sensory experience. Mix’d Flavored by Jolly Rancher is an all-new family ride where riders sit in one of the four arms and spin 360 degrees and then shift into gear for the lifts and drops. (Hersheypark, 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA, 717-534-3900, hersheypark. com) Travel Tip of the Month: At press time, a U.S. dollar equals $1.28 Canadian so a visit to Canada’s Wonderland can be a bargain for American visitors. Be sure to check on border crossing rules. Both countries require vaccinations for adults and Canada requires the use of the ArriveCan App but, of course, all border rules are subject to change. Deborah Williams lives in Holland, NY and is a veteran travel writer whose work has appeared in national and international publications. She is the recipient of the Society of American Travel Writers’ Lowell Thomas Gold Travel Writing Award.

Remember the last time your family visited the forest? It’s a place of wonder and imagination for the whole family—where stories come to life. And it’s closer than you think. Sounds like it’s time to plan your next visit. Make the forest part of your story today at a local park near you or find one at DiscoverTheForest.org.

DISCOVERtheFOREST.org Summer Go! Guide • June 2022 WNY Family 45

46 WNY Family June 2022 • Summer Go! Guide

DEAR TEACHER – by Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts

Helping all parents make their children’s educational experience as successful as possible

Tricks to Encourage Summer Reading

uestion: With my daughter’s compulsion to be on the Net and her mobile phone, my tween just about stopped reading for pleasure during the school year. How can I motivate her to become a reader once more? When she was younger, she could scarcely be seen without her nose in a book. — Not Reading Answer: Unfortunately, when the technological world takes over a child’s life, and she stops reading for pleasure, she is missing out on a lot of benefits. Reading beyond classroom assignments has the advantage of building vocabulary, writing, spelling, and grammar skills. And it is also likely to boost test scores. There is even some evidence that it helps kids think more clearly and be better problem solvers. Today, it is very common for children your daughter’s age and those who are teens to sharply reduce the amount of reading they do outside the classroom. You will need to be creative to reawaken her interest in books. You definitely should encourage her to read books that are tied to her interests. Other books that may reignite her desire to read are those that are parts of series or books that have been made into movies. While you can try motivating your child to read, it certainly is not definite that she is willingly going to put down her mobile phone or stop her online ac-

tivities. You can try doing some of these things. You should resume reading to her before bedtime or after supper and discuss what has been read. This can encourage her to complete a book on her own. Another suggestion is to set aside a definite time twice a week when the entire family will sit down together in the same room and read for a half an hour. This could be right after dinner or some other time when everyone is likely to gravitate toward the electronic world. And if she has younger siblings, assign to her the task of reading books to them instead of your reading to them every night. She might find this to be fun if she is reading entertaining books to them. Subscriptions to age-appropriate magazines can also encourage your daughter or any tween or teen to read more. Recently, we talked to children from elementary school to high school about what they will be reading this summer. Most of the older children admitted that they will be doing most of their reading online. This will include browsing online websites for topics that interest them, and some say they will be taking classes online to learn new skills. A few said they would actually read books — mostly fiction; however, some wanted to read non-fiction, especially history. What was especially popular with middle schoolers and high school students were fantasy, adventure, and science fiction books. And interestingly, we found a second grader who limited his reading to reading aloud rhyming books to

anyone who would listen. Overall, most agreed that they actually read more in the summer when the pressure of having so much schoolwork disappears. Do talk to your daughter about what she is looking at online, she may be reading more than you think.

Making Transition to High School Question: In the fall, my son will be making the transition from middle school to high school. Are there any things that he could do this summer to make this move easier? — Moving Onward Answer: Your son, like most children, is likely to experience some anxiety about making this transition. Here are some suggestions that may make this move easier for him: 

Attend any orientation session to find out what high school will be like. This can also be an opportunity to become acquainted with the layout of the school.



Observe an online high school class to familiarize himself with the way high school classes are taught.



Talk to students who have been going to the school he will be attending. They should be able to give him a good picture of what the high school is like.



Visit our dearteacher website to look at the list of 100 Words High School Freshmen Should Know in the Skill Builders: Reading section.



Get a summer reading list if the school offers one,



Spend time training if he will participate in a fall sport.



Find out the date when fall activities that he wants to participate in will start. Many begin before the first day of school.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher. com and to learn more about helping their children succeed in school visit the dearteacher website. June 2022 WNY Family 47

SUCCESS STORY

Music Therapy Helps Children Gain a Sense of Accomplishment

ne area where families or healthcare professionals can find success is with music therapy for their loved one or someone they assist. Music therapy can help influence someone’s own drum beat, while the end result is joy and success. Someone who is in tune with this is Amara May, a music therapist credentialed through the Board Certification for Music Therapists and with a Master’s from The State University of New York at Fredonia. She has years of experience working with people of all abilities. May approaches her craft through many platforms: She is a music therapist for People Inc., where she facilitates both group and individual sessions with people of all abilities within the agency’s various Day Services, located throughout Western New York. She works primarily on goals, such as positive social emotional expression and socialization with peers through music.

Sharing her skills even further, May incorporates music into the lives of many children and young adults with varying abilities through her woman-owned LLC business, May Creative Arts. She has a partnership with Matt’s Music in North Tonawanda, NY, where she provides music therapy service to clients at their facility, mostly children or young adults with disabilities. She also goes into client’s homes and provides services. The mission of May Creative Arts is to help clients enrich their lives through music, by addressing the social, mental, physical, creative, clinical and spiritual needs of each person, while fostering a support48 WNY Family June 2022

ive and inclusive environment.

