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Send to Truman’s Birthday Club P.O. Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 73453

Capybara

Animalia Chordata Mammalia The capybara has a cute-sounding name, but it is Rodentia one big rodent! In fact, the capybara, related to the Caviidae guinea pig, is the largest rodent in the world. It can Hydrochoerus weigh up to 175 pounds!

Capybaras have barrel-shaped bodies with redH. hydrochaeris

dish-brown or yellowish-brown fur. They can be more than 4-feet long and 2-feet tall. The average capybara weighs about 100 pounds.

The capybara is mostly found in Central and South America, although there are some in Florida. It can be found in the countries of Panama, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Argentina. It is semi-aquatic and lives in thick forests near lakes, rivers, swamps and marshes.

Capybaras are herbivores, which means they eat plants. They eat grasses and aquatic plants, fruits and even tree bark. They are also great swimmers, thanks to their slightly webbed feet! They can dive and stay underwater for as long as five minutes.

Let’s go shopping! Many of the shops we frequent have beautiful French names...

Here are just a few! Let’s all use these words the next time we are running our errands!

Until next month, Your Friend

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the stores = les magasins [lay mah’gah’zehn] the bakery la boulangerie [lah boo’lawnÅfgehr’ee] the bank = la banque [lah bawnk] the bookshop = la librairie [lah lee’breh’ree] the butcher shop =la boucherie [lah boo’sheh’ree] the café = le café [luh cahfee] the delicatessen = la charcuterie [lah shar’koo’teh’ree] the department store = le grand magasin [luh grawn mah’gah’zehn] the hardware store = laquincaillerie [la kehn’k’eye’eh’ree] the jeweler = la bijouterie [la bee’joo’teh’ree] the pharmacy la = pharmacie [la fahr’mah’see] the supermarket = le supermarché [luh soo’pehr’mahr’shay] to go shopping = faire des courses [fehr day koorss] to shop at the market = faire le marché [fehr luh mahr’shay]

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SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHERN NEW YORK’S FUN FAMILY NEWSPAPER Serving Clinton and Essex Counties PUBLISHER Daniel Alexander dan@denpubs.com 518-873-6368 Ext. 206 GENERAL MANAGER Allen K. Dunham aldunham@denpubs.com 518-570-7248 TRUMAN ASSISTANT/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laurie Goff graphics@denpubs.com ILLUSTRATOR Cover & Truman • Dan Nelson MARKETING 518-873-6368 NATIONAL EDITOR Joy G. Kirkpatrick kvnews@kidsvillenews.com Kidsville News, Inc. Bill Bowman President For Sponsorship & Marketing Opportunities Please Call: 518-873-6368 P.O. Box 338, 14 Hand Avenue, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 Published Locally By Denton Publications, Inc. Copyright 2012 Kidsville News! Inc., All Rights Reserved. Truman is a service mark of Kidsville News! Inc. and the Kidsville News! logo is a registered trademark of Kidsville News! Inc. No part of this issue of Kidsville News! may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without permission of the publisher or the copyright holder. Neither participating advertisers nor the publisher will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors.

The publishers reserve the right to edit any submitted material. Kidsville News! Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or other material. Children’s submissions should include name, address, telephone number, and permission to publish signed by a parent or guardian.

Truman@denpubs.com EMAIL ME, I LOVE MAIL!

Dear Kids, Do you know what it means to be a part of a community? A community is a group that shares common characteristics or interests. Community members work together so things run smoothly. A school or place of business is an example of a community; so is a town or neighborhood. Communities are about working together for a common cause that benefits the greater good.

In this issue, we’ll look at a community in Peru that is based on the barter system. That’s right. They don’t use money the way we do in America. They trade things back and forth to get what they need.

Do you think a barter system would work where you live. If it did, what would you have to trade and what would you take for it?

Your Friend,

20003

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AR O UND THE W O RLD United States

Worldwide

Ethiopia

Labor Day is a holiday in the United States dedicated to working people.

Observed on the first Monday in September, it is a day when we show support for workers and honor them for their achievements. Labor Day was first celebrated in New York City with a parade on September 5, 1882. It became a national holiday in June 1894. Labor Day is celebrated with parades, picnics, sporting events and meetings of labor groups.

America has been celebrating a Grandparents Day since 1978, when President Jimmy Carter declared it would be celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year.

This year, Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, Sept. 9. Many different countries, such as Australia, Estonia, France, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, celebrate a Grandparents Day like America, but America has been honoring them longer than almost everyone else. The only country that has been celebrating it longer than America is Poland. They started their holiday in 1964, 14 years before we did.

New Year’s Day in Ethiopia is on Sept. 11. The day is called Enkutatash which means “gift of jewels.” This spring festival occurs at the end of the rainy season, when the country is green and flowers and crops are growing. It is celebrated by attending church in traditional Ethiopian clothing and then gathering for a family meal.

Girls hand out flowers, and boys give out small paintings and drawings. In the evening, there is singing and dancing at a bonfire.

SEPTEMBER 2012

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CONNECTIONS Getting to Know Your Community A community is defined as a unified body of individuals. The unifying factor can be living together in a particular area or a group of people who share common interests. Usually, we think of our community as the neighborhood or city in which we live.

Your school is also a type of “community,” and if you play sports or compete in activities like martial arts, gymnastics or dance, you and your fellow teammates are part of a special “community.”

Sometimes there is a special symbol that represents a community. It could be a special flag for your state, seal for your city, motto for your neighborhood or mascot for your school. Look around your community and see what symbols you find.

