Family Times May 2019 by Family Times

MAY 2019

Is there more to life than being Photos fromMom? Kids Expo 2018 Parents, kids, and body Seeing myacceptance mother in a new light A club digs What dothe youenvironment mean, ‘Sweet’ 16?

MAIN HEADER! A new kind of workout

Subhead Title Here Title Here

FREE

Had a Stroke. Back on Stage.

Musician Todd Hobin KNOW THE SIGNS • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

Central New York music legend Todd Hobin knew nothing about stroke — but he does now. That’s why he’s raising awareness about stroke risk factors and its signs and symptoms.

FACE DROOPING

A. S.

ARM WEAKNESS

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

Fact: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Important to know: Stroke can happen to both men and women — at any age. Good news: Stroke is preventable by managing medical risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices. What to do: Time lost is brain lost. So it’s vital to know the signs of a stroke — F.A.S.T. Four words to live by: Call 911 and say, “Take me to Crouse.“ When it comes to stroke, every moment matters. As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State to have earned Comprehensive Stroke Center status, and with the region’s newest ER and hybrid ORs, Crouse offers the most advanced technology for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment

Read Todd’s story and learn more: crouse.org/toddhobin.

FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

TIME TO CALL 911

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FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

CREATE

FEATURE

CLUB OF THE MONTH

FEATURE

FIRST PERSON

Make bug magnets to display noteworthy papers and more.

Accept your body— so your kids can accept theirs.

Members of Lyncourt School’s Ecology Club dig the environment.

Ninja warriors are invading gyms around Central New York.

Is there more to me than being Mom?

’

CONTENTS

MAY 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE

LEARN

PRACTICE

PARTY

22-23 SUMMER ACTIVITY PLANNER 24 4

FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

FAMILY FUN CALENDAR

YMCA Day Camps At the Y, we’re experts at fun. YMCA camps keep kids’ minds and bodies active while nurturing the Y’s core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Each camp is unique, with offerings for kids aged 2-16 that include archery, art, boating, community service, dance, ﬁeld trips, ﬁtness, horseback riding, leadership development, rock climbing, sports, and swimming. Most camps also offer reading time and expert academic support.

Closer to You!

Baldwinsville

3 90

6) Camp Southwest at the Southwest Y

481

Syracuse

11 175

3) Camp Y-Noah at the North Area Family Y

5) Camp Sunny Days at Christ Community Church in Camillus

690

2) Summer Odyssey, Art and Dance, Soccer, Basketball, Kinder Sports, Sports/Arts Combo Camps at the Northwest Family Y 4) Summer Fun Club at Roxboro Elementary School in Mattydale

Liverpool

1) Camp Horizon at Elden Elementary School in Baldwinsville

8 9

7) Green Lakes Camp at Green Lakes State Park

7 5

Fayetteville

10 Manlius

12

8) Arts Camp, Fitness Camp, Kids Camp, Sports Camp, Leadership and Teen Camp at the East Area Family Y 9) YMCA Day Camp Iroquois 10) Dance, Tennis Camps, and Functional Athletes at the Manlius Y 11) Mini Explorers at Dewitt Community Church 12) Art Camps at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

Learn more at: YCNY.ORG/CAMPS FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

FROM THE

THE PARENTING GUIDE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

EDITOR

Imagine you’re a ninja. Seriously, your kid can do that! If your child is looking for something that’s both a good workout and great fun, he can explore ninja classes in several Central New York locations. For a look at what it’s like to get into ninja gymnastics, read the story on page 16. In May, we often turn our minds to Mother’s Day (May 12, by the way). Like most mothers, Samantha Pierce considers “parent” an essential part of her identity. How essential? See her column on page 20. Also in this issue, we’ve got a new craft to make: magnetic clips that can help you collect and display important notes and other items (page 8). And an article considers the effect of a parent’s body image on her children (page 10). Hey, I almost forgot: It’s Family Times’ birthday! The magazine’s first issue was published in May 2002. (Our sister publication, the Syracuse New Times, is celebrating 50 years, so Family Times is definitely the little sibling.) Thank you to our readers, our staffers and our advertisers. You’ve all helped us make it to the grand age of 17!

MAY 2019 | ISSUE NO. 205

GENIUSES AT WORK PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan RSullivan@familytimescny.com MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Michael Davis CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tom Tartaro (ext. 134) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Barnes GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Greg Minix Rachel Barry Karley Harmon STAFF WRITER Kira Maddox CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh, Neil Davis Jr., Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Eileen Gilligan, Molly Morgan, Tami Scott, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Christy Perry Tuohey, Chris Xaver SALES MANAGER Tim Hudson (ext. 114)

REID SULLIVAN

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Anne DeSantis (ext. 111) ADesantis@syracusenewtimes.com Robert Auchman (ext. 146) RAuchman@syracusenewtimes.com

ON THE COVER

Jack, age 10, is one of the ninjas in this month’s feature story on page 16.

SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Megan McCarthy (ext. 115) MMcarthy@syracusenewtimes.com

INSIDE PHOTO

Jack and his mother, Leslie Michel, hang out at the West Side Gymnastics School in Syracuse.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) ADDRESS

1415 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 472-4669 fax (315) 422-1721

Advertising deadline for April is March 16. Calendar deadline for April is March 3. Advertising deadline for June is May 15. Calendar deadline for June is May 3. Design by Rachel Barry Photos by Michael Davis

FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

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MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

SUPPLIES Wooden Clothespins Multi-Colored Pom Poms Pipe Cleaners Google Eyes Craft Foam Sheets Adhesive Magnetic Strips Hot Glue Gun or Tacky Glue Acrylic Paint Paint Brushes Rinse Cup

These simple magnets are a fun way to add some personality to your refrigerator while displaying notes, artwork and photos.

