Moms & Dads Today March 2018

FUN FOR ALL

Summer Camp PREVIEW

Now's

to the reader

We're still in the season when a snowstorm may be just around the corner, but it’s time for parents to think of warmer days and summer camp. This is when registration opens for many programs, so we hope you’ll peruse our sampling of what’s available in the area. This issue welcomes a few new contributors: Andrea Novel Buck checks in with Hartley Nature Center, Bonnie Ambrosi writes about having patience in the kitchen, Kathleen Murphy encourages families to hit the road, Kelsey Roseth uncovers some myths about head lice; they may not be as gross as you think!

This issue also welcomes a new features editor. Beverly Godfrey is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and has worked at the Duluth News Tribune as a copy editor and columnist for many years. She’s a licensed secondary English teacher, mother of four and looks forward to bringing parents useful information and the occasional silly diversion.

Bonnie Ambrosi; Stephanie Bartek; Andrea Novel Buck; Andrea Busche; Beverly Godfrey; Bob King; Melinda Lavine; Nicholas Matack; Derek Montgomery; Kathleen Murphy; Mary Rasch; Kelsey Roseth; Alison Stucke; Connie Wirta

Add your event to our calendar at Duluth.com

MAIL

Outdoor fun for ALL Hartley’s nature camps are just one way to enjoy this Duluth gem

BY ANDREA NOVEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BALLARD

Nature-based preschool, summer day camp, school field trips, or just a family outing to hike, mountain bike, fish, cross-country ski, snowshoe or walk the dog –have your children experienced Duluth’s 660-acre Hartley Park?

On any given day, 100 children explore the park, which is bounded by Duluth’s Kenwood, Hunter’s Park and Woodland neighborhoods. Most participate in structured programs like

Hartley Nature Center’s preschool (current enrollment 92) and school field trips (7,000 students visit per school year). During summer, the fun ramps up with week-long day camps hosting 1,000 children, ages 3 through 12, and some teen “counselors in training.”

Most of Hartley Nature Center’s programming is aimed at getting kids outside and roaming the woods, just like we did many years ago. “Hartley has always been that way, kids running around and having adventures,” said Executive Director Tom O’Rourke.

Matt Willey (right) encourages Dane Honer on the trail during a preschool class at Hartley Field.

OUTDOORS IN ANY WEATHER

On a cold January day, Hartley Nature Center’s preschoolers bundled up and set off outside, running on a trail behind their teacher. Their destination was a space in the woods where they would kick-sled and play husky pups, simulating barks and howls of the dogs they had seen in a video about the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Indoor lessons earlier that day had been focused on learning the letter O and number 29 and other things that will prepare them for kindergarten.

On the way back to their classroom, they gathered around in a circle at the edge of the trail to make a list of the highlights of their day. “I’ve seen several areas where dogs have peed in the snow, so don’t eat the snow,” Lead Preschool Teacher Dani French advised one of the children. Kick-sledding ranked No. 1 — as echoed by several until urged to name something different — then running and playing husky pups.

The preschoolers “go outside every day in every weather,” O’Rourke said. And they have “the whole of the park to play and explore in,” Preschool Director Kaitlin Erpestad added. On any given day, they might fish in the pond, hike in the woods nearby or simply play freely in the park’s Nature Playscape.

“Kids don’t get to do what we did as children in our backyards,” said Erpestad, who designed, opened and licensed the center’s preschool. She recites a litany of reasons for nature programming in preschools: it helps children’s emotional well-being, physical well-being and academic learning.

Erpestad, who skied in Hartley’s forest with her family as a child and ran its trails as a high schooler, is honored to have the job that she does. “We have such happy kids,” she said.

The preschool offers four half-day sessions and two full-day sessions for 3- to 5-year-olds, running September through May. Registration is in January, and there usually is a waiting list.

EXPLORING ON YOUR OWN

Don’t have need for a supervised outdoors program for your kids? Then consider some of these recommended family outings from O’Rourke:

• Hike up Rock Knob and take in the majestic view. It’s about a half-mile trek from the Nature Center building with a climb that’s “like Mount Everest” for a preschooler.

• Bring fishing rods and tackle and fish Hartley Pond. Your children might just reel in a black bull head, perch or golden shiner.

Becca Bell helps preschool student Lily Davis get into skis at Hartley Field. Classes go outside every day.

• Glide or crunch along the snowcovered trails in winter. The Nature Center has all sizes of cross-country skis, snowshoes and kick-sleds available to rent anytime the building is open.

• Explore the Nature Playscape, an open space behind the Nature Center building that’s filled with sticks, dirt, sand, a stream and other natural elements for self-directed play.

Most importantly, O’Rourke advised, allow time on your parent agenda to

let your children’s natural enthusiasm and curiosity be the guide, rather than hurrying along to a specific destination or accomplishment. He recalled taking his then-young son on a trip to Zion National Park in Utah. He gave him a camera, expecting photos of the park’s majestic views and landscapes. He got lots of blurry pictures of lizards, which had captured his son’s interest, instead.

“It’s important to have patience, to let kids explore,” he said.

Education staff for Hartley Nature Center include (from left): Kaitlin Erpestad, preschool director and lead teacher; Tiffany Smith, education director; and Tom O’Rourke, executive director.

SUMMER AT HARTLEY

Mid-June through mid-August, Hartley Nature Center runs 40 different week-long camps that allow kids to explore specific interests: birding, fishing, bugs, navigation, locally grown food. Most are half-day camps with enticing names like Water Stompers, Dirt!, Scramblin’ Scientists and Nature’s Ninjas for the younger set, and Survival, Water Engineering and Geocaching for the older. A select few, Boys in Boats! and Girls in the Outdoors!, are full day and include an overnight.

Tiffany Smith guides the educational component to the Nature Center’s programs and specifically leads the Mountain Biking camps. “We start with wide, flat trails and work our way onto rockier, more narrow trails with hills,” Smith said. Each day the bikers work on a skill: balance, bike and body awareness, riding while looking ahead instead of down, climbing and descending hills. By week’s end, they bike the park’s Guard Rail Loop, a 2-mile trail with a 286-foot climb and descent.

FORT, another popular camp, gets kids building forts from materials they collect in the woods. “I think it’s inherent to childhood,” Smith said of fort-building. “It’s also great cooperative learning and wonderful imaginative play.” And, the big wind storm two summers ago left huge root balls in the air and lots of downed limbs and sticks.

A pollinator garden at Hartley Park features a profusion of native wildflowers and hundreds of bees busy pollinating them. bob king / rking@duluthnews com

GUIDING HARTLEY INTO THE FUTURE

That wind storm closed the park for three months, although the Nature Center continued to provide programming in a more limited space. It destroyed the center’s yurt and playscape, which have been rebuilt. It downed 1,000 trees on the trails, which have been cleared and reopened. “It visually changed the park,” O’Rourke said. Most storm damage off trails was left as is, though St. Louis County plans to log some downed trees in the quadrant of the park nearest Howard Gnesen Road and Ridgeview Country Club.

Hartley Nature Center plans to expand its building in the next few years. An addition of two classrooms, a library/meeting room and new restrooms on the back would provide adequate space to serve all its current programs and expand its field trip, camp and preschool offerings.

The Nature Center is in the early stages of a $2 million capital campaign to raise money for the 4,800-square-foot expansion. It recently put up for sale eight acres across Woodland Avenue it was given after a fire destroyed a home there.

Nature Center leaders also envision more adult programming and work to keep Hartley Park ecologically healthy. Since 2014, the center has improved trails, selectively thinned red pine stands, replanted pollinator meadows, planted 3,500 new trees and worked to remove invasive species such as buckthorn.

But the emphasis on getting children into Hartley Park is most important.

“If you want to protect our parks, you have to have a generation that uses them,” O’Rourke said. — MDT

Andrea Novel Buck, a professional journalist for 25 years, is a Duluth freelance writer and Youth Education Director at Temple Israel.

TO REGISTER AT HARTLEY

Online registration for all summer camps begins at 8 a.m. Monday, March 14. Popular camps and some specific weeks and age groups fill quickly. Smith recommends parents register that morning and prepare ahead by having membership and account information up to date. Most half-day camp sessions cost:

$100 for members

$130 for nonmembers

Early care, a supervised lunch hour and after care can be added. Scholarships are available. The camps brochure can be found at hartleynature.org under the Programs/Day Camps drop down.

