September 2010 Baystate Parent Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2010

FREE

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families

FREE FALLING FESTS, FAIRS, FAMILY EVENTS OF EVERY COLOR PLUS FREE MUSEUMS

DES DAUGHTER GROWS UP KIDSFEST PROGRAM INSIDE

CELEBRATE

ART! WITH A FASHION “PLAYTE” MOM ON THE MIC AND A SKETCHY GLAMOVER

Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008

o you remember the excitement of boarding the bus for the first day of school? The new friends … new clothes … new backpack … and an exciting new world of subjects to learn.

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2 SEPTEMBER2010

g s n i n o io g On miss Ad

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Open House • November 7th 1 to 4 p.m. www.cornerstoneacademy.org I already know how to do this I’ll just have to sit here and wait for everyone else.

Extra Extra Cornerstone Academy’s extra enrichment program will begin on September 21 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 and is a continuous program that runs through the year.

Rolling admission, (K-6 levels welcome). Individual or small group settings. Call for more information.

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An Extraordinary Selection of Top Quality Footwear for the Entire Family Monday thru Friday 9:30 am to 9:00 pm Saturday - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Here a Merrell, there a Nike, Everywhere a Kenneth Cole E, I, E, I, O! ...and on our farm we have some Dansko E, I, E, I, O! With some Skechers here, and some Stride Rite there Here an Ugg, there some Vans, Everywhere a Timberland E, I, E, I, O! and many, many more! • Acorn • Adidas • Asics • Brooks • DC Shoes • Ecco • Geox • Hi-Tec • Jessica Simpson • Jibbitz • Kamik • Keds • Kenneth Cole • Kid Express • New Balance • Nina • Nine West • Old Friend • Pediped • Primigi • Robeez • Saucony • School Issue • Sorel • Sperry • The North Face • Theatricals • Timberland • Twig • Western Chief

25 Kempton Place • West Newton, MA 02465 • 617-332-6300 • www.thebarnfamilyshoestore.com 6 SEPTEMBER2010

our special guest Maggie Kelly Smith, 7, Carlisle captured by Allison Cottrill Photography, Carlise allisoncottrillphotography.com

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table

FINALLY FOREVER

Laura Gilmartin of Westborough recalls the excitement of entering an orphanage in Ethiopia to meet her daughter, Makeda, and how her family of six continues to embrace Makeda’s Ethiopian heritage.

the of the home

42

52

MOMS ROCK

What’s it like raising a family when you are also a business executive and lead singer of Guns of Navarone, a reggae ska band? Meet Helen Sheldon Beaumont of Worcester and get a glimpse into her busy, musical family life.

FLOCK OF TWO

Growing up an only child, freelance writer Amy Rodriguez swore that one day she’d have a huge family, believing that more kids meant more fun.

Read on to find out if she was right.

SEPTEMBER 2010 • VOLUME 15 • NUMBER 5

in every issue 8

WELCOME

9

GUESTBOOK

celebrate art

10

JUNKDRAWERS

12

TAKE GOOD CARE: DES Daughter Grows Up

14

14

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ADOPTION EVENTS

FINALLY FOREVER: Embracing Makeda

30 32 34 36 38

42

FASHION SKETCH MOM MAKEOVER MASSACHUSETTS MASTERPIECES

something special 52

FLOCK OF TWO

68 FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

LET’S ROLL: Lowell - It’s Kind of Like a Treasure Hunt PETER H. REYNOLDS FOLLOWS HIS NORTH STAR THIS MOM HAS A FULL PLATE

MOMS ROCK: Helen Sheldon Beaumont of Worcester

15

SEPTEMBER’S CHILD

18

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: Calendar of Events

26

WHO’S COACHING OUR KIDS: Rich Frongillo of Franklin

34

LET’S ROLL: Lowell

42

MOMS ROCK: Helen Sheldon Beaumont of Worcester

50 FAMILY MUSIC AND THEATRE PERFORMANCES

45

UNDER MY ROOF: Hidden Talents

51 LOCAL LIT

54

ON MY PLATE: Special Ed Parent Wants to Stop the Madness

45 UNDER MY ROOF: Hidden Talents 47 FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION 48 BEHIND THE SCENES: with baystateparent’s Creative Director

advertising directories 57 63 64 65 70

KIDSFEST PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE LISTINGS BULLETIN BOARD PARTY PLANNER ADVERTISING INDEX

sneak peek OCTOBER NOVEMBER

THINK PINK SPECIAL NEEDS

Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008

FT <PZT :XSb B\X[T Our warm and kid-friendly office and reception rooms are designed to be welcoming, fun and special for the whole family.

Pediatric Dentistry

Orthodontics

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Reema Dhingra, D.M.D.

& Drilless Dentistry & We also provide Hospital Dentistry for the fearful & special needs child

& Orthodontics for children and adults (Moms and Dads wear braces too)

Drury Square Medical Center â&#x20AC;˘ 48 Auburn St.â&#x20AC;˘ Auburn â&#x20AC;˘ 508-832-6278 BAYSTATEPARENT 7

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families

baystateparent

e m o c l e W Even if you don’t think of yourself as a traditionally creative person, one that can scrapbook or whip up a beautiful themed birthday cake, you have to channel somewhat of an artistic spirit to make it as a parent. It’s survival in the fine art of parenting.

There could be a museum to showcase all the ways we parents creatively run our households, solve our family’s problems and survive challenging days.

Just consider the sheer creativity in the nicknames you call your child (writers struggle to come up with the stuff that just rolls off your tongue), the lyrics and melodies you improvise during nightly lullabies or your dancing footwork as

you navigate a carpet full of Legos. It’s creative genuis.

And in that museum, there has got to be some sort of prize for the patience a parent demonstrates when her little “masterpiece” takes creative license to give herself a new haircut, decorate his body (and the walls) with markers, or like my niece recently did, give the family guinea pig a pink mohawk with her Hannah Montana makeup kit.

Can you say “pretty” through clenched teeth? Nice and slow.

We’ve all been there (with the exception of maybe the guinea pig) when we’ve had to dig really deep into our creative bones (and for some, the actual marrow) to appreciate our children’s choices as “creative.” Just think of some of those outfits they insist on wearing!

In this month’s annual arts issue, bsp celebrates creativity in Massachusetts and beyond. I loved reading freelance writer Sue Lovejoy’s profile of Boston artist, Peter H. Reynolds, as my girls just read some of the Judy Moody series that Peter illustrates (he also illustrates our Judy Blume favorites). And if you haven’t read his picture book, “The Dot,” it’s wonderful: poignant, simple, inspiring!

As the school year begins, Reynolds has a message for teachers that seems applicable for us parents as well. He says, “... if we are asking our children

Meet Our Cover Model

Maggie Kelly Smith I dance; I do ballet, tap, jazz and Irish step. My favorite class is my jazz class with Ms. Zoe. What’s your favorite part of back to school? Just school - I really love school and learning.

allison cottrill

Tell us about a good book you read over the summer. My Aunt Christine gave me the first book in the Little House on the Prairie Series, “Little House in the Big Woods.” I am still reading it, but it is good.

Who is the first person (outside of your family) that you can’t wait to show the September cover to? My friend Hannah and my teacher from last year, Ms. Horgan Age:7 Entering Grade: 2 Hometown: Carlisle Modeling fashions by kit & lili kitlili.com baystateparent’s September issue celebrates the arts. What’s your favorite type of art?

8 SEPTEMBER2010

There’s always a story behind each cover photo. What’s yours? That after that picture we were going to Fern’s Country Store [in Carlisle] to get a treat.

If you were a color, what color would you be? Yellow because it is the shiniest color of all!!

to try to ‘make their mark’ - to be brave and original, to write, to have a mission, to be civically engaged, to sing, to write poetry, to be creative then we grownups must do all of the above as well.”

There are plenty of grownups out there who do make their creative mark inspired by - and in conjunction with parenting. You'll meet them inside: • a Worcester mom who sings in a Jamaican reggae band • local authors, including DES daughter and author of Sister Circle, Central MA mom Melissa Suprenant • a Marblehead mom who invented a company for girls to design their own clothing • baystateparent’s creative director, Paula Monette Ethier • a Boston event sketch artist who treated Milford mom of two, Calece Johnson, to a fashion sketch “glamover”...

But of course, our children are still center stage. May you find them new classes, programs, experiences, daytrips and more in our September issue.

publisher GARETH CHARTER 508-749-3166 x153 gcharter@holdenlandmark.com

editor CARRIE WATTU 413-265-1202 editor@baystateparent.com

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 baystateparent@holdenlandmark.com

calendar editor LESLIE CASTILLO 508-877-6446 calendar@baystateparent.com

graphic designer STEPHANIE RENAUD 508-865-7070 srenaud@holdenlandmark.com

promotions JENNIFER ANTKOWIAK 508-269-1728 jemsa2@charter.net

sales & business development manager STEPHANIE PEARL 774-364-0296 stephaniep@baystateparent.com account executive STACI LaTURNO 774-364-5073 stacil@baystateparent.com account executive ANNE BRIDGE 617-620-9402 anneb@baystateparent.com

ING COM N SOO

k k Pin s • Thin cial Need e • Sp Holidays 70 • The 5.70

account executive EMILY RETTIG 774-364-4178 emilyr@baystateparent.com

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contributing writers

Carrie Wattu, editor

GUEST BOOK

Dear baystateparent, I love the fact that this periodical is based in my local area and gives me the feeling that the Blackstone Valley isn’t off the map, just because it is outside of 495.

Jennifer Covell, Douglas Dear baystateparent, I’ve been a big fan of baystateparent for years, since my children were babies. I’ve noticed that (to my knowledge) you’ve never done an article on the All Saints Choirs. They provide a wonderful opportunity to children in the Central MA area to receive free-ofcharge, top-level musical training. These children have many chances to perform here and abroad. My own daughter, who has been in the choir for five years and is now lead girl, loves it. The highlight of her life so far has been to sing with All Saints at some of the great cathedrals in England. It is probably her training in choir that has contributed

LESLIE CASTILLO JIM KEOGH MARY JO KURTZ SUE LOVEJOY

KIM FOLEY MACKINNON AMANDA ROBERGE AMY RODRIGUEZ

photographers ALLIE COTTRILL BRITTANY DURGIN STEVEN KING ANDREA SERVIDONE

Illustrators HANNAH GREGUS SELINA WOGGERMON

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS

baystatestateparent 117 Elm St., Millbury, MA 01527

508-865-7070

www.baystateparent.com campguide.baystateparent.com www.massfieldtrips.com baystateparent Inc. is published monthly with a main office at 117 Elm Street, Millbury, 01527 508-865-7070 Fax 508-865-7979 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts. www.baystateparent.com • info@baystateparent.com Distribution Agency: Insight Distribution Management 978-728-7785/603-661-8370 • Insightdm@yahoo.com

14 Parenting Publications of America Awards, 2009 4 New England Press Association Awards, 2009 6 Suburban Newspapers of America Awards, 2009 Including 1st Place in Community Service Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Suburban Newspapers of America

GUESTBOOK more than anything else to her recent acceptance at a renown boarding school with an almost-complete scholarship.

All Saints is not your standard childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choir, as the kids are expected to perform at the highest standards of an adult professional choir and receive very rigorous training. They receive a stipend for their work, and are often called upon to sing at other functions for which they are paid. They are directed by well-known organist and choirmaster, Peter Stoltzus Berton, and have had input from some of the most famous choral directors in the world, including, most recently, Gerre Hancock.

The choir is always looking to recruit children, especially boys, who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a long â&#x20AC;&#x153;shelf lifeâ&#x20AC;? before their voices change. For more information, visit allsaintsw.org and click â&#x20AC;&#x153;music.â&#x20AC;?

Linden Dick, Worcester Dear baystateparent, We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thank you enough for generously donating the gift baskets for our benefit raffle.

Nicole and Gabby Steina, Oxford Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: The Steinas recently lost all of their belongings in a house fire. A benefit was held for them at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. baystateparent wishes them well as they rebuild their lives.

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Dear baystateparent, I feel more connected to baystateparent on Facebook now because I can see instant updates, giveaways and more. And I still like the print version for other info like the calendar.

I would also like to see some interviews with librarians in the area. These women are so nice and friendly all the time. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that people realize what a great resource this is.

Cristin Murphy, Worcester

Naming Grandma and Grandpa To celebrate Grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day, which falls on Sunday, September 12 this year, we asked our readers on Facebook what their children call their grandparents. We received lots of traditional responses as well as these monikers:

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Limited Openings for September

(Left) Sebastian Ancello, age 2, Westborough Dear baystateparent, Sebastian is loving his stylish new outfit. Thanks so much for all of the fun giveaways; you guys make so many people happy.

Jessica Ancello, Westborough Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Kaeden and Sebastian sport the Fore!! outfits won in bspâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June giveaway.

Dear baystateparent, I like the thought-provoking questions posted on Facebook.

Lisa Carlin, West Boylston Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Join baystateparent on Facebook as you can post questions regarding parenting life in Massachusetts and receive helpful information and support from a community of moms like you. Plus take advantage of free tickets and parenting products as well as learn the latest in family events around the state. Log onto Facebook and search â&#x20AC;&#x153;baystateparent Magazine.â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;˘ Oma and Opa, Barbara Katharina Geremia â&#x20AC;˘ Beams (long story), Stephanie Lee Butler â&#x20AC;˘ Bop since our oldest nephew couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say Grandma, Jackie Simpson â&#x20AC;˘ Grand-mamasita, Salina A Thomas â&#x20AC;˘ Grandmother (yeah, the full title -- thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preference!), Christina Manos â&#x20AC;˘ Papa and Nee, Laura Richards â&#x20AC;˘ Ema and Epa, Erin Herman â&#x20AC;˘ GaGa and Papa, Angela Bazydlo â&#x20AC;˘ Tu-Tu (Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hawaiian for Grandmother!), Dawn Weber â&#x20AC;˘ Biggie (Great Grandma), Tracy Mattison â&#x20AC;˘ Goga, Sarahbess Kenney â&#x20AC;˘ Mimi, Maura Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien â&#x20AC;˘ Sport Grandpa and Leelou, Sierra-Maire Gerfao. â&#x20AC;˘ Avva (Grandma) and Tata (Grandpa) in Kannada (one of the Indian languages), Rashmi Sastry

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118 Pleasant 781-646-7689 $#%-/#

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50 Paul Revere /*(,&1-, -,"-/# *$ Road, 0 ,1 8

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259 Beech 617-489-4240 $*+-,1

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402 Concord Road, 781-271-9847 $#%-/# -,"-/# - # 8

Concord, p Concord, /*(,&1-, -2,1

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2#!2/6 - # 8 978-369-2699

Water your Family can Trust $

400 trade in discount

Winners!

(Above) Kaeden King, age 2, Gardner

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when you purchase a water conditioner and drinking water system

Meet some of bspâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent winners and check out our frequent giveaways at baystateparent.com as well as updates on Facebook (We are a friendly and helpful group of 1,200 and growing strong).

Limited time offer Not valid with other offers.

One offer per customer

baystateparent is currently giving away passes to King Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Faire in Carver, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, The Harvard Museum of Natural History and more...

Do you trust your water?

â&#x20AC;˘ Museum of Natural History Family Four-Pack (valued at $30) Cindi Cutroni, North Oxford â&#x20AC;˘ King Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Faire Family Four-Pack (valued at $82) Sara Padrusch, Arlington Thoughts on our September issue?

Email your comments and suggestions to editor@baystateparent.com.

All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Please include your full name and town for publication.

www.baystateparent.com

What is your water problem?

PROBLEM: â&#x20AC;˘ Red/Brown Staining â&#x20AC;˘ Rotten Egg Smell â&#x20AC;˘ Blue/Green Staining â&#x20AC;˘ Scale, Dry Skin â&#x20AC;˘ Odor/Taste

CAUSE: â&#x20AC;˘ Iron/Manganese â&#x20AC;˘ Hydrogen SulďŹ de â&#x20AC;˘ Acidic Water â&#x20AC;˘ Hardness â&#x20AC;˘ Minerals/Contaminants

Call for a free in-home water analysis & consultation

Advanced Water Quality Systems, Inc 800-879-7873 â&#x20AC;˘ www.kinetico.com â&#x20AC;˘ www.awqsys.com BAYSTATEPARENT 9

J U N K D R AW E R S TLC Christian Preschool

A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT

A Ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church

OR FULL DAY SCHEDULES Limited spaces available!

Our qualified, nurturing staff offers hands-on, age appropriate learning in a Christian environment for children 2.9-5 years old.

Call 508-753-2989 ext. 17 for additional information.

Conveniently located across from the Worcester Art Museum with easy access to Routes 9, 290, 190 and downtown businesses.

73 Lancaster Street Worcester, MA 01609 www.trinityworc.org/preschool

Preschool COLORS Outside the LINES This Fall, DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln will share its 35-acre outdoor sculpture park and unique indoor contemporary art gallery with Lincoln Nursery School’s 4 and 5-year-old class. This collaboration between museum and school is driven by the belief that environments shape our children’s thinking and that the subliminal and artistic beauty found at

DeCordova will nourish growing minds. Decordova is the first American art museum to open a preschool.

For more information on this pilot program, contact decordova.org or lincolnnurseryschool.org.

Art Bellies: CREATIVELY Record your PREGNANCY Excited about her new pregnancy, Paola Dias and her husband Michael began to trace her growing belly against the wall to visually track her changes. They then started experimenting with different canvases, brushes, inks and paints and eventually hit upon a combination that they say made their jaws drop. “Our pregnancy doodles began to look like fine works of art,” says the New Hampshire couple.

Soon friends, friends of friends and then complete strangers started calling looking for pregnancy art kits. Thereafter, Art Bellies Pregnancy Art Kits were born.

The kit includes everything you need to create three types of fun and colorful life-size portraits worthy of being displayed everywhere from the living room to the local art gallery.

This do-it-yourself project is said to be simple, fun and easy to use. The best part? No artistic background is needed, say the founders, to make Zen-inspired silhouettes and playful Matisselike paintings. All materials are earth friendly and made from 100% natural ingredients.

Each kit retails for $45. To find out more, visit artbellies.com.

Help LIFT a BURDEN The Home for Little Wanderers seeks backpack donations for at-risk youth.

Co

me

Us

As you complete your back-to-school shopping, The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston hopes you will remember that many of the youth at The Home have never had a bag of their own.

Bob Sherburne, Corporate Relations Officer at The Home for Little Wanderers, says “‘Receiving a new backpack or duffle bag prepares youth for

G r o w w it h

Infant Spots Available CHILD CARE FOR INFANTS THROUGH PRESCHOOL • Certified, trained staff provide quality, loving care for children in a bright, safe, comfortable facility located in the VNACare Network building • Active “hands-on” learning • Developmental philosophy • Open year-round, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Flexible Scheduling to Accommodate your needs.

Now Enrolling for Fall To arrange a tour, call Pat Hare at 508-751-6985 120 Thomas St., Worcester Near downtown, I-290 and St.Vincent Hospital

a successful school year and boosts their self-esteem and confidence.’”

Donations of new backpack and duffle bags for youth aged 5-21 can be dropped off at The Home for Little Wanderers, 271 Huntington Ave., Boston through September 30th. For more information, visit thehome.org or call Bob Sherburne at 617-267-3700.

KEEP their LOVEY Forever Belmont mom of two, artist Holly Johnson, came up with a great idea with the help of Mono, her son’s incredibly loved and thoroughly-worn stuffed monkey. Lovey Portraits, no bigger than 14’’, depict your child’s most beloved stuffed companion. The portrait aims to capture the innocence and beauty of this precious friendship.

On top of being personalized and wonderfully special, these portraits are totally adorable and, unlike your child’s threadbare stuffed animal, will last forever.

Holly’s company, Cheeky Monkey Murals & Paintings, is also dedicated to personal, unique ways to decorate a child’s room with vibrant and colorful murals, exciting images, and of course a hint of cheekiness.

Learn more at cheekymonkeymurals.com.

Providing Excellent care for ALL children since 1989 Licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care

10 SEPTEMBER2010

Junkdrawers strives to highlight the products, people and places of Massachusetts. Have an idea? E-mail editor@baystateparent.com

ASK ABOUT OUR ENROLLMENT SPECIAL

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

TAKEGOODCARE

DES Daughter BY

W

leslie castillo

hat would you do if you discovered that you were exposed to a drug in utero that could cause certain birth defects and could potentially harm your health, or as later research suggests, the health of your children?

Melissa Surprenant learned that her mom had in fact been prescribed such a drug prior to Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth in 1970. She had taken diethylstilbestrol, now better know as (DES), a synthetic form of estrogen, throughout the course of her pregnancy with Melissa.

Only later would she learn that this drug, prescribed between the years 1938 and 1971, could prove dangerous, even deadly.

Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom was not alone. The National Cancer Institute has estimated that 5 to 10 million people were exposed to DES, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just in the United States. Marketed under different names such as Desplex, DES was prescribed to a staggering number of pregnant women. Some were led to believe that the drug would prevent miscarriage and

image courtesy of melissa surprenant

beth marengo photography

Grows Up premature labor. Shockingly, others may not have even known that they were receiving DES. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother remembers that this estrogen drug was commonly prescribed and was often included as a prenatal vitamin,â&#x20AC;? says Melissa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even aware they were taking it. Apparently, you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to just take it for miscarriages. Some people took it longterm as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Pill.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It was the only estrogen available at the time.â&#x20AC;?

But by late 1971 a whole new side of DES reared its ugly head. New findings showed that many of the children of the women who took DES, both daughters and sons, were born with structural changes and abnormalities of their reproductive organs, which led to reproductive problems, infertility and cancers such as a rare form of cervical cancer in daughters called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

While it was practically nonexistent in nonexposed women born in the 60s and 70s, it began to occur in about 1 in 1,000 daughters

Melissa Surprenant, DES daughter and author of Sister Circle.

who had been exposed to DES. Along with the findings, came new terminology. The names â&#x20AC;&#x153;DES daughtersâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;DES sonsâ&#x20AC;? were coined for the exposed offspring. Armed with this new information, Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom took precautions to ensure that her high-risk daughter saw a specialist who was knowledgeable about DES and trained to look for any potential problems. She found the perfect match at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, which meant a yearly trek out of state from their home in Rhode Island for Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s routine gynecological visits.

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A Life-Changing Decision Nine years ago, Melissa and her husband decided to start a family in Central MA. She was well aware of problems she could now face due to her DES exposure including difficulties with conception, ectopic pregnancies and miscarriage. So, she was pleased when she had an easy time conceiving, but even so, due to exposure, her pregnancy was considered high risk. Fortunately, a problem-free pregnancy ensued and Melissa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.

Melissa describes the pregnancy and the birth of her daughter as the calm before the storm. She barely had time to bask in the glow of being a new mom when she received stunning news. In 2002, only fourteen months after giving birth, Melissa, at the age of 32, was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix, clear cell adenocarcinoma, to be exact.

“I believe that I was extremely careful and made sure I went to my oncologist every year. It’s one of those things where you don’t think it could ever happen to you because you took the right steps to be pro-active about it.”

The young mom also found herself face-toface with a major life-changing decision.

Melissa’s doctor told her she would need a hysterectomy to remove the cancer.

Although he did give her the option of delaying surgery to have another child, he also explained the potential risks to her and a developing fetus - the chances of carrying another child to term would be slim.

“My family and friends just wanted me to have the surgery. I had one baby, and I was fortunate,” says Melissa. “I dragged my feet because every time I looked at my baby daughter I wanted to have another one. The one thing that changed my mind was that I needed to be here and healthy to take care of her and not risk my life attempting to have another baby.”

Although Melissa was thrown into early menopause and was left with health problems from the effects of radiation therapy, both she and her husband are grateful for her recovery and their family of three.

An Only Child

But, as Melissa’s daughter grew, so did her daughter’s questions about having a sibling. It became clear to Melissa that her girl was not content with being an only child. Over time, Melissa’s idea for her book, Sister Circle, took shape.

“With very little to use as discussion tools for my daughter to understand it’s okay not to have siblings, I decided to use my creativity as an art director/graphic designer to write and illustrate my own children’s story about how a child feels about being an only child and what can be done to help alleviate the way they [only children] feel about the situation,” says Melissa.

The therapeutic project turned into something wonderful. “I needed to share it with everyone who has an only child (or for any family),” she says.

The book focuses on a 7-year-old protagonist, Peyton, who discovers that friends can be just as close as sisters as well as last a lifetime.