All of these supplies I found at Walmart, where the prices are competitive.You can also get these at Michaels and A.C. Moore.

STEPS

1 2

First decide what kind of critter you would like to create. (There are many ideas on Pinterest.) Paint the clothespins the color you want the bases of your critters to be and let them dry.

TIP: You can use an extra clothespin to hold the one you are painting. This is a great way to protect your hands from getting painted. 8

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I n one instance, I painted my clothespin green to make a caterpillar. I used one large pom pom for the head and three medium-sized pom poms for the body. I glued them to the clothespin and added google eyes. Let the glue dry. (You can experiment with different sizes of pom poms and eyes.) I n another example, I used a yellow painted clothespin as the base for an inchworm. To achieve the effect, take two yellow pipe cleaners and twist them together (4a). Then take two orange pipe cleaners and twist them together. Finally, twist your orange and yellow twists together. Glue one end of your twist to the clothespin and let it dry. (This will make the next part easier.) Once your first end is glued and dry, bend the pipe cleaners to make a slope, to look like an inchworm crawling (4b). Glue the second end down and let it dry.

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Add google eyes and a pom pom for hair and let dry again.

6 6

Once all of your glue is dry, take one of your adhesive magnet strips and affix it to the underside of each critter. Then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done!

Different equestrian topics each week.

ow that you are an expert clothespin critter magnet N maker, experiment and come up with some designs of your own like this rainbow critter! Natalie Davis is an artist and educator teaching enrichment in the Syracuse City School District. She lives with her family in Jordan.

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Accept Yourself

Parents’ self-image matters to their children | BY CHRISTY PERRY TUOHEY

constantly give messages to kids about what bodies are supposed to look like, whether they are conscious of it or not. Sometimes parents’ words or actions convey that certain bodies are not good enough. These negative messages can contribute to diminished self-esteem, eating disorders and other problems. “Diet culture”—the ubiquitous images and words

that persuade people to engage in deliberate weight loss—adds to the challenges. But you, the parent, can help your kids feel comfortable with their bodies, eat healthily and choose physical activity for the fun of it.

Adult influences “I remember my aunts dieting when I was just 4 years old,” said Holly Lowery in an e-mail interview. “And from that moment, I internalized this idea that adult women diet.” Lowery is now the education and communications director for Ophelia’s Place, a nonprofit located in both Liverpool and Gilbert, Arizona. Ophelia’s Place is dedicated to helping people, their families and communities “impacted by eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction.” When she got older, Lowery began dieting, which set off years of disordered eating. The National Eating Disorders Association defines healthy eating as “when one mindfully consumes food when hungry and is able to stop when full.” Disordered eating, on the other hand, may include controlling food consumed, having the same thing for lunch each day or cutting out a major food group. For some people this may be a manageable way of life, but for others it can trigger obsession over food and exercise that leads to eating disorders.

What’s an eating disorder? Eating disorders are illnesses including anorexia nervosa and bulimia in which people experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Typically, a person with an eating disorder becomes preoccupied with food and body weight. Research done in 2012 and 2016 found that young people from age 15 to 24 with anorexia are at 10 times greater risk of dying than their same-aged peers. Eating disorders are the third most common diagnosis in adolescent females (they do occur but are far less common in young men). After local author Harriet Brown’s daughter Kitty was diagnosed with an eating disorder at age 14, she became, as Brown puts it, “hypervigilant about the things I said about food and eating and the things that anybody said in front of her.” Brown soon found, though, that she was unable to control food and body conversations at a family gathering, despite having asked relatives to avoid such talk. “Even if you’ve never said anything about a kid, never critiqued a child, it’s so much a part of the culture,” she said. “I think one of the things that you learn is that we talk about food being ‘bad,’ we talk about being unhappy about our bodies as a way to bond, with other women especially.” continued on page 12

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continued from page 10 Central New York psychotherapist Nicole Christina said that parents who complain about their own bodies send negative messages to children and teens. While mothers may be more likely to complain about their weight, fathers can broadcast disapproval of their looks as well. “What I have seen with dads is not as much commentary as their own behavior, like ‘I have to run 10 miles a day’ or ‘I can’t eat fat, I can’t eat carbs,’” she said. Harriet Brown has written several books, including Brave Girl Eating: A Family’s Struggle with Anorexia, and Shadow Daughter: A Memoir of Estrangement. Through painful experiences during her own childhood and her daughter’s adolescence, she has developed strong opinions about the impact parents can have on their children’s self-images when they complain about their own weight or body type. “You’re modeling self-hatred, you’re modeling the idea that you have to earn the food that you eat by purging your calories, one way or another,” she said. “These are the kinds of social behaviors that we are hard-wired to learn from our parents and so we do.”

What ‘healthy’ looks like Holli Zehring, director of Ophelia’s Place in Arizona and a mother, posted on the nonprofit’s blog about her efforts to “not idolize thinness” after her daughter made a comment on how skinny legs are better than other types. “We have to start having these sometimes difficult conversations with our children,” she wrote. “If we are to one day live in a world free of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, we have to help them understand that fatness isn’t inherently wrong. We have to let our children know that all bodies are good bodies so that they do not waste their precious talents, hearts and energy on worrying about measuring up to our society’s rigid and unrealistic appearance ideals.” Nicole Christina, who also hosts the Zestful Aging podcast, said that if you are worried that your child weighs more than her peers, assess her overall health. “What are those kids’ vital signs? If their vital signs are good, there’s a lot of room to be at different weights.” “I would make sure that the diet is healthy,” she continued. “You buy good stuff and you don’t restrict and if you like Oreos, then you eat Oreos in a way that’s mindful and you enjoy them.” 12

FEATURE

The experts interviewed for this article agree that encouraging a child to enjoy movement—rather than exercise with the goal of burning calories or changing body shape—is an important distinction to make. Lowery said, “Encouraging our kids to walk more, help us in the garden, ride their bikes versus watching TV on a nice night, playing sports they enjoy, are all good ways to help our kids enjoy moving their bodies versus trying to get them to exercise more.”