For Kids

Camp it UP Now’s the time to secure your spot

The Northland offers a wide range of camping experiences for children all summer long. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there. Sign-ups often start in the spring, so don’t delay to secure a spot. Many organizations offer reduced rates for members, so now might be a time to consider joining. Visit each organization’s website or call for more details. — MDT

Animal Allies

animalallies.net

(218) 722-5341

education@animalallies.net

4006 Airport Road, Duluth

Does your child love animals and want to learn how to help care for shelter pets? Learn how to train dogs, or just snuggle kittens. Groups split by age and experience for age-appropriate projects. Art, service projects, direct animal care, games, reading with animals, photography and more. Ages 7-13. $110-$175 per week.

Boy Scouts

vac-bsa.org

(218) 729-5811

Office: 3877 Stebner Road, Hermantown

Knight-themed activities include flaming marshmallow torches, catapult contest, foaming dragons, shield and sword design, archery range and more. Grades 1-5. $55 two-days, $110 four days. Location varies throughout the Northland over the summer. If not a scout, can join when you register.

Duluth Art Institute

duluthartinstitute.org

(218) 723-1310

avarsek@duluthartinstitute.org

2229 W. Second St. and 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth

Week-long camps explore art from all angles and abilities, encouraging campers to create work unique to themselves. Camps include painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, multimedia, fiber arts and more. All sessions are taught by Minnesota-licensed art teachers. Ages 7-17. Full day and half-day. $90-$275.

Duluth Playhouse

duluthplayhouse.org

(218) 733-7555

phoffice@duluthplayhouse.org

506 W. Michigan St., Duluth

The education program focuses on teaching performing arts skills including acting, dance, singing and theater tech. Develop lifelong skills in teamwork, public speaking and confidence. Classes offer an array of creative, fun and challenging opportunities to explore the power of performance. Class offered for children with

Children let their creativity loose at the Duluth Art Institute.

Ages 5-18. $115-$185 per week. Month-long intensive program runs in the summer; audition required. Full day and half-day.

Dungeon’s End dungeonsend.com

(218) 624-4121

dungeonsend@gmail.com

325 N. Central Ave., Duluth

Gaming camps include learning to play “Magic:The Gathering,” “Warhammer 40,000” and “Pokemon.” Campers will receive cards needed for the game. Staff will facilitate the gaming. Some age requirements. Full day and half-day. $75-$200 includes materials.

Girl Scouts

girlscoutslp.org

(218) 726-4710

Office: 424 W. Superior St., Ste G3, Duluth Girls Scouts offers resident, day, family and troop camps. Get outdoors and explore one of four locations. In addition to having a summer full of trying new things and meeting great friends, campers discover teamwork, leadership and confidence skills. Grades 1-12. If not a scout, can join when you register.

Great Lakes Aquarium

glaquarium.org

(218) 740-3474

info@glaquarium

353 Harbor Drive, Duluth

The Great Lakes Aquarium sits within sight of the biggest freshwater lake in the world! Explore history and animal care, interact with wildlife at aquarium, and pick up some STEM skills. There’s even a SCUBA diving class! Ages 6-14. $175-$255 per week. Camps run 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early drop-off available for a fee.

K.E.Y. Zone, ISD 709

duluthymca.org

(218) 336-8900

K.E.Y. Zone is a collaborative program of the Duluth Y and ISD 709 Community Education. The locations of these programs are at all nine Duluth public elementary schools, which provides services for grades K-5 year-round, including summer and school breaks. Schedule includes snack, physical recreation, braintime activities, clubs and choice time. Off-site field trips. Students need not attend Duluth public schools. $39 per full day. Extended care available for a fee.

Lake Superior Zoo

lszooduluth.org

(218) 730-4500

info@lszoo.org

7210 Fremont St., Duluth

Toddler program available for parents to attend alongside. Each camp features animal encounters, hands-on activities, crafts and games that focus on inspiring children to care about wildlife, conservation and the natural world. Teenagers can join the Zoo Crew and gain real-world knowledge about caring for animals and visitors. Ages 4-17. Offers camp for children 8-11 with autism. $15-$175. Single class, half-day, full-day.

Camp sessions at the Lake Superior Zoo include animal encounters.

Many Rivers Montessori manyriversmontessori.org

(218) 464-5570

info@manyriversmontessori.org

916 E. 3rd. St., Duluth

Enrollment in the four-week elementary summer program is open to all children, regardless of where they attend school. Younger ages must be MRM students. Explore arts, games, scavenger hunts, science, cooking and more. Programs are guided by Montessori learning principles that respect the natural development and interests of children. Choice, freedom and responsibility within a caring community characterize the summer program. $110-$225 per week. Full-day and half-day programs. Early drop-off and pickup available for extra fee. Toddlers must be in the full nine-week program.

Marshall School

marshallschool.org

(218) 727-7266

summer@marshallschool.org

1215 Rice Lake Road, Duluth

The mission of Marshall School is to educate students to become global citizens who demonstrate strong academics, respect and integrity — and the learning continues all summer. At Train Your Brain camps, create inventions, build a glider and tinker with technology. Become an archaeologist or experience off-road biking. Choose one camp or many. For students entering grades 3-8 from any school. $140-$240 per week. Fullday and half-day camps. Extended care available for a fee.

On the Rocks Art Studio & Gallery ontherocksart.com

(218) 390-2621

info@ontherocksart.com

307 Canal Park Dr., Duluth

Enjoy the scenery and beauty of Canal Park and waterfront. Campers will paint a daily 16×20 acrylic artwork focusing on the theme of Lake Superior and northern Minnesota. Campers also work with soft pastels, markers, drawing pencils and glaze a ceramic bowl. Art reception at the end of the week. Daily schedule includes snack and outdoor break time. Ages 8-16. All day, $400 per week (register by May 1). $450 per week after that. Themed day camps $75 per day, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Limited to 15 campers.

Campers prepare meals for animals at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Positive Energy Outdoors outdooredventures.org

(218) 391-0147

4757 Datka Rd, Duluth

Programs emphasize teamwork, healthy risk-taking, positive communication and creating learning opportunities that can lead to a lifetime of active adventures. Develop interpersonal skills and life skills while participating in a range of fun activities. Programs include horse riding, rock climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more. Day camps, teen programs, field trips and family adventure tours. Grades PreK-12. $265-$450.

University of Minnesota Duluth d.umn.edu

(218) 726-7128

rsop@d.umn.edu

1216 Ordean Court, Duluth

UMD Kidsrock classic camp experiences include exciting activities such as climbing, biking, bowling and canoeing. Talent show, nature adventures and art. Non-competitive team sports and puzzle games.

$135-$210 per week. Ages 5-15. Extended care available for a fee.

University of Wisconsin-Superior uwsuper.edu

(715) 395-4651

jmeyer49@uwsuper.edu

Marcovich Wellness Center, 1810 Catlin Ave., Superior Campers in the Little Yellowjackets program visit the planetarium,

explore Pattison State Park and beat the summer heat during water fun week. Sessions include games, discovery, exercise and field trips. Educational camps emphasize core values of teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and fun. Threeto five-day camps. Grades K-6. $150 per session. Extended care available for a fee.

Vintage Sports Camps

duluthheritage.com

(218) 393-1837

ds@vintagesportcamp.com

120 N. 30th Ave W., Duluth

Enjoy active days at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. Camps include baseball, softball, fishing, archery, rock climbing, soccer, ice time, karate and more. $199 per week. All day. Flexible drop-off time. Extended care available with the Boys & Girls Club.

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

wolf-ridge.org

(218) 353-7414

mail@wolf-ridge.org

6282 Cranberry Road, Finland

Have a wild time learning about animal survival, tracking, nutrition, farming, wilderness survival and more. Campers are encouraged to discover and explore the natural world, meet personal challenges, build outdoor skills and express their individuality. Grades K-12. Overnight, all-day camps, multi-

week wilderness trips. $190$2,050.

YMCA Day Camp Kitchigami

duluthymca.org

(218) 722-4745

302 W. First St., Duluth

Day Camp Kitchigami is a summer day program owned and operated by the Duluth Area Family YMCA. Programs designed to develop self-esteem, lifelong skills, acceptance of all people and an appreciation for the environment. Takes place at Chester Bowl Park, surrounded by towering pines, a creek perfect for exploring and a large field for games. Ages 4-12. Half-day and full-day programs. $85-$195 per week. Extended care available for a fee.