In addition to her educational and professional knowledge, May has a personal experience of a family member with a disability to relate to clients and their caregivers. “I grew up with an older brother, Alex, who was born with Down syndrome, and he has always been someone I admired and looked up to,” says May with a smile. “Alex always found relief and expression through the creative arts and led me to where I am now. Alex shows and proves to me how essential people with disabilities are to this world. He truly opened my mind to seeing the kindness, love and potential that people of all abilities have.” Parents and caregivers can also help their child or young adult progress by encouraging music outside of a class setting. “Overall, many music therapists provide support to families or caregivers on how to continue the music making process in the home,” May remarked. “The most important thing I tell caregivers is to always continue experiencing music — sing to your child, find instruments in the home, share your voice and love of music with them — the rest will come naturally.” When music therapy begins, it’s important that it is goal oriented in order to be successful. According to May, it is common for music therapists to work with caregivers and the person themselves

Empower

Ability Inspire Advocate

Special Needs Potential Thri

Growth Strategies — by Nicole Forgione

to develop goals and objectives they want addressed through music, which are then tracked and adjusted as needed. “One of my favorite things to witness as a music therapist is seeing pure and positive social interactions happen among peers with disabilities,” stated May. “I have walked into many scenarios of agitation or frustration, but once the music starts, people become engaged and are positive. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been blessed to experience this.” Is it ever too young or too late for someone with a developmental disability to start music sessions? May does not think so. “For a child, there is no ‘right’ time to start music therapy,” replied May. “Early Intervention (services such as occupational, physical and speech therapies) often includes music and provides natural support for children. I believe that every child is musical in nature and

through music, they are given the opportunity to blossom to their full potential.” Music could help someone with a disability become more social, express their creativity and confront emotional or behavioral challenges. Customers of May Creative Arts (maycreativearts.com) can partake in individual, group and family sessions and mercy doula supports, along with adaptive music and art sessions. Through hands-on experiences, May shares this for parents and caregivers considering music therapy: “All people, wherever they are in their life, have a creative side. Music, but music therapy in particular, provides a safe space for people to bloom into their creative selves. Think of how many times someone has said ‘I am not a good singer’ or ‘I can’t do that.’ That’s not the case in how I approach music therapy. When I am working with someone with emotional or behavioral needs, it is about meeting the person where they are at. Songwriting with clients who struggle with positive expression and self-esteem is one of my favorite facets of my job. Music truly brings out the best in everyone.” Nicole Forgione is a wife, proud mom, loyal friend, and a marketing and media relations guru. She can usually be found re-watching “The Golden Girls,” instead of doing housework. Forgione is the assistant director of Marketing Communications for People Inc. (people-inc.org), a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, providing supports to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and older adults throughout Western New DOES YOUR York and the Greater Rochester region. Forgione is an active member of the Marketing Communications Committee for the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York and a volunteer for Senior Wishes.

CHILD HAVE AUTISM?

We’re here to help.

Comprehensive services for children and adults with autism. Support for your family.

· Evaluations · Early Autism Program (Preschool) · Summit Academy (Ages 3-21) · Respite Programs · Pediatric Feeding Clinic

· Recreation & Leisure Programs · Vocational & Employment Services · Adult Programs · Behavioral Health Clinic · Parent Training

We are WNY’s largest provider of evidence-based programs and services for autism. Our programs use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology – identified by hundreds of scientific studies as the most effective method to teach individuals with autism. Our goal is to help your child lead the most independent and fulfilling life possible.

Call 716-629-3400 | Visit TheSummitCenter.org June 2022 WNY Family 49

2022 Classical Camp July 25 – July 29

Classical Camp

Small and large ensembles, theory, piano, and conducting classes.

Vocal Camp July 25 - July 29

Special Advertising Section

Vocal Camp

Choral and small group ensemble rehearsals, musical literacy courses, sight reading, and, movement.

Jazz Camp

August 1 - August 5

Jazz Camp

Songwriting, piano, Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Combos

Musical Theatre Camp August 1 - August 5

Musical Theater

Immerses student in all aspects of a theatrical production. Vocal lessons, dance lessons, acting lessons

The Summer Arts Institute is designed for students in grades 7-12. Registration Cost: $200.00 per week

For more information, contact Dr. Rick Fleming at 716-878-6504 or fleminrl@BuffaloState.edu

www.music.buffalostate.edu

Princess Camp Every little girl dreams of being a Princess. Make her dreams come true at the

American Academy Princess Camp.

Our Princess Camp will enchant her with:

Dance, Theatre Games, Etiquette, Tea Parties, Crafts, Princess Costumes, A Life Sized Cinderella Carriage & A Visit From Prince Charming Every Friday!

The weeks of

June 27th, July 5th, FULL July 11th

All Classes are Grouped by Ages 4-8 491 West Klein at Hopkins, Williamsville

Call 688-4774 for more details

CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO

- Certified member of Dance Educators of America -

Celeb ra our 4 ting Seas 1st on! ! !

Dance Workshop Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels

July 25-29 • August 15-19 CLASSES OFFERED IN

Combo Class Ages 3-5, and Mommy & Me Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre Ages 6-9; 10 & Up $10.00 per class, $100.00 Unlimited

in our Come Jo ing Excit ! o m p any DanceStCudents Only ~

S★ D I T I, JuOlyN13th ★ AU ay sd e n ed :00pm ~ New

W -6 - 4:30pm 0 pm Ages 6 -9 - 6:00pm - 8:0 Up & 10 s tion Fee Age ra st gi No Re De tail s C all for

ACRO CAMP July 6, 13, 20, 27 August 3, 10, 17, 24

$10.00 per class $100.00 Unlimited

Accepting Phone Registration for Summer and Fall.

4837 Union Rd., Cheektowaga (Near Cleveland Dr.)

634-3395 ★ www.csds.dance ★

50 WNY Family June 2022

— by Rebecca Hastings

Sail Buffalo Junior Sail Camp Sign Up Today! We Teach Sailing! We Teach Important Life Lessons, too. info@sail-buffalo.org

Sail Buffalo

716-432-6589

www.sail-buffalo.org

Sailing School

10 Surprising Things I Learned After Sending My Child to Camp

BUFFALO TURNERS GYMNASTICS

Featuring:

knew certain things about sending my kids to camp. I knew they would spend a lot of time outside and they would try new things. I was thrilled they would meet new people and learn more about something they love. They would swim and laugh and stay up way too late. These are the things I knew. But after they got home, I realized there were other things, things I couldn’t have imagined would be true. Despite having gone to camp as a kid, I somehow forgot or didn’t look at it through the same lens. And now, as a mom, I couldn’t hide my surprise at some of what I discovered when they got back.