Christy Perry Tuohey is an author, journalist and freelance writer living in Syracuse.

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LEARN

Club OF THE

Month

ECOLOGY CLUB Lyncourt School

“

We were taken to a youth climate summit and it was very informative. We learned about resources that cause global warming, how to reduce damage, and about new problems.

“

—MYRA MENON, GRADE 7

” ”

I learned about recycling and how wildlife lives. —KEIRA POWESKI, GRADE 7

f you’re going to learn about the environment, it pays to get outside. Many of the Ecology Club’s most memorable experiences have occurred far from Lyncourt School—like the time the students crossed a frozen lake in the Adirondacks.

The Ecology Club is in its second year. Members are in seventh and eighth grade. The club’s advisers are Donna Fortugno-Erikson, a science teacher, and Heather Tennant, a math teacher. “Our goal is to motivate students to learn as much as they can about the environment so that they understand how they affect it both positively and negatively,” Fortugno-Erikson wrote in response to emailed questions. “Hopefully, this knowledge will enable them to become better stewards of where they live.” The club meets twice a month. Members engage in a variety of activities, from coming up with Earth Day activities for younger students to going on field trips. But one of club members’ most impressive experiences was the visit to Camp Huntington at Raquette Lake, where they learned about the history, culture and ecology of the Adirondack Mountains. On that trip students hiked Bald Mountain, crossed frozen Raquette Lake, and cross-country skied on the camp grounds. Another noteworthy activity was in October, when five club members attended the Central New York Climate Summit at Homer High School in Homer, N.Y. “I went to the youth climate summit and learned how to improve our environment. We have learned how to compost, how greenhouses work, and how to make a garden,” said seventh-grader Caroline Menon. More recently, club members designed Earth Day activities for others at the school. “My favorite Ecology Club project has to be this Earth Day relay. I think it’s great that I can teach younger kids about what’s important to us, in a fun way,” said Maya Boots, a seventh-grader. Lyncourt School is the K-8 school in the Lyncourt Union Free School District. Students in the Lyncourt district go on to attend Solvay High School or East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School.

DO YOU WANT TO NOMINATE A CLUB OF THE MONTH? Visit familytimescny.com and click the Class of the Month banner. 14

NUTRITIONAL CLUB OF THE MONTH CONTENT

“

My favorite Ecology Club project has been the trip to Raquette Lake. We were able to learn about the history of the camp, and we got to climb mountains and cross a frozen lake. It was so much fun! —GELSOMINA PERKINS, GRADE 8

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

”

Ecology Club members: (back row) Evelyn Gaskins, Zaynah Mere, Anush Baskota, Olivia Goff, Veronica Close, Maya Boots, Anupa Dahal, Juliana Nobile, Audra Tennant, Madeline Ryan, Myra Menon. (Front row) Gelsomina Perkins, Keira Poweski, Caroline Menon, Caden Cerul. FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

Nianja Inv s on! i

Kids are flocking to programs that combine GYMNASTICS with

OBSTACLE COURSES BY AARON GIFFORD

| PHOTOS BY MICHAEL DAVIS

growing number of Central New York kids are turning to a new kind of training: ninja gymnastics.

Nine locations in the Syracuse area offer some sort of ninja training program or competition. Most of these programs are fairly new and were inspired by the popular NBC show American Ninja Warrior and its 2018 spinoff, American Ninja Warrior Junior, for competitors under age 14. “He just needed a sport where he can climb and do flips, and he loves the challenge of overcoming obstacles,” says Leslie Michel, of Marcellus, of her son, Jack, age 10. Jack is in Ninja Gymnastics at the West Side Gymnastics School in Syracuse. With obstacle courses participants must run, jump, climb, crawl, dodge, swing on ropes and problem solve in order to make it through. The courses are naturally appealing to children, ninja sports enthusiasts say. Ninja warrior-style competitions mark a new point in an evolution from traditional team and individual sports. After traditional sports came extreme sports (including skateboarding, snowboarding and acrobatic motocross stunt contests) and endurance competitions such as Iron Man/Iron Woman events. Obstacle courses are challenging but offer more variety and are simply more fun for well-rounded competitors. With an interest in fitness increasing among so many age groups, existing gyms, gymnastics centers, martial arts dojos and other recreational facilities are ready to offer infrastructure and trained personnel to meet demand for the latest craze. Ninja gym participants can typically pay by the session or by the month. Costs are similar to that of memberships for a martial arts school or gymnastics center, from $60 to $80 a month, with at least one class per week. West Side Gym—where Leslie Michel’s son Jack is enrolled—is somewhat unusual in that it incorporates a fair amount of tumbling continued on page 18

FEATURE

Ninja gymnastics participants go through the course at West Side Gymnastics School in Syracuse, under the watchful eye of instructors. FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

The ninja course at West Side Gymnastics features rings, a foam block pit, a trampoline and a rope ladder.