YMCA Camp Miller

ymcacampmiller.org

(218) 372-3188

campmiller@duluthymca.org

89382 E. Frontage Road, Sturgeon Lake

Established in 1898, Camp Miller offers age-progressive groupings for children to learn and experience traditional camp activities at the skill level of their peers. Specialty camps allow for older campers to expand their skills in a specific area, such as horseback riding, art, canoeing, rock climbing, archery and boating. Ages 7-16. Overnight camps, $360-$625 per week.

HEAD LICE: What’s fact, what’s fiction?

Duluth business helps families navigate a common problem

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY KELSEY ROSETH

Throughout the Twin Ports, there are rumors spreading about head lice.

“Only 50 percent of people get itchy when they have lice … itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the bug’s saliva,” said Jessica Fleming, owner of The Lice Lounge. The business, located at 113 N. 2nd Ave. W. in Duluth, has battled misconceptions about these tiny bugs for the past year.

Fleming is a mother of three who lives in White Bear Lake, Minn., where she opened the first Lice Lounge two years ago. She got the idea for the business after her children experienced lice about 10 times. “I knew what I wanted as a mom,” she said. “And that was someplace nice to go, to

be supported, and I wanted a caring community to talk to and commiserate with.”

Before opening her business, Fleming received professional training at The Shepherd Institute in Florida. “I basically went to lice school,” she said. Today, The Lice Lounge provides what Fleming calls “over-the-top” customer care to Twin Ports families. Parents can sip coffee and wine during a 30-minute strand-by-strand head check while children play games or watch videos on an iPad.

When Fleming’s team encounters an individual who is exposed, an all-natural, pesticide-free removal takes place, lasting about two hours. “Permethrin is a neurotoxin,” said Fleming, referring to the common chemical used to treat lice. “It used

to be effective, and it just isn’t any longer. The lice have simply become resistant.” Fleming said that in a March 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, Minnesota was reported as having one of the highest percentages of resistance.

Treatments at The Lice Lounge cost $80 an hour, include two follow-up head checks and can be paid from a health savings account. For a head check only, new clients pay $30, while returning customers pay $20. The Lice Lounge reserves 10 percent of its proceeds for schools to access if lowincome families need help paying for treatment. In addition to those services, The Lice Lounge travels to school districts to tackle head lice myths, providing updated prevention and treatment information.

The Lice Lounge’s owner Jessica Fleming demonstrates the head lice treatment process on staff member Alicia Couch.

THE HARD FACTS ON HEAD LICE

“[Head lice] need two things at all times. They need to eat, and they need that constant heat of the head,” said Fleming, going on to say 98 percent of all occurrences stem from headto-head contact. Less than 2 percent of cases are spread from sharing brushes and hats.

Having lice has nothing to do with poor hygiene, and the bugs don’t spread disease or pose a health risk. That’s a myth. “Lice comes with an old stigma, which is sometimes hard to get rid of,” said Susan Sederberg, a registered nurse and public health nurse at Duluth Public Schools. “It happens to families that have the cleanest of homes and to those who are struggling to keep their house clean, and across all economic barriers, too.”

Lice become pregnant for life. Females lay eggs twice daily, up to ten nits per day. Nits can range in color from grayish white to reddish brown, and they’re usually about the size of a sesame seed. They hatch in about seven to 10 days. The Lice Lounge states head lice can only feed on one blood type. If lice move to another head with a different blood type, they’ll die after eating.

CHECK REGULARLY TO PREVENT LICE

Both Lice Lounge and Duluth Public Schools recommend weekly head checks to catch lice early. At the very least, “once a week, take a peek,” said Sederberg. Louse eggs are stuck to the hair shaft and will not easily shake free. Dandruff and dry skin can often be misdiagnosed as head lice, yet those move when disturbed.

Since a louse depends on human blood for survival, it can be separated from its host for only about 24 hours before it dies. After 12 hours away from a scalp, a louse has lost the ability to ever eat again.

• Dr. Paul K. Hodapp

Dr. Scott K. Varland

Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot

All-natural, pesticide-free products are sold at The Lice Lounge.

Raising Children

That means you don’t have to clean your house from top to bottom to prevent lice from spreading to other members of your family. Fleming recommends freezing your hairbrush for two hours, and Sederberg suggests washing bedding and clothing used in the past 12 to 24 hours in hot water and drying them thoroughly.

To back this up, Fleming cites a 1999 study by James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, which was repeated in 2005. Researchers looked at two child care centers and found 300 individual lice on the children. They then inspected 12 carpeted areas, 21 beds, 40 pillow cases, 50 dress-up items and more. Researchers found no lice on any of those items. Their findings suggest the chance of lice living off a person’s scalp is low.

Fleming said there’s a misconception that “lice season” is during the school year, but she said her business is busy in the summer, too. When lice are suspected in school, Duluth Public Schools follows a procedure based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its Health Services Offices checks the student. If lice are confirmed, a parent is called but the child is not automatically sent home.

ADDITIONAL HEAD LICE TREATMENTS

In addition to the nontoxic approach of The Lice Lounge, pesticides are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Some are more effective than others, and Natroba Topical Suspension and Sklice Lotion are popular choices. — MDT

The Lice Lounge owner Jessica Fleming sits in her Duluth location.

Kelsey Roseth is a Duluth freelance multimedia journalist and writer.

Let time in the kitchen be fun and relaxed

BY BONNIE AMBROSI

Cooking with children” is a pretty broad field. Baking cookies with a 4-year-old is very different from sharing the kitchen with a tween. I’ve done both, and this is what I have learned: regardless of the age, the most important elements in cooking with kids are: one, be in a good mood; and two, don’t be in a hurry. If you are feeling crabby or rushed, either wait for another time to invite the kids to help you, or embrace this opportunity to change the vibe, slow down, smile at your young ones and make some food together.

Why is it good to cook with kids? It may incline them to cook for themselves when they leave home, rather than subsisting entirely on take-out. Certainly it can teach them some basic skills in measuring, mixing and deciphering recipes.

But more important than any specific kitchen skill is simply making your kids feel welcome in the kitchen. Let the preparation of food be relaxed and pleasant and creative. Show them that you enjoy having them around. By allowing them to help, you give them the joy of feeling helpful. In this way they will learn that the kitchen is a good place to be, and that’s a great lesson to take into adulthood.

Judge what your child can do safely and successfully. Depending on the age, a child can: get out the ingredients you need and put them away again as you finish with each item; wash produce; measure ingredients;

Kids in the Kitchen

add things to the mixing bowl; stir; help with clean-up. A child who can read might enjoy reading the recipe to you as you go along.

At some point, the roles may reverse. My youngest daughter is now 14 and can expertly make brownies by herself, but I enjoy being her assistant, bringing her the ingredients and utensils she needs and keeping her company while she bakes. Remember that how you go about doing things is almost always more important than the actual result. Also, neatness is good, but not more important than enjoying the experience — messes can be cleaned up. Finally, here is my recipe for Mud Cookies, based one from the March 2001 issue of “Your Big Backyard,” the National Wildlife Federation’s children’s magazine. This is the sweet treat that I have made with and for my kids countless times over the years. Mud cookies require adult help unless the children are old enough to manage a hot saucepan by themselves, but they cook up very quickly and always seemed to satisfy us. As I am vegan, I have made the recipe vegan-friendly. You may substitute nonvegan milk and margarine or butter if you prefer. If you use a sweetened milk or nut butter, you may want to cut back a bit on the amount of sugar. — MDT

Mud Cookies

Makes about 22 cookies

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup plant-based milk

¼ cup vegan margarine such as Earth Balance

2 tablespoons cocoa

¼ cup peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups quick oats

In saucepan, combine sugar, milk, margarine and cocoa. Place pan on stovetop over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture comes to a boil and the entire surface is covered with bubbles. Continue to heat and stir for 1 ½ minutes — time it! Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, and then the oats. Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper. The cookies will harden as they cool.

Bonnie Ambrosi a freelance writer and organizer of The Vegan Cookbook Club in Duluth.

Doctor finds her calling while studying in Africa

BY CONNIE WIRTA

PHOTO BY DEREK MONTGOMERY PHOTOGRAPHY

With roots in Minnesota and medical training on four continents, Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Bard brings a unique perspective to her work as a new obstetrician and gynecologist at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic.

