WNCParent December 2010 by Stacey

c o n t e n t s Holiday inspiration This month’s features 2 Budget holidays

Believe it or not, this can be the season of spending less.

5 Gift guide

From infants to teens, we have gift ideas for you.

8 Giving back

Find out how your family can share with others this month.

12 Winter break fun

around Asheville this month. We run down the holiday happenings.

Keep the kids entertained at these nearby spots while they’re on winter break.

34 Explore Winston-Salem

Learn about foods you might find on the table as the year turns.

41 Parent 2 Parent

16 New Year’s traditions 19 3 Hanukkah stories

Take a few days and check out all that Winston-Salem has to offer families.

Meet Leigh Anne Hilbert, owner of The DryGoods Shop in West Asheville.

Local families share their traditions for the Jewish holiday. 44 Cookies, cookies Put on your apron and bake 23 Holiday events these cookies with the family. There’s no shortage of fun

I am lucky that Christmas brings nothing but fond memories. For instance, when I was growing up, my Dad tried each year to put the outdoor lights up before the guy down the street. He believed they were in some sort of competition. (I didn’t even know this family and have no idea if this guy knew he was part of a neighborhood contest.) And each year we baked and baked. There were towers of Tupperware full of cookies stacked in the cold garage. You would never know from the volume that we were only a family of four. In this issue, I hope we’ve provided you with great holiday ideas and inspiration to make your own fond family memories. Get some tips on how to celebrate on a budget on Page 2. There are oodles of gift ideas for your kids of all ages on Page 5. And while you’re giving, why not give back a bit? The story on Page 8 looks at how to spread holiday cheer and philanthropy this season. You can learn a bit about Hanukkah, too, from three local families who celebrate the Jewish holiday. Happy holidays, from everyone here at WNC Parent! Katie Wadington, editor

Coming next month: Education Our January issue looks at local options for preschools and character education programs in the schools. Plus, recipes for hearty winter soups and a travel story on Boone.

In every issue

Kids’ Voices ......................22 Librarian’s Pick..................30 Story Times.......................31 Artful Parent .....................46 Dad’s View........................48 Home-school Happenings ....50 Growing Together ...............52 Divorced Families...............54 Puzzles........................56-57 Calendar .....................58-63

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 | www.wncparent.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer

On the cover

Ava Grace Stamey, by Sheridan Cupp Photography, sheridancupp.com

.com Are you a member? Join the conversation, post photos and connect with other parents at WNCParent.com. Look for WNC Parent on Facebook and Twitter.

WNC PARENT EDITOR Katie Wadington - 232-5829 kwadington@citizen-times.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com

FEATURES EDITOR Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980, mweerheim@gannett.com CALENDAR CONTENT Due by Dec. 10. E-mail calendar@wncparent.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE Advertising deadline for the January issue is Dec. 17.

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PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER

Trash Inc., on Thompson Street, reuses items in art, craft, DIY and educational products. Using the same idea, you can make Christmas or Hanukkah gifts.

Holidays on a budget By Mike McWilliams WNC Parent contributor The season of giving doesn’t have to mean the season of debt. With a little planning, creativity and smart shopping, the holidays can be painless and easy on your pocketbook, consumer counseling experts say.

Avoid credit Classic tips, like not shopping when you’re tired or hungry, hold true no matter the time of year, said Laurie Knowles, director of education at OnTrack Fi-

nancial Education and Counseling, which serves Western North Carolina. One of the biggest dangers when holiday shopping, however, is racking up charges on a credit card. “You lose any sense of how much you’re spending,” she said. “If you’re going to use a credit card without planning to pay it in full, maybe you need a different plan, because that’s really a recipe for disaster. There are a lot of Americans who are still paying off Christmas at tax time, and that’s a pretty grim way to run your finances in the long run.”

To avoid using a credit card, Knowles said to set aside some cash throughout the year specifically for Christmas. If a credit card must be used, set a goal to pay off the bill in three months. Sticking to a budget on how much you want to spend on gifts also is important.

Recycle Consignment stores, flea markets or yard sales are all great places to find deals on gifts, she said. It’s important, however, to make sure the item is in Continues on Page 4

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HOLIDAYS ON A BUDGET Gift Giving ◆ Give home-baked items, poetry, artwork, or handmade crafts. ◆ Frame a “work of art” made by your child. ◆ Give gifts of your time: babysitting, repairs, housework, meals, or transportation. ◆ Minimize the money spent on gifts that people don’t want or need, by making a donation to a favorite charity in a loved one’s honor. ◆ U.S. Savings Bonds can be purchased for half the face value. ◆ Break up a gift set into components and give one part each night of Hanukkah. ◆ Call ahead to stores to see if the item you want is in stock to save time and help reduce the opportunity to impulse buy. Wrapping and mailing ◆ Make an inexpensive gift look great with presentation. Put it in a basket with ribbon woven through it or use colorful tissue paper. ◆ Invest in “gift sacks” that can be used and reused for large gifts. Paper holiday tablecloths are work to wrap big gifts. ◆ Wrap the top and bottom of a gift box separately. Because the lids simply lift off, the boxes may be reused. ◆ Stick with a neutral color ribbon so extras can be used for other occasions. ◆ Reuse old holiday cards: just cut the front off the cards and use them for holiday postcards or gift tags. For kids ◆ Create a “dress up” box including old clothes, hats, scarves, jewelry, etc., from the thrift shop or your closet. ◆ Give a coupon good for one “exemption” from a scheduled chore. ◆ Give a coupon book for special treats, like pizza for dinner or ice cream cones, to be redeemed during the year. Source: OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling

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On a budget Continued from Page 2

good, working condition when giving it as a present. Re-gifting also is an option, though you must be careful. “People who are serious about regifting keep an inventory, like a spreadsheet, and list the gift and who they got it from, so they’ll know they’re not giving it back to the same person,” Knowles said. Reusing items, such as holiday cards and wrapping paper, also is a fun, easy way to save. Old cards can make a fun craft project for children, or can be cut up and used as gift tags, Knowles said. Decorating old grocery sacks or newspaper to make wrapping paper is another option. “Another thing is to have the kids gather things like pinecones and acorns before the holiday season and glue those onto packages instead of bows,” Knowles said. There are local shops, like Trash Inc.

Creative Reuse Center, that specialize in arts and crafts made from recycled material. The Thompson Street business also sells several affordable gifts made by local artists, including pop-top earrings, rhythm instruments, journals, children’s clothing and tote bags.

Make gifts Collages are an easy, cheap gift and can be made with items found around

the house, including: old Christmas and greeting cards, old gift bags, wrapping and tissue paper, old tinsel and garland, twist ties, scratched CDs and DVDs. “The possibilities are endless,” said Anne Ferguson of Trash Inc. Jewelry is another good gift idea, Ferguson said. “You can use metal bottle tops and fill them with collage materials or glitter, and corks wrapped with wire and beads make great pendants,” she said. “Oftentimes a nail is enough to make a hole for stringing.” The Foundry on Charlotte Street specializes in arts and crafts made from recycled materials. The shop, which opened in October, also sells arts and crafts kits for children and books about crafting, and soon hopes to start offering classes on crafting. Natalie Wood, a co-owner of The Foundry, said secondhand shops are a good alternative to big retail stores. “It does sort of carry with it the idea of being eco-friendly,” Wood said. “I do think because it has that extra sentiment that it does make a really nice gift.”

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Guide to gifting Shop local and fill children’s wish lists at the same time By Mike McWilliams ◆ WNC Parent contributor

toddlers Stacker by Green Toys, $13.99 at Dancing Bear Toys.

infants Wooden rattles by Grimm’s Spiel & Holz, $15.99 at The Littlest Birds

Legwarmers by BabyLegs, $12 at The Littlest Birds

Other infant gift ideas: ◆ Organic fruit and vegetables in a crate by Under the Nile, $7 for set of vegetables at The Littlest Birds ◆ Rainbow Stacker by Melissa and Doug, $8.99 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Sophie Giraffe by Vulli, $23.50 at Nest Organics ◆ Wooden cars by Doodletown, $6 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Lock N Rock by International Playthings, $19 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Winkle by Manhattan Toy, $12.98 at The Toy Box ◆ Shaggie Taggie by International Playthings, $19.98 at The Toy Box

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Little Roadster (above) and Funtime Tractor (below), both by International Playthings, $29 each at Once Upon A Time

toddlers

Other toddler gift ideas: ◆ Pound-A-Peg by Melissa and Doug, $9.99 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Wooden instruments by PlanToys, $23 for drum or xylophone, $25 for drums at The Littlest Birds ◆ Sevilla Building Blocks by Haba, $50 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Dancing Alligator by PlanToys, $20 at Nest Organics ◆ Eco-Friendly Fire truck by Green Toys, $25 at Nest Organics ◆ Swimming Seal by PlanToys, $20 at Nest Organics ◆ Fill ‘N Build Block Cart by Educo, $59.98 at The Toy Box

preschoolers

Recycling Truck by Playmobil, $37.98 at The Toy Box

Henrietta the Pull Along Hen by International Playthings $19.99 at Dancing Bear Toys.

Ages 5-7

Zingo 1-2-3 by Think Fun, $19.99 at Dancing Bear Toys. ◆ Spot It! by Blue Orange, $11.99 at Dancing Bear Toys

◆ Magformers by Rainbow Products, $19.98 at The Toy Box

◆ Qwirkle by Mindware, $24.98 at The Toy Box

Other gift ideas for kids ages 5-7: ◆ Magformers Carnival Set by Rainbow Toys, $54.99 at Dancing Bear Toys ◆ Bananagram by Bananagrams, $14.98 at The Toy Box ◆ Ecoaquarium by Wild Creations, $24.98 at The Toy Box

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Other preschooler gift ideas: ◆ Learn to Dress Kitty by Alex, $32.99 at Dancing Bear Toys ◆ Grocery Store and Lemonade Stand by Melissa and Doug, $129.99 at The Littlest Birds ◆ The Green Dollhouse by PlanToys, $65 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Zimbos game by Blue Orange, $25 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Pirate Ship by PlanToys, $55 at The Littlest Birds ◆ Beeswax Block Crayons by Stockmar, $14 at Nest Organics ◆ Name Train by Maple Landmark, $6 per letter At Nest Organics ◆ Eco-Dough by Eco-Kids, $20 at Nest Organics ◆ Snap Circuits by Elenco, $29 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Rory’s Story Cubes by Gamewright, $8 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Solar Rover by Toysmith, $19 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set by Melissa and Doug, $19.98 at The Toy Box

Ages 8+

Ogo Sport by Ogo $29 at Once Upon A Time

Other gift ideas for ages 8-10 ◆ Faux Bow by Marky Sparky, $24.99 at Dancing Bear Toys ◆ Sustainable Earth Lab by Thames and Kosmos, $54.99 at Dancing Bear Toys ◆ Anomia board game, $15.99 at Dancing Bear Toys ◆ Solitaire Chess by ThinkFun, $19.98 at The Toy Box ◆ Jaw Bones by BeGood, Starting at $10 at Once Upon A Time ◆ Lip Balm Kit by Kiss Naturals, $22.98 at The Toy Box

SHOPPING INFORMATION Dancing Bear Toys, 144 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-8697; and 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville; dancingbeartoys.com The Littlest Birds, 647 Haywood Road, Asheville; thelittlestbirds.com Nest Organics, 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 258-1901; nestorganics.com Once Upon a Time, 7 All Souls Crescent, Biltmore Village, 274-8788 The Toy Box, 793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-8697

“Encyclopedia of Immaturity” and “The Book of Inventions” by Klutz $19.99 each at Dancing Bear Toys.

The Natural Beauty Book by Klutz, $21.95 at The Toy Box

Ages 11-13 Jishaku by RSV productions, $20 at Once Upon A Time

Perplexus by PlaSmart, $25 at Once Upon A Time

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Teach the art of giving

Families spread holiday cheer to those in need By Pam J. Hecht WNC Parent contributor

For Dawn Peter and her daughters, Audrey, 1 1/2, and Lindsey, 4, the most meaningful part of Christmas this year won’t be opening presents around a tree. Instead, they’ll find their Christmas spirit on the road, delivering hot, nutritious meals to the homebound elderly for the Meals on Wheels program. “If all we did to celebrate Christmas was open presents, I think I would cry,” says Peter. “It can be so meaningless once the excitement and frenzy of

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS

YWCA Mother Love director Tangela Ballard-Bowman holds a star from the agency’s Giving Tree.

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the gift exchanging is over.”