Gymnastics, which was sanctioned and sued following the sexual abuse conviction of former national women’s team physician Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison. “Yes, it definitely hurt the gymnastics industry across the country, but so far we have not lost (participants) because of it,” Fuller says. “I think the key is to let parents know why, right from the start, we feel screening and background checks are so important.” The program at Blaze incorporates many aspects of the martial arts. Its obstacle course requires participants to perform sets of kicks and punches in which their technique and flair are also factored into their scores for getting through the obstacles quickly. When the kids demonstrate proficiency, they are awarded a colored headband, similar to the concept of earning a belt rank in karate or taekwondo. In its first five months of operation, Blaze’s program had 187 youth participants, making it the fastest-growing Ninja Zone program in the country, Fuller says. Ninja Zone is one of several programs of its kind that is franchised around the world.

continued from page 17 training into its ninja classes. Jack also visits the Ninja Barracks in Liverpool. When he was younger, Jack preferred climbing trees to lacrosse and baseball. This type of activity seemed like the perfect fit, his mother says. “He is competitive; that was not the issue with the other sports,” Michel says. “He just needed a sport where he can climb and do flips, and he loves the challenge of overcoming obstacles.”

“I think the reason it’s so popular is because it gives the kids an opportunity to freestyle,” Fuller explains. “You don’t need to have the perfect somersault. If you have good character, you will develop strength and agility that you can use in other sports, or you can bring it to the playground. It’s a foundation that they can use for anything.”

Trillium Sports and Fitness in East Syracuse offers ninja camps and ninja birthday parties. In both programs, participants are led through warm-ups and instruction before taking on an obstacle Jack goes to the West Side Gym program twice a week and course. In the past year, says owner Barb St. Pierre, demand for participated in an outdoor Spartan Race competition in Vermont these programs has been astounding. The time slots for birthday last year with his father. He wants to train competitively for future parties have been filled every Saturday for months, and there’s Spartan Races and youth ninja-type competitions. been enough interest in the Blaze Gymnastics in camps for Trillium to offer Cicero has a Ninja Zone four-day programs every program and even a Baby school break and a series of Ninja program for toddlers. I think the reason it’s so popular sessions in the summer. Owner Christina Fuller said she does not believe ninja programs threaten the customer base of traditional gymnastics programs. The gymnastics world is still reeling from the demise of its governing body, USA

is because it gives the kids an opportunity to freestyle. You don’t need to have the perfect somersault. –CHRISTINA FULLER

“I think people like it because it puts all kids on an even playing field, as opposed to soccer or baseball where a kid can feel left out if they don’t have as much skill as the others even

if they have the determination,” St. Pierre says. “It’s not like a sport where you have an advantage if you’ve played a lot of catch or passed the football around before. Most people are new to this the first time they try it. No one should feel intimidated.” The camps at Trillium cost $45 per day and serve children from ages 6 to 15. The gym assigns one trainer for every four kids. St. Pierre says she is struck by how kids have embraced regulations about safety, which helps them to develop self-discipline. “It improves their balance, agility, flexibility and problem-solving skills, and it boosts their confidence because they have achieved something they didn’t do before,” St. Pierre says. “But when you see them being so careful about going one at a time and being careful about things—that responsibility—it’s really impressive.” Syracuse Ninja Barracks, located inside the Pacific Health Club in Liverpool, trains children and adults alike for obstacle competitions. It follows the recommended guidelines of the American Ninja Warrior program and offers some of the same obstacles that are seen on the television show, says Ryan Scott, owner. His five months in business so far, he says, “have been absolutely awesome.”

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Scott, a personal trainer by trade who has a strong background in gymnastics and yoga, also works with participants with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and autism. Obstacle courses, he says, are great tools for helping individuals gain independence. “It’s nice to see folks get the hang of it and start figuring things out by themselves,” Scott says. In one case, an 8-year-old boy who suffers from a spine injury and walked on his toes was able to learn how to walk correctly as he completed challenges on the obstacle course. “It’s not a fluke,” Scott says. “With physical obstacles in front of them, people with disabilities can conceptualize what they need to do to start overcoming a disadvantage.” The activity also provides a supportive environment and fosters sportsmanship. None of the kids or adults see fellow participants as opponents. “Everyone is very supportive of each other,” Scott says. American Ninja Warrior is now starting its 11th season. The participants selected for obstacle course competitions and appearances on the show must be well-rounded athletes—and they have to have a gripping back story. Competitors who have overcome great odds give viewers a reason to root for them. The athletes earn their way to the top by winning regional competitions before advancing to national and world-level contests that offer large purses to the winners. The most successful competitors, both men and women, are not always bigger, stronger, smarter, more athletic or better motivated than their competitors. The sport is unique in that the top finishers find a way to balance those physical and emotional attributes with patience and strategy. Often times, their life experiences play a role in their success on the obstacle course. Nicole Thibodeaux, a trainer at Syracuse Ninja Barracks, says that everyone she has worked with, young children and adults alike, underestimated the difficulty of the obstacles and the training. And yet, few people have given up on the program so far. “I think because it’s so fun and rewarding,” she says. “People watch the show and think it’s going to be a piece of cake. But then the kids realize they aren’t going to fly through the course. But the challenge is enticing to everyone. They learn that they have to listen better and practice harder.” Aaron Gifford is an award-winning writer who lives in Cazenovia with his wife and two children.

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My Name Is Mom How much of me is tied up in being a parent? BY SAMANTHA PIERCE

nce upon a time I was Samantha. At times I am Mrs. Pierce. However, most of the time I’m Mom. The day my husband and I left the hospital with our first child I thought, “Are they going to let us walk out of here with a whole human being, just like that?” Yes, they did. I didn’t know it then but understand now that I gave birth to an incredible autistic child. Not long ago that child, now a young man, registered to vote. I’m looking forward to the day we walk into our polling place, and he receives his ballot rather than watching me fill out mine. It’s so easy for me to talk about my children. I could go on for pages about how incredible they are, how they each have unique strengths, how they each approach the challenges in their lives.

