NOVEMBER 2017 • FREE
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Our 20th Year of Serving New
nswick & Pender County Families!
COVER KIDS: QUINTS: CARLEIGH, EASON, LORNA, LAYTON & RUCKER
Welcome the Holidays! HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE I THE GIFT OF PIE CREATIVE WAYS OF GRATITUDE I DITCHING HOLIDAY CARDS BUSINESS SHOWCASE: MY MICKEY VACATION TRAVEL
Specializing in dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and children with special needs.
8115 Market Street Suite 204 Wilmington, NC 910.686.1869 306 Dolphin Drive Suite 2 Jacksonville, NC 910.333.0343
growinggrins.com
Pediatric Convenient Care available at Silver Stream! You never know when your child will be sick or have non-emergency conditions like abrasions and bruises, colds and flu, or sprains and pains. That’s why Wilmington Health is pleased to offer Pediatric Convenient Care.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
WALK-INS ARE WELCOME at Pediatric Convenient Care.
Pediatric Convenient Care
wilmingtonhealth.com 10401-6 Pediatrics WP ad 7.5x4.8125.indd 1
Pediatric Convenient Care is open to all current Wilmington Health patients and new patients with most commercial insurances.
2421 Silver Stream Lane, Wilmington
910.763.2072 8/23/17 9:44 AM
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 1
Cape Fear Festival of Trees Cape Fear Festival of Trees Cape Fear Festival of Trees Cape Fear Festival of Trees Cape Fear Festival of Trees Cape Fear Festival of Trees
Save the Date! Sponsor a Tree!
First Citizens presents...
We are continuing a long-time, well-recognized holiday tradition at
2017
Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2017 2017
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Surrounded by the unique aquatic life of our coastal community, your sponsored tree will be set against the backdrop of the tranquil environment of the Aquarium’s upper and lower mezzanines, and select areas inside the conservatory! Benefiting For tree sponsorship information, contact Mary Fountain at 910-796-7974 or Mary.Fountain@lcfh.org
10th Annual
Education Fair
Presented by
at Mayfaire Town Center
Saturday, November 18, 2017, 10:00am-3:00pm MAYFAIRE TOWN CENTER - Next to Belk The Education Fair provides parents with educational options and resources to help make decisions about their child’s education. Preschools | Schools | Education Resources 2 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 3
IN THIS ISSUE Tracie Bryce
Have a cute photo you’d like to share?
Publisher/Editor in Chief Keith Jaworski 910-518-0011
E-Mail: seasidemedia1@gmail.com
Features Editor Danielle Villegas
E-Mail: danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com
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E-Mail: calendar@wilmingtonparent.com
Design/Layout Department: Yulia Zarubina - Brill
E-Mail: ads@wilmingtonparent.com
Submit your photo for consideration seasidemedia1 @gmail.com December Theme Happy Holidays! Deadline for Submissions 11/12.
November 2017
SPECIAL SECTION: WELCOME THE HOLIDAYS
20 21 24 25 19
CREATIVE WAYS OF GRATITUDE HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
Customer Service 910-518-0011
E-Mail: seasidemedia1@gmail.com
Fax: 910-939-1439
To Advertise Contact: Andrea Knight 910-632-0283
E-mail: andreailmparent@gmail.com
Nancy Lievre 910-240-3461
E-mail: nancywilmparent@gmail.com Public Service Announcements/Calendar Please submit items/photos before the 2nd Friday of the prior month
or E-Mail: calendar@wilmingtonparent.com
DITCHING HOLIDAY CARDS GIFT OF PIE BUSINESS SHOWCASE: MY MICKEY VACATION TRAVEL
Opinions/Suggestions/Feedback We value our readers opinions — help us to serve you better! Our mailing address is: Wilmington Parent
PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 or E-Mail: seasidemedia1@gmail.com
5
EDITOR’S NOTE
13
CHILDCARE LISTING GUIDE
6
HAVE YOU HEARD
18
FAMILY TRAVEL
7
PRODUCT REVIEW
26
YOUR HEALTH
Wilmington Parent is published 12 times a year. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication's standards. All contents of Wilmington Parent are protected under copyright. Reproduction of any content requires permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
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GROWING UP ONLINE
27
FIT FAMILY
Wilmington Parent • PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
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SCHOOL NOTES
29
PEANUT GALLERY
10 CALENDAR
cover credits Photography by Katie Mathews, www.katiemathewsphotography.com • 910-297-5378 4 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
© Wilmington Parent 2017 Seaside Media, LLC Complimentary copies of Wilmington Parent are available to the public at various locations in the greater Wilmington area. One copy per family is permitted. Additional copies require the written permission of the Publisher. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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EDITOR’S NOTE
T
urkey Day is coming! Or if you live in our house, Tofurky Day. Either way I hope everyone has family and friends to spend the day with enjoying your favorite savory and sweet recipes. November is often a time we reflect on what we are thankful for, while also remembering those who are struggling. Although donations and volunteering should be an all-year activity, let’s do our best to make the holidays a wonderful memory for all families. If your family is looking for local ways to give back to the community, please visit www. capefearvolunteercenter.org for a list of opportunities to help your neighbors. If you are planning a vacation during the holidays, you can still use that time to show your children how they can show gratefulness in places you visit. Our Family Travel section offers a few options to get your family started on your voluntourism journey. Every year in November Wilmington Parent holds an Education Fair for families that want to explore school options for the upcoming year. On November 18th we will be having our 10th Annual Wilmington Parent Education Fair, this time it will be held at Mayfaire Town Center. Bring the kids and enjoy this wonderful opportunity for families to explore all their educational options in one central location. From 10am3pm you can meet with representatives of the schools and ask questions while you begin to narrow your list.
Thanks for voting us Family Favorite Pediatric Dentist again this year! 2606 Iron Gate Dr. Suite 200,Wilmington, NC
791-7380 • www.catchasmile.net
Looking for employment with us? Email your resume to work@childcarenetwork.com
I wish all of our families a memorable and joyous holiday season, and if you happen to make any of those pies that are mentioned on page 25, my schedule is wide open and I am available for taste testing! Happy Thanksgiving!
Danielle Looking for employment with us? Email your resume to work@childcarenetwork.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 5
HAVE YOU HEARD….?
The Sweet Shoppe
910-742-6485
FREE Local Delivery! “Almost Disney Selections” Cakes, Cupcakes, Cakepops, Cookies, Sports, Centerpieces & Much More....
All Major Credit Cards Accepted Complete Children’s Party Packages Available
www.sweetshoppeportersneck.com kktalbot57@gmail.com
15% Discount With Coupon November 1, 2017- May 31, 2018 HOLIDAY CAKES, COOKIES & MORE
HOLIDAY SPECIALS: UNIQUE THEMED BAKED GOODS (GIFT BASKETS) $39.95 & up, FREE DELIVERY LOCALLY. Nov 1- Dec 31,2017 THE SWEET SHOPPE @PORTERS NECK
General Dentistry for Youth first tooth through age 20
New Patients Welcome Immediate Appointments Available! CALL NOW
( 910) 790 -3836
2520 N. College Road Most Insurance Plans Accepted Including Medicaid Health Choice, TRICARE & Blue Cross / Blue Shield
wilmingtondentalNC.com Like Us
¡HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL!
The holiday season is here and according to all the happy movies and commercials, they are supposed to be times of peace, joy and good tidings. But for many families, it will be anything but a peaceful, relaxing occasion. From bickering relatives, to siblings that have never let go of years of resentments, the holidays can be quite challenging. Far from The Hallmark card description of bliss and inner peace. David Essel, a counselor, life coach, and radio host offers a few tips: 1. Leave out your unrealistic expectations. If you know certain things happen every year, don’t expect different. Accept the reality that your holiday may not be picture perfect story, but a comic book history of holiday experiences. 2. Don’t stay in the house with everyone else! Get a hotel room. Even if you have to stretch your budget, it will be one of the smartest things you’ll ever do. Then you can leave when you want to leave, arrive when you want to arrive. 3. Bite your tongue. So many arguments escalate because we have a desire to be right. Whether they’re talking about politics, religion, or the economy, just stay out of it.
Don’t let all the holiday activities pull too much attention from this important time of the school year. While kids are wrapping up semesters, and preparing for the inevitable project that will need to be done over the holiday break, take a moment to learn how you as a parent can help. The Hill School of Wilmington is offering a series of workshops for parents and the first one is coming soon. Technology Tools that Support Students will be held on Wednesday, December 6. This workshop is designed for parents to help them weed through the hundreds of apps and devices promoted to serve student learning. Ideas on ways to take the stress out of overwhelming assignments and help students utilize their individual strengths will be presented. Smart phones and tablets are welcome so that ideas and strategies can be recorded with typed notes, an audio recording, a video, or a picture. Please visit www.HillSchoolofWilmington.org to register. When your kids need a little downtime, Toca Life has a new game that will help them learn a little about what mom and dad might go through everyday at work. Toca Life: Office! Is the newest addition to the Toca Life apps and gives kids a peak at what office work is like for adults. Office kids can explore six different locations and experience all sorts of jobs.
Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC - Owner
GOBBLE UP BOOKS READING TUTORING K-3 STUDENTS • CALL NOW!
(910) 431-5137 • 4701 Wrightsville Ave. Learn2LearnTutors.com 6 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
Wilmington has the potential to be a great biking town, but not everyone feels as confident riding a bike to work, or while running short errands. Traffic is scary. If you are an adult that would like to learn more about biking as a serious mode of transportation, the 6th Annual North Carolina Bike Walk Summit will be held in Wilmington on November 3rd and 4th at various locations around Wilmington. In conjunction with the Summit, BikeWalk NC is presenting a special one day educational class oriented toward transportation engineers, planners, and law enforcement officers, but open to all adults. This intensive 9-hour on-bike training course teaches the fundamentals of safe, efficient, and lawful bicycle driving in urban traffic. Participants enhance their bike handling skills, increase their confidence in traffic, and improve their understanding of how state traffic laws support successful bicycling. This class will be held immediately before the Summit on November 2nd. More detailed information is available at: www.bikewalknc.org/nc-bicycle-summit. Have a tip, lead, or just an interesting bit of news to share? I want to hear all about it! Send me an email to danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com.