Special deliveries The Peters, of Asheville, deliver meals bi-weekly or more to seven people on the family’s route. Lindsey carries the basket of food into each home and for Christmas, she’ll make homemade cards to give along with holiday gift bags. Helping others in need has always been important to Peter and she hopes to pass on this value to her kids. “They’re learning that there’s something they can do to help, even at a young age,” she says. “Lindsey likes the responsibility of carrying the basket with the food and seeing each person and saying hi.” Last Hanukkah, Rochelle Reich, of Weaverville, brought her sons, Alex, 8 and Logan, 4, to deliver a meal and help celebrate Hanukkah with the elderly at Mars Hill Retirement Home. They brought homemade Hanukkah placemats, sang a Hanukkah song for them and lit the menorah candles. During the rest of the year, the family visits the

TO VOLUNTEER ◆ Visit handsonasheville.org or call 2550696. Register online for a particular volunteering activity or contact the sponsoring agency. Also, check the Asheville CitizenTimes for volunteer opportunities throughout the month. ◆ For volunteering opportunities in nearby counties, contact: McDowell Volunteer Center, 652-7121, ext. 354 Haywood/Jackson Volunteer Center, 3562833, hjvc.org United Way of Henderson County, 6921636, uwhconline.org For volunteer opportunities in Madison, Henderson or Transylvania counties, call 2-1-1 or go to 211wnc.org elderly to celebrate Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. “It’s important for kids to understand, respect and be comfortable with elders,” Reich says. “They really like playing the role of surrogate grandkids and it rein-

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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Meals on Wheels is collecting filled shoeboxes for a homebound seniors. forces the concepts of extended family, hospitality and celebrating with a comContinues on Page 10

Teaching giving Continued from Page 9

munity.” While most organizations need help year-round, the holidays can be a good time to volunteer because regular volunteers may be out of town or on vacation, say representatives at local service organizations. Keep in mind that activities on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day fill up fast and help is also needed on other days. And because more people tend to donate items during the holidays, extra volunteers are often needed to help out, adds John Fritchie, director of resource development at MANNA FoodBank. Volunteering during the holidays can also help deflect some of the commercialism of the season, helping kids to become gift givers as well as receivers. “It’s a fun time of year to introduce the joy of giving that will hopefully inspire a life of service,” says Charlie Lee, volunteer manager for Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, a United Way program matching volunteers with more than 100 local organizations in need. “Volunteering as a family is a great way to spend quality time together while making a difference in the community.” “Kids like doing things to help other kids, and (volunteering work) connects them to the world outside of school,” adds Fritchie. To find the best volunteering fit, let your kids know what they can do and ask which activity interests them, adds Lee. If the family is passionate about a particular issue or already volunteers with an agency, start there first. If animals are an interest, volunteer at a pet rescue organization or if the kids enjoy interacting with seniors, visit a nursing home.

Secret shoppers The best holiday shopping spree for Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay and her kids Jeremy, 8, and Elise, 5, is one that’s done anonymously. Every year, they adopt a different family from a local holiday angel tree, buying gifts for kids in need. “We look at the interests or particular toys the kids on the list might like and

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS

Laura Ingle lights the annual Ingles Giving Tree to benefit MANNA FoodBank at the Asheville Mall, with help from Bell Elementary School students. then look at our budget to see what we can spend,” says Harris-Sagaribay. Harris-Sagaribay’s son divides his weekly allowance among three piggy banks — savings, spending and charity — in whatever amounts he chooses. “This system helps teach how to manage and save money along with giving when they feel a charity is worthy,” Harris-Sagaribay says. “It’s a concrete way for us to pass on values (like giving to others) that are important to us.” Since they started the tradition from an early age (when Jeremy was 3), shopping for someone else isn’t a challenge for them, she says. “It’s fun for them to pick out the toys and we try to find kids the same age and gender so they can imagine what they’d like and the excitement that child will feel when opening the gift,” Harris-Sagaribay says.

Sorting and packing Whenever they pass MANNA FoodBank, Janel Needer’s 6-year-old daughter, Malia, asks when they can go back. Needer, of Asheville, has volunteered there for the past three years with Malia and her other four kids, ages 10 to 18The family has helped bag apples, fill backpacks of food for school kids and pack boxes of food for others in need. “We volunteer because we want our kids to be thankful for the things they have and want them to always try to help others,” says Needer. “They feel like they’ve done something to help someone else and that makes their heart happy.” “Volunteering helps kids be grateful and not take the things they have for granted,” adds Harris-Sagaribay. Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

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IDEAS ON HOW TO GIVE BACK

Below is a sampling of organizations needing donations and volunteers:

Donate

◆ Ingles Giving Tree, benefitting MANNA FoodBank, at Asheville Mall; through Dec. 24; mannafoodbank.org. ◆ Salvation Army: Toy, food and coat drive, through Dec. 15; Salvation Army, 204 Haywood St., Asheville, 253-4723; 239 Third Ave. or 706 Brooklyn Ave., Hendersonville, 693-4181, salvationarmycarolinas.org. ◆ Housing Authority of City of Asheville: Collecting items for goodie bags, including apples, oranges, candy canes, holiday treats and stocking stuffers for the homeless and disabled; through Dec. 20; 165 S. French Broad Ave, 258-1222. ◆ The Water Lily Organic Salon: Coat drive through Dec. 10; 7 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, 505-3288. ◆ ABCCM Veterans Quarters Residence: Pack a plastic shoe box with hygiene items for a veteran or bring in bag of items by Dec. 10; send in homemade holiday candy for Christmas gift packages by Dec. 24; donate warm clothing, bus tickets, restaurant gift cards or food for meals. At 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 299-8701, ext. 309 or kelley.freeman@abccm.org, abccm.org. ◆ Jewish Community Center of Asheville: Bring holiday nonperishable food items through December; benefits Jewish Family Services of WNC food pantry and Helpmate. At 236 Charlotte St., alison@jcc-asheville.org, 253-0701, jcc-asheville.org. ◆ ABCCM Steadfast House: Donate new toys to women and children’s shelter, 259-5300, abccm.org. ◆ Hearts With Hands: Donate nonperishable food for food pantry; 951 Sand Hill Road, Asheville, 667-1912, heartswithhands.org. ◆ Eblen Charities/Toys for Tots: Toy drive Dec. 9-11 at Ingles, 29 Tunnel Road, Asheville; 255-3066 or e-mail sriddle@eblencharities.org. ◆ Meals on Wheels: Fill a shoebox with homemade or purchased gifts, ornaments, toiletries, puzzles books, gloves and other cold weather items or donate items separately. Bring to Henderson County office, 105 King Creek Blvd., Hendersonville, 692-6693, by Dec. 12. Bring to Buncombe County office, 146 Victoria Road, Asheville, 253-5286, by Dec. 20. ◆ Community Action Opportunities Head Start Program: Donate food boxes, new toys for children ages 3-5, new warm weather and other clothing, through Dec. 20. At 25 Gaston St., Asheville, 250-0410. ◆ Interfaith Assistance Ministry: Donate coats, blankets and food throughout December, particularly holiday food like hams, turkey, potatoes and cranberries. At 210 Ehringhaus St., Hendersonville, 697-7029, iamhendersoncounty.org.

Sponsor a child

◆ Salvation Army Angel Tree Program: Select a child from trees at malls, businesses and restaurants or donate new, unwrapped toys for “forgotten families.” Return gifts to the tree by Dec. 15; Buncombe County, 253-4723; Henderson County, 693-4181; salvationarmycarolinas.org. ◆ Children First/Communities In Schools Family Resource Center at Emma Holiday Assistance Program: Gifts due Dec. 6; 50 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 252-4810; lisab@childrenfirstbc.org. ◆ Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Western North Carolina: Shop from children’s wish lists by Dec. 20; 50 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 253-1470; 722 Fifth Ave. West, Hendersonville, 693-8153; bbbswnc.org.

◆ Eliada Home: Shop from wish lists or donate cash to buy gifts, by Dec. 10; 2 Compton Drive, Asheville, 254-5356, ext. 303 or email atoy@eliada.org, eliada.org. ◆ Hearts With Hands: Clothes and toys accepted through Dec. 6; 951 Sand Hill Road, Asheville, 667-1912, heartswithhands.org. ◆ Eblen Charities/Toys for Tots St. Nicholas Project: Sponsor family by giving toys, clothes, toiletries and Ingles gift cards, by Dec. 20; 2553066, sriddle@eblencharities.org. ◆ YWCA of Asheville MotherLove Giving Tree: Adopt a teen mother and provide children’s gifts, through Dec. 15; 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 254-7206, ext. 116, ywcaofasheville.org. ◆ ABCCM Steadfast House: Sponsor a family in the holiday angel program and buy children in need toys for the holidays, through Dec. 24, 337-3437 or email bwilliams@abccm.org, abccm.org.

Family volunteer activities

Through HandsOn Asheville Visit handsonasheville.org for listing of family or child-friendly events. Call 255-0696 to register. Through MANNA FoodBank Visit handsonasheville.org or call Autumn McCarver, 299-FOOD, ext. 245, or e-mail amccarver@feedingamerica.org. MANNA could use help packing food or volunteering at the Giving Tree at Asheville Mall. Through Salvation Army Call 253-4723 in Buncombe County or 693-4181 in Henderson County ◆ Ring the bells at a kettle location. ◆ Assist at Angel Tree station at Asheville Mall, through Dec. 15. ◆ Sort Angel Tree gifts Dec. 13-14, pack food boxes for needy families Dec. 15, and/or help distribute toys and food, Dec. 16-17, Biltmore Square Mall 800 Brevard Road, Suite 620. ◆ Help bag toys Dec. 6-20, distribute toy bags to families Dec. 21-22, at Salvation Army of Henderson County, 706 Brooklyn Ave., Hendersonville. Through ABCCM ◆ Help fill Christmas bags of toys and clothes for children in the holiday angel program, Dec. 13-24. Call 337-3437 or e-mail bwilliams@abccm.org, abccm.org. ◆ Wrap packages for veterans, cook meals, help at Christmas party. ABBCM Veteran’s Quarters Residence, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Contact 299-8701, ext. 309, or Kelley.freeman@abccm.org; abccm.org. Other organizations ◆ Rathbun Center: Set up, serve and clean up for Christmas Eve dinner, 3:30–6 p.m., or Christmas Day breakfast, 7–9 a.m.; bake at Cookie Nights on Dec. 13 or 27; bring baked goods to donate. At 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, 251-0595, rathbuncenter.org. ◆ JCC of Asheville: Deliver a holiday meal and help celebrate Hanukkah with the elderly or homebound, Dec. 3. Visit jcc-asheville.org. Contact Madelon Clark, 633-1710 or mdrc59@hotmail.com. ◆ Adopt a dog or cat for the holidays, visit and play with chosen pet and advocate for pet at pet adoption events; donate pet and cleaning supplies. E-mail Animal Compassion Network, paruscoe@gmail.com; Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Laurenloves1@yahoo.com; Asheville Humane Society, volunteer@ashevillehumane.org. ◆ Givens Estates: Adopt a grandparent, read stories, lead bingo, sing Christmas carols, help wrap gifts or write cards. At 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville; call 771-2228 or 771-2909; givensestates.org.

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PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Skiing and snowboarding at one of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ski resorts is a fun way to spend part of winter break. Here, a skier heads down the slope at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Madison County.

Family fun for winter break

By Mike McWilliams WNC Parent contributor Your kids are home from school for winter break, which means you have two weeks to entertain them. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your children busy in Western

North Carolina and beyond. At Dino-Kinetics, Jurassic Park meets Biltmore Park. Dino-Kinetics is a collection of lifesize steel dinosaurs created by the late Asheville artist John Payne. Starting in the mid-â&#x20AC;&#x2122;90s, Payne made these ancient beasts, studying fossils and scientific

renderings to get them as historically accurate as possible. The show has toured North America and appeared in local museums. Payne dug up these dinosaurs at junkyards, using scrap metal and salvaged industrial parts to make more than a dozen steel skeletons. Visitors can ac-

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tually move some of the metal dinosaurs by a complex system of wires, pulleys, rings and levers. You can control the fluid movement of the pieces with a Playstation video game controller. Dino-Kinetics is at Biltmore Park Town Square, 8 Town Square Blvd., Suite 170. Call 676-1622 or visit dinokinetics.com. Touted as the seventh-largest children’s museum in the United States, the Children’s Museum of the Upstate attracts thousands of visitors from the region, said Julie Accetta, the museum’s director of development. The museums has three floors of interactive exhibits focused on arts, humanities, sciences, health, nutrition and the environment. Winter day camps are available for children in kindergarten through fifth grade from Dec 20-23 and Dec. 27-30 on topics including cooking and science. On New Year’s Eve, there’s going to be a “Noon Year’s Celebration” where participants will count down until noon, with games and activities. “This is our second year for winter camp and the second year doing the Noon Year celebration,” Accetta said. “We’re trying to make this year even better by trying to meet the needs of the community and what they’re looking for.” The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is at 300 College St. in Greenville, S.C. Call 864-233-7755 or visit tcmupstate.org. Back at home, Asheville’s Fun Depot features indoor go-karts, mini golf, Laser Tag, mini bowling, batting cages, an arcade and more. Fun Depot will have extended hours during winter break, said Lisa Marlowe, a manager there. “We do a lot of business at the holidays at Thanksgiving and Christmas both with people trying to find something to do with their kids or their families from out of town,” Marlowe said. “We have all kinds of things to keep just about anyone busy. It’s fun for everyone ages 0-100.” Fun Depot is at 7 Roberts Road. Call Continues on Page 14

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PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

The Asheville Art Museum offers an art camp over winter break.

