Auburn Opelika Parents October 2020

1

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

1

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

October2020 22

24

Volume 11 Number 8

Columns 4

Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Keeping in Touch with Grandparents

Easy ways to stay connected.

8

Screen Overload?

Learn the signs children exhibit as a result of too much screen time.

Kids Health Watch sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

24 Parenting, Media &

26

28

24 AND

Everything in Between Common Sense Media

40

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

A COVID-Friendly Halloween

Celebrate with these fun ideas!

Our guide shares what’s going on around town and nearby. Make plans now to enjoy these events!

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces

On The Cover Hope Garnett is the daughter of Dusty and Keightley Garnett of Auburn. She is 3 years old and loves to sing, dress up, help cook in the kitchen and Dr. Suess books. Hope enjoys playing with her two big sisters and brother. She is looking forward to all the fall fun including decorating her pumpkin from the patch.

1

10

School Bits 34

Movie Reviews 36

Family Calendar

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Publisher’sNote

Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source

Fall 2020 is here! So, what will fall look like this year? With the many challenges that 2020 has brought, the silver lining has always been there, if we look close enough. Having to quarantine mid-spring through the end of the school year was not ideal, yet teachers, administration and parents collaborated and finished strong. With summer appearing to be more of the same, most families embraced the extra family time they were given and found ways to celebrate summer with stay-cations. As back-to-school approached, we all proceeded cautiously, and again, parents and schools met the challenge head on. Families were given multiple options (the silver lining) to choose how the school year would look for each student and family.

We set out into the unknown year with positive plans in place. In our house, we have chosen the best school option based on each of our children’s needs. Needless to say, they are all four on different learning paths, and each is progressing forward in their school year goals.

This leads us to October...the time of year where everyone is longing for bonfires, football and fall festivals. What will be the silver lining for our fall season?

Leave it to our amazing community to take this year’s challenge of Halloween and create events that will make children of any age want to dress up in costume and go hunting for candy! This year, The City of Auburn and The City of Opelika have transformed their Halloween night and carnival event into a spooktacular “Drive Through Trick-or-Treating” evening. Mark your calendars for October 30th at Parks and Rec on Drake Avenue in Auburn, and October 29th in Downtown Opelika. Be creative with your costumes, AND your car can even dress up this year! Who wouldn’t love the chance to turn Mom’s mini-van into the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine? Way to go Auburn and Opelika! The silver lining will be a night to remember.

Be sure to check out our Fall Festivities and Halloween Fun Guide to find more outings for the whole family. The local pumpkin farms are ready for your little pickers to find the perfect pumpkin in the patch. Just up the road, in Lafayette, are two farms with hayrides, games, farm animals and corn mazes. The Red Oak Farm and Jack-o-Lantern Lane will be open every weekend in October. What a wonderful way to spend a fall weekend...out in the open air and making social distancing memories on the farm. Another fall idea is to watch a Halloween movie outside under the stars. In our feature article, COVID-Friendly Ways To Celebrate Halloween, the author suggests putting up an outdoor screen and inviting neighbors over for a family-friendly, not-so-spooky movie night. Keeping distance in mind, each family can set up a watching zone with comfortable chairs and blankets.

This fall may be challenging as we navigate our new normal. However, instead of focusing on what your family is missing out on, let’s look for the silver lining and create new experiences to go along with our traditional fall fun!

33 31 Fo

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community.

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Tanni Haas, Ph.D. Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Dave Ramsey Ellen Royal, MD Sandi Schwartz Gerry Paige Smith Cover Photography Simple Joy Photography www.simplejoyphoto.com

President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303.

Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

2

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

R

ce

GET LINKED WITH THE EXPERTS

334.329.5055 | thehomelink.com 310 Samford Village Court | Auburn, AL 36830 Follow us @yourhomelink

on rse, nity. nity ss.

com

ly by Ct,

in d. zine t the ment

om

DOWLOAD OUR FREE APP EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

REALTOR®

3

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

TherapeuticParenting

by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Riding the Waves of Parenting I was at the beach recently, soaking in one last weekend of summer. As I sat in that sand taking in the vast ocean scene before me, I couldn’t help but watch a group of three girls attempting to navigate the intricacies of a paddleboard in Atlantic Ocean waves. Overall, they were incredibly successful when the waves were calm, however the problem entered in when a large wave would come and one of them would inevitably fall off.

Because I can do nothing in this life without viewing everything through the lens of a social worker, I was impressed with their problem-solving ability. Most notable was the way they would shift positions and attempt to counterbalance their collective weight, in an effort to keep their craft afloat. At one point, the one that was solidly and securely navigating the board with her paddle decided to jump off, in an effort to better allow everyone else to readjust their position and approach. Though on the surface, her behavior and actions didn’t make any logical

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

sense, it ended up being the key to their eventual success and stabilization. That’s because as they tried and failed and tried and failed and tried and failed, it turned out that a major adjustment was needed in order to move forward. The “leader” of the three eventually realized that and she took action to bring about a better end result.

I think this is such a perfect picture of parenting. It might be all smooth sailing for awhile, everyone safe and grounded in their current roles and responsibilities. However, when a rogue wave comes, it can necessitate some alteration in your navigation and approach.

I say this to encourage you that when you feel like you are operating out of your depth, don’t be afraid to make some adjustments. Have the clarity to recognize those deep waters and understand that you can gain some success, but it is going to necessitate some parental adjustment and flexibility. And here’s the good news: That’s okay!

4

If you’ve ever watched a young toddler begin to learn to walk, you know that he doesn’t get it right the first try. He falls and gets back up. And he falls, and he gets back up. This process stays on repeat until he figures out the rhythm and cadence required to, literally, put one foot in front of the other. Very few toddlers that age get frustrated when they {inevitably} fall down 72 times a day. They just keep getting back up and getting back up and, eventually, they have solidified a skill set wherein they now have capacity and ability to walk successfully.

The same is true for you and your parenting process. The waves will come, it will be scary and uncertain, but hang in. Stay the course while making some necessary adjustments, and just watch what can happen.

Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

So

2020 Halloween events presented by opelika parks and recreation Friday, October 9th 6:00-8:00 p.m. AT Monkey Park WATCH the family friendly movie “A House with a Clock in its wall”. free and open to the public.

w e d

nd oot hat } p nd, et bil-

Friday, October 16th 6:30-8:30 p.m. AT SpringVilla Park watch “The invisible man” on the lawn of the big house. Free and open to the public. adults only. viewer discretion is advised.

e,

r’s n he

Friday, OCTOBER 16TH 6:00-8:00 P.M. AT THE SPORTSPLEX POOL $4 PER PERSON. MUST PRE-REGISTER BY 10/13.

KIDS AGES 6-12. PICK A PUMPKIN FROM THE FLAOTING PUMPKIN PATCH AND DECORATE IT FOR HALLOWEEN.

tor

and

om

Friday, October 30TH 6:00-8:00 P.M. AT THE OPELIKA SPORTSPLEX BICYCLERS BEWARE! PARENTS AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE INVITED TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE HAUNTED WALKING TRAIL! free and open to the public.

Social distancing and COVID-19 precautions in place. MORE INFORMATION: WWW.OPELIKAPARKS.COM 5

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Online Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Get ready to show off your spooky and creative pumpkin decorating skills! FREE decorating kits will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Decorating kits can be picked up at the Harris Center Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 15 - 29. You can also pick up a FREE kit on October 24 at City Market located at Town Creek Park from 8 a.m. – Noon.

You do not have to pick up a decorating kit to be included in the contest. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Prettiest Pumpkin, Spookiest Pumpkin & Most Creative Pumpkin. Each prize category winner will receive a gift card to a local Auburn business. A picture of your pumpkin must be emailed to scook@auburnalabama.org by October 30 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on October 31! 334-501-2948

Downtown Opelika Drive Thru Trick or Treat

Thursday, October 29, 6:00-8:00 PM. Presented by Point Broadband and Opelika Main Street. Join Opelika Main Street and the merchants of Historic Downtown Opelika for a socially distant trick or treat!