And like the title of her book, Melissa, too, has come full circle. She realizes that she is far more fortunate than many other DES daughters who were diagnosed with the same kind of cancer as young as age 17 and never had a child, or others who died as a result of the exposure. Melissa will continue to be proactive about her health as well as the health of her daughter. In fact, new research is being conducted to determine whether the grandchildren of the women who had taken DES may also be affected.

“DES,” says Melissa, “was a synthetic estrogen. Like vaccines for our children and estrogen drugs for women, people today question their long-term side effects. The HPV vaccine and the swine flu vaccine are also other good examples.

What are the long-term effects to our children if taken?”

That answer may not come for years.

As for diethylstilbestrol, this particular drug may have caused the very health problems that, ironically, it promised to prevent.

To order a copy of Sister Circle, which helps only-children cope with family size, visit stores.lulu.com/sistercircle.

Freelance writer Leslie Castillo is also a DES daughter.

Leslie wrote about her DES risks for her high school biology teacher, Mrs. Robinson, years before she would actually experience a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy and pre-term labor. Leslie feels as if there is still not enough awareness about DES. “DES daughters also have a higher risk for developing breast cancer, yet when I go in for a mammogram, this information is not even requested, and it really should be.”

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Neither Leslie or Melissa have never spoken to another DES daughter until this story.

Leslie lives in Wayland with her husband, Cesar, and sons Daniel and Thomas.

Are you a DES Son or Daughter?

There is no medical test to determine whether you have been exposed to DES. If you are concerned, you can: • Ask your mother if she took any drugs to prevent miscarriages between 19381971.

• If your mother is deceased, try to locate the doctor that delivered you and get your mother’s health files.

• Get more information at DESaction.or.

Concerned about your Child’s Risk?

• Be proactive about your child’s health.

• Let your child’s pediatrician know that you are a DES child and want it documented in your child’s medical records in case anything comes up in the future.

• Keep up with future studies and research.

• Follow up on anything out of the ordinary as you would with any other health concern.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

Circle of Friends HIGHLIGHTS OF SEPT.’S ADOPTION-RELATED EVENTS

FREE Adoption Party

Sat., Sept. 11: Home Run for a Child Adoption Party. Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), Mass. Department of Children & Families (DCF). Boston Police Station, 1708 Centre St., West Roxbury. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Learn about the process to adopt a child from state foster care. Meet social workers and children awaiting adoption. Entertainment includes a wiffleball game and police station tour. Free.

617-542-3678, MAREinc.org.

steven king

Editor’s Note: Hundreds of children and teens are growing up in state foster care, hoping to be adopted. Adoption from foster care is free; the training is free. If you are single, married, partnered, LGBT or straight, a homeowner or renter, with nearly any level of income, you might be the parent a local child has been waiting for.

Trauma and Healing in Adoption

FREE Adoption Information Meeting

Thurs., Sept. 9: Wide Horizons For Children, 38 Edge Hill Rd., Waltham, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Also Sat., Sept. 18: The Beverly Public Library, 10 a.m.

- 12 p .m. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunity of building a family through adoption. whfc.org.

Baby Care Class for Pre-Adoptive, First-Time Parents

Sat., Sept. 11: ACONE Baby Care for PreAdoptive First-Time Parents (Domestic and International). Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman St., #2 South Terrace, Westborough. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Learn all the basics of feeding, bathing, clothing and nurturing your new adoptee. $75ppNM. 508-366-6812. Visit adoptioncommunityofNE.org for a complete listing of a variety of other adoption-related programs as well.

FREE Support Group for Waiting Parents

Sat., Sept. 18: FREE ACONE A Support Group for Waiting Parents. Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman St., #2 South Terrace, Westborough. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join with this group of couples and singles, who are also in the “waiting period.” 508-366-6812. Visit adoptioncommunityofNE.org for a complete listing of a variety of other adoption-related programs.

Please submit October’s adoption-related events

by September 5 at 6 p.m. at baystateparent.com (Click “Calendar”).

14 SEPTEMBER2010

steven king

Wed. Sept. 29: FaCT Training: Trauma and Healing in Adoption and Complex Blended Families. Center For Family Connections. 350 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 9 a.m. -12 p.m.

Open to everyone: DCF workers and supervisors, other Child Welfare workers and supervisors, adoptive, foster, kinship and guardian parents, adult adopted people, birthparents, educators, mental health professionals, pediatricians and other health care professionals – everyone who is touched by adoption and complex blended families can attend. $55pp. 617-547-0909, kinnect.org.

Embracing Makeda FINALLYFOREVER

BY

S

mary jo kurtz

itting in the living room of her Westborough home this summer, Laura Gilmartin recalled the excitement she felt as she entered an orphanage in Ethiopia to meet her daughter, 5-month-old Makeda.

It was February 2009, and Laura made the trip with her husband, Tom, and their oldest son, Anthony, a college freshman at the time.

Well prepared by the professionals at Wide Horizons for Children, the agency working with the Gilmartins, Laura knew that the moment might not be a tender one. Makeda might cry or turn away, as many babies do when meeting someone for the first time.

But for Laura and Makeda, the moment was pleasantly unexpected. “I took her in my arms and she smiled at me,” Laura said softly, a wide and loving grin spreading

across her face.

It was a meeting that permanently changed the Gilmartin family. The intimate embrace they shared that day with their new daughter was the beginning of a lifetime embrace of Makeda’s culture and heritage. The Gilmartins became an Ethio-blended family, which Laura and Tom are quick to say has enriched their lives and those of their biological children, Anthony (20), Gabriella (18) and Nicholas (12).

The Road to Ethiopia Laura always knew she wanted to adopt a child. “It was a dream. Always in the back of my mind,” she said. “Even when I was growing up, I loved the idea.”

“We talked about it for years,” Tom explained. “The idea of going international for the adoption always appealed to us.”

When the couple went to an open house at Wide Horizons for Children three years ago, they were introduced to adoption programs in over a dozen different countries. After learning a little about each, both Laura and Tom were drawn to Ethiopia.

“It has a fascinating history that we didn’t really know about at the time,” Tom remarked. They started to study the country’s past and culture and began introducing Ethiopian music and food into their family.

They visited Ethiopian restaurants and markets, and dinners began to include traditional stews and injera bread.

When word came that the family was matched with Makeda, the Gilmartins were prepared and excited to make the trip to Addis Ababa.

Exploring Ethiopia Seeing Makeda’s homeland and meeting some of her family members exceeded any expectation that the Gilmartins had for their visit.

They explained how they were welcomed into the country with a traditional coffee ceremony, a staple of Ethiopian culture

which includes coffee and popcorn. While there, they enjoyed local Ethiopian music and still chuckle a little when talking about Anthony’s finesse with the native dance.

They smiled nostalgically as they shared pictures from the trip. Photographs showed the family in native dress visiting local attractions and exploring life in Makeda’s homeland. It was clear, as they told of their time there, that they felt a sense of community with the citizens of Ethiopia and the people from Makeda’s home village.

It was a mutual embrace between the Gilmartins and the people of Ethiopia, and it was the birth of a new and enriched life for Makeda and her new family. As Laura recalled their time in Ethiopia, her words and expression showed the responsibility and privilege she feels as Makeda’s mother.

She explained how important it is to keep Makeda connected to her Ethiopian heritage.

Continuing the Connection When the Gilmartins returned to America, Laura and Tom continued the relationships they made along their journey.

They regularly stay in touch with about a dozen other adoptive families from around the United States that they met while traveling to Ethiopia, and they have joined communities of Ethio-blended families in Massachusetts.

“We have a strong connection with these families,” Laura explained. “I feel really committed to that so that these kids will have this connection when they group up.

It is part of our life now.”

In July, the Gilmartin family spent four days in Harrisonburg, Virginia, at Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Family Camp, a gathering of dozens of families to celebrate the country’s rich culture. Some of the families were Ethiopian, and some were Ethio-blended.

The Gilmartins attended lectures, visited a museum of artifacts and met other families who adopted children from Ethiopia. Tom,

Anthony and Nicholas took cooking classes and learned to play the krar, a sixstringed instrument. Makeda met other Ethiopian American toddlers and had her hair braided for the first time.

The highlight of the camp, Laura explained, was a traditional banquet. “We all enjoyed that night,” she said. “There were Ethiopian singers and dancing, and the food was amazing.”

“I think right now we get more out of it,” Tom said of their dedication to understanding Ethiopian culture. But, like his wife, he feels the importance of making this connection for his daughter.

A Foundation for the Future Tom and Laura stressed their desire to strengthen Makeda’s identity as an Ethiopian American so that she is comfortable with her unique journey as she matures. Laura added that relationships with other children who have been adopted from Ethiopia will provide Makeda connections with others who share and understand her story.

“I want her to have other children in her life who are going to know the same struggles,” Laura said.

“We can’t teach her how to be black in America. We are not black,” she continued. “And she is adopted and she is Ethiopian. She has a lot of layers that she will have to deal with in life... that is one of the reasons I want her to be connected to other Ethiopian kids. I want to find role models for her in the African American community.”

SEPTEMBER’SCHILD Jacob is a 10-year-old Caucasian boy who is active, polite, caring and friendly. He is described by his foster mother as a “very sweet boy.” Jacob enjoys being outdoors in general, but especially likes fishing. He also likes to ride his bike, play video games, basketball and swim.

Jacob’s favorite eats come from McDonald’s and Burger

Jacob, age 10

King – fries, chicken nuggets and hash browns. His other favorites are Cheerios, hot dogs, mashed potatoes and spaghetti. He also enjoys being read to every night.

Jacob will be going into the fourth grade at a collaborative school. He has benefited from the smaller class size, as it has helped him stay focused on his school work, and as a result, his reading and writing have improved immensely. Jacob has an individualized educational plan that addresses his learning disabilities and some emotional/behavioral needs. However, he is well liked by students and teachers and has won “student of the month.”

When it comes to keeping his room clean, Jacob is very responsible, but he needs a lot of motivation when it comes to doing other chores. He would like a cat; however, his foster mother doesn’t care for animals.

Jacob is of average height and weight, and in excellent

health; although, he will need orthodontic work in the not-too-distant future, as he has a significant overbite.

He also receives therapy that helps him address his past trauma history.

Jacob has been in the care and custody of the Department for over three years due to neglect and exposure to substance abuse and domestic violence. He is now legally free to be adopted, but does have an open adoption agreement with both his parents for two visits a year. Jacob would do best in a two-parent home with parents who have parenting experience where he would receive nurturing, acceptance, support and structure.

If you think Jacob might be a good fit for your family and you would like more information about him, or if you would like general information about adoption and/or foster care, please call Barbara Ford at the Department of Children and Families at 508-929-2143.

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Blending the Family Embracing the Ethiopian communities in both Africa and America, Laura noted how inspiring she finds the experience.

“It just makes the world smaller,” she reflected. “Ethiopia doesn’t seem so foreign or far away. It [this experience] enriches everybody.”

As Tom looked around the room at his children and wife, he recalled meeting a villager in Ethiopia who commented, “You are now Ethiopian, too.”

“And we are,” Tom said. “We have a heritage of Italian and Irish, and now we’re Ethiopian, too. That’s what our family is,” he smiled.

Mary Jo Kurtz is a freelance writer specializing in human interest stories. She can be reached at thebluehouse@ charter.net or maryjokurtz.com.

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Ashland, MA An independent congregation serving the diverse needs of the MetroWest Jewish community

Hebrew School

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Tots through Grade 7; Bar & Bat Mitzvah preparation.

Hebrew, Jewish culture, traditions and holidays taught in a nurturing environment that makes learning fun.

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Tot Shabbat Celebrating Shabbat in a child-friendly, informal environment. Geared for children ages 2-6 and their families. Check our website or call for monthly dates and location.

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High Holiday Services

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Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are open to the community.

Children services and babysitting available on certain days.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 17

OH, THE GO

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

- dr. seuss

courtesy of the big e

PLACES YOU’LL

GO GOOD LIFE! The Life is Good Festival presents an extraordinary day of concerts and fun on September 11 & 12 in Canton featuring The Laurie Berkner Band, They Might Be Giants, Jason Mraz and more. lifeisgood.com.

18 SEPTEMBER2010

GO LEGOS! Connect with other LEGO fans in Boston at LEGO Kidsfest, a wildly energetic and interactive event. September 25 & 26. LEGOkidsfest.com.

courtesy of king richard’s faire

courtesy of lego kidsfest

courtesy of life is good

GO EASTERN STATES! The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast brings its 17-day extravaganza back to West Springfield, September 17 - October 3. thebigE.com.

GO KNIGHTS GO! Return to the Renaissance at the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, September 4 - October 24. kingrichardsfaire.net. Win a free family four-pack (valued at $82) by visiting baystateparent.com (Click “Giveaways”).

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to assure accuracy at press time, things can and do change…

A Adult C Child Y Youth M Member NM Non-Member PP Per Person

courtesy of plymouth cruises lobster tales

1WEDNESDAY Take-Aparts Potluck. The Discovery Museums, Acton.

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Just drop-in. What makes things work?

Take a look inside. Gears, levers, magnets, resistors and circuit boards are some of the components you’ll find inside household electronics. $10.50 admission to both museums, under 1, free. 978-264-4200, discoverymuseums.org.

Also Sept. 18.

Penguin Power: Protecting the Blue Planet. New England Aquarium, Boston. Sept. 1 – 30. Daily. Follow interactive exhibits through the Aquarium to find out what you can do to help protect penguins around the world.

A $21.95, Sr. $19.95, C $13.95 (under 3 is Free!)

617-973-5200, neaq.org.

Pirate Cruise. Plymouth Cruises Lobster Tales, Town Wharf, Plymouth. 1:30 – 3 p.m. through Labor Day. Climb aboard for a swashbuckling adventure! Man the water cannons and battle the enemy pirate ship to recapture the treasure. See what other surprises lie ahead.

For families with children ages 4-11 $18pp. 508-746-5342, lobstertalesinc.com.

2THURSDAY Spencer Fair at the Spencer Fairgrounds. Entrance fees apply. spencerfair.org, 508-885-5814. Runs through Sept. 6.

3FRIDAY Aqua Kids Family Days. New England Aquarium, Boston. Fridays in Sept. 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Activities especially for families with young children. No registration required. Free with admission. 617-973-5206, neaq.org.

Also Sept. 10, 17 and 24.

FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington. 6:30 p.m. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

Day Out With Thomas. Edaville USA, Carver. 9 a.m.

- 5 p.m. Take a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ through the scenery of the pine groves and cranberry bogs.

Meet Sir Topham Hatt, enjoy live children’s entertainment, play and create with MEGA Bloks ® and enjoy amusement rides. $18pp. Free parking and picnic area. 508-866-8190. edaville.com. Also Sept. 4, 5 and 6.

FREE Fun Friday! Concord Museum. Admission is free today! 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. concordmuseum.org.

Man the water cannons! Battle the enemy pirate ship! It’s a swashbuckling adventure aboard Plymouth’s Pirate Cruise, Labor Day Weekend, 1:30 – 3 p.m. lobstertalesinc.com. how math, geometry, structure and engineering come together as you help construct a 6-foot dome! Learn about Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the geodesic dome, and see pictures of geodesic structures from sports stadiums and houses, to buckyballs, carbon nanotubes, diatoms and viruses! Find out how to use everyday materials to create your own small dome at home. 978-264-4200, discoverymuseums.org.

Day Out With Thomas. Edaville USA, Carver. See Sept.

3 listing for details. Also Sept. 5 & 6.

FREE Surfside Live Concert Series and Fireworks.

Salisbury Beach. Concert, 7:30 p.m. Fireworks, 10 p.m.

Enjoy pizza, ice cream and more. beachfests.org.

Meet Flippo the Clown at Davis’ Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Get a special balloon from Flippo. Call 978-422-MOOO for admission and more information. davisfarmland.com.

Nutcracker Open Auditions. Ballet Arts Worcester 36 Harlow St., Worcester. Ages 7 and up will audition at designated times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call for pre-registration and details: 508-791-3233. $25 cash-only audition fee. Performances will be in Nov.at the Hanover Theatre.

5SUNDAY

FREE Music Concert Series. Sweetwilliam Farm, 153 North St., Upton. Fridays, 7 – 8:30 p.m. through October.

A FREE weekly outdoor concert series featuring a variety of fine local, regional and national performing artists. Adults hang out at tables while children play in a protected lawn area.508-529-2000, sweetwilliamfarm.biz.

FREE Sunday Parkland Games. The Charles River Conservancy & the Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Weeks Footbridge, Cambridge at the base of DeWolfe St. 2 - 5 p.m. Free, fun outdoor activities.

Each Sunday afternoon through Sept. 19. Games such as badminton, bocce, volleyball and more. Also free yoga sessions at 5 p.m. along the river following the games.

617-300-8172, thecharles.org.

FREE Storytime. Barnes & Noble. The Walpole Mall, 82 Providence Highway. 508-668-6033, bn.com.

Day Out With Thomas. Edaville USA, Carver. See Sept.

3 listing for details. Also Sept. 6.

4SATURDAY

World War II Weekend at Battleship Cove. Fall River. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. History comes alive when over 50 World War II Allied and Axis reenactors arrive at Battleship Cove. See an exciting display of equipment, artillery and vehicles. Talk with veterans and relive the history of that important time. Special programs scheduled

FREE: Geodesic Domes at Free Fun Finale Weekend.

The Discovery Museums, Acton. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Discover

throughout the day are FREE w/paid admission.

508-678-1100, battleshipcove.org. Also Sept. 6.

Meet Flippo the Clown at Davis’ Farmland.

Sterling. Get a special balloon! Call 978-422-MOOO for admission and more information. davisfarmland.com.

6MONDAY Day Out With Thomas. Edaville USA, Carver. See Sept.

3 listing for details.

World War II Weekend at Battleship Cove. Fall River. See Sept. 5 listing for details.

FREE Story and Activity Time. Barnes & Noble. The Walpole Mall 82 Providence Highway. 10:30 a.m.

Celebrate Labor Day and read “I Can be Anything” by Jerry Spinelli. 508-668-1303, bn.com.

7TUESDAY Sea Squirts: Programs for Families. New England Aquarium, Boston. Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28 and on Fridays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 & 31, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Classes run for one hour and include free play, circle time with songs, stories and activities, art projects and games.Toddler is for 2-year-olds, and Preschool is for children ages 3-4. Adults are included in the cost of each child. Aquarium admission is included. For more detailed information on this program, visit neaq.org.

FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington. 10:30 a.m.

Featuring, “Swim! Swim!” by Lerch. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Meet Lucy, The READ Dog. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Walpole. 10:30 a.m. Meet Lucy, a black dog and her owner Mrs. Patricia Howes. Lucy is trained to help children become better readers. You can have the chance to read to Lucy. 508-668-1303, bn.com.

8WEDNESDAY Art and Nature. Oak Knoll, Attleboro. 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Six classes. Ages 8 – 13. Register: 508-223-3060, massaudubon.org.

Open House Bethel Nursery School. Auburn. 10 – 11 a.m. 508-832-9411, bethelauburn.org.

9THURSDAY Toddler Thursdays. Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. 9 – 10 a.m. Take hikes and explore nature on Fruitlands Museum grounds. Shakers, Native Americans and a famous artist will also be included in the adventures while you discover each weekly theme. Join Early Childhood Educator Larissa Fagundes every Thursday through October 21 to explore art, nature & history with your toddler or preschooler. Songs, crafts, activities, stories. $10 drop-in fee or $60 for a seven-week punch card. Register: 978-4563924 x292 or at education@fruitlands.org. fruitlands.org.

Children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire program.

FREE Multiple Joys & Challenges. Mothers and Company, West Boylston. 12:30 – 2 p.m. Facilitated by Cindy Morningstar, a mother of 13 children (including a set of twins!). Join her and other parents of multiples and share the joys and challenges that come with your multiple blessings! Meets monthly. RSVP: mothersandcompany.com.

10FRIDAY Aqua Kids Family Days. New England Aquarium, Boston. See Sept. 3 listing for details. Also Sept. 17 and 24.

FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington.

6:30 p.m. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Olde Home Days in Clinton. Continuous entertainment, local food vendors, crafters and more in downtown Clinton. oldehomeday.com. Also Sept. 11.

Barefoot Books Birthday Party. Barefoot Books, 89 Thoreau St. , Concord. 3 – 5 p.m. Open to children of all ages, but best for those under 10. barefootbooks.com.

Night of Dancing for All Ages. Four Points Sheraton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster. 6 p.m. – Midnight. This six hour dance-a-thon benefits Battered Women’s Resources (BWR), which educates children about bullying, healthy BAYSTATEPARENT 19

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO relationships and teen dating violence in addition to helping to victims break free from domestic violence. Special performances, dance instructions and contests. Fundraising requirement to dance. 508-791-3181, x 3009, bwri.ywcacentralmass.org.

Open House at Indian Hill Music. 36 King St., Littleton.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. A fun day of musical activities for all ages, including instrument demonstrations, early childhood classes and more. 978-486-9524, indianhillmusic.org.

Insect Night Watch. Mass Audubon Sanctuary,Topsfield.

7:30 – 9 p.m. Use a variety of baits, lights and traps to attract fascinating creatures so that you can look at them more closely. Expect to see beetles, moths, lacewings, crickets and more. A$9, C$7. 978-887-9264, massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.

and make a beeswax candle to take home. A$12, C (6-17) $5. 413- 775-7214, historic-deerfield.org.

FREE Craft Activities. Lakeshore Learning. Newton and Saugus. Every Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for ages 3+. lakeshorelearning.com.

9th Annual Walk of Hope to Benefit ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A 3.5-mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. 9 a.m. registration. Benefits The Angel Fund. Rain date: Sept. 12. Register: 781-2457070, or theangelfund.org .

adults, take a museum tour, see new exhibitions and more!

Free. Open to all. 508-620-0937, danforthmuseum.org.

12SUNDAY

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Sept. 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, Noon – 4 p.m. See Sept. 11 listing for details.

FREE Sunday Parkland Games. The Weeks Footbridge, Cambridge. See Sept. 5 listing for details.

Life Is Good Festival. Prowse Farm, 5 Blue Hill Rd., Canton. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Children’s music superstars and Nick Jr. channel favorites The Laurie Berkner Band will headline the Kids Stage. The festival features three stages of diverse live music, hands-on games, interactive arts activities and the “Good Kids” zone. 100% of Life is Good’s profits from the Festival will go towards The Life

Annual Fall Classic Vintage Baseball Game.56 Burditt Ave., Hingham. Enjoy 1880s-style baseball along with a variety of other American baseball traditions, from hot dogs and cola to popcorn and peanuts, in addition to some longforgotten traditions that will be revived for the day. Fans are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, their best boater hats, parasols and bugspray. 781-749-7721, hinghamhistorical.org.

Wild about Turtles. Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St. (Rt.16), Natick. 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Visit “up close and personal” with some local turtles. Can they really leave their shells like they do in the cartoons?

What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Pre-registration required. A$12, C$8.508-655-2296, massaudubon.org.

FREE Music Concert Series. Sweetwilliam Farm, Upton.

See Sept. 3 listing for details.

FREE Celebrate Grandparents Day. Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The Walpole Mall, Walpole. 10:30 a.m. Stories about grandparents. Stay to make a card for your grandma and grandpa. 508-668-1303, bn.com courtesy of indian hill music school

11SATURDAY Ocean Detectives at the New England Aquarium.

New England Aquarium Harborside Learning Lab Central Wharf, Boston. 2 - 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 – 7. Children will work with parents and peers to unlock the secrets of the deep while developing their math, science and literacy skills. $30 per child (included adult). 617-973-5206, neaq.org.

FREE Elephant Appreciation Day. The Harvard Coop, Cambridge. 11 a.m. Stories, craft and snacks. thecoop.com.

FREE Olde Home Days in Clinton. Continuous entertainment, local food vendors, crafters and more in downtown Clinton. oldehomeday.com.

Concord’s 375th Celebration Parade. Concord Center.

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. concord375.org. Fireworks will be held on Sept. 12.

Family Overnight at Battleship Cove. Fall River. Spend the night on a WWII battleship! Sleep in restored Navy bunks, eat meals “chow-line style” in the Officer’s Wardroom, and rise and shine to the sound of reveille. Guests will enjoy all-day admission, three delicious meals and the opportunity to participate in shipboard activities. Call for fees and reservations: 508-678-1100, battleshipcover.org.