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PRODUCT REVIEW
Remodeez I am most content and less stressed when my home smells good. Not just odors covered with something that smells good, but bad odors eliminated. However, some odors and certain places are stubborn, and constant battles. Remodeez are effective and odorless products that come in four sizes (footware, home, travel and auto). This is now one of my tools for battling odors. Remodeez uses activated charcoal derived from coconut husks to absorb odor at the source. They are hypoallergenic and chemical-free. Remodeez last for up to one year and may be placed in the sun as needed to recharge. Perfect for backpacks, laundry baskets, garbage cans, athletic shoes, gym bags, luggage and cars! Available at Target and www.remodeez.com.
JOIN US FOR:
WATCH ME PLAY PARENTS NIGHT OUT BIRTHDAY PARTIES CLASSES
TOMS Toothpaste In between Halloween and the rest of the holidays is National Brush Day on Nov. 1 to help reinforce a healthy oral care routine. Here are a few tips: • Choose Treats Wisely: Sticky candies like taffy and gummies can cling to your teeth, increasing risk for decay. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes to keep teeth clean. • Use a Trusted Toothpaste: Consider a natural kids toothpaste. Celebrating its 25thanniversary, Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry is a natural kids toothpaste, made with no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives and Tom’s of Maine donates 10% of profits to help people and the planet.
Gymnastics is for babies, too! Book Your Party Now ~ call or go online
910-796-1896
www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com 3529 Carolina Beach Road
• Start a New “Silly” Routine: Little ones who need a little extra motivation can turn on the “Silly Brushing Song,” created with legendary children’s singer Laurie Berkner, to help kids brush for a full two minutes.
Edoughble Cookie Dough Ok, so this may not be the healthiest treat, but sometimes you gotta enjoy life. At least Edoughble has made it their mission to craft the best cookie dough you’ve ever tasted, and best of all, they make it 100% safe to eat - NO egg, NO raw flour and NO chemical leavener. Obsessively amazing cookie dough meant to be eaten the only way the cookie dough gods intended…unbaked in all it’s pure, delicious, smooth, silky and doughy form! Edoughble’s edible cookie dough makes all your dessert dreams come true. With ingredients you can pronounce and a straight from the mixing bowl taste. Check it out at www.edoughble.com. v
High Quality Child Care That Will Last Your Child A Life Time
LEARNING CENTER *Five Star Child Care Center*
• Infant & Toddler Program - Safe, nurturing & Loving environment • 2 to 4 year old Preschool Classes - Preparing your child for Kindergarten through an inquiry-based Curriculum- Project Approach • 2 to 4 year old Morning Program - 8:30 - 12:30pm Monday to Friday • School Age - After School & Summer Camp Located off 23rd St. w/ easy access from MLK or Market St. #65000833
2320 Scientific Park Dr. Wilmington, NC 28405
CALL For A Tour 910.254.7384 or 910.254.7385
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 7
GROWING UP ONLINE
TECH GIFTS—FOR PEOPLE WHO TRULY NEED THEM
T
By Carolyn Jabs
hese days gift-giving holidays are all about gadgets—cellphones, educational toys and smart devices for the home. Families lucky enough to take technology for granted have a big advantage. Not only do they have the fun of giving the latest techno-gizmos, they are also more comfortable figuring out how things work, navigating virtual spaces and doing the inevitable problem-solving. Since technology plays such a big part in education as well as adulthood, it would be great if everyone had easy, early access. Instead, we face what’s often been called a digital divide. Families that don’t have ready access to technology often fall behind, creating a bigger gap between haves and have nots. During the holidays, when people who have more look for opportunities to share with people who have less, it’s worth thinking beyond warm mittens and turkey dinners. Consider participating in one of these efforts to make the digital divide less of a chasm.
1. Donate money. The simplest way to get technology into the hands of kids who wouldn’t otherwise have it is to donate to well-run organizations. • One Laptop Per Child has an ambitious goal—get a rugged, connected low-cost computer into the hands of every child in the world. The laptops weigh less than a lunchbox and come equipped with simple software that allows children to read, write, record, measure and make music. With partners around the world and in low-income regions of the US, they have already distributed over 2.5 million computers. (one.laptop.org) • The Rural Technology Fund was founded by a tech executive who had limited access to computers when he was growing up in rural Kentucky. His organization helps out-of-the-way schools get equipment and books that will ignite a “spark” for studying electronics, programming or engineering. The organization also gives scholarships to students from rural communities who hope to pursue careers in technology. (ruraltechfund.org) 2. Adopt a classroom. Public schools are another way to give kids access to technology. Teachers usually know what would make a difference in their classrooms, and playing Santa can be very rewarding. • Your local school district. Find out if teachers at your child’s school have technology on their wishlists. Or make a gift to your local school foundation. If your district is affluent, consider reaching out to a school in a community that has more challenges. • Donors Choose is one of several websites that give teachers a chance to explain how they would use specific pieces of equipment. The site makes it possible to search by location or curriculum. In many cases, a relatively modest donation will put current technology in the hands of teachers eager to use it with their students. (donorschoose.org) 3. Donate Equipment. If family members get tech gifts during the holidays, you may have used equipment to donate. Or share the joy by giving another child a game your child loves. 8 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
• The Non-Profit Locator helps donors identify local organizations that might need equipment they aren’t using anymore. Enter a zip code to get a list of local agencies and detailed information about the kinds of equipment they could use. (www.donatetechnology.com) • Child’s Play gets video games to children’s hospitals and shelters for kids who have experienced domestic violence. A map on their website shows the organizations in their network. Each group has an Amazon wishlist which usually features popular video games and systems. The website also includes a helpful guide to “therapeutic games” that help children cope with pain, boredom and anxiety. (childsplaycharity.org)
4. Volunteer. The holidays are also an excellent time to make resolutions about doing good in the new year. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a geek, there are ways to help children learn about technology. • Code.org hopes to make computer science a standard part of the curriculum just like biology or chemistry. The group provides lesson plans for grades K-12 and organizes an annual Hour of Code campaign which has reached 10% of all students in the world. They actively recruit volunteers to help with the Hour of Code and equip them with a helpful toolkit. (code.org/volunteer/guide.) • Community Corp identifies volunteer opportunities for people who have more technical expertise. Their search engine allows you to find virtual or in-person projects in a variety of areas (communitycorps.org) 5. Set up passive donations. Perhaps the easiest way to support these (and other) charities is registering with a site that makes a microdonation every time you do something simple like searching or shopping online. • Goodsearch is an ordinary search engine powered by Yahoo that makes a tiny donation to a chosen charity each time you search. For families that do a lot of research, the numbers add up. Their sister site, GoodShop, makes it easy to donate a fraction of every of every online purchase to good causes. • Giving Assistant is a coupon marketplace that offers discounts from big retailers like Best Buy, Kohl’s and Bed Bath and Beyond. A percentage of what you save goes to the charity you designate. Whatever you decide to do, involve your kids as much as possible. Encouraging them to imagine life without their beloved devices may very well be the gateway to a lifelong habit of empathy and generosity. v Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing about families and technology for over twenty years. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart, a book that describes a highly effective way to address conflict in families, schools and communities. Available at Amazon and cooperativewisdom.org.
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 9
CALENDAR
Jessica Romano
• PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH US
NOVEMBER | 2017
ALL MONTH LONG!
1 WEDNESDAY
Cape Fear Festival of Trees November 20-December 31. 9am-5pm. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation and First Citizens Bank present the 2017 Cape Fear Festival of Trees at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. All visitors who purchase a general admission ticket to the Aquarium between Nov. 20 and Dec. 31 will also experience this annual holiday presentation. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
Storytime and Music & Movement 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Wednesdays. Myrtle Grove & Northeast Libraries. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 2030 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 798-6303 for details.
History Walking Tours of Old Wilmington Daily (Year Round). Cotton Exchange, Downtown. This leisurely tour takes us back in time as we talk about: Three of the most historic homes in Wilmington. History of Wilmington’s downtown and how it developed. Cape Fear River and its importance to the area. Wilmington during the Civil War, what life was like. Victorian customs, Folklore and Much More. Under age 12 admitted free with 2 paying adults. Call for tour times. $12/Adults. $8/Students & Seniors. Visit www.TourOldWilmington. blogspot.com or call 409-4300 for information. Race: Are We So Different? Daily. 9am-5pm. NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh. What does the word “race” mean to you? This exhibition looks at race through the lens of science, history, and personal experiences to promote a better understanding of human variation. Interactive exhibit components, historical artifacts, iconic objects, compelling photographs, multimedia presentations, and attractive graphic displays offer visitors to RACE an eye-opening look at its important subject matter. RACE tells the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical points of view offering an unprecedented look at race and racism in the United States.
10 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
S.T.E.M. Explorations 10am & 3:30pm, Wednesdays. Children’s Museum. STEM programs explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by applying them in fun, hands-on activities. Children will learn about the scientific process while measuring and recording in mathematical terms, developing critical thinking skills in the process. Please pre-register. Visit www. playwilmington.org for more information. Create Your Own Board Game 4pm. Pleasure Island Library. Have you ever wanted to design your own board game? Create the rules, design your board, and craft your game pieces! Kids and tweens ages 8-13 welcome! Please register at www. nhclibrary.com. Mini Monets Clay & Sculpture Art Class 4:15-5pm, Wednesdays. Carolina Beach Rec Center. Let’s get our hands dirty with clay! All projects will be handmade in different types of clay and sculpting materials. This session is a great opportunity to create art in three dimension. Visit www.minimonetsart.com or call 399-1708 for more information.
Cape Fear Fair & Expo 5-11pm. Wilmington International Airport. Now in its 53rd year, the Fair includes livestock exhibits and competitions, acrobats, horticultural contests, rides, children’s activities, food, and live entertainment including a comic hypnotist.