Families are invited to drive through a portion of downtown and receive candy from their vehicles while enjoying festive Halloween decorations throughout downtown. Attendees are also encouraged to decorate their cars as well!

Halloween music will be played on the radio by the iHeart Radio team as well.

Pioneer Day at Loachapoka

Pioneer Day (formerly known as the Syrup Sopping & Historical Fair) will be held October 24, 2020 in Loachapoka (just 5 miles west of Auburn). This event has been in the same location for the past 30+ years! The 9-hour festival features weaving and cloth-making demonstrations, mules grinding cane, syrup being made, musical entertainment with hammered and mountain dulcimers, banjos and guitars, a doctor’s beautiful herb and crops garden, Native American dancing, bread making, soap making, period pottery, fireplace and outdoor cooking, and numerous other old-time crafts and unique vendors. Of course, the famous sweet potato biscuits are made on-site for your enjoyment as well as camp stew, beans, collards, BBQ, and more. There will be plenty of activities for children as well. Tour the twostory 140 year old Trade Center Museum, watch the blacksmiths at work, visit the Log Cabin, and the Taylor Whatley agricultural implement collection. Admission is free to all, so come out and enjoy the fall weather at Pioneer Day in Loachapoka. For more information, visit www. leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 334.887.3007.

Halloween Enchanted Forest at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center: October 23 and 24

Enjoy a fun family-friendly Halloween event, hiking the KPNC trails and visiting some costumed characters who will entertain you on how they “trick or treat” other animals in the forest.

Children are invited to wear their costumes and enjoy some early Halloween fun! Pumpkin bowling, a campfire, fortune telling, and face painting will be available! S’mores kits and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $7/person when pre-purchased online; $10/ person when purchased at the door; children 2 and under are free. Purchase tickets on our website. Proceeds benefit the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. This event will be postponed or cancelled in the event of inclement weather – please watch our Facebook page for updates.

This program is held at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center located at 2222 N. College Street near the AU Fisheries and Hwy 280. For more information, visit auburn.edu/preserve, email preserve@auburn.edu, or call 334-844-8091.

The Great Pumpkin Splash

On October 16, join the Opelika SportsPlex in the indoor pool, and pick your pumpkin from the pool and decorate it for Halloween. Free swim to follow. $4 per person, pre-register by October 13.

Opelika SportsPlex Pool. 6:00-8:00pm. Ages 6-12 years. www.opelika-al.gov Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

6

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

J

b An a For

,

, t

2020 Auburn Drive Thru Trick or Treat

Join Auburn Parks and Recreation for the best Halloween parade in town on Friday, October 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Auburn Parks and Recreation Complex. This is a fantastic alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. Put on your costume, pull up in your car, and let the City of Auburn employees fill your bag with treats! This event is FREE and open to the public. All participants must come in a vehicle; no walk-ups will be permitted. We encourage visitors to dress up and decorate their vehicles. Participants must enter the parking lot from Drake Ave, then will be directed around the complex. *COVID – 19 Note: This event will be held outside. Please remain in your car at all times. Plan to attend this event with members of your household. FREE to the public.

Harvest Market @ Town Creek Park

Join us, October 24, from 8:00 a.m. to noon for the Harvest Market! Parking will be available for all market attendees in the gravel parking lot across from Town Creek Park. *COVID 19 Note* All market visitors must maintain a minimum of 6 feet between one another. There will be no food samples or cooking demonstrations. All available products will be prepackaged.

Animals will not be allowed to attend the market. Masks are required if you cannot maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and others. We look forward to continuing our City Market season while enforcing social distancing and sanitation guidelines.

For more information regarding City Market, please contact Sarah Cook at scook@auburnalabama.org. To stay up-to-date on all City Market announcements and weekly vendor lists follow us on our Facebook and Instagram @CityMarketAuburnAL.

AUsome Amphibians & Reptiles

Join the KPNC educators on Saturday, Oct. 3 for a one-hour presentation about the awesome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond! Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining, hands-on program with live animals. Admission is $5 ($4 for members); children 3 and under are free. Cancelled in the event of rain. To minimize the risk of COVID transmission, face masks are required for all attendees and temperatures will be taken upon entry. This program is expected to sell out so purchasing online is suggested. This program is held at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center located at 2222 N. College Street near the AU Fisheries and Hwy 280. For more information, visit auburn.edu/preserve, email preserve@auburn.edu, or call 334-844-8091.

ed

n

/ r ed es. et il

om

7

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

M

KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Stop the Flu! Flu season is approaching, and we would like to remind you how to be prepared. The current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) will likely continue on for some time, but this does not mean that other infectious diseases such as the flu will cease to exist. In fact, we know it is possible to get both infections during the season. Health experts agree that it is time to be proactive and protect yourself and your family from the flu.

The main symptoms of influenza infection are similar to the symptoms of COVID 19 (Coronavirus) and are: high fever (more than 101 generally), body aches, and cough. Some flu strains also cause stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Patients with true influenza infection have malaise (feel really bad) and will stay sick for 5-7 days.

It is advisable to go to the doctor for flu like symptoms, particularly if the patient is less than 5 years old, has asthma or other chronic illness, or is pregnant.

Treatment for the flu is generally just to treat the symptoms: Tylenol or ibuprofen for the fever, give plenty of fluids and rest.

Anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu may shorten the course by 1-2 days but only if given with in the first 24-48 hours of illness.

Side effects from anti-viral medication are also common. For these reasons, I do not prescribe anti-viral medication very often. It is important to know that aspirin should never be given for influenza. Rarely, aspirin in combination with influenza can cause Reye’s syndrome.Prevention is the key to avoiding influenza.

Get The Flu Vaccine. This is the most important step in fighting the flu. The vaccine should be given to children age 6 months thru 8 years in 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. Children age 9 years to adult or children of any age who have received flu vaccine in a previous season only require one dose. Some most frequently asked questions about the vaccine are: Can you get the flu from the flu shot? No! The injectable flu vaccine is made up of components of the flu virus and these cannot infect you. Rather, they cause the body to form an immune response so that when the real virus is encountered, the body is ready to fight it off.

Can the flu vaccine fail? Most years the match of vaccine to flu virus has been very good. However, the way the vaccine is made requires that the CDC and other experts predict what strains will circulate in the upcoming influenza season many months before the start of the season. This

O

year’s shot has 4 different strains and so gives good coverage for these strains.

What are the side effects from the vaccine? Usually soreness at the injection site and low-grade temp for a day or two are the only effects noted. Rarely an allergic reaction can occur.

Influenza and Corona virus spread the same way. Here is a reminder of how to stop the spread of both viruses: • Wash your hands!

• Wear a face mask and Cover your cough.

• Avoid touching your face - especially the mouth, eyes, and nose.

• Stay home and keep children home when running a fever or when diagnosed with the flu.

Dr. Ellen Royal attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine for her medical degree and graduated in 1994. She returned to Alabama the summer of 1998 to join the pediatric practice of Dr. Richard M. Freeman. Dr. Royal is a member of the Lee County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is board certified in Pediatrics. Dr. Royal is married to Dr. Kevin Royal who practices Internal Medicine in Opelika and they have three children.

O

H

1

W S T h a n

S ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

8

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

r

MEDICARE Open Enrollment

October 15, 2020 – December 7, 2020

Have Questions?

he

me d

a tion

n

ces

om

1.800.243.5463

What is SHIP? SHIP is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Through SHIP, certified counselors and volunteers are available to help you make informed choices about health benefits. Counselors and volunteers are not affiliated with any insurance company and will not attempt to sell insurance.