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Sept. 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, Noon – 4 p.m. Honey was an important ingredient used to sweeten foods and beverages in colonial America, and to brew a traditional drink called mead. Join museum educators in this fun family program to learn about bees and honey. Taste different kinds of honey,

20 SEPTEMBER2010

FREE Make a joyful noise at Indian Hill Music School’s Open House in Littleton, Sat., Sept. 11, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., a fun day of musical activities for all ages, including instrument demonstrations and early childhood classes. indianhillmusic.org FREE Informational Class. The Children’s Music Academy, Westborough (10 a.m.) and Worcester (2 p.m.). Reserve a spot for a FREE introductory classes for you and your 4 to 8-year-old. Space is limited. Pre-register: 508-898-3888, childrensmusicacademy.org.

Canal Diggers 5K Road Race and Blackstone Canalfest. 11 a.m. In addition to the road race, a onemile fun run and fitness walk will kick-off at 10:45 a.m.

Starts and finishes at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St., Worcester. Also enjoy the Blackstone Canalfest, which is a classic street festival complete with music, entertainment, vendors, food, an abundance of kids’ activities, horse-and-wagon rides, kayak rides, historic as well as current canal project information, a giant raffle and much more. To register or for more information, visit canaldiggers.org.

is Good Kids Foundation, helping kids who are facing lifethreatening conditions, including the trauma of violence, poverty and loss. A $50 day pass, C (6 – 12) $10, C (5 and under) free. 888-339-2987, lifeisgood.com.

Music Festival and Gala Fireworks. Concord-Carlisle High School grounds, 5 p.m. music and 7 p.m. fireworks. concord375.org.

Verrill Farm Barbecue & Farm Day. 11 Wheeler Rd., Concord. Noon - 4 p.m. Pulled pork, chicken, ribs & sides and baked potato bar. Live music by Boston Road Blue Grass, farm demonstrations, hayride (small fee for these).

Free entrance. 978-369-4494, verrillfarm.com FREE Open House and Family Day. Danforth Museum of Art, 123 Union Ave., Framingham. 1 – 4 p.m. Meet Museum School faculty, try a workshop for children or

FREE for Grandparents. Providence Children’s Museum, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free admission for grandmothers and granddads all day! Children ages 3 - 11 step into the art studio to collage, create cards and craft memory books with their grandparents from 1 - 3 p.m. $8.50pp. childrenmuseum.org.

Grandparents’ Day at Davis’ Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Bring grandparents for free.

Call 978-422-MOOO for admission and more information. davisfarmland.com.

Heritage Market. Community Plaza at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville. Noon – 3 p.m. Also Sept. 19. A unique blend of history and open air market offering local fresh produce, food, flowers, arts and crafts, demonstrations, music and more. Rain location: Singh Performance Center.508-266-6502, alternativesnet.org.

13MONDAY FREE Open Gyms. Gymnastic Academy of Boston, 12 Keefe Rd., Acton. Hours this week: Mon. & Thurs., 11:4512:45 (all ages); Fri. 5:45-7 p.m. (ages 1-6 yrs) & 7 -8:15 p.m. (ages 7 + yrs). Open to the public with moonwalks, trampolines, magic, balloon animals, popcorn, and more.

978-369-9034, gymnasticsacademyofboston.com. Also Sept. 16 & 17.

14TUESDAY FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington. 10:30 a.m. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Teddy Bears Picnic. Barnes and Noble, Walpole.

10:30 a.m. Bring your favorite teddy to storytime.

508-668-1303, bn.com.

FREE New Moms Group. Mothers and Company, 140 Worcester St., West Boylston. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. All moms of all babies welcome. Feel free to bring your lunch - why eat alone? Can’t come on Tuesdays? There’s a group on Fridays! Or come to both! mothersandcompany.com.

FREE La Leche League Meeting. Blessed Sacrament Church: Phelan Center 551 Pleasant St., Worcester. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Get breastfeeding information and mother-tomother support. Babies and children are welcome. Gently used maternity clothes on sale for just one dollar per piece.

508-523-5720, lleus.org/web/WorcesterMA.html.

15WEDNESDAY Early Fall Terrific Toddlers. Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield. 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Introduces toddlers to the delights of nature at a hands-on level in an unhurried atmosphere. Visit massaudubon.org/ ipswichriver for fees and more information.

Harvest Time Preschool Story Hour. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. Listen to stories about growing and harvesting vegetables, do a related craft activity and take a hayride to the farm to see the raised bed gardens and farm animals. Ages 3 – 4 with adult. $5 per child, $3 for one additional child. Reserve your spot: tamar.agulian@ goreplace.org or call 781-894-2798.

16THURSDAY FREE Open Gyms. Gymnastic Academy of Boston, Acton.

See Sept. 13 listing for details. Also Sept. 17.

Women’s Networking Group. McGovern’s on the Water, 310 Shove St., Fall River. 6 – 9 p.m. Womens Club SWANS is a social club and networking group for women.

Open to all women interested in an evening of fun and inspiration and connecting with other women. Dinner and an inspiring speaker, Lisa Tener, a national book writing coach. $30 PP, cost includes dinner, additional fee may apply. Preregistration is required. 401-694-1284, wcswans.com.

Toddler Thursdays. Fruitlands Museum, Harvard. 9 – 10 a.m. See Sept. 9 listing for details.

Early Fall Terrific Toddlers. Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield. 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

This series introduces toddlers to the delights of nature at a hands-on level in an unhurried atmosphere. Call for fees.

978-887-9264, massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.

17FRIDAY FREE Open Gyms. Gymnastic Academy of Boston, Acton.

See Sept. 16 for listing for details.

Aqua Kids Family Days. New England Aquarium, Boston. See Sept. 3 listing for details. Also Sept. 24.

DIVORCE MEDIATION If you can’t save your marriage, you can save your divorce.

Divorce can be expensive …

Mediation allows you to save, time and emotional energy. Protect your rights while preserving your family’s resources.

Other Available Services: • Flat Fees • Expedited weekend & night appointments • Limited Issues Mediation Since 1975 James F. Connors SUPER LAWYER

Certified by AAML since 1991, Norfzeiger Institute since 1981 • Education: St. Bernard High School, Assumption College, University of Paris; Sorbonne, Suffolk University Law School.

Languages: English, French & Spanish • Articles: Divorce and The Wheel of the Addiction, Demystifying Divorce.

Instructor: ABA family law section, MBA family law section, WBA family law section, Massachusetts Supreme Court study on Addiction and the Court, Mt. Wachusett Community College, Law Education Institute.

Member of: Fitchburg School Committee 2002-2010, Board of Directors; Montachusett Alcohol Council, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Spectrum Health Services, Fay Club.

95 Elm Street, Worcester

• 508-792-3006 www.attyjfconnors.com • connorsesquire@gmail.com

58 Oliver Street, Fitchburg

• 978-345-2671 BAYSTATEPARENT 21

courtesy of danforth museum

OH,THEPLACESYOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LLGO

FREE Just think, no mess at home! Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham invites you to their Open House and Family Day, Sunday, Sept. 12, between 1 - 4 p.m. Try a workshop, take a museum tour, see new exhibitions and more! danforthmuseum.org FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington. 6:30 p.m.

781-273-3871, bn.com.

build as they build a city! 781- 843-8201, simon.com. Also Sept. 19, 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 p.m.

FREE Open Playgroup.MOMS Club of Hubbardston Area.

Held the 3rd Fri. of each month. Location TBD, 10 a.m.

MOMS ClubÂŽ of Hubbardston serves Barre, Hubbardston, Princeton and Templeton. RSVP: momsclubofhubbardston@ yahoo.com.

FREE Pirate Day. The Harvard Coop, Cambridge. 11 a.m. Stories, craft and snacks. thecoop.com.

FREE Music Concert Series. Sweetwilliam Farm, Upton.

See Sept. 3 listing for details.

FREE Storytime. Barnes and Noble, Walpole. 10:30 a.m.

508-668-1303, bn.com.

18SATURDAY Take-Aparts Potluck. The Discovery Museums, Acton.

See Sept. 1 listing for details.

St. Denis Bazaar. St. Denis Parish, Rte 12 / 85 Main St., Ashburnham. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Attic Treasures (open at 7 a.m.), silent and Chinese auctions, DJ, entertainment, raffles, Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Booth, jewelry and craft booth, kids games, books and more. Rain or shine. 978-827-5806.

FREE LEGO Master Builder Event. South Shore Plaza, Braintree. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. A fun, interactive master builder event. All participants can drive the creation of the

Hello Kitty. Edaville USA, Carver. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A two-day meet and greet with friends. Meet and take pictures with Hello Kitty as well as enjoy all of our wonderful rides at Edaville. A$18, S/C $16. 508-866-8190, edaville.com.

Also Sept. 19.

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Sept. 11â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12, 18â&#x20AC;&#x201C;19, 25â&#x20AC;&#x201C;26, Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 p.m. See Sept. 11 listing for details.

Wachusett Music Showcase. First Church of Christ Unitarian, 725 Main St., Lancaster. 7:30 p.m. A singer/ songwriter showcase to present local talent in the area. This is also a benefit for The Item Appeal which is a local agency that helps individuals, families and seniors in area towns.

Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Clinton, Lancaster and Sterling.

A $15, C (6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12) $4, Under 6 FREE. FREE Craft Activities. Lakeshore Learning. Newton and Saugus. Every Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for ages 3. lakeshorelearning.com.

KidsFest. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Two days of music, food and fun. Interactive games, entertainment, free samples, magicians, jugglers and so

As Featured on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chronicleâ&#x20AC;?

www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org 22 SEPTEMBER2010

Brookline/Larz Anderson Brookline/Cleveland Circle Cambridge Hyde Park/Dedham Medford Newton/Brighton Quincy Somerville South Boston Waltham West Roxbury Weymouth

much more. Stop by the baystateparent booth to say hi!

A$10, C (3-12) $6. Discounts available for advance tickets at wachusett.com. Also Sept. 19.

FREE Sunday Parkland Games. The Weeks Footbridge, Cambridge. See Sept. 5 listing for details.

Fall Foliage Ice Cream Paddle. Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. Paddle the gentle river to enjoy the early fall foliage and the surrounding marshes, and bid farewell to the summer.

Along the way, stop to stretch your legs and enjoy some ice cream. A$16, C$14. 978-887-9264, massaudubon. org/ipswichriver.

FREE The 7th Annual Revels RiverSing. The Charles River, Cambridge. 6 p.m. until dark. This FREE giant community sing produced by Revels features a colorful grand procession, dozens of area chorus members and solo artists, a talented folk band, local sax legend Stan Strickland- and the entire audience- because at a Revels event, everyone is encouraged to sing along! Come early for some pre-show fun in Harvard Square or enjoy a quiet picnic on the banks of the Charles. 617-972-8300, revels.org.

Fifth Annual Intertribal Powwow. Sweetwilliam Farm 153 North St, Upton. Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 p.m. A truly Native American experience! Traditional Native American activities include: Grand Entry, drumming, dancing, singing, Regalia, storytelling, flute playing, food, genuine Native gifts & craft vendors, traders and teepee. Parking is $5.

508-529-2000, sweetwilliamfarm.biz. Also Sept. 19.

OSB and Castine Outdoor Concert. Goodale Field, Crescent St., West Boylston. 7 p.m. Bring a picnic and some glow-sticks and toys for the kids. A$10, C (13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21) $5, Under 12, FREE. wbaf.org. All proceeds help to save arts and music for West Boylston public school students. Rain Location: Major Edwards Elementary school FREE Author Event at Tatnuck Bookseller Gift Gallery & Cafe. Westborough Shopping Center, 18 Lyman St., Westborough. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. Author Alicia Bessette signs and reads from her new book, â&#x20AC;&#x153; Simply from Scratch.â&#x20AC;?

508-366-4959, tatnuck.com.

19SUNDAY Special Storytime with David Costello. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst. 2 p.m. Join David Costello and his animal friends as he reads from his latest book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Can Help.â&#x20AC;? Book signing to follow. A$9, S$6 Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50 413-658-1100, carlemuseum.org.

Blue Discoveries Family Day: Whales. New England Aquarium Central Wharf, Boston. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Learn more about the blue planet through art, science and storytelling. All activities are included with Aquarium admission. 617-973-5206, neaq.org.

FREE LEGO Master Builder Event. South Shore Plaza, Braintree. 12 - 6 p.m. A fun, interactive master builder event. All participants can drive the creation of the build as we build a city! 781- 843-8201, simon.com.

Hello Kitty. Edaville USA, Carver. See Sept. 18 listing.

FOR NANNIES Nannypalooza Boston/ Boston Area Nanny Support Group (BANSG), and MAPN (Mass.

Alliance of Professional Nannies). TANG building at MIT 72 Memorial Dr., Cambridge. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Offers 12 sessions (three tracks) of high quality â&#x20AC;&#x153;learn today, use tomorrowâ&#x20AC;? workshops, box lunch, refreshments, resource packet, networking, door prizes and goodie bags. Nannies: $25. 617-491-2541, nannycredential.org.

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Sept. 11â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12, 18â&#x20AC;&#x201C;19, 25â&#x20AC;&#x201C;26, Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 p.m. See Sept. 11 listing for details.

Family SculptureFest. DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A fun day of campus-wide activities include looking, creating and exploring art inside and outside the museum: art-making, Juried art sale featuring regional artists, community-related activities, family activities, food, musical performances, scavenger hunt, tours. A$15, Y (5-7) $12. Free for Lincoln residents.

More info: decordova.org.

Scarecrow Stomp. The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;down homeâ&#x20AC;? day of scarecrow making and other old-fashioned games and crafts. Bring old or outgrown clothes; stuffing provided. Press some apples into delicious cider, crank the handle of an old-fashioned wringer washer and dress up like a â&#x20AC;&#x153;country bumpkin.â&#x20AC;? Make awesome autumn crafts; play old-fashioned games. This year, go green! Instead of using plastic bags for the scarecrow heads, bring an old pillowcase or a cloth sack (or purchase a burlap sack for $ 1.) Rain Date: Sun., Sept. 26. $8pp NM (family max. $30) 508-230-3789. childrensmuseumineaston.org/ ScarecrowStomp.asp.

Kidsfest. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton. See Sept. 18 listing for details.

Art and Nature Story Time. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. For children ages 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6. Included with museum admission. Greet autumn with â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the Wind Stops,â&#x20AC;? Charlotte Zolotowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story of the seasons. Make prints with real leaves and create your own leaf ornament for the fall equinox. pem.org.

Sense of Wonder Walk-Food Webs of the Meadow.

Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield.

1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2:30 p.m. Explore the sanctuaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marvelous meadows and learn about the eating habits of the neighborhood creatures. A$9, C$7. 978-887-9264, massaudubon.org/ ipswichriver.

Fifth Annual Intertribal Powwow. Sweetwilliam Farm, Upton. See Sept. 18 listing for details.

Heritage Market Last Day! Community Plaza at Alternativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville.

Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 p.m. A unique blend of history and open air market offering local fresh produce, food, flowers, arts and crafts, demonstrations, music and more. Rain location: Singh Performance Center.508-266-6502, alternativesnet.org.

:XS 5aXT]S[h 3T]cP[ 2PaT â&#x20AC;˘ Kid Friendly Atmosphere â&#x20AC;˘ First Visit Dress-up â&#x20AC;˘ Gentle, Patient, Experienced Staff â&#x20AC;˘ Awesome Prizes â&#x20AC;˘ Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) â&#x20AC;˘ Sleep Dentistry â&#x20AC;˘ First visit recommended by age one year

DR. VERA AND DR. PANAGIOTU HARVARD TRAINED PEDIATRIC DENTIST 144 PLEASANT ST, WORCESTER â&#x20AC;˘ 508-754-9825 â&#x20AC;˘ WWW.WORCESTERKIDSDENTIST . COM

FREE Play Date. The Institute of Contemporary Art., Boston. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free admission on the last Saturday of each month for families of four.icaboston.org.

20MONDAY

Family Field Trips: Up-Close with Whales. New England Aquarium, Boston. 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Interactive intro to whales before climbing aboard the Voyager III to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment. The destination is Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Best for ages 5+. $45pp (includes ferry ride but does not include Aquarium admission).

617-973-5206, neaq.org.

FREE Family Singalong for Babies thru Kindergarteners. Apple Country Music Together at the Berlin Public Library, 23 Carter St., Berlin. 10:30 a.m.

Discover how much fun making music with your young child can be. 978-729-3697, applecountrymusictogether.com FREE National Active Aging Week At The Burbank YMCA. Reading. Sept. 20 – 26. Reading. Enjoy activities throughout the week that encourage a healthy lifestyle and get individuals of all ages moving. Schedule: ymcaboston. org/burbank. 781-944-9622.

FREE Health and Fitness and Eat Healthy Day. The Harvard Coop, Cambridge. 11 a.m. Stories, craft and snacks. thecoop.com.

21TUESDAY

Clifford and Madeline. Edaville USA, 5 Pine St., Carver.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Clifford and Madeline hold a two-day meet and greet with friends. $18pp. 508-866-8190, edaville.com. Also Sept. 26. arthur ferguson

FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, Burlington.

10:30 a.m. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Storytime with Crafts. Walpole Mall. 10:30 a.m.

508-668-1303, bn.com.

FOR PARENTS Understanding and Dealing with Separation Anxiety. COMPASS for Kids. Cambridge Family YMCA, 820 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 7 – 9 p.m. Explore the developmental foundations of separation anxiety and discover strategies that will help the child, parents and teachers all successfully navigate through this difficult period. A$25. 781-862-4446, compassforkids.org.

FREE Family Singalong. Apple Country Music Together.

Music Together at Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center, 77 W. Main St., Hopkinton. 1:15 p.m.For families with young children from birth thru kindergarten, together with parent or caregiver. Space is limited; please RSVP early at applecountrymusictogether.com. 978-729-3697.

FOR PARENTS When You Feel Like Screaming...

Parenting Solutions, 6 Colonial Dr., Suite 2, Westborough, 7:30 – 9 p.m. One of a series on Discipline That Works! A Parenting That Works! program led by Dr. Sylvia Sirignano, a developmental psychologist. $30 (second parent 1/2 price). parentingsolutionsprograms.com

23THURSDAY FREE Family Singalong. Apple Country Music Together.

Music Together at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main St.,

(Route 117), Bolton. 9:45 a.m. (Also at 11 a.m. at the Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center in Hopkinton.) For families with young children from birth thru kindergarten, together with parent or caregiver. Space is limited; please RSVP early at applecountrymusictogether.com. 978-729-3697.

FOR PARENTS Journey of Divorce Base Camp. One Journey Consulting, 75 Claypit Hill Rd., Wayland. Sept.

23 – Oct. 28, 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. This six-week workshop series is designed to assist those divorcing or newly divorced to become ‘unstuck’ and to use their divorce journey as an opportunity for personal renewal and rebuilding. Fees apply.

508-276-1764,onejourneyconsulting.com.

24FRIDAY Aqua Kids Family Days. New England Aquarium, Boston. See Sept. 3 listing for details.

FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, 98 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington. 6:30 p.m. 781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Music Concert Series. Sweetwilliam Farm, 153 North St., Upton. See Sept. 3 listing for details.

FREE Meet Corduroy. Barnes and Noble, Walpole.

10:30 a.m. 508-668-1303, bn.com.

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25SATURDAY Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tales and Childhood. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst. 1 p.m. Inspired by the fairy tales illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger, Harvard professor Maria Tatar will guide the audience through these childhood stories exploring their historical origins, their cultural complexities and their psychological effects. Book signing to follow. A $9; Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50. 413-658-1100, carlemuseum.org.

LEGO KidsFest. Hynes Convention Center, Boston. 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. and 3 - 8 p.m. A wildly energetic weekend-long show filled with interactive, creative and educational activities for the whole family. Loegokidsfest.com. A$20, C (3 – 17) $15, Under 3, $5. Advance purchase discounts online. Also Sept. 26.

QUALILTY

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Sept. 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, Noon – 4 p.m. See Sept. 11 listing for details.

Mother of Twins’ Fall Tag Sale. West Suburban Chapter of the Massachusetts Mother of Twins’ Association, Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave., Needham. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Over 20,000 items for sale at super low prices, including gently used children’s clothing, winter outerwear, strollers, baby equipment, cribs, toys, books, DVDs, Halloween costumes & more! Cash only. $1 admission. 508-309-3324,wscmmota.org.

FREE “Our World, Our Backyard” Fall Festival of Inspiration. The Creative Movement & Arts Center, 145 Rosemary St., Needham. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music and entertainment, amusements, lots and lots of children’s activities, food, educational booths, musical instrument petting zoo, dunk tank for charity, moon bounce, spin art, vendors, recycle bottle drop-off to benefit the homeless, and on and on... Rain or shine. 781-449-2707, brighthorizons. com/cmac FREE Craft Activities. Lakeshore Learning. Newton and Saugus. Every Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for ages 3+. lakeshorelearning.com.

I N S T RU CTORS •

QUALILTY

FAC I L I TI ES

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WITH YOUR CHILD

Up To

while supplies last

FREE Baby/Toddler Playgroups. Fiske Public Library, Randall Rd., Wrentham. 9:30 a .m. - Noon. Two programsBirth to pre-walkers with Mom, Dad or caregiver meet on Fridays at 9:30. Toddlers (walkers) to ages 2 ½ with Mom, Dad or caregiver meet on Fridays at 10:30. Just drop in! If arriving before 10 a.m. please ring doorbell. fiskelib.org.

History of Tea at Historic Deerfield. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield. 2 – 4 p.m. Enjoy a beautiful array of freshly baked scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches, cakes, sherry, cookies and more with your nice cup of tea. Learn about the many ways people have enjoyed tea over time and visit some of Historic Deerfield’s tea-related collections.

Pre-register. A$30, C (12 and under) $15. Tickets: 413774-5587.

QT

Cedar Playsets

FREE Family Singalong. Apple Country Music Together. St. Stephen’s Church, 3 John St., Westborough. 10 a m. For families with young children from birth thru kindergarten, together with parent or caregiver. Space is limited; please RSVP early at applecountrymusictogether.com. 978-729-3697.

PROGRAMS

22WEDNESDAY

FREE Raise your voices at a giant community sing featuring a colorful grand procession, dozens of area chorus members and solo artists, a talented folk band, local sax legend Stan Strickland- and the entire audience- because at a Revels event, everyone is encouraged to sing along! Come early for some pre-show fun in Harvard Square or enjoy a quiet picnic on the banks of the Charles. Saturday, Sept. 19 in Cambridge: revels.org.

QUALILTY

FREE Family Singalong. Apple Country Music Together. St. Stephen’s Church, 3 John St., Westborough. 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. For families with young children from birth thru kindergarten, together with parent or caregiver. Space is limited; please RSVP early at applecountrymusictogether. com. 978-729-3697.

Join Starlight’s Team for the RIDE! Starlight Children’s Foundation, 529 Main St., Suite 608, Charlestown.

Looking for something to do this fall? Join Starlight’s bike team for the 2010 Rodman Ride for Kids! You choose to bike 25, 50, or 100 miles and set a goal to raise $1,000 in support of seriously ill children. 617-241-9911, starlight. org/newengland/events/

Visit our UPDATED Westboro location

76 Otis Street (Rt 9 Eastbound), Westboro 508-366-1495

BAYSTATEPARENT 23

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO Natural Living Expo. Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, 366 Main St. (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge. Sat., 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. New England’s largest alternative health event with 135 exhibits, 75 body/mind/spirit healing workshops, live healthy cooking demos and EcoKids activities daily from 12-3. Ed the Wizard presents “Reading is Magic” on Sat at 1 p.m. and everyone is invited to celebrate at the zero-waste birthday party on Sunday at 2 p.m. Learn how to do zero-waste parties at your home! A $10 (weekend admission); C (under 12) free. 508-278-9640, NaturalExpo.org. Also Sept. 26.

Nature Tales-Insects and Spiders. Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield. 10 – 11:30 a.m. Read “Chirping Crickets” by Melvin Berger, and then use sweep nets and bug boxes to find creatures in the tall grass.. A$9, C$7.

978-887-9264, massaudubon.org/ipswichriver. Also The Art of Nature-Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Damselflies from 1 – 3 p.m.

FREE Meet Corduroy. Barnes and Noble, Walpole. 10:30 a.m. 508-668-1303, bn.com.

FREE Family Singalong. Apple Country Music Together. St. Stephen’s Church, 3 John St., Westborough. 9:30 a.m. For families with young children from birth thru kindergarten, together with parent or caregiver. Space is limited; please RSVP early at applecountrymusictogether.com. 978-729-3697.