As a student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Bard took time to study in Sweden, India and Uganda. Her experiences taught her the many ways medicine is practiced around the world. She believes her patients here also benefit from her perspectives.

“I’m a much better listener, and it’s important to me that my patients share their stories,” said the 33-year-old physician. “I’m also more open-minded. I don’t prejudge. I meet my patients where they are and work to achieve their goals, not the goals I would have for them due to my background, experiences or my culture.”

Dr. Bard grew up in a family dedicated to serving others. Her father, the Rev. David Bard, served Methodist congregations around Minnesota, including the First United Methodist Church in Duluth for 11 years. Her mother, Julie, and her father grew up in Duluth so the family visited frequently. Her paternal grandmother, Carol Norling, still lives here.

Dr. Bard traces her interest in medicine to a skiing accident when she was 11. During a class trip, she fell and badly broke her hip. A lengthy recovery and multiple surgeries piqued her interest in how the human body works. She decided to pursue pre-med studies at the end of her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and later enrolled at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School in Minneapolis.

With her own health history, Dr. Bard first considered orthopedics and orthopedic surgery. She joined a medical mission to Haiti with an orthopedics mentor and realized she wanted to build longer relationships with her patients and provide more comprehensive care. “I saw that we could help by doing the surgeries in Haiti, but I knew how important therapy and recovery are in orthopedics,” she recalled.

I’d hold a woman’s hand and talk with her... She may not have understood my language, but she understood, ‘I’m here for you.’ I could be a personal champion for that woman.

Dr. Elizabeth Bard

Dr. Bard found her calling in obstetrics and gynecology as she studied and worked in the maternity ward at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The hospital, which has the highest per capita rate of births in Uganda, averages 80 births a day.

“It’s a low-resource government hospital that didn’t always have the basics, like running water, so you learn to do without a lot,” Dr. Bard said. “You have to focus on what you can do to make labor and delivery better for women and their babies.”

Dr. Bard said she learned the importance of supporting patients. Because women labored in cramped maternity wards, they were not able to have families or friends with them. “I’d hold a woman’s hand and talk with her,” Dr. Bard recalled. “She may not have understood my language, but she understood, ‘I’m here for you.’ I could be a personal champion for that woman.”

Dr. Bard recognized a need for medical professionals and advocates for women’s health care. “What I like about obstetrics and gynecology is that you can train local professionals — nurse midwives, community nurses and lay midwives — and make a huge difference in outcomes for women and their babies,” the physician said of her work in other countries.

Being able to build strong relationships with patients is important to Dr. Bard. “With a pregnancy, I see a patient so frequently and I’m connecting with them at such a special time,” she said. “Pregnancy and birth are such personal experiences, and I get to partner with them.

“I get to see the joy of the birth of a baby, and that seems to make the world a little brighter place,” Dr. Bard said. “Why wouldn’t you want to bring more happiness into the world?”

make an appointment

Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Bard sees patients at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic and the Essentia Health-Virginia Clinic. To schedule an appointment in Duluth, call (218) 786-3800, and in Virginia, call (218) 748-7750. To see Dr. Bard’s full profile, visit EssentiaHealth.org and click on “Find a Medical Professional.”

Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Bard studied in Sweden, India and Uganda while attending medical school. The new obstetrician/gynecologist sees patients at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic and the Essentia Health-Virginia Clinic.

Education is key to improving children’s oral health

BY DR. NICHOLAS MATACK

Dental decay is the most prevalent infectious disease in our country’s youths. Two out of five children will have a cavity before reaching kindergarten. Establishing a positive culture about dental health at home will help your child establish healthy lifelong habits. This process should begin at a young age. A child should see a dentist when the first tooth enters the mouth, or at least before their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Typically, these infant exams are done with the child in the parent’s lap. Parental expectations for this first visit should be to establish rapport with the dental team, introduce the child to the dental atmosphere, and most importantly, to deepen parents’ knowledge regarding their child’s dental and oral health.

HYGIENE MATTERS

Having a good oral hygiene regimen starts with understanding how decay happens. Tooth decay is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that produces acid on the tooth surface, or “plaque.” Good hygiene practices help to decrease the buildup of bacterial plaque. There are many types of bacteria in our mouths, but only a specific few are directly tied to tooth decay. Since these bacteria can be spread between parents and siblings, it is important that all family members have good hygiene, to minimize the risk of transmission.

Ideal hygiene practices include brushing for two minutes, twice a day. Children younger than 3 should use no more than a rice-size smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Children ages 3-6 should not use more than a peasize amount. Although it is good to get kids in the habit of brushing their own teeth, young children should have their teeth brushed by an adult to ensure

effectiveness. Observe your child’s brushing habits and technique until you can be assured they are independent. Replace you child’s brush every three to four months, when it looks worn, or if the child has been ill. Although brushing with good technique is an effective method to remove plaque from most tooth surfaces, there are some places where a brush cannot reach. Flossing once per day should begin when adjacent teeth are in contact with one another.

SUGAR BUGS

Beyond excellent hygiene practices, diet is another major factor that can significantly affect decay risk. The bacteria that causes dental decay turns the same foods that we eat into acids, which then erode our tooth structure, causing a cavity.

Not all foods have the same level of cavity risk. Snacks high in sugar, even natural foods (such as dried fruits) are high-risk for decay. Among the most common offenders are soda, juice, sports drinks and hard candy. These snacks have a high sugar content and are commonly consumed over long periods or frequently throughout the day. The frequency with which we consume high-risk foods is the most important consideration related to decay.

Protective factors in our saliva, and toothpaste can lessen the risk of tooth decay. However, when high-risk foods are consumed frequently, our saliva does not have an opportunity to decrease the eroding effects of acid produced by bacteria. In this sense, it is not the quantity, but the frequency that matters far more. Early childhood decay can occur after the first baby tooth has come into the mouth when children are fed frequently by bottle with milk at night or sippy-cup with juice.

It may be unrealistic to consider completely eliminating all high-risk

snacks. However, consuming less sugar-laden snacks, less frequently throughout the day can significantly decrease our risk for dental decay.

BEYOND DECAY

The dental home that you establish for your kids can provide you with important insights beyond dental decay. Your dentist can be instrumental in recognizing developmental abnormalities, tooth alignment concerns and pathologies of the surrounding area. Habits such as thumb sucking, which can result in altered tooth position and restricted jaw growth, can be discussed. Important points such as the value of baby teeth in maintaining space for adult teeth and health of adult teeth are valuable pearls of knowledge gained through a child’s dental visits.

Establishing a dental home can facilitate the conversations that will lead to education and ultimately the opportunity for better oral health.

Nicholas Matack, DDS, practices at Gregorich Family Dental in Duluth. He wrote this for Moms and Dads Today.

Brianna Ferrari, a dental hygiene student at Lake Superior College, demonstrates how to use an electric toothbrush to Alexis Nelson, 10, of Duluth. (BOB KING / RKING@DULUTHNEWS.COM)

A day trip with science on the brain Science Museum of Minnesota exhibits focus on engineering this year

BY KATHLEEN MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

The Twin Ports is an incredible place to raise a family, full of stoic people leading outdoorsy lives. But come March or so, when thermometers often still hover below freezing, even the hardiest of outdoors lovers can feel a bit of cabin fever.

So what to do when you’d like to get out of town?

“Make a day of it and burn off some energy at the Science Museum in St. Paul,” suggests Kim Ramsden, director of communications at the Science Museum of Minnesota. “We’re easy to find and right off I-35. It’s a straight shot from Duluth.”

The Northland may boast some great museums and kid-friendly attractions, but the Science Museum of Minnesota

is a unique location that knows how to take the fun up a notch by catering to all age groups, not just young children. With three floors of hands-on exhibits, educational programming, several cafés, and an Omnitheater, plan on taking at least a day to explore.

“A family could easily spend a full day at our museum,” Ramsden said. “We have areas for younger children to run and be physical, areas for elementary-aged children to participate in hands-on learning, and areas where quiet reading and learning might feel more attractive to teens and adults.”

This spring would be a good time to visit. The museum has declared 2018 “The Year of the Engineer,” a series of programs featuring multiple STEMrelated activities. By encouraging children to explore the fun and creative side of engineering, the museum hopes to foster a sense of excitement that will

encourage kids to think about pursuing it for a career.