SHIP Can Help You: ◼ Understand your Medicare ◼ Determine which Part D Plan best fits your needs ◼ Enroll in a plan of your choice ◼ File a Medicare claim or appeal ◼ Answer questions about your health insurance

9

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Autauga County Schools

J.F. Drake Middle School Receives Bicentennial Legacy Award

J.F. Drake Middle School received a special plaque commemorating its outstanding contribution to Alabama’s recent bicentennial celebration! Between March 3, 2017, and Dec. 14, 2019, every county, more than 200 local community committees and dozens of organizations throughout the state participated in Alabama’s bicentennial commemoration. They undertook hundreds of projects and activities over the three-year celebration. From those, the Alabama Bicentennial Commission selected 21 projects to receive legacy awards and 41 to receive commendations. All made a significant and/or lasting contribution to the state’s commemoration.

The specially made bronze plaque recognizes the efforts of DMS educators for hosting “Remembering the Great War,” a traveling exhibit on Alabama and World War One. At the time of the exhibition a team of 6th grade students researched various aspects of the war and were on hand to offer additional information to the public through panel discussions, artifacts and themes of the exhibit. The plaque will be displayed within the new DMS campus.

“We’ve had the best week celebrating our learners at Auburn Early Education Center!”

Opelika City Schools Receives Grant

Thank you to Representative Jeremy Gray for presenting the Opelika City Schools with a Community Service Grant for $13,000! We appreciate your support of our schools!

Creekside Class Combines Cooking and Reading

The “chefs” of Miss Forbes’ class at Creekside Elementary enjoyed mixing cupcake ingredients to discuss the 5 important elements of a story. Then, they paired together cake and icing to make “compound cupcakes.” Lastly, they enjoyed the story “Peanut Butter and Cupcake” by Terry Border and discussed ways to be a good friend to others!

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

10

“Thank you, Mayor Anders, for all of your support and the surprise gift to brighten our day at Yarbrough!”

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

A K C M Du Ale th H Ch J M

C B Em H

s al ial

e

e th o

g for

om

Auburn HS Theatre to Present SociallyDistant “Antigone”

AHS Theatre presents “Antigone” by Sophocles, adapted

by Bonnie Roberts, Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, outdoors, in AHS's Courtyard! Student Director: Mark Middleton; Antigone: Piper Doyle; Antigone Chorus: Savannah Patrick; King Creon: Donovan Daughtry; King Creon Chorus: Tadan Bass; Ismene: Maya Bashir: Ismene Chorus: Abby Durkin; Aggellos, Attendant to the King: Alexia Van Slyke; Aggellos, Attendant to the King Chorus: Lanie Ferrell; Private Hoplon: Whitten Gray: Private Hoplon Chorus: Wyatt Busby; Prince Haeman: JP Williams; Prince Haeman Chorus: Madysen Thornton; Prophet Teiresias: Amanda Byars: Prophet Teiresias Chorus: Irene Park; Queen Eurydice: Blaire Gray; Queen Eurydice Chorus: Emma Davis; Citizens of Thebes Chorus: Hannah Anderson, Autumn Brevard, Emma Jacoway, Jeremy Lee, Kasia Paszek.

Pick Elementary Reveal Day

REVEAL DAY at Pick Elementary! What an exciting morning it was!

All of our 3rd graders and new students and staff found out which Habit Team they will be on! Our remote students opened their envelopes as well!

So many smiling faces! So

Much Fun! P-R-I-D-E, I’ve got PICK PRIDE in me!

Welcome Back, Dean Road Students!

Welcome back to all the Dean Road Elementary students. It’s going to be a wonderful year!

Please send news to: Kendra@

auburnopelikaparents.com.

11

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

P

Co th lef

Autauga County Schools

St. Michael Meet the Teacher Day

Pictured is Mrs. Brown, at St. Michael Catholic Preschool and Kindergarten on meet the teacher day. She is welcoming one of her Kindergarten students to see the classroom. We are ready to start off the new year.

AHS Spirit Week!

Beat Opelika!

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

1204 OGLETREE VILLAGE LANE AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099

Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners!

A`JAYLA WOODS A`MYRA HARRIS AAGAM JAROLI AALIYAH JOHNSON ABIGAIL RICHARDS ACE BURSON ACTON TREADWELL ADALADE CREECH ADDISON CLANTON ADDISON FISHER ADDYSON KIMBRELL AHNESTI WRIGHT AIDEN HAHN AINSLEY KING AIRYANA BELCHER ALESSA MOORE ALEX BODY ALEX MITCHELL ALEXANDER CULP ALEXANDER GRIMES ALEXANDRUA COLLINS ALEXIS CORE ALEXIS HUNT ALFRED AZIZ ALIE BETH RABURN ALIMAMI BAMBA ALISON MARTIN ALLAN BROWN III ALLEN OWEN V ALLISON CRAVEN AMAR`E SWAIN AMBER WILSON AMBERLYN CHRISTIAN AMELIA CREECH AMERICA EVANS AMILLIEON CANADA AMIRA GREENE ANALYSSA MCCLELLAND ANDERSON WINE ANDERSON YOUNG ANDREW ELLSWORTH ANDREW LEE ANDREW OWEN ANGELINA JONES ANNA ELMORE ANNA MIAO ANNA WARD ANNE CALDWELL ANNE REAVES ANNE YORK NIMS ANTHONY BRYANT

ANTHONY MCCALL ANTHONY UPSHAW ARDEN BALLARD ARI BROGDON ARI`YANA HARVEY ARIANA STORY ARIANNA HEMMATI ARIE QUINN ARMIAH CHILDS ASHLAN DRAKE ASHTON TORBERT ASIAH CORE AUBREE SHAVERS AUBREE STORY AUBREY VOYNICH-WARREN AUBRY MCCARLEY AUDREY BLERSCH AUDREY NOWLAND AUDREY SEGREST AUDREY TIIMOB AUTUMN FLORENCE AUTUMN DOWNING AUTUMN HOWARD AVA ALLEN AVA BATTS AVA CORE AVA MACHEN AVA MCGOUGH AVA PERRY AVA WILLIAMS AVERY FISHER AVERY GATES AVERY MCCARLEY AVERY PARMER AVERY WARE AVERY WILLIAMS AXEL EILAND AYCE COURTNEY AYDEN BODY AZARIA MILFORD BANKS BERRY BAYLOR ANGLIN BECKETT BERRY BELLA GRACE KIMBRELL BENJAMIN AZIZ BENJAMIN BARNES BENJAMIN WILSON BENJAMIN HEARD BENNETT GREEN BERKLEY PETERS BERNARD CRENSHAW

BETHANY BERDEAUX BIANCA COLE BLAIR PELHAM BLAKE KELLY BONNIE RANGE BOYD CALDWELL BRADEN MCDANIEL BRADLEY INABINET BRADLEY WILSON BRADY REEDER BRAIDEN BETHEA BRANSON RAY BRANTLEE KALTREIDER BRANTLEY MASON BRANTLEY DOWNING BRAXTON ALVAREZ-RIOS BRAYLEE HADAWAY BRAYLEN SWEET BRENNAN HARRISON BRENNAN SKIPPER BRENTLEY ROBINSON BRETT BOWERMAN BRIAN CASH BRICE WALKER BRIEN BERDEAUX BRIGGS MANN BRODIE ARNETT BRODY SANDERS BROOKLYN BERRY BROOKLYN BRACKNELL BROOKLYN FLURRY BROOKLYN TOSTI BROOKS ANGLIN BRUNO GARCIA BRYCE JOHNSON BRYSON MCGLYNN BRYSON MILLER BRYSTAL CULLIGAN CADE EDWARDS CADE WHITE CADENCE HALL CAILYN HUTCHINSON CAITLYN BECKON CALEB KENT CALEB THORNTON CALI MCCLENDON CALI PHILLIPS CALI RAIFORD CAMAURI RUSSELL CAMDEN BASS CAMDEN DUNSON