26SUNDAY Greater Boston Walk Now For Autism Speaks. A fun-filled experience with entertainment, refreshments, an autism community resource fair, and much, much more. For more information and to register, visit walknowforautism.org/ greaterboston. Also, email kelley.borer@autismspeaks.org.

LEGO KidsFest. Hynes Convention Center, Boston. See Sept. 25 listing for details.

FREE Sunday Parkland Games. The Weeks Footbridge, Cambridge. See Sept. 5 listing for details. ‘ Clifford and Madeline. Edaville USA, Carver. See Sept.

25 for details.

Children’s Museum of NH Annual Birthday Party.

Dover, NH. 12 – 5 p.m. Happy 27th birthday! Activities and treats, including birthday cake and ice cream for all, special live entertainment and party games. A$8, Sr.$7, C$8.

603-742-2002, childrens-museum.org.

Honey Harvest Family Program. Historic Deerfield.

Noon – 4 p.m. See Sept. 11 listing for details.

Natural Living Expo. Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, 366 Main St. (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge. See Sept. 25 listing for details.

Celebrate Hispanic Culture Month. Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston. Noon – 4 p.m. Learn about Hispanic culture and history by using postage stamps. Special stamp games and puzzles for prizes, free stamps from Central and South American countries, create stamp mosaics of nations’ flags, do arts and crafts using stamps. Special exhibits of stamps from all Central and South American countries plus stamps of famous Hispanic Americans. Have your photo made into a stamp. A$8, Sr. $5. 781-768-8367, spellman.org.

27MONDAY

For all moms, those breastfeeding a freshly-born baby, those having challenges, those interested in learning more about using a breastpump and those just interested in meeting other nursing mothers or figuring out how to breastfeed in public. Just drop in! mothersandcompany.com.

28TUESDAY FREE Storytime. Barnes & Noble, Burlington. 10:30 a.m.

781-273-3871, bn.com.

FREE Millbury Fire Field Day. Millbury Fire Department.

Raymond E. Shaw School, 58 Elmwood St., Millbury. 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Join Millbury Fire Dept. for their annual Field Day with activities such as Tumblebus, moonbounce, attack-thefire children’s game, Rolling Railroad train rides, Juggling John, Manits Kung Fu demonstration etc. Performances by American Idol contestant, Ayla Brown. Meet Wally the Green Monster and Finz from the Worcester Sharks. Plus Fireman’s Muster, chili cookoff, and many fire-related vendors. Costs apply for individual activities 508-865- 3528.

FREE Storytime and Activity. Barnes and Noble, Walpole. 10:30 a.m. 508-668-1303, bn.com.

29WEDNESDAY A Feast of Color. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst. Sept. 29 – Nov. 9. Discover delectable combinations of colors as you feast your eyes on our arrangement of mouthwatering materials. A $9, Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50. 413-658-1100, carlemuseum.org.

Race Car exhibit at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum. Heritage Museums and Gardens, 67 Grove St., Sandwich. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. American Speed is Heritage’s latest exhibit and will feature a 1912 Mercer, 1912 Autocrat, and 1915 Stutz. Free with museum admission. On exhibit until Oct. 31. 508-888-3300 x 102, heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

30THURSDAY Toddler Thursdays. Fruitlands Museum, Harvard. 9 – 10 a.m. See Sept. 9 listing for details.

FREE Mothers & More Talent Auction and Open House.

Tatnuck Bookseller, 18 Lyman St., Westborough. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. A night full of fun and friendship with a silent auction, food and drink, fun mingling and door prizes. Invite all your mother friends, neighbor and park acquaintances -- everyone who would benefit from learning more about Mothers & More. mothersandmoreassabetvalley.org.

Last Day! Art in the Park. Elm Park, Worcester. View this oversized sculpture exhibit of 14 unique artists, exhibiting 17 sculptures throughout the park. worcestermass.org.

Submit an Event For best results, fill out our form at baystateparent.com. Keep in mind, our deadline for October is Sunday, September 5 at 6 p.m.

E-mailcalendar@baystateparent.com.

It’s FREE.

FREE Breastfeeding Support Group. Mothers and Company, 140 Worcester St., 1st Floor, West Boylston.

National Festival of Lights Cranberry Nov. 12-14 & Nov. 19-21 Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 2011 Festival October 9-11

(Closed Christmas Day)

Friday night fireworks www.edaville.com 24 SEPTEMBER2010

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Saturday Soccer Sprain?

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For convenient, walk-in medical services, visit ReadyMEDTM afternoons, evenings and weekends.

ReadyMED accepts most health insurance plans*.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 25

WHO’S COACHING OUR

KIDS

steven king

o l l i g n o r F .

J Richard Age: 43, Hometown: Franklin, Family: spouse, Sandy; four children: daughters, Alexa (14)and Calen (9) and sons, Cobi (13) and Aaron (11) Job title: Technology consultant for small businesses & home users as owner of Tinetrix, Inc. (founded 2001) Coaching experience: 21 years coaching in Franklin Youth Soccer Association; co-owner of Franklin Soccer School, Inc. (founded 2005); 2007 Responsible Coaching Award Winner for soccer in Massachusetts; 2008 Mass Youth Soccer and USYSA Region I Boys Competitive Coach of the Year; 2009 Inductee into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame; Former State Referee Administrator (SRA) of the Massachusetts State Referee Committee

of that.

What do you learn about life from your players? I am reminded that life is pretty simple, and that much of the fast-paced, adult life distracts us from basic elements that can provide happiness.

Why soccer? Any person can play and make a contribution from the very first day.

Soccer is also a game shared universally, the world over. I have made life-long friends, gotten job offers, shared stories, traveled the country, and so much more, all around the game of soccer. The game spans gender, generations, ethnicities and cultures, and I have enjoyed being a part

What advice do you have for parents new to coaching? Children thrive in stable environments. A coach that can show up consistently at training week after week, and can stick around for season after season, can have a huge impact on a child’s life. This is a large responsibility, but a very gratifying process in which to participate.

photo courtesy of rich frongillo

What got you involved with coaching?

Having “graduated” from Franklin Youth Soccer Association after playing for so many years, I was grateful for the people, typically dads, who had given up their time, year after year, to manage teams.

Rich Frongillo with his children 26 SEPTEMBER2010

When a coach is handed a roster of players, it is quite easy to presume that the job of the coach is to guide the team to victories. This is an approach that is often damaging to children. Adults often make poor decisions in the pursuit of a victory. Rather, a coach might consider that his or her job is simply to improve the technique of all players on the roster from what it is on the first day to what it is on the last day of the season. While doing this is a formidable task, the coach has to preserve an environment of safety, fun and respect.

Give us a sample of one of your halftime speeches: For me, halftime is a time to help teach young players how to make their own decisions. I always ask the players what they thought they did well, what they did poorly and how they think they could improve. We try to arrive at a list of two or three aspects of the game that they will try to focus on in the remainder of the game. Whether those aspects improve or not, the process of how to improve is reinforced.

In your mind, what are some of the challenges in youth soccer today? Youth soccer and youth sports have many challenges, but two come to the forefront.

First, there is considerable competition amongst adults to advance their young children through sports. In Massachusetts there is an inclination of parents, in an effort to do what is best for their child, to involve children in activities that fill the calendar. To me, children need the time to idle a bit, to find their own activities,

to explore sports at their own pace. This is not easy when, “I’ll pick you up from school, you’ll grab a quick snack before pick-a-sport practice, and then I’ll take you over to pick-a-sport practice, and then ….”

A second challenge relates to the impatience to sort out “top” players at the earliest of ages. Despite countless stories about “late bloomers,” youth sports are often built around the notion of putting the best athletes together as soon as possible. This approach ignores that puberty can change everything, and that a wake of damage can be done to the spirits and esteem of those that are not really fast, quick, or strong before they are thirteen. We adults can do better to build an environment in which all kids are given consistent and repeated opportunities to improve.

A last word on coaching: Over these years I have become much more aware of and focused on the importance of good nutrition and eating habits. Adults need to model good choices for their children, particularly when it comes to youth sports. Food is fuel for an athlete, and it is difficult to perform when the fuel is poor.

This notion is not limited to the top level athlete, it is important for all children.

I have added more fruits and vegetables in my own daily diet and the effect has been positive on my children who have healthy options abounding.

If you know a coach for baystateparent to profile, please email editor@baytsateparent.com.

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CELEBRATE

ART!

andrea servidone photography

30 FASHION SKETCH MOM MAKEOVER 32 MASSACHUSETTS MASTERPIECES 34 LOWELL: IT’S KIND OF LIKE A TREASURE HUNT 36 PETER H. REYNOLDS FOLLOWS HIS NORTH STAR 38 THIS MOM HAS A FULL PLATE 42 MOMS ROCKS LEAD SINGER OF GUNS OF NAVARONE 45 UNDER MY ROOF: HIDDEN TALENTS 47 FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION 48 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BAYSTATPEARENT’S CREATIVE DIRECTOR 50 FAMILY MUSIC & THEATRE PERFORMANCES 51 LOCAL LIT

BAYSTATEPARENT 29

CELEBRATEART!

The winner of baystateparent’s Fashion Sketch Makeover with VeryWendy Designs is 35-year-old Calece Johnson of Milford.

Mom’s Glamover

by VeryWendy Designs

hard to picture the glamorous mom pictured here in a pair of self-described “obnoxious orange crocs,” but that’s what 35-year-old Milford mom, Calece Johnson, says she wears most days when she’s home with her kids.

Like most of us, Calece is busy. She takes care of her two children, Evan, 6, and Loren, 4, as well as works parttime as a management consultant for a national community development nonprofit: NeighborWorks® America. Her other “jobs” are working as Chair of the Family Partnership Committee for South Shore Habitat for Humanity out of Weymouth and then Correspondence Secretary for the Board at her son’s school, Tucker PTO. Calece likes to dress professionally for work in clothing from Lord and Taylor clearance racks, Marshalls and JCPenney just as long as the clothing doesn’t have to be ironed. Who can’t relate to that!

The baystateparent contest caught Calece’s eye as it seemed like something easy that she could fit into her life. “It seemed fun - and it was!” she says.

Wendy DeFeudis, fashion illustrator, event sketch artist and owner of Newtonloved based VeryWendy Designs, the idea of working with bsp to give a fashion sketch makeover to a mom. “I know how busy moms are and that their fashion sense tends to become low on the priority list after having children.”

She also enjoys the fantasy element, allowing moms to go a bit out of their comfort zones to really explore fashion on paper even if they are not comfortable

steven king

It’s

30 SEPTEMBER2010

actually wearing the items.

“I like the idea of ‘glamourizing’ someone which is what I when I sketch a subject,” says of Wendy.

Wendy, who had a strong sense do personal style at a very early age, was known for sporting red clogs with knee socks pulled over her jeans in high school. “Believe it or not, it looked cool!” she says.

“It’s all about how you wear something,” says Wendy. “Confidence is a huge part of personal style. Many people live in fear of what others think and therefore do not wear something they would like to because of that assumed judgment.”

Wendy hopes that her sketches encourage women to be more playful and take more risks when it comes to their fashion style.

Did this work for Calece?

Since our winner typically avoids dresses (“I hear they’re easy to wear and flattering on everyone but I just don’t see it,” she says), it was inspiring that after her fashion sketch makeover, she wore a dress on her last business trip.

“And I even got a few compliments!”

About VeryWendy The idea for VeryWendy Designs came to Holy Cross grad, Wendy DeFeudis, in 2001 while sitting in a New York City restaurant casually sketching fashion illustrations of her friends.

Their reactions prompted her to launch VeryWendy Designs.

“A VeryWendy Design is a personalized

CELEBRATEART! “These sketches are fun,” says Calece Johnson, winner of baystateparent’s Fashion Sketch Makeover. “They made me look ultra skinny which I got a kick out of, and I could picture myself wearing the dresses (though I’m still not sure where I’d wear them).”

fashion illustration capturing the essence of you,” explains Wendy. “Each drawing will be a highly stylized and fashionable portrait of you in your favorite designer clothes.”

“It is not a caricature,” she says, “but a fashionable interpretation of you as you would be if you were standing on the runway in Milan.”

VeryWendy offers four products that would make fun gifts (think milestone birthday!): On-site fashion sketches: Wendy attends parties and sketches your guests while they wait. A custom fashion illustration is drawn within minutes.

Custom Comic Strips: Tell a story about your loved one through a custom comic strip.

Custom Fashion t-shirts: Wendy will come to your party and sketch faces of your guests on T-shirts. Great for all ages!

Wendy has worked with Vogue, Elle and W Magazines. She is available for all types of parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, ladies luncheons, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirement and corporate events.

Fees vary from project to project.

For more details, visit verywendy.com or call 646-522-0604.

Custom-drawn fashion sketches: Wendy works off of a photograph to create custom illustrations for you.

D ance P rism— affordable classics for families!

The

Giselle

N utcracker

Fall River BCC Arts Ctr, Nov 28 Littleton Perf Arts Ctr, Dec 11 Worcester Mechanics Hall, Dec 12 Andover Collins Ctr, Dec 18, 19

Wendy DeFeudis of VeryWendy Designs says that her fashion design training in Italy taught her how to make everyone look like they have just stepped off the runway.

She says, “People really enjoy seeing themselves like this!” She offers on-site fashion sketches as well as custom work for all occasions.

Fall art classes for adults, teens, and children The Munroe Center for the Arts 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 781.862.6040 • www.munroecenter.org

(after school & weekends)

Begins Sept. 20 Call or go online for a brochure or to register!

Create. Enrich. Inspire.

Now Enrolling for Fall Classes Open House Sat. Sept. 11, 10am – 6pm All Ages • All Instruments Private and group lessons, classes and ensembles

Others TBA

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Perf Arts Ctr Littleton Oct 24

Young Dancer Auditions Concord, Sept 12 Worcester Sept 26 Andover, Littleton, Sudbury TBA

Reserved seats: $16 Ch & Sr, $22 Ad • Visa & MC • Group Discounts

Ti ck et s: www. d a n cep ri sm .c o m o r 9 7 8 - 3 7 1 - 1 0 3 8

Worcester Academy of Music 11 Irving St., Worcester 508-635-6900 worcesteracademyofmusic.com BAYSTATEPARENT 31

CELEBRATEART!

Massachusetts Masterpieces What did you do over summer vacation?

Children of all ages answered baystateparent’s question by sending us artistic creations based on their outings.

Thank you for sharing as it was fun to see family fun in the Bay State through your eyes.

Grand Prize Winner: Celia Feldberg, Sudbury, Grade 8 “A Day at Crane’s Beach” Medium: Colored Pencils

Liam Monahan, Shrewsbury, Grade 6 “Day at the Beach Medium: Watercolor

Danielle Tomaras, Princeton, Grade 2 “My Sandcastle at the Beach” Medium: Markers

Each of our featured artists won a family four-pack (valued at $82) to King Richard’s Faire, which runs September 4 through October 24, weekends only, in Carver, MA. The Faire invites families to party like it’s 1599 with entertainment, rides and games on their 80-acre wooded site. For more information, visit kingrichardsfaire.net.

32 SEPTEMBER2010

Karissa Mavrikis, Framingham, Grade 5 “The State House” Medium: Colored Pencils

Our grand prize winner also won a family-four pack to Family Sculpturefest at DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln (valued at $54) to be held on Sunday, September 19th. Visit decordova.org to find out more about this fun day of looking, creating and exploring art.

Liam Moore, N. Chelmsford, Grade 10 “A Day Out With Thomas at Edaville” Medium: Markers

CELEBRATEART!

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The Friends of Broadway Inspirations Tour PERFORMING LIVE! Sunday, October 3 Boston’s Hatch Shell “The Friends of Broadway” is a group of local girls in grades 2 thru college who perform all over the country for charities, theaters, malls, hospitals, and more! This talented troupe of singers and dancers have been delighting audiences from all walks of life since 1998. To learn more visit www.thefriendsofbroadway.org or email FOBma@aol.com BAYSTATEPARENT 33

CELEBRATEART!

ids and museums don’t always mix, but what’s an art-loving parent who wants to encourage their kids to engage with art supposed to do? And don’t say whip out the fingerpaints and macaroni—let’s assume the kids are past that.

One option is to bypass the traditional four walls of a museum and head to where people are making art. In recent years, Lowell has become a mecca for artists who have made both residential and work spaces in the huge mills that once thrummed with textile production during the Industrial Revolution.

Abandoned for years, the mills have been reinvented--from places where uniformity was the norm--to where individuality is celebrated.

Western Avenue Studios, a vast space where almost 200 artists have work studios, is open to the public the first Saturday of every month from noon to 5 p.m. year round While many artist spaces have open studios just a couple of times a year, this monthly opportunity makes for a less frenzied experience than usual.

If you don’t get to every floor or only have a couple of hours to visit, well, you can always return next month.

On a recent summer visit (on a sunny day, I might add), there were plenty of families roaming the halls popping into studios that featured everything from jewelry to painting to sculpture. More often than not, the artist was working on a piece, but was usually happy to stop and explain what he or she was doing.

Many of the artists put out snacks and candy and seem to have all the time in the world to chat. Most are happy to talk about their backgrounds and inspirations, offering a glimpse into a world that many of us have no idea about. Besides selling their own works, some offer classes and even sell art supplies.

On every floor there are reception areas if you need a break, each decorated somewhat whimsically.

And if the kids get hungry or thirsty, a café called “In the Space” on the second floor offers everything from iced coffees to hot dogs in a comfortable setting inside or out on the patio.

Exploring the mill is a bit like a treasure hunt. You never know what to expect around the next corner or what you’ll see when you walk through a curtain into yet another unique space. Those families intrepid enough to reach the fifth floor were rewarded with a completely fun, and hands-on piece of art by Jay W. Hungate. A scaled down model of

K

LET’SROLL

Lowell: It’s Kind of Like a Treasure Hunt BY

kim foley mackinnon allison cottrill photography

34 SEPTEMBER2010

a car was outfitted with pipes and drums that little hands (and big ones) could play and bang on.

If you can’t make it to an open studio day, visit the Loading Dock Gallery, which showcases work from dozens of the artists in the mill (open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The gallery also features one or two artists in a special exhibit each month.

The Western Avenue Studios is also the home of The Revolving Museum, whose mission is to engage aspiring artists and youth. Programs include a fashion lab, a carpentry shop, painting studio and a multimedia computer lab. Community arts programs and collaborative educational art programs are targeted to underserved youth. The museum isn’t always open on Saturdays, but you can visit during the week. Make sure to call or look at their schedule online.

The next Western Avenue Open Studio event is September 2 and a few weeks after that is the 10th Annual Lowell Open Studios on September 25 and 26, which allows you access to hundreds of other artists.

If you’re interested in learning, or teaching, your kids more about Lowell, you should head to the Lowell National Historic Park. You can take a ranger-led tour to learn all about the mills, the people who worked there (mostly young girls) and how the Industrial Revolution began. Check the website for times.

The National Streetcar Museum is located here, where you can hop aboard one for free for a short ride.

Lowell’s historic district is also fun to explore with boutique shops and restaurants, and a walk along the Merrimack River is a lovely way to end the day.

Kim Foley MacKinnon is a Boston-based journalist and travel writer.

Her most recent book, “Boston Baby: A Field Guide for Urban Parents” came out earlier this year. MacKinnon also is the founder of The Savvy Factory (thesavvyfactory.com), a website about kids, food and travel.

For More Information Western Avenue Studios: westernavenuestudios.com The Revolving Museum: revolvingmuseum.org Lowell Open Studios: lowellopenstudios.org Lowell National Historical Park: nps.gov/lowe/index.htm

CELEBRATEART!

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CELEBRATEART!

PETER H. REYNOLDS FOLLOWS HIS North Star CREATOR OF DOT AND ISH, JUDY MOODY ILLUSTRATIONS, THE BLUE BUNNY BOOKSTORE AND MUCH MORE...

BY

sue lovejoy, photography by andrea servidone

P

ossessing unassuming charm and assurance, Peter H. Reynolds immediately puts people at ease. Quick to smile, with a childlike spring in his step, this author, illustrator and entrepreneur is a selfproclaimed ‘grown up kid.’

Gravitating toward crayons and paper as far back as he can remember, Reynolds has been making his mark since boyhood. When asked how he discovered that art was

36 SEPTEMBER2010

his calling, “I tell kids it was the first time I threw a glob of spaghetti at the wall from my highchair,” he said.

Today, Reynolds shares the lessons of “mark making” with both kids and adults around the world through his many children’s books and his Boston-based educational software company, Fablevision, Inc. Recognized for a broad spectrum of accomplishments, he is perhaps best known to the younger set for his award-

winning picture book illustrations. His volume of work includes The North Star, The Dot, Ish and Rose’s Garden.

After bringing Judy Moody (by Megan McDonald) to life in pictures a decade ago, Reynolds’ blossoming career in children’s literature continues to soar.

Artist, adventurer and people-person since childhood, Reynolds considers himself extremely lucky to have been born a twin. Constant companion, creative partner and

CELEBRATEART!

ardent fan, “Paul also became my closest creative mentor, as we grew older,” he said. “And he was also able to challenge me as my ‘critical friend’ – pushing me...to reexamine my work.”

Their yin and yang of creative mentorship still flourishes as Peter and Paul remain the best of friends. Together, the pair run Fablevision, located above the Boston Children’s Museum, and are family co-owners of The Blue Bunny book store in Dedham Square.

In the spirit of his inspirational picture book, Reynolds acknowledges following his own North Star. “I ‘stepped off the path’...to launch FableVision - dedicated to using media, storytelling and technology to move the world to a better place,” he said. “It was a perfect time to write and illustrate The North Star – an ode to the courage and reflection required to lead a meaningful journey.”

A common thread woven through Reynolds’ stories is that of developing inner confidence and bravery to push forward with one’s talents. In the popular series The Dot and Ish, endorsed by parents and educators alike, fear of failure is acknowledged, imperfections accepted and risk-taking encouraged.

Though Reynolds identifies with many of his characters, he chooses Ish’s Ramon when put on the spot. “This challenged perfectionist rises above his self-doubt, with gentle encouragement from his sister, and discovers the wonderful feeling of being true to himself, of ‘allowing his ideas to flow freely,’” he said. Encouraging empowerment, Reynolds added, “If every one of my readers could experience that feeling of liberation, I do believe we’d have countless

more people using the gifts, strengths and talents to move this world to a better place.”

Innate talent, drive, support and opportunity cultivated the artist in Reynolds throughout his youth.

Accountants by trade, Reynolds’ parents became “‘creative constructivists’ at sundown,” he said.

“Simply put - they loved to make stuff.” Nurturing creativity by example, they filled their home with essential tools for budding artists.

Fascinated with words and pictures from an early age, Reynolds noted The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary by P.D. Eastman as a childhood favorite. “I would pore through the 1,300 words, loving the clever way they communicated the idea of the word in simple illustrations. The book made words a delight.”

Other much-loved books included Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Dickens’ collection read to him by his older sister, Jane. “The idea of the underdog, the waif; children, full of potential, left to fend for themselves...struck a powerful cord,” Reynolds said. “I think this is what led me to write stories about challenged children trying to make sense of their world and to rise above the obstacles thrown in their path.”

A staunch advocate of the arts in education, Reynolds’ understands how “arts and creativity allow us to solve challenging problems in unique and unexpected ways. I firmly believe that...innovators and creative problem-solvers will be key to solving the world’s toughest challenges – including in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.”

Reynolds is quick to include a message for teachers.

“I remind them that if we are asking our children to try to ‘make their mark’ - to be brave and original, to write, to have a mission, to be civically engaged, to sing, to write poetry, to be creative - then we grownups must do all of the above as well.”

To encourage students’ creativity and independence, Reynolds’ presentations at school assemblies include animation lessons using Fablevision software, while classroom time gives way to talking, sharing and creating on a smaller scale. He uses Skype to connect with larger and more distant venues from the comfort of his studio. “...The most rewarding part of being an author, illustrator, storyteller (and) filmmaker is that I can have global impact.”

A typical day – when not traveling – finds Reynolds in historic Dedham Square at favorite local haunts sharing morning coffee and reviewing the day with his brother Paul. Notes, doodles, pictures and diagrams headline these overviews. “Then I dive in and start drawing and writing...” he said. Visits to FableVision round out the day.

“Massachusetts (is) an inspiring place to live,” Reynolds said, feeling lucky to reside and work in such a “... vibrant, creative community of artists, software designers, musicians, inventors, actors (and) problem solvers.” Equally, Bay State residents are fortunate that Reynolds discovered his North Star in the skies above greater Boston.