2 THURSDAY Storytime at the Library 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Thursdays. Myrtle Grove & Northeast Libraries. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 2030 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 798-6303 for details. Pumpkins 10am. Halyburton Park. Bring your “Little Explorers” ages 2-5 out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant. Call 3410075 to register. Messy Hands Toddler Art 10am. Main Library. It’s the Process, Not the Product. Toddlers and their adults will be introduced to a variety of hands-on art experiences. The focus of this program will be on child driven art exploration. Come join us for a half hour of messy fun & make sure to wear play clothes. This program is designed for children between the ages of 2-4. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org. www.wilmingtonparent.com
StoryCOOKS 10am, Thursdays. Children’s Museum. A cooking club for preschoolers where we read a story and make a dish inspired by the book. Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information and weekly themes. Nature Navigators 3:30pm, Thursdays. Children’s Museum. Join us in exploring the beauty of the world around us! Nature Navigators will help foster a love of nature in children of all ages. From animal tracks to scavenger hunts, come explore some North Carolinian nature with us! Ideal for ages 5 - 9. Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information. International Games Week : RPG Quest with Cape Fear Games 4pm. Northeast Library. Once again, Cape Fear Games is coming to the library to bestow their infinite wisdom and gaming know-how on the curious and adventuresome minds of NHC teens! Learn how to play Magic: The Gathering, D&D, and more! Register at www.nhclibrary.com. Cape Fear Fair & Expo 5-11pm. Wilmington International Airport.Now in its 53rd year, the Fair includes livestock exhibits and competitions, acrobats, horticultural contests, rides, children’s activities, food, and live entertainment including a comic hypnotist. 1st Annual International Ballet Gala 6:30pm. Community Arts Center. Join the Wilmington Ballet Company as they introduce their inaugural season as a professional ballet company. This event is presented in partnership with Southeastern North Carolina’s premier lifestyle magazine, Cape Fear Living Magazine.
3 FRIDAY Toddler Time 10am, Fridays. Children’s Museum. No registration necessary. Projects and activities for our youngest visitors (ages 4 and under) and their special grownups to work on together. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org for more information. Pumpkins 10am. Halyburton Park. Bring your “Little Explorers” ages 2-5 out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant. Call 341-0075 to register. Little Explorers 10am, Fridays. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the world around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required. Little Explorers is sponsored by the PNC Foundation. Visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information. Family Yoga Storytime 10:30am, Fridays. Main Library. Parents & children birth - 5 will have fun listening to stories while stretching and learning basic yoga postures with Miss Susan. Children must have an adult present. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or beach towel. No registration required! Call 798-6353 for more details. Adventures in the Arts 3:30pm, Fridays. Children’s Museum. Please pre-register. Bring your child to express their creativity through various forms of art including--but not limited to--painting, www.wilmingtonparent.com
sculpture, music, theater, dance, drawing, and printing. Visit www.playwilmington.org for details. Life Size Pacman 4pm. Main Library. Play life-size Pacman in the basement of Main Library! Ages 8-12. Registration required at www. nhclibrary.com. Cape Fear Fair & Expo 5-Midnight. Wilmington International Airport. Now in its 53rd year, the Fair includes livestock exhibits and competitions, acrobats, horticultural contests, rides, children’s activities, food, and live entertainment including a comic hypnotist.
W ILMING TON
Christian Academy High S c h ool • Middl e School El emen ta r y S c h ool • Pres chool
New Kids Campus!
Fall Festival and Corn Maze 6-10pm. Hubbs Farm, Clinton. Featuring three mazes on more than 10 acres, hay rides, farm animals, and special events. Wear overalls and get $1 off admission fee. Visit www.hubbscornmaze.com for more information. Family Storytime 7pm, Fridays. Barnes & Noble. Family Storytime with activities. Call 509-1880 for details.
4 SATURDAY Riverfront Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm, Saturdays through Nov. 18. Downtown Wilmington. Features local farmers, produce, arts and crafts, music, and more. Items change weekly depending on the season and include fresh fruits and berries, vegetables and herbs, eggs and cheeses, plants and flowers, meat and seafood, doggie treats, tea, honey, fresh baked goods, jams and jellies, wine, art, and more. Rain or shine.
NOW ENROLLING AGES 2-4
www.wil min gton c h r isti an.com 14 01 N. C ol l ege Rd • 910.791 .4248
Early Childhood Family Festival 10am-1pm. Smart Start of New Hanover County. 3rd Annual free fun-filled family event with many activities for young children including hands-on activities, face painting, photo booth, door prizes, and live music. Visit www. newhanoverkids.org for more information. Little Explorers 10am, Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the world around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required. Little Explorers is sponsored by the PNC Foundation. Visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information. Cape Fear Kite Festival 10am. Fort Fisher. The 9th Annual Cape Fear Kite Festival features two days of kite-flying madness as participants from all over display their colorful flyers on the beach. Bruce’s Big Move Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. Our favorite curmudgeonly bear now shares his home with not only his four geese, but three rowdy mice, too! Fed up with their shenanigans, Bruce sets off to find a rodent-free household. As usual, nothing goes quite according to plan. Join us for this hilarious Storytime that is sure to keep kids giggling. Polish Festival 11am. St. Stanislaus Church. The 20th Annual Polish Festival at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Castle Hayne, NC, features authentic foods including kielbasa, pierogi, and golombki, plus drinks and an array of sweets, polka dancing, crafts, raffle, live and silent auctions, and a variety of entertainment for children. Special guest performance by The Chardon Polka Band, from Ohio.
GIVE THE GIFT OF THE LITTLE GYM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Buy $50 in gift certificates, and receive $10 free! Buy $100 in gift certificates, and receive $25 free! Offer Expires 11/30/2017
The Little Gym of Wilmington
132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 Wilmington, NC 28403
www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com 910-799-3771
Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 11
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Let’s Play Board Games! 2pm. Main Library. In honor of International Games Week, board games will be available in the children’s and young adult sections. Bring a friend and have fun! No fees or registration. Pleasure Island After Hours - Family Games Time 2pm. Pleasure Island Library. Join us at the Pleasure Island Branch for a fun-filled afternoon of games! Choose from a variety of board games in celebration of International Games Week. This FREE event is open to all ages. No registration necessary! Pleasure Island Library will close as usual at 1:00 pm and reopen @ 2:00 pm for the event. Call 798-6385 for more details. Museum Explorers 2pm, Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. Ignite your curiosity! Discover history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear through interactive science investigations, hands-on exploration and unique artifacts. Our activities are designed to stimulate curiosity and encourage families to have fun together. Themes vary. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Approximately 45 minutes each time slot. Adult participation is required.
Wilmington School OF BALLET & DANCE
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uncw.edu/marinequest 12 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
International Games Day 1pm. Myrtle Grove Library. Stop by Myrtle Grove’s Conference Room between 1-4pm and choose from a variety of board games to enjoy as part of International Games Week. No registration necessary!
Princess dance classes,
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Cape Fear Fair & Expo 12pm-Midnight. Wilmington International Airport. Now in its 53rd year, the Fair includes livestock exhibits and competitions, acrobats, horticultural contests, rides, children’s activities, food, and live entertainment including a comic hypnotist.
International Games Week: Doctor Who Live Clue 1pm. Northeast Library. Join fellow Whovians for an intergalactic murder mystery. Fezzes and sonic screwdrivers welcome. Allons-y!
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Fall Festival and Corn Maze 12-10pm. Hubbs Farm, Clinton. Featuring three mazes on more than 10 acres, hay rides, farm animals, and special events. Wear overalls and get $1 off admission fee. Meet the tallest scarecrow in North Carolina on Saturdays. Visit www.hubbscornmaze.com for more information.
An EEO/AA Institution
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Super Saturday Fun Time 3pm Saturdays. TheatreNow. Join DOCK, the dog, and his two-legged friends as they uncover mysteries and discover artifacts (courtesy of Cape Fear Museum). Different adventure each week. Families welcome. $8/person. Visit www. theatrewilmington.com for tickets.
5 SUNDAY DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS Family Fun Day 9am - 5pm. Airlie Gardens. Visit the parks and Arboretum for a full day of family fun. Contact 798-7700 or visit www. airliegardens.org for more information. Cape Fear Kite Festival 10am. Fort Fisher. The 9th Annual Cape Fear Kite Festival features two days of kite-flying madness as participants from all over display their colorful flyers on the beach. Curiosity Carts 11:30am. Cape Fear Museum. Get your hands on history and science! Examine artifacts and science specimens. Gain insight into topics featured in museum exhibits. Carts are stationed in Museum galleries and feature short hands-on, facilitated experiences for visitors. Visit www. capefearmuseum.com for more information. Residents Free Day - Cape Fear Museum 1 – 5pm. Cape Fear Museum. NHC residents are admitted free to the Museum the first Sunday of every month. Call 798-4350 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com for information. Fall Festival and Corn Maze 1-6pm. Hubbs Farm, Clinton. Featuring three mazes on more than 10 acres, hay rides, farm animals, and special events. Wear overalls and get $1 off admission fee. Visit www.hubbscornmaze.com for more information. Cape Fear Fair & Expo 1-11pm. Wilmington International Airport. Now in its 53rd year, the Fair includes livestock exhibits and competitions, acrobats, horticultural contests, rides, children’s activities, food, and live entertainment including a comic hypnotist. Seahawk Family Arts Matinee 2pm. Kenan Auditorium. Featuring Light of the Water by the Alban Elved Dance Company. The event highlights choreographer Karola Luettringhaus and musician Perry Smith in an interactive performance of dance, film, sculpture, costuming and creative music. Changing America Exhibit Opening 3:30-5pm. Cape Fear Museum. Celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian’s Changing America exhibit at Cape Fear Museum. Experience an uplifting selection of songs from the 1860s to the 1960s with the Williston Alumni Community Choir directed by Marva Robinson. Explore the exhibit to discover how the events 1863 and 1963, the Emancipation Proclamation and the March of Washington, are linked together in the larger story of liberty and the American experience. The Williston Alumni Community Choir will perform from 3:30pm until approximately 4pm. Light refreshments will be served. Come early to preview the exhibit before the choir performs. Changing America will be on exhibit at Cape Fear Museum from November 5 until December 15, 2017.