“We want people to think of engineering as a way to solve problems,” Ramsden said. “People tend to think engineers either drive trains or build bridges, and that’s it. But it’s really a career that encourages tackling big projects to improve lives, and we want children to experience that.”

Opening March 16 and going through summer is the LEGO-inspired exhibit “Towers of Tomorrow.” This exhibit will encourage guests to explore creative problem-solving with a wide assortment of LEGO bricks, and will feature more than 20 LEGO replicas of skyscrapers from around the world. For a purely Minnesota surprise, look for the LEGO replica of the U.S. Bank Stadium. If you go on a weekend, check out the museum’s Saturday programming, where a family can find

Left: Overlooking the Mississippi River, the Science Museum of Minnesota provides visitors an opportunity to view one the most extensive dinosaur collections in the nation. Middle: Visitors to the Science Museum of Minnesota will be greeted by this giant astronaut in the atrium. Right: A perennial summer visitor favorite, the Big Back Yard features a science-style mini-golf course, gardens, and an award-winning solar-powered building.

enjoyable one-day programs such as “Star Wars Day,” “Nano Day,” and the new program, “Play. Tinker. Make. Engineer.”

Perhaps the older children aren’t yet convinced? Maybe they’re feeling too old for the Science Museum?

“We’ve kept them in mind,” Ramsden said. “We also have exhibits that — while everyone can enjoy them — are appealing to teens and young adults, such as our newest permanent exhibit, Sportsology, which features prominent local athletes.”

Participants can record themselves in a motion lab, then play it back and analyze their movements. Race against a Tyrannosaurus rex, measure your high jump, or throw a football and compare your form against professional athletes. Another exhibit older kids might want to check out is “RACE: Are We so Different?,” a place to explore the science and history behind the idea of race, and how it affects everyday culture.

Some families find by midafternoon, they need a break from the high excitement of the museum. This is the perfect time to take in a movie, recharging energy levels while feeling immersed by a screen that surrounds from every angle. With multiple movies and showtimes every day, the IMAX Omnitheater is the only convertible IMAX dome in the U.S. The film “Dream

Big: Engineering Our World” opened March 2, the perfect complement to your day exploring engineering.

Multiple food venues are available within the museum, including the aptly named Elements Café. If a family wants to spend more than one day in St. Paul, multiple hotels are within walking distance of the museum. Also nearby are several family-friendly restaurants such as Cossetta Alimentari, an Italian restaurant, pizzeria and marketplace that has been located in St. Paul for over 100 years — almost as long as the science museum’s 111 years. After a family thoroughly explores the science museum, they can visit the Minnesota Children’s Museum or the Minnesota History Museum, both a half-mile walk from the science museum.

A trip to the science museum doesn’t even have to be a standalone trip. Carolyn Phillips, Superior parent of eight, has kept a science museum household membership for years. “Whenever we have a big swim meet or other event to go to in the cities, we always work in a stop at the science museum. The kids love the Omnitheater, and the dinosaur exhibit is always a big hit with my younger ones,” she said.— MDT

Kathleen Murphy is a Duluth freelance writer.

IF YOU GO

The Science Museum of Minnesota

120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

Phone: (651) 221-9444

Website: smm.org

Tickets: Adults $18.95

children and seniors $12.95

children 3 and younger free

Omnitheater costs extra

Memberships and group rates available

Summer Camps: see web site tab ‘CAMPS & CLASSES’

Of note: Closed Mondays

TREATMENTS

• Addictions

• Anxiety/Panic

• Chronic Pain

• Depression

• Divorce

• Eating Disorders

• Grief and Loss

• Health and Wellness

• LGTBQ Needs

• Life Transitions

• Parenting Support

• Personality Disorders

• Post-Partum Distress

• Perinatal Distress

• Self Esteem

• Smoking Cessation

• Stress

• Trauma

• ADHD

• Autism

Experts urge families to make fire safety a priority

BY ANDREA BUSCHE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

More people died in fires last year in Minnesota than in any year since 2002, according to the Department of Public Safety. With 63 fire deaths in 2017 and seven by February 2018, the state fire marshal urged Minnesotans to take fire prevention seriously.

There’s no doubt fire safety is important year-round. But perhaps the topic becomes more obvious when snow is on the ground, our fireplaces crackle and space heaters hum around us.

Thankfully, there is plenty you can do to prevent a house fire, and that includes educating your entire family. Sharing tips for fire prevention can initiate a conversation in your home, the first step to creating a safer space.

SAD STATISTICS

The leading cause of fatal fires last year in Minnesota was careless smoking, followed by combustibles found too close to a heat source, according to preliminary data. State Fire Marshal Bruce West said last year’s increase is concerning, because most fire deaths are preventable.

“Fire is deadly, plain and simple,” West said. “If people don’t take the dangers of fire seriously and work to prevent a fire in their home, they could find themselves or their loved ones victims of the next tragedy.”

West said it is difficult to pinpoint a reason for the spike in fire deaths. He urges Minnesotans to make fire prevention in their homes a top priority, along with creating a family escape plan and practicing it twice a year.

Here are some specific fire safety tips you can incorporate in your own household, provided by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Smoking

• If you smoke, smoke outside and extinguish cigarettes in a sturdy ashtray filled with sand or water.

• Do not discard cigarettes in potted plants, leaves, mulch or other vegetation.

• Do not smoke while on oxygen.

Cooking

• Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended; stay and look while you cook.

• Keep items like oven mitts, aprons and paper towels at least three feet from heat sources in the kitchen.

Heating

• Keep space heaters three feet from anything combustible.

• Do not leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off while you’re sleeping.

• Plug space heaters directly into the wall, not an extension cord or power strip.

• Have your furnace and chimney inspected annually.

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If you smoke, smoke outside and extinguish cigarettes in a sturdy ashtray filled with sand or water.

Space heaters can ignite a fire, so never leave them unattended.

Raising Children

Open flames

• Keep candles at least three feet from anything that can burn and never leave a candle unattended.

• Consider using flameless candles instead of real candles. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

• Test your smoke and CO alarms monthly; change the batteries at least once a year.

• Did you know that fire doubles in size every 60 seconds? A smoke alarm can give you the time you need to escape.

• Install smoke alarms in bedrooms, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

• CO alarms should be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room or inside each sleeping room.

• Keep in mind that technology related to fire prevention is always improving. Duluth fire marshal Marnie Grondahl said that families should consider interconnected smoke alarms. “They’re equipped with a radio chip,” she said. “When one goes off, they all go off.”

Family escape planning

• Create a family escape plan and practice it twice a year with everyone in your home.

• Start by drawing a map of your home that shows two ways out of every room. Make sure those ways out are easy to open (make sure windows aren’t painted shut, for example), and practice using different ones. If you have a multi-level home, consider putting an escape ladder near each window so you can get to the ground safely in an emergency.

• Designate a meeting place outside, such as a tree or utility pole.

• Family escape plans should be adjusted to meet the developmental level of each child as they grow. “When kids are preschool age, I keep it simple with the advice to ‘keep low and go,’” Grondahl said. “As they get older, children can be taught to feel the back of the door for heat before they exit.”

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety advises families install smoke alarms in bedrooms, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

PAJAMAS AND SLEEPING TIPS

Parents may be curious about the necessity of special pajamas, known to be constructed with flame-resistant materials, to keep sleeping children safer in a fire. “Parents can certainly look for the terms ‘fire-retardant’ or ‘flameresistant’ on their kids’ pajamas, but it’s even more important to have working, well-maintained smoke alarms in your home,” Grondahl said.

“Another line of defense,” said Jon Otis, Duluth deputy fire marshal, “is to keep your bedroom door shut. The temperatures in the closed room will stay much cooler and keep smoke out of the room, making a fire much more survivable.”

It is recommended that even infants should sleep in a room with a closed door. If they’re in a separate room, consider using a baby monitor to keep tabs on your little ones while they sleep.

QUICK RESPONSE IN AN EMERGENCY

While these tips are very effective in preventing house fires, unfortunately they can and do still occur. Keep in mind that if an emergency arises, our local fire department is equipped to respond quickly to a fire.