Traditions can also be an important part of a community. Find out about the people who first settled in your area. Where did most of the people in your community come from? Do you know some traditions that are important to your community?

There are lots of things that make your community special. This month, try to learn more about your community.

Celebrate Constitution Day The founding fathers of the United States had definite ideas about the way communities should be governed. In fact, they created the Constitution to define clearly the separate powers of the government and the states, the rights of the people and how the representatives of the people should be elected.

On Sept. 17, 1787, the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 founding fathers at the final meeting of the Constitutional Convention.

These delegates had gathered almost daily for five months to create this important document.

After signing it in September of 1787, Congress sent printed copies of the Constitution to the state legislatures for ratification.

The United States Constitution contains seven articles that cover the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch, the States, the Amendment Process, the legal status of the Constitution and the signatures of the delegates. It also contains Amendments 1-10, which are called The Bill of Rights, and Amendments 11-27.

President George W. Bush signed a bill into law on December

8, 2004, which designates every Sept. 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Citizenship Day has been around since 1952 as a day to commemorate “the formation and signing, on Sept. 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States” and to recognize those who had attained the status of American citizenship.

In 2004, Congress changed the designation of this day to “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” It also added two provisions: first, that federal employees receive educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on Sept. 17 of each year, and second, that each educational institution that receives federal funds shall hold an educational program on the Constitution for students on September 17 of each year.

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this, Constitution for the United States of America.

For more information, visit the website at www.loc.gov or www.constitutionday.com, or www.constitutioncenter.org.

Did You Know?

September is Library Card Sign Up Month!

Do you have a library card? If not, head over to your community library and get one!

In 1988, the week-long National Hispanic Heritage Week observance was expanded to a month-long celebration, National Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Why Sept. 15? Because five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — celebrate the anniversary of their independence on September 15. And, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively. This observance was created to honor the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens who can trace their ancestries, or roots, to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America.

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PAGE 4

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20001

SEPTEMBER 2012

COME OUTAND AND PLAY...

COME OUT PLAY ...

SOCCER!

SOCCER

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and it is getting more and more popular in America. There were sports similar to soccer played by the Chinese and the Romans in ancient times, but modern soccer started in England hundreds of years ago. The game was so popular that soldiers would miss training to play; and fights would sometimes break out if the crowds didn’t like who won. This happened so much that King Edward III banned soccer in 1365. In 1815, soccer became popular again because colleges set up official rules, called the Cambridge Rules, and the college teams started playing against each other. Since then the sport has spread all over the world.

The Cambridge Rules are the same rules that soccer players use all over the world today. Players are not allowed to use their hands, and no hitting or kicking is allowed. The point of the game is for one team to kick the ball into the other team’s goal, which would give the kicker’s team a point. Whoever has the most points wins the game.

To play soccer, all you need is one ball and two goals. Both teams should have a goal, which is usually some posts with a net in between, but if you don’t have a net, you can use just about anything to create the goal. Just put two things — like bricks, rocks or cones even with each other and you have a goal!

Soccer is usually played by two teams of 11 players, but can be played with fewer people. Each person on the field has a job. Each team should have one goalie who stands by the goal and keeps the ball from going in — the goalie the only person on the team allowed to use their hands. Each team should have defenders, usually two or three, who are players that stay around the goal and try to keep the ball from reaching the goalie. The next group of players on the team — the midfielders — try and keep the ball from reaching the defenders and can try and score a goal on the other team. The last level of players is the strikers. They play at the front of the field and try to put the ball into the other team’s goal to score points.

Soccer is a fun and easy game to play with friends. All you need is one ball and some friends. So, next time you and your friends want to go out and play. Grab a ball and give soccer a try. There are millions of kids all over the world doing the same thing.

In September 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week including September 15 and 16. This special week was created to honor the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens who can trace their ancestries, or roots, to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Spanish-speaking

countries of Central and South America. In 1988, the week-long observance was expanded to a month-long celebration from September 15-October 15. Why September 15? Because five Latin American countries –– Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua –– celebrate the anniversary of their independence on September 15.

And, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18, respectively.

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School Can Be Cool

20010

Don’t be a Lightning Rod

by Barbara Gilmour

Ms. Gilmour greeted the “Cool School Rules!

Kind Kids” class, Every day that I’m in school I’ll remember my “Welcome back homework boys and girls.”

I can live The Golden Rule I’ll listen and I’ll stay alert Tanner, Rudy, I give teacher due respect I’ll take notes, write it Nicole, Stephen, down Carmen and TruTeacher gives respect right back I don’t need to man the Dragon clown around all greeted her in I don’t mind my school I don’t mind my school return. “Hopefully ‘Cause I know school can be cool ‘Cause I know you all had a great school can be cool summer and are Chorus: (Chorus) ready for school.”

When it comes to making Everyone had a sad Good friends every day I don’t mind my school face. “I hate to see School Rules ‘Cause I know school can be cool summer end,” said When it comes to growing Rudy. “Me, too,” Wiser in every way (Chorus) said Carmen.

School Rules Tanner added, My mind is something “The summer is so I won’t waste away © Cool Kind Kid School Rules short and school is sooooo long.”

Nicole shared, “We get to do so many more cool things in the summer.” Truman asked, “How can we make school be cool, like the summer?”

Ms. Gilmour smiled and said, “Let’s do something different today. Let’s talk about the song ‘School Rules!’ and see what it can tell us about how to make school cool. After that, we’ll make it into a rap.”

All the kids thought that sounded like fun.