6 MONDAY Wrightsville Beach Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm. Wrightsville Beach. The market provides an opportunity for residents and visitors of Wrightsville Beach to purchase fresh, locally grown produce. In addition to prowww.wilmingtonparent.com
CHILDCARE LISTING GUIDE CHILDCARE – PRESCHOOLS Childcare Network 8 convenient locations in Wilmington, Southport and Leland 866-521-KIDS • www.childcarenetwork.com Ages 6-weeks to 12-years The Children’s Schoolhouse Montessori 612 South College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403 910-799-1531 • www.childrensschoolhouse.org Since 1985. Preschool and North Carolina State Recognized Kindergarten Program. Spanish, Gardening for little hands. Now enrolling students ages 3-5, for 2, 3, or 5 day programs. Jenkins Preschool Academy 7888 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28411 910-367-7210 • www.jpawilmington.com Half day programs 9am-12pm, 2 or 3 day classes for 2-3 yr. olds, 5-day programs for 4 y.o. And PreK Gym & Learn Preschool Program Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Ages 3-5, boys & girls, 9am-1pm. A good mix of structure, instruction, and free play including developmentally appropriate academics, gymnastics class, arts & crafts, & socialization. Ongoing registration~choose 2-5 days per week! Learning Center 2320 Scientific Park Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 910-254-7384 • denise.ward@aaipharma.om Ages 6 weeks-12 years. 5 star program with degreed teachers,low staff /child ratios, and a Project Approach based curriculum. Full day, After School and morning programs available.
Pax Natura Academy 4202 Wilshire Blvd. Wilmington, NC 910-791-2080 • www.childcarenetwork.net/159 Early Foundations Infant & Toddler Programs. Preschool for 2 & 3 yo. Kindergarten Prep for 4 & 5 yo. After School Program. Wilmimgton Bilingual Preschool 100 Spartan Rd. Unit 1B Wilmington NC 28405 910-338-9249 wilmingtonbilingualpreschool@gmail.com www.wilmingtonbilingualpreschool.com Wilmington Christian Academy Kids Campus 1401 North College Road Wilmington, NC 28405 910-791-4248 info@wilmingtonchristian.com www.wilmingtonchristian.com WCA’s new Kids Campus offers quality childcare in a faith-based, nurturing environment. Children (ages 2-4) will play, learn and grow in an inviting facility surrounded by security, technology and meaningful enrichment activities. Come enjoy the indoor jungle gym, convenient location, affordable rates and family friendly hours! Wilmington Family YMCA’s Preschool 2710 Market Street 910-251-9622 x257 • www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org Preschool program begins September 1st and operates daily from 9:00am-12:30pm. Ages 3-5
LIST YOUR PRESCHOOL, CHILDCARE CENTER HERE. CONTACT OUR AD EXECUTIVES FOR MORE INFORMATION. DROP IN CHILDCARE Porter’s Neck Play House 7946 Market Street #200 Wilmington, NC 28411 910-319-7879 • www.PNPlayhouse.com The Play House is a drop in play center that cares for children 12 months and older. Daily play involves art, games, pretend play, dancing, relay races, puzzles and story time. No matter what time of day you stop in your child will have a great time! Promise. After school care available with transportation. Low hourly rates and affordable monthly packages available. Open at 7:45 M-F
PARENTS NIGHT OUT Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Friday & Saturday nights, 6-10pm, ages 3-10. Drop your children off for supervised free play in our 15,000 sq. foot gymnastics facility. Run, jump, & flip with your friends all night long! Parents can relax at home, or get things done in time for the holidays!
The Little Gym of Wilmington 132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 910-799-3771/3770 tlgwilmingtonnc@thelittlegym.com www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com When school’s out or you are looking for a safe, fun and nurturing environment for your child in Wilmington, we’ve got your back! The Little Gym offers classes as well as weekend Parents’ Survival Nights. We combine physical activity, gymnastics, games, and arts & crafts. Call us for fun!
Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 13
duce vendors and various other consumables vendors, the market includes a variety of unique craft vendors. The community setting and social atmosphere promote quality of life while offering a venue for local growers and crafters to offer their products. For further information, please contact the Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Department by calling 256-7925. Storytime at Pleasure Island 10:30am, Mondays. Pleasure Island branch Library. Join our fun and educational storytime for all preschool ages (babies to 5 years of age)! We’ll enjoy books, music, manipulatives, and other pre-literacy activities. No registration or fees required. Railroad Storytime 10:30am. Wilmington Railroad Museum. Hear stories and enjoy creative activities in the Children’s Hall. $5/Family. Free/Members. Call 763-2634 for more information. Amanda McCormick
Mini Monets Clay & Sculpture Art Class 4:45-5:30pm, Mondays. Kings Grant Area. Let’s get our hands dirty with clay! All projects will be handmade in different types of clay and sculpting materials. This session is a great opportunity to create art in three dimension. Visit www.minimonetsart.com or call 3991708 for more information.
7 TUESDAY - ELECTION DAY Storytime at the Library 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Tuesdays. Main Library. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 798-6303 for details.
Renee Karonis1
Happy Little Singers 9:45am, Tuesdays. Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center. Music and Movement program for children 6 months to 6 years. Sing, Dance, Instruments, Creative Play with your child. Drop-ins welcome, $10 per family. Please call or text in advance 777-8889. Music and Movement Storytime 10:30am, Tuesdays. Pleasure Island Library. Join other children, parents, and caregivers 5 years and younger for a music and movement storytime! We’ll read a few books, sing, dance and have other active fun! We’ll exercise and develop gross motor skills using a variety of movement and stretching disciplines including dance and yoga. No registration required. Art on Easels 2:30pm, Tuesdays. Northeast Library. We will have 5 double sided easels set up for children to come in and create a masterpiece. Try the theme of the day or free draw. No registration is required, so drop in, create, and then take your art home with you! Kid’s Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm Tuesdays. Children’s Museum. Learn new skills and explore fun seasonal recipes. Then savor the flavor of your hard work. Kids Cooking Club is sponsored by Harris Teeter. Visit www.playwilmington.org for weekly themes and call 254-3534 to pre-register.
Amber B.
Smart Start Family Read 5:30-7:30pm, Tuesdays until Nov. 7th. Northeast Library. Presented by Smart Start of New Hanover County using the national evidence-based Motheread® curriculum for 14 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
parents & caregivers of children 2-5 years old. Learn how to share stories and the joys of reading with your children. Discuss discipline ideas and appropriate child behavior. Meet with other parents to share concerns, friendship and fun. Learn fun activities to do with your children that will help them in school. Registration is required for this FREE 10 week course. Please note, this course is not designed for children to participate, it is for the parents/caregivers only. Email or call Susan DeMarco for more details: sdemarco@nhcgov.com or 798-6353.
8 WEDNESDAY Snake and Turtle Feeding 4pm. Halyburton Park. A Snake & Turtle Feeding for ages 3 and older. A brief presentation about the live animals on display in the Event Center is followed by the feeding of at least one snake and a turtle.
9 THURSDAY Teen Tabletop Gaming 4pm. Northeast Library. Board games have gone far beyond Monopoly and rainy-day Scrabble. Come in to learn new games that will test your wits, your bluffing ability, and your friendships.
10 FRIDAY - VETERAN’S DAY Fall Festival and Corn Maze 6-10pm. Hubbs Farm, Clinton. Featuring three mazes on more than 10 acres, hay rides, farm animals, and special events. Wear overalls and get $1 off admission fee. Visit www.hubbscornmaze.com for more information. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. Thalian Association Community Theatre presents a youth theater performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
11 SATURDAY Riverfront Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm, Saturdays through Nov. 18. Downtown Wilmington. Features local farmers, produce, arts and crafts, music, and more. Items change weekly depending on the season and include fresh fruits and berries, vegetables and herbs, eggs and cheeses, plants and flowers, meat and seafood, doggie treats, tea, honey, fresh baked goods, jams and jellies, wine, art, and more. Rain or shine. 19th Annual Festival Latino 11am. Ogden Park. An opportunity for people from different cultures to enjoy each other’s company, and share their experiences. The event includes authentic cuisine from various Latino countries, among them Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, and Venezuela. Also: Piñatas every hour, live music, clowns, mascots, balloons, giant inflatable rides, shows every half hour, lots of games with prizes, and a salsa dance contest. Sunday’s festival includes entertainment, food and a childrens’ soccer tournament that anyone can play in. A Loud Winter’s Nap Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. From the author of the bestselling book Too Many Carrots, this charming picture book features the fun of winter and the heartwarming benefits of friendship. Will Tortoise sleep through another winter, or will his friends convince him to stay awake and experience the frosty fun? Find out at Storytime, with activities to follow. Fall Festival and Corn Maze 12-10pm. Hubbs Farm, Clinton. Featuring three mazes on more than 10 acres, hay rides, farm animals, and special www.wilmingtonparent.com
events. Wear overalls and get $1 off admission fee. Meet the tallest scarecrow in North Carolina on Saturdays. Visit www.hubbscornmaze.com for more information. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. See 11/10.
12 SUNDAY 19th Annual Festival Latino 11am. Ogden Park. See 11/11. Discovery Lab 2:30-4pm. Cape Fear Museum. Investigate, experiment, and explore! In the Discovery Lab, the whole family can drop-in for fun, quick experiments and hands-on investigations. Themes vary. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Adult participation is required. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 3pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. See 11/10.
13 MONDAY - WORLD KINDNESS DAY
- Tired Achy Legs - Leg Cramps - Unsightly Veins - Swelling - Heavy, Itching & Burning Legs
Board at the Library 3:30pm. Northeast Library. Come visit the Northeast Branch for our new monthly gaming night. We’ll have a variety of board games available for you to try out, with different titles featured monthly. No registration is required and all are welcome. Are You Ready to Own a Dog? 3:30pm. Main Library. Cheryl Munizza with Alliance of Therapy Dogs will talk about dog ownership and care followed by a question and answer session. Her dog Molly will join her for demonstration and tender pats. This event is for children and their families. No registration or fees.
14 TUESDAY Teen Anime and Manga Club 6:30pm. Northeast Library. The Manga Club is for anyone 13 to 17 that has an interest in Japanese anime and manga. Contact Shannon Vaughn at svaughn@nhcgov.com, or 798-6379.