CAMERON PARRISH CAMERON SANDERS CAMYAH CORE CARA GRIFFITH CAROLINE HICKS CAROLINE VOCINO CAROLYON LAMBERT CARRIE BANKS CARSON FISHER CARSON HUNT CARSON MCCLENDON CARTER BURNEY CARTER GOODEN CARTER OLIVER CARTER WILLIAMS CARTER YOUNG CASEN ANDREWS CASH REIF CATARINA SEBASTIANFRANCISCO CATHRYN SIMS CAYLEE ADAMS CHADWICK BURNS CHANCE MILLAR CHARLEIGH DRIVER CHARLES HALL III CHARLES HAM CHARLES SANDA CHARLES SNODDY III CHARLES STONE CHARLES PLACEK CHASE CAIN CHASE EDWARDS CHASE MORGAN CHELSEA TINSLEY CHINA WHITE CHLOE ARNETT CHLOE GROSS CHRISTIAN AZIZ CHRISTIAN DUGGER CHRISTIAN MCCLENDON CHRISTIAN ROWSER CHRISTINA DUGGER CHRISTOPHER MASON CLAUDIA LAZZARINI CLAYTON FLURRY CLAYTON RENNER CLAYTON BURNS CODY THAGGARD COLE RENNER COLIN ROBINSON

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

CONNOR CARDWELL-KITT CONNOR REEDER CONTEH WARREN JR COOPER BARBER COOPER MIMS COOPER TAYLOR CORDE` ASKEW CORDERO CORE COURTNEY POWELL CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ DAKARI JOHNSON DALLAS DAVIS DANIEL WILDER DANIELLA VEGA DAVIAUNA HODGES DAVID FLANNAGAN DAVID MACKEY DAVID MILLER DAVION LAMB-LEONARD DAVIS FISCHER DAVIS INABINET DAVIS JACKSON DAXON DYE DAXTON STONE DAYLEN MILLS DE`ANDRE ARNOLD DEONTAVIOUS WRIGHT DERRICK STURKIE DESTINY HAMILTON DIEGO VEGA DONOVAN AZIZ DYLAN GROSS DYLAN MCCLELLAND DYLAN WHITE EDEN REECE EDITH CHISM EDWARD AKINS EILAND JOHNSON ELI SEALES ELIJAH BROWN ELIJAH FOSTER ELIZA TAPLEY ELIZABETH COTTRELL ELLA ESPARZA ELLA HENNIGAR ELOISE KELLY EMBERLEE HARPER EMERSON ARTHUR EMILIA TAN EMILY CAMPBELL EMMA BARBER

EMMA BLERSCH EMMA BROWDY EMMA CHILDS EMMA CHISM EMMA MANN EMMA VOSS EMMA CLAIRE HUNT EMMALYN LEE EMMELISE AONO EMORIE CAUDLE EMORY ALLEN ENRIQUE MONTIEL EPHRAIM THORNTON ERIC WILLIAMS ERICA BULLOCK ERICA NORMAN ESMERALDA PEREZ ESTES GOLDEN EZRA GARTRELL FINNEGAN COLLINS FORD BARBER FRANCES TAPLEY FRED GRIFFIN III FULLER LAWLER GABRIEL FORTE GABRIEL GARCIA GABRIEL HARRIS GABRIEL WHITE GABRIELLA JACKSON GABRIELLAH BOZEMAN GAEUN JANG (ERIN) GAVIN HUDNALL GAVIN LEE GAVIN WHITE GENESIS ARNOLD GENTRY CRAFT GEORGE ESPARZA GRACIE DAVIS GRAHAM HANKINS GRANT PERRY GRANT YOST GRAYSON MICHAUD GRAYSON THROWER GREYSON HILL GUNNER BRYAN GWYN YOST HADLEY WAITES HALEY DORN HALEY MONTOYA HALEY YARBROUGH HAMED ALMAGHRABI HANNAH COTTRELL HANNAH HILL HANS TUJUAN HARPER THROWER HAYDEN HICKS HAYDEN LEDBETTER HAYDEN NIGGEMEIER HAYDEN PRICKETT HAYNES WILSON HEAVEN NELMS HENLEY BOOS HENRY BEVARD

HENRY COCHRAN HENRY KINGSTON HENRY TURNER HOWARD ANDRADE HUDSON LEE HUDSON MCLAUGHLIN HUDSON WALLS HUDSON HILL HUNTER SIMS HYATT NICHOLS IAN FOREMAN IAN TREADWELL IMAAD ASIF INDIAH WILLIAMS ISABELLA MACK ISABELLA VALLEZ ISAIAH CHUNG ISAIAH DAVIS ISRAEL TIIMOB ITZEL TUJUAN JA`KYRIAH SEAWRIGHT JA`MYA MADDEN JA`NAVIA PENDLETON JA`NOAH SLAUGHTER JABRIA TAYLOR JACK CONRADSON JACK DUNNIGAN JACKSON BRYAN JACKSON FULLER JACKSON GREEN JACKSON HILL JACKSON MELTON JACOB CLANTON JACOB MACHEN JACOB PARKER JACQUELYN LUGO JACUELINE GODINEZ JADA PETERS JADERRIOUS AVERY JAGGER WILLIAMSON JAHZELL WHITE JAKE MORIN JAKIAH WILSON JALUNEE MUONGKHOT JALYRICA MURPH JAMES BRAND JAMES MOORE JAMES OMASTIAK JAMES TAN JAMES GRANT JAMETRIUS JOHNSON JAMIE FULLER JAMIE WILKERSON JAMISYN MASSEY JAQUAVIOUS ADAMS JARA MUNOZ JASON HUNT JASON JACKSON JASON MCMANUS JASON STROUD JATAVION WHEELER JAVON JONES JAXON MARTIN

12

JAXON WHITCOMB JAYCE DUNN JAYDEN DERAMUS JAYDEN PHILLIPS JAYDEN SHAVERS JAYDON HARTIN JAYLAN PETERS JAYLEN CARLTON JENERAL GRINER JENNA KENNEDY JEREMIAH COLEMAN JEREMIAH POORE JEREMIAH RAY JEREMIAS DIEGO JEREMY FOXX JERICUSE COLEMAN JESSE PARK JESSEY FULLER JIWOO JUN JOCELYNN MERRITT JOHN BOSWELL JOHN COOPER JOHN EDWARDS JOHN FREEZE JOHN HARRIS JOHN MARTIN JOHN MCDONALD JOHN NIMMO JOHN WALTERS JOHN HOWARD JR JOHN BERRY UPTON JOHN EVERETT SPRINGER JOHNATHAN COOPER JORDAN PETERS JORDAN JOHNSON JOSEPH KO JOSEPH LEE JOSEPH SIZEMORE JOSHUA CLARDY JOSHUA PAREDES JOSHUA PERRY JOSHUA RUDD JOSIAH SHIVER JOSLYN STEELE JOURNEE JONES JUDE TATUM JULIA JOHNSTON JULIANA MILLER JUSTICE JOHNSON JUSTIN PARK KA`RIYAH WILLIAMS KADEN BOWEN KADEN WARE KADON HALL KAI DRAKE KAIDAN GRIFFEN- BEATTY KAITLYN BECKLEY KAITLYN DEWBERRY KALEB MILLER KALLAN THORNE KALLIE LEMONS KALON FOSTER KALYN LE