Winter break Continued from Page 13

277-2386 or visit ashevillefamilyentertainment.com for more information. Do your children like animals? If so, they’ll love the WNC Nature Center. The center is open seven days a week year-round with indoor and outdoor exhibits, including wolves, butterflies, bobcats and bears. There are special “Animal Moment” programs every day at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. These programs allow visitors to experience an animal enrichment activity and ask questions about the animals, said Keith Mastin, education curator at the nature center. The Nature Center is at 75 Gashes Creek Road in Asheville. Call 2985600 or visit wildwnc.org. Perhaps your child doesn’t want to

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WINTER BREAK CLASSES AND CAMPS

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Dino-Kinetics in Biltmore Park Town Square features the work of the late Asheville artist, John Payne. A visit there is an affordable way to entertain the kids over winter break. stop learning during winter break. Then The Health Adventure in downtown Asheville is for you. The Health Adventure is home to several traveling exhibits from other museums, around the country. The current exhibit, “Blue Man Group: Making Waves,” is a 1,500-squarefoot exhibit designed to bring together science and art while taking the whole family through a multisensory exploration of sound that provides an opportunity to play together while discovering the fun of music, according to an exhibit description on the Health Adventure website. There also are rotating permanent exhibits at the Health Adventure including a dizzy tunnel, a supermarket play space, a driving test simulator and a display about construction. The Health Adventure is at 2 S. Pack Square. For more information, call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org. Tired of being cooped up inside?

One cure for cabin fever is to hit the slopes. Western North Carolina is home to six ski resorts with slopes for all skill levels. At least one of the resorts, Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, is offering late night skiing until midnight the week after Christmas, said Drew Stanley, the resort’s marketing director. Stanley said instead of buying an eight-hour session for a set period of time, the resort also will offer flex ticket all season long. In addition, the resort is going to offer a snowboarding camp for youngsters as well as a skiing camp. “We get quite a few families on vacation coming up around (winter break),” Stanley said. “There’ s a lot going on around town and it’s a good atmosphere.” For more information on ski resorts in Western North Carolina, visit skinorthcarolina.com.

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Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts The city will offer holiday camp for school-age children from Dec. 20-24 and 27-31. The camp is an extension of the city’s afterschool program, but will be available for those not currently enrolled, said Amy Pruett Rickman of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. It will take place at the Montford Recreation Center. For more information, call 2533714. There’s also Tiny Tykes, the ongoing toddler program at the Stephens-Lee Center, from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays and Fridays. Children and parents make crafts, play games and participate in other educational activities. Classes are $1 a day. Children ages 5 and younger are welcome, though it is not a daycare, so don’t expect to drop your child off and leave. For more information, call 251-4041. Waynesville Parks and Recreation The town of Waynesville is hosting a winter camp for kids Dec. 27-31 at Waynesville Recreation Center. The camp, which goes from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., will feature arts and crafts activities. “They also need to bring a swimsuit because they’ll also go swimming,” said Rhett Langston, Waynesville’s recreation director. “We’ve always run some kind of camp for the winter holidays.” Call 456-2030 or e-mail youthprogramsupervisor@townofwaynesville.org. Asheville Jewish Community Center The Asheville JCC offers its full-day Winter Camp during winter break (based on the Asheville City Schools calendar), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Activities and field trips include: Fun Depot, roller skating, snow tubing, swimming, a performance of “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe” and more. Advance registration required. Call Sepi Shams at 253-0701, ext. 107, or e-mail sepi@jcc-asheville.org, or visit jccasheville.org. Asheville Art Museum The museum offers its Holiday Arts Extravaganza Camp, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 27-30. Campers will spend the afternoon creating art of all kinds. $18 per day for members; $20 for nonmembers. Advance registration required. Contact Sharon McRorie at 2533227, ext. 122, or at smcrorie@ashevilleart.org. Hands On! A Child’s Gallery Crazy Chemists make Crazy Concoctions at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 28 at Hands On! Join the class and make spray chalk for snow. $5 to participate in class/free for members. Call 697-8333 to register. Visit handsonwnc.org.

New Year’s food traditions from the South – and beyond By Carol Motsinger WNC Parent writer Herring for breakfast? It certainly doesn’t seem traditional — especially for picky young palates. But for Dieter Homburg — and many German families — this is exactly the tradition for New Year’s Day. “As a child, I would have herring every year, first thing in the morning,” said Homburg, chef and owner of Bavarian Dining Restaurant in Asheville. He’ll serve up herring with sour cream, apple and onions for New Year’s Day at the restaurant, as well as goose, another important aspect of any German

celebration, he said. “It’s delicious – and special,” he said. As the clock strikes midnight in each time zone across the globe New Year’s Eve, that moment triggers quite the variety of New Year’s Day food traditions. Grapes in Spain. Tamales in Mexico. Pork in Cuba. Daidai — a bitter orange — in Japan. One thing that that holds true no matter where you are Jan. 1, on this day of the year, food is more than daily nourishment: It is fortune, good luck. In the South, New Year’s Day means two things: Black eyed peas and collard greens.

At Chameleon Soul Food on Merrimon Avenue, they went through quarts and quarts of black eyed peas on New Year’s Day last year, chef and owner John Joyner said. “The primary thing that people say black eyed peas represent is fortune,” Joyner said.

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“They look like coins they used to use years ago. It is a sign of prosperity.” Black eyed peas can also be mixed with rice to make Hopping John, he said. He recommends getting dry beans and cooking them instead of the canned version. “You can taste the difference,” he said. “With the beans that are out of the can, they will turn to mush faster.” Collard greens are a more obvious reference to cash: Joyner’s grandmother always said collard greens stood for money, he said. Most people prepare collard greens boiled with pork. He takes an “unconventional approach,” he said, preparing his with smoked turkey and a lot of herbs and spices in them. Speaking of spicy, in Mexico, tamales are the go-to dish for any special occasion, including New Year’s. Tamales consist of corn dough, known as masa, usually with a pork, chicken or beef filling wrapped in a corn husk. The meal is tied up like a gift. And this something you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to make: Tama-

Good luck German herring

Herring in wine sauce Apples 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons of vinegar 1/2 small onion You can buy herring in wine sauce in many supermarkets, he said. Drain will and mix a few peeled apples cut into small pieces about a cup full to every small jar of herring. Add sugar and vinegar. Chop onion and mix it all together and serve with crackers or small, freshly cooked potatoes. Source: Dieter Homburg

les are time consuming, said Maria Rodarte, of Asheville. “Making tamales by yourself is not fun,” she said. “It’s always much, much better to do it with friends. Pick a Friday or Saturday and get a bottle of wine. At the end of the day, you have a nice meal.” Here’s a taste of other New Years traditions around the world, according to Epicurious.com:

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Collard greens

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 ham hock 2 cups onion, diced 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 4 cups chicken stock 16 packed cups collard greens washed and chopped Salt and ground black pepper Heat oil in large stock pot over medium heat. Add ham hock and brown on all sides. Turn heat up to medium-high, add onion and cook until edges start to brown. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and chili flakes. Cook about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, add greens. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until meat is falling from ham hock, about 3 hours. Remove ham hock and pick meat, discarding fat or gristle, add meat back to pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Source: Julie Stehling, Early Girl Eatery

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John Joyner serves up collard greens at the Chameleon Soul Food restaurant on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.

New Year’s foods Continued from Page 17

◆ Grapes: Dating back to 1909, the Spanish consume 12 grapes at midnight for each stroke of the clock. The custom spread to Portugal, as well as former Spanish and Portuguese colonies such as Venezuela and Mexico. Peruvians swallow a 13th grape for good luck, but each grape also corresponds with a month. So if a grape is sour, it’s a warning that that month will be bad. ◆ Cooked Greens: This tradition takes on a different shape outside of the American South. Danish eat stewed kale sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, the Germans take their cabbage as sauerkraut. The more green you eat, the more money you’ll make. ◆ Legumes: Beans, peas, and lentils — other than black eyed peas — also represent money. The Italians eat cotechino con lenticchie (sausages and green lentils) right after midnight. In Brazil, they eat lentil soup or lentils and rice first thing. In Japan, eating black soybeans will ensure health in the next years.

Black-eyed pea cakes

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

1 cup dried black-eyed peas 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup celery 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup scallion, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons dried bread crumbs 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon Tabasco 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Flour for dredge Soak sorted peas in 4 inches of water overnight. Drain and rinse peas. Cover with water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat, skimming froth as it appears after about 45 minutes to an hour. Set aside about 1/4 of cooked peas. In food processor, combine rest of peas with eggs, cheese, celery, parsley, scallion and lemon zest. Pulse to a rough paste. Remove to a medium bowl. Mix in bread crumbs, olive oil, Tabasco, salt, pepper and reserved whole beans. Stir lightly to combine all ingredients. Divide into 12 even patties. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two batches, pat cakes with flour and brown the cakes in the pan, about 3-4 minutes. Remove cakes to drain on paper towels. Add more oil a bit at a time if the pan seems too dry. Source: Julie Stehling, Early Girl Eatery

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Hanukkah in WNC

How 3 local families celebrate the Jewish holiday

By Barbara Blake ◆ WNC Parent writer Although Hanukkah is not one of the major holidays within the Jewish religion, it is a cause for celebrating the rich history of Judaism, specifically the triumph in 164 B.C. by the Jews over the Syrian Greeks who tried to oppress their religious freedom. For eight days each December, Jewish families light menorahs, enjoy latkes and applesauce, play dreidel and open small gifts as part of the celebration of the miracle of single day’s worth of oil that illuminated the lamp in their temple for eight days instead. We asked three Jewish families in Asheville to share their Hanukkah traditions with WNC Parent as the first day of the holiday approaches on Dec. 1.

The Ring Family Amanda Diamond Ring and Kevin Ring (who is not Jewish) are parents to Karleigh, a second-grader at Maccabi Academy, and Asher, who attends the Shalom preschool at the Jewish Community Center. Amanda teaches second grade at Congregation Beth HaTephila’s religious school. The family lives in South Asheville and attends Congregation Beth HaTephila. “We light (menorah) candles and eat dinner most nights with my parents, and we attend synagogue on the Friday night for the congregation Hanukkiah (menorah) contest,” Amanda said. The family typically has a big meal on the weekend and invites Kevin’s family. Latkes are always involved. “Kevin is the cook, so each year the food is kind of up to him, but we usually try a bunch of different kinds of latkes — jalapeno, wasabi, sweet potato, etc.,” Amanda said. PHOTO BY HOLLI HARTMAN Each adult has a menorah, and the Amanda Diamond Ring and daughter Karleigh light a menorah. kids assist in the lighting ceremony. “And when they are able to (light) it alone, they will each have their own as Beth HaTephila. well,” she said. As far as gift-giving, “mostly the kids get gifts, The family plays dreidel and has spinning but adults get some, too,” she said. “We don’t go contests, and special stories are read at least overboard, and they are mostly practical with some one night. Reading the story of Hanukkah fun.” also is a staple. “Hanukkah is fun!” Karleigh Ring said. The Rings will attend Asher’s performance at the JCC, and Karleigh will perform Continues on Page 20 at Maccabi Academy and at Congregation

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HANUKKAH AT A GLANCE Hanukkah (also called Chanukah) is a minor Jewish holiday celebrating a military victory in 164 B.C. over the powerful Syrian Greek army by a small band of Israelites called the Maccabees, who stood up against religious oppression and reclaimed their temple that had been defiled by the army. As with all Jewish holidays, the start of Hanukkah is determined by a lunar calendar — always beginning in the darkest part of the moon cycle on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. The lighting of the menorah recalls the story that a oneday supply of oil burned miraculously in the temple for eight days until new oil could be obtained. The menorah, a nine-branch candelabra, has eight candles to represent the eight days the oil burned, along with a ninth candle called the shamash, used to light the other candles. Small gifts are typically given to children each night, along with chocolate coins, or “gelt.”