6. Get as much original art up on the walls as possible. (yours, your children’s, friends’) 7. Turn off the TV and play music on great speakers.

Forget the earbuds. SHARE the sounds! Mix it up play all types of music from all periods and all cultures.

8. Make your dinner plates look like art. Arrange it in creative ways.

9. Create “studio spaces” in your home/school dedicated to making stuff.

10. Brainstorm how you can use your talents and gifts to make the world a better place.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? • Judy Moody 9: Judy Moody Girl Detective written by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick Press) August 2010 • 2nd Annual International Dot Day - September 15, 2010 – Read The Dot and share Dot-inspired projects (http://www.twitpic.com/1ner6n) • Guyku written by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children) October 2010 • Judy Moody Movie (Smokewood Entertainment) Summer 2011 • I’m Here written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Simon & Schuster) Fall 2011 • Plant a Kiss written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (HarperCollins) Winter 2011

FOR MORE ON PETER H. REYNOLDS: peterhreynolds.com • stellarcafe.blogspot.com The Blue Bunny 577 High Street Dedham Square, Dedham, MA 02026 781-493-6568 • dedhambluebunny.com FableVision, Inc. 308 Congress Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02210 617-956-5700 • fablevision.com

Sue Lovejoy is a freelance writer from Holden who attributes her young daughter’s growing confidence in art class to Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book The Dot.

REYNOLDS’ ADVICE FOR ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY and ART IN CHILDREN: 1. Model it. Demonstrate and share YOUR creativity and art.

2. Do not denigrate your own art and creativity in front of children. Share it proudly.

3. Have plenty of arts supplies and media tools at your children’s fingertips.

4. Take your children to museums!

5. Make dinnertime - story-time. Have everyone tell a story about his or her day. Make storytelling a part of your family culture.

BAYSTATEPARENT 37

courtesy of fashion playtes

CELEBRATEART!

Fashion Playte founder, Sarah McIlroy, with her daughter, Madeline.

THIS MOM HAS A VERY

Full Plate BY

kim foley mackinnon, allison cottrill photography hair and makeup by toni & guy hairdressing academy, worcester

arah McIlroy is the definition of busy. The Marblehead mom and entrepreneur has three children under the age of 10 and a start-up business that is growing by leaps and bounds.

The founder of Fashion Playtes, an online fashion design studio website for girls, doesn’t sugarcoat her life. “It’s really hard to be a serious entrepreneur and have a family,” says McIlroy. But she’s not complaining---just explaining the juggling act she manages with seeming aplomb. “I share responsibility with my husband,” McIlroy says. “I try to be home by 6 p.m. I work after they [her kids---ages 8, 6, and 4] go to bed.

I try to incorporate them into the

S

38 SEPTEMBER2010

business.”

The website, which is aimed at girls ages 5-12, allows young designers to choose from over 2 million variables and create Tshirts, dresses, skirts, jackets, belts, bags and headbands, in various colors and patterns, all with personalized labels featuring the name of their “line” of clothing.

The clothes can be as blinged out as the girls want, with lace, ribbons, rhinestones, rosettes, appliqués and various under layers. Girls “build” the clothing on a virtual sketchpad and can save them in an online portfolio, share them with friends or family, and of course, purchase them to wear. The custom creations start as low as $7 and are shipped

within three weeks. (Of course, the more embellishments, the higher the cost of the garment.)

The turnaround is so fast because all of the decorations are added to the clothing in Fall River.

Some readers might remember another “Fashion Plates” item from the 1970s and ‘80s--- a product that was a cross between paper dolls and clothing design, which had kids swap out plastic plates with different designs and textures, place a sheet of paper on top, then trace it all with colored pencils. This online version (not related) is not so very different.

McIlroy fondly recalls designing clothes with her mother as a child, which her mom Rosemary then made for her. “I remember it so

of Fame” to contests (such as designing a back-to school outfit) to designing clothes in their virtual world.

McIlroy’s children have wholeheartedly embraced the business, especially her daughter Madeline. McIlroy says she was struck by how much her 8-year-old likes it.

“It is exciting to me how excited she is.”

And her daughter isn’t the only one who is a big fan. “I am thrilled by the response from kids, how the experience is so much fun for them,” said McIlroy. “It’s a social experience.”

She says Madeline likes to sit at the kitchen table sketching on paper, often with her friends. In recent months, Fashion Playtes has come out with matching doll clothes, which Madeline loves, but she also enjoys making special occasion clothes for herself.

“I made a T-shirt for the 4th of July. It was white with a flag and rhinestones,” Madeline said. She isn’t shy about offering her mom advice either. When she was asked if she’d add anything to the site or change anything, she had a ready answer: tie dye. “We should have white T-shirts that you dip in different colors.”

Looks like she might be following in mom’s footsteps.

CELEBRATEART!

distinctly. I was so proud of my creations.”

And, in fact, her mother had a hand in the site’s beginnings, designing clothing .prototypes.

Eventually McIlory brought on a partner, another local Salem mom, and recently teamed up with SecretBuilders (an online portal for children) to offer girls their own virtual world where they can play games, decorate a house, design clothes (of course) and chat with other fashionista kids.

McIlroy has a background in marketing, product design and gaming, so Fashion Playtes is a happy convergence of her work background.

“It’s an exciting time to build a business,” she says. “People genuinely want you to succeed. Having the support of the community and other entrepreneurs is really important to me. I knew it would be a lot of work to do this,” she adds,” but I am surprised to see how it’s evolved. It’s dynamic.”

For now, the site caters to younger girls and tweens, but one day may offer some options for boys and older girls.

They have already added larger sizes due to demand and items such as belts, headbands and bags. Tees and tank tops are their top sellers currently. “We try to keep it fresh,” says McIlory. “We continue to add new things and re-engage [girls].

But Fashion Playtes is more than just a commercial site, McIlroy asserts, “The whole point is to give girls an outlet to express themselves, to give an amazing experience for girls.”

There is any number of ways for girls to engage on the site, from entering their own designs to be considered for the “Wall

For more information, visit fashionplaytes.com.

Kim Foley MacKinnon is a Boston-based journalist and travel writer. Her most recent book, “Boston Baby: A Field Guide for Urban Parents” came out earlier this year. MacKinnon also is the founder of The Savvy Factory (thesavvyfactory.com), a website about kids, food and travel.

These kids flip for Chickee’s Dance World • 3 Spacious Studios • Plenty of off street parking • Classes to accommodate a busy schedule • Competition opportunities available • “Grown Up” Classes available, all levels

Classes Offered: Ballet • Tap • Pointe • Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz • Tumbling/Acro Specially designed programs just for the little ones.

Ages 2-Adult. Beginner thru advanced levels.

Open House for Fall Registration Come Visit Us!!!

Sept 1, 2 & 9 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Classes begin September 13, 2010 CDW Acro Team

Chickee’s Dance World Worcester Business Center (the former Thom McCan building) 67 Millbrook St., Worcester (south entrance)

508.792.0959 • cdw4dance@verizon.net www.chickeesdanceworld.com BAYSTATEPARENT 39

great family entertainment!

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CELEBRATEART!

EXPERIENCE the joy of

DECEMBER 17-23, 2010

Tickets on sale now

AUDITIONS will be held September 19 & 21 Looking for performers ages 5-13 with stage presence. Significant time commitment between 11/26-12/23, including three morning weekday performances.

APRIL 2-3, 2011

Member tickets on sale now Tickets on sale to the public 9/7/2010

5IF)BOPWFS5IFBUSF PSH t 4)08 (7469) 2 Southbridge Street t Worcester, MA 01608 Discounts available for groups, members, kids, students, and WOO card holders Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, a registered not-for-proďŹ t 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

40 SEPTEMBER2010

CELEBRATEART!

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CELEBRATEART!

MOMS ROCK!

HELEN SHELDON BEAUMONT OF WORCESTER BY

carrie wattu, steven king photographer

Age: 36 Occupation: Manager of Retail Operations of MAC Cosmetics New England South; Chair of the Worcester Arts Council (volunteer); Singer in Guns of Navarone, Foundation Rockers and Petticoat Junction Mom of: Sofia Helen, 5, and stepmom to Jacob, 14 Married to: Robert Beaumont

W

hat kind of basement do you have? One overflowing with seasonal décor and old furniture?

Home to creepies and crawlies? Does your cellar serve as laundry room, makeshift playroom or family room?

The Beaumont family of Worcester has a different kind of basement; it’s musical.

With a backdrop of records hanging as art, 14-year-old Jacob jams on his guitar or bass, sometimes his saxophone, and Sofia, age 5, dances and sings endlessly. The family 42 SEPTEMBER2010

has a colossal collection of CDs as well as guitars, record players, keyboards, drums and all sorts of fun smaller instruments.

The family even records songs in this “studio.”

“Sometimes my husband will change lyrics to a song that we are playing to be super funny,” says Helen, “and then we all chime in with our additions.”

Helen and her husband, Bob, perform in Guns of Navarone, a nine-piece traditional Jamaican Ska Band. “It’s an energetic band,” says Helen who tours festivals, parties, clubs and venues all over

New England as lead singer with Bob as front man.

Much more than a hobby, or even a lifestyle, the Beaumont’s musical interest has developed their creativity, an important skill, Helen says, that is needed in problelm solving and all industries: to build homes and design cars, computers and graphics.

In addition to music, the Beaumonts love to paint and draw. “We hang up interesting art in our home from local artists, photographers, printmakers and painters,” says Helen, “but mostly it’s ‘Sofia and Jake projects.’”

The four also enjoy snowboarding, skateboarding, eating dinner together and playing in the back yard surrounded by the inner city of Worcester, a city Helen loves.

“She’s such an amazing woman who so many respect,” says Doreen Manning, editor of Worcester Mag, “but it is her dedication to the city she lives in that impresses me the most. With a job that takes her all over the nation at any moment, a young daughter to raise (as well as a stepson) and chair of the Worcester Arts Council, Helen is at every festival, every show, every art gallery - there to support the artists and creative community in Worcester.”

“She’s my hero.”

A hero with one rocking basement.

For more information on the Guns of Navarone, visit myspace.com/ navaronereggae.

Take 15 with Helen 1. Three words to describe my family: Cool, musical, busy 2. Best things about Fall: Snow is coming, Halloween and pumpking carving!

3. Favorite places to take the family: Art in the Park (Elm Park, Worcester), Miss Worcester diner, the Worcester Art Museum, Green Hill Park Worcester, Northampton Skate Park and Northampton shoppes, Mendon Twin Drive-in Movie Theater, Wachusett Mountain, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, DeCordova Museum, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Davis Farmland 4. Best part of my day: Cooking dinner.

It’s relaxing, rewarding and brings everyone together.

CELEBRATEART! 5. I always tell my children: You can do anything, and you have to work for it if you want it. Do not be lazy.

Museum, Mass MOCA, TCAN in Natick, Worcester Public School performances, Boston Opera House

6. Current family obsessions: The Munsters, the Stuff you didn’t learn in History Class podcast and listening to old roots music in the kitchen

12. How do you put together your unique look? I dig through magazines, cut out pictures and go find items that look like the ones that I have been coveting (but in my price range). I have a board for all these inspirations, from makeup looks to hair styles to accessories and shoes. Then I put them together to freshen my wardrobe each season. I add items like one new dress, a new chic mod sweater/wrap and a few new shoes. I always keep staples like pencil skirts and chic sleeveless blouses to put under and over other things. I get them from boutiques, thrift shops, Marshalls, Nordstrom sale racks and Target.

7. Best things about raising my children in Worcester: It is diverse and has art, hardworking people and awesome parks.

It is between the city, the country, the mountains and the beach, about 45 minutes either way 8. Biggest challenge my family faces: Getting the best education threaded with creative, innovative and musical learning 9. How I balance work, family and personal time: I have a great support system from friends and family and a Blackberry to remind me.

10. A typical day looks like: Wake at 6:30 a.m. Get Sofia off to school (as Jake and Bob are already off to work and school). Then I listen to all my voicemails, check my emails and grab a coffee at the Bean Counter. I work till 6 p.m. on MAC projects, events and development, returning phone calls and emails from my Blackberry. I walk in the house, immediately cook dinner, hear about everyone’s best part of their day and then put the kids to bed and catch up with more work for MAC, art projects, household chores or practice my tunes till about midnight.

Editor’s Note: Helen has been a makeup artist for 19 years, working her way up from counter manager to Manager of Retail Operations for MAC in New England South of the Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. From fashion week makeup to everyday moms, Helen works with MAC artists to create looks that work for everyday women.

11. Tell us about some of your favorite places to enjoy art, with or without kids, in Massachusetts: Hanover Theater, Worcester Art Museum, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Ralph’s Diner, the Hotel Vernon, Beatniks, the Middle East Club, stART on the Street, Peabody Essex

A TA-DAH! Ballet class cultivates the love of dance at a young age, inspiring a sense of adventure, belonging and true accomplishment. The programs are easy for children to learn and understand, yet still challenge their developing minds. And of course, it’s absolute fun that every child will love!

13. How involved are you in how your children dress? Well, my stepson Jake is real good looking and cool, and I help him find the slim Levis and some rad shirts. I worked at a skate shop since I was in college, and have closeness to that world – not many moms would -- so when I pick him up some new skate shoes, he gets compliments, and I just smirk. Sofia is very independent; she wants to wear crazy colorful patterns, lots of skirts with leggings of different patterns, and I love it.

I encourage her to wear what she wants, but I also infuse it with being a lady, being appropriate and also a style that is easy to play in. (She always wants to wear heels).

14. Thoughts on art curriculum in schools? Innovation is needed in all industries, so allowing a child to express and explore their creativity unleashes this and is essential to crafting children that are well rounded. You cannot measure this on a MCAS score.

15. A message for other moms: Find a way to remember who you were before kids and thread it into who you are as a mom.

Bring it forward and don’t look back.

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Box Office: (617) 879 2300 | tickets@wheelock.edu

Seeing the good in what moms do is what our monthly “Moms Rock” feature is all about. Tell us about an inspiring mom you know: editor@baystateparent.com.

Watch the art of dance e come to life ife within your ur child!

TA-DAH!Studio of Dance ce 1 Park Drive Suite te 16 Westford, MA 01886 1886 978-392-0096 6 TADAHSTUDIO.COM COM

Professional Acting Classes for Kids & Teens Fall, Winter, Spring Semesters & Vacation Week Institutes Details at WheelockFamilyTheatre.org

(617) 879 2300 200 The Riverway, Boston MA www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org

BAYSTATEPARENT 43

CELEBRATEART!

Professional, Quality Instruction 26 yrs in West Boylston

New Horizon Karate & More Karate Classes Separate classes for adults and children daily.

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL CLASSES!

3 Month Intro Intro Only $99.00

Includes Free Karate Uniform I • White Belt • Workbook & Patch A As many classes as you want!

Join us everyday!

Music and Movement (birth – age 5)

Keyboard Classes (ages 5-9 + adults)

Youth Theatre

Adult Programs: Friendly • Safe Professional • Convenient Schedule

(grades 1-10)

Karate • JuJitsu Kickboxing

Private Instrumental & Voice Lessons

3 Month Intro $99.00

(ages 9 and up)

Community Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and more!

Apple Tree Arts Grafton, Massachusetts www.appletreearts.org 508-839-4286

Try all 3 for the same price!

Have Fun • Meet People • Improve Yourself

360 West Boylston Street West Boylston

508-852-3333 Across from Steve’s Pizza

ART ACCESSORY DIRECTORY Village Art 541 Massachusetts Ave. Acton, MA 01720 978-635-9944 www.villageartworkshop.com Arts & crafts supplies: paint, brushes, crayons, markers, beads and jewelry findings, hemp/floss/gimp, clay and Sculpey, yarn and needlecrafts, felting, foam, scrapbooking, card making materials and ink.

Walk-in Projects: wood, plaster and fabric items to paint and embellish.

Gift kits: fuse beads, tie dye and henna, knit/crochet, Klutz books & more!

ARTBEAT Creativity Store and Studio 212A Massachusetts Ave. Capitol Square Arlington, MA 02474 781-646-2200 www.artbeatonline.com Kids’ art, kits and games, walk-in studio, art parties, mom’s nights.

Play Time Inc. 283 Broadway Arlington, MA 02474 781-648-3230 www.playtimecrafts.com Arts & crafts materials, jewelry supplies, early learning, school supplies, children’s crafts, party supplies.

Dance First and Everything Else Will Follow Grace J Confidence J Friendship J Composure Disipline J Determination J Commitment J Love of Dance Physical Fitness J Community J Strength and Poise Ballet Pointe Jazz Modern

Tap Lyric Hip Hop Contemporary

Zumba Mummy&Me Talented Toddlers Song & Dance

50 Leominster Rd. • Sterling, MA 01564 • 978-422-6989 • office@paulameoladance.com • www.paulameoladance.com 44 SEPTEMBER2010

hannah gregus illustrator

CELEBRATEART!

Y M R E D UN ROOF Reduced To A

DOODLE BY

jim keogh

When I was a kid I wanted to draw comic books. That was it, case closed. My fallback career was to play left field for the Red Sox once Carl Yastrzemski retired.

My grandfather helped stoke this artistic passion. Anytime I visited he would present me with a thick ream of white paper and a fistful of sharpened pencils, and he would ask me to draw him a picture. I hoped that Grandpa liked Batman, because by the end of the day he was the owner of his own comic detailing the adventures of the Caped Crusader.

Throughout elementary school I filled sketch books with images of superheroes battling villains, who, this being the 1970s, were typically dressed in striped bell-bottoms, splashy shirts and platform shoes. They all sported Fu-Manchu mustaches or goatees with mutton-chop

sideburns or some other grove of extravillainous facial hair. (Many years later I discovered the sketch books stashed in the back of a closet and showed my kids the drawings of Spiderman, Captain America and Thor fighting this rogue’s gallery of disco kings. They laughed until stuff shot out their noses.)

Later I discovered MAD magazine, and fell in love with the work of Mort Drucker, whose caricatures of movie stars were so incredible that I modeled my own drawings after his. During class I would whip off quick sketches of Al Pacino, Robert Redford and Sylvester Stallone in the margins of my notebooks. At home I could spend hours recreating famous photos of athletes, like Muhammad Ali preening over a fallen Sonny Liston, or Dr. J. soaring skyward to slam home a dunk.

I rarely drew women, not because I had anything against them. In fact, the opposite was true. I loved women so much that I refused to subject them to my pencil scratchings, where even the most gorgeous female would be transformed into a strangely neutered creature in a bad wig.

In college, I upped the ante and took a figure drawing class. All nudes, all the time. Of course when I enrolled I had visions of supermodels disrobing to the sound of heavenly choirs while I feverishly sketched their wondrous goddess-like forms. Instead, my abiding memory is of a pudgy naked guy in his sixties striking the classic discus-thrower pose, with certain body parts dangling in unsettling proximity to my face. As I look at my sketches today, I know I should be awed by the complex beauty that is Man, but all I can think is, “Yeesh! The human body is a weird, creepy thing.”

So, when was the last time I scribbled anything more than a doodle during a long staff meeting? Forever, it seems. The truth is, that figure-drawing class was the only art course I took in college, and once I graduated I never returned to it. Work, marriage, kids, watching TV, mowing the lawn, sleeping, throwing a Frisbee — life’s other stuff — all took precedence.

How sad that we often abandon the pursuits that once made us happy. I don’t even know if I can draw anymore. Maybe one of these days I’ll sharpen a pencil and find out.

Jim Keogh is an award-winning editor and writer.

He lives in Worcester with his family.

Flawed, Fabulous and

TALENTED BY

amanda roberge

My teenaged years of rebellion, I must admit, were probably not of your stock variety.

While other kids were sneaking beers in the woods by bonfires held at undisclosed locations (or at least, undisclosed to me), I was making sculptures out of chewed gum.

Yes. My parents were incredibly proud. I was shaping up to be quite a lady.

My gorgeous neon green glob was art to me – a creative expression of my individuality – and a symbol to my sisters, who were rightfully disgusted and therefore steered entirely clear of my room. But my folks never said a word to me, and thankfully, the desire to create such repulsive art passed.

Meanwhile, as my peers bloomed into great soccer players or shining lights on the stage, I struggled with finding my niche.

There were, after all, very few teams, clubs or organizations for anti-social gum sculptors.

Turns out, I was a rather gifted grudgeholder. Also a champion instigator. And a world-class manipulator of younger sisters.

But I was a lost child, always searching for the thing that made me special. Those talents would not be unveiled until I had children of my own.

It is only as a mother that I have come into my own and figured out exactly what makes me unique.

I discovered the first talent about 20 minutes into official motherhood when the labor and delivery nurses entered my hospital room to find me brushing my teeth, talking on the phone and breastfeeding my newborn baby. They were stunned by my maternal prowess. Turns out I am particularly skilled at multi-tasking.

This is one quality that has come in mighty handy. Even now, as I write these words, I have about 45 windows open on my laptop – planning my 4-year-old’s birthday party via Evite, ordering a book off Amazon, emailing a potential client...

It has come to light, decades into my search, that I can read In the Night Kitchen like nobody’s business. The inflections of my voice alone could win an award.

Creating a meal for five out of the sparse contents of my freezer is another special talent that may not earn me any culinary prize but will certainly get me through another day.

And it turns out that I am extremely gifted when it comes to embarrassing my 9-yearold simply by existing. That one comes so naturally to me it’s almost effortless.

Yes, I have found – in my mid-thirties – that I have the very special talent of being entirely present in my family, that I am flawed and fabulous and flying by the seat of my pants just like every other mom I know.

And you may call it an acquired skill but I like to think of it as talent. It’s the one thing that both makes me unique and connects me to other women, and it’s a beautiful thing.

Far more beautiful than a threedimensional pile of chewed gum, for sure.

Amanda Roberge is a freelance writer residing in Leominster with her husband and three children.

Each month in “Under my Roof,” two parents, writers Jim Keogh and Amanda Roberge, explore one family topic from their different family perspectives.

BAYSTATEPARENT 45

CELEBRATEART!

Your children provide the CREATIVE inspiration and you provide the TOOLS!

This is NOT English class

Come ACT, WRITE & PERFORM! Explore the ageless stories, crazy characters and mouth-watering words of William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s works ARE accessible to all!

Check it out and discover what you’ve been missing.

NO experience with theater or Shakespeare required to join.

this is Mon. - Sat., 9-6, Thurs. 9-7, Sun. 10-5

www.everythingcutie.com Sale effective thru 10/15/10.

Johnny Appleseed Plaza 1021 Central St., Leominster 978-534-6604

Need more info? Want to enroll? Contact Magda Spasiano at magda@actorsshakespeareproject.org or 617-388-5628

actorsshakespeareproject.org

Shakespeare on the Out is an afterschool program for girls ages 14-17.

xperience E

DItance Up!

36 N o r th M ain S *Massachusetts’1st Aerial *Massachusetts’1stEver EverChildren’s Children’s Aerial Ballet with TheThe BalletNutcracker Nutcrackerininassociation association with Hybrid NYC, Hanover HybridMovement MovementCo. Co.ofof NYC, Hanover Theatre, Theatre,Dec. Dec.4th.

4th.Tickets available for purchase at www.thehanovertheatre.org. *Character Ages 1111 & Up *CharacterDance Dance Ages & Up Stylized representation of tradiStylizedtheatrical theatrical representation of traditional folk/national tional folk/national dance. dance.

*SpecializedClassical Classical Ballet Program *Specialized Ballet Program Ages88&&Up. Up.Build Build a strong classical Ages a strong classical technique.Training for all levels, technique. including the serious student.

t., N

orth G rafton, MA 01536

*Dance ‘N‘N Play © Ages 2.52.5 to 4to 4 *Dance Play © Ages Uniquely Magical Movement Program Uniquely Magical Movement Program providing learning andand fun.fun. providing learning A "stepping stone" to preschool.

*Team Dance It Up! Ages 7 & Up

*Team It Up! Ages 7 & Up Non Dance competitive, innovative Non competitive,ensemble. innovative performance performance ensemble.

*Plus Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop & IrishTap, Step! *Plus Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop & Irish Step!

Visit www.danceitup.com, Visit us us at at www.danceitup.com, call (508) 839-1648 or email call (508) 839-1648 or email danceandplay@gmail.com. danceandplay@gmail.com.

Classes begin September 7. Please register early!

46 SEPTEMBER2010

price on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s also half price all day on the Friday after Thanksgiving. 617-541-LION; zoonewengland.org.