15 WEDNESDAY Holiday Safety with Clint Carmichael 2pm. Main Library. Join Safety Expert Clint Carmichael for an informative program about keeping your family and property safe during the holiday season. Fire Protection, Deep Fryers and Temporary Wiring and Ladder Usage. FREE. Registration required at www. nhclibrary.com.
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Wilmington Basketball Center
16 THURSDAY Messy Hands Toddler Art 10am. Main Library. It’s the Process, Not the Product. Toddlers and their adults will be introduced to a variety of hands-on art experiences. The focus of this program will be on child driven art exploration. Come join us for a half hour of messy fun & make sure to wear play clothes. This program is designed for children between the ages of 2-4. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org. Silly Snakes 10am. Halyburton Park. Bring your “Little Explorers” ages 2-5 out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant. Call 341-0075 to register. Let’s Rock 3:30pm. Main Library. Design a rock with an encouraging message to hide somewhere in Story Park. We’ll supply all the materials. You provide the creativity and the message. Make 2! One to hide and one to keep or give to someone special. This event is for children and their families. Registration required. If your plans change, please cancel so someone else can participate. Trivia for Teens 6:15pm. Cameron Art Museum. NHC Library has teamed up with the amazing Cameron Art Museum and Cameron Museum School to bring you the third Teen Trivia Night! For Youth aged 13-18 only. BONUS --- this will take place during the STATE OF THE ART/ART OF THE STATE exhibit, so you will get to check it out for free! Register at www.nhclibrary.com. www.wilmingtonparent.com
Supervised after school program
Offering homework assistance, daily basketball instruction and competition! Monday- Friday, dismissal-6:00 PM Registration fee: $35.00: $85.00 per 1 child: $5.00 discount per additional sibling AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP FOR: Ogden, Blair, Murrayville, Castle Hayne, Noble Middle, Holly Shelter and Trask Middle
7207 Ogden Business LaneWilmington, NC 28411
910-233-7468 • Sign up at wbcinc.org Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 15
17 FRIDAY Silly Snakes 10am. Halyburton Park. Bring your “Little Explorers” ages 2-5 out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant. Call 341-0075 to register.
Renee Karonis
If You Give a Kid a Cupcake 2:30pm. Myrtle Grove Library. Ages 3-6. Come hear a read aloud of Laura Numeroff’s If You Give A Cat A Cupcake. Afterwards, kids will get to decorate their own cupcake with a variety of goodies. Registration required and opens four weeks prior to program date. Register online or call 910-798-6393. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. See 11/10.
18 SATURDAY Riverfront Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm, Saturdays through Nov. 18. Downtown Wilmington. Features local farmers, produce, arts and crafts, music, and more. Items change weekly depending on the season and include fresh fruits and berries, vegetables and herbs, eggs and cheeses, plants and flowers, meat and seafood, doggie treats, tea, honey, fresh baked goods, jams and jellies, wine, art, and more. Rain or shine. Turkey Trot 9am. Hampstead Kiwanis Park. The 10th Annual Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot features an 8K road race, winding through tree-lined neighborhoods along the Intracoastal Waterway. The event also includes a timed, family friendly 2-Mile Fun-Run and a 1/2 Mile Kids Sprint (all kids receive a medal). Museum Mashup 9am-12pm. Children’s Museum. Rewind the year and revisit favorite museum activities. The staff will choose the most popular stations from 2017 monthly events.
Amber B.
Kure Beach Holiday Market 9am-3pm. Ocean Front Park. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping & find unique gifts for everyone on your list! Wilmington Parent’s Education Fair 10am-3pm. Mayfaire Town Center. Held at centrally located premier shopping destination in Wilmington, Wilmington Parent’s Education Fair provides parents with the educational options and resources they need to make decisions about their child’s education. Bear Says Thanks Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. Join us for this special Storytime in celebration of Thanksgiving. When Bear decides to throw a feast to thank his friends, they show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do? Find out at Storytime, with activities to follow.
Renee Karonis
What’s Wrong With Different? 2-5pm. Cape Fear Museum. A national hallmark racial justice program developed by the YWCA Lower Cape Fear. It allows children to reflect on differences and similarities between humans and encourages dialogue around words such as culture, ancestors, and melanin. What’s Wrong With Different? uses a hands-on approach to teach children to value, appreciate and respect the differences between people, rather than to view a person who is different as inferior. Explore the Changing America exhibit to discover how the Emancipation Proclama16 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
tion and the March of Washington, are linked together in the larger story of liberty and the American experience. Preregistration is required and space is limited to 25 participants. Suitable for ages 7-10. Register online or call 798-4362. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. See 11/10.
19 SUNDAY Discovery Lab 2:30-4pm. Cape Fear Museum. Investigate, experiment, and explore! In the Discovery Lab, the whole family can drop-in for fun, quick experiments and hands-on investigations. Themes vary. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Adult participation is required. Youth Theater: Beauty and the Beast 3pm. Hannah Block 2nd St Stage. See 11/10.
20 MONDAY Railroad Storytime 10:30am. Wilmington Railroad Museum. Hear stories and enjoy creative activities in the Children’s Hall. $5/Family. Free/Members. Call 763-2634 for more information.
21 TUESDAY Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 7:30pm. Wilson Center. Cape Fear Stage presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at the Wilson Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. The Grammy-winning Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.
22 WEDNESDAY Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 7pm. Kenan Auditorium. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker comes to Kenan Auditorium in Wilmington, NC. The performance features nearly 40 ballerinas and danseurs including award-winning Principal Dancers, lavish costumes in the style of the Victorian era, many backdrops created by La La Land set designer Carl Sprague, and its Russian focus including life-sized Matryoshka Dolls, Russian folk legends Ded Moroz (Father Christmas) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) and Troika Sleigh.
23 THURSDAY THANKSGIVING DAY Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot 8:30am. Wrightsville Beach Park. Gobble, Gobble! Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity presents its annual fundraising Turkey Trot at Wrightsville Beach Park. Participants run or walk the timed 5K or untimed 1-mile courses along the Wrightsville Beach Loop. This race is dog and stroller, and wheelchair-friendly. For more information visit www. wrightsvillebeachturkeytrot.com.
24 FRIDAY Battleship Ho Ho Ho 10am & 1pm. Battleship NC. Features a chance to fly an American flag with Santa, plus compose a retro e-card by posing in the ship’s Happy Huladays banner; type a Christmas wish list on a vintage typewriter using genuine radio message paper; call the North Pole from the Battleship’s main radio room; and track Santa’s journey in the Combat Information Center. www.wilmingtonparent.com
Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting 5:30pm. Downtown Wilmington. The Holiday Tree Lighting in downtown Wilmington features caroling, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the lighting of the Holiday Tree. The event includes a holiday marketplace and toasty refreshments. Tree Lighting and Visit With Santa 5:45pm. Wrightsville Beach Park. The Tree Lighting and Visit with Santa takes place at Wrightsville Beach Town Hall. Santa will make an appearance in the park. 4th Friday Gallery Night 6pm. Downtown Wilmington. The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County presents 4th Friday Gallery Night, a free monthly self-guided tour of galleries, studios and art spaces featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, glass, metals, wood, ceramics, mixed media and more. 4th Fridays also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, wine, food and other traditional and nontraditional art-related activities. Island of Lights: Lighting at the Lake Celebration 7pm. Carolina Beach Lake Park. The Island of Lights Festival in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach kicks off with Lighting at the Lake at Carolina Beach Lake Park. The event features an opening ceremony with the President of the Island of Lights Committee, Pleasure Island elected officials, and musical entertainment. Santa makes an appearance and free refreshments are available. Local Cub Scouts provide the Honor Guard and display the flag for the singing of the National Anthem.
25 SATURDAY Turkey Trot 4 Mile Trail Run 8am. Carolina Beach State Park. The Wilmington Roadrunners Club presents the annual Turkey Trot 4-Mile Trail Run/Walk at Carolina Beach State Park. Proceeds help support park projects at Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
Boat Parade. Don’t forget to warm up with Festival in the Park earlier in the day.
26 SUNDAY Skyquest: Undiscovered Worlds 1:30; 2:15; 3pm. Cape Fear Museum. Presenting SkyQuest -- Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun.
27 MONDAY Auditions for Oliver! 5pm. Community Arts Center. Thalian Association Community Theatre holds auditions for Oliver! at the Community Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. The production, directed by Michael Lauricella, runs in February at Thalian Hall. AUDITION PARTICIPANTS MUST SCHEDULE AN AUDITION TIME. Be prepared to sing 16 bars of a musical theatre song a capella. If needed, callbacks will be Nov. 29 and may require reading from the script and/or attending a dance call.
28 TUESDAY - GIVING TUESDAY Auditions for Oliver! 5pm. Community Arts Center. See 11/27. Movie Under the Oaks: Hook 6:30pm. Riverlights Community, 4410 River Rd. Bring blankets, chairs and snacks for Movie Under the Oaks at RiverLight’s Live Oak Commons in Wilmington, NC. The featured film is Hook. Free.
29 WEDNESDAY S.T.E.M. Explorations 10am & 3:30pm, Wednesdays. Children’s Museum. STEM programs explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by applying them in fun, handson activities. Children will learn about the scientific process while measuring and recording in mathematical terms, developing critical thinking skills in the process. Please pre-register. Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information.
30 THURSDAY Critter Clues 10am. Halyburton Park. Bring your “Little Explorers” ages 2-5 out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts. Your children will delight in the many nature themes we explore each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for these popular programs. $3/participant. Call 341-0075 to register. Greenfield Tree Lighting 5pm. Greenfield Lake Park. The Holiday Tree Lighting at Greenfield Lake Park in Wilmington, NC, features live entertainment, a visit from Santa, and the screening of a holiday movie at the Hugh Morton Amphitheater.
To submit events to the calendar, please email calendar.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com. Deadline for submissions to the December issue is November 9, 2017.