Hanukkah Continued from Page 19

The Sokolove/Siegman Family Nancy Sokolove and Elihu Siegman live in North Asheville with their children Zeke, almost 11, and Isaiah, 2. Zeke attends Maccabi Academy, and Isaiah attends the Shalom preschool at the JCC. Elihu is an architect, and Nancy is the adult programs manager at the Asheville Art Museum. The family attends services at all three synagogues in town. The family’s assortment of menorahs (Hanukkiah) is an important part of the celebration, Nancy Sokolove said. “We have a great collection — one is ancient, made of unglazed clay and uses oil, and others are very modern. “Most of our Hanukkiot (plural) were gifts from Elihu’s parents, but our most recent one Elihu and Zeke bought in Israel last spring,” she said. “We each choose one from our collection and put it on our picture window ledge … . Then, one by one, we each light the candles of our Hanukkiah and say the blessings. Sometimes we have neighbors over for this.” Zeke and Isaiah’s birthdays both fall close to Hanukkah, “so early on we decided that toys (for Hanukkah) needed to be secondary when it came to the nightly gift,” Nancy said.

least twice during the eight days; most people eat latkes with applesauce and sour cream, but we’re not a sour cream family, so we just do applesauce,” she said. “Anything fried in oil is traditional. And since we try to eat healthfully, I extend that to sautéing lightly in olive oil, so while we’re not eating latkes every night,” she said. “We might eat fish and vegetables sautéed in olive oil,” she said. One of the family’s favorite traditions is attending the Iron Man Latke Cookoff at Congregation Beth Israel, where each family brings a Hanukkiah and they are lighted at the same time. PHOTO BY BILL SANDERS “It’s really beautiful to see Elihu Siegman and son Zeke, 11, check the candles on one of 50 or more all lit at once, and the families many memorahs it’s fun to see the different Hanukkiahs,” Nancy said. “And the latkes are varied — not just “Our tradition is that each night the traditional latkes, but oftentimes a cook children get a book … and then there is a will choose Indian spices, or different small toy that will accompany the book, types of herbs or onions.” like a yo-yo or small box of Legos,” she Nancy also will buy sufganiot (jelly said. “But the book is the main gift. Zeke doughnuts) for one night’s dessert. has received everything from a world That’s the best part of Hanukkah for atlas to Harry Potter.” Zeke. Hanukkah foods are a big part of the “There are so many flavors — my celebration, typically served on Hanukfavorite is strawberry,” he said. “Once, I kah-themed paper plates and napkins ate 10 in one night, and that night I had a because “this is messy food,” Nancy said. stomachache.” “I try to make homemade latkes at

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The Ahlers Family Shifra and Jordan Ahlers and their children Aeden, 7; Rami, 4; Ezra, 2; and Arik, 7 months, live in North Asheville. Shifra is a financial planner and business consultant, and Jordan is gallery director at Blue Spiral 1 downtown. The family attends Chabad House. For this family, Hanukkah is truly an eight-night celebration, during the year’s shortest days, of what Shifra calls “a time of triumph, hope, miracles and lights. We light the candles PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE The Ahlers family brings out menorahs, a dreidel and gelt in anticipation of after sunset, and light up our homes during what is Hanukkah, which begins Dec. 1. Pictured are, from left, Ezra, 2; dad Jordan; Rami, 4; mom Shifra; Arik, 7 months; and Aeden, 7. the darkest time of the year.” in the family room, and we bring them each a gift, The family lights the menorah each and if friends are joining us, as they do some evenight and sings the blessings together, nings, they too will get a small gift,” Shifra said. she said, “and we also sing HaNerot The family has some decorations, including a set Halalu and Maoz Tzur.” of dreidel lights and a Hanukkah tablecloth, and the A special menorah was a gift from children enjoy playing dreidel and eating chocolate Shifra’s grandmother. The menorahs gelt “coins.” Aeden and Rami make also are on disLatkes are always a part of Hanukkah, Shifra play, usually with special decorative or said, “but not every night.” colorful candles, Shifra said, adding that Because Hanukkah is a happy celebration, the she has fond memories of Hanukkah surprises are a big part of the holiday.” from her childhood, when her father “The kids are super excited to get gifts,” Shifra always lit his menorah with oil and said. “Whether it’s a new pair of pajamas, a toy or a wicks, like the original menorah. book, they want to start enjoying whatever it is “Our children get small gifts every right away.” evening — we have them hide their eyes

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PUBLIC HANUKKAH EVENTS ◆ Beth Israel Congregation Chanukah Latke Cookoff with Bandana Klezmer Band, 5:308:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Beth Israel Congregation, 229 Murdock Ave. Call 252-8431. ◆ Beth HaTephila Congregation, Hanukkah dinner, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 43 Liberty St. Call 2534911 for reservations. ◆ Jewish Community Center Hanukkah dinner, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 236 Charlotte St. Call 253-0701 for reservations. ◆ Public candlelighting ceremonies: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1-3 and 6-8, at the JCC, with singing, stories and lighting of the menorah. Visit jcc-asheville.org. ◆ Chanukah Live 2010! 5:307:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Renaissance Hotel. The event, sponsored by Chabad House, will include a grand menorah lighting at 6 p.m. with Asheville’s tallest menorah, children’s activities, a kosher buffet dinner, adult wine bar, a walk-in Dreidel House, music, crafts, games, a toddler area, a raffle and other activities. Cost is $5 per person, $18 per family. Call 505-0746 or visit chabadasheville.org.

kids’ voices

Traditions of Hanukkah

With December comes the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which highlights the triumph of the Jewish people over their oppressors in ancient times. We asked students in Kate Donaldson’s second-grade class and Tom Ring’s fourth- and fifthgrade classes at Maccabi Academy, Asheville’s Jewish day school, to describe their favorite Hanukkah traditions. Here’s what they told staff writer Barbara Blake

“My favorite part of Hanukkah is telling the story of the brave Maccabees. They were Jewish warriors who fought the Syrian Greeks. The Greeks tried to make the Jewish people worship idols. But the Jewish people fought hard and won the war. But the temple was destroyed. The people brought some oil — enough for one day — but it lasted for eight days. That is why Hanukkah is eight days long. Hanukkah means dedication, because the temple was rededicated to the Jewish people.” Abe Goldstein, second grade “My favorite tradition from Hanukkah is when Mom makes latkes. Latkes are like pancakes. They are yummy. I go to the Chabad party. It is fun! I get to go on stage, and I sing on stage.” Aeden Ahlers, second grade

“My favorite tradition on Hanukkah is playing dreidel. When you play dreidel, you spin it and if it lands on Gimil you win. Also on Hanukkah I like to light the menorah. You would like it too, if you tried. A menorah is a statue with eight candles. You light the eight candles. There are actually nine candles in the menorah. The ninth candle is a shamash. Hanukkah is awesome.” Adina Weizman, second grade

“One thing I love about Hanukkah is that I get to spend time with my family. I normally eat dinner, go upstairs and light the menorah. My brother and I sometimes play dreidel. After that, we say the blessing. I enjoy Hanukkah, and hope you do, too.” Justin McKnight, fourth grade

“The most important Hanukkah traditions to me are lighting the menorah and playing dreidel. Lighting the menorah because of the miracle when the oil was alight for eight days. Playing dreidel because it is fun.” Hayden Johnson, fifth grade

“A cozy house, a warm soft chair, lights flickering in the air. Playing dreidel on the floor, chocolate gelt — I want more! On the table made of wood, latkes smelling oh so good. Memories of Jews fighting in the war, against the Syrians whose numbers were more.” Noah Wilde, fourth grade

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Family-friendly holiday happenings Parades

Dec. 2: Canton at 6 p.m. Dec. 4: Valdese at 10 a.m. (visitvaldese.com), Hendersonville at 10:30 a.m. (Five Points to Caswell Street, 692-4179 or visit nchmba.com), Highlands at 11 a.m., Burnsville at 11 a.m., Weaverville at 1 p.m. (starts at the intersection of North Main Street and Dula Springs Road), Robbinsville at 1 p.m., Bryson City at 2 p.m. (488-3681 or 800-867-9246 or greatsmokies.com), Murphy at 2 p.m., Brevard at 3 p.m. (883-3700), Sylva at 3:30 p.m., Black Mountain at 4 p.m. (exploreblackmountain.com), Maggie Valley at 6 p.m. (along U.S. 19, maggievalley.org), Hayesville at 6 p.m. Dec. 6: Waynesville at 6 p.m. Dec. 8: Tryon at 5 p.m. Dec. 10: Newland at 6 p.m. Dec. 11: Fletcher at 10:30 a.m. (along U.S. 25, 687-0751, visit fletcherparks.org), Marshall at 11 a.m. (townofmarshall.org), Cherokee at 5:30 p.m.

Seasonlong events

19th Century Carolina Christmas, through Jan. 2, Smith-McDowell House, 283 Victoria Road, Asheville. Call 253-9231. Christmas at Biltmore, through Jan. 2, Biltmore Estate. Regular admission applies until dusk. Addi-

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER

Santa greets parade-goers in Black Mountain. The town will host its holiday parade Dec. 4.

tional charge for Candlelight Christmas Evenings, through Jan. 1, which include a self-guided tour of the house and next-day visit to the gardens and the winery. Visit biltmore.com. Festival of Trees, through Dec. 27. Asheville Mall hosts the CarePartners Festival of Trees and Memorial Trees Garden outside Dillardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store and

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Hallmark. Ornaments can be purchased in honor or in memory of a loved one, with proceeds going to CarePartners Hospice. Call 277-4815. Holiday Fest, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 24, at Tom

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Holiday calendar Continued from Page 23 Sawyer’s Christmas Tree Farm and Elf Village, Glenville/Cashiers. Free. National Gingerbread House Competition, On display through Jan. 2. The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville, hosts its 18th annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Public viewing open Monday-Thursday only. Call 800-438-0050, ext. 1281. ◆ Baking Memories workshop: Create your own gingerbread cookie masterpiece. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. $10 per person. “The Polar Express,” through Dec. 23, Bryson City. Read along with the story “The Polar Express” and enjoy a trip on Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Meet Santa, enjoy caroling, hot cocoa and a treat. Times and dates vary. $39 for adults, $26 for ages 2-12. Visit gsmr.com or call 800-872-4681.

Ends Dec. 3

Letters From Santa, Runs through Dec. 3. Santa will send your child a free letter from his workshop. Download the form at buncombecounty.org/parks, fill it out and fax or mail it to the Buncombe County Parks Services by Dec. 3. For more 250-4260 or parks@buncombecounty.org.

Dec. 1-9

Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1, downtown Sylva. Businesses stay open late and offer holiday goodies. “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 1-23, 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, Flat Rock Playhouse, 2551 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock. A reimagined version of the Charles Dickens classic. Visit flatrockplayhouse.org or call 693-0731. “A Christmas Story,” 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Dec. 2-12, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. 254-1320. Visit ashevilletheatre.org. Carolina Mountain Christmas Spectacular, 7 p.m., Dec. 3-5, 3 p.m. Dec. 4-5, Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. Visit ncchristmas.com, biltmorebaptist.org or call 687-1111. Fletcher tree lighting, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Fletcher Community Park. Free, with nonperishable food donation suggested. Visit fletcherparks.org. Holly Jolly Christmas, Dec. 3, Black Mountain. Refreshments, street music, Santa and more. Shops open late. Free. Visit visitblackmountain.com. Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas, 5-9 p.m., Dec. 3, downtown Hendersonville. Merchants host an open house with refreshments, entertainment, carriage rides, a visit from Father Christmas and more. Visit downtownhendersonville.org. Madison County Christmas Pageant, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4, courthouse lawn, Marshall. Streets decorated, costumed townspeople, songs, narration, live presentation of Nativity. Free; donations welcome. Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries, Dec.

3-4 and 10-11, downtown Dillsboro. Live music, carolers, holiday treats and Santa. Free. Call 800962-1911 or visit visitdillsboro.org. Holly Jolly, Dec. 3. Enjoy a Christmas celebration in downtown Black Mountain with refreshments, street music, Santa and more. Shops open late. Free. See visitblackmountain.org. Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas, Dec. 3. Historic Downtown Hendersonville merchants host an open house with refreshments, entertainment, carriage rides, visit from Father Christmas and more. Visit downtownhendersonville.org. Winter Wonderland, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3, downtown Franklin. Ice sculpture slide, live music, carriage rides, hot cider and refreshments. Visit renewingfranklin.org. Gingerbread Party, 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville. Crafts, games and stories for children. Visit blueridgebooksnc.com or call 456-6000. Santa Paws, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4, Henderson County Animal Services, 828 Stoney Mountain Road, Hendersonville. A variety of holiday clothing is available for pets. Up to two pets in the photo with Santa for $15. Call 697-4723. “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents a ballet based on the original story from 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Visit dwtheatre.org for tickets. Gingerbread Cookie Contest Display, Dec. 3-4, Narnia Studios on Main Street in Hendersonville displays cookies in four categories. Call 697-6393 or visit narniastudios.com.