Get in For FREE! Free and Discounted Museum Admission

Saturdays: Currier Museum of Art. 150 Ash St., Manchester, NH. This museum full of European and American art is free every Saturday from 10 a.m.

– 12 p.m. currier.org.

Saturdays: Rhode Island School of Design Museum, 224 Benefit St., Providence, R.I. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free admission on the last Saturday of the month with a variety of hands-on workshops, performances, videos and special gallery quests.

Also pay what you wish every Sunday from 10 a.m.

- 1 p.m. and more free admission from 5 – 9 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. 401-454-6500, risdmuseum.org.

Saturdays First and Third Saturdays: Blackstone Historical Museum, 23 Main St., Blackstone. Free on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and every Thursday, 12 – 4 p.m. Visit the mill room, recently renovated Veteran’s room, school room, farm life exhibits and much more. Email: orcasymphony@ comcast.net

Saturdays: Worcester Art Museum, Salisbury St., Worcester. Free admission every Saturday, 10 a.m.

– Noon. 508-799-440, worcesterart.org.

Sundays

Last Saturday: Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Free admission on Thursday nights from 5 - 9 p.m. and on the last Saturday of every month for two adults/two children per family. Children ages 17 and under are always free. icaboston.org.

Sundays: The MIT Museum. 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free admission on Sundays, 10 a.m. – Noon. Best suited for ages 8+. Explore invention, ideas and innovation through interactive exhibitions, public programs, projects and more. Web. mit.edu.

Saturday Mornings: Harvard University Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge. Free for MA residents from 10 a.m. – Noon. The Fogg Art Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum offer free admission before noon every Saturday. Children under age 18 are always free. 617-495-9400; artmuseums.harvard.edu

Sunday Morning: Harvard University’s Museum of Natural History. Cambridge. Free admission to MA residents every Sun. morning (year-round) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. and on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. (Sept. - May). hmnh.harvard.edu.

Sundays: Rhode Island School of Design Museum, 224 Benefit St., Providence, RI. Pay what you wish! 401-454-6500, risdmuseum.org.

First Saturdays: Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Dorchester. Admission is half off the regular

bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Wednesdays Wednesday Evenings. Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton. Free admission from 5 – 9 p.m. Visit this Museum of Contemporary Craft. 508-588-6000 or fullercraft.org.

Friday Evenings: Providence Children’s Museum, Providence, RI. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Open free every Friday after 5 p.m. 401-273-KIDS or childrenmuseum.org.

Wednesday Evenings: Harvard University’s Museum of Natural History. Cambridge. Free admission to MA residents on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. (Sept. - May) and every Sun. morning (yearround) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. 617-495-3045, hmnh. harvard.edu.

FREE Tip: Bank of America’s Museums on Us Program offers FREE admission to any visitor who presents a valid Bank of America ATM, debit or credit card and a photo ID on select weekends.Inquire at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge; DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln; Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham; EcoTarium, Worcester.

Wednesday Afternoons: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. Free admission to MA residents on Wednesdays, 3 – 5 p.m. Sept. – May. The Peabody Museum is adjacent to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Admission admits you to both museums. 617496-1027; peabody.harvard.edu.

Thursdays Thursdays: Blackstone Historical Museum, 23 Main St., Blackstone. Free every Thursday, 12 – 4 p.m. and 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the mill room, recently renovated Veteran’s room, school room, farm life exhibits and much more.

Email: orcasymphony@comcast.net Thursday Evenings: Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Free admission on Thursday nights from 5 - 9 p.m. and on the last Saturday of each month for two adults per family with children ages 12 and under. Children ages 17 and under are always free. icaboston.org.

Fridays Fridays: Boston Children’s Museum.

5– 9 p.m. Admission is just $1. 617-426-8855.

allison cottrill photography

CELEBRATEART!

Open Studios: Western Avenue Studios in Lowell opens its doors to the public on the first Saturday of every month FREE of charge. westernavestudios.com (See page 34 of this month’s issue for a review of this family daytrip.)

Sunday, September 19 11a - 5p

rain date 9/26

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BAYSTATEPARENT 47

Behind The Scenes with baystateparent’s Creative Director BY

carrie wattu

In honor of baystateparent’s annual arts issue, our team convinced bsp’s creative director to come out from behind the computer screen to share her artful insights. ids have great creativity when it comes to inventing imaginary friends. It’s cute when they leave a place at the table for them, but at times, it can be like having an extra child.

It’s kind of like that for Paula Monette Ethier, baystateparent’s creative director, but her self-proclaimed “third child” is not really imaginary. It’s baystateparent.

Paula, who does what any good mother does, thinks about her child constantly.

Her husband, Gary, and two sons, Nick, 24, and Bryan, 22, know this all too well as they have lived with their honorary family member since the boys were 8 and 10 years old.

“You can’t turn it off,” says Paula. “If I am sitting in traffic, I am looking at the signage on trucks and billboards, re-designing them in my head. I look at menus, logos, business cards. It’s a passion!”

“And like raising a family, there’s never

K

an idle moment,” adds Paula.

Her kids grew up with baystateparent. “I utilized the calendar as a parent, and we frequented many of our advertisers. They went to KidsFest, Davis’ Farmland, etc.”

Paula’s baystateparent adventure started 14 years ago when the Millbury mom and graphic designer helped to launch a publication for parents living in Central MA with then publisher, Kelley Small.

The magazine was called Today’s Parent before its name changed to baystateparent in 2004 to reflect the magazine’s locale.

Over the years, Paula has seen the magazine grow from 32 pages to a high of 88 and reach from Central MA to Boston and beyond. Technology has also simplified the job for this mother of two.

Well, sort of.

You know the saying the more things change, the more they stay the same?

It’s definitely like that for baystateparent’s creative director, and here’s why: As baystateparent enters its 15th year, tell us how things have changed with the magazine: Things are definitely much quicker because of the Internet which leaves more time to brainstorm and be

www.sparksartstudio.com

creative. Having said that though, I still wake up at 3 a.m. with some of my best ideas, so I guess there is never enough time. I try to make the most of every moment and resource I have.

What does a creative director of a magazine do?

Basically, it’s like putting a puzzle together every month when I am laying out and designing the magazine.

There are so many minute pieces and details that go into each issue regarding the cover, photography, illustrations, ad design, photo shoots, collateral and so much more.

Favorite part of the job? The brainstorming with the creative team and bringing an idea to the next level. I also love working with creative people such as our photographers and illustrators.

Challenging part of the job? It’s hard to know what month it is sometimes since we

work so far in advance. We are thinking holiday during the summer. One year, we shot the holidays at my house in September so I had to decorate my house twice. I had a lot of the holiday season that year. My family never knows what to expect when they come home!

have art. will gogh!

Art fun for kids & families hosted at YOUR location Birthday Art Parties Art Classes Art Workshops Corporate Events Vacation Programs Family ArtFests & More...

t Creative Art Classes Art Exploration:: Kindercreates: Messing Around with h Art: Kindercreates: Paint! Print! Build!

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Mon or Tues 1-2 PM Tues 10-11 AM Mon 3:45-4:45 PM Wed 1-2 PM Wed 3:30-4:30 PM Thurs 9-11 AM Thurs 3:45-5:00 PM Sat 10-12 noon

Holiday Workshops Birthday Parties Adult Classes Community Outreach Programs Art Classes for all ages phone: [508] 450-0664 34 Main Street, Unit #2A, Hopkinton, MA e-mail: sparksartstudio@gmail.com

48 SEPTEMBER2010

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allison cottrill photography • hair and makeup by toni & hair hairdressing academy, worcester

CELEBRATEART!

CELEBRATEART! What comment do you hear most about your job? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh that must be such a fun job!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It is, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a lot of hard work. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to do anything else though.

The not-so-glam part is ironing all of the clothing for fashion shoots, lugging props and equipment around and standing out in the cold during shoots.

How did you balance a sports and homework-filled family life with baystateparent deadlines and press weeks? I just did it. You do it because you want to be there. The boys played every sport, so you do what you have to do. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss many games. There are no tricks except maybe cooking on Sundays. (see below).

How did you (and do you) get a hot meal on the table every night? Everybody has busy schedules, but we eat together at least a few nights a week. In the Fall, I usually prepare at least three or four different meals on the weekend, soup, spaghetti and meatballs, beef stew. In the summer, we do a lot of grilling, even our vegetables. On Friday nights though, throughout the year, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take-out or go-out!

WORCESTERART.ORG

Adult Classes Open House & Art Fair September 10, 5-7pm

Memorable baystateparent moment: One of the most touching moments of my career was baystateparentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first breast cancer cover. Patrick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor was the photographer. He was photographing a mother going through breast cancer with her two little girls. I happened to look behind me and the husband was standing there with tears in his eyes. It was a very

emotional moment. There was not a dry eye in the studio, and you could feel the love in that family. I cried all the way home.

Favorite baystateparent project: the fashion shoots. I used to buy the Sunday NY Times for the fashion advertisements when I was in high school and art school.

I loved the fashion drawings, so this part of my job is a piece of that world.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget: â&#x20AC;˘ Maria Stephanos from FOX25 News.

She was so nice. She welcomed us into her home, and I could really relate to her because she cooks ahead for her family on the weekends too! â&#x20AC;˘ The time we were on a vessel owned by the New England Aquarium in East Boston. We had to climb up a ladder and go down a gang plank into a vessel that had a huge pool in it so that we could meet our model: a 860 lb. sea lion. I was hoping he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slap one of us into the tank! â&#x20AC;˘ The Red Sox at Fenway. My family couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe I got the Jason Varitek cover shot with photographer Steven King. When I got home, I was all excited telling them I was down on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;warming trackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and they just shook their heads as I later found out itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;warning track.â&#x20AC;?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really proud of: Our covers. We only have 12 chances, so you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for mediocre.

$SFBUJWF )BOET PO 'VO "UUFOUJPO 150 15" BOE BGUFS TDIPPM FOSJDINFOU PSHBOJ[FST ClayTime has a program for you and your students.

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$MBZ5JNF JT NPSF UIBO B EFTUJOBUJPO â&#x20AC;˘ We customize a program for your after-school enrichment program. â&#x20AC;˘ We provide fundraising opportunities for your PTO/PTA and the causes close to your heart. â&#x20AC;˘ We provide a go-to place for Ladies' Night Out (afterall moms need some ClayTime too). â&#x20AC;˘ We help you make great personalized gifts.

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dress for mess.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more creative than a kid (or an adult!) with an idea and a paintbrush? Flexible schedule and incredible variety running through the fall. Classes start 9/20/10 (adult) and 10/5/10 (youth/teen). For details and registration, visit worcesterart.org or call 508.793.4333.

From Hollywood Sculptures & Special Effects to Street Painting Workshopsâ&#x20AC;ŚWAM has it all.

WORC EST ER ART MUS EUM BAYSTATEPARENT 49

CELEBRATEART! (Bottom) Fraulein Maria is an edgy, yet fun-loving singalong cabaret based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. The Paramount Theatre, Boston. Sept. 23 - Oct. 3.

ArtsEmerson.org.

(Right) The Laurie Berkner Band will perform their hits at the Life is Good Festival, Sept. 11 and 12 in Canton, along with many more top-of-the-line performers. lifeisgood.com.

Family

Theatre &

Musical Performances The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst. Sun., Oct. 24, 1 and 3 p.m.

The PuppeTree’s production of this classic tale is done with shadow puppets, and will be performed by professional puppeteers who will operate more than 100 shadow puppets. $7pp (does not include admission). c arlemuseum.org.

Liz Buchanan’s “Singing All the Way Home” CD Release Party. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. Sat., Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. A longtime favorite in Arlington and surrounding towns, Liz brings her full band to the Regent to play a rollicking line-up of tunes, from sweet folk melodies to old-fashioned rock and roll. A $10, C and Sr. $8. 781-646-4849, regenttheatre.com.

Fraulein Maria. ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage, Paramount Theatre, 559 Washington St., Boston. Sept.

23 – Oct. 3. Thursdays and Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 1 and 5 p.m. This play reinvents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music as an edgy yet fun-loving sing-along cabaret romp. $25 - $69. 617-824-8000, ArtsEmerson.org.

Mary Poppins. Boston Opera House. Feb. 17 – March.

20. A high-flying musical for ages 6+. marypoppins.com, broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Annie. Calliope Theatre, Boylston. Dec. 2 - 5; 9 – 12. $18pp, St. $15. calliopeproductions.org.

Truth Values: One Girl’s Romp Through MIT’s Male Math Maze. Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Sept. 8 – 26. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., matinees on Sundays at 2 p.m. A $40, Sr. $30, Students $25. 866-811-4111, centralsquaretheater.org.

Life is Good Festival. A weekend of concerts for all ages and fun at Prowse Farm, Canton. Sat., Sept. 11 and Sun., Sept. 12. Featuring Jason Mraz, Ben Harper and Relentesss7, Guster, Ziggy Marley, Corinne Bailey Rae and more plus children’s shows such as The Laurie Berkner Band, Dan Zanes and Friends, They Might Be Giants, The Sippy Cups and Big Apple Circus. One-day ticket: A$50, C (6-12) $10, Under 12 free. lifeisgood.com.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!: There’s A Party in My City! The Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. Sat., Sept. 25 at 2 and 5 p.m. and on Sun., Sept. 26, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets: $55 - $35.

866-348-9738, yogabbagabbalive.com.

Berenstain Bears. Mount Wachusett Community College Theatre, 444 Green St., Gardner. Sat., Oct. 23, 2- 3 p.m. Join Papa, Mama, Brother and Sister Bear as classic Berenstain Bears stories are presented and commented on by guitar-strumming Cowboy Joe, the world’s foremost expert on the famous residents of Bear Country. $5pp. theatre.mwcc.edu.

Annie. Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston. Oct. 22 – Nov. 21. Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 3 p.m. Also The Secret Garden, Jan. 28 – Feb. 27 and Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp,April 15 – May 15. For ticket prices and more information, visit wheelock.edu.

The Glass Menagerie. Harwich Junior Theatre, 105 Division St., Harwich. Sept. 17 – Oct. 10, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, 4 p.m. Tennessee Williams’ youth is recalled in this transcendent memory play. $20 - $25, C under 21 $15. hjtcapecod.org.

50 SEPTEMBER2010

Second Chance Revue. The Cannon Theatre, 410 Great Rd., Littleton. Sept. 23 – 25 at 8 p.m. Celebrate your favorite musicals both old and new! Experienced actor/ singers from all over the Boston area will recreate songs from musicals from across the ages----traditional musicals to the avante garde---there is something for everyone!

A $18, Sr. $15, C 12 and under $10. 978-760-3397. thecannontheatre.com.

Steve Songs. Indian Hill Music, 36 King St., Littleton.

Sat., Sept. 11, 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Two fun family concerts with popular children’s performer and PBS Kids star Steve Roslonek and his band. $15pp. 978-486-9524, indianhillmusic.org.

The Complete World of Sports (abridged). Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 132 Warren St., Lowell. Sept. 9 – Oct. 3. The “bad boys of abridgement” sprint through the world of sports at record-breaking speed in this brand-new championship comedy. From the earliest cavemen playing “Neanderthal in the Middle” to your own kid’s soccer practice, it’ll be a marathon of madness and mayhem as the entire history of world sports explodes in a tour de farce of physical theatre. 978-654-7550, merrimackrep.org.

The Gizmo Guys. The Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport. Sat., Sept. 11, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Don’t miss this comedic juggling act for all ages. A$11, St. $9. firehouse.org.

Opera Boston: The Telephone. The Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport. Sat., Oct. 2, 11 a.m. Ages 7+ (grades 3 – 8) A comic opera in one act...a great way to introduce your family to the joys of opera. Today, cell phones are everywhere, but does this easy form of communication really allow us to better connect with one another? Ben

desperately wants to talk with Lucy and ask her to marry him.

But each time the critical moment arrives, she interrupts him to answer the phone. Using persistence and some creative problem solving, Ben finally succeeds in getting Lucy’s attention to ask this very important question! This engaging theatrical program features a complete performance of “The Telephone” plus a lively interactive introduction to the elements of opera and musical theater (three artists and stage manager). A$11, St. $9. firehouse.org.

Annie. The Berkshire Theatre Festival, 6 East St., Stockbridge. Sept. 10 – 18. $25pp. berkshiretheatre.org.

Night of the Living Dead. Stageloft Theater, Sturbridge. Oct. 8 – 31. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Stageloft brings back their beloved version of the famous horror story. Will the pathetic family trapped in their house survive the onslaught of hungry zombies? The perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season. A$16, C (14 and under) $8. stageloft.com.

Fall Shows at Watertown Children’s Theater.

Dracula, performed by actors in grades 6-9, Halloween weekend. $10pp; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, performed by actors in grades 3-5, Nov. 19 – 21. $12pp; The Do-Re-Mi’s of Music, A Music Theory Workshop, registration is now open for students in grades 6-12. watertownchildrenstheatre.org.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents ZING ZANG ZOOM. DCU Center, Worcester. Oct. 7 & 8, 7 p.m.; Oct. 9, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Oct. 10, 12 and 4 p.m.; Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

508-755-6800, dcucenter.com.

To submit a music or theater listing to an upcoming calendar, visit baystateparent.com and click “calendar.”

Steve Vaccariello

christopher duggan

(Top) Yo Gabba Gabba Live! brings their party to Boston and the toddler/preschool set this month. yogabbagabbalive.com.

CELEBRATEART!

GIFT IDEAS FOR AGES 4+:

Local Lit baystateparent highlights four children’s books written and/or illustrated by Massachusetts’ own, books that appeal to a child interested in giving back or learning more about sea life, being an only child or about the every day life of other children around the globe.

Since books make the best gifts, bsp also suggests some ideas to accompany each present.

THE BUDDING CHANGE-MAKER

Kids Make It Better

THE WORLDLY CHILD

A Write-In, Draw-In Journal Written and illustrated by Suzy Becker, Bolton, MA Ages 6 to 10 Kids Make It Better is a very cute and inspiring interactive workbook designed to challenge kids to think about some of the world’s biggest problems- from pollution and the economy to how to improve the schools or mend a broken heart. There’s space to write down possible solutions with a frame for drawing the best one. Young activists bring their solutions to life by learning how to write a mission statement and how to reach out to friends, teachers, parents or organizations for help. Sidebars profile real-life kid activists and cases in which the featured solutions really worked. (There actually are fish that love to eat pollution.)

Written by Dedie King, Amherst, MA Illustrated by Judith Inglese, Leverett, MA Ages 5 and older Bilingual in English and the native language It’s so important for children to learn from a very young age that not everyone lives the way they do. I See the Sun in China is the first title in a new series of books providing the reader/listener with an understanding of “a day in the life” of a child in a different country. The story is simply told so that a child can recognize the similarities as well as the differences between their own daily life and the culture of another place. The illustrations truly stand out, as they are made from photographs, paper cut-outs and drawings.

GIFT SUGGESTION: Pair this gift with an inspiring T-shirt, a donation to the child’s favorite cause, some special pens or colored pencils, a copy of an inspiring movie where kids make a difference (Hoot, Free Willy...).

Workman Publishing 2010: $8.95 Suzy Becker was the April 2009 baystateparent mom who rocks!

I See the Sun in China

GIFT SUGGESTION: Would be great presented with a globe as well as a doll or game from the country discussed Coming Soon: I See the Sun in Nepal will be published in November 2010 and I See the Sun in Afghanistan is scheduled for an early 2011 release.

Satya House Publications 2010: $12.95.

To be released October 2010 iseethesunbooks.com

THE ANIMAL LOVER

THE ONLY CHILD

AstroThe Steller Sea Lion

Sister Circle

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Marin County, California Illustrated by Shennen Bersani, Boston Ages 4 – 10 Based on a true story This completely engaging book with gorgeous “real-life” illustrations sweeps you into the dramatic journey of Astro, the stellar Steller sea lion. Astro, who lost his mother when he was only a few days old, was rescued by scientists on an island off the coast of northern California.

The story details Astro’s return to health, but not his return to the ocean where he belongs as Astro has made other plans!

This lovable creature is eventually relocated to the East Coast where your family can visit him in his current home at the wonderful Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. The book also includes educational resources.

Written and illustrated by Melissa Surprenant, Central MA Ages 4 – 12 “My friends all have brothers and sisters, so why can’t I?...It just isn’t fair.” So goes this helpful and friendly book written especially for families dealing with family size questions and issues regarding being an only child. It’s sensitive and heartfelt as the only-child discovers the power of friendship to connect people for a lifetime.

GIFT SUGGESTION: Passes to visit the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut to see Astro, of course!

Turn to page 12 of this month’s issue to read what inspired Sister Circle, Melissa’s personal experience with being a DES daughter.

GIFT SUGGESTION: Present with a gift certificate to take the only-child and a friend on a special outing (park and ice cream, clay studio, museum, rock climbing, roller skating, lunch).

Lulu: 2009 $17.10 stores.lulu.com/sistercircle

Sylvan Dell Publishing 2010: $8.95

We see your child’s potential… not his/her disability.

Mercy Centre

Supporting Parents of Students with Special Needs & Offering Something More.

Contact for more information 508-852-7165 friendsofmercycentre@charter.net www.mercycentre.com

Education Program Ages 6 to 22 Adult Program Ages 22 and above

25 West Chester St, Worcester MA 01605

Serving Worcester, Norfolk and Middlesex Counties Since 1961.

This Advertisement is paid for by The Friends of Mercy Centre, Inc. and The Emerald Club of Worcester, Inc.

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

Growing up an only child, freelance writer Amy Rodriguez swore that one day she’d have a huge family, believing that more kids meant more fun.

A Flock of Two BY

My

friend Sarah and I were 10 when we spilled bright red nail polish all over her bathroom.

We did what we thought best and fled the scene, only to be discovered by her screaming mother.

“You girls are going to your room right now! Both of you!” she said, pointing the way. We scurried off to Sarah’s room, where we promptly flopped on the twin beds and giggled. We turned on “Men at Work” and lay on the beds, laughing about her “crazy mother.” It was then I knew that I wanted to have a lot of kids,

52 SEPTEMBER2010

a whole flock of them.

As an only child, I swore that I would have a huge family one day… six kids of my own. Sarah was one of three girls, and her house was fun. Sarah’s mom babysat me after school when my mom worked, so I felt like I was one of four siblings.

Mrs. Pearson treated me the way she did her own girls, making me cinnamon sugar toast with real butter and pouring me glasses of Diet Pepsi. She let me in on the shotgun rotation when we rode in her Honda Civic. She also yelled at me as if I were one of her own girls. Her yelling wasn’t scary, though, because Sarah and I had each other. It didn’t feel

amy rodriguez

like punishment; it felt like camaraderie.

And if Mrs. P. sent us to Sarah’s room, we would quickly escape because she was usually too busy with the other girls to notice.

In contrast, my house seemed so serious with just my parents.

I wanted the opposite of serious. Yes, I got lots of attention. I got to go on lots of trips.

I got to talk to my parents anytime I wanted, but I wanted craziness, zaniness, laughing and yelling. To me, quiet meant boredom and loneliness, and noise meant fun. I wanted kids everywhere. I wanted people riding bikes in the kitchen and sliding down the banister. The problem

was that my parents would definitely notice if I rode a bike in the kitchen, and they would not find it funny. I had no brother or sister to come along and distract them by doing something worse (like ride a bike down the stairs).

Longing for the chaos of a large family, I revered The Brady Bunch, Eight Is Enough and The Waltons. I watched the kids playfully ruffling each other’s hair and offering support for class elections, broken noses and unrequited crushes. Sure they fought, but they always ended each day with, “Good night, John Boy, Goodnight Mary Ellen,” called across the darkened house. These families confirmed my belief

that more kids make for more fun.

When I was 15, I met the girl who was living the dream. Kelley was one of six, and they had a picnic table in their kitchen for all of the kids to squish into.

We sat at the table, eating cereal out of a giant bag, while her brother roller-skated past us. I’d walk down the long, narrow corridor of their house and peer into rooms. Yep, kid. Another room? Kids.

Kids everywhere. And yes, even a kid riding by on a bike. I wasn’t even sure of all of their names or who was family and who was friend. It was glorious.

I longed for a bunch of siblings well into college, but by the time I was an adult, my fantasy about having six kids had slowly begun to change. As a member of the working world, I realized that six was a lot, financially and logistically, but four seemed perfect. I told my fiancée my new magic number four. He raised his eyebrows. Being one of three had been enough for him. “We’ll see,” he said but, in my head, I knew it’d be four.