KAMDEN KIRBY KAMDYN WYCKOFF KAMERYN MAYTON KAMRI FLOWERS KAMRYN WASHINGTON KARLIE BARNES KASHTON HEARD KATELYN FRAZIER KATELYN MENEFEE KATELYNN HARRIS KATERINA MAUMAOTEGA KATHERINE JACKSON KATHERYN BARNES KATHRYN STEEN KATIE FAHRINGER KAYDEN QUINN KAYLAN DOWDELL KAYLEB HARRIS KAYLEE STROUD KAYLEE TISDALE KAYLEIGH HOBBS KELLER THROWER KENDRICK PETERSON KENNADY MARSHALL KENNEDY CRANDALL KENNETH BOWERSOCK KENNETH JONES KENYION STEPHENS KENZLIE DAY KEVIN FLANNAGAN KEYMONIE FIELDS KIMANI CALLOWAY KIMBER ERDMANIS KINGSTON WHITLOCK KINZLEE FOSTER KLEE FIELDS KODIE SIMMONS KOLTON KIRBY KOLTON WARE KYLE WILSON KYLEE POGUE KYLENE NIMMO KYLIN MAPLES KYNLEE MASON KYNSLEIGH CAMPBELL KYNZLEY AVERY LA-BRINA HARDNETT LAKELYN LANDRETH LAMERIYAH HARRIS LANDON GOLDMAN LANDON RILEY LANE WEBB LANEY SLAGLEY LATRELL WILLIAMS JR. LAUREN CREWS LAWRENCE BETTS JR LAWRENCE HOWELL LAYONNIE HOWELL LEDGER WILLIAMSON LEIGHTON MOSS LEILA TATUM LESLIE SMITH LEVI KYLES

LILAH STRICKLAND LILEIGH RHODES LILLY HEWITT LILY BODINE LILY BRADY LILY ALLEN LINCOLN WINE LITZY MONTOYA LONDON KELLARD LORELEI HAGLER LOUISE HAYNIE LUCAS BALDWIN LUCILLE LAZZARINI LUCY RECKTENWALD LUKE BUTTS LUKE MITCHELL LUKE PERRY LYLA HODGES LYLA PATTERSON LYNDSEY JOHNSON MACILEIGH WEBB MACK KARKOSKA MACKENZIE DAVIS MADALYNN TALLY MADELYN HIXON MADISON GRAVES MADISON GULSBY MADISON MCCLELLAND MADISON MCCULLOUGH MADISON VOCINO MAGGIE BEVARD MAGGIE GRACE GULSBY MAHOMAD DOUMBIA MAKILAH PENDLETON MAKIYA RANDOLPH MALACHI HARRIS MALONI MCCALL MARELY VEGA MARGIE GRACE WILDER MARLEE ANDREWS MARLEE EDWARDS MARLEE TISDALE MARLEY GOLDEN MARTIN WILDER MARY VICKERS MARY KENSLEY NIMMO MARY RACHEL RUDD MARY RYAN MANN MARYAM ESFANDIARY MASON BAILEY MASON SMITH MATSON STONE MATTHEW DAVIS MATTHEW POWELL MATTHEW PETERSON MATTHIAS POUNCEY MCQUEEN MURFEE III MEGAN WILSON MEMPHIS MARTIN MESHAAL ALMAGHRABI MICHAEL DUBOSE MICHAEL GARCIA MICHAEL MCDONALD

MILES FOREMAN MILES NORMAN MILLER REED MISHA MCCULLOUGH MOLLIE SIMS MOLLYANN SASSER MORGAN GULSBY MORGAN HARRISON MORGAN MCCURDY MORGAN MILLER MORIAH ARNOLD MORIAH CULLIGAN MOSES PENDLETON MUKHTAR DARAWAD NAKYNLEE COVINGTON NANCY KELLY NATALIE JOHNSON NATALIE WILSON NATALIE ELLIOTT NATHAN ROBINSON NATHAN SCOTT NICOLE CHEN NIKOLAI KITCHENS NOA STROUD NOAH APLIN NOAH BUTTS NOAH HUNT NOAH PONCE NOAH TAPLEY NOAH WILDER NOELLE BULGER NOLAN ROBERTS NOLAN TOSTI NORA MCBRIDE NYASIA REEVES OLIVER GOLDEN OLIVIA ROBINSON OMARION JACKSON OMAURI THOMAS ORLIYAH STOKES OWEN HOLLOMAN PAIZLEY WOODY PARKER KEESHAN PARKER PERRY PATRICK ALLEN PATRICK SALATTO PAXTON NORRIS PAYDEN HALL PEDRO PRADO PENELOPE FREEZE PEYTON BRANNON PEYTON NORRIS PRATHER REAVES PRESLEY BRANNON QUINZAVION JOHNSON RAELAN WHALEY RAELYNN MINIX RAYVON JOHNSON REBECCA CARBAJAL RENLEE MILLER REYNOLDS BALLARD RHETT RAVILLE RHODES HAND

RIA KANG RILEY WILBANKS RIPTAVIOUS JOHNSON ROBERT EVANS ROBERT PACK ROBIN WYATT ROXIE RICHARDSON RUSSELL WILSON KELLY RUT DIAZ RYAN BIRCHFIELD RYAN CALDWELL RYAN MOORE RYELEE MOSS RYLAN KELLEY RYLEIGH CANNON SADIE BODINE SADIE DAWSON SAMIYA FLOYD SAMUEL TOWNLEY SANIYA BULGER SARA CHURCH SARAH SCHNUELLE SARAH BARNES SARAH MURFEE SAVANNAH GEIGER SAVANNAH PRITCHETT SAWYER ARTHUR SAWYER JACKS SAWYER KATE DEASON SEBASTIAN JONES SEDERIEN CARTER SEDRIEN CARTER SERENITY MILBOURN SERENITY O`FIELD SHAKEIRA SMART SHAMIYA OLIVER SHANIYA VANN SHELBY THOMPSON SHILOH CULPEPPER SILAS HYPPOLITE SIMONE BEASLEY SINDI COLLEY SKYLAR BASS SKYLENN HOLLEY SOFIA OEDING SOPHIA HENNIGAR SOPHIA SIMS SOPHIE LEE STACEY MATTHEWS STELLA RAVILLE STIRLING WILSON STORM REIF TALLIE BETHEA TALLULAH ADAMS TANNER RUSHING TATUM DYE TAYLOR CHUNG TAYLOR STEEN TERRANCE WHITE THOMAS FOSTER THOMAS HILL THOMAS RHODES THOMAS STEEN

TIMOTHY DUNNIGAN III TRAVIS JOHNSON TRAVON MATTHEWS TRENT REED TRENTON CLAYTON TRESHUN PHILLIPS TRIPP SPRINGER TROY POWELL TUCKER MCLAUGHLIN TUCKER WEBB TURNER SMITH TYJAH SMITH-OWENS TYLER BECKON TYLER MACHEN TYQUAVIAN WILKES TYRA PITTS TYRESE PITTS VALERIA REYES VANESSA FLYNN VANESSA LOA VICTORIA PORTER VIRGINA HEFELFINGER VIRGINIA GRANT VIVIANNE PAYNE VIVIENNE MATTHEIS WALKER MELTON WALTER NIMS WAYLON BARNETT WELLER ROLLING WESTON SANDERS WESTON MATHIS WHITMAN HAWKINS WILLIAM BRYAN WILLIAM GREEN WILLIAM JACKSON WILLIAM MCCARLEY WILLIAM NEIGHBORS WILLIAM PACK WILLIAM RAFFERTY WILLIAM ROBINSON WILLIAM TUCKER WILLIAM MADDOX WILLIS GOLDEN WILLOW HYPPOLITE WILLOW MESSER XAVIER MICHAUD XZYIAH WHITE YANRU XUAN ZACHARY EVANS ZANIYAH BAILEY ZARIAH RANDOLPH ZAYVIAN JAMES ZIAH RAY ZIYEASHA RAY ZOE AKINS ZOEY RICHARDSON ZOEY TOLBERT ZOYA AYDAROVA-ROUE ZYDARRIEN JACKSON ZYLIE HODGES

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Th ch

om

Lee-Scott Academy Pee Wee Team 6-0 Win!

Congratulations to the Pee Wee Football team for their 6-0 win over Glenwood with 0:01 seconds left on the clock! We are so proud of the grit and heart these boys displayed. Go Warriors!