“As we go through the song, let’s see how we can use the ‘Cool Kind Kid’ Challenge to make school cool,” the teacher said. Rudy was waving his hand, “We need to live The Golden Rule every day for school to be cool. That will be a challenge.” Stephen agreed, “We need to get all the kids at school to remember to treat others the way they want to be treated.” Truman was excited when he heard this, “Maybe the bullies will be part of our challenge to live The Golden Rule.” Nicole added, “That would be really cool.”

Carmen shared, “We can challenge kids to give teachers respect so they will respect us.” Tanner added, “We need to give everyone respect, not just teachers.” They all agreed.

Ms. Gilmour suggested looking at the chorus. “Is school cool when you can make friends?” Stephen said, “Yes! Making friends is cool everywhere.” “I want to be friends with everyone,” said Truman. Rudy looked sad, “Some kids won’t be friends with everyone, so some get their feelings hurt.” Nicole stood up and said, “That’s not cool, and it sure isn’t kind.”

“What does it mean to grow wiser every day, and not waste your mind?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Tanner replied, “That’s easy; we go to school to learn and if we don’t learn we are hurting ourselves.” Carmen added, “I think learning is cool.

I don’t want to be a dummy. I want to be and do my best.”

Truman was reading the lyrics of the song and said, “All we need to know about learning is in the song. It says to do our homework, listen and stay alert, takes notes and write down what is said in class so we remember it. It also says no clowning around.”

Tanner added, “The challenge will be getting kids to see that learning can be cool.” Rudy was ready for the challenge, “No problem. We just need to help everyone learn that following the ‘School Rules!’ song can help our school be Cool. Let’s make that rap!” Everyone cheered.

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A lightning storm is one of the most dramatic shows of nature.

You may feel like rushing outside to experience the blinding bolts, with the loud CRACKs and rumbles of surroundsound thunder following close behind.

But don’t.

Lightning is dangerous. Stay inside.

Each year there are around 25 million lightning flashes in the United States. That’s a lot of chances to be a lightning victim. Although most people who are struck by lightning survive, many are badly injured, some permanently.

But what causes lightning? And how can we stay safe?

Lightning starts inside a storm cloud. Strong winds inside the cloud toss ice particles and water drops around like underwear in a clothes dryer. The ice and water particles rub together, which builds up static electricity. Sometimes the same thing happens to your underwear in the dryer!

But in a cloud, it’s on a humongous scale.

The strong static electrical charge that builds up in the cloud “wants” to discharge. So it seeks out something with the opposite kind of charge, which is usually another cloud. But often it is the ground. The charge — in the form of a lightning bolt — travels along the easiest route to the ground. That usually means the nearest, tallest or most conductive object — such as a tree or a lightning rod. Don’t let that lightning rod be you!

People have been struck by lightning while talking on a corded phone, while leaning on a freezer in their garage, while working on plumbing in the house, while sailing, while camping, while playing golf (this one is a no-brainer!) and while doing any number of other activities outside.

One poor park ranger just doing his job over the years was struck by lightning seven times!

Understanding how lightning behaves will help you keep safe before, during and after a storm. If you cannot reach shelter inside, at least you will know, for example, not to stand under or near a tree or a metal pole or fence. Metal is a great conductor of electricity and invites lightning looking for a fast, easy way to the ground.

Find out more about lightning and lightning safety at the NOAA/NASA SciJinks website at http://scijinks.gov/ lightning. It is by the same people who bring you The Space Place (http://spaceplace.nasa.gov).

This article was written by Diane K. Fisher and provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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PAGE 6

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SEPTEMBER 2012

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE...

IN THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE Well, September is here, and it’s back to school! I really love school and learning new things. This month, I talked with two kids who really love to learn new words. They’ve learned the entire Webster’s Dictionary — 500,000 words! — in preparation for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. I’d hate to play Scrabble against them!

Snigdha Nandipati, a 14-year-old from San Diego, Calif., was the winner of the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nicholas Rushlow, a 14-year-old from Pickerington, Ohio, is one of only 10 kids in the past 87 years to make it to the National Spelling Bee five years in a row. He was a finalist this year, tying for fourth place, and a semifinalist in the competition the previous four years. To get to the national bee where 278 spellers competed, these students had to win a classroom spelling bee, then school bee and finally a regional bee to advance to the nationals.

Truman: What does it take to get to the National Spelling Bee? It must take a lot of preparation and special qualities.

Snigdha: It takes a lot of determination and practice to get to that level. I had been participating in different spelling bees since fourth grade, so I had a lot of experience, enough to make it to the nationals last year. I used to study at least an hour a day from September to March, but in the few months leading up to the National Bee, I studied as much as six hours a day on school days, and up to 12 hours a day on weekends. My dad helped me a lot by finding all of the material that I would need, as well as doing all of the research needed to get to that level.

Nicholas: You’ve got to have a really good work ethic. I put a ton of effort into this and hope for the best. It doesn’t always turn out well. This year I really got to show what I have worked for. Getting fourth was great. I’ve put in more than 9,000 hours over the past five years, and last summer I spent 600 hours spelling every word in Webster’s dictionary.

of the words.

Nicholas: Nationals is always such a great experience, being with brilliant kids who all understand how much we’ve worked for this.

Everyone is a great sport. The camaraderie among the spellers is always great. We always say, ‘We’re not against each other; we’re against the dictionary.’

Truman: What is it like to be on stage with the best spellers in the country, in front of all those people? Are you nervous?

Snigdha: The first year I participated, I was terrified.

I had never competed on a national stage before, especially with the other very excellent spellers. However this year, I had studied much more intensely, and I had an experience of what it was like on stage, so I was not very nervous.