• Recreational Gymnastics: Beginner to Advanced ratin Celeb

• Competition Teams: USAG

169RS!

YE A

3200 Elmwood Ave. Kenmore, NY

• Gym-Tots (3-4 years)

CALL 877-2700

• Gym-Kids (5 years)

www.BuffaloTurnersGymnastics.com

Beyond the fun and the lousy food, after the bonfire stories and the silly games they played, these are the things I didn’t see coming. And I’m starting with the hardest one. 1) They struggled, but it’s worth it. I know this isn’t what we want for them, but it’s actually a good thing. Think about a time you had to work really hard for something. A time you failed and tried again. What happened? You learned. You persevered. You became stronger. So, yes, at camp there was struggle. Maybe they didn’t get the top bunk as they wanted or they weren’t able to stand up on the water skis. Maybe they missed home. A lot. But they made a friend that helped them feel less lonely. Whatever the struggle, it was an opportunity for growth they would not have had at home. And that makes the struggle worth it. 2) Speaking of growing, they grew. They left looking like your baby, and somehow, they came home looking more grownup. It doesn’t matter if they were gone the whole summer or two days. Independence makes them grow. (Side note: they will still be your baby.) 3) That last hug and first hug are the best you have had in a long time, especially if you have tweens or teens. The hug right before they leave might feel harder than you imagined, so you hug tight. And when they get back, the simple act of having your arms around them again, well, that’s just magic. Except… 4) They stink. It doesn’t matter if they went to day camp or three weeks in a cabin. Hygiene is different at camp. Let’s be real: it’s non-existent. But they survived and you can send them right to the shower when they get home. 5) The laundry will surprise you. Somehow all the clothes continued on page 53

Pre-School Camps (Ages 3 & 4)

SPLISH, SPLASH WEEK June 27th

Pre-School Camps (Ages 3 & 4)

DOWN ON THE FARM WEEK of July 18th

Kindergarten Camps (Ages 5 & 6)

LET’S GO TO THE BEACH

A WEEK IN MOTION

WEEK of June 27th

WEEK of August 1st

Elementary Camps (Ages 6 -11)

Intermediate Camps (Ages 10 -14)

ANIMALS & HABITATS

FILM & NATURE

WEEK of August 8th

WEEK of July 18th

Check out all of the 32 Camp themes we’re offering on our website! CAMPS FROM JUNE - AUGUST for campers AGES 3 TO 14! Register at www.NotreDameBuffalo.org June 2022 WNY Family 51

Special Advertising Section

MEET & GREET OPEN HOUSE AUGUST 24TH, 5-7PM

52 WNY Family June 2022

SURPRISING THINGS I LEARNED cont. will smell like damp gym shoes left in a garbage can for a week. This is odd considering the reality that they wore the same clothes most of the time and didn’t bother to change. General rule: if it went to camp, it gets washed. Clothes, sleeping bags, people. It all gets washed. 6) They need sleep. You’re going to want to hear all about it. And they will be excited to tell you. For exactly fifteen minutes. And then they will fall into a deep sleep, perhaps even sleeping through dinner straight until the next day. There is nothing wrong, they are simply exhausted from their adventures. It’s okay though because you’ll go in and check on them like you did when they were little, brushing back their hair and kissing their forehead. 7) They have friends you don’t know. They met people. They made new friendships. They’ll talk about these people as if you know them. Just play along. It’s easier on everyone. 8) Camp store money was the best. And yes, they spent it all on candy. They’ll be fine. 9) Your letters/emails/texts meant more to you than they did to them. And it’s okay. If they don’t remember what you wrote or barely toss a thank you nod your way, they served their purpose: they reminded them you are always there for them and they let you feel more connected. Win-win. 10) Even if it was “THE BEST WEEK EVER” they are glad to be home. They spent the whole week being go-go-go. Now, they are back to where they are safe and loved and can relax. And that feels pretty great for both of you.

Summer Crew Camp for boys and girls! Full Day and Half Day Sessions Available for July and August! Come try a new sport! ~ Financial Assistance Available ~

2 Summer Literacy Programs

One-to-one Tutoring & Half-day Camp

716-645-2470

buffalo.edu/clari ub-clari@buffalo.edu SUM MERE INTENSIV Y ONE-DAO P: H S K R O W gust 30 th

Tuesday, Au-9:0 0pm fr om 4:30

Summer C amps

See website www.zpac.biz for classes Competition Team New and Returning Members: Audition: Wednesday, August 31st 5:00-8:00pm FALL IN-HOUSE REGISTRATION: Aug. 28th from 4-8pm

For more information, call (716) 608-1010 or visit: www.zpac.biz June 2022 WNY Family 53

here have been times when I’ve been frustrated and, I’ll admit it, a bit hurt over my inability to connect with my teens. I’m guessing my frustrations are shared by other parents who are trying so hard but going about this relationship in all the wrong ways. I’ve worked hard to figure out when and where I was getting offtrack in relating to my teens. Along the way, I confronted several pitfalls worth passing along.

Do you speak to your teens as if they are still little kids? Parenting must change if you wish to keep your relationships strong. This includes not only the content but also the tone of conversation. “You need to treat them more like adults than children. Truly listen and heed their point of view, even if you disagree vehemently,” says John Duffy, clinical psychologist and author of the The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens. “We all want our point of view respected, and your teen is no different.” Tough as it is, welcoming disagreement in a spirit of humility is foundational. “Mutual respect is so important to teens,” says adolescent psychiatrist Meg van Achterberg. “If you are frustrated that your teen is rolling her eyes, using bad language and talking back, ask yourself if you are treating her with respect. Are you talking to her with the tone you would use to talk to one of your friends?” It’s a critical posture change for parents to make, one that can be disorienting. However, it’s crucial, Duffy says, because teens are keen and highly aware people.