I do feel pressure to get mothering ‘right.’ Some of that pressure comes from society. 20

FIRST PERSON

But talking about myself? That feels far more challenging. Mothering is an integral part of my life. It drives my work advocating for better access to educational support services, mental health services, and economic opportunity for people with autism and developmental disabilities. I have chronic do-it-yourself syndrome as well as a save-theworld syndrome. My children often remind me that caring for myself is as important as caring for them and others.

“Mom, did you eat today?” “Mom, coffee is not a vegetable.” “Mom, drink water.” “Mom, go take a nap.” “Mom, I think you need a timeout.” Rooted in their concern for me are the seeds of who I am, what I like about myself, and why I need to be myself. I own a copy of Laurence Steinberg’s The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting. One day, upon disagreeing with a parenting decision I made, one of my children read Steinberg’s book to me. It reminded me of the way I sorted out the world by reading books.

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When I wrote my first book, Voice of the Unheard, my children read over my shoulder as I worked, suggested names for characters, wrote their own stories, and asked when I would finish mine. At times they happily participate in my interests with me, such as painting and sketching. At other times our interests diverge, and I explore on my own. I have yet to convince them to start a heavy metal cover band with me despite their musical inclinations. I do feel pressure to get mothering “right.” Some of that pressure comes from society. I contend with several American parenting stereotypes regularly. There’s the helicopter parent, who overengages in her children’s lives to the detriment of the children. Then there’s the lawnmower parent, who goes to great lengths to prevent his children from experiencing any challenges. Next is the autism parent, some odd combination of parenting stereotypes and focused on the presence of autism in her life.

Being Mom is one of the most important roles I will ever have. However, I would be a complete mess if I focused all my energy on mothering and left none to keep me going.

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The more traditional culture of my immigrant family of origin adds another layer of expectations. Mom works from the time she wakes until the time she sleeps, is never tired, never takes a break, is never wrong, and never fails.

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Being Mom is one of the most important roles I will ever have. However, I would be a complete mess if I focused all my energy on mothering and left none to keep me going. I know this because I’ve had that experience more times than I care to admit. To be great at being Mom, I need to be comfortable with being Samantha first.

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When my oldest child was 6 months old, I took my first class in Middle Eastern dance. I needed to get out of the house and talk to other grownups about something besides babies. It worked, and I made new friends who have been with me through many adventures over the years. My friends helped me discover the part of myself that liked to perform in front of crowds. Mothering reminded me how to be Samantha. I practice extending the same grace and forgiveness to myself that I give my children. I don’t expect them to be perfect; why expect perfection from myself? When I make mistakes, I urge myself to learn from the experience and move on, same as I do for my children. Failure is not an end but a new starting point, a lesson I teach my children and myself over and over. Keeping up with unrealistic expecSamantha Pierce is tations, be they my own or someone a consultant and else’s, isn’t worth anyone’s physical lives in Syracuse or mental health and wellbeing. with her husband and five children. Hi, my name is Samantha. My children call me Mom.

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FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

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SUMMER ACTIVITY PLANNER

iSTOCK PHOTO

Please note: Mistakes happen. To confirm event details, call the sponsoring organization’s phone number or visit the website.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Family Times’ Kids Expo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Families can see performances, take part in activities, and shop for products and services for kids. Monster trucks will perform stunts as well! State Fairgrounds, Geddes. Free. (315) 472-4669. familytimescny.com. Be the Scientist. Noon-4 p.m.

Explore the activities of an environmental scientist. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/ seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28 Step Up 4 Kids. 8-11 a.m. A Kids Fun Run

(9:30 a.m.), 5K (10 a.m.) and children’s activities help raise money for the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Race-day registration is 8-9 a.m. Sawmill Creek Shelter, Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool. Day-of registration: $35/5K; $15/ Kids Fun Run. www.mcmahonryan.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 29

Teens can come and talk about anime. Cosplay is okay, but library staff must approve. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Dunkin’ Donuts, 105 Second St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 2 Teen Writer’s Guild. 4-5 p.m.; also May 9, 16 & 23. Students in grades 6-12 can take part in writing workshops, receive criticism, and brainstorm with others. All genres of creative writing are welcome. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. fflib.org. (315) 637-6374.

Xbox in the Evening. 5 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can play on the Xbox One and enjoy snacks and drinks. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

FRIDAY, MAY 3 Nature on Wheels Tours. 1:30-3 p.m.; also

May 10, 17, 24 & 31. Visitors with mobility limitations can ride an electric vehicle through the center’s diverse habitats while a naturalist describes the sights. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3/person; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 Star Wars Day. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids ages 5-12

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

can choose from three different Star Wars crafts to make. They can also compete in a themed scavenger hunt to win a prize. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

Public Fishing. 9:30-11:30 a.m.; also May 11 & 18.

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 Read, Sing, Play Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also May 8, 15, 22 & 29. Children of all ages, accompanied by caregivers, can enjoy this storytime. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

Families and individuals can come for a morning of fishing; bait, rods and reels provided. Volunteers are on site to help beginners. (Fishing license not required.) Carpenter’s Book Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. $5/person. Preregistration and prepayment required: (315) 451-6249.