The only thing I was nervous about was whether I was going to get a word I could recall easily.

Truman: : How do you prepare for the spelling bee?

Snigdha: Studying for the spelling bee involves a lot of steps. I first perfect myself in a list of 23,000 words called the Consolidated Word List. This is a list of words that almost every good speller is familiar with. Then I separate the whole dictionary into different languages, and study each of them separately, applying language rules as I go. After studying all of them, my dad created PDF test files with which I could test myself on the words I had learned. I made lists of the words I had missed over and Truman: When did you compete in your first over again, and I researched each and every spelling bee?

Snigdha: My first spelling bee was in the end of one of them on Wikipedia so I could link the third grade. Before this, I had never even heard words to a bigger story while spelling. I also studied a lot of root words from Latin of a spelling bee. I had gotten second place, and this was what inspired me to excel in spell- and Greek. I’ve been through the dictionary at least twice, so I’ve seen every word — not ing and participate in more spelling bees. saying that I can remember them while on stage. If I can’t recall a word while on stage, Truman: What do you like about being in the I gather as many clues as I can by asking all spelling bee? kinds of questions. Based on the definition, Snigdha: Just as some people have football language, part of speech and possibly root or dance as their special talent, my talent is spelling. Being in the spelling bee helps rid me words, I can create a reasonable spelling in my head and hope that it’s right. of my stage fright and improves my research Nicholas: My mom has quizzed me nonstop skills and study methods. Also, my favorite — we went straight through the dictionary, thing about studying for spelling is that I can 500,000 words, last summer. I’ve put so much get carried away with the history behind each

SEPTEMBER 2012

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time into this. It’s not just memorization — you have to learn about languages. I know Latin and Greek roots, which help to piece together words. You’ve got to learn language shortcuts here and there.

Truman: What do you do when you don’t know a word that you are given?

Nicholas: The first thing is to panic for a minute, then try and clear your head and work your way through it. Ask all the questions, find out a little bit about the word. And just give it your best shot. That’s all you can really do.

Truman: What’s the hardest word you have had to spell?

Snigdha: Compas — it’s pronounced kome paa. It is from Haitian Creole, and it is a kind of jazz music originating from Haiti.

Nicholas: Kanaima, from this year. I knew if I got it right, I would make it to the finals for the first time. It’s a proper name from British Guiana.

Truman: What would you like to be when you grow up?

Snigdha: I want to go into medicine for sure, but I am thinking of becoming a neurosurgeon or a psychiatrist.

Nicholas: I definitely want to do something in the medical field. Right now I’m thinking about cardiology.

Truman: What advice would you give to kids to help make them better spellers?

Snigdha: Try to find any local spelling bees that you can participate in because this inspires them to go to a higher level in spelling. There is a booklet of spelling words called Spell It! There is a new version of it published every year and you can find it on the National Spelling Bee website., www.spellingbee.com.

Nicholas: You just have to work at it. It takes time and preparation. Find the way of studying that works best for you and go with it. Learning about different languages helps a lot, too.

Truman: Snigdha, you are this year’s winner of the National Spelling Bee. What does that feel like? What are you going to do with your $30,000 award?

Snigdha: When I won, I was absolutely surprised because I hadn’t expected to win, especially with such amazing spellers competing against me. I was so ecstatic that all of my hard work had paid off at the end. Regarding my prize money, I will probably save it for college.

Truman: Thanks for talking to Kidsville News!

It’s quite an accomplishment that you have, and I know you’ll both go on to do great things. Good luck!

PAGE 7

To qualify for Child Health Plus, children must be under the age of 19 and live in New York State.

Your family’s income will determine if Child Health Plus is free or if there is a monthly fee.

Send It!

Hey Kids! Truman wants your original artwork, letters, poems, and stories! He may want to print them in an upcoming issue of Kidsville News! or put them up on the website. Just have your parents fill out this form and send it along with your work.

Name

Age

School 31809

P.O. Box 338, Elizabethtown, NY 12932

Grade

Address

City

State

Zip

Your Signature (This is your own work) Parent’s Signature (Permission) Hint: Send your work in color and on unlined paper!

Phone#

? ?

34582

?

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?

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Answer Corner

PUZZLEVILLE!

Let’s Go Back to School!

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20012 33898

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SEPTEMBER 2012

Hi! I’m Digger Mole and I work for NYCO Minerals.

Did you know that our mineral, called “Wollastonite”, is shipped all around the world?

20009

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY

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National Blueberry Popsicle Day

MONDAY

3 Skyscraper Day

9

Teddy Bear Day

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

4

5

6

Newspaper National Cheese Read a Book Carrier Day Pizza Day Day

FRIDAY

7

SATURDAY

1

8 International Literacy Day

10 11 12 13 14 15 Swap Ideas Day

Make Your Bed Day

National Chocolate Milk Shake Day

Make A Hat Day

National Peanut Day

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 National Play-Doh Day Mayflower Day

Citizenship Day

National Apple Dumpling Day

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

First Railroad Station Opened

World Gratitude Day International Peace Day

Elephant Appreciation Day

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Good Neighbor Day

National Bluebird of Happiness Day

SEPTEMBER 2012

Johnny Appleseed born John Chapman, in 1774.

Crush A Can Day

www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny

First Airport Opened (1909)

PAGE 9

Adirondack for Kids is a foundation established by the Adirondack Family of businesses to offer grants to nonprofit organizations supporting youth activities in the areas where Adirondack operates.

20004

We can all make a difference, today!