Kure Beach Holiday Market 9am-3pm. Ocean Front Park. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping & find unique gifts for everyone on your list! NC Holiday Flotilla Festival in the Park 10am. Wrightsville Beach Park. Inflatable slides and bounce houses, a coloring contest, the Arab Choo Choo, festival food, and more. The event also includes arts and crafts booths, and an antique car show, and is a prelude to the popular NC Holiday Flotilla. Planetarium Film: One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure 10am & 12pm. Cape Fear Museum. From China to America, Sesame Street’s Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, explore the night sky! Everything is Mama Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. Jimmy Fallon is back with a followup to his bestselling picture book Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA. His new book, Everything is Mama, is a lighthearted look at the world from a baby’s point of view, as different animals try to teach their children that there are other words in addition to mama. Activities to follow. NC Holiday Flotilla Boat Parade and Fireworks 6pm. Wrightsville Beach. The 33rd Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla in Wrightsville Beach attracts more than 50,000 people to the area. It begins with a fireworks volley followed by a procession of colorfully lighted boats filling Banks Channel. A traditional fireworks display follows the www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 17
FAMILY TRAVEL
Providing Center-Based ABA Therapy Full and half day programs available Specializing in Early Intervention and Kindergarten Readiness for Children with Autism Behavioral Consulting for Autism is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. We believe the best outcomes are reached with individualized intervention plans, using principles of applied behavior analysis, and delivered with compassion, care, and excellence.
Tina Gill, MA, BCBA, LPC • Rachel LaRocco MA, BCBA (910) 599-5307 • bca@behavioralconsultingnc.com 16717 Highway 17 Suite 204 Hampstead, NC 28443 behavioralconsultingnc.com
FAMILY VOLUNTEERING VACATIONS
F
amily Volunteering is a fantastic way to travel to new locations, provide an educational experience, and give back to the places you visit at the same time. Explore new cultures and environments, and give your kids a true hands-on understanding of helping people, wildlife, nature, and communities.
Montana Volunteer and experience life on an American Indian reservation in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. For ages 8 and up In the high plains of northern Montana, alongside Glacier National Park you serve as a needed and appreciated volunteer. Here, a spiritually rich and resourceful American Indian nation struggles with the effects of historic, pervasive marginalization. As a family, you volunteer your time and skills on these important Indian reservation projects alongside welcoming Blackfeet youth and elders. Help out with recreation, labor, childcare and administrative projects while gaining a rare perspective of Native American life and culture that tourists rarely gain. LGBT and nontraditional families are welcome on these family volunteering programs. Find details about this and other opportunities at www.globalvolunteers. org/family-volunteering.
Florida Take a day away from your theme-park vacation to help children who are facing a life-threatening disease. Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations. Volunteers fill 1,400 weekly shifts, perhaps helping with pony rides, running a merry-go-round or scooping ice cream. See how this organization is helping at www.gktw.org.
Caribbean Sandals Resorts, a chain of Caribbean resorts (including sister properties Beaches and Grand Pineapple resorts), which helps guests contribute to local communities through a non-profit foundation called the Sandals Foundation. It offers Thursday morning outings to schools, where volunteers work with children. It’s a great way for kids to see the world of school outside their hometown experience. Currently, they are also working with communities on hurricane relief. Visit www. sandalsfoundation.org for more information.
North Carolina The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is as diverse as North Carolina. This unique trail stretches 1175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Along the trail, you may see mountain vistas, Piedmont farms, colonial towns, weathered tobacco barns, rushing mountain streams, coastal swamps, hardwood and pine forests, lighthouses, sand dunes, miles of seashore, and friendly people. Spend a day, weekend, or holiday helping with North Carolina’s one-of-a-kind nature trail. Your family can help by building and maintaining the trail or you can work as a Trail Angel by assisting long distance hikers on the MST. Pick one of the many sections of trail to volunteer your time while enjoying the outdoors with your family. Find out how you can help at www.mountainstoseatrail.org.
18 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
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BUSINESS SHOWCASE
PLANNING A DISNEY VACATION? P
lanning a Disney vacation? Here are several reasons why YOU should book your next vacation with My Mickey Vacation Travel:
CONVENIENT ONE STOP SHOPPING Think of me as your own personal fairy godmother. All your dining, FastPass, resort, magic band, magical express, and other reservations will all be handled for you.
SAVES TIME With so many resort options, restaurants, FastPass+ reservations, and all the extras you might want, it takes time to do all this planning. Let me handle all the details for you, so you can concentrate on the important things like spending time with your family or getting the kids off to school.
PEACE OF MIND If something goes wrong, don’t worry about it. With our relationship with Disney, we can work through these issues, while you and your family continue to play.
EXPERTISE Wouldn’t it be helpful to have an expert in your corner? With 9 years professional experience and 100’s of Disney visits I bring my personal expertise to YOUR vacation.
LESS STRESS Visiting Disney isn’t as easy as showing up and riding rides. The planning can be very stressful with all the options, choices, and deadlines. Don’t stress...let me handle the details. When you get to the parks, your vacation will be neatly organized and you can simply have fun! Book your next Disney vacation package with My Mickey Vacation Travel and receive all these valuable services for a stress-free vacation. karen@mymickeyvacation.com or 910-398-4438.
GO THE EXTRA MILE for your children
Dr. Raaj Amin
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27417 Andrew Jackson Hwy E, Delco, NC 28436
www.sandpiperpediatrics.com 910-207-0777 Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 19
CREATIVE WAYS Beach Yoga OF GRATITUDE Private Sessions & Classes
By Sandi Schwartz
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
Live Slow Surf www.LiveSlow.com (203) 494-7684
A
re you looking for a way to spice up your Thanksgiving traditions this year? No, I am not talking about the spices in your pumpkin pie--I am referring to getting some Vitamin G, or gratitude. Taking the time out to say the two simple words, “Thank You”, can give your family a major happiness boost, improving your overall health and mood. Scientists have recently discovered how being grateful for what we have gives us energy, inspires us, and transforms us. In a nutshell, it provides life with meaning by thinking of life as a gift. In fact, this may be the most important gift you give your children this holiday season.
How To Teach Children Gratitude
Birthday Parties, Kids Programs, Intro to Climbing, Boy/Girl Scouts and other groups welcome
In her book 10 Mindful Minutes, Goldie Hawn explains that being thankful is not a natural instinct; children need to be taught how to do it. She asks parents to be a good example to their children by thanking them often. It is important to explain to our children why they are being praised. The cornerstone of practicing gratitude is to write down five points you are thankful for that day or week on an ongoing basis in a gratitude journal. Keeping a gratitude journal has been shown to increase our sense of happiness by forcing us to acknowledge the positive moments in our day, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Whether it is a smile from a stranger, a good grade on a test, a gift from a relative, or an awe-inspiring sunset, we begin to feel calmer and more joyful by appreciating these experiences.
Creative Approaches To Express Gratitude
wilmingtonrockgym.com
Here are five creative ways for your children to express gratitude on Thanksgiving and throughout the year. As technology changes and our children learn more about what they can do with computers, iPads, and iPhones, we should show them how to use these tools for something positive–for making them feel better. Most of these activities are do-it-yourself projects that will be fun for the whole family.
Drop-In Child Care & After School Center
1. Blog Last year my son starting getting writing assignments using a student blog site. He loves seeing his words online and gets so excited when classmates comment on his posts. Why not set up a family gratitude journal blog (password protected, of course)? You can even involve grandparents and cousins, no matter how far they live. You could introduce this idea at the Thanksgiving table and challenge everyone to submit a post each week throughout the year.
910-319-7209
2. Audio Recording Children love to hear their own voices. You can have them record their journal on a phone or iPad. Once you have the recordings, you can get really creative by posting them online for others to listen to or you can even put it to music and create a song or rap using highlights of what they said.
6
Drop In Care, After School Center with free van service and homework help, Drop-In Summer Camps, affordable rates, friendly & attentive staff. Children ages 12 months and up. Open at 7:45 M-F.