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PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Entries in the 2010 National Gingerbread House Competition at the Grove Park Inn can be viewed Mondays-Thursdays through Jan. 2. Biltmore Village Dickens Festival, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 4, and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 5, Biltmore Village, Asheville. Storytellers, carolers and entertainers on the stage and streets. Visit biltmorevillage.com. Old Fashioned Christmas, luminaries and unique gift items, The Old Mill 1886, 3082 U.S. 441 North, Cherokee. Open until 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and 10-11. Call 497-6536. A Night in Bethlehem, 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 3-4, French Broad Baptist Church, 182 Grandview Lane, Hendersonville. A hands-on Bible-times event where families experience what it was like during the time of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birth. Call 891-4665 or visit frenchbroad.org. Lake Julian Festival of Lights, after dusk, Dec. 3-19, off Long Shoals Road at Overlook Road. Drive through Lake Julian Park, lit with thousands of colored lights and animated and stationary displays. $5 per car, $10 per van and $20 per bus. Benefits Buncombe County Special Olympics. Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Dec. 4 and 18, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Robbinsville. Visit stecoahvalleycenter.com. Pictures with Santa, noon-3 p.m. Dec. 4, The Village at Sapphire Mountain Brewing Co., 553 W. Main St., Sylva. $15, additional prints are $5; $3 discount with food donation. Call 586-1577. Circle of Lights, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4, Lake Tomahawk Park, 401 S. Laurel Circle Drive, Black Mountain. Santa, music, food, hay rides, bonfire and more, following Black Mountain Christmas Parade. Call 419-9300, ext. 687.

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Holiday calendar Continued from Page 25 Brevard Twilight Tour, Dec. 4, downtown Brevard. 23rd annual merchants’ open house, with Santa, Christmas parade, 5K run. Call 884-3278. Governor’s Western Residence open house, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 4 and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 5 at 45 Patton Mountain Road, Asheville. “Mary Did You Know,” interfaith drama, 6 p.m. Dec. 4-5, Cullowhee Baptist Church. Preshow at 5. Call 293-9024. “How Far is it to Bethlehem?” 6 p.m. Dec. 4-5, West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road. Christmas at the Farm, noon-5 p.m. Dec. 4, Historic Johnson Farm, 3345 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Holiday music, cookies and cider, house tours, wagon rides, more. $5 for adults, $3 for students, free preschoolers and younger. Call 891-6585 or visit historicjohnsonfarm.org. Home for the Holidays, noon-9 p.m., Dec. 4, WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. Mountain Marionette performances at 2 and 2:40 p.m. Holiday crafts, refreshments, Santa, more. Regular admission. Call 298-5600 or visit wildwnc.org. Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4, Folk Art Center, milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville.

PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

The Spirit of Christmas Present “lights” a Christmas tree during the Dickens Festival in Biltmore Village. This year’s celebration is Dec. 3-5. Flat Rock Tailgate Christmas Market, 2-5 p.m. Dec. 4, Little Rainbow Row. Call 697-7719. Vance Birthplace Christmas, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 4, Reems Creek Road, Weaverville. Guided tours of an 1830’s Christmas. Music by Primrose. Call 6456706. Santa on the Chimney, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, Chimney Rock Park. Santa practices on 315-foot Chimney Rock. Regular admission. “The Christmas Journey,” with the Transylvania Choral Society, 3 p.m. Dec. 5, Porter Center, Brevard. Free.

UNC Asheville holiday concert, 4 p.m. Dec. 5, Lipinsky Auditorium. $5. Call 251-6432. The Big Crafty, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 5, Asheville Art Museum, Pack Square. Stock up for Christmas at this independent craft fair. Visit bigcrafty.com. “Sounds of the Season,” 3 p.m. Dec. 5, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University. $15, $10, $5. Call 227-2479. Winter Wonderland Family Fun, 4-5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St. Winter stories, songs and activities. Call 250-6482 or visit Weaverville.library@buncombecounty.org. “A Christmas Carol,” radio show re-creation as originally presented in 1938 on the “Campbell Playhouse,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. Call 227-2479. “Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 9-19, Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St., Asheville. Montford Park Players’ 34th annual production. Call 254-5146 or visit montforparkplayers.org. “Return to Bethlehem,” 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 2-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2-6 p.m. Dec. 12, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Takes you through the experience of the Bethlehem marketplace as it might have appeared during Christ’s birth. Donations requested. Call 259-5300.

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Dec. 10-16

Christmas Candlelight Stroll, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 10, downtown Weaverville. Luminaries, entertainment, carriage rides, refreshments and Santa. Visit visitweaverville.com/candlelight. “Heart and Hearth: Songs for the Season,” 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Dec. 11, Asheville Choral Society performs at Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St. Visit ashevillechoralsociety.org or call 232-2060. Asheville Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, downtown Asheville. Call 2574530 or visit dwtheatre.org or ashevilleballet.com. Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries, Dec. 10-11, downtown Dillsboro. Live music, carolers, holiday treats and Santa. Free. Call 800-962-1911 or visit visitdillsboro.org. Breakfast with Santa at Fun Depot, 9-11 a.m. Dec. 11, 7 Roberts Road, Asheville. Bring a $10 toy for Toys for Tots and get a $5 playcard. (Donation not required.) Visit ashevillesfundepot.com or call 277-2FUN. Gingerbread House decorating, 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road. All materials provided. Free, but tickets required. Pick up tickets starting

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Dillsboro celebrates its Festival of Lights and Luminaries on Dec. 3-4 and 10-11. Dec. 4. For ages 5 and older. Call 250-6484 or e-mail Fairview.library@buncombecounty.org. Santa on the Chimney, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11, Chimney Rock Park. Santa practices on 315-foot Chimney Rock. Regular admission. A Night Before Christmas, 5-9 p.m., Dec. 11, downtown Waynesville. Caroling, a live nativity, storytelling,

wagon rides, more. Visit downtownwaynesville.com. Holiday Pops, music by N.C. Symphony, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. Symphony members will have an “instrument zoo” prior to the show where kids ages 5 and older can learn about different instruments. Call 227-2988 for tickets. Old Fashioned Appalachian Christmas, 7-8:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville. Traditional mountain music, storytelling, more. Call 456-6000 or visit blueridgebooksnc.com. Spirit of Christmas, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, downtown Bryson City. Luminaries, living nativity, carolers, musical artists. Photos available with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Christmas at Connemara, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 11, Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock. Celebrate Christmas with the traditions of the Sandburgs with holiday decorations and music; free with house tour admission. Call 693-4178 or visit nps.gov/carl. Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, 4 p.m. Dec. 11, Mud Creek Baptist Church, 403 County Road 1166, Hendersonville. Carolina Christmas concert. $35, students $5. Visit hendersonvillesymphony.org. 7th Annual Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 11, Owen Middle School. Free children’s area includes crafts and Santa. Call 686-7917. Advent Garden walk, Dec. 12. Asheville Waldorf Community hosts a walk in the Advent garden spiral, turning inward toward winter darkness and emerging into brighter days. Nondenominational event. At Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave. Doors open for children’s walk at 5:15 p.m., doors close and festival begins promptly at 5:30. Adult walk begins at 7:30. Call 298-4655.

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Asheville Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, downtown Asheville. With orchestra, chorus and children’s chorus. Call 254-7046 or visit ashevillesymphony.org. Holiday Tour of Inns and Cookie Caper, 1-5 P.M. Dec. 12, Hendersonville. Seven inns are open for touring and guests can up a Christmas treat at each inn. Tickets may be purchased at the Heritage Museum in the Historic Courthouse, 1 Historic Courthouse Square, or at the Planning Office in City Hall, 145 5th Ave. East. No tickets available on the day of tour. Call 697-3088. Asheville Community Band, 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Asheville High School, McDowell Street. $8. Call 254-2234. “The Nutcracker,” with Emma and Johnston chorus students, 11 a.m. Dec. 13 and 15, in the Great Hall at The Gove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville. Free. Cookies with Santa, 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 17, Department on Aging Building, behind DSS, in Sylva. Age 12 and younger receive free cookies cocoa. Ballet Conservatory’s “The Nutcracker,” 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets $10 for children and seniors, $15 for adults. Call 257-4530 or visit dwtheatre.org for tickets. Visit balletconservatoryofasheville.com for details. “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-18, Mountain Heritage High School. $10-$15. Call 682-4285.

Dec. 17-24

Carolina Concert Choir Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 3 p.m. Dec. 18, St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Visit carolinaconcertchoir.org.

Home for the Holidays at Moscow Ballet’s “Great RusFENCE, 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 3 sian Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m. For details on Hanukkah p.m. Dec. 18 in the Great Room Dec. 21, Thomas Wolfe Audat Foothills Equestrian Nature itorium, Asheville. Visit ticketevents, see the story on Center, 3381 Hunting Country master.com for tickets, starting Page 19. Road, Tyron. Caroling, refreshat $26.50. ments, more. Call 859-9021 or Ornament workshop, Dec. 23 visit fence.org. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, Family Fun Day, Dec. 19 at Fired Up! Creative Lounge 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or in Asheville and Hendersonville. Paint four flat holiday visit handsonwnc.org. Free with admission. ornaments for $20. Call 253-8181 (Asheville) or 698-9960 (Hendersonville) for information. Dec. 25-31 A Swannanoa Solstice, 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Diana Bounty of Bethlehem dinner, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 25, Wortham Theatre, Asheville. Regular $35; senior $33; Immaculata Catholic School, 711 Buncombe St., student $30; children 12 and younger $12; student Hendersonville. A free community Christmas dinner rush day-of-the-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Call 257that includes entertainment, gifts and a visit from 4530. Blue Ridge Orchestra’s Holiday Concert, 3 p.m. Dec. Santa. Call 693-5115 or visit bountyofbethlehem.org. Burning Bowl Service, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Unity 19, Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville. All Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. tickets are $10 at Wine Guy, 555 Merrimon Ave. Call Rev. Chad O’Shea. Potluck supper at 6 p.m. Child care 254-6500. provided. Call 891-8700. Christmas Pageant, 1 p.m. Dec. 19, Unity Center, Fontana New Year’s Celebration, Dec. 31, Fontana 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. Presented Village. Live entertainment with Caribbean Cowboys, by the children of Unity and followed by a potluck dinner party in the Mountview Bistro and fireworks at lunch. Call 891-8700. midnight with champagne toast. Flat Rock Playhouse’s Family Christmas, 8 p.m. Dec. New Year’s Eve Fireworks, 8 p.m. Dec. 31, Cherokee 19-20, Flat Rock Playhouse. $20. 693-0731. Indian Fairgrounds. “The Gift of Christmas,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21, New Year’s at Noon, Dec. 31. Celebrate at Hands On! Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Georgia Road, Franklin. $5. Call 866-273-4615. Free with regular admission. Call 697-8333 or visit Winter Solstice Night Hike, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 21, Duhandsonwnc.org. pont State Forest, Hendersonville. Meet at Hooker Falls parking area. Bring flashlights and a warm drink. Call 92-0385.

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librarian’s pick

Book neatly ties poetry and science By Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libraries A book of poems is a wondrous thing. So, too is a science book. Rarely, if ever, do the two meet. With first consideration, poetry and science might appear to be an incongruous pair. However, as authors Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston show so magnificently in their new children’s book “The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination,” poetry and science really have much in common. In the introduction, they explain: “Scientists, like poets, depend on imagination for many of their core insights. And poets, like scientists, observe and explore connections within the natural world.” The book features dozens of poems from a variety of poets and time periods.

The poems cover all manner of living on earth. There are poems about birds, seasons, extinction, water and flowers. There is a poem about a single potato. There is a poem describing a contentious conversation between a jellyfish and a clam. Langston Hughes’ “Birth” expresses wonder at the origin of stars and himself. Emily Dickinson, in “The Pedigree of Honey,” reflects on a bee’s indiscriminating taste. The book concludes with study aides. One section “About the Poets” gives thumbnail biographies for each contributor. A glossary defines literary and historic terms used in the footnotes. The most special extra feature of this title is the audio CD that comes with it. The CD features readings of 44 poems,

including 18 poets reading their own work. Look for this in the Buncombe County Public Libraries. Visit buncombe county.org for more information.

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area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries

Visit buncombecounty.org Black Mountain, 250-4756 Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday East Asheville, 250-4738 Story Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday Enka-Candler, 250-4758 Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Thursday Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Fairview, 250-6484 Mother Goose Time: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Leicester, 250-6480 Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday North Asheville, 250-4752 School Age Storytime: 3:15 p.m. Thursday Story Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Wednesday Oakley/South Asheville, 250-4754 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Story Time: 10 a.m. Wednesday Skyland/South Buncombe, 250-6488 Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Swannanoa, 250-6486 Story Time: 11 a.m. Thursday

Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Thursday Weaverville, 250-6482 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Thursday Story Time: 11:15 a.m. Tuesday West Asheville, 250-4750 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Monday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Story Time: 11 a.m. Thursday

Haywood County Public Library

Visit haywoodlibrary.org. Waynesville, 452-5169 Baby Rhyme Time: 11 a.m. Mondays Movers and Shakers: 11 a.m. Thursdays Family story time: 11 a.m. Wednesdays Ready 4 Learning: 2 p.m. Wednesdays Canton, 648-2924 Family story time: 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays Mondays with Ms. Lisa: 3:30 p.m. Mondays

Barnes & Noble

Asheville Mall, 296-7335 11 a.m. Mondays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Saturdays (young readers) Biltmore Park, 687-0681 11 a.m. Wednesdays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Spellbound Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bookshop

19 Wall St., Asheville, 232-2228, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (ages 3-5) and 3:30 p.m. (ages 5-7).