Are you treating conversation with them as if it’s a chore or obligation? If you are, your teens know it, and it hurts. Teens sniff out adults who pander to them and suffer through dutiful conversation before turning to other adults in a room. Conversations also shouldn’t center on lecturing. “The occasional conversation may be a chore, a bit of a lecture, or a fo54 WNY Family June 2022

TWEENS & TEENS — by Kathryn Streeter

7 Mistakes Parents Make with Teens

cus on behavior we, as parents, do not favor. But the lion’s share of the discussion has got to be connecting, talking, laughing and sharing,” Duffy says. Maria Coyle, associate head of school for George Washington University Online High School, reminds parents that even after they’ve built a solid foundation for their kids and prepared them to handle the outside influences of peers and social media, they still have an important role to play in their teens’ lives. “Being present for your child, talking with them, noticing things and encouraging them continues to positively affect their growth and development,” she says. The hard work of parenting has changed, but it’s certainly not over. Intentional, proactive engagement in our

teens’ lives is more important than ever, Duffy and Coyle say.

Do you multitask while listening to them? When you’re multitasking while your teens are talking to you, it’s communicating that they don’t warrant your full attention. Van Achterberg, founder of Capitol Hill Child Psychiatry, urges parents to drop everything if their teens want to talk. “Put down your cellphone, computer, laundry or whatever pressing matters you have, because nothing is more important than hearing out your teenager when he wants to talk.” She points out that evenings and car rides are times when teens are most eager to communicate.

Do you interrupt them? Do you finish their sentences, laugh before they are finished, or react in any way before they are done talking? In parents’ desperation to relate to their teens, to be cool or to demonstrate energetic engagement, remarks and reactions may easily come out forced and unnatural. Relax. View your teens as good friends, van Achterberg

says. She acknowledges that although a relationship between adult friends won’t have the boundaries and consequences present in a parent-teen relationship, “showing respect and kindness toward [your teen] is as essential as it would be toward a friend.” Duffy suggests parents remain silent as much as possible. “My strong bias is to listen more, speak and interrupt less,” he says. “Getting to know their world will diminish your parental anxiety.”

Do you press them into activities of your choosing? Or do you give them permission to pursue their passions? Coyle, a licensed school counselor and adolescent behavioral researcher, gets to the heart of it — “This is the time when adolescents question: ‘What do I want to do? What do I want to be?’ Offering space and support for this exploration allows for a healthy identity to grow. When that space is not offered, an adolescent’s identity may not have the room to fully develop.” Instead of mirroring your own hopes and dreams, let your teens take responsibility for their own pursuits. And for teens who lack motivation? Duffy suggests pulling the parent card and insisting that they be involved in something. “Kids need this to balance out the social and academic stressors in their lives and may find their passion through the trial and error of being involved.”

Do you try to force the conversation too often? Sometimes, parents try too hard. They want to get kids talking but don’t really know how. One idea: Try sharing something from your own day, van Achterberg says. “‘The weirdest thing happened at work today, and I couldn’t figure out what to do about it’ can lead to a conversation in which your teen may be empowered to share advice with you, a wonderful state of affairs for their confidence and your connection. A little vulnerability on your part (‘Mom just admitted that she didn’t know what to do?’) can go a long way.” Look for moments, such as when your younger kids are in bed, to invite your teens to join you in more

complex conversations or TV shows that can lead to deep discussions, van Achterberg suggests. Coyle says that dinnertime is always a great time to talk, too. There are fewer distractions allowed, permitting conversation to move through the highs and lows of the day. Gathering teens around the dinner table provides an easygoing, nonthreatening setting to get them talking, Coyle says. Try questions that are open-ended and nonjudgmental. For instance, Coyle suggests: “What was the best thing that happened today? What happened today that you did not like?” Forget the “why” questions or those that can be answered with a yes or no. Get into their world. Listen to music with them, watch a show they like, or ask them about their favorite social media apps or video games, Duffy suggests. “These conversations provide the goodwill and leverage you will need when things are not going so well. And this is also the good stuff of parenting — truly getting to know and appreciate your kids.”

Do they leave the house with you calling out behind them: “Remember, drive slowly! Be safe! Text me!”

I tend to worry about my teens, and I know I’m not alone. But when messages of safety are the last thing teens hear every time they leave home, it begins to sound as if you don’t trust them. Offer basic human respect to your teens in these moments, van Achterberg says, though this doesn’t mean allowing your teens to drive if they’ve demonstrated irresponsibility or to hang out with friends you don’t trust. The point is, timing is everything. Lobbing safety phrases at teens every time they leave the house only dilutes the well-intentioned meaning behind them. The time to discuss road safety, for example, should not be when teens are flying out the door. “Teachable moments will arise. Utilize those opportunities to have more in-depth conversations,” Coyle suggests. So, bite your tongue. Instead, tell your teens you love them, and, after they depart, murmur your prayers and send positive vibes in their direction. In contrast to when your teens were children, the way you relate to them may be fundamentally uncomfortable. Providing your teens with greater autonomy as they grow essentially means learning a new way to care for them. The learning curve will be well worth your time and effort, however, rewarding you with natural camaraderie. Kathryn Streeter is a Washington DCbased freelance writer. Find her at www.kathrynstreeter.com. This article was originally published by The Washington Post and is republished with permission. June 2022 WNY Family 55

SINGLE PARENTING — by Diane Dierks, LMFT, CFLE

the voice of reason. If both parents fall into one of those categories, the chances that their children will be part of the negative statistics is extremely high. To give the kids the best chance for success, at least ONE parent must take on the task of setting boundaries around conflict. Here are some tips: Stay out of each other’s body space. If you know drama is likely to ensue each time you come faceto-face, then exchange the kids at school or in a public place. If you do go to the other parent’s home, stay in the car and let the children come to you. Unstable people are not above trying to goad you into a violent argument that will get you hauled off to jail if it gets physical. So, refuse to allow yourself to be put in that position in the first place.

One (Healthy) Parent Can Make a Difference

orty years ago, researchers were telling us that the top two factors that determined how kids fared after divorce were economics and parental conflict. Here we are into 2020s, and the top two reasons that surface in the research still today are economics and conflict. Why have we not gotten better at this?