7946 Market Street #200 Wilmington, NC 28411
910-319-7879 www.PNPlayhouse.com
20 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
3. Videos As we know, our kids love playing on their iPads and watching videos of themselves. You can put technology to good use by encouraging them to keep a gratitude video log. They will have a blast talking about what they are thankful for and watching it over and over. Maybe have them pretend to be reporters and their gratitude is the news of the day. Or they can act out scenes from the wonderful moments they had. This not only makes being grateful fun, but it also helps kids practice social interactions. 4. Collage Who said that a gratitude journal had to be filled with flowing prose? A much better approach, especially if you have an artistic child, is to use the power of collage. The great thing about collage is that you do not need to be an art expert to make something beautiful. Instead, you can simply cut out pictures and stick them to a piece of paper, helping your child to practice their motor skills in the process. v
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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE WILMINGTON SCHOOL OF BALLET & DANCE Wilmington School of Ballet & Dance teaches a love of dance from princess ballet to professional training. Little ones learn in a magical princess & pirate class. Older students can train professionally or recreationally. All students are thrilled with our many dance performance opportunities. Come try a free class and be a part of our dance family. Ballet, Tap, Jazz, & Tumble classes from 2 1/2 years old and up 1/2 off a 100.00 gift certificate for any new student Wilmington School of Ballet 2250 Shipyard Blvd. Unit 12 Wilmington, NC 28403 910-794-9590
GIVE THE GIFT OF CAMP! UNCW MarineQuest www.uncw.edu/marinequest marinequest@uncw.edu 910.962.2640
Holiday Cakes, Cookies & More Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2017 UNIQUE THEMED BAKED GOODS (GIFT BASKETS) $39.95 & UP, FREE DELIVERY LOCALLY www.sweetshoppeportersneck.com kktalbot57@gmail.com 910-742-6485
GIVE THE GIFT OF CLEAR VISION TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Wilmington Eye is excited to announce that pediatric ophthalmology is back in the Cape Fear region! Dr. Melissa Shipley, a fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist, joins our practice on January 2, 2018. Please call 910.763.3601 to schedule an appointment. Visit us online at www.wilmingtoneye.com. Wilmington Eye 1729 New Hanover Medical Park Drive 910-763-3601 • WilmingtonEye.com
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 21
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WILMINGTON PARENT FAMILIES TO YOURS! www.wilmingtonparent.com
GIVE THE GIFT OF THE LITTLE GYM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Buy $50 in gift certificates, and receive $10 free! Buy $100 in gift certificates, and receive $25 free! Offer Expires 11/30/2017 The Little Gym of Wilmington (910) 799-3771 • www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com
HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
POP CULTURE POPCORN Formerly John’s, we’re a gourmet popcorn shop that combines flavor, freshness & flair. We pop and cook every kernel in our store, and specialize in events, groups, parties, wholesale, fundraisers, and more! We offer tins and canisters for sale plus shipping to anywhere. They make great gifts for the Holidays! Please visit us online at popculturenc. com & follow us on social media --> @popculturenc Pop Culture 5202 Carolina Beach Rd. #10, Wilm NC 28412 910.791.1869 hello@popculturenc.com • popculturenc.com
VISIT US DURING THE HOLIDAYS! All college students get 10% off. 10% off all apparel if you come in wearing apparel. Cold Culture Frozen Yogurt 205 racine Drive Suite #12 910-523-5278
CONTACT US FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS. Wilmington Basketball Center 7207 Ogden Business Lane 910 233-7468 wbcinc.org • info@wbcinc.org
GIVE A GIFT OF WILMINGTON ROCK GYM’S MOST POPULAR CLASS! Discover Climbing: 1.5 hour class with a certified instructor. Basic instruction about gear and climbing and a lot of fun climbing. $42.00 per gift card. Wilmington Rock Gym 8118 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411 910-319-7209 www.wilmingtonrockgym.com
GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP
PORTER’S NECK PLAY HOUSE Give the perfect gift to your favorite family this Holiday Season. Gift certificates now available at Porter’s Neck Play House. Porter’s Neck Play House 7946 Market St #200 Wilmington NC 28411 910-319-7879 www.PNPlayhouse.com
22 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
Surprise your family with a Family Membership to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Enjoy unlimited free admission for one full year at all three North Carolina Aquariums. Family memberships receive free admission for two adults named on the card and their children or grandchildren under the age of 18. As an added bonus members receive free or discounted admission to more than 150 zoos and aquariums around the country including the NC Zoo. Call us for details 800-832-FISH (3474) or go online and join today! www.ncaquariums.com/membership
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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
GIVE THE GIFT OF REST, RELAXATION, AND REJUVENATION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Give the gift of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation this holiday season with private beach yoga sessions, classes, and parties offered by Live Slow Yoga. There is no better way to experience an island retreat during the busy holiday. Private Single 60-Minute Session: $75. Private Group 60-Minute Session: $75 + $5 per additional person. Live Slow Surf & Yoga Wrightsville Beach, NC Kdonovan@LiveSlow.com (203) 494-7684 • www.LiveSlow.com
WE’VE MOVED TO BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEEDS! We have a variety of unique gift ideas for mom, baby, and toddler! Shop new location in New Centre Commons right next to Target. The Bump and Beyond 4217 New Centre Drive 910-769-6443 info@thebumpandbeyond.com www.thebumpandbeyond.com
PAINT -N-PL CERAM AY ICS LARGEST SELECTION OF CERAMIC PIECES IN THE SOUTHEAST. Great private party room for painting pottery. Complimentary popcorn, animal crackers and gold fish while you paint. Come visit us and paint something you will cherish forever! Come by and purchase a gift certificate for the Holidays! Paint-n-Play 1021 South Kerr Ave. Wilmington, NC 28403 910-452-7177 www.wilmingtonparent.com
CITY BALLET City Ballet is the region’s only school and company specializing exclusively in classical ballet. Enroll now at City Ballet with no registration fee for new students ($50 value) or family (2 or more students, $100 value). For new students age 3 and up. All students registered by January 2018 can perform in an original full-length ballet of Peter Pan at the Wilson Center, March 17-18 2018. City Ballet 5814 Oleander Dr. #3, Wilmington NC 28403 achill@cityballetofwilmington.org 910-622-8545 • www.cityballetofwilmington.org Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 23
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
T.O.P. CAKES ~TALK OF THE PARTY~ Stop by and visit us! We offer gift certificates for our Talk Of the Party Cakery. Find Us On Facebook! 2323 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28401 910-899-2999
COME IN TO CGA TO ORDER GYMNASTICS MATS, BARS, AND BALANCE BEAMS FOR AT HOME PRACTICE! When you order with us, there is no shipping charge! All items delivered to CGA for pick up in time for the holidays. 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com
We specialize in events, groups, parties, wholesale, fundraisers, and more! 5202 Carolina Beach Rd. Unit 10 Wilmington, NC 28412
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
910.791.1869 www.popculturenc.com @popculturenc
DITCHING HOLIDAY CARDS By Sarah Broussard Weaver
I
always have good intentions when it comes to holiday cards. I mean, I have four gorgeous, photogenic children and three adorable dogs and a kitten to place beside them on the hearth, the obligatory Christmas tree beside and stockings hung behind. I should clearly be sending out the best cards. But that’s not how things work out for me. It’s not my fault, though. It’s the rapidly rising standards of the cards arriving in my mailbox. They’re oppressing me.
It’s that Holiday season again! Come visit us at Cold Culture and give all of our non-fat Holiday flavors a try!
250 Racine Drive Suite # 12 910-523-5278
1. Y’all need to stop upping the ante. Lately, I have been receiving cards in the mail that look like they’re from England’s royal family. Is your house actually that perfect? Did you hire a professional photographer, because I feel that is kind of cheating? I want you to think hard about what this does to the rest of us. You are placing undue pressure on me, and that is not the spirit of the holidays. 2. Where are you getting this matching clothing? I have three daughters and one son, who is the youngest. The matching holiday clothing is not really an easy thing to do when your oldest is 15 and your youngest eight. The 15 year old wears adult sizes! Nobody makes matching dresses for these girls anymore when you get to adult sizes! Also, both the 15 and 12 year olds have decided to develop STYLE. Like, their own styles. Not mine. They don’t want to wear Old Navy snowflake t-shirts anymore. The oldest only wears black and that is not a nice holiday color unless you are in mourning. If you’re making the matching clothing yourself, go ahead and unfriend me on Facebook. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life. 3. Is that your real Christmas tree or did you go to a fancy department store to take pictures? Did you actually go to school to learn Tree Decorating or am I missing an important genetic trait? I am examining the edges of your pictures for signs of shopping bags or stranger’s legs walking past, because you must be in Macy’s, right? Those ornaments don’t look plastic, even though you have twin toddlers. What sorcery is this?
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24 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
4. I don’t know how to contour my face or wing my eyeliner. Judging by the cards I receive, this appears to be a new holiday necessity. I can’t even do a decent job of putting eyeliner on the normal way and I don’t even know what is required for face contouring (is that even the proper term?).
5. How did you get your pets and children to look at the camera at the same time? Seriously, are they hypnotized? But then how are they smiling perfectly? Did you drug your dog and tie him upright? Did you sell your soul to the devil for this one picture? In short, you will not be getting a card from me this year because my family is too busy to be all unstained and clean at the same time, too large and of varied ages to find matching clothing, too abnormal to all look at the camera at the same time, my ten-year-old daughter looks like the kitten slept in her hair last night, and my local Macy’s wouldn’t let us use their tree for an hour. Happy Holidays, and don’t forget to unfriend me if you made those sparkly dresses. v
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THE GIFT OF PIE:
A Sweet Hug from the Kitchen By Ashley Talmadge
A
pie can be as remarkable as it is ordinary. It’s rumored that Mark Twain fought bouts of depression with heavy doses of huckleberry pie. And pie has always been the dish that brings families together in the kitchen and at the table.
Mini Pies The “small pie movement” has gained popularity in recent years. Michelle Gates is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and teaches a variety of cooking classes. A variety of mini pies can be made in one muffin tin, and kids love to be part of the baking team. Crust options made with ingredients like nuts, seeds, or potatoes allow the baker to consider gluten-free and other dietary needs.
Pie Pops
Sweet or Savory Many think of pie as a traditional American dessert featuring apples, pumpkins, pecans, or berries. But main course pies include meats, grains, and vegetables. Gates says savory pies like “quiches, tarts, and pot pies are perfect for family meals and sharing because they’re one dish suppers with unlimited filling options.”
Made with Love Good pie is not to be rushed. Bakery owner Robin Rowe says, “If there’s any anger or frustration or sadness, the crust will tell the story.” Rowe chooses her ingredients carefully, using local and organic sources when possible, but claims there’s a crucial ingredient that can’t be bought. “A perfect pie is made by hand, from scratch, with love,” she says. v Ashley Talmadge is a pie lover, freelance writer and mother of two boys. Her articles have appeared in dozens of parenting and lifestyle publications across the U.S. and Canada.
We have a variety of unique gift ideas for mom, baby, and toddler! Shop our new location in New Centre Commons right next to Target.
The Bump & Beyond Wilmington's premiere mother, child, and baby boutique. #ShopLearnGrow 4217 New Centre Drive 910-769-6443 www.thebumpandbeyond.com
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Pie pops Ingredients 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box About 1/2 cup cherry pie filling (from 21-oz can) 16 to 20 lollipop sticks 1 egg, beaten 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar (raw sugar)
T-SHIRT 13.99
SCOUT MUG 9.99
Directions 1. Heat oven to 425°F. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray, or line with silicone baking mats. 2. Sprinkle flour on work surface. Unroll pie crusts onto surface. Using 3-inch wide drinking glass or cookie cutter, cut rounds from crusts; place on cookie sheet. (Leftover pastry can be rolled in a ball and rolled out with a rolling pin. Cut to make additional rounds.)
VULCANO MUG 9.99
THERMAL MUG 6.99
3. To make each pie pop, lightly press lollipop stick into crust round so that it rests in center. Top each round with 1/2 teaspoon pie filling; cover with second crust round. With fork or lollipop stick, press around edges to seal. Brush tops of pops with beaten egg; sprinkle with sugar. 4. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely on cooling racks.