“From a fire safety standpoint,” Otis said, “There’s a lot you can do to protect your family. But if you do experience a house fire, we in Duluth are fortunate to have a very fast response time once you dial 911.” MDT

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to Moms & Dads Today.

Raising Children

Raising Children

Dancing for decades

BEVERLY GODFREY

father’s relationship with his children changes over the years, but for David Dahl and his daughter Katie (Dahl) Pollak, one thing has remained constant. The pair has attended every Father Daughter Ball since it started in 1996 — well, except that year Katie was in the hospital.

Jaxyn Pollak, born Feb. 1, 2013, put an asterisk on his mother’s and grandfather’s perfect streak — but David did stop by the hospital on his way to the dance the next day, which he attended with Katie’s stepdaughter

“I was with her in spirit,” he said. Katie said she wasn’t disappointed.

“I pretty much knew I wasn’t going to go,” she said. “My mom told me to get the tickets anyway. I was prepared to not go, with the due date being the

Other than that big day, since she was 6 years old, David, of Duluth, and Katie, now living in Oliver, Wis., have enjoyed their special night.

“It’s such a nice event, the idea of a dad and daughter doing something together. I think it’s kind of special,” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to get all dressed up and go.”

Christ Lutheran Church has run the ball all these years as an outreach ministry to the community, emphasizing the influential place fathers can hold in their daughters’ lives. The evening includes a short presentation with a Christian message, but the event is open to anyone.

“The most important thing to us is there is quality father-daughter time going on,” said Carolyn Lofald, a member of the ball committee.

It was a small affair in the beginning. The ball’s website speaks of the event’s

David Dahl and his 6-year-old daughter, Katie Dahl, in 1996.

150 guests, then expanding to Greysolon Plaza, and now its current location, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. This year’s event sold 657 tickets the first night, 872 on the second. That’s close to the sell-out capacity of 950, which has been reached in the past.

“They sit and they visit all night,” Lofald said. “It’s going out on a date. It’s preparing girls for what a date should be, to go out and have conversation and have fun.”

Lofald said she advises fathers to get in shape before the ball.

“We always say, a little bit ahead of time, to dance and get some exercise,” she said. “You’re going to be out on that dance floor most of the night.”

David said it’s a night he wouldn’t want to miss. “I’m thankful that we’ve been able to attend all these years,” he said. “It’s fun to see the changes in both of us in 22 years and the changes in how we interact with each other. She went from being our little girl to a grown woman with a family of her own. It’s amazing how quickly that seems to have happened.”

As would be expected, however, the changes over the years weren’t always smooth. David and Katie have talked to each other about the years when she wasn’t completely on board with attending. David said during her early

teens, his daughter didn’t think it was so cool to hang out with Dad. Katie’s memory confirmed this.

“I kind of went through a phase where I felt like I was getting too old; it wasn’t cool,” she said. But she encouraged girls who may want to stop to keep going.

“You’ll get back to the point where you’ll want to go again,” she said. “If you stop going at that awkward age, you’re not going to get back into it.”

The pair now enjoys watching new fathers with their younger daughters.

“It’s a fun, positive event. You can’t help but smile at a room full of awkward dads doing the chicken dance and then dancing to a special slow song with their beautiful daughters,” David said.

Lofald described the event as a time for dads to start the “bonding process” with their daughters. She said she has seen fathers bring 6-month-olds to the event.

“Of course, we don’t charge for that little child,” she said. “They just want to have that feeling. I really applaud these dads.”

David said another reason the evening is special to him is that it gives him the opportunity to hold his daughter in his arms again, to tell her how beautiful she is and how much he loves her. It’s exactly the sentiment organizers are aiming for.

“We just pray that it’s something that continues,” Lofald said. “The bonds between a father and daughter will always stay strong.”

Next year’s Father Daughter Ball will be Saturday, Feb. 2 and 9, 2019. For more information, visit fatherdaughterballduluth.org. — MDT

Beverly Godfrey is the features editor of Moms & Dads Today.

Supporting Safe Sleep for Babies

St. Luke’s is First Minnesota Hospital to Receive National Certification

BY STEPHANIE BARTEK

For new parents, sleep is a big deal. How to get enough sleep, how to care for a new baby on little sleep and how to get a baby to fall asleep are common discussion points. St. Luke’s Birthing Center — having earned both a national certification and state recognition — is moving another sleep topic to the front of parents’ minds: What is a safe sleep environment for baby?

St. Luke’s is the first hospital in Minnesota to receive a National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification as a Silver Safe Sleep Leader by Cribs for Kids. This organization is dedicated to preventing infant sleeprelated deaths due to accidental suffocation.

To earn this certification, the St. Luke’s team had to implement and maintain a safe sleep policy, train staff annually, audit progress, use sleep sacks instead of blankets, and provide education to parents prior to discharge.

“We’re setting parents up for success when they take their baby home, making sure we are modeling behaviors they can repeat once they leave the Birthing Center,” said Lori Swanson, Nurse Manager for Maternal Child Health.

The path toward certification started with a perinatal safety roadmap, created by the Minnesota Hospital Association. While St. Luke’s had been educating parents on safe sleep in the past, it wasn’t a formalized program.

“Implementing these steps to become Safe Sleep Certified involved a fundamental shift across the Birthing Center,” Swanson explained. “Our staff now receives safe sleep training on an annual basis so they

can give the same information every time to every family.”

Swanson went on to explain the importance of repeating a consistent message so that there isn’t confusion as parents go home. Cribs for Kids recommends the “ABCs of safe sleep.”

Alone: Keep your baby’s sleep area close but separate from where others sleep.

Your baby should not sleep with others in a bed, on a couch or in a chair.

Back: Your baby should be placed to sleep on his or her back in a safety-approved crib on a firm mattress or in an approved Baby Box with a mattress every time during naps and at nighttime.

Crib: Remove all loose bedding, comforters, quilts, sheepskins, stuffed animals, bumpers, wedges and pillows from your baby’s crib.

St. Luke’s Birthing Center sends every baby home with a Halo SleepSack, a safe alternative to standard blankets. New parents may receive stuffed animals or blankets as gifts from visitors, which presents another opportunity to discuss with parents what can compromise a safe sleep environment; these items should not be left in the crib.

“Parents want to do whatever they can to give their baby the best start possible,” Swanson said. “Our goal is to provide them with evidence-based safe sleep practices so they can make the best decisions possible for their family when they go home.”

Stephanie Bartek is a marketing specialist for St. Luke’s hospital. She wrote this for Moms & Dads Today.

St. Luke’s provides every newborn with a Halo SleepSack.

Family Health

Hands On Bunny crafts put springy step into home decor

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY RASCH

Are your kiddos anticipating the arrival of a certain character that brings treats on Easter morning? I’m sure parents with a sweet tooth look forward to the rabbit’s visit, too. Let’s welcome these cute little creatures into our decor as they offer a springy, fresh spin. I found a few crafts your family can enjoy making together.

Wooden Spool Rabbit

Wooden spool

3 small white pompoms

1 smaller pink pompom

1 white pipe cleaner

Hot glue stick and glue gun

Hot-glue one white pompom to the spool near the bottom. This is the rabbit’s tail. On the opposite side near the top, glue the pink pompom for a nose. Directly below the nose, glue two white fuzz balls to form cheeks. Cut the pipe cleaner in half. Bend each section in half to create ears and place these into the hole of the spool.

Handprint Rabbit

Card stock

White craft paint

Pink craft paint

Paint brush

Black permanent marker

I loved this idea from craftymorning.com and decided to share it. Take your child’s hand and help them paint their palm and fingers with white paint. Splitting their pinky and ring finger apart from their middle finger and pointer finger, carefully place their hand in the middle of the cardstock. The split in their fingers will create two ears. Wash their hands with warm soapy water. Once the paint dries, have them use the pink craft paint to make the inside of the rabbit’s ears and the nose. If you want to add a bow, mix the pink and white together to create a light pink to make a bow. Once this paint dries, use the marker to draw in eyes, whiskers, mouth and any other outlining.