Economic distress on both parents after divorce is almost inevitable, unless you are in the top five percent of earners in this country. There is little that can be done about that until all parents, when they are married, decide to take better care of their finances and stay out of debt (something even our government has trouble doing). It’s a societal issue. Therefore, parents often divorce with few assets and too much debt, setting them up for having to significantly reduce their lifestyles and even enter poverty status. A drastic change in lifestyle can adversely affect children in many ways, including affecting their college choices. Again, there is little we can do about this after divorce except work to be better stewards of our finances and try to maintain employment that 56 WNY Family June 2022

allows our income to exceed expenses. The issue that can be resolved after divorce is parental conflict. Too often, though, parents say it is the other parent’s fault for creating so much conflict and that there is nothing that can be done to resolve it. Although another person’s attitude and behaviors can definitely create drama and conflict, it takes two to continue a fight. One person can put an end to the conflict, but it requires that person to be the adult; to be the rational thinker; to be focused on the children; and to have the courage to set boundaries. Hopefully, one person will take on all of those attributes for the sake of the kids. If one parent is emotionally or mentally unstable, drug or alcohol affected, a control freak or drama queen, the task of taking control of the conflict will most certainly fall on the other parent, who might be able to be

Refuse to have texting wars or argumentative phone calls in front of the kids. This is easy. Don’t answer or hang up if it gets bad. When the kids are in your presence, you can control what they experience with you. Parental conflict should not be one of their experiences. It hurts children to see or hear their parents fight, mostly because after divorce, the fight is often about the children. From their point of view, kids feel guilty and may believe it is their fault that mom and dad hate each other so much. Although the adults know this isn’t true, kids are well aware that if their parents didn’t have children, they would never choose to talk to each other after divorce. Let them know you respect them enough to not do that in front of them.

Have a designated time to talk each week about the children and don’t stray from it. Pick a 30-minute time period that you will talk (or email) ONLY about decision-making for the kids and then end it. Throughout the week, keep a running agenda of items you need to discuss, and keep the conversation only about those topics. The minute the conversation strays from that and gets confrontational, inform the other parent that you will call him or her back next week if he or she is having trouble talking to you respectfully. In between talks, don’t respond to calls and texts unless it is an emergency. Control and drama people don’t like this, but they will soon learn that if they want to have discussions with you, they must follow the rules. Obviously, these rules apply best when dealing with difficult people, so it is always better to be flexible and reasonable with one another, that is if you are dealing with a reasonable kind of person. If not, you may have to resort to these kinds of boundaries in order to maintain your sanity, and you would do best to legalize these kinds of rules by making them part of your court order. That way, you have the legal right to set strict boundaries around dealing with the other parent. Regardless, personal boundaries are our choice and we teach people how to treat us by the ways in which we stay true to our own health and welfare. If you have difficulty with this concept and always feel bad when you have to be firm about protecting yourself, then make your focus the kids. If you can’t do it for you, do it for them! Diane C. Dierks is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Atlanta, Georgia. She is co-host of the new podcast, CoParent Dilemmas (www.CPDilemmas. com, or wherever you get your podcasts). She is also author of The Co-Parent Toolbox (2014 Aha! Publishing) and Solo Parenting: Raising Strong &amp; Happy Families (1997 Fairview Press).

10 Ways to Enjoy

with Your Teen

— by Rebecca Hastings

ays are slipping away. We feel them sift through our fingertips like the sand our kids once played in. No matter how tight I clench my fist, the sand keeps falling. Instead of holding so tight, maybe we need to relax. Open our hands. Let the sand rest there a moment before we reach down and grab another handful. Here are 10 ways to help you enjoy the moments this summer. Introduce them to a movie from your youth. They’ll think it’s fun to make fun of the clothing and hair and cheesy movie lines. You’ll enjoy the walk down memory lane with your teen. Let them plan a day for the family. Give them a budget and let them take the lead. It’s exciting to see what they come up with. We could talk all about the great skills they are practicing in this one, but it’s more fun just to sit back and enjoy the ride. You may be surprised to see what they come up with! Read a book together. Maybe not out loud together, but pick a book you can both read. I find my teen reads far faster than I can, so I have to make a conscious effort on this one. Without making it formal, just find times to slip the story into conversation. It’s a connection you can both enjoy. Pick a show to watch together. Start with episode one, pop some popcorn and enjoy a good binge-fest together. While I often lament having my quiet evenings from back in the days of 8pm bedtimes, you have time to relax together. Find a way to enjoy it. Go to a game or a concert. It doesn’t have to be the major leagues or a top musician, but find a local game for a sport your kid loves or a local concert for a style of music your teen enjoys. It’s simple, doesn’t cost a lot, and gives you a great time out together, and it’s great if it is outdoors! Plus this one doesn’t usually take much convincing. Be the house the kids want to come to. This one isn’t as bonding as some of the other ideas on the list, but when you create an atmosphere that your teen and her friends want to spend time in, the results are so good. Not only is your teen around more, continued on page 61 June 2022 WNY Family 57

What should I know about imported baby formula?

s s e n l l e W Choices

The following information was updated on May 17, 2022 on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website HealthyChildren.org.

With The Baby Formula Shortage, What Should I Do If I Can’t Find Any?

— by Steven A. Abrams, MD, FAAP

ince the outbreak of COVID-19, there have been significant shortages of infant formulas in some stores. Current shortages have been largely caused by supply chain issues, and a recall of several contaminated baby formula products. Check with your local stores or online retailers about availability. To help ease the impact of shortages, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises buying no more than a 10-day to 2-week supply of formula.

What if baby formula is out of stock everywhere? The U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced it is taking steps to help improve supply of infant and specialty formula products. However, if you’re struggling to find baby formula during the shortage, here are some tips that can help. Keep in mind this advice is strictly for URGENT situations. If you have any concerns about your baby’s nutrition, please talk with your pediatrician. 

Check smaller stores and drug stores, which may not be out of supply when the bigger stores are.



If you can afford it, buy formula online until store shortages ease. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies rather than individually sold or auction sites.