& 22. Children ages 2-4 with an accompanying adult can enjoy a storytime with rhymes, songs and crafts. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

Free Comic Book Day. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants age 8 and older can get two comic books each, while supplies last. Selections for new readers and comic book lovers of all kinds. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

Let’s Pretend. 1 p.m.; also May 15. Children

Mental Health Awareness Walk/Run. 10

ages 3-5, accompanied by an adult, learn about an animal that lives at Beaver Lake by acting out how the animal behaves. Each program includes a craft and outdoor activities. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/child; $4/ vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

a.m.-noon. (Registration: 9-9:45 a.m.) Raise money for and awareness of families affected by mental health challenges with a walk and 5K fun run. Bayview Shelter, Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park, Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool. $25/registration. Familytapestryinc.org.

State Test Brain Break. 4-6 p.m. Students can

Spring Migration Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; also May 5. This annual celebration of the return of migratory birds includes numerous activities and exhibits: live birds of prey; a petting zoo; craft making and game playing; live music; and more. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit

Early Learners Storytime. 11 a.m.; also May 8, 15

recover from their testing experience with board games, Legos and yoga. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Teen Anime Night in Liverpool. 6-8 p.m. 24

CALENDAR

34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Admission: $4/ adults; $1/age 12 and under; $10/family maximum. (315) 697-2950.

Wildlife Festival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Families can learn about nature through presentations with live birds of prey and mammals. There will also be a climbing wall, live music, craft making, food for sale, and more. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 Route 89, Savannah. $5/person; $20/family. (315) 365-3588. Paws and Books. 10:30 a.m.; also May 11.

Children ages 5-12 can read a story to Cooper, a dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Toddlers’ Tango. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers can have fun in this music and movement class. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. Paws to Read. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also May 11, 18

& 25. Kids can read to a friendly dog from Paws Inc. of CNY. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Party. 10:30-11:15

a.m. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Eric Carle book with a themed storytime. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374.

Crafting Wonderland. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dress as your favorite Alice in Wonderland character and enjoy an afternoon of magic and madness, with dozens of crafters, food for sale, and more. Baldwinsville Community Park, Lions Parkway, Baldwinsville. Free admission. For more information: psychicimpressions529@gmail.com. Star Wars Celebration. 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Star Wars fans can do crafts, hear stories on the hour, and enter a raffle for Star Wars swag. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Spring Migration Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See

May 4 listing.

Syracuse Children’s Chorus Concert. 4 p.m. The chorus performs a concert titled “I Hear America Singing.” Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University, Syracuse. $10/adults; $5/ages 5-16; free/ under 5. (315) 478-0582. www.syracusechildrenschorus.org.

MONDAY, MAY 6 Paws to Read. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Children can read to therapy dog Bailey for 15 minutes each. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

Monday Funday. 4:30-5:30 p.m.; also May 13 & 20. Children ages 5-12 can make a craft, something different each week. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Free. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. (315) 672-3661.

TUESDAY, MAY 7 First Steps. 9:30-10 a.m.; also May 14, 21 & 28.

Jamesville. Free. Registration encouraged: CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

Adoption Informational Meeting. 5-6:30

p.m. Those exploring the idea of adoption can learn more at a session presented by Family Focus Adoption Services. Fairmount Library, 406 Chapel Drive, Syracuse. Free. (315) 807-5189.

Setting Students Up for Success. 5:30-7:30

Children who are good walkers, up to age 3, can with a caregiver take part in a program with music, movement, crafts and more. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374.

p.m. Discuss trauma-related behavior and restore learning in the education setting. A presentation of Syracuse City School District’s Parent University. Syracuse Northeast Community Center, 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. Registration required: (315) 435-6275.

Read, Sing and Play Storytime. 10:30 a.m.;

Family Trivia. 6 p.m. Families and friends can

also May 14, 21 & 28. Children ages 1 1/2-6 and their families or caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

Baby Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.;

also May 14, 21 & 28. Babies, up to age 2, and caregivers can share rhymes, songs, stories and signs in this language-building program. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374.

Homeschool Hangout. 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Homeschool families get together for games and crafts. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Northside Church, 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

After School Club. 4-5 p.m.; every Tuesday. Students in grades 1-6 can enjoy games, make crafts, and take part in experiments. A different project at each session. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road,

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

May 9

by Liverpool Public Library. Pizza Villa, 409 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

gather to answer trivia questions posed by the library’s Google Home Mini. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration requested: (315) 492-1727.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Homeschool Gathering. 1-2:30 p.m. Families with children of all ages can play games, make crafts and more. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. Prenatal Story Hour. 5:30-6:30 p.m.; also May 15 & 22. Monica Dilone, a licensed medical social worker, discusses how reading to your baby in utero can help develop their brain. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Hope Cafe, 305 Vine St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen Tabletop Games. 6-8 p.m. Teens can hang out to play board games and eat snacks. Presented

from

6-7 pm

THURSDAY, MAY 9 Trail Tales. 1 p.m.; also May 23. Children ages 3-5,

accompanied by an adult, can hear two stories and then go on a walk with a naturalist. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519.

Safe Place to Game. 3-4:30 p.m.; also May 16. Staffers from TCGplayer help participants learn and play trading card games and video games; for ages 12-18. Central Library, Community Room (Level 1), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. Teen Writing and Drawing Group. 3:30-5 p.m. Teens can explore writing, drawing, and a variety of other creative pursuits. Snacks provided. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Pajama Storytime. 6 p.m. Children ages 3-6 can wear pajamas, hear a story and make a craft. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. Raising Great Kids Parenting Group.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Therapist Jackie Michel leads a parenting group that explores happiness, gratitude, mindfulness, neuroscience and more. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: fflib.org. (315) 637-6374.

Hour of Code. 6:30 p.m. Families with chil-

dren in grade 2 and up can take part in a coding challenge; no experience necessary. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 492-1727.