There they go! I know you’ve seen them the people who are always helping out or “volunteering” at different events. Why do they do it? Let’s talk a little about that and about what you can start doing today to grow up to just like them! I know I want to, they always look they are having so much fun!

We need to volunteer when we are young so that when we become adults we will always remember to help those around us who don’t have as much.

This is called being part of a community. That word can be used a lot of different ways, There is the community or town where you live but I want to talk to you about being aware of the larger community, the world around you and how giving to your community is an important part of a civilized society. Not only does helping others make us feel better both mentally and physically, but it helps us meet new friends and provides a sense of belonging and pride.

There is a group of people here in the North Country who works very hard all year to help people in our community. The amazing part is that these people go out and ask other people for donations, you know to give a portion of their money, then they take all the money they raised and give it to help people. They are the volunteers and the member agencies of the United Way. What do you know about the United Way? Well, if you are like me and like to watch football you’ve seen commercials for the United Way. Those are the ones where famous football players are reading to kids and stuff.

That’s not all the United Way does, here in the North Country there are 41 organizations who get funding from the United Way so they can help you, me and our families and neighbors.

The United Way always reminds us to LIVE UNITED that means the same as community, we are all responsible for each other. The other thing the United Way asks us to do is to GIVE, ADVOCATE, & VOLUNTEER. Let’s look at each of those words and how it might affect us.

GIVE: A lot of our parents, teachers and neighbors give to the United Way through the place where they work, but there are lots of ways kids like us can give. Let’s say it’s your birthday coming up, you can ask that some of your gifts be a donation to the United Way or you might participate in a fundraiser that they are sponsoring. You might have a bake sale or raffle or challenge your friends! No amount is too small to donate.

The United Way takes all of our gifts and together it adds up to a lot.

ADVOCATE: That one is easy! It’s what I’m doing right now! I’m telling the story of the United Way. Over the next months I will talk more about the different United Way agencies that help children all over the North Country. So when you read about one of them, GET THE WORD OUT to your family and neighbors. You can write stories, draw pictures

or just talk about them. That’s how we advocate! Another way to ADVOCATE is when you speak up for someone who needs help.

That’s what so many United Way agencies do. They are the voice for people with traumatic brain injuries or the blind or someone who is mentally impaired.

VOLUNTEER: This one takes the most effort but also has the greatest rewards! You can volunteer with your family and friends for any worthy cause. This can be a really fun family memory, and you get to use your talents. Let’s say you’re a really good reader; maybe you could read with kids who are struggling. You may be surprised to learn only one in three 4th graders can read proficiently (ptuh-fish-uh-nt-le).

Those kids who don’t read well often fall behind, maybe, end up dropping out of school. It’s a quiet crisis happening right now in communities across America and you can make the difference! Just because you took a few moments and VOLUNTEERED! Well we really learned a lot today about our community around us!

Don’t stop now! Talk to your teachers and families about ideas you have for volunteering, giving and advocating. Email me at Truman@denpubs.com I’d love to hear what you have come up with.

See you around!

Your Friend,

Where to go, when you need to know!

2-1-1 is the number to dial that helps us find information about the agencies that can help our families and neighbors. Here in the North Country we have lots of public and not for profit services, but finding out about those services and contacting them can sometimes be challenging or even overwhelming. There are well-trained people at the 2-1-1 call center who can provide information and connect callers to agencies. The best part is it is free and confidential!

During times of disaster, like when tropical storm Irene swept through our region a year ago, 2-1-1 is there for callers who need help, as well as those who want to help. But not just during disasters, 2-1-1 is there everyday for any problem that might arise. It is available for families with young children as well as older people like your grandparents.

• How would we do that? Writing a letter is a good way to be heard. You can go the United Way.org and click on take action it will help you and your family send a letter to your legislator in Washington then as a class you can write to your county representative.

• Share this information with your family and neighbors so they can use it too • Do you like to draw or paint? Draw a picture about 2-1-1 showing how it helps people and send it to Kidsville News. Remember your “send-it” form!

In 1988 we started as a small oil company in the Malone area.

In 2010 we expanded our service area by opening an environmentally friendly facility in Plattsburgh, allowing us to serve customers in Clinton and Essex counties. We don’t just deliver fuel, but also provide service, and sell boilers, stoves, and furnaces.

20005

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www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny

SEPTEMBER 2012

Deciduous Forest Animal!

Exploring Nature!

4IFSJ "NTFM t XXX FYQMPSJOHOBUVSF PSH ,OPX :PVS -FBWFT Match the leaves to their names and color them: BIRCH, OAK, MAPLE, ASPEN, SYCAMORE, BASSWOOD, BEECH

1

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis Eastern gray squirrels are found in hardwood and mixed forests with trees that produce nuts. They are one of the few mammals that are truly diurnal – active during the day. They are also active year round, surviving on buried nuts and cones. This habit of burying nuts has the unintended effect of making them tree planters as well!

2

Match the tree leaf to its fruit. hemlock

a

hickory

b

3

4 c

sycamore

d sugar maple

6

5

e 7 white oak

f mountain ash

Exploringnature.org is an award-winning resource that inspires learning about science, conservation and the outdoors through

trips, illustrated books and online resources. Explore outside today!

Leafy Fun Fact!

As the days grow shorter each fall, it causes the breakdown of the green pigment – chlorophyll – in the leaves of deciduous trees. This breakdown ends photosynthesis for the season and allows the other pigments hidden under the stronger green to show through giving us some amazing fall colors.