For most babies, it is OK to switch

58 WNY Family June 2022

to any available formula, including store brands, unless your baby is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula such as Elecare (no store brand exists). Ask your pediatrician about recommended specialty formula alternatives available for your baby. 

Check social media groups. There are groups dedicated to infant feeding and formula, and members may have ideas for where to find formula. Make sure to check any advice with your pediatrician.

The FDA is considering accelerated approval of certain imported formulas. Many sold in Europe, for example, contain adequate nutrients but must be imported in a way that maintains temperature and other safety issues. That’s why FDA oversight is critical.

Can toddler formula substitute for regular formula? Toddler formulas are not recommended for infants. However, if you absolutely have no other choice, toddler formula is safe for a few days for babies who are close to a year of age.

Can I give my full-term baby premature formula? Formulas designed for babies who were born premature (and have “catchup” growth to do) can safely be used for a few weeks to feed full-term babies if nothing else is available.

Is cow’s milk a safe alternative to baby formula?

Can I make my own baby formula?

If your child is older than 6 months of age and is usually on regular formula (not a specialty product for allergies or other special health needs), this may be an option. In a pinch, you could feed them whole cow’s milk for a brief period of time until the shortage is better. This is not ideal and should not become routine. However, it is a better option than diluting formula or making homemade formula. Although we don’t have a specific amount of cow milk that infants 6-12 months should drink in this situation, follow the limits of no more than 24 ounces a day for children over a year of age. See “Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 and Younger” at https:// bit.ly/3FXrnEI.

The AAP strongly advises against homemade formula. Although recipes for homemade formulas circulating on the Internet may seem healthy or less expensive, they are not safe and do not meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Infant deaths have been reported from use of some homemade formulas.

The most important concern with giving an infant over 6 months of age cow’s milk if you can’t find baby formula is making sure they get enough iron to prevent anemia. Be sure to include plenty of iron-containing solid foods in their diet while you are using whole cow’s milk. You may also talk with your

Is it OK to put more water in baby formula? No. While it may be tempting to water down formula to stretch it out, it is not safe to do that. Always follow label instructions or those given to you by your pediatrician. Watering down formula is dangerous. It can cause nutritional imbalances in your baby and lead to serious health problems. Always mix formula as directed by the manufacturer.

pediatrician about giving your baby an iron supplement until you can find formula again.

What about feeding my baby goat’s milk? Goat’s milk is not approved for babies in the United States. However, there are goat milk-based baby formulas registered in other countries that may be among those considered for accelerated import approval by the FDA.

Can I use plant-based milk instead of baby formula if needed? Milk alternatives are not recommended for babies under a year of age or infants with certain medical conditions requiring specialized formulas. Soy milk may be an option to give babies who are close to a year of age for a few days in an emergency, but always buy the kind that is fortified with protein and calcium. Make sure to change back to formula as soon as some is available. Be especially careful to avoid almond milk or other plant milks as these are often low in protein and minerals.

Resources For Finding Formula As of our press time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had put together a list of possible resources to help families find infant formula at https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html. Below is a brief summary of the MOST pertinent information. •

• • •

Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert (https://www.gerber.com/mygerberbaby-expert) - reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat, or video call, who can help you identify a similar formula that may be more readily available. Abbott’s Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540

Abbott’s urgent product request line (https://abbottnutrition.com/metabolics) - Ask your OBGYN or your infant’s pediatrician to submit an urgent product request by downloading and faxing the completed request form. Reckitt’s Customer Service line: call 1-800 BABY-123 (1-800-222-9123)

Community Resources Community Action Organization of WNY 716-881-5150 www.caowny.org United Way’s 2-1-1 Dial 211 or call 1-888-696-9211 www.211wny.org

Find a Food Pantry Near You www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/find-food 716-822-2002 Also: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Human Milk Banking Association of North America www.hmbana.org/find-a-milk-bank/ WIC-Eligible Families Contact your local WIC office to identify or obtain sources of infant formula nearby • www.signupwic.com

What is the shelf life of baby formula? Check the “use by” date on infant formula, which is required by FDA regulations to be on each container. Until that declared date, the formula will contain no less than the amount of each nutrient on the product label and will otherwise be of acceptable quality.

Remember Don’t hesitate to talk with your pediatrician if you have any concerns you have about your baby’s health and nutrition. If your child has special health needs, be sure to check with their doctor about medically appropriate and safe feeding alternatives. Steven A. Abrams, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas at Austin. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, he is past chair of the National Committee on Nutrition. Dr. Abrams also served on Dietary Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You can follow him on Twitter at @stableisotope.

Stronger, Happier Couples Begin HERE. Everyone needs help in relationships. Don’t wait until it is too late. Heal and improve your most important relationships. Offering relationship coaching, classes, support groups, marital or divorce mediation.

716-446-9226 • 7345 Transit Rd. • East Amherst, NY

Check out our website: www.CreativeRelationshipCenter.com June 2022 WNY Family 59

THE FAMILY PET

BITE ME! Does my pet have fleas?

t’s spring and your pet has started scratching like crazy. Is it dry skin, allergies or maybe fleas? It may take some investigation, but you can easily eliminate fleas by using protection year around. This time of year, you’ll see many ads for flea and tick products. Pet and grocery stores carry shampoos, sprays,

Fur Loss — A flea infestation

causing constant scratching and biting eventually can lead to localized fur loss, usually over the rump for dogs. powders, monthly treatments and collars to control ticks and fleas. Use caution, as some over-the-counter products can cause more harm than good. Check with your veterinarian for the best topical and oral flea control products to stop fleas in their tracks and prevent them from returning. No pet parent wants to encounter fleas, but they’re all too common on our furry friends. Signs of flea infestations aren’t always readily apparent, but pet owners should be aware of them. Here are a few signs fleas may have taken residence in your home.

Scratching, Licking, Biting — Fleas live in hard-to-reach places on your pet. The head/neck for cats and rump area of dogs are favorite flea areas where infestations occur. Your pet attacking these areas is a sign of fleas.

Flea Poop — Flea droppings of-

ten appear as black specks in a pet’s fur near the skin. To check if it is flea poop, add a drop of water to the specks. If they turn reddish-brown it’s flea droppings.