After pre-term labor, months of bedrest and numerous hospitalizations, we had our first baby. Exhausted, I was beginning to think three kids might be more manageable for my body. Three siblings would still have each other to wrestle and joke with, but I wouldn’t have to undergo the challenge of four pregnancies. Soon, however, I was on bedrest with our second.

Three started to seem a little daunting.

My worries about another pregnancy lingered as I started to realize the difference between raising one child and raising two. With one, I had a semblance of control. When my daughter cried, I could usually make the situation better.

With the addition of my son, the chaos more than doubled in some inexplicable exponential formula. Someone cried, I tried to fix it, and more often than not, the other one cried, too. They wrestled, they fought, they rolled off the couch on top of one another. “They’re trying to kill each other!” I told my husband.

Nonplussed, he shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s what brothers and sisters do.”

In my head, I thought, No, no they don’t.

They love each other. They turn to each other. They cover for the other when one is riding a bike through the house.

And then the parents smile lovingly and affectionately at the craziness.

I was still holding on a bit to the fantasy.

I so wanted to be the mom who’d see one of them roller-skating in the kitchen and

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say, “Come here, Silly. We don’t do that in the house,” and grab her hand and sit down and eat some cookies. But… as my kids tousled more, I yelled more.

I got crazed when there was too much noise. My kids didn’t rustle each other’s hair playfully like The Brady kids. They grabbed each other and pulled out huge handfuls of hair, not letting go until I separated them while they screamed.

And I screamed, too. The two of them didn’t lead the way up the stairs at bedtime, sighing happily as they reflected on their memories of the day. We carried our 2-year-old, flailing like a marlin in a net, while we prodded our 6-year-old who stumbled and flopped her way up the stairs. During none of these bedtimes did I smile or call either one of them “Silly.”

After observing, reflecting and rehashing the situation with my husband and friends, I finally understand that I didn’t want to raise a big family. I wanted to be part of a big family. Being part of a big family would mean I was having fun and getting to make a lot of noise, while raising a big family meant that I would be trying to manage the fun and the noise and keep everybody out of the E.R.. I hate to admit it, but I like control. I like to believe that I am fun-loving and spontaneous because those are qualities I admire, but I am the opposite of spontaneous. I like peace, organization and everybody happy. I like rules, and I myself like to follow them.

It has been humbling to realize that I am not my fantasy mom, ready to take on a horde of children while maintaining a fantastic sense of humor. To make up for my inability to live in chaos at home, I give them the vicarious Brady experience by borrowing fun families. I gather my kids with my friends and their kids and let them ricochet around together. We’ve slept over with a family of five, vacationed in Maine with nine kids under eight years old, and spent every New Year’s Eve with multiple families with numerous kids. I just hope, with friends blending into family, my children will get the benefit of chaos and extra love from friends like I did growing up. And I will be happy, and a bit less of a lunatic, with my little flock.

My little flock of two.

W A N T E D

icked big fan of baystateparent chiever atural communicator eam player xcellent organizational skills etail oriented

These are just a few qualities we are looking for in our next baystateparent advertising account executive.

If this describes you, call Stephanie at 508.865.7070 or email sales@baystateparent.com

Early Education and Care Since 1913

www.guildofstagnes.org

Amy Rodriguez is a freelance writer living in Belmont with her family.

Little Patriots Early Learning Center 6 Sheridan St., Worcester (off of Cambridge St., bus route #25)

Now Enrolling 508-791-3227 - Affordable - Quality Care - Flexible Toddlers 15 months to 2.9 years, $45 per day Preschoolers 2.9 to 5 years, $35 per day After-school Homework Club, $15.25 per day

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BAYSTATEPARENT 53

Are you curious about the FREE schooling options available to children in 7thǦ12th grades?

See why 300 families from across central Massachusetts choose an NCCES Essential School education.

* Students in grades 8Ǧ12 are encouraged to submit an intent to enroll form however, there is currently a short waitlist in these grades.

One Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg www.ncces.org • (978) 345Ǧ2701

Plate

Special Ed Parent Wants to

Stop the Madness NCCES offers a safe environment in which each student is free to be himself or herself without feeling pressured to “fit” into a crowd.

It’s not too late!

We have openings in the 7th grade.

ONMY

NCCES welcomes and encourages family involvement.

We bring out the best in each student through small classes, personalized education, academic challenge, and extracurricular opportunities

BY

laura richards

My son is a preemie twin. He is legally blind. He lost his left eye following a second corneal transplant. He uses a white cane sometimes. He is hearing impaired and wears a hearing aid. He has ADHD and dyslexia, is medically fragile, has had 20 visits to the operating room and two near-death experiences, but none of these things define him as a person. He isn’t obsessed with his disabilities and neither are we. He is one of three children in our family and gets treated no differently than the others. My job as his mother is to equip him, not enable him. Sure he is shaped by his struggles – we all are -- but we refuse to define ourselves by what’s wrong. Have we been devastated by his situation? Most certainly. But life moves forward, and we must too.

As a parent of a child with disabilities, I agree with others that it’s an uphill battle but perhaps for different reasons. Drive down any street, and you will see stickers on people’s cars supporting the illness or disability they or their child has. I’ve been in groups with other sped parents who talk endlessly about their child’s disability: that they are sensory sensitive, that they have food allergies, that they need this therapy and that therapy, that I should fight for this and opt for this testing and get into that group. I want to stop the madness as we are losing the child and ourselves in the process. Granted our child’s needs are a huge part of our lives, but they aren’t LIFE. We need to do what needs doing and get on with the business of living. They are still kids and deserve

to twirl around aimlessly on a swing for a while or lay in the grass or stare at the sprinkler...things that may be overlooked at times in favor of keeping them on a regimented program of therapies, strict diets and “progressing.”

My son recently went to a camp for other visually-impaired and blind students.

I was struck with how many of the kids identified themselves by their disability.

One boy introduced himself by saying, “My name is Bill, and I’m fully blind with no light perception.” My son, Charlie, didn’t quite know how to respond but got this across, “My name is Charlie, I have two brothers and I love dogs.” His vision impairments never entered the picture.

A parent once told me that the worst diagnosis anyone could ever receive was that his or her child was autistic. How is that worse than learning your child has Down Syndrome? Or is blind? Or will never walk? I say, the worst news a parent can ever receive is that her child is going to die and does. One disability is vetted against another in a sad, sorry competition I want no part of. When our days are being spent on what’s wrong and not what’s right, we have a problem.

Childhood is lived once, and many of our special kids are missing it altogether being shuttled to and from therapies that we think are helping them. I’m sure they are, but at what price?

Laura Richards is a Framingham mother of three boys.

Est 1974

So much more than piano lessons!

Our complete MUSIC program (ages 4 1/2 to 8) includes: Piano Singing Harmony Rhythm

Worcester

Guitar Note Reading Ear Training Composition

Recorder Ensemble Playing Music Theory Percussion

Westborough

Making Musi Last a LIFETIME! 508-898-3888 54 SEPTEMBER2010

childrensmusicacademy.org

Ballet • Hip Hop • Modern • Jazz Tap • Pointe • Parent/Tot • Zumba Birthday Parties, Rentals, Special Events, Summer Classes Ages 2 through Adult Beginning through Advanced

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BAYSTATEPARENT 55

WEST END CREAMERY AND FAMILY FARM

n, It’s hands-o FUN! rm family fa ck, Endangered Livesto er Discovery Play, Wat des, Pony Ri y Ha d, Spraygroun g, Pumpkins Rides, Apple Pickin and more. ts Sept. Even Sept. 9: Fall Schedule Begins ly.

Open Thurs–Sun. on n Sept. Weekdays 1/2 Price Admissio after 2pm

We have  awesome flavors of hand dipped ice cream, soft serve, Del’s lemonade and more.

Enjoy our beautiful  hole miniature golf course.

Visit our Farmyard animal viewing area

Birthday parties are available.

e clown & balloons.

4&5 ........ Flippo th ick ple Fest Weekend–P 11&12 .......... Ap your own apples!* ents Day–Kids bring 12 .......... Grandpar FREE!** your grandparents s.

Prey Demonstration 25&26 ... Birds of

New! 5 acre corn maze

coming weekends in September and October!

Summer hours are daily 11 am to 10 pm.

481 Purgatory Rd., Whitinsville, MA 01588 westendcreamery.com

. weather permitting *Additional charge, ges or discounts cka pa s, up gro h wit **Not valid

w for: Sign-up no . & Private Outings Birthday Parties om DavisFarmland.c O O (6666) 978-422-MOpa ars or nied by a child 12 ye

Reach Your Goals

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10. xpires 10/31/ E . ed Fe l a im n Cup of A ges. BSP9 $ SNoouvt Venairlid with offer Discounts or PackaE T T S H U S A S S A C M G N I S T E R L

FREE! 2

September

Events.

Sept 18&19 Helicopter Rides over Ma (12–4pm) Additional ze.

Charge Sept 18 Moonlight Mazing. (6 –10pm) Bring your flashlight Great For All Ages!

YOUR next BOOT CAMP STARTS SOON!

Green Hill Park • Worcester DavisMegaMaze.c

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om

978-422-8888

MAZE MAP! 1 maz Not Valid with groue aerial postcard per coupon. Expire s ps, packages or ot her discounts. BSP911/14/10.

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56 SEPTEMBER2010

Coached by Erica Hedlund • 774.253.0202 To Register, Visit: thepowerbootcamp.com

presents

Sat., Sept. 18 & Sun., Sept. 19 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

AT WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN DON’T MISS AYLA BROWN and Community Auditions performers Saturday plus Wachusett’s Got Talent by WXLO

FEATURING • free samples • games • food • skyride • magic • balloon animals

• live entertainment • and much more!

499 Mountain Rd., Princeton • 978-464-2300 • Details at www.wachusett.com BAYSTATEPARENT 57

DON’T MISS THE 20th ANNUAL

Join us in the 20th year celebrating children and their families at KidsFest! Two days of music, food, and family fun!

Sat., Sept. 18 and Sun., Sept. 19 from 10a.m.-5p.m. Rain or Shine!

499 Mountain Rd., Princeton, MA 01541

Pricing Information: • Adults - $8 in advance, $10 at the door • Kids (3-12) - $4 in advance, $6 at the door • Kids (under 3) – FREE!!

Order tickets in advance and SAVE$$ at www.wachusett.com.

SkyRide • Adults $8 in advance, $10 at the door • Kids 6-12, $5 in advance, $7 at the door • 5 and under FREE OR purchase a wristband for unlimited SkyRide use, the climbing wall and other activities $12 for all ages, under 3 FREE

Favorites Include: • Climbing Wall • Euro Bungee • Lazer Tag • Roaming Railroad • Barbeque and Food Tents • Tons of interactive games • Backyard Adventures Play Area • Product Sampling from Price Chopper • Jugglers • Face Painting • Clowns • Magicians • Balloon Artists • Pony Rides • Hay Rides • Kids’ Games • Moon Bounces • The SkyRide • And More!!

General Info:

Live Entertainment

Wachusett Mountain’s 20th Annual KidsFest, presented by Price Chopper, has something for the whole family to enjoy! Whether it’s taking a ride on our scenic SkyRide, grabbing some free samples from Price Chopper or being amazed by one of our many Side Shows!

Don’t forget, baystateparent Magazine will also be there with fun games for kids to play!

10:30 11:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30

Feature activities this year include everyone’s favorite climbing wall, the 4 person giant Euro Bungee, Lazer Tag under the tent, Pony Rides, Speed Pitch games, and the scenic SkyRide, your only way to the summit this year! Purchase a wristband at customer service for unlimited access to games and rides, or pay to play with a ticket.

Daily Schedule of Events* *Subject to Change Gates are Open from 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

58 SEPTEMBER2010

2:00 2:30 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00

Magic Steve on the Side Stage WXLO’s Wachusett’s Got Talent on the Main Stage Frisbee Dog Show Flippenout Trampoline Show by the Pond Ayla Brown (Saturday Only) on the Main Stage BMX Bike Stunt Show WXLO’s Wachusett’s Got Talent on the Main Stage Flippenout Trampoline Show by the Pond WXLO’s Wachusett’s Got Talent on the Main Stage BMX Bike Stunt Show Frisbee Dog Show WXLO’s Wachusett’s Got Talent Magic Steve on the Side Stage Flippenout Trampoline Show

Be Sure to Check out the Side Stage featuring: Live dance performances, juggling performances, gymnastics stunts, fashion shows, magic shows, and more!

Featured KidsFest Entertainment: AIRTIME EXTREME TRAMPOLINE SHOWS Extreme Trampoline shows featuring the best athletes in North America including Olympic Medalists and World Champions.

They’ve performed worldwide at NBA, NHL and other professional and collegiate sports venues as well as corporate and community events. These explosive shows, emceed to music feature 25 feet of height, snowboards, skis, triple flips, crazy twists and much more!

COMMUNITY AUDITIONS FEATURING AYLA BROWN SATURDAY THE 18TH ONLY

IMPACT ACTION SPORTS BMX STUNTS Back for their 13th appearance at KidsFest the group of growing talented riders showcase enhanced stunts, tricks, and flips.

Impact Action Sports BMX performances will have the crowd “oooh-ing” and “aawh-ing” with excitement and anticipation for the next stunt. The group will stick around for pictures!

Community Auditions Star of the Day is the longest running entertainment program in America, showcasing musical talent from across New England. On the road this summer with the amazing Ayla Brown, and promoting her Fizz-ically Fit Summer Tour, Community Auditions is encouraging people all over New England to go outside and be active and healthy. Joining us at KidsFest this year is a collection of Community Auditions all-stars: Scarlet Fade, Megan Harney, Branden “Jus B” Wilson, The Cranks, and Mia Boostrom.

Scheduled Lineup: 10:00 The Cranks 11:30 Branden “Jus B” Wilson 12:00 Ayla Brown

Presented By:

1:30 Megan Harney 2:30 Mia Boostrom 3:30 Scarlet Fade

BAYSTATEPARENT 59

Vendor Activity

2010 Price Chopper KidsFest September 18-19 KidsFest Highlights: Price Chopper Supermarkets Sampling Sample a variety of foods and beverages from: Premier Sponsors Garelick Freihofers Nabisco Keebler/Kellogg’s Edy’s Poland Springs Snapple

Sample Product Single Serve Milk Entenmann’s Little Bites Ritz, Toasted Chips, Wheat Thins Cookies and Crackers Edy’s Dibs Aquapod 11 oz Bottles Beverage

Partner Sponsors Cape Cod Bachman Cabot Creamery Snyder’s

Sample Product 1/2 oz Bags of Chips Jax Variety of Cabot Cheeses Mini Sticks, Peanut Butter or Cheddar Cheese Sandwiches, Veggie Crisp

The LazerZone invasion forces has landed!

Stop by their booth and play a round of adrenaline-pumping lazer tag. While you are there, give the solar spin a try and win a cool prize or enter to win an out-of-this world birthday celebration!

Wachusett’s Got Talent Join WXLO Radio as they try to find the most talented Kid at Wachusett Mountain!

Visit www.wxlo.com for all the details and to upload your video of your talent.

SkyRide Take a scenic ride to the summit on the SkyRide.

This is your only way to the summit this year! On a clear day you can see Boston!

60 SEPTEMBER2010

Business Name LaFemmina Modeling School Central Mass Dance Academy Roll On America Davis Farmland FMC Ice Sports Children’s Music Academy Over the Top Gymnastics Academy Villari’s Martial Arts of Shrewsbury Fruitlands Museum Girl Scouts of Central & Western MA North Central WIC Lazer Zone Devereux Therapeutic Foster Care Cutie Patutie’s Montachusett Regional YMCA Kwon’s Martial Arts Sand Art Wachusett Mountain Race Team Kidoodles Learning Center Usborne Books and More Deos Animation Studios Hugs for Heros Community Auditions Gigueres Mass Department of Children & Families Caitlyn Raymond International Registry baystateparent Francis Harvey & Sons

Sterling Academy of Gymnastics

Activity Fashion Show Daily Dance Performance Daily Costume Characters, Skate Car, Skates Giveaway Mascot Appearance, Candy & Coupons Bean Bag Toss, Mascot, Balloons, Rubber Duck Games Hands-On Instruments to Play Gymnastics Performance Wooden Board Karate Chop Challenge Native American Beading Game of Skill Make a Card or Bookmark Lazer Tag Temporary Tatooing Melissa & Doug Play Area, Puzzles, Balloons Handing out Balloons, Free Giveaways, Raffling off a Membership Martial Arts Demo SUNDAY Kicking Bags at Booth Daily Sand Art and Candle Art with Children* Kids’ Field Games Bean Bag Toss Game and Craft Coloring Animals and Reading Stories Drawing Instruction Create Notes and Cards for Men and Women serving in the Armed Forces Auditions for TV Show Gymnastics and Kung Fu Demonstrations Kids’ Games and Foster Care Info Bone Marrow Registration Kids’ Activities Rubber Duck Game Balance Board Contest

Please Note: Vendors and Activities subject to change. List as of 8/16/10 * Additional Fee

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BAYSTATEPARENT 61

Worcester JCC Preschool/ Toddler Center

Why choose the JCC: â&#x20AC;¢ NAEYC Accredited State of the Art Early Childhood Center â&#x20AC;¢ EEC Licensed â&#x20AC;¢ Progressive Age Appropriate Curriculum â&#x20AC;¢ Certified, Professional Teachers â&#x20AC;¢ Swim Instruction â&#x20AC;¢ Music Class â&#x20AC;¢ Afternoon Enrichment Classes â&#x20AC;¢ Superb Indoor & Outdoor Facility â&#x20AC;¢ Pools â&#x20AC;¢ Gymnasium

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS Toddler Programs

Preschool Program

FULL DAY PROGRAM & MORNING PROGRAM 2, 3 OR 5 DAY OPTION ART, SCIENCE, MUSIC, GYM LOW TEACHER TO CHILD RATIOS â&#x20AC;¢ NURTURING ENVIRONMENT

MORNING PROGRAM WITH HALF & FULL DAY OPTIONS, 2, 3 OR 5 DAY OPTION DEVELOPMENTAL, INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM SMALL CLASS SIZES 3 YEAR OLD AND FOUR YEAR OLD CLASSROOMS

Starting at 15 months

Afternoon Preschool Program

New

Pre-Kindergarten TRANSITION CLASS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN PROGRESSIVE PROJECT BASED CURRICULUM 2, 3 OR 5 DAY OPTION SMALL CLASS SIZE

4 AND 5 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOLERS 11:30-3:30 (WITH 5:30 OPTION) SWIM, GYM, COOKING AND MORE!

Worcester Jewish Community Center 633 Salisbury Street â&#x20AC;¢ Worcester, MA 01609

508-756-7109 x258 THE JCC IS OPEN TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AGE, DISABILITY OR ECONOMIC CONDITION. THE CENTER IS HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.

Join Us For a Day of Outdoor Family Fun!

A rounded education.

A grounded experience.

Bancroft students in Lower School explore the world in a safe, exciting, and nurturing environment. They retain their curiosity and expressive nature as they learn by imagining, questioning, and creating.

U-Pick Season

IS HERE! Enjoy Daily: 7: / (,: (#$0 7: $11(,&: -7: 5: 5/ +(# 7: '(*#/$,90: * 5: /$ 7: --,: -2,"$ 7: 2/* .: 6$ 7: 205: $$ $ /,(,&: $,1$/

Plus Every Weekend:

â&#x20AC;¢7: (3$: '(*#/$,90 Live Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ,1$/1 (,+$,1 Entertainment 7: "$: Painting (,1(,& â&#x20AC;¢ Face 7: -,5: : +$*:/(#$0 â&#x20AC;¢ Pony & Camel Rides 7: : , "): / â&#x20AC;¢ BBQ Snack Bar

Open Daily 10:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00pm 110 Shore Drive | Worcester, Massachusetts 01605 508.854.9227 | www.bancroftschool.org/openhouse

(#$:1'$:1/ (,:1'/-2&':-2/:!$ 21(%2*: -/"' /#0: ,#:.("):1/$$ /(.$,$#:%/2(1: (,"*2#(,&: :3 /($15:-%: ..*$0: ,#: 0( , .$ /0 : **:-2/: ("):'-1*(,$:1-:0$$ 4' 190:.(")(,& :

October Harvest Weekends FallLive Harvest Celebration Days childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertainment, 8: $.1$+!$/: : : : : :8 face painting, hay rides, -,1$010 :% "$:. (,1(,& :+ &("( , caterpillar rides, and lots more fun! )(#0:+20(" : ,#:+-/$:%2,

89 Pleasant Street So., South Natick, MA 01760 : *$ 0 ,1: 1/$$1 : -21': 1(") : ::

*--)-21% /+ "-+:â&#x20AC;¢7 508-653-0653

lookoutfarm.com 62 SEPTEMBER2010

Open House> October 17 at 1pm

S

C H O O L LOWER, MIDDLE, & UPPER SCHOOLS

OPEN HOUSE LISTINGS ArtSpan (Munroe Center for the Arts) September 11 from 12pm – 4pm 1403 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA 02420 Contact Lotus Lien 781-862-6040 www.munroecenter.org Bancroft School October 17 from 12:30pm – 2:30pm 110 Shore Drive Worcester, MA 01605 Contact Debbie Lamir 508-854-9227 www.bancroftschool.org

Indian Hill Music School September 11 from 11am – 3pm 36 King Street Littleton, MA 01460 978-486-9524 www.indianhillmusic.org

Wheelock Family Theatre September 11 from 9am –11am Sample fall classes, make stage props, enjoy refreshments, and save money with three-semester and fall class discounts!

200 The Riverway Boston, MA 02215 617-879-2300 or tickets@wheelock.edu www.WheelockFamilyTheatre.org

The Brighton School October 21 from 6pm – 7pm PO Box 3204, 360 Water Street Framingham, MA 01705 Contact Jennifer Pack 508-344-9007 www.brightonschoolofma.org

Worcester Academy of Music September 11 from 10am – 6pm 11 Irving Street Worcester, MA 01609 Contact Sarah 508-635-6900 www.worcesteracademyofmusic.com

Chickee’s Dance World September 1, 2 & 9 from 4pm – 7pm 67 Millbrook Street Worcester, MA 01606 508-792-0959 www.Chickeesdanceworld.com

To add your Open House listing to baystateparent Magazine, contact Stephanie Pearl at StephanieP@baystateparent.com

Homemakers, Working Men and Women,

Leave the Housework to Us.

W IFESAVERS LET US HELP

YOU GET ORGANIZED!

5 0 8 • 7 5 3 • 9 9 1 4 Wifesavers is a residential and commercial cleaning service you can trust, at rates you can easily afford.

• Bonded • Fully Insured • Satisfaction guaranteed • We give free estimates

Call Us for Weekly or Biweekly Housecleaning • Dusting and polishing furniture • Scrubbing bathrooms and kitchens • Vacuuming, mopping and waxing floors • General pick-up

Call Us for Parties • Cleaning up before and after

Call Us for Big Jobs • Cleaning for moving and renting • Washing walls and windows • Waxing and buffing floors • Scouring ovens and refrigerators • Special requests • Gift certificates available

Festival Sunday is

September 19, 2010 Please join us for our Front Lawn Festival!

• Get a copy of your fall schedule • Take a tour of the newly painted education wing • Help suggest new names for our classrooms • Games • Food • Tons of fun

Save the date and plan to attend!

First Baptist Church of Worcester Corner of Park and Salisbury Worcester, MA 01609 www.fbc-worc.org 508-755-6143 BAYSTATEPARENT 63

BulletinBoard CONSIGNMENT

Smarty Pants

CONSIGNMENT SHOP

SCHOOLS

NURSERY Saint Spyridon Nursery School Where the growth & development of each individual child is nurtured

O P& E Nhalf ING J Uchild LY 6care th Full day with full & half day child care

estnut h C SCHOOL

Tutoring and Test Prep Elementary School - Middle School - High School - College Serving Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts

Fall Special - First Session Free!

children 2.9 - 5 years old

â&#x20AC;˘ Clothes for Baby, Kids & Juniors â&#x20AC;˘ Maternity Wear â&#x20AC;˘ Equipment, Toys, Books & MORE!

Longfellow Learning Group Let Your Student Excel!

now enrolling!