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A visit to

Winston-Salem By Lockie Hunter WNC Parent contributor

Within a very short drive of our mountains is the Winston-Salem community, boasting museums, parks and much history to explore. Winston-Salem’s convenient location in the heart of North Carolina, along with its affordable attractions, makes it a fun family vacation year round. The two-hour drive is short enough for a day trip, but the area is packed with things to do if you wish to extend your stay.

Taste of history Old Salem Museums & Gardens explores the life of Moravians and early Southerners living in the 18th and 19th centuries with the opportunity to interact with costumed interpretive staff while touring the historic district. There are many year-round family events ranging from Civil War Days and July 4th celebrations to spring festival and twilight tours. And Old Salem Museums & Gardens hosts several special days for home-schooling families, which include activities such as apple fritter making and other hearth cooking. Lauren Werner, director of marketing, says the holiday season is a time cherished by visitors from near and far. “Enticing smells from Winkler Bakery — home of the original, paper-thin Moravian cookie — waft through the air. Guides take visitors on candle-lit tours;

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Above, Tanglewood Park in Winston-Salem offers many outdoors activities including trail riding. At top, a visitor watches an otter in the habitat along SciWorks’ nature trail. children enjoy games on the square, and the only thing that outnumbers the special classes, workshops, games and tours are the number of people sharing in the holiday spirit,” she says.

Museum fun The mission statement of the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem is to create a compelling destination for the community to play and learn by experiencing literature, storytelling and the arts. Ex-

hibits such as “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Amazing Library” join rotating events such as “Multi-lingual Storytime” and “Wiggly Worm Wednesday” for a wide variety of ways to explore and learn. SciWorks combines hands-on exhibits, a nature trial and a planetarium within a 79,000-square-foot facility on 30 acres in Winston-Salem. Hands-on exhibit galleries include PhysicsWorks, SoundWorks, KidsWorks, Science Lab, HealthWorks, BioWorks,

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and NC: From the Mountains to the Sea. With exhibits to delight every age group, children and adults can take a journey of exploration in the fields of physics, natural/biological science, natural history and the health sciences. The nature trail includes barnyard animals, a wetland bog area, two playful otters and other critters. Inside the 50-foot planetarium dome visitors experience a realistic simulation of the night sky. Planetarium programs range from preschool to adult and include many multicultural selections, special effects, video images and lighting to enhance the experience. The Winston Cup Museum is a selfguided museum where families can follow the 33-year history of NASCAR. “Seeing the wall mural and getting up close to the racecars gives the feeling of experiencing the actual raceway atmosphere,” says Kathleen Allen, assistant at the Winston Cup Museum. Trophies and other artifacts on display throughout the museum show guests some of the rewards a driver and team would receive for their hard work. A video along with a car on display tell the story of Wendell Scott and his struggles as the first African-American NASCAR driver. Guests take home a hard card-like ticket as a souvenir; children age 5 and older receive a lanyard, too.

Get outside Not far from the city, Hanging Rock Park offers sheer cliffs and incredible views of the Piedmont but also mountain trails that lead to quiet forests. Rent a vacation cabin and spend your days picnicking or taking a dip in the cool lake. Interpretive programs allow families to explore and learn about nature. For more outdoor seasonal fun, the Carolina Marina on Belews Lake can be your family’s place on the lake. Heather Birch, of Carolina Marina, says the marina offers “pontoon boat rentals, cottage rentals, individual boat slips, wide-lane boat launches and much more.” Two local parks offer outdoor diversions year-round. The 1,100-acre Tanglewood Park features Continues on Page 36

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PhysicsWorks is one SciWorks’ exhibit that appeals to older children.

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nine tennis courts, two of Golf Digest’s top-rated courses, a nature park, two children’s playgrounds, and a swimming pool. Stop by the horse stables to arrange riding lessons or a leisurely carriage drive around the park. Admission is $2 per car. Bethabara Park is where Winston-Salem began. Settled 250 years ago by the Moravians, this communal experiment is a historic landmark. Now a 183-acre wildlife preserve with 126 species of birds, the park includes an old mill site, 20 miles of nature trails, and many native animals such as beavers, mink, woodchucks and foxes. There is a museum dedicated to the connection between the natural environment and the unity with people, featuring colonial gardens, a reconstructed village, Moravian costumed guides and a French and Indian War fort. Admission

to the gardens, trails and park is free, but there is a small fee for guided tours and museum entrance.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT/NC DIVISION OF TOURISM

Witness Moravian life in Old Salem, one of the nation’s most authentic historical sites.

Holiday time

GETTING THERE

While the Winston-Salem area affords many year-round family adventure opportunities, there is something extraordinary about Winston-Salem during the winter holidays as well. “Traditional holiday-goers put Old Salem Museum & Gardens on their ‘must-do’ list,” notes Marcheta Keefer, director of marketing and communications for Visit Winston-Salem. “As charming as any scene from a classic Dickens novel, a trip to Old Salem during the holidays is so magical it could transform any Scrooge into the happiest Christmas kid.” This historic Moravian village hosts several traditional Moravian ceremonies including Candle Tea, candlelight tours and a Christmas Eve Lovefeast.

◆ Old Salem Museums & Gardens: 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem; 888-6537253 ◆ Tanglewood Park: 4201 Manor House Circle, Clemmons; 336-778-6300 ◆ Historic Bethabara Park: 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem; 336-924-8191 ◆ Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem: S Liberty St; Winston-Salem; 336-723-9111 ◆ Carolina Marina: 548 Shelton Road, Stokesdale; 336-427-0498 ◆ SciWorks: 400 W. Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem; 336-714-7109 ◆ The Winston Cup Museum: 1355 N. Martin Luther King Jr., Winston-Salem; 336-724-4557 ◆ Hanging Rock Park: 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury; 336-593-8480

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One crafty mama

Mom Leigh Anne Hilbert is the creative force behind The DryGoods Shop By Barbara Blake WNC Parent writer

Leigh Anne Hilbert is owner of The DryGoods Shop in the old Meadow’s Dry Goods building on Haywood Road where it intersects with Interstate 240. The shop offers classes, private sewing lessons, a community area for people to make things, craft parties, custom clothing and costume design, swap shelves and local handmade goods. She and her husband, Tom, “an IT guy who works on computers,” are the parents of 2-year-old Eli. Hilbert, 35, holds a bachelor’s of fine arts from James Madison University. Born in Virginia, she has also lived and worked in Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Ghana and Indonesia, and has traveled extensively. She learned to sew at an early age, and is proficient in leather art, bookbinding and costume and clothing design. The family moved to Asheville in 2008. Q. Tell us about The DryGoods Shop. How did you come to start the business? A. When we were first in Asheville, I was taking care of Eli full-time, but I started doing some sewing to sell on the side, making hats and altering and embellishing clothes during naptimes and after he went to bed at night. On our daily walks, I would peek in the windows of the Meadow’s building, hoping that one day I might catch it open. When I finally saw some permits on the windows, on an impulse I called to see what was going on. I ended up speaking with Continues on Page 42

PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE

Leigh Anne Hilbert and her son, Eli, inside The DryGoods Shop on Haywood Road in West Asheville.

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the owner, and it was then that the actuality of renting it began to seem like a possibility. For a long time I have had the idea of an art center, and it seems like this is the first step. Q. What goes on there every day? A. The shop is home to my company, Overlap Sewing Studio, as well as Rockpile Bindery. We have our studio space and space for other local artists to sell their work on consignment. What I love most, though, is the community area. We have a great library, as well as room for classes and groups to meet. Of course, I need this to be a business that helps to support my family, but it is very important that I also like being there, that I like doing what I am doing, and that I can feel good about what goes on there, which I do. I’m aiming to create a collaborative environment where art and craft happen naturally, in an entertaining atmosphere. Q. Was it scary or overwhelming starting your own business? A. There was so much work, most of it cleaning for days and days. There have been times when I have felt over my head and wondered what the hell I was doing — what we have going on is not exactly a perfect, easy business model. But I have to really thank Mountain BizWorks. I took their Foundations class, and without it I would have been overwhelmed. Q. Any advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur? A. It is all so new to me, so advice is hard. Most important is to follow through with your ideas. There is a very supportive community in Asheville, and a place where I feel it’s possible to start a business and have the locals back you. Utilize Mountain BizWorks, or the community colleges for business classes, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Q. Tell us about your son. A. Eli is an awesome boy, full of life, curiosity and energy. We are part of the Lighthouse Learning Cooperative; he goes there three days a week, and I also work shifts as a parent teacher, so I get to be part of some of his days there. He

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spends the afternoons in the shop, and we have a whole kid-friendly area set up with art supplies and toys, so he entertains himself until his father picks him up. He enjoys being there for the most part, and every time we drive by he yells, “There’s Mama’s shop!” It’s pretty cute. Q. What’s it like being the mom of a 2-year-old and running a new business? A. It definitely gives new meaning to the term “time management.” I look back now on my days pre-child and pre-business and wonder what I did with all my free time! While it definitely has been a challenge these past few months, we’re getting it figured out. It’s always about finding the balance. It can be challenging, but I also have the freedom to bring him to work or close the shop if I have to. Q. What are your favorite things to do when the shop is closed? A. We do a lot outside; hiking, swimming, Nature Center, etc. We go downtown occasionally for festivals, music, gallery openings or to eat some good food. I am working so much now that I really value just being at home, too. We build a lot of forts from the couch cushions, paint, cook together and play with the toy animals that Eli is obsessed with. Tom and I are also total movie junkies. Q. Do you like to cook? A. I love to cook, and for a while I thought about going to cooking school. I love baking, especially cakes, pies and breads. If I am coming to a dinner party I will be the one with the sweets. Q. What do you do just for you? A. We are members at the Y, so I go there and take classes or lift weights. It definitely takes the edge off. I love to dance and do it whenever I can. And movies and the occasional really good show, like “The Wire” or “Deadwood.” And a cocktail. And good books. Q. What do you see yourself doing five and 10 years from now? A. My son will be in school, maybe there is another little one, my husband will be in a great job that makes him happy (and has benefits!) and I will be making stuff, as I always have. Maybe I will be in The DryGoods Shop, or maybe on a farm out in the country. I have learned enough in my life to know it is really hard to make predictions! I am just going to try and see where life takes me.

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Holiday cookies for every taste By Karen Miltner Gannett “Hey, these don’t look like cookies,” said one of my coworkers. He was just about to bite into a roschette dolce, or ring-shaped fried sweet bread. He has a point. The dictionary definition says a cookie is a “small, flat or slightly raised cake” derived from the Dutch word koekje, which translates to “little cake.” Our idea of cookies has evolved to this: festive handheld treats that are a joy to make and share with your friends and family and add brightness to your holiday season. For more recipes, visit WNCParent.com.

Rosemary blue cheese cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 ounces blue cheese 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped 1 1/2 cups nuts (pecans or walnuts), chopped 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, leaves only White or natural sanding (coarse) sugar Whisk together flour, cornstarch and salt in a bowl; set aside. Cream together blue cheese and butter with an electric mixer. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Slowly add flour mixture to butter and cheese mixture; beat to combine. Add cranberries and mix on low just until evenly dispersed. Divide the dough into two pieces and use parchment paper or plastic wrap to form the dough into two 1 1/2inch diameter round or square logs. Set out two fresh pieces of plastic wrap and sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over both. Roll the logs of dough in nuts until covered. Tightly wrap and seal the logs; refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours). Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Working with one log at a time, unwrap and slice logs into 1/4-inch discs. Place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Gently press two to three rosemary leaves on each cookie. Sprinkle each cookie with sanding sugar. Bake on a middle rack until bottoms begin to brown and tops just begin to turn from pale to golden, 12-18 minutes. Cool on sheets 1-2 minutes before removing cookies to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Makes about 4 dozen. Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, eatwisconsincheese.com.

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Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies

1 cup canola oil 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/3 cups gluten-free baking mix (recipe at right) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or a mixture of both Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet. Combine oil and sugars in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until sugars are dissolved. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until mixture is creamy. Add vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add baking mix, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes or until they just start to turn gold. Remove cookies from oven and cool on pan for a minute, then transfer to wire racks until completely cooled. Repeat baking as necessary, allowing pan to cool before putting more dough onto it. Makes 2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Gluten-free baking mix

Look for chickpea flour in the gluten-free and natural foods sections of the supermarket or natural foods store. You can also find it in Indian markets, where it is also called besan or gram flour. Xanthan gum replaces gluten as a binding agent to help trap the carbon dioxide bubbles that form in the dough. The stuff is expensive, but it lasts for years. Look for it wherever gluten-free baking products are sold. 2 1/3 cup chickpea flour 2/3 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup sugar 3 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon cream of tartar Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 1/4 cups baking mix. Source: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Best of Relish Cookbookâ&#x20AC;? from the editors of Relish magazine (Countryman Press, $24.95).