Yarbrough Knights Get Tasty Reward

Today we celebrated our students who completed their Summer Math Card.

Congratulations guys!

Creekside Elementary Sunflowers

These sunflowers sure make our outdoor space cheerful! Thank you to Miss Melius’ class for keeping our garden looking good at Creekside Elementary!

13

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Autauga County Schools Welcome Back, Dean Road Elementary Teachers and Staff!

Dean Road Elementary School is proud of our staff and teachers. It’s going to be a great school year!

Lee-Scott Academy Receives Donation for Robotics Class

Thank you to the generosity of a donor who gave to the Lee-Scott Fund, Robotics and Coding classes were surprised with 6 brand new VEX Robotics Super Classroom Competitions kits. Students are learning about the engineering process, importance of design, and team work.

We are so thankful to have such a supportive community that invests in our students and their interests!

S

C

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

14

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

g

n

om

Second Grade Outdoor Exploration @ Trinity Christian School!

Training up the next generation of Christian leaders

Dot Day at Creekside Elementary

Third graders at Creekside Elementary (Mrs. Christensen’s class) have begun working on dots for Dot Day, September 16, with Mrs. Kuhn.

TCSOpelika.org | 334-745-2464

Sailing Into Learning at Auburn Early Education Center! S.E.A.S. the Day!

15

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Co

Autauga County Schools Auburn High School's Holly Turner honored with the WSFA 12 Class Act Award

Creekside Elementary Readers!

Readers, readers everywhere! We love seeing books in the hands of children at Creekside Elementary!

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

Lee-Scott Teacher Earns Masters Degree

Congratulations to Mrs. Hannah Bodine for recently completing her Masters degree in Chemistry from Ohio University! We are so proud of our faculty and their commitment to continue to invest in their subject areas, and are fortunate to have such amazing teachers investing in our students each day! We are so proud of you, Hannah!

Ready to Learn at Pick Elementary

Top of the morning from our Village on the Hill! Pick Leaders ready for another great day of learning!

16

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

om

Auburn HS Student Receives Harvard Prize Book

Learning Remotely at Auburn Early Education Center

Congratulations to AHS’s JaeYoung (Daniel) Lee for being awarded the Harvard Prize Book this year! The Prize Book is awarded to an outstanding student who displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields. The winners of this award, through their intelligence and variety of achievement, exemplify Harvard University’s commitment to excellence.

This year’s selected Harvard Prize Book is “Making the Most of College”, by Dr. Richard J. Light, Professor in the Graduate School of Education and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Our first week at AEEC was a huge success for our remote and traditional classrooms. We loved every minute spent with our amazing students. Thank you to the students, parents, teachers, bus drivers, CNP, custodians, paraprofessional, nurses, office staff, Central Office, and community for making this a successful start. We look forward to an amazing year!

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

17

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Autauga County Schools

We Can’t Hide Our Tiger Pride! Another Awesome Week at Auburn Early Education Center!

Bow Tie Day at Pick Elementary

It’s National Bow tie day!

PES students are sporting some awesome bow ties!

Even George Washington!

Our Leaders have so much school spirit!

M

Sc a

jun

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

AS Ala qua le to are sta

pr th

v

D

acc t ap

res le the le

st 901 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET AUBURN, ALABAMA

@JCSMAUBURN JCSM.AUBURN.EDU

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

Explore. Experience. Engage.

18

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Th se a o h

ay! ng es! on!

om

(Still) Serving Children Safely Alabama School of Math and Science Opens Admissions Application for 2021-2022 School Year

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) has opened their admissions application for the 2021-2022 school year.

ASMS is Alabama’s only fully public and residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, and the humanities.

ASMS draws students from all 67 counties in Alabama and gives students greater access to quality education, academic opportunities, and leadership development. Therefore, applying to ASMS is FREE, and tuition, room, and board are FREE! Current 9th and 10th graders in the state of Alabama are eligible to apply for this admissions cycle.

“Being accepted to ASMS is a prestigious honor. We have a competitive application process that considers the whole student. At the same time, any student who is interested should apply. Students enter ASMS with varying levels of academic foundations, but they leave ASMS excelling on every level, inside and outside the classroom,” says Director of ASMS Admissions and Outreach, Mr. Ken Robinson.

ASMS is for students who are ready for an accelerated learning environment that challenges them to maximize their potential. ASMS is set apart by its academic rigor, residential learning environment, leadership opportunities, and research focus for students. Through experiential learning in laboratories, innovation spaces, and the community, ASMS students grow to a higher level of knowledge and skill compared to their peers. ASMS has a transformative effect on student success and pushes students to be the very best version of themselves.

This fall ASMS is hosting webinar information sessions for interested prospective students and families. More information is available on our website. Apply now or learn more at https://www.asms.net/ and https://www. asms.net/admissions!

ChildrensAL.org

It has always been our priority to ensure the safety and well-being of each child in our care — and that remains our commitment as we continue our mission during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here’s how we have redesigned our operations to keep our patients and their families as safe as possible: q q q q q q

All visitors are screened immediately for signs of illness and fever.

We follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting our facilities.

Our staff practices safe hand hygiene.

We are wearing masks for your safety.

Thank you for wearing your face covering.

All visitors to campus are required to wear masks.

Waiting rooms have been reconfigured to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

19

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Lee-Scott Academy Homecoming Court

Autauga County Schools

Congratulations to the members of the Lee-Scott Academy Homecoming Court for the 2020-2021 school year! 7th Grade – Claire Street; 8th Grade – Ali Bankson; 9th Grade – Mia Grace Roberts; 10th Grade – Lindsey Joiner; 11th Grade – Sophie McKinnon and Karoline Wiley; 12th Grade – Caroline Heidt, Ellie Sprayberry, and Abbie Starr.

Auburn High School Homecoming Court

Congratulations to AHS's Homecoming Court!

Sophomores: Taite Pearson, Hannah Arnall, Rosemary Parker. Juniors: Zion Hunt, Olivia Nay, Lauren Smith. Seniors: Kaitlyn Powell, Gracie Etheridge, Sydney Wright, Calvenna Washington. Cool graphic by AHS’s Mya Brown in our Mr. Clay Cox’s Advertising Design class!

Falling For Girl Scouts Munchies & Mags

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s Munchies and Mags Program is an awesome opportunity for Girl Scouts to enhance their Leadership Experience.

Much more than a money-earning activity, Munchies and Mags teaches the girls leadership skills and prepares them for the future. Participating girls also develop skills in financial literacy and learn how to set goals, make individual and group decisions, craft her unique sales pitch, manage troop proceeds, and ethically run a business. Girls will take orders through October 19. Their online sales will end on November 6. For each $6 donation, we will send one tasty can of nuts or package of chocolates to military troops serving overseas, Mercy House, Prodisee Pantry, and/ or the Boys and Girls Club of the Wiregrass. If you are interested in purchasing any of the items we offer and have not been visited by a Girl Scout in your community, please e-mail your contact information to customercare@girlscoutssa.org or you can call 800-239-6636, and the council can connect you with a troop in your area.

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

20

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

t! :

’s

Every kid is smart.

We just make them smarter.

p

a n of d/ ny y, an

om

The Kumon Math and Reading Program Kumon helps your kids develop skills for lifelong success.

AGES 3+ Students work at their own pace through an individualized worksheet lesson plan.

Daily assignments help establish a routine at home and in the classroom.

Students develop excellent study habits, improve comprehension and build independence.

Start giving your kids the advantages of Kumon.

To learn more, schedule a free orientation today.

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Auburn - Opelika

334-501-8586

Flints Crossing Shopping Center 1550 Opelika Rd., Ste. 36 Auburn, AL 36830

Š 2020 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

21

kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

so the gra the to

da inv no gra co

pa if t

em en do kn ing an sm

the tal em wh

fro an do let gra

The pandemic is taking a toll on all of us, especially grandparents who, due to their age, are particularly vulnerable. Many grandparents haven’t visited their grandkids

vis ev Yo yo sa

for months. But grandkids are important to grandparents, and vice versa!