Call for Details (508)752-5354 102 Russell Street, Worcester j.ward@spyridoncathedral.org

TUTORING

&

EARLY EDUCATION ARTS PROGR AM

Call for Details 774-364-2304 info@longfellowlearning.com www.longfellowlearning.com

TUTORING FUNdamentals First Tutoring Service

Reading â&#x20AC;˘ Writing Language â&#x20AC;˘ Math Kindergarten - Grade 3 Holly Cable hcable@comcast.net 978.582.6520 www.fundamentalsďŹ rsttutor.com

ANNOUNCING

PEDIATRICDENTAL

A PARTNERSHIP WITH ELM PARK CENTER

FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, INC.

296 Main Street, Oxford 508-987-6111 Hours Tues 2-6, Wed-Fri 10-5 Sat 9-3,Closed Sun & Mon Keeping the Planet & Your Pocket a Little Greener!

IN OUR NEW LOCATION

3a 1aXP] ;TT ?TSXPcaXR 3T]cXbc Â&#x2019; 8]UP]cb c^ CTT]b Â&#x2019; B_TRXP[ =TTSb 2WX[SaT] Â&#x2019; 8]R[dSX]V 0[[ >acW^S^]cXRb 60 Great Road, Acton, MA 01720 978-635-1000 www.actonpediatricdental.com

134 Burncoat Street Worcester, MA 01605 508.798.3010 chestnutschool@aol.com chestnutnurseryschool.com

To advertise call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baysta teparent.com

CLEANING

Squeakyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cleaning Need more free time?

Squeakyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has thorough, personalized & dependable service. Offering a full range of home & ofďŹ ce cleaning.

Local references available.

For more free time call Eliana at 508-329-1416.

EDUCATION Pediatric Behavioral Health, LLC â&#x20AC;˘ Learning Disability Evaluation â&#x20AC;˘ Psychoeducational Testing â&#x20AC;˘ Educational Advocacy â&#x20AC;˘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy â&#x20AC;˘ Child Psychiatry And more!

Rt. 140, West Boylston

508-835-1735

www.pbhealth.org

64

SEPTEMBER2010

SCHOOLS

SURROGACY

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email:kmcquade@cornerstoneacademy.org

St. Mary School Accepting Applications: Pre-school â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 3 programs A.M. & P.M. Full Day Kindergarten Grade 1 through Grade 8

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Mind Expanding Activities

TUTORING Math â&#x20AC;˘ Reading â&#x20AC;˘ Writing Study Skills â&#x20AC;˘ SAT Prep Algebra Workshops

A quality education founded on the four foundations (Education, Character, Social Responsibility and Family) that are the Cornerstones to Life.

# =OY /dS\cS Â&#x2019; <]`bVP]`] ;/ #! # & !# ''%$

The Knowledge

623 Chandler Street Tatnuck Square, Worcester Tel: 508-797-5050 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 508-797-5051 www.theknowledgequest.com

Surrogate Mothers Needed Be part of a miracle The rewards are more than financial

1]`\S`ab]\S /QORS[g Tutoring Service Available for Grades K-6

Seeking women 21-43 non-smoker with healthy pregnancy history

16 Summer St., Shrewsbury 508-842-1601 www.stmarysparish.org

888-363-9457

Accredited by the N.E. Assoc. of Schools & Colleges

www.reproductivepossibilities.com

5 Oak Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ Northboro, MA 01532 508 351-9976 www.cornerstoneacademy.org email:kmcquade@cornerstoneacademy.org

To advertise call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@ baystate parent.com

Party Planner To advertise, call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com ing Princ es s e s Singare our Specialty C Princess Singer (with Bachelor of Music)

C Our Original Singing Princess has enchanted children since 1994 C Costume Characters w/ Karaoke, games, face painting and balloon sculpture

Copacabana Entertainment 508.853.4257 www.copacabanaent.com

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Musician

PARENT’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER Birthday Parties • Concerts Teacher-Parent Workshops

508-358-1614

Kids all love the silliness of my interactive, high energy, and musical shows!

Come join the fun!

My silly sense of humor and rythmic style will soon have you and your kids giggling, wiggling, dancing, and singing with delight.

Mike Slattery Children’s Entertainment * Songs * Puppets * Concerts * Schools

* Magic * Parties

978-779-6789 mikethemusicman.com

Birthday/ Party Room Central Mass’s only dedicated Climbing Facility!

Sign up now for our Week Long Summer Camp Programs • 14,000 square feet of amazing climbing walls • 60 different top rope stations • Climbing walls from 15 - 40 feet high!

• Massive lead arch, and super long overhangs!

• Separate climbing wall just for kids and parents • Classes for beginners: lead and top rope belaying • Rentals and a retail shop for climbing gear • Lounge area, w/ free wifi • A large bouldering area, with top-outs

508-852-ROCK • 299 Barber Ave. Worcester, (Across the street from the Higgins Armory, near Sam’s Club, at the 190/290 interchange)

www.franfriedman.com

"1$

3(5$

centralrockgym.com

Traveling Farm Animals for your Party or Event!

Year Round • Inside or Out Fun & Educational Baby Animal Parties, Theme Parties, Living Nativities, Petting Zoos, Animals for Therapy & more!

978-297-1221 animalcraze@ymail.com www.animalcraze.info

Animal Craze

132 234#(.

Offering Beading, Mosaics, Stuff-Your-Own Animals, Paint Me Tees, Silver Clay and PaintYour-Own Pottery Parties

!$23 !(13'# 8 / "* &$2 1.4-# %1$$ &(%3 %.1 !(13'# 8 "'(+# >

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BYO CDs, Cake, Soda, Pizza Etc. Offering 2 Large Private Party Rooms

Birthdays Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Weddings/Showers Graduations Proms Dances Fundraisers Holiday/Business

Rt. 9 (next to White City East), Shrewsbury • 508-798-9950 • www.claytimestudio.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 65

Party Planner To advertise, call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com Jump Around Rentals

Beauty and the Feast

Jumparoundrentals.net 617-323-8353 Make your child’s party one to remember!

Professional Chefs Sean & Eliana McCabe bring you a cutting edge culinary experience.

For More Information Call

Specialities include Sushi parties, instructonal lessons for kids & adults.

Have your daughter’s Birthday Party here!

“Rock Star Party”

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“Spa Day” 157 Great Rd, Acton 978-266-0048

Serving New England for 12 years!

508.329.1416 Westboro

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Jon-Claud Salon

Jump Around Rentals offers many styles and sizes of bouncy houses, popcorn, sno-cone, cotton candy machines, and even dunk tanks!

CONTACT: Chelyanne & Brian

(508) 943-4549 Email: Karaoke4kidz@Yahoo.com www.Karaoke4Kidz.com

Check out our website for our extended inventory!

Maggie the Clown

Ford’s Hometown Services BUG CLUB BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Formerly of Ringling Bros. Circus!

Performing over 25 years!

• Family Entertainment For Any Event!

All Your Friends Will Say “This Is The Coolest Birthday Party I Ever Went To.”

• Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Juggling, Magic, and More!

To Learn More, Call Now or Visit

413-245-1076 www.maggietheclown.com

Fordshometown.com 1-800 649 9992

Theatre Programs, Classes and Workshops for Ages 4 to 18 Call us or visit the web for more info... info@bostonchildrenstheatre.org 617-424-6634 www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org

66

SEPTEMBER2010

Party Planner To advertise, call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com ÓFwfsz!Bddpnqmjtinfou!tubsut! xjui!uif!efdjtjpo!up!uszÔ

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Have your Birthday Party at Babson College Skating Center

Bringing the MAGIC to your party Magic Show plus balloon twisting, live bunny, comedy for kids Here’s what other moms say:*

“Thank you for....making her birthday a memorable one.”- Shannon Berner ”Perfect pictures…Perfect day” - L. Goldmen, MA

“Phenomenal”- K. Lowenburg, CT “…perfect ending to a fabulous day.”

-K. Quell, MA

*entire quote available on request.

Ask about my $99 package!

Entertaining children all over New England

Call Steven Craig at 508-987-7705 or e-mail stevencraig@charter.net

Big Joe

the Storyteller Storytelling fun for Birthday Parties, Schools, Daycare Centers, Library Programs, Special Events and TV Featuring: • Original & Classic Stories • Puppets, Props and Surprises For Bookings and Info Call: 617-713-4349 E-mail: BigJoe@BigJoe.com Visit me on the web at: www.BigJoe.com

Dinosaur Adventures

HOMETOWN TOUR Wanna play tour guide?

Show baystateparent around your town, and we may feature the tour in an upcoming issue!

To be considered, email editor@baystateparent.com.

A

BIRTHDAY PACKAGE: $250.00 minimum of 12 guests.

Each guest after 12 is an additional $20.00 Includes: Public skate admission and rental skates, Reserved Birthday Room for the duration of public skating.

Pizza and 1 beverage per guest.

We do not include cake or tableware.

For more information please Contact the Babson Skating Center at 781-239-6056

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See Dinosaur skulls, T-Rex teeth and foot prints, along with today’s living dinosaurs such as Crocodile, monitor lizard, turtle, bird and scorpion.

Great fun and learning for any dinosaur enthusiast! *This is a traveling only presentation

www.animaladventures.net 978-779-8988

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New England’s #1 Traveling Animal Show

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• Largest variety of reptiles • Largest variety of mammals • Bugs and more • Birthday parties

• Schools • Camps • All occasions Fully Licensed & Insured Education Center Open Year Round!

www.animaladventures.net 978-779-8988

Have a Birthday Coming Up? Book your party now Call today or visit our website for more info: 781-352-2494 www.mini-athletes.com 290 Vanderbilt Ave. Norwood

The Fire Truck Will Go To:

Å Birthday Parties Å Pre-Schools Å Daycare Centers Your 911 for Party Å Family Days Emergencies! Å Weddings Å Taking Reservations Å Parties Year Round Serving the south shore For Reservations Call: 339-933-0353 afiretruckforall.com

www. baystate parent. com

FOOD PARKS MUSEUMS

SHOPS BAYSTATEPARENT 67

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

...RIPE FOR THE PICKING! BY

carrie wattu and phoebe glick selina woggermon, illustrator

It’s

Fall in New England, and there’s something different in the air: sweet apples, aromatic leaves, crisp mornings.

Get out and enjoy the beauty we New Englanders so love at one of the season’s fairs and festivals. With 38 fairs and festivals listed here alone, festivities are ripe for the picking.

September 3 - 6: Spencer Fair. Smithville Road, Spencer. Animal, vegetable & horticultural competitions & exhibits, stage shows, hypnotistDan Candell, The High Flying Pages, demolition derbies, truck pull, and children’s entertainment area. A $7, S and C ages 7-12 $6, under 7 free.

508-885-5814, spencerfair.org.

September 3- 6: Three County Fair. Bridge St., Northampton. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Major events this year are three Monster Truck shows on Sat., Sun. and Mon. at 1 p.m. Demolition Derbies to be held on Fri. and Sat. at 6:30 p.m. New this year is an entertaining and fascinating show featuring Adam Burck’s royal and white Bengal tigers. Where can you find a show that has illusions, juggling, mind-reading, fire-eating, bunnies, doves, a python, escapes, balancing, hypnotism and more? Right here! Plus, Grannie’s Racing Pigs, midway, and more! For hours and admission: 3countyfair.com.

September 3 – 6: 26th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival. Races, parade of sail, deck, tours, public sails, lighted boat parade and other maritime activities. 978-283-1601, capeannvactions.com/schooner.

September 3 – 6: Blandford Fair. North St., Blandford. Fri., 3 – 9 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m.

– 9 p.m., Mon., 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Horse, ox & pony draws, stage shows, truck pulls, hall exhibits - adult & youth, 2-day horse show, cattle, sheep & goat show, rabbit & poultry show, midway/rides.

A $7, Sr. $4, Under 12 free. 413-848-2888, TheBlandfordFair.com.

September 4 – 6: New England Arts and Craft Festival. 207 Boston Rd., Topsfield. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. The Topsfield Fairgrounds will come alive with color, flavor and music for the 32nd Annual New England Arts & Crafts Festival, featuring over 150 booths of American-made arts, crafts, specialty foods, live music and craft

at Roger Williams Park Zoo

.

Providence, RI October 7th - 31st

Official Sponsor:

68 SEPTEMBER2010

Supporting Sponsor:

demonstrations. A $5, C 14 and under, free.

603-332-2616 or castleberryfairs.com.

September 4 – October 24: King Richard’s Faire. Rte 58, Carver. Win free passes at baystatpearent.com. Click “Giveaways” and fill out a quick, simple form. Weekends and holidays only. Return to Renaissance in this vivid recreation of a 16th century English marketplace at festival time. Actors, dancers, puppeteers, jugglers, minstrels, mimes, magicians and musicians; royalty and beggars, knights and wenches and others roam throughout the 70-acre wooded village; exotic animals, jousting knights on horseback and challenging games round out the Faire. A $26, C (5-12) $15, Under 5 and free parking. kingrichardsfaire.net. *Enter to win a family four-pack to King Richard’s Faire, valued at $82, visit baystateparent.com and click “Giveaways.”

September 5: Plymouth Air Fair. Plymouth Municipal Airport, South Meadow Rd., Plymouth.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family fun including aerobatic demonstrations, fly bys, aircraft static displays, antique & classic cars, helicopter rides, plane rides, helicopter golf ball drop, amazing raffle, scenic flights and kids activities. Free admission, although a $5 parking donation is requested. All proceeds to benefit aviation scholarships and local charities.

Bring a food donation for the local food pantry and receive a free raffle ticket! 978-430-0750 or 508-746-2020.

September 9 – 10: Franklin County Fair 89 Wisdom Way, Greenfield. Thurs., 3 p.m.; Fri., Noon; Sat. and Sun., 8 a.m. Draft horse show, entertainment, magic show. A $7, Sr. $4, C 11-17 $5, Under 11 free. 413-774-4282.

September 10 - 11: 11th Annual Olde Home Day. Central Park, Church St., Clinton. Crafters, local food vendors and continuous entertainment. oldehomeday.com.

September 10-11: Our Lady of the Lake Parish Bazaar. 1400 Main St., Leominster. Fri., 5 – 10 p.m., Sat., noon – 10 p.m. A giant Kids Alley, obstacle course, train ride, games, huge white elephant, potluck, silent auction, and many more booths. 978-342-2978.

September 10 - 12: Sterling Fair. Sterling Airport, 121 Greenland Rd., Sterling. A two-and-a-half-day community, family-oriented agricultural fair with emphasis on agriculture and education. Details available at sterlingfair.org.

September 11: Blackstone Canalfest. Harding St., Worcester. A classic street festival complete with music, entertainment, vendors, food, an abundance of kids’ activities, horse-and-wagon rides, kayak rides, historic as well as current canal project information, a giant raffle and much more. blackstonecanal.org.

September 11: New Braintree Country Fair. New Braintree. Farm products, police displays, fireman demo, bands, burn outs, car & tractor show, chainsaw competition, scarecrow competition, kids games, pony rides, hay rides, bonfire, beer and wine tent, plant swap. Free kids 12 and under 1-mile race, 4.2 mile adult. 508-867-3583, newbraintreecountryfair.org.

September 12: Reading Fall Street Faire. Main & Haven St., Reading. 12 – 5 p.m. Over 80 vendors; Radio Disney, dance and street performers, children’s area/ kids’ zone, Patriot’s tailgate party, classic antique car show, chili “cook-off” contest and more. readingfallstreetfaire.com.

September 12: Pet Rock Festival. Quinsigamond Community College, 670 West Boylston St., Worcester. 12 – 5 p.m. Celebrating its 12th year, this family style festival features live music, demonstrations, speakers, vegetarian food, contests and 100s of tables of exhibitors from New England area animal organizations, including shelters, rescues and more. A see and be seen day for you and your pet.

Proceeds benefit New England animal organizations. A$12, C$5. 508-832-8918 or petrockfest.com.

September 17 - October. 3: The Big E. West Springfield. The largest fair in the Northeast offers top name entertainment, The Big E Super Circus, the Avenue of States, Storrowton Village Museum, animals, competitive exhibits, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade and foods from around the world for 17 days each September. A$12, C$8 (one-day advance tickets). Extra charge for parking, midway, etc. thebigE.com.

September 18: St. Edward’s Fall Fair, 10 Church St., Westminster. 10 a.m. - 7 p .m. Attic treasures, games for children and adults, raffles, silent auction, crafts, bakery booth, lunch, entertainment and more. 978-874-2362.

September 11 - 12: Mattoon Street Arts Festival.

Mattoon St., Springfield. Features 80+ exhibitors, food vendors and strolling musicians. This is the longest running arts and crafts fair in Western Massachusetts. mattoonfestival.org.

September 12: Life Is Good Festival. Prowse Farm, 5 Blue Hill Rd., Canton. Laurie Berkner Band show time TBA; festival grounds open 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Children’s music superstars and Nick Jr. channel favorites The Laurie Berkner Band will headline the Kids Stage at the Life is Good Festival.

The festival features three stages of diverse live music, hands-on games, interactive arts activities and the “Good Kids” zone. 100% of Life is Good’s profits from the Festival will go towards The Life is Good Kids Foundation, helping kids who are facing life-threatening conditions, including the trauma of violence, poverty and loss. Every festival attendee will have the opportunity to access exclusive hospitality, preferred viewing, artist meet and greets and other prizes by setting fundraising goals or making a donation to help kids in need. Top fundraisers will be called V.G.P.’s — Very Good People (like V.I.P.’s), and will have a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. A $50, C 6-12 $10, C 5 and under free. 888-3392987, lifeisgood.com.

September 12: Cambridge Carnival. Kendall Square, Boston. Noon – 7 p.m. A colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions. The highlight is a grand costume parade accompanied by rich rhythmic musicality promoting all types of cultures. Other free activities include stilt walking from Open Air Circus; a moon bounce; arts and craft activities, including origami. and, of course, popcorn.

(617-492-2518, cambridgecarnival.org.

September 18 – 19: LEGO Master Builder Event. 250 Granite St., Braintree. Sept. 18, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sept. 19: 12 – 6 p.m. Enjoy a fun, interactive master builder event. All participants can drive the creation of the build to build a city!

781-843-8201, simon.com.

September 18 – 19: Old Deerfield Fall Fair, Old Deerfield. Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 a.m., Sun., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Craft fair with demonstrations. Rain or shine. A $7, C under 12 $1. deerfield-craft.org.

September 18 – 19. Kidsfest. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton.10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Two days of music, food and fun.

Interactive games, entertainment, free samples, magicians, jugglers and so much more. Stop by the baystateparent booth to say hi! A$10, C (3-12) $6. Discounts available for advance tickets at wachusett.com.

September 19: Family ScupltureFest. DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This fun day of campus--wide activities will include looking, creating and exploring art inside and outside the museum: art-making, juried art sale featuring regional artists, community-related activities, family activities, food, musical performances, scavenger hunt, tours of the new fall exhibitions. A $12, C 5-17 and Sr. $8, C 5 and under free. decordova.org.

September 19: stART on the Street Festival. Park Ave between Pleasant and Highland St., Worcester. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hosts 250+ artists and crafters, 20+ performers on 2 stages and the street, youth activities, food court and more at this one-day, FREE event! startonthestreet.org.

September 12 : Peabody International Festival. Main St, Peabody. Experience ethnic foods, music, dance and art.

978-538-5702, peabody-ma.gov.

September 19: Tattersall Farm Day 524 North Broadway, Haverhill. Tattersall Farm Day is a New England-style cultural and educational event for people of all ages. Activities include

nature walks, beekeeping, wine making, animal and farming demonstrations, storytelling, crafts, art work, pony rides, hay rides, hot air balloon and much more! Live entertainment will be provided by E.J. Ouellette and Crazy Maggy who will perform traditional New England fiddle music. Food and beverages will be available. tattersallfarm.org.

September 24 – 26: Spirit of Shrewsbury Fall Festival. Shrewsbury townwide celebration featuring unique handmade items at the craft fair, a scarecrow contest & display on the Town Common, the Oak Street Expo featuring non-profit organizations and businesses, a 5-K race/funwalk, Family FunFest, Shrewsbury Idol, Dessert N. 508-845-6977, spiritofshrewsbury.com.

September 24 – 26: 41th Annual Bourne Scallop Festival. 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Events include a juried Arts & Crafts Show, a Home Expo and a fantastic line up of live entertainment. Along with scallops, there will be many other foods. 508-759-6000, bournescallopfest.com.

September 25: Fall Flea Market and Craft Fair.

5 Hastings Street, Mendon. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Approximately 50 vendors selling unique crafts, antiques & collectables, toys/games, and assorted flea market finds and more. Plus a church-sponsored concession booth with hot/ cold beverages, hot dogs, hamburgers & home-made baked goods. Rain Date: Oct. 2. 508-473-1476, hopedaleucc.org.

September 25: “Our World, Our Backyard” Fall Festival of Inspiration. 145 Rosemary St., Needham.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Music and entertainment, amusements, lots and lots of children’s activities, food, educational booths, musical instrument petting zoo, dunk tank for charity, moon bounce, spin art, vendors, recycle bottle drop-off to benefit the homeless and more. 781-449-2707, brighthorizons. com/cmac.

as available.

BLUEBERRIES ~ PEACHES ~ APPLES ~ RASPBERRIES (in their season)

Farm KITCHEN Kitchen and Store FARM serving with Apple Crisp, Cream, Sandwiches, IceIce Cream, Fruit Slush, Cider Donuts, Strawberry Slush, Pies, and more Smoothies and more.

Barnyard Animals ~ Playground

October 2 - 3: Harvest Festival. Heifer International.

216 Wachusett St., Rutland. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Explore the homes in the Heifer Global Village to learn about traditional harvest celebrations in Peru, Poland, Kenya and more. Take a hayride to the gardens and enjoy other activities. Meet many of Heifer’s animals including a pair of water buffalo, a yak, llamas and traditional farm animals such as pigs and goats. A $5, C 12 and under, free. 508-886-2221, heifer. org/overlookevents.

Oct. 9, 10, 11. National Cranberry Festival Featuring the Grinch. Edaville Railroad, Carver. 10 a.m.

- 5 p.m. Watch a cranberry harvest from the train while enjoying live music and other entertainment as the park celebrates this Columbus Day tradition with arts, crafts and plenty of food and other exciting events. Stay for all the rides.

Admission ranges from $3- $18pp. edaville.com.

To submit a fair or festival, or any family-friendly event, please fill out our calendar form at baystateparent.com.

September 25: Endless Summer Waterfront Festival.

Nantasket Ave., Hull. Noon – 6 p.m. Held annually, this event is free and open to the public. Featuring over 70 vendors, 25 restaurants, 5 live bands and 30 tons of sand in the middle of Nantasket Ave for the Castles for Charities sand castle competition. For more information call 781-925-5557, email noddaclu@comcast.net or visit hullchamber.com.

September 25 & 26: LEGOKidsfest. Hynes Convention Center, Boston. Both days: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 – 8 p.m.

A wildly energetic weekend-long show filled with interactive, creative and educational activities for the whole family. A$20, C (3 -17) $18, Under 3 free. LEGOkidsfest.com.

October 1 – 11: Topsfield Fair. Topsfield. Daily entertainment, midway, NE Giant Pumpkin Contest, petting zoo, fireworks, grange exhibits opening day parade, livestock, draft horse show. A $10 weekdays, $12 weekends and Columbus Day. C under 8 free. 978-887-5000.

October 2: The 2nd West Boylston Fall Festival. Town Common, West Boylston. wbaf.org.

Foster Parents Wanted

Apples, Raspberries,

BLUEBERRIES

October 2 – 3: North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival: 60 Chesnut Hill Rd., Orange. Delight in over 80 amazing art and agriculture booths; everything is made by hand or locally grown. Support fabulous artists and farmers and strengthen regional economy, shopping locally on a gorgeous farm illuminated by fall foliage. Family friendly. A $5, weekend pass $8. C 12 and under free.

September 25: Blackstone Valley Music Fest. 374 West St., Uxbridge. Noon – midnight. Festival-goers will experience live bands, a beer & chili fest, children’s activities and more. Partial benefits go to the American Cancer Society.

A $10, C under 15, free. thehab.com.

Pick Your Own Peaches, Check websiteand or callPumpkins for more info!

October 2: Maynard Fest. Nason & Main Streets, Maynard. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dozens of sidewalk sales, over 100 vendors and free family entertainment. Sure to please both young and old, and includes free children’s events such as pony rides and the Annual Open Studios at ArtSpace Maynard. Maynard Fest is traditionally followed by the Maynard Rotary Club’s Oktoberfest at Clock Tower Place featuring a beer garden and fireworks. 978-568-0360, assabetvalleychamber.org.

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