Raised Bumps or Welts — Fleas irritate the skin, resulting in raised welts on pets and people. People are often bitten near the ankles when fleas jump from the carpet onto human skin and bite. 60 WNY Family June 2022

Here are a few common questions/ answers regarding fleas:

How did my pet get fleas? Pets get fleas from their environment. Your pet most likely picked up fleas outside. Dogs are sociable creatures, and fleas can quickly jump from the pooch they met on a walk. Dogs and cats love to investigate open spaces where wild animals carrying fleas may have been resting a few hours before. Once back home, fleas can temporarily jump off your pet or your clothes, hiding in floor cracks, carpets and bedding. This means indoor pets get fleas as well.

Will Fleas Go Away on Their Own? Nope! Fleas feed and reproduce on dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits. They are parasites that need blood hosts to survive, so they will jump from one potential host to another to find a juicy source. If not treated, fleas can eventually cause death.

Can people get fleas from pets? Fleas do not live long term on people, but they can hitch a ride on our clothing. They generally bite down at your feet, ankles, and legs by jumping from an infested pet, wildlife, or an infested pet bed.

How can you tell if your house has fleas? Try the white sock test. Put on a pair of white socks and walk around where you think there may be fleas for around ten minutes. If fleas are present, they will jump up to hitch a ride.

Can fleas live in your bed? Yup. Fleas enjoy a warm environment, and your bed is an ideal place. The adult fleas will lay their eggs within the mattress material and produce fecal matter to feed the larvae.

What can I use for flea bites? If you think you’ve been bitten by a flea, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water. Put on some calamine lotion to help with the itching. Try not to scratch the bites too much, because this can make them become infected.

What if I decide to use OTC medications for my pet? Great that you are using flea protection! A few precautions:  NEVER use dog treatments on cats, and vice versa.  Double check your pet’s weight before giving any medication to ensure proper dosage.  Don’t split one “large dog” dose in half for two small dogs (or combine two “small dog” doses for large dogs).  Read and follow all instructions when using flea/tick products.  Check if products are appropriate for growing, elderly, sick, or pregnant pets.  Contact your veterinarian with any questions or concerns. The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society is comprised of more than 75 animal hospitals and 200 veterinarians in Erie and Niagara Counties, New York. It exists to advance public awareness and understanding of proper pet health care, veterinary services and the veterinary profession.

SUMMER WITH YOUR TEEN continued... but you get to know her friends and see them interact together. Be goofy and silly. Have the good snacks. Resist the urge to embarrass or scold. Don’t mistake this for changing your rules or how you do things. Just be real and welcoming and let the rest happen naturally. Serve someone else. Not all teens are eager to participate in serving others, but once you get started most kids come around and even appreciate it. Find something you can do for someone else together. Working together is the key to making this successful. Good places to try are soup kitchens, reading to kids (even summer camps and summer school may offer opportunities), cleaning up a park, or bringing a meal to someone who could use some help. It doesn’t have to be complex, it just needs to be about giving. Play their game. Sometimes teens are wrapped up in the latest game or app. Get involved. It will most likely be funny, but giving them the chance to show you how to do something creates a special bond. Recognizing their expertise helps them feel respected and that goes a long way. Dream together. Even little moments offer opportunities to connect. Asking questions is a great way to see glimpses of your teen that you never imagined. Here are a few questions to get you started: What is your dream vacation? What kind of house do you think you’ll live in when you’re my age? If you could eat anything in the world for a meal what would it be? Make time, but don’t force it. Being available is one of the best ways to create a connection. It doesn’t mean following your teen around, but make sure that you aren’t checking out or disappearing every time they are home. Be present and open and see what happens! Rebecca Hastings is a former teacher, book author, and mom of three teens. Her work has appeared in outlets such as The Washington Post, Parents, and Romper.

June 2022 WNY Family 61

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

ow do we celebrate dad? In our family, they seem to prefer things low key, puttering around in the backyard, working on the car, or watching their favorite sport. They pose a challenge to buy gifts for, either because they wear the same clothes until they fall apart, or they already ran to the hardware store to buy what they needed. Even if dad (or grandpa) is a challenge to buy for, they still like a good meal and a homemade card from their child. When searching for inspiration for this month’s column, we asked a few dads what they would like for a Father’s Day meal. While steak seemed to be a pretty high favorite, most preferred to grill it themselves. Another favorite that came up that’s friendly for kids to make: a big crusty sandwich, with lots of fillings. And strawberry shortcake — apparently dad has a sweet tooth. So, we came up with a hero sandwich, and an easy fresh shortcake sure to please. Happy Father’s Day!

A few tips:  If fresh crusty bread is not an option, use whatever bread you want. Or wraps. Or lettuce leaves.  If your family is vegan, replace meat options with hummus, vegan cheese, avocado, mashed beans and lots of crunchy veggies  Select strawberries that are ripe, not mushy. If they taste sweet already, you can use less sugar. Be sure to give sugared strawberries at least a few hours to allow the juices to form and the sugar to fully dissolve.  Not a fan of strawberries? You can use blueberries or raspberries instead, and they don’t need slicing.  Peaches are also a delicious shortcake topping. To make fresh, peel and slice 6-8 peaches (or nectarines). Sprinkle with 3/4-1 cup sugar to taste, more or less depending on how sweet the peaches are naturally.  Biscuit alternatives include cake, pound cake, muffins, or Daiya vegan gluten free cheesecake – yum! Available in local grocer’s freezer section: https://daiyafoods. com/our-foods/cheezecake/

HERO SANDWICHES

Free of: DAIRY, EGGS, SOY, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, WHEAT*, GLUTEN*, can be VEGAN** Yield: varies, as many as you like Prep Time: 10 minutes CookTime: 0 minutes

1 loaf unsliced Italian bread or sub rolls* (read for allergens, can be gluten free) Assorted lunchmeats** – ham, salami, turkey, rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or Portabella mushrooms

Cheese slices – American, Muenster, provolone, mozzarella, cheddar (dairy free/vegan if desired) Roasted peppers, pepperoncini, pickles, sliced onions Lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cabbage, cucumber slices, radish slices, avocado slices Oil, hummus, salad dressing, spicy mustard, vegan mayo Slice loaf in half. Layer on lunchmeats, cheese, peppers, vegetables, and assorted toppings. Spread with condiment. Cut into hearty sandwich-sized servings. *If allergic to wheat or gluten intolerant, use alternative breads. Check labels on dressings and lunch meats to be sure they are free of your allergens.