Rabbit in a Frame

5x7 or 4x6 picture frame

White card stock

Scrap of fabric

Pen

K-Cup (for tracing)

Elmer’s glue

Hot glue stick and glue gun

White pompom

Cut card stock to fit your frame. Take K-Cup and place it on your fabric. Trace around the top of the cup to create the body of the rabbit and again around the bottom of the cup to create the head. Freehand two rabbit ears on the fabric as well. Cut off a small edge of the big circle so the bottom of the body will be flat, as shown in the picture. Assemble the rabbit on the card stock and glue it in place using Elmer’s glue. Once this is dry, place it in the frame and secure the back of the frame. Place a dot of hot glue on the outside of the glass to place the tail for a 3-D effect. This is my own twist of a project found on homemademodernblog.com. To see this bunny made from a book page, check out their website.

Paper Ring Rabbit

Cardstock of desired color

Paper cutter

Tape

Hot glue stick and glue gun

Wiggle eyes

Small pink glitter pompom

This little creation can be a craft for the kiddos but can also be used as a table decoration or a place marker at your Easter dinner.

Cut two 2x11-inch strips of card stock. From that strip, cut a 2-inch piece to make a square. This is the base of your rabbit.

Cut one of your strips down to 8 inches long. Tape short ends together to form a ring. This will be the rabbit’s body. Make a smaller ring by cutting the other strip of cardstock down to 4 inches long. Tape the short ends together. This is the head.

Finally, use leftover piece of paper strip and cut lengthwise down middle, leaving the last one inch uncut. These are your rabbit’s ears.

To assemble: Glue body on tapeline to square base. Glue smaller ring (the head) on tapeline to the body. Glue the bottom edge of the ears piece to the back of the head. Add two wiggle eyes and a small pink glitter pompom as a nose.

If you’d like to use these as place markers for your Easter meal, use a silver permanent marker to write the name across the tummy of your bunny. — MDT

Mix it up to avoid sports burnout

Too much emphasis on competition can take the fun off the field

BY ALISON STUCKE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL

Playing organized sports can be exciting and fun for children and youths, and it teaches great lessons including the value of perseverance and practice. But sometimes the fun of participating declines, and the young athlete wants to quit the sport. Parents might wonder how this happened, and why their child suddenly wants out of organized athletics. This sudden disinterest might

be caused by burnout or by sportsrelated injuries.

About 70 percent of kids who play organized youth sports quit by the time they turn 13, and more than 3.5 million children sustain sports-related injuries every year, said Stanford Children’s Health.

“Many parents start out seeing how their child loves a particular sport, only to be surprised when they either walk away from it altogether or they end up with injuries,” said personal trainer Sarah Walls. “The good news is that by taking a proactive approach, this can largely be avoided. I’ve worked with many young athletes and have helped them to avoid injuries and hold onto that passion for the game.”

How can you help your young athlete avoid burnout and injuries, and continue to play the sport he or she loves?

THE PROS AND CONS OF ORGANIZED SPORTS

“Organized athletics can be a beneficial experience for youth,” said Dr. Jesse Coenen, family medicine physician at St. Luke’s Medical Arts Clinic in Duluth. “There can be improvement in fitness, as well as selfesteem and socialization.”

However, Coenen said, sports burnout can definitely happen.

“With emphasis on success in competitive youth sports, some young athletes specialize in one particular

www.lsyouthchorus.org

Dr. Benjamin Nelson

“Burnout is a result of chronic stress,”

sport, and this increases the risk of burnout,” he said. “Burnout is a result of chronic stress, which causes an athlete to withdraw from participating in a sport which was previously enjoyable.”

Dr. Benjamin Nelson, an orthopedics and sports medicine physician at Essentia Health in Duluth, agreed that sports can lead to stress and burnout.

“Youth athletics can be demanding,” Nelson said. “Some players and parents feel pressure to participate year-round, specialize in one sport, and play or practice as often as possible. Loss of enjoyment, lack of motivation, and decreased energy are symptoms of burnout.”

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said Dr. Jesse Coenen, a family medicine physician at St. Luke’s.

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OVER-USE INJURIES AND HOW THEY HAPPEN

Research published in the journal Orthopedic Clinics of North America estimates that 30 million to 45 million children participate in organized sports each year. Along with the increase in the number of children participating in sports, there is an increase in the number of injuries that take place.

Over-use injuries are more likely to happen when a youth specializes in one sport.

“An excessive focus on intense training and competition at a young age, rather than skill development, can lead to overuse injury and burnout,” Coenen said.

“The most common over-use injuries in young athletes involve the growth plates,” Nelson said. “The growth plates are the weakest part of the pediatric skeleton and are susceptible to repetitive stress injuries. These can occur at any growth plate but are common in the heel and knee in running and jumping sports and in the shoulder and elbow in overhead or throwing athletes.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

As a parent or guardian of a young athlete, there is much you can do to help the child avoid injury and burnout and, in turn, to encourage the young person to continue playing and enjoying the sport.

“In general, sport diversification should be encouraged for youth athletes,” Coenen said. “Limiting weekly and yearly participation time, with scheduled rest periods, can help prevent burnout. Maintaining fun in training should be a goal for athletes of all ages.”

And athletes aren’t the only ones that benefit from such advice.

“It’s important that families find balance with sports and scheduling,” Nelson said. “Remember that sports are recreational and should be fun. If sports feel like an obligation, consider taking a break.  Playing a variety sports and activities will also change the way the athlete’s body is stressed can off-load tissues that may be injured.  Most minor injuries will subside with a couple weeks of rest and protection. If pain lasts longer than that, it might be worth seeing a physician.”

— MDT

Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to Moms & Dads Today.

Tips to avoid injuries and burnout

Sarah Walls, a personal trainer and owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc., offers these tips that parents and coaches can use to help young athletes:

• Avoid playing only one sport. Being a multi-sport athlete will create a change in season, allow them to stay engaged without being bored, and help the body recover to avoid repetitive injuries.

• Listen to their feedback. If the child is younger than 14-15, he could express consistent complaints of fatigue or disinterest, which means that he would need a break. For athletes older than 15, it may be more an issue of adjusting to using recovery methods. But in either case, these are initial signs of an athlete who is becoming burnt out. This needs to be addressed so he or she can come back to the sport in a more refreshed way mentally and physically.

• Stress a healthy lifestyle. Encourage young athletes to get plenty of sleep; follow agerecommended guidelines from their doctor. Also, encourage healthy eating habits to help them feel better, recover faster, keep their mind fresh, etc.

• Keep it fun and enjoyable. Trying to deemphasize competitiveness if they are feeling burnt out. Look at overall communication over the sport; shift the focus on being fun not as much competition.

• Focus more on strength. Engage in strength training to reduce risk of injury, increase recovery time, and come back to the sport stronger so they can be better and have more fun. A research study published in 2017 in the journal Sports Health reported that overuse injuries are preventable, and that muscular imbalances after accelerated growth periods predispose young athletes to overuse injuries. They recommend modifiable risk factors such as flexibility, strength and training volume should be regularly monitored to help prevent the injuries.

• Pull back on pressure. External pressures high school athletes can feel from parents and coaches about college and sports could decrease interest, which would lead to a burnout.

Dog training a family affair

Know your resources to get the best help for canine family members

BY MELINDA LAVINE

Dog training needs to be a family affair. That’s the advice of local experts.

Dr. Kay Boucher of North Shore Veterinary Hospital and Diane Craig at Dog Dynasty Duluth weighed in on the do’s and don’ts of family training your dog.

DO’S

• Before adding a dog, consider your child’s temperament and maturity. “Teaching a child to respect the dog is key,” Craig said.

• Consider the breed, the needs of the breed and the dog’s personality. Some breeds need to be more active and challenged than others, and you want your family’s lifestyle to line up with the needs of the dog.

• Discuss responsibilities. Craig suggested displaying a chore list.

• Talk about the importance of exercise, which can be a family activity. If dogs can’t blow off stress physically, they’re going to do it in naughty ways like chewing or barking.

• Prioritize housetraining. Use your kennel, and a leash is not just an outdoor tool. It can be used inside to help keep an eye on the dog and to create a boundary. Access to the house is a privilege, Boucher said.

• Consistency and repetition are the two best tools. Different people having different rules makes it hard for the dog, and it can delay training. One example is having puppies on the furniture and then changing the rules when they’re grown up. “It’s easier on the environment to have consistent rules from the get-go,” Boucher said.

• Make time for socialization with other dogs and humans. Be mindful that your dog is hanging with canines who are up-to-date on their shots.

• Be patient. “Dogs are fabulous problem solvers, if you allow them time to figure

out what you’re asking, you wouldn’t believe how it sticks,” Craig said.