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the artful parent

Let your child’s creativity shine through on coffee filters that can be built into a garland.

5 holiday garlands to make with children By Jean Van’t Hul WNC Parent columnist

Gather the family around the table to create these simple, festive garlands. A few basic materials are all you need to begin an annual holiday tradition of making your own decorations together. Put on some of your favorite holiday music, set out some snacks and get ready to create! Jean Van’t Hul blogs about children’s art and creativity at The Artful Parent (artfulparent.typepad.com). She welcomes comments and questions at jevanthul@yahoo.com.

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Coffee filter garland

Snowmen and paper dolls

For ages 2 and older Coffee filters Paint brushes Watercolor paint in holiday colors Ribbon, string, or yarn Glue stick 1. Protect your work surface if necessary with newspapers, splat mat or cardboard. 2. Paint the coffee filters PHOTOS BY JEAN VAN’T HUL with watercolor paints. Get Use coffee filters, paint and string to make a festive garland your brush as wet as possible that children as young as 2 can help make. and drip, dab or paint the coffee filter, watching as the paint spreads. 3. Let the coffee filters dry. 4. Fold the coffee filters in half over the ribbon. Glue the edges closed. 5. Press flat while drying if desired. 6. Hang your coffee filter garland on the tree or on the wall.

For ages 5 and older Construction paper Scissors Glue stick Pen 1. Fold the construction paper in half the long way and cut along the line. 2. Fold each piece of paper into thirds like an accordion. 3. Draw a paper doll, gingerbread man, snowman, or teddy bear on the top piece of the accordion. 4. Cut through all the layers of folded paper. 5. Open up the accordion to see the paper doll chain. Repeat to make as many as you like and glue them together.

Patterns with popcorn and cranberries For ages 3 and older Popcorn Fresh cranberries Heavy thread Embroidery needle String popcorn and cranberries onto a heavy thread, using an embroidery needle. Young children can learn to create and recognize patterns as they string various combinations of cranberries and popcorn.

Paper art chain For ages 3 and older Children’s artwork (paintings and drawings) or colored construction paper Scissors Glue stick 1. Cut the artwork or construction paper into strips. 2. Use the glue stick to glue the ends of each strip together to make a loop. 3. Loop the next strip around the first, creating a chain as you go. You can use all artwork loops, all construction paper, or alternate.

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Fabric scrap garland For ages 5 and older Fabric scraps (or a few “fat quarters” — quarter yards of quilt fabric sold at the fabric store or big chain art supply store) Scissors Ribbon, string or yarn Cut or tear the fabric into small strips. Tie the strips of fabric at regular intervals along the ribbon.

a dad’s view

Battle of the fairies By Scott Tiernan WNC Parent contributor

For my money, the two most compelling fairies for young kids are the Tooth Fairy and the Balloon Fairy. One is a mythical beauty who swaps out dentine and enamel for cash. The other sets up shop at our local supermarket on “Family Dinner Night” and wows children with frogs, mermaids and Light Sabers. For fun, let’s compare these two creatures using a special Fairy Rubric.

Value The Tooth Fairy: She doles out quarters and dollars, a safe bet in this economy. Plus, cash presents a teachable mo-

ment for kids: spend now or save for a rainy day? I know some parents who match saved Tooth Fairy money like a 401(k). The Balloon Fairy: We’ve come a long way since the basic balloon poodle. Last month the Balloon Fairy made my daughter an airplane that could rival any model mocked up by a Boeing engineer. But one firm squeeze or misstep and Pop! “My fishy died! My fishy died!” Yikes. Bottom Line: Cash lasts.

Conflict The Tooth Fairy: Little Johnny might be happy with a dollar per tooth, until he learns his best friend at school is getting five. Tooth Fairy envy is inevitable. Further, the Tooth Fairy may adjust for inflation with siblings. Have fun explaining

interest to your 7-year-old when his little sister just got seven bucks for a tooth! The Balloon Fairy: Ditto the envy problem. A standard cat can quickly be trumped by a tiger with claws and teeth. “Hey, hers is better than mine!” Bottom Line: Balloon envy is easily solved — just hop back in line.

Work Ethic and Efficiency The Balloon Fairy: She’s the Henry Ford of the balloon world, twisting and turning and folding her way to approximately 75 balloons in two hours. I’ve never seen her take a break or turn away a customer. Plus, she’s got a photo book of sample creations kids can browse while they wait. This means no hemming and hawing come decision time. The Tooth Fairy: Unlike Santa, who travels just once a year and has elves and

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reindeer at his disposal, the Tooth Fairy works 365 and literally flies solo. Still, if her wings malfunction, mom or dad can substitute. Bottom Line: Edge goes to the Fairy who can’t call in sick.

Mythicalness The Tooth Fairy: She’s an elusive creature, her physical attributes and personality tied directly to each child’s imagining. Maybe she wears a pink dress and has green hair and carries her money in a pillowcase. Maybe she wears a purple leotard with matching running shoes and uses a silk fanny pack. She’s who you want her to be. The Balloon Fairy: She looks almost preternatural with her velvet blue princess dress, blazing white teeth, pink balloon wings, and dazzling face paint. If it wasn’t for the Blackberry and the tip jar and the business cards you’d think she alighted from another planet. Plus, she mesmerizes kids (and adults) with her ability to conjure elaborate creations out of tubes of rubber. She elicits more “Oooohs” and “Ahaaaas” than fireworks.

waiting on the nightstand. The Balloon Fairy: She makes instant coffee look slow. Plus she’s getting paid (her tip jar is always heaving will ones and fives) and picking up birthday party business at the same time. Result: instant gratification for kids and fairy. Bottom Line: Altruistic PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER wins over for-profit fairy. The Balloon Fairy makes crowns, balloon animals and more. And the winner is …… It’s But who will win, when up against the Tooth Fairy? close, but we’ll give it to The Tooth Fairy! Her product has Bottom Line: Advantage to the real real staying power. She logs millions of person for seeming unreal. solo miles each year. She’s elusive enough to be mythical. And she’s totally Gratification in it for the kids. Don’t sweat it, though, Balloon Fairy. We love you too, and we’ll The Tooth Fairy: The gratification for be at the next “Family Dinner Night” kids is delayed; their teeth don’t fall out with a five dollar bill. We want to see every day, and they can only lose so you make a tooth. many. Sure, kids can accelerate the process with an active tongue, but you won’t William Scott Tiernan is an author, catch them ripping their teeth from their freelance writer and communications gums with pliers to make a quick buck. consultant in Asheville. E-mail him at Plus, Tooth Fairy visits are remunerative wstiernan72@yahoo.com. only for the kids; no milk and cookies

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home-school happenings

Taking a break for the holidays By Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist The holidays are almost here, and, I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a break. In our family, we take most of the month of December off from our regular schedule and plan fun activities that may incorporate some learning, but focus on creating warm, lasting and peaceful family memories. When you home-school, life can become a seemingly endless round of classes, activities, assignments, projects … ugh, you know what I am talking about. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle, and lose sight of the reason why you home-school in the first place: togetherness. So, this year, amid rehearsals for the Montford Park Players’ “A Christmas Carol” (both kids have parts) and hockey games and practice; and sometime after my husband finishes helping build the float for the holiday parade and the end of the semester co-op party and the last two science classes that I teach every Tuesday, we are going to find some peaceful time to enjoy each others company. We will definitely be making cookies. The kids love making the special cookies with pineapple filling that we make each year for Christmas. We will watch old movies and drink hot chocolate in front of the woodstove. We are going to find a place where

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we can cut down our own Christmas tree and bring it home and decorate it together. And, we are going spend time outdoors with our horses before it gets too cold to enjoy it. Some home-schooling families like to use unit studies during the month of December. A unit study incorporates all aspects of a traditional school schedule into an umbrella topic. For example, you might choose to study Christmas traditions around the world. While studying this fascinating topic, you would cover geography, history, international cultures, languages (Merry Christmas in as many languages as you can find!), literature and even math (cooking requires math skills, and it doesn’t even feel like math). If you are nervous about creating your own unit study, there are plenty of them available — you can purchase them online as an instant download. But, I would encourage you to visit your local library and get inspired. Ask your kids for their ideas about interesting topics and then find everything you can about that subject at the library. Brainstorm together. Make a list and start learning. It’s really not that hard. The most important thing to remember is that it is OK to have fun. Learning doesn’t have to be scheduled. It’s sometimes scary to step outside your regular schedule and take a break from the pressure we all feel as home-schooling parents. We’ve chosen the road less traveled, but that doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally take a detour from that road, wander down a small path, spend some time looking at the clouds, watch the frost form on the window pane … after all, isn’t that why we chose to home-school in the first place. Nicole McKeon is a home-schooling mom and owner of Homeschool Station, a new/used home-school curriculum store in Fairview. She can be reached at homeschoolstation@hotmail.com.

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growing together

Make your Christmas priorities routine By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist Last year, I had a “must do” list for Christmas. It didn’t involve gifts as much as stuff, if you know what I mean. For the first time in my life, I was determined to make fruitcake. (Don’t hate.) I made Alton Brown’s Free Range Fruit Cake and I ate it for at least two meals a day for more days in a row than I care to admit. The rest of my list involved getting work, school, decorating and a host of other things completed in time to relax. How do you think that worked out? Our elderly dog became seriously ill, and I spent much of the holiday season nursing him back to health. Some of the decorations went back in the attic at the end of December, still unpacked. UPS was my lifeline for the remainder of my Christmas shopping. And aside from the fruitcake, I seem to remember a lot of take-out food. (I attribute the fuzzy memories to my lack of sleep from geriatric dog care. It probably has nothing to do with the high octane cake.) This year, I really do have a “must do” list. Everything else is optional. I am really required to do only two things at Christmas and every other day of the year: love God and love my neighbor. If I do that, everything else is just superfluous. Instead of doing something because that’s the way I’ve always done it, I am

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going to examine the activities and events and busy-ness that seem to overtake the season. Tradition should have a positive connotation. Too often, obligation seems to take that away. There’s a fine line between the two and admittedly, I don’t always do well in finding it. I believe we all have divine appointments, but they seem too easily overlooked this time of year. Oh, the irony is not lost on me. Do I have time to serve someone and do it with a thankful and willing spirit? If not, my priorities have slipped. I celebrate the most important moment in my faith and I would argue, in mankind’s history, by becoming shorttempered and stressed out by the long list of secular standards to be met. I challenge you to join me — and surpass me — in clearing the calendar and the to-do list and instead, being open to opportunities that nourish your soul. Rather than buying gifts that will strain your budget and your patience, quietly seek the chance to give what is needed, wherever you see the need. In return, I think you and I will receive more than we bargained for. At Christmas and every day, may you find joy in knowing Emmanuel, God with us — the miracle of the season. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her shingle to be a stay-at-home mom. E-mail her at chris@ worthyplace.com.

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divorced families

Holidays require delicate balance By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist Holidays are challenging for most of us despite an improving economy, but especially so for those going through separation and divorce. Three main concerns tend to be around expense, time and comparison to the past. Let us look at them and the choices that may unravel some of the difficulties about each: ◆ Expense. Let’s face it …toys for our children are becoming much more expensive. Blame it on the media or peer pressure, but it doesn’t matter. Many children are becoming interested in electronics including MP3 players, computers, video game systems and cell phones. Your choices? Consider buying used items or from outlet sites on the Internet, like eBay or Craigslist. MP3 players all require a computer for downloading music, but the good news is that you can use borrowed CDs, such as those you can check out from the library, as free resources. Computers can also be bought used, but get a tech savvy friend to check out how functional this will be for your child’s interests. Cell phones can be bought

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It is important that separated parents not try to “out-do” each other during the holidays, and collaboration is always encouraged. This will not escape the attention of your children when they become teenagers. on a prepaid plan, which could in turn be neatly tied into an allowance system. It is important that separated parents not try to “out-do” each other during the holidays, and collaboration is always encouraged. This will not escape the attention of your children when they become teenagers. Be wary of the “Santa Syndrome.” Children who believe their behavior will result in certain toys may struggle with anxiety or depression during the holidays if they are carrying any guilt concerning the separation/divorce (and this includes any acting out behavior). ◆ Time. This is inevitably tied into your custody arrangement, temporary or permanent. In an ideal situation, parents will work to balance the time as equally as possible from a year to year basis. For example, one parent may take “holiday eve” and the other the “holiday.” Accept that no one will be totally happy with this arrangement, but it is the best that can happen given the circumstances. ◆ Comparison with the past. The good news is that the past is over. The bad news is that the past is over. It is time for you and your children to recreate traditions that make sense to your family. This doesn’t mean that you throw away traditions associated with your ex-partner, but that you carefully weigh in you present needs and circumstances. This starts with a conversation of what the holiday means to your child or children. It then can end with a shared recreation and dream that brings out the spirit of the holiday for the family. Trip Woodard is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 606-8607.