1. BEECH, 2. MAPLE, 3. BASSWOOD, 4. ASPEN, 5. OAK, 6. SYCAMORE, 7. BIRCH a)mountain ash, b)hemlock, c)hickory, d)white oak, e)sugar maple, f)sycamore

20006

SEPTEMBER 2012

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PAGE 11

PUZZLEVILLE! Healthy Aging Word Find

By Jan Buckner Walker ™

The Original Crossword Puzzle for Kids and Their Favorite Adults The across clues are for kids and the down clues are for grown-ups!

It's in the Bag Kids Across

popcorn until it was gone 22.

An athlete who practices 1. What you always find in a by punching a bag before trash bag he gets into the ring (or a 7. A cowboy might carry type of dog) stuff in a saddlebag while 23. What you have to do with riding on this animal your mouth to play the 8. It's what a lunch bag is bagpipes made of 10. The person who helps a Parents Down golfer with his clubs is 2. Produce secret: If you called a _____ place bananas in a 17A 8A 11. A grown-up female 7A bag, they'll be ____ in a 13. The big guy who brings hurry toys in a sack in December 14. What to do with milk after 3. Supermarket shopper's loot, in paper or plastic you empty corn flakes 4. Precious metal coins in a from their bag in a box leprechaun's bag into your bowl 15. What 1A bags are usually 5. Where you've been if you brought a doggy bag made of home 17. The color of a lunch bag 19. What people do at a table 6. Father figure of song fame who's got a brand new before they eat bag 21. Munched all of the

9. Its passengers each have a bag within reach (but nobody wants to need it) 11. Rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor hail, keeps a postal carrier from delivering his ____ 12. Word 13A only says in threes 13. It's all baggy pants can do 14. Fills baggage before taking a trip 15. Lady's constant companion 16. Practice a punch on a hanging bag, as 22As do 18. Old, undervalued 7A that rhymes with "bag" (or someone who annoys wtih repeated requests) 20. Common carry-on maximum for a 9D traveler

™

This Week’s Solution

kris@kapd.com

PAGE 12

Visit www.kapd.com to join the KAPD family!

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8/2/12

© 2012 Jan Buckner Walker. Distributed by Creators Syndicate, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 2012

Getting to and from school safely is as easy as ABC!

Always walk to the bus stop, never run!

It’s back to school time again! My favorite time of the year, I’ve missed all my friends and teachers during the summer. I get so excited to see everyone that sometimes I need to be reminded of the rules that keep all of us safe on the streets and around school busses. My classmates and I all get to school in different ways, some ride the bus, some walk because they live close enough and some come in cars. No matter how we get to school there are safety rules that need to be followed. So a bunch of nice sponsors helped us put 26 rules together to get to school and back home again as safely as possile. It’s a great way to learn the rules and practice your ABCs. Can you think of more rules? Send them to Truman School Safety, PO Box 338, Elizabethtown, NY 12932. I can’t wait to see them!

Your friend, Truman

Brightly colored clothing makes you easier to see.

Cross the street only at crosswalks and corners.

“We Service What We Sell” 75 Beekman Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901

3004 Broad St., Port Henry, NY PHONE: 546-7433• FAX: 546-7474

518-561-2000 www.cvph.org

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Getting off the bus is a time to be very careful.

2507 State Route 11 • POB 238 • Mooers, NY 12958 Phone: 518-236-7110 or 236-7148 Fax: 518-236-6528 • Email: dragoon@primelink1.net www.dragoonsfarmequipment.com 32013

Hold a child’s hand when walking near traffic.

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8969 Route 22, West Chazy, NY 12992 (518) 493-5600 Christine Thew

16 Degrandpre Way, Suite 400 Plattsburgh, NY 12901

32010

Remember never to run into the street.

Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.

(518)563-1900

W ater W ells P um ps R esidential& C om m ercial Sales • S ervice Installation H ydro F racking

12 Board Certified Radiologists

3004 Broad St., Port Henry, NY PHONE: 546-7433 (“Wide Open”) High Field MRI Including Breast MRI CT SCAN FAX: • ULTRASOUND • “WALK-IN” XRAYS WELCOME 546-7474

SEPTEMBER 2012

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Associates in Radiology & CVPH

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32120

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

- Nelson Mandela

HAS BEEN LIFTED

www.northcountryman.com

Pushing in line can get someone hurt.

Only get on and off the bus at your stop.

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”

- John W. Whitehead, founder, Rutherford Institute

CHEVROLET, INC.

Strangers are to be avoided EVERYWHERE.

Dealer #3100003

622 Rt. 11, Exit 42N, Champlain, NY

518-298-8272 www.parkercountry.com

Route 11, Champlain, NY • 298-3011

Visit quietly with friends so you don’t distract the driver.

American College of Radiology Accredited

Never throw things on the bus or out the windows.

BEEF BAN

WANT TO REACH THE 25-45 YEAR OLD DEMOGRAPHIC? THIS SPACE AVAILABLE

www.theyvalleynews.org

Know to look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.

32108

Monitors on the bus should ALWAYS be respected.

Quickly but safely take your seat when you get on the bus.

518-873-6368

60 West Church St. West Chazy, NY Phone: 493-4521 Fax: 493-5880

518-873-6368

Face traffic when walking where there are no sidewalks. www.denpubs.com

St. Joseph’s Church

32109

“I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams.”

- David Vitter, U.S. Senator

(518) 873-6426

Jumping on or off a bus is NOT allowed!

In a car always wear your seatbelt.

George Thew

Listen to the driver in an emergency.

• Free Timber Appraisals • Harvest Marked Timber • Long-Term Timber Management

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.”