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WAVY TUMBLER 6.99
FREAKERS 8.99
Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 25
SPECIAL SECTION: Welcome the Holidays
Andrea Smetona, author of Easy as Pie Pops: Small in Size and Huge on Flavor and Fun, says the pie pop—bite-size pie on a stick—is a huge crowd-pleaser at weddings and kids’ parties. With a little guidance from a parent, a child can easily crack eggs, measure ingredients, and sprinkle sugar.
We've moved to be more convenient for your holiday shopping needs!
YOUR HEALTH
DIABETES MANAGEMENT AT SCHOOL
N
ovember is American Diabetes Month, and for parents whose children live with diabetes everyday, this is a good time to make sure their school days are well managed. Diabetes management is 24/7 and doesn’t take a break during the school day. Schools need to provide proper care and support to help prevent life-threatening medical complications. This allows students to learn, participate, and thrive at school.
is different from the type 2 diabetes that their older relatives might have. • Work with the school nurse and school administrators to provide training and information. • Explore the website www.diabetes.org for information on diabetes in general, diabetes training, and the legal rights of students with diabetes.
Your first step should be to work with the school and your child’s healthcare provider to put in place a formal diabetes care plan. Unfortunately, sometimes there are misunderstandings and disagreements about school diabetes care. When this happens, it is important to remind yourself that resolving the problem isn’t about whether you win or lose. It is about working together with school staff and health care professionals so that your child is safe and is in a good position to fully participate and to be successful. You should take a deep breath and carefully consider these strategies:
If education isn’t enough, you may need to negotiate. You should work to come to a consensus with the school. But this does not mean compromising your student’s safety or ability to fully participate in school.
Negotiate
The first step is to educate yourself about your child’s rights. You can find more information on legal rights here. Your next step is to educate the people who are stopping your student from getting the right care and treatment.
Here are some tips: • Set a tone of respect. Even if you feel that school staff are not treating you well, you can show by example that the best way to resolve the situation is to approach everyone with respect. • Listen to the concerns of school staff, and clearly communicate your concerns. • If you are nervous about how the meeting will go, bring a list of talking points or other notes to make sure you say what you want to say. • Where you disagree, ask school staff why they hold their position. You might discover that their position is based on bad information. In this case, you can provide more education and resolve the issue.
Here are some tips: • Explain to school administrators and staff what diabetes is and what it means for your child. Some school employees may have never met a child with type 1 diabetes. It is important for them to learn how type 1 diabetes
Create a written record of your meetings and negotiations. For example, if no written minutes are provided for the meeting, you can always write up your notes from the meeting and email it to meeting participants. This can confirm your understanding of the meeting outcomes. v
Educate
26 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
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FIT FAMILY
Fitness Apps ROXs Run + Scan Kids always seem to have an endless supply of energy. It can be hard to get them to sit still to play a board game or even an educational app on a tablet. The new ROXs Run + Scan game combines physical activities like running and jumping with skills like identification. Place the base unit on the floor inside, outside in the grass, or even attach it to a tree. Scatter the i-Pebbs around the house or yard, pick a game to play and turn kids loose! Whether they have to race to find the right animal, jump to scan their I-Pebbs on the base unit as it flashes colors and emits sounds, or hop like a kangaroo to find the i-Pebbs, kids will be burning energy and having fun. SPAR! Spar lets you challenge your friends to build healthy habits in an effective, fun, and social way. Read more books, hit the gym, learn an instrument... challenge your friends to anything. The idea is simple: Make the cost of laziness higher than the cost of action. How it works: 1. Challenge up to five friends — Spar works best with friends because there is some social accountability. Spar doesn’t strictly enforce rules, it provides a framework for you to do challenges with your friends. 2. Set a penalty — When you miss checking in for a challenge, you’ll be charged the penalty. That’s right, you get charged real money each time you fail to check in to your challenge. The money goes into the pot, and whoever has the least misses at the end of the challenge wins the pot. The higher the penalty, the less likely you are to miss a check-in. The more it stings, the better it works. 3. Prove you did the challenge by checking in with a quick video — This makes Spar super flexible (your challenge can be anything) and social (you share your progress with the friends in your challenge). It’s kinda like a shared snapchat story with your friends who joined you in the challenge.
Low Cost Wellness Sunday Stretch Kids Class Flexibility is one of the best ways to prevent injury and reduce stress. River to Sea Gallery hosts a Cape Fear kids yoga class taught by certified yoga instructor Heidi Thompson. Classes are $10 per person and are Sundays from 10:00 - 11:00. Space is limited and reservations are required. Message or call 910.763.3380 to reserve your spot today. Depending on the weather, sometimes class is held outside. Bellydancing and Meditation Mondays and Tuesdays join Harmony Wellness Center and Yoga for their donation based wellness events which include Bellydancing for Fun, various types of meditation, and reiki.. These classes start at 6:30pm and have no set price. Donations are welcome but not required to attend. See the complete schedule at www.harmonyyogawilmington.com.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trots Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot Come down to Wrightsville Beach on November 23, 2017 as participants run the Loop! This Thanksgiving come out in support of Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity to Burn Calories & Build Homes! Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity assists families in the Cape Fear region towards the purchase of a Habitat Home through an affordable mortgage. For the past several years, the WB Turkey Trot has raised enough funds to build an entire house for a local family to purchase on terms they can afford. In fact, Brittani, the Habitat Future Homeowner who will be building and purchasing the Turkey Trot house (sponsored through the funds raised at the 2016 Turkey Trot) is breaking ground on July 15! Be sure to stay tuned for updates on the progress of this house build. Register at https://its-go-time.com/wrightsville-beach-turkey-trot. Wilmington Roadrunners Turkey Trot This 4 mile trail run will be held at Carolina Beach State Park on November 15, 2017. The Wilmington Roadrunners Club, with proceeds from this event, is partnering with Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area to continue a discretionary fund for the park. Proceeds will help support park projects to be determined by Staff at both parks for special purchases not allocated by their budget. Join with the Wilmington Roadrunners Club and help us enhance and promote their valuable resources that are Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Sign up at www.runsignup.com. Hampstead Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot All ages welcome at Kiwanis Park on November 18, 2017. The Hampstead Kiwanis are 100% dedicated to our community. All proceeds directly go to improve the Hampstead Kiwanis Park fitness stations, walking path, ball fields and children’s playground. Register at https://its-go-time.com/hampsteadkiwanisturkeytrot.
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Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 27
SCHOOL NOTES
School’s Out! NEW HANOVER COUNTY: Traditional Schools: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday Year Round Schools: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday CFCI Charter School: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22 - No School, Teacher Workday 11/23-24 - No School, Holiday Isaac Bear ECHS: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22 - No School, Teacher Workday 11/23-24 - No School, Holiday Wilmington Early College HS 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22 - No School, Teacher Workday 11/23-24 - No School, Holiday BRUNSWICK: Traditional Schools: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday Year Round Schools: 11/7 - No School, Teacher Workday 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday Early College High School: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday
Roland-Grise Student Excels in National STEM Competition Regan Williams, a Roland-Grise Middle School (RGMS) student, is one of over 6,000 students across the country in grades 6-8 to enter the Broadcom MASTERS® national STEM competition. On September 30, 2017, she was selected as one of 30 finalists in the annual contest. Finalists are competing for more than $100,000 in awards. All finalists receive a $500 cash award and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for the competition. Imagine completing a dual science project along with a research paper and still playing lacrosse, the cello, hanging out with friends and being a humorous, regular student. Now, imagine doing this in the sixth grade. Regan completed a dual science project and research paper as a sixth grader at RGMS during the 2016-2017 academic year. Regan’s project was entered into the competition and now in academic year 2017-2018, she’s representing New Hanover County Schools and North Carolina in this academic endeavor.
Ashley High School Navy JROTC Cadets Participate In State, National, and Naval Programs Several Cadets from Ashley High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) unit recently completed valuable leadership and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities in a variety of highly selective national, state, and Navy programs. Cadets Cassidi Lynch, Jamie-Lee Potts, and Kody Giles all attended the Navy JROTC Area Six Leadership Academy at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina (SC). Cadets Andro Keck and Ryan Dixon attended the Area Six Sail Academy in Moncks Corner, SC. Cadets Joshua Synakowski and Christopher Bennett attended Tar Heel Boys’ State and Cadet Jessica Romero attended Tar Heel Girls’ State, both held at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina (NC). Cadets Jessica Bradley and Katie McFoy attended the North Carolina Student Trooper Program in Raleigh, NC, and Cadet Joshua Synakowski attended the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Florida. For information on the Navy JROTC, visit their website at http://www.njrotc.navy.mil/. For information on the Ashley High School Navy JROTC, please contact Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rehder at (910) 790-2360 or robert.rehder@nhcs.net.
PENDER: Traditional Schools: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday Penderlea: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22-24 - No School, Holiday Pender Early College HS: 11/10 - No School, Holiday 11/22 - No School, Teacher Workday 11/23-24 - No School, Holiday Visit www.nhcs.net, www.co.brunswick.k12.nc.us or www.pendercountyschools.net for more information. 28 | November 2017 | Wilmington Parent
West Pender Middle hosts “Book Tasting”
Students at West Pender Middle School participated in a “Book Tasting” last month in the school’s media center. Part of a school-wide initiative to increase interest in reading, students explored a different book genre at each table, including fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, and adventure. Before choosing a book, students noted their impressions of the cover, then had five minutes to delve into each story before switching to a new table and a new book. Mrs. Butler, Media Specialist, gave each student a bookmark to keep track of the titles that interested them throughout the “tasting,” and every student left with a list of must-reads!
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Olivia F.
11/15• 7yo
Daniela
Rocco J.
11/13 • 7yo
Aiyanah J.
11/24• 5yo
11/30 • 7yo
Anna M.
11/12 • 4yo
Carter H.
11/20 • 2yo
DOES YOUR CHILD OR GRANDCHILD HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER?
Hollis Pearl H.
11/23 • 1yo
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Honor them by having their photo published in Wilmington Parent. Here's how: e-mail image (size not to exceed 1mb) to birthday@wilmingtonparent.com. Deadline for publication: 11/12. We have a limited number of spots, so if you sent your child’s picture and do not see it this issue, please check back next month! Wilmington Parent | November 2017 | 29