Here are 6 ways you can help the kids stay in contact with your parents – their grandparents:

lea AN tin

Tan and

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

22

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

om

Video Calls

Whether your family prefers FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or some other video-based technology, use that technology to make the grandparents an integral part of their grandkids’ lives. Most grandparents wake up early anyway, so consider having them be the grandkids’ alarm clocks in the morning. It’s comforting to kids to be woken up by familiar, smiley faces.

The kids can’t and shouldn’t focus on their school work all day; they need frequent breaks to relax and recharge. Why not invite the grandparents to join the kids for some virtual, mid-afternoon stretching? Both may need some physical exercise. If the grandparents play an instrument or enjoy arts and crafts, they could give the kids some virtual lessons.

In the evening, before the kids go to sleep, invite the grandparents to read them a bed time story, chat a bit about their day or, if the kids are older, play an online game like Words With Friends.

Email or Text

Grandparents and grandkids can also keep in contact via email or text. Have the kids write about their activities; grandparents love hearing about all the exciting things their grandkids are doing. If the grandparents don’t have an email account or don’t know how to text, use it as an opportunity for some extra bonding. Encourage the kids to create an email account for grandma and grandpa or teach them how to text. Kids love to show how smart they are, and grandparents love to learn new things.

Social Media

Encourage the kids to invite their grandparents to “follow” them on social media like Instagram and Snapchat, today’s digital version of the photo album. Another option is to have the kids email, text, or mail their grandparents a weekly batch of photos, which will make them feel really close to each other.

Postcards/Letters

When was the last time you received a postcard or a letter from a loved one? I thought so! Few people write letters anymore, and most people only send postcards from vacation locations. It doesn’t have to be this way. Have the kids write a postcard or a letter, maybe with some beautiful drawings. I have yet to meet a grandparent who didn’t enjoy receiving mail from the grandkids!

Drive By / Meet Up

If the grandparents don’t live too far away, consider a “car visit” drive-by where you can wave to each other from the car or, even better, sit down in a driveway at a safe distance and talk.

You could meet up at the local park or playground, as long as you keep a safe distance. This ways you’ll keep the grandparents safe, but let them enjoy the kids - and you - up close.

Running Errands

You and the kids could also run errands for them, and then leave the groceries outside their door. You get to see each other AND do something helpful for the people who’ve done, and continue to do, so much for you and the kids. AOP Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

23

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

5 Signs of Screen Overload. . . and How to Handle Them

minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Help them strengthen their distance vision by getting outdoors. And then set some time limits on screens to help them get more balance. If these don’t help, see an eye doctor.

Trouble sleeping. If your kid isn’t sleeping, there’s a chance devices are one of the culprits. Kids may be overstimulated from their devices’ blue light, tired from checking their phones throughout the night, staying up late watching television, distressed by bad news, or having troubling online interactions. Whatever the cause, a good night’s sleep is an essential foundation for many things, including mental well-being, a healthy lifestyle, and keeping kids’ minds alert for learning.

What to do. Make sleep a priority. Collect devices at night, turn off the Wi-Fi, and enable screen limits on devices so that they can’t get online. Help kids wind down about an hour before bedtime -- meaning no screens. Try meditation (with or without an app), soothing music, and bedtime stories to help kids settle. And if kids are still having trouble, there may be something deeper going on, so you should see your pediatrician.

Gymnasts know that there’s a fraction of an inch between a flawless routine -- and total disaster. Parents, too, know that managing screen time can be a balancing act. Sure, movies, games, television, and online activities can be lifesavers when you’re juggling caregiving, homeschooling, and working. But even when you’re on your game -- choosing high-quality, age-appropriate content, getting outside, talking to kids about their games and shows -- your kid can have a complete meltdown after three (or was it four?) episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Recognizing the moment between “all good” and “my bad!” isn’t always obvious. We’ve identified five common warning signs that your kid’s screen balance is tipping into the trouble zone, and effective strategies for getting back on solid ground.

Inappropriate outsized reactions. We’ve all seen the extreme behaviors -- meltdowns, defiance, irritation, or just bouncing off the walls -that kids exhibit at times after screen use. Some parents blame fast-action games like Fortnite, but really anything could trigger this behavior.

Kids simply don’t always have the language -or the patience -- to explain what’s happening to them, so they tell you by acting out.

What to do. While there’s no magic number of “good” screen-time hours, you can figure out what your kid’s personal limit is by noting their reactions and making changes. Two hours of Xbox = dinner-time meltdown? Next time cut them off at one hour and see if things change. Identify “good stopping points” before kids go online (at the end of an episode or match), which gives kids more agency. Also help them develop self-soothing skills. Establish a more regular schedule so that they can pace themselves throughout the day.

Substitute screen-free games like chess or 20 Questions with family to help your kid work on waiting their turn, delaying gratification, and practicing communication skills. Apps that help kids manage their emotions, which you can download onto your own phone, may also help.

Isolation, sadness, crying. If your kid is exhibiting these symptoms, negative online experiences could add to their despair. Combined with what some kids are readily exposed to on social media -- bullying, hate speech, scary news, and brutal videos -- it’s completely natural for them to feel this way.

What to do. Some social media may provide a supportive environment for your kid, so while you may be tempted to make them feel better by forcing a total break from screens, take it slow. Talk to them about how they’re feeling, what they do on social media, how they’re treated, and whether their online interactions are mostly positive. Help them cut back on their online time and stick to social media that’s positive and supportive. You can use parental controls to restrict access to sites and apps that may be triggering. When they do go online, it may provide some relief to use social media more as an outlet for creative expression rather than an endless slog through other people’s lives. Keep an eye on your kid, and if things don’t turn around, call your pediatrician.

Loss of focus and energy. You know the look: glazed zombie eyes, wishy-washy replies, flitting from thing to thing. While there’s ongoing research exploring whether devices can cause inattention -- and even ADHD -- it’s more likely that your kid is just, well, acting like kids do when they don’t know what to do with themselves.

What to do. Change things up -- starting with your expectations.

You may need to rely on screens more than usual right now, but that doesn’t give your kid permission to opt out of meaningful participation in family life. If your kid has a bad case of the blahs, let them know that they need to interact and engage with folks at home as much as they do with, say, Animal Crossing. Aside from screen time, provide offline activities that require focused attention, including puzzles, audio stories and podcasts, and reading. Ask them questions to encourage deeper thinking, comprehension, and making connections.

Headaches. Has your kid complained of headaches or trouble seeing? It could be their eyes. Vision problems, eye fatigue, and eye strain can cause real pain -- and could be a sign that kids are doing too much “near work,” such as reading or overdoing the screens.

Check for watery eyes, squinting, or kids rubbing their eyes a lot.

What to do. You don’t want to waste time on this one. With your kid’s help, figure out the point at which the symptoms crop up; doctors say it’s usually at about the two-hour mark. Reduce screen time by half to see if the issue resolves. Also, make screen time dependent on your kid maintaining healthy screen “hygiene”: good posture, positioning the screen at least 18 inches away, not leaning in and squinting. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Move away from the screen every 20 Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

24

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

m

s es’

ng ep

off nno hd g n.

ay al -

tps e

ye

, g en

s.

on

s

ur-

om

25

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

sta fam dis tou so de an ev

da in sh pa ha na Th cre as yo an ide on co an

ma mo bir dis the ing All sta fro thr do ca co

Fall has arrived, which means Halloween will be here before we know it. Of course, it will not look or feel exactly as it has in the past due to Covid. But with a little bit of creative, out-of-the-box thinking, we can still make this holiday extra special for our kids. Now is the perfect time to start planning your safe—yet still super fun—Halloween celebration that your family will look back on in a few years and smile.