- Lady Bird Johnson

Heat Wave Stoves & Fireplaces, Inc.

Pellet Stoves • Wood Stoves • Gas Stoves Fireplaces • Harman Dealer Sales & Service • Lopi Dealer

Serving the Area for Over 40 Years

INSURED • CLEAN • PROFESSIONAL

32107

Unless your parents know... always go straight home after school.

Treat people the way you want to be treated.

GANIENKEH WHOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER timesofti.com 518-585-9173

Repair • Service • Sales • Customization All Inventory Stored Indoors • Apparel • Helmets • Parts • Equipment • Accessories

Yellow is the most common color for a school bus.

These rules eXist to keep us safe!

the-burgh.com

25944

BRYANT’S LUMBER

ALAN MITCHELL LOGGING

Eye contact is a good way to know a driver sees you before you cross.

Don’t ever play in driveways.

DRAGOON’S FARM EQUIPMENT, INC.

Need extra cash?

Have property you need logged/managed?

“The price of greatness is responsibility.”

- Sir Winston Churchill

32011

www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny

An Alternative Healthcare Center 3083 Rand Hill Rd, PO Box 275, Altona, NY (518) 493-6300 • Fax: (518) 493-6301

32012

“Zone of Danger” This is anywhere within 10 steps of a bus.

Ganienkeh Territorial

BINGO Devil’s Den Road, via Altona, NY

Tel: US 1-518-493-2247 32110

PAGE 13

ParentTown is sponsored by your locally owned

McDonalds 20018

You want the very

best for your kids, That’s why we’ve made

quality a top priority.

1044 RT 11 CHAMPLAIN, NY 12919 (518) 298-3011

PAGE 14

2174 SARANAC AVE LAKE PLACID, NY 12946 (518) 523-3761

Happy Meals Help kids McDonald’s donates a penny per Happy Meal and Mighty Kids meal sold to Ronald McDonald House Charities

www.macdonalds.com

DEMARS BLVD 569 LAKE FLOWER AVE, RT 9 N & 74 RT 9 EXIT 23 SARANAC LAKE, NY 12983 TUPPER LAKE, NY 12986 TICONDEROGA, NY 12883 WARRENSBURG, NY 12885 (518) 359-7133 (518) 891-2566 (518)585-771 8 (518)623-3323 20019

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SEPTEMBER 2012

H ealthy Healthy

KIDSVILLE KITCHEN

H earts & BBodies odies Hearts

Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!

School Bus Safety!

Avoid the Danger Zones!

Watermelon Sherbet Smoothies

It’s almost time to start back to school! Here are some tips to keep you safe when you ride the bus. Whether the bus stops at your house or you go a few doors down and wait with a group of kids these rules still apply at the BUS STOP: • Always walk to the bus stop. Never run.

• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.

• Always go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

• While at the bus stop, wait in a safe place away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting.

• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and tell you parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.

• Wait for the bus to arrive, watch for red flashing lights and the stop sign to be extended, and cross only when all traffic has stopped. Look left, right, and left again before crossing.

ON THE BUS:

Have a fun and safe school year!

• Go directly to a seat. Remain seated and facing forward for the entire ride.

• Talk quietly (so the driver will not be distracted).

• If your bus has a monitor, ALWAYS treat that person with respect.

• Remember to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.

• If you need to talk to the bus driver: wait for the bus to stop, raise your hand, and call the driver’s name.

• Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Never play with the emergency exits.

• Keep the aisles clear at all times.

• If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

EXIT THE BUS: • When getting off the bus make sure you walk (not run) three more steps away from the door. This is the best place to be

around a bus. Stay away from the bus wheels and watch out for moving cars!

• Once you get off the bus, go straight home so an adult will know where you are.

• Only get on and off the bus at your designated stop. If you need to get off the bus somewhere else, you will need to have a note from your parents.

• If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and they may begin moving the bus.

• Also, if you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before

Copyright:

At Theaters Finding Nemo 3D — In Theaters September 14 The memorable animated adventure of everyone’s favorite clownfish Nemo gets a 3D treatment just in time to help ring in the fall movie season. The visually colorful underwater story follows Nemo’s wild journey after he gets separated from his dad, Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), while swimming in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin is worried his son isn’t a very good swimmer. He warns Nemo to stay close by. But Nemo wants to explore. A human diver scoops up little Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould) in order to turn him into an aquarium pet. With the help of a pretty blue tang fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) and a friendly Great White shark named Bruce, Marlin searches the oceans far and wide to reunite with his adorable son.

Pixar’s Finding Nemo is a terrific family movie that’s well worth seeing on the big screen in 3D. If you’ve never seen it before, you’re in for a real treat. If you have seen it before, you’ll love it more than ever. Rated G. 101 minutes.

(Walt Disney Pictures)

you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where you are.

• Always remain 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the “Danger Zone” and where the driver can see you.

• Always cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus.

Ingredients 3 cups fresh watermelon cubes 1 cup crushed ice 1 cup watermelon, raspberry or lime sherbet 4 teaspoons lime juice 1/2 cup miniature semisweet or white chocolate chips Instructions 1. About 10 minutes before you’re ready to mix the smoothies, place four tall glasses in the freezer to frost. Then wash the whole melon as you would other fruits and vegetables, and cut it into quarters.

(The number of quarters you’ll need to yield 3 cups of cubes will depend on the size of the melon.)

2. Slice each quarter you plan to use lengthwise into three wedges; then slice the flesh away from the rind.

Use a fork to scrape away the seeds and chop the melon into cubes.