• Take responsibility. “When they do make a (bathroom) mistake, admit that it was your mistake because you weren’t watching the puppy close enough,” Boucher said. If that happens, she recommends using an enzymatic cleaner that neutralizes the odor.

• Use your resources. Along with training books, Boucher suggested superpuppy. com and YouTube videos by Dr. Sophia Yin, and you can always call your vet. At Dog Dynasty Duluth, children who are able to engage in class are invited to join their parents on the floor, Craig said. Always review new training techniques as a family to encourage consistency.

DON’TS

• Don’t let the puppy out of the crate unless you’re going to take it outside and stand with it.

• Do not use physical punishment. It tends to be ineffective, and that’s not something you want to pass on to your children, Boucher said. Training is about making sure your dog is staying connected and not being able to avoid doing what you’ve told them to do. A correction can be as simple as looking them in the eyes and saying “I asked you

to do something, what was it?” Craig said.

• Do not rub their nose in their urine or excrement. That sends a message of fear and confusion, Boucher said. Raising your voice as a corrective measure is OK.

• Do not overstimulate. Remember puppies need naps and dogs need their quiet time. This will help overall behavior.

• Do not let children play with the dog unsupervised. When pushed, a dog with the best temperament dog could bite or chew, Craig said. Kids should keep their fingers folded in and walk slowly when approaching to avoid startling the dog, Boucher said.

Dogs have evolved and bonded with humans; we’re part of their pack when they’re not with other dogs, Boucher said. Training should be fun, so keep it positive and encouraging versus punitive. Children will model after you, and they learn more from what you do than what you tell them.

“I don’t think there’s anything better than the bond between kids and their animals,” Boucher said.

Melinda Lavine is a features reporter for the Duluth News Tribune.

Family Events Calendar

March /April

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location and other information.

University of Wisconsin-Superior Choirs Concert

March 15

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1710 E. Superior St., Duluth. 7:30-9:30 p.m. UWS Music Department: (715) 394-8115, or music@uwsuper.edu.

‘Rockin’ Road to Dublin’ at the DECC

March 15

“Rockin’ Road To Dublin” combines Irish dance and rock music, in the form of a Broadway theatrical production. Stars dancers Scott Doherty and Ashley Smith. Purchase tickets for this all-ages show at the DECC ticket office, call (800) 745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com. Doors at DECC Symphony Hall open at 7 p.m.

The Duluth Playhouse’s Children’s Theater presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’

March 15-25

Dorothy Gale meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.” The yellow brick road leads to the Depot stage, which will be transformed into the Emerald City. 506 W. Michigan St. Tickets $15-$17. Call (218) 733-7555 or visit duluthplayhouse.org.

Little Big Town – The Breakers Tour

March 16

Country superstars Little Big Town, featuring special guests Kacey Musgraves and Midland. AMSOIL Arena, 350 Harbor Drive. Purchase tickets for this all-ages show at the DECC ticket office, call (800) 7453000 or at ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. decc.org/event/little-big-town.

Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra presents a ‘Lollipop Concert’

March 18

Join Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony as they present their 55th Annual Lollipop Concert. This concert begins at 3 p.m. at the DECC Symphony Hall, 350 Harbor Drive. Tickets $10$25. dsso.com.

Women’s History Month: Presentation by Karen Diver

March 19

Karen Diver recently served as assistant to the U.S. President for Native American Affairs and as Chairperson for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She will talk about Native American women and the contemporary challenges, obstacles, and opportunities they face. 5 p.m. University of Minnesota Duluth in the Kirby Rafters. events.d.umn.edu

Zoo Tots

March 19, April 2, April 16

Through a story, activity, and animal encounter, children ages 2-3 will learn about a different animal each visit. Zoo Tots is a great way for toddlers to interact with each other as they learn about animals. Explore the zoo on your own after the program. No older siblings, please. No preregistration required. 10:30-11 a.m. first and third Mondays of the month (none in May). Free for members. $2 plus admission for nonmembers. lszooduluth.org.

Free Yoga at Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Sports Center

March 21, 28

Participants will be accepted on a first come, first served basis; 40 spots available. Mats are available, and all levels are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 7-8 p.m. in the warming house on the mezzanine level of Sill Arena, 120 N. 30th Ave. W., Duluth. (218) 464-1711. essentiahealth. org.

Fairlawn Garden Talk

March 22

Visit Fairlawn Mansion for the museum’s Garden Talk. This session covers the formation of the Douglas County landscape, presented by Jane Anklam. She is the UW-Extension Horticulture Educator for Douglas County and serves as a conservation specialist for the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Land Trust. $10. Seating is limited, and sessions often sell out. Call (715) 394-5712 to make a reservation.

Camp Bong

March 23-24

Children can camp inside the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center for a night of fun and education. Sit in the cockpit of a P-38 fighter plane, eat pizza with veterans and more. $35 for youth and adult, $20 for second youth. Call (715) 394-8469.

50th annual Arrowhead Auto Body Motorhead

Madness

March 24-25

Four of the DECC arenas will be filled with more than 100 one-of-a-kind, customs, trucks, 4x4s, hot rods, street rods, race cars, cycles and antiques.

Guests can meet the designers, owners and builders. Flea market and swap meet. Tickets will be available at the DECC box office the weekend of the show. motorheadmadnessmn.com.

The original Harlem Globetrotters

March 29

The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. Amsoil Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the DECC tickets office, or through ticketmaster. $20-$95.

Easter EGG-stravaganza

March 31

Hop on down to the Lake Superior Zoo and enjoy hunting for eggs, playing games, special animal enrichments, treats, prizes and the Easter Bunny himself! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 7210 Fremont Street, Duluth. Cost: $5 for ages 3-12, $10 for ages 13 and older. Members are free. Visit lszoo.org.

North Shore Community School

A public, tuition-free charter school serving students in grades PreK-6 www.northshorecommunityschool.org

Class Sizes: Low student-teacher ratio

Busing: Free from Duluth and Two Harbors

Environmental Focus: Academics are connected with natural and social environment. 40 acres with nature trails, outdoor classrooms and a new greenhouse connected to the building.

UMD Theatre presents

‘Into the Woods’

April 12-15; 18-21

Take a magical romp where the lives of well-known characters from familiar fairy tales intertwine. But the woods are dark, and we discover that even fairy tale characters are all too human. Approximate length is 2.5 hours. Recommended for ages 12 and older. UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theatre. $10-$21. Tickets. umn.edu or (218) 726-8561.

AAD Shrine Circus

April 13-15

The 72nd annual AAD Shrine Circus fundraiser, Amsoil Arena. For more information, visit kernkompany.com/ events. Prices to be announced. Party for the Planet

April 20

Join the Lake Superior Zoo for a special after-hours event from 7-9 p.m. Activities will include animal presentations, fire dancers, campfire and free snacks. The Arrowhead Astronomical Society will also be on hand with telescopes for viewing the night sky. Cost: $5 for children 3-12, $10 for ages 13 and older; 2 and younger free. Zoo members half off. 7210 Fremont Street, Duluth. Visit lszoo.org.

Hartley Nature Center’s Spring Youth Outdoor Expo

May 5

This fun family outdoor event in May will have a number of stations set up inside and outside the facility, where

youth and their parents learn and experience skills such as fly-tying, archery, bird banding, emergency rescues and birdhouse building. This event remains free for all participants and includes a sandwich, water bottle and ice cream. Registration is limited to 140 youth. hartleynature.org/ signature-events

The Duluth Playhouse Theatre for Young Audiences presents ‘The Cat in the Hat’

May 5-20

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat arrives with Thing One and Thing Two to turn a dull and dreary day into a wacky extravaganza, leaving Sally and her brother speechless when their mother comes home and asks about their day. Don’t miss all the magical tricks and hijinks that make this classic Dr. Seuss story really awe-inspiring on stage! Duluthplayhouse.org.

Hartley Nature Center’s Wildflower Walk

May 16

Do you know where the secret patch of bloodroot is? Can you tell the difference between an oak fern and an ostrich fern? Join Joy for a guided stroll through Hartley Park. Learn tips on how to identify plants, fun folklore tidbits and see treasures of Hartley Park. Meet at Hartley Nature Center, and the walk begins at 6 pm. Call to pre-register: (218) 724-6735. hartleynature.org/hartley-naturecenter-programs/birthday-parties.