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Project-Based Learning on Display Tours of Our Outdoor Nature Center

Now Enrolling PRE-K to 8th GRADE

arts Le Moyne College

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“2019 Summer Studies Session” July 8th – August 8th

Offering Classical Ballet including Variations and Pas de deux, Character Dance, Nutrition and Injury Prevention.

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Theatre Vocal Jazz

June 24th - June 28th

July 8 – 19 July 8 – 12

Offering a little bit of everything including Classical Ballet, Theatre Dance, Tap, Character Dance, Arts and Crafts and daily screening of special dance DVD’s.

Film Strings

July 8 – 19 July 22 – 26

Creative Writing Musical Theatre July 8 – 12 July 29 – Aug. 2

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(315) 445-4230 lemoyne.edu/summerinstitute

FRIDAY, MAY 10

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Paper Rose Craft. 2-4 p.m. Tweens and teens

Trail School. 10 a.m.-noon. A naturalist will lead

can make paper roses with provided materials. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 435-3636.

Dungeons & Dragons for Newbies. 3-4:30

p.m. Volunteers from TCGplayer host games to introduce new players to the structure and design of D&D; for teens and adults. Central Library, Level 1, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

SATURDAY, MAY 11 Teen Movie Saturday. 2 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can watch the documentary Fortnite: Battle, Build, Survive and enjoy snacks and drinks. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Science Saturday. 2 p.m. Children can discover the insects in the soil. Wear clothes appropriate for going outside and getting dirty. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

SUNDAY, MAY 12 MOTHER’S DAY Mother’s Day Garden Tour at Sycamore Hill. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy over 250 acres of

landscaped gardens and ponds (filled with koi fish), 500,000 flowering bulbs and 700 flowering trees and shrubs. A benefit for Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Sycamore Hill Gardens, 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike, Marcellus. $12/general, at gate; free/age 8 and under. (315) 673-1350. Purchase advance tickets online: baltimorewoods.org.

Mother’s Day Buffet. 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

participants ages 5-15, each accompanied by an adult, on a hike to Peanut Hill. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $9. (315) 673-1350. Register: baltimorewoods.org.

Table Top Game Day. 3:30-5 p.m. 3:30-5 p.m. Tweens and teens can play board games, including Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess and more. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Meet Moose & Friends. 4 p.m. News person-

ality Laura Hand brings Moose, a therapy dog, to teach kids about different topics. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration requested: (315) 492-1727.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 Toddler Dance Party. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Children from 18 months to 5 years old can dance, use musical instruments, play with bubbles, and more. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578. Music & Stories with Donna B. 10:30 a.m. Children of all ages, from newborns and up, can join Donna Butterfield for songs, dancing, stories and more. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration requested: (315) 492-1727. Fly a Kite. 3:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 can

learn to make a kite to decorate and fly. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

Harry Potter Interactive Movie Event.

MONDAY, MAY 13

6-8:30 p.m. At this family event, see the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Attendees, in grade 3 and up, will each receive a bag of snacks, prompts and props. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave., Manlius. Free. Registration required: (315) 682-6400.

Mini-Photography Session. 6-7:30 p.m. Get

Family First Fort Night. 6-8 p.m. Families with

seatings. Enjoy an extensive buffet and a view of southern Onondaga County. Skyline Lodge, Highland Forest, Route 80, 3 miles east of Fabius. $24.95/adult; $12.95/ages 5-11; free/under 5. Registration required: (315) 677-3303.

a mini-photography session with your little one and receive one or two digital photos. Presented by CNY Doula Connection. CNY Healing Arts, 195 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 707-8097.

children age 2 and up can bring blankets and pillows, and enjoy stories, activities, and pizza and s’mores. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. Registration required: CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Teen MOPS. 5-7 p.m.. Young mothers, ages

South Otselic Fishing Heritage Day. 9 a.m.-4

13-21, with children under 6 enjoy a faith-based program with fun, food and activities while their children are cared for by the childcare program. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 569-2542.

p.m. Fishing clinics for beginners, educational activities, guided tours of the hatchery, live birds of prey, wagon rides, live music and more. Locations around the hamlet including the State Fish Hatchery and Otselic Town Park, South Otselic. Free admission. (315) 653-7490. www.ovfish.org.

Kids Only Book Club. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Students

DIY Fairy Gardens. 1-2 p.m. Under the guidance of a master gardener, create your own fairy garden with a pot, soil, three plants, garden stones and a mini gnome; for age 6 and up. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $30/instruction & supplies. (315) 673-1350. Register: baltimorewoods.org.

Teen Video Game Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens

Rigamajigs. 2-4 p.m. Children can engage in creative and cooperative building. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 in grades 2-5 can talk about what they’re reading, get ideas from peers, and eat some snacks. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.

can play games in the Dunkin’ Donuts community room. Snacks will be served. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Dunkin’ Donuts, 105 Second St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

CALENDAR

DIY Day. 2:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 can make

sidewalk chalk from provided materials. Hazard

Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Sensory Friendly Time. 5:30-7:30 p.m. The

museum turns down the noise, turns off the flashing lights, and makes other accommodations so people with sensory processing challenges can explore the exhibits. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Sensory Friendly Time admission: $5. (315) 425-9068.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 Marching for Mothers Walk.

10 a.m. (registration), 11 a.m. (walk). Walk raises awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression. Activities include bounce houses, face painting, massage and more. Sponsored by Crouse Health. Longbranch Park, 3813 Long Branch Road, Liverpool. Donations crouse.org/marchingformothers.