3. Combine the crushed ice, watermelon cubes, lime juice and watermelon, raspberry, or lime sherbet and blend until smooth.

4. Pour the mixture into the frosted glasses and top each one with a half dozen or so miniature chocolate chips. Serves 4.

Hotel Transylvania — In Theaters September 28 Boo! For centuries they have lived in the shadows. But there is one place where monsters can finally “rest in peace.” Hotel Transylvania is home to every kind of monster you’ve ever heard of. Dracula, Frankenstein — and his bride — the Mummy, Quasimodo, the Invisible Man and even Bigfoot, all live together under one roof in the hills of Romania. Humans are the only things to be scared of around this place. Dracula (voiced

by Adam Sandler) runs Hotel Transylvania, where he raises his daughter Mavis (voiced

by Selena Gomez). He calls Mavis his little “ghoul.” The monsters get an unwelcome surprise when an American backpacker named Jonathan (voiced by Andy Samberg) shows up to look around and stay for a while. Jonathan is in for some surprises himself. Naturally, he takes a special liking to Mavis. An animated romp from Sony Pictures, Hotel Transylvania is a goofy family comedy to help get you warmed up for Halloween. Which monster will you be this year? Rated PG for violence and language.

90 minutes. (Sony Pictures Animation)

“I really like my new Pediatrician, Dr. Celotti.

He really knows how to care for North Country Kids.

That’s because he used to be one!”

Children’s DVDs Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection —Available September 4 The movie monsters that scared your great grandparents are here in a four-DVD set that includes The Mummy (1932), The Wolf Man (1941), The Invisible Man (1933),and The Phantom of the Opera (1943). Classics are movies that audiences keep coming back to over and over again because they are so good that they just never get old. The monster movies of the ‘30s and ‘40s are great for a lot of reasons. Actors such as Boris Karloff((The Mummy), Lon Chaney Jr. (The Wolf Man), and Claude Rains (The Invisible Man) were as popular back then as actors like George Clooney or Matt Damon are today. Although these movies are a little bit scary, they don’t really have any blood or gross stuff in them. A lot of kids think of these monsters as friendly characters. After all, everybody loves mummies.

These super-fun black-and-white movies were all made with kids in mind. It’s fun to be scared sometimes, especially when you’re watching a classic monster movie with your family. Not Rated. 308 minutes. (Universal Studios)

Accepting new patients. Call for an appointment.

Elizabethtown Community Health Center 66 Park Street, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 518-873-6896 • www.ech.org 20008

SEPTEMBER 2012

www.kidsvillenews.com/northernny

PAGE 15

Gee Thanks!

We would like to thank all of our Kidsville News! in Education Program Sponsors for helping to provide Kidsville News! to Northern NY schools and all area children K-5.

Clinton, Essex, Franklin

LIBRARY SYSTEM

YOUR NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF COMMUNITY NEWS, SERVING THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN & TRI-LAKES REGION

VALLEY Y 1948

News

NEWS N

4 192

2011

Enterprise

2012

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS: MUSIC

Irving Berlin

There are many songs that we learn by heart. But while we know the words to the songs, we might not know who wrote them. That is true of Irving Berlin, a composer who lived more than 100 years and wrote more than 100 songs.

Berlin was born Israel Beilin on May 11, 1888. He was one of eight children, although history doesn’t tell us if he was the youngest or the oldest. History also can’t tell us where exactly he was born, but his family did live in Tolochin, Byelorussia, which was part of the Russian empire. Berlin’s family immigrated to New York in 1893. Following the death of his father, Berlin, who was only 13, started working a lot of different jobs to support his family.

In 1907, he published his first song, “Marie from Sunny Italy,” and by 1911, he had his first major inIrving Berlin. ternational hit — “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

Over the next 50 years, this very talented man wrote a number of ballads, dance songs and love songs that have come to represent American music. Some of his songs include “How Deep Is The Ocean,” “Blue Skies,” “White Christmas,” “Always” and “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.” You might not know a lot of those songs, but we bet you will know one of his most famous songs: “God Bless America.”

Berlin was also known for writing music for Broadway and

20014

Our mission is to create a fun, engaging, educational newspaper and web site for all elementary age children, their parents & teachers, that encourages reading as a lifelong habit and promotes literacy & education. When it comes to literacy & child development, if we are to help develop a child’s habits, truly affect the way they think and act, to help develop their minds, we must start at a young age. We hope that you will consider partnering with us too! Together we can take childhood learning to the next level and have a positive impact on our community and our future leaders.

even for movies.

He wrote 17 scores (which is a written form of a musical composition that show all the parts for different instruments on separate staves) for Broadway musicals and revues. Berlin was a very patriotic man and showed his love for his country by donating money to worthy causes through a number of organizations, including The God Bless America Fund, Army Emergency Relief, the Boy and Girl Scouts, just to name a few. For his good works, he earned the Army’s Medal of Merit from President Truman in 1945, a Congressional Gold Medal for “God Bless America” and other patriotic songs from President Eisenhower in 1954, and the Freedom Medal from President Ford in 1977. In 2002, the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, named the Army Entertainment Division World Headquarters “The Irving Berlin Center” in his honor. Also that year, he was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp. On Sept. 22, 1989, at the age of 101, Berlin died in his sleep in New York City.

If you would like to learn more about Irving Berlin, you should spend some time listening to his music, or maybe you can ask your parents to rent some of the movies that feature his music. Once you see and hear his works, maybe you can try your hand at writing a play or song.

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SEPTEMBER 2012