62 WNY Family June 2022

Free of: DAIRY, EGGS, SOY, PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, FISH, SHELLFISH, WHEAT*, GLUTEN*, VEGAN Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes 3 Groups to Assemble: sweetened strawberries, shortcakes, whipped topping Group 1 1 quart strawberries 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup water (optional – add for more juice) Group 2 2 1/3 cups Original Bisquick* mix (read label for allergens, choose gluten free version if desired) 1/2 cup milk (rice or oat), or water 3 Tablespoons sugar 3 Tablespoons melted dairy/soy free margarine Group 3 Whipped topping (dairy free version) For Strawberries - wash, hull and slice strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and water. Stir. Refrigerate for several hours, stirring occasionally. For Biscuits – preheat oven to 425°. In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients from Group 2. Place 6 equal portions onto ungreased cookie sheet (line with foil or parchment to minimize clean up). Bake for 10-12 minutes at 425°, until light golden brown. To Assemble – place biscuit in a bowl, split if desired. Top with sweetened strawberries and whipped topping (or favorite ice cream or frozen alternative.) If you have any questions about our column, e-mail Kathy at allergy@ roadrunner.com. For further information about food allergies, contact FARE www. foodallergy.org, or call 1-800-929-4040. Kathy Lundquist is a Western New York parent whose son, now an adult, was born with severe food allergies. Over the last two decades, she has worked tirelessly, in a variety of capacities, to increase community awareness about food allergies.

THE KIDDIE GOURMET

— by Barbara Blackburn

e were greeted royally by a superfriendly staff at the Royal Family Restaurant. We chose this restaurant after reading about its status as serving the best Texas Hots in Western New York. The Greek version of a chili dog is one of our favorite Buffalo foods. How convenient it was to already find a kids’ menu offering six choices and a stack of six high chairs.

The Royal Family Restaurant 1320 Sheridan Dr. Kenmore NY 14217

716-873-0056

theroyalfamilyrestaurant.com

~ SPOONS ~ FOOD 4.5/5 SERVICE 5/5

appetizer. The Spanakopita ($8.70), a.k.a., Spinach Pie, wrapped spinach and feta cheese in phyllo dough pastry. Artfully designed on the plate was the lettuce cup holding kalamata olives and tomato wedges. It was only I who thought that the phyllo could have been a tad bit crispier.

So many categories offer so many choices, for breakfast, lunch, and dinFAMILY ner — categories such as FRIENDLY 4.5/5 The Just For Kids secWaffles, Biscuits & Benetion for ages 10 and under dicts, Specialty Omelettes, includes a small beverage, Classic Royal Melts, and with the excepFrom The Sea. tion of freshly The call of the squeezed orange sea is answered juice. Our printed best with Royal menu, which we Seafood Dinner requested in lieu ($23.90). Live of an electronic it up if you’re a one, offers one seafood fan with egg any style, haddock, fried served with home shrimp, and fried fries and toast scallops. This ($5.35); one pancake or French Toast is served with a side dish, coleslaw, or ($5.10), with an extra charge for basoup or salad and garlic toast. con strips or sausage patty; Hamburger, Don’t miss the table sign for the served with fries ($6.60), cheese extra; day’s dessert. Stella’s Walnut Cake Grilled Cheese, with fries ($6.65); Two (from the kitchen of Stella and Alex) Chicken Fingers, with fries and celery was a slice of Greek heaven, transferring sticks ($7.95), and Kids Hot Dog, served filo dough to cake batter. This only $2.99 with French fries, ($6.65). treat rested, on a thin pool of honey and My snappy frankfurter was encased with a beefy sauce accented with spice, especially cinnamon, and bits of onion, drizzled with mustard — a little too much mustard I thought. The gravy-like chili sauce is my favorite way to dress a hot dog, and the Greek Americans do it best. My dog was preceded by a cup of the Soup of the Day, and what a satisfying selection it was, made with fresh ingredients ($5.00). My selection was the Lemon Rice in a winning chicken broth, over-stocked with savory morsels. Dad paired his Dog with a Greek

was intertwined with syrup familiar to baklava. This was indeed a special; usually cake is listed as $7.00. We were tempted to take home some Greek cookies, made by Stella ($9.50 a dozen). Yes, there is Rice Pudding ($6.00).

Both of us in our pasts have traveled to Greece, and while dining here we renewed our memories. What a pleasant place as far as setting and food! Check out Barbara Blackburn’s blogs at frontierfare.wordpress.com and culinarrations.wordpress.com.

PICK OF THE LITERATURE continued... Books, New York, 2022, $17.99). This elegant book is a tribute to fathers and the ways they support and nurture their children. As their stories inspire us, the illustrations move us as we see and feel the intense love and respect between father and child. From simple acts of kindness to adventures in nature or out in society, it is obvious that the inspiration comes as much from what they do as what they say. The author’s well-chosen words and powerful poetry are the perfect match to the mood and emotions captured by the illustrator. This is a book that needs to become a ritual to read each Father’s Day to remind everyone how it is the little and often seemingly simple things that have the most lasting impact. Fathers speak love not only by what they say, but also by what they do. We celebrate Father’s Day once a year, but dads are influencers 24/7 all year long. Maybe we can be mindful to thank them on a more regular basis. Why not try to read a book about fathers once a week for the next year. You already have 4 books to start with. Your local library or bookstore are sure to have 48 more! Dr. Donna Phillips is an associate professor in the College of Education at Niagara University where her specialty is literacy and children’s literature. She lives on Grand Island, NY and is the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of one. June 2022 WNY Family 63

64 WNY Family June 2022