Afternoon Tea. 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy teas, children’s tea or juice, and an assortment of sweets and savories. Event held outdoors unless the weather is inclement. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $25/person; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

MONDAY, MAY 20 Teen Minecraft. 3-4:30 p.m. Kids in grades 5-12

can hang out and play on the library’s server. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 21 Adoption Informational Meeting. 4:30-7

p.m. Those exploring the idea of adoption can learn more at a session presented by Family Focus Adoption Services. Manlius Public Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave., Manlius. Free. (315) 807-5189.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

THURSDAY, MAY 23 Drop In Crafts. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Children of all

ages can make fun, seasonal crafts with provided materials. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

The Booktopi. 3:30-4:30 p.m. The branch’s teen book club this month talks about Robert Beatty’s Serafina and the Black Cloak. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

Game Night. 6 p.m. Families of all ages and

abilities can try out a library board game or bring one from home to share. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

Family Craft Time. 6 p.m. Adults and kids can make simple wind chimes with provided materials. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 435-5326.

FRIDAY, MAY 24 Corduroy. 7 p.m.; through June 15. Gifford Family Theatre performs a show based on two books by Don Freeman. In the story, Corduroy tears through

a department store in search of a missing button. Coyne Center for the Performing Arts, Le Moyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse. $15/ adult; $10/child. (315) 445-4200. giffordfamilytheatre.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 25 North Syracuse Family Festival. 11 a.m.-

5 p.m. Annual festival features crafters, music, and games for children, among other activities. Lonergan Park, 524 S. Main St., North Syracuse. Free. facebook.com/NorthSyracuseFamilyFestival.

Be the Scientist. Noon-4 p.m. Explore the activities of a pilot. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068.

Corduroy. 2 p.m.; through June 15. See May 24

listing.

Treefrogs and Peepers. 8-10 p.m.

Adults and kids (age 5 and up) can go on a night hike to Philips Pond, to listen for and try to spot frogs. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $9. (315) 6731350. Register: baltimorewoods.org.

Memorial Day Benefit.

8 a.m.-noon. Benefit features a silent auction, bake sale, plant sale, ice cream sundaes, and a free craft area for kids. Proceeds go to local food pantry. Columbian Presbyterian Church, corner Routes 20 & 11, LaFayette. Free admission. (315) 677-3293.

Graphic Novel and Comic Book Club. 4 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can read Kelly Sue Deconnick’s Captain Marvel Vol. 1 for this session, and discuss other comics and graphic novels. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

TUESDAY, MAY 28

ONGOING EVENTS

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

Canoeing & Kayaking. May 11-27: Saturdays & Sundays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Paddle around Beaver Lake searching for beaver lodges, turtles and herons. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $10/hour of rental. Admission: $4/vehicle. Call for current weather conditions: (315) 638-2519.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 Onondaga Community College Q&A. 2-4 p.m. An OCC representative answers questions about applying to college, financial aid, and other topics. Central Library, Level 1, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

THURSDAY, MAY 30

Veterans and non-veterans gather for a watchfire ceremony and lighting of a pyre to honor those who have served the nation. Watchfire Park (between Routes 690, 695 & State Fair Boulevard), State Fairgrounds, Geddes. Free. cnyvva103.org/watchfire.html.

Send information about your family-friendly event to: rsullivan@family timescny.com. Listings are due by May 3 for the June issue.

MEMORIAL DAY

knowledge of pop culture. Snacks will be served. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Dunkin’ Donuts, 105 Second St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org.

Memorial Day Watchfire. Dusk-8 p.m.

FREE!

years and their caregiver. Stories, songs, arts and crafts, and more. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 8131 Soule Road, Liverpool. $3/family. Registration recommended: (315) 622-2843. NYCrossofChrist.org/Tots.

Teen Trivia Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can test their

SUNDAY, MAY 26

Calendar listings are

MONDAY, MAY 27

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 31 Time for Tots Playgroup. 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Education playgroup for children ages 18 months-5

Onondaga County Beaches Open. May 25-June 15: Saturdays, Sundays & Memorial Day, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sandy beaches have lifeguard supervision, shaded areas, picnic tables, grills and boat rentals. Jamesville Beach Park, 4110 West Shore Manor, Jamesville. Oneida Shores Park, 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton. $7/vehicle. (315) 435-5252 (Jamesville) or (315) 676-7366 (Oneida). onondagacountyparks.com. Wegmans Playground. Boundless Playground for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes. Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free. (315) 451-PARK.

Jordan Elbridge

Weekday Mornings

COUNTRY CHILDCARE KIDS CENTER

5:30 -10AM

Open Enrollment

Pre-School: ALL Ages 3-5yrs AGES Before & After School: 3yrs-6th Jordan United Methodist Church 63 Elbridge Street, Jordan 315-689-9686 • jeckatjumc@gmail.com

Gifford Family Theatre presents

Based on Don Freeman's Corduroy books Adapted by Barry Kornhauser

May 24 - June 15

Free Prenatal Consultation

Pediatric Associates, LLP STAFF ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY

Caring for CNY children for more than 40 years. www.PediatricAssociatesNY.com

LIVERPOOL 8086 Oswego Rd. • 652-1070 CAMILLUS 270 Township Blvd. • 487-1541

(315) 445-4200 |www.giffordfamilytheatre.org

FAMILY TIMES MAY 2019

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TO REGISTER FOR A FREE UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.UPSTATE.EDU/BARIATRICS OR CALL (315) 492-5036. Taewan Kim, MD, FACS; Flavia Soto, MD, FACS, FASMBS, ABOM diplomate; and Jesse Gutnick, MD

ASK FOR THE EXPERTS. ASK FOR UPSTATE. WWW.UPSTATE.EDU/BARIATRICS