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word search The words listed below are from a familiar Christmas carol. What is it? Find and circle all of the words hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell the name of the Christmas carol. all ancient apparel away before blazing boughs carol

chorus don fast follow gay hail harp heedless

holly join jolly joyous lads lasses measure

coloring

maze

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merry new now old our passes season

sing strike tell tide tis together treasure troll

weather while wind with year yule

puzzles Across

1. Supplies issued to troops on a march 6. Moroccan city or hat 9. Not a hit 13. Yours (nonstandard) 14. Common African natural resource 15. Move sideways 16. Mistake 17. Chemist’s office? 18. Most common mode of transportation 19. “Blood _______” movie 21. School fundraising technique 23. Like a fox 24. “The Forsyte ____” by John Galsworthy 25. TV network with an eye 28. Slat 30. Builds 35. “____ Make a Deal” 37. Pirate’s spoils 39. Boise state 40. Bald eagle’s nest 41. Storage ceiling? 43. Twelfth month of Jewish civil year 44. Many kids have short attention _____ 46. S-shaped molding 47. It’s White or Blue 48. Greek personification of the soul, loved by Eros 50. Resting places of those cremated 52. U.S. central banking system 53. Garner wages 55. Beer faucet 57. World’s largest desert 60. “Black Hawk Down” (2001) setting 64. More pure

65. Solemn pledge 67. Contribute 68. Turns sharply 69. Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” 70. Repent 71. Tsar, tzar or ____ 72. Put in horizontal position 73. Shampoo, _____ and repeat

Down

1. Looked at 2. Actress Spelling 3. Radiant light 4. High school formal balls 5. Register 6. Church congregation 7. Long gone state of affairs, as in Apartheid 8. African equine 9. State of annoyance 10. America’s chosen soloist 11. Another name for Blackthorn tree, locat-

ed in the northwest of the continent 12. “Game, ____, match!” 15. African adventure 20. Spiral-horned antelope 22. Wrinkles appear with it 24. Safari protector 25. Necklace fastener 26. Reverse signal 27. Alley cat, e.g. 29. Band with 1982

hit “Africa” 31. “East of ____” 32. California, abbreviated 33. Northernmost land of inhabited world 34. Rubber-____ shoes 36. ____, as in updating an iPod on iTunes 38. Wedding cake layer 42. Poetry made of quotes

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45. Sheep-trimming tool 49. Bigger on African elephants than Indian ones 51. Common Indian dish 54. Tangle or complicate 56. Basic scheme of architectural design 57. Canal and site of infamous crisis 58. codes that serve as prefix of phone num-

bers 59. German mister 60. Move to the music, e.g. 61. “The ____ King” 62. Overnight lodgings 63. “A Death in the Family” author 64. Widely used thermoplastic polymer 66. Female reproductive cells

See solutions on Page 63

Things to do Nov. 29-Dec. 2

‘School House Rock Life Jr.’ auditions Auditions for “School House Rock Live Jr.” for kids ages 8-16. Rehearsals are 4:15-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Performances are March 3-5. Call the Asheville Arts Center at 253-4000.

Nov. 30

Breast-feeding class Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place offers a workshop on breast-feeding. At 6 p.m. at 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Call 681-BABY to register. $25. Crazy Chemists Create Crazy Concoctions Hands On! A Child’s Gallery offers kids a chance to make squishy, bouncy, funny putty at 10:30 a.m. Free with $5 admission. At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Visit handsonwnc.org. Family Support Network workshop Workshop for parents of teenagers with disabilities as part of the “They Won’t Be Kids Forever” series through the Family Support Network program at Mission Children’s Hospital. This workshop explores housing options, both creative and traditional. At 6 p.m. at Mission’s Reuter Outpatient Center in Vanderbilt Park. Call 213-9787.

Dec. 1

Creative Arts Preschool open house Asheville Arts Center hosts an open house at the Creative Arts Preschool, 10:30-noon. Now enrolling ages 2-5 and starting a new 2-year-old program for children who aren’t potty-trained. Call 253-4000.

Dec. 2

Autism support group St. Gerard House offers a parent support group for parents of children on the spectrum or with other special needs. At 6 p.m. at 718 Oakland St., Hendersonville. Child care provided. RSVP to 693-4223 or info@stgerardhouse.com or to Kathryn McCartney at kathryngmccartney@gmail.com.

Dec. 2-3

‘Honk Jr.’ Ira B. Jones Elementary School presents “Honk Jr.,” based on the story “The Ugly Duckling.” Performances at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 and up, free for 4 and under. At 544 Kimberly Ave. Enter through last building on the right. Park in first parking lot in front of auditorium or along the street.

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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Bright Star Touring Theatre presents “Once Upon A Time” and “A Dickens Tale” on Dec. 18.

Dec. 2-4

‘Into the Woods Jr.’ Asheville Arts Center’s Academy performs “Into the Woods Jr.” at 7 p.m., with a matinee at 3 p.m. Dec. 4. The Tickets are $10. At 308 Merrimon Ave. Call 253-4000.

Dec. 3

Hands On! programs At Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org. ◆ Music and Movement with Jenny Arch: Bring your dancing shoes and singing voice. At 10:30 a.m. Free with regular admission. ◆ Corn Husk Dollmaking: Make a corn husk doll to help the Heritage Museum prepare for the Christmas production and get supplies to make one for yourself. 3:30-5 p.m. Free with admission. Registration suggested. Silver Clay Class Fired Up! Creative Lounge on Wall Street, Asheville, offers a silver clay class for ages 16 and older, 6-8 p.m. Reservations required. Call 253-8181. Visit fireduplounge.com.

Reuter Family Y swim lessons Classes for ages 3-adults are Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 6-29. Classes for ages 6 months-12 years are Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 7-30. Starts at $40. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Dec. 4

Introduction to Foster Parenting Learn more about becoming a foster parent, 10 a.m.-noon at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium. Free. Contact Erica Jourdan at familiesforkids@buncombe county.org or 775-2404. Weaverville Library book sale Fill a box or a bag with used books for $5. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 250-6482. Continues on Page 60

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calendar of events Continued from Page 59 YMCA parents’ night out The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents night out for children ages 2-12, from 6-10 p.m. $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Dec. 5

The Big Crafty Asheville Art Museum hosts The Big Crafty Holiday Show at Pack Place, noon-6 p.m. With more than 100 artists and crafters, food, music and more. Visit thebigcrafty.com.

Dec. 6

Food allergy group COCOA — Caring for Children with food Allergies — is a free group for parents of food allergic children. 6:45 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Earth Fare on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. E-mail Kristie at cocoa_in_asheville@yahoo.com.

Registration starts Dec. 6

Play & Learn Parents/caregivers and children ages 3-5 in Buncombe County who are not in regulated child care can attend a series of eight free Play & Learn group sessions. Each 45-minute session focuses on preliteracy skills for children and educational information for parents. Register by e-mail (marna.holland@asheville.k12.nc.us) or phone (350-2904) starting Dec. 6. Children must be at least 3 years old on or before start date to participate. Call Marna Holland at 350-2904. ◆ At Oakley Elementary: Meets 9-9:45 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 7-Feb. 25. ◆ At Avery’s Creek Elementary: Meets 8-8:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 11-March 1.

Dec. 6 and 13

Love and Logic workshop Park Ridge Hospital’s The Baby Place offers a workshop using hands-on-learning to help parents gain practical skills in the Love and Logic method. Love and Logic uses humor, hope, and empathy to build healthy adult-child relationships. Love and Logic emphasizes respect and dignity for both child and adult. 5:30-9 p.m. $60/person, $100/couple. Call 681-2229 to register or visit parkridgebabies.com.

Dec. 8

Infant CPR class Park Ridge Hospital’s The Baby Place offers training in infant CPR, from 7-8 p.m. Call 681-BABY. Holistic Parenting Forum A free group that meets monthly to provide support, education and resources for a community of parents committed to natural living. 6-8 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Earth Fare in West Asheville. Children welcome. Call 230-4850 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com

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HOLIDAY EVENTS For a calendar of holiday events, from performances to parades to workshops, see Page 23. For winter break camps and classes, see the story on Page 15.

Dec. 9

Family Support Network workshop Workshop for parents of teenagers with disabilities as part of the “They Won’t Be Kids Forever” series through the Family Support Network program at Mission Children’s Hospital. Explores guardianship and estate planning. Discussion on the process involved, the cost, whether an attorney is needed and what to expect in court. At 6 p.m. at Mission’s Reuter Outpatient Center in Vanderbilt Park. To register and for details, call 213-9787. Origami Folding Frenzy All levels welcome. Paper is available at the museum store or bring your own. Cost is museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place. Call 2546373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Dec. 10

Parents’ Night Out Fired Up! Creative Lounge offers a program for kids, 6-9 p.m. at Asheville and Hendersonville locations. Drop off the kids for pizza, drinks and bisque items for the kids to paint. $25 per child. Call 253-8181 for reservations in Asheville or 698-9960 in Hendersonville.

Dec. 10-12

‘Pirates of Penzance Jr.’ Asheville Arts Center’s drama academy for high school students performs at 3 and 7 p.m. at 308 Merrimon Ave. Tickets $10. Call 253-4000.

Dec. 11

Nesting Party Nest Organics hosts a free, educational event to provide information on cloth diapering, baby-wearing, swaddling and other organic products for babies and children. 2-4 p.m. At 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville. RSVP to 258-1901 or nestorganics@gmail.com. YouTheatre Winter Showcase Flat Rock Playhouse’s youth troupe performs at 7:30 p.m. at Hendersonville High School. For information about YouTheatre or the new YT Revolution show choir, visit flatrockplahouse.org.

Dec. 13

Childbirth class Park Ridge Hospital’s The Baby Place offers its childbirth class in a one-day session, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 681-BABY to register. $90. The hospital is at 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville.

Continues on Page 62

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calendar of events Continued from Page 61

Dec. 14

Hula Hoop Jam Grab your hula hoop and head to the Black Mountain Library at 4 p.m. for a jam. Open to teens and adults who hula hoop. Call 250-4756.

Dec. 16

Pardee Hospital parenting classes For details and registration, call 866-790-WELL. Free, but registration required. At Pardee Hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. ◆ Breast-feeding class: Learn the art of breastfeeding. 6:30-8 p.m. ◆ Daddy Duty class: Learn helpful ideas and tips for dads during the labor and birth process. 6:30-8 p.m. at Pardee Hospital Video Conference Room.

Dec. 17

Hands On! gingerbread program Make a gingerbread house at 3:30 p.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org. $10/$5 for members. Harry Potter Yule Ball Weaverville Library hosts a Harry Potter Yule Ball for kids ages 11-18 from 4-5:30 p.m. Dress as your favorite character. Free snacks. Call 250-6482 or e-mail Weaverville.library@buncombecounty.org. YMCA parents’ night out The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents night out for children ages 2-12, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. $12 for members ($24 nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Dec. 17-19

USDAA Dog Agility Trials The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host a United States Dog Agility Association agility trial 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at the WNC Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher. Spectators are welcome. Free. Please leave your dogs comfortably at home. More than 200 purebred and mixed-bred dogs will compete. Call 697-2118.

Dec. 18

Celebrate Pregnancy The Baby Place at Park Ridge Hospital offers a course with a twist on normal childbirth class covering important labor techniques and labor support. $99, which includes massage voucher ($65 value). Call 681-BABY to register. At 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Saturdays at ACT family theatre series Bright Star Touring Theatre will perform two shows as part of Asheville Community Theatre’s Saturdays at ACT family theatre series. At 10 a.m. see “Once Upon a Time” (best for ages 3-10) and at 2:30 p.m., see “A Dickens Tale” (for ages 6+). Both on the mainstage of Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. Tickets $5, available at the door.

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Reuter Family Y swim lessons Classes for ages 3 to adult are Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 3-26. Classes for ages 6 months-12 years are Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 4-27. Classes for ages 6 months-12 years are Saturdays, Jan 8-29. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Ongoing

Asheville Improv School Asheville Improv School is starting a drama club for kids ages 14-18. Teens develop self-confidence while participating in improve activities. Session starts Dec. 7. Contact Maria Thomas at 507-1622 or SECAsheville.com. Health Adventure exhibits and programs Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org. At 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville. ◆ Blue Man Group-Making Waves: Create instruments, learn about instruments and make music. ◆ Preschool Play Date: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. ◆ Super Science Saturdays: Experiment with science with hands-on activities. Noon-2 p.m. each Saturday.

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