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

26

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

om

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your Halloween plans for your family. The goal is to keep kids socially distanced and prevent them from all touching the same candy, which seemed so normal just last year. It is also a wonderful chance to start new family traditions and try celebrating in a way you never even considered.

Say Boo on Zoom. When my daughter’s eighth birthday rolled around in April, we had to think fast to make sure she did not miss out on an enjoyable party with her friends. We had planned to have an animal-themed birthday at a local nature center, so we took the party online.

The kids absolutely loved seeing all the creatures on their computer screens and asked tons of questions. For Halloween, you can set up an online party with family and friends and play lots of games. Some ideas include trying to guess who everyone is in their costumes, having a costume contest, doing a quiz like Name That Tune, and playing Halloween Bingo.

Parade Safely. We have seen many families over the past several months celebrate special occasions like birthdays and graduations with a socially distanced parade either on foot or from their cars. My neighborhood held a meaningful parade for all the graduates in May. All the kids wore matching grad shirts and stayed the recommended six feet apart from one another as they made their way through the community. This can easily be done for Halloween as well. A car of golf cart parade would also be a hit since they could be decorated in a spooky way.

Dig into Some DIY. Take the

focus off your kids missing the trick-ortreating by working on several creative projects together as a family. Let this be the year you plan ahead and make all of your costumes from scratch. This will be such a rewarding experience for your kids as they get to choose exactly who they want to be and wear what they worked so hard on. You can also fill the day with many enjoyable arts and crafts projects that you typically do not have time for if you are running around your neighborhood and off to Halloween parties.

Have Your Own Haunted House at Home.

Many kids look forward to walking through a haunted house at school or in their neighborhood. With social distancing being an issue, this just will not be possible this year. A great project for your kids is to set up their own haunted house.

Not only will this be a creative endeavor, it will also take up lots of time and keep them very busy for a while. Depending on your own family’s Covid rules, maybe you can invite grandparents or cousins over for a fright night.

Focus on Fall Foods. We can

so easily get sucked into all the sugary sweets during Halloween. In my house, that candy ends up sitting in the pantry for months anyway. Plus, so many kids these days have bad reactions to junk food. This can be the year we focus more on all the wonderful fall foods that go along with Halloween time. Stock up on apples, pumpkins, and different types of

27

squash and turn them into tasty dishes.

We always love toasting our own fresh pumpkin seeds after we finish carving our jack-o’-lanterns. If you feel comfortable and live in an area near an apple orchard or farm with pumpkins, you can head over and pick your own.

Make it a Movie Night. Another wonderful way to distract your kids from missing out on typical activities like trick-or-treating is to set up the big screen to scare them silly. Well, we don’t really want to scare our kids too much. Look for age-appropriate movies for Halloween that they will love, such as The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, Hotel Transylvania, Beetlejuice, and of course It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Go Against the Grain. With so much upside down in 2020, this might just be the best year to go contrarian and ditch all the sugar and spook. Why not make it a healthy family night by putting together colorful, delicious treats out of fruits and veggies? Just hop on Pinterest for endless ideas to turn fresh produce into incredible creations that your kids will love.

I know this year feels different, but there are so many ways to make it even better than before. Take advantage of this opportunity to spark some creativity for your family and you all may be thrilled with the memories you make that you will cherish forever. AOP

Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer.

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Pi

650 Oc sau cra yea tion stra ven

334

AND

Pi of

248 Oc ride can ing ing Oc

334

Sp Pa

Arts & Crafts Festivals Annual Riverwalk Wine Festival

335 Coosa Street Montgomery, AL 36104 TBA Includes wine tasting from 10 different distributors representing over 100 wineries. Admission is $30 per person and will include: Etched commemorative wine glass, discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shoppes, food vendors, live music, picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, and more!

334-625-2100 www.funinmontgomery.com

28th Annual Alabama Cotton Festival

145 Main Street Eclectic, AL 36024 October 10. 8:00am-2:00pm. Eclectic, Al.; Arts and crafts, flea market items, concession- booth spaces are free. 5K Cotton Run, Alabama Rook Tournament, local talent contest, children’s activities, antique cars and tractors, performances and more.

334-541-3581 heather.townofeclectic@gmail.com www.townofeclectic.com

30th Annual Christmas Made in the South

Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue Columbus, GA 31901 October 29-31. Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to whet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival: silk wearables to fabric bags, glass jewelry to closeup photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures all await and more! www.madeinthesouthshows.com

32nd Annual Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival

3 Church Street Selma, AL 36701 October 15. The performers this year are Salaam Green, Sean Dietrich and MC Paul Garner, Art show, StreetFest, Ballet, Market Day, Pilgrimage and more!

334-412-8052 info@artsrevive.com www.artsrevive.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

40th Annual Oktoberfest Arts & Craft Show

Charles E. Bailey, Sportsplex, 1685 Arena Road Alexander City, AL 35010 October 10. Day-long celebration features local arts and crafts, great food, entertainment, Kid-Fest children’s activities, sports programs, antique car show and much more. A Native American Artifact show is our newest showcase.

256-329-6736 www.alexandercityonline.com

57th Annual Bluff Park Show

517 Cloudland Drive Hoover, AL 35226 October 3. 9:00am-5:00pm. Sponsored by the Bluff Park Art Association and includes more than 130 local and national artists displaying fine art for sale. Bring the kids to enjoy some hands on art fun. Free admission, parking and shuttles bpaashowchair@gmail.com www.bluffparkartassociation.org

64th Annual Central Alabama Fair

2401 West Dallas Avenue Selma, AL 36701 October 6-10. Fun-filled event offering a midway with rides, entertainment, beauty pageant, agricultural exhibits, livestock judging and a competition for local arts, crafts, canning, sewing, and more!

334-872-6717 www.centralalabamafair.com

66th Annual Cullman County Fair

1501 Sportsman Lake Rd NW, Cullman, AL 35055 October 8-17. Thrilling rides, amazing exhibits, and the best in local and regional entertainment.

256-734-0661 www.cullmanfair.org

Alabama National Fair

Garret Coliseum, 1555 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36107 October 9-18. Midway rides, main stage entertainment, food, information and commercial booths, kids area, livestock and other competition, family faith day, and more!

334- 356-6866 www.alnationalfair.org

Alexander City Fall Festival

Russell Crossroads, 17 Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL 35010 October 31. Join friends and neighbors for pump-

28

kin painting, a costume contest, wagon rides and more, courtesy of Russell Lands on Lake Martin. www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com

Boll Weevil Festival

Enterprise , AL 36330 October 24. Arts and crafts vendors, variety of music, food, children’s costume contest and activities, farmers market, car show, family entertainment. www.enterprisedowntown.org

Fall Farm Day & Festival

430 Landmark Drive Dothan, AL 36303 October 17. Learn how peanuts were harvested in the Wiregrass a half-century ago. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of cane grinding, syrup making, butter churning, basket weaving, soap making and other traditional farm activities.

Plus, food, music and antique tractors and farm equipment.

334-794-3452 www.landmarkparkdothan.com

Harvest Hoe Down

3636 Whitehouse Pkwy Warm Springs, GA 31830 October 10. Enjoy this fall celebration with arts, crafts, good food, entertainment and more! www.warmspringsga.us

Montgomery Jr. League’s Holiday Market

220 Hall Street Montgomery, AL 36104 October 7-11. Start the Winter Holiday Season off right with shopping the Jr. League’s Market, Virtual Show. Each year, holiday themed booths set up for a great, one-stop-shop for all your Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years items. holidaymarketmerchants@gmail.com www.jlmontgomery.com

Peanut Butter Festival

475 Dickert Circle Brundidge, AL 36010 October 31. A harvest and heritage celebration honoring the town’s proud heritage in the peanut butter industry. The free for all festival features a 5-K Peanut Butter Run, non-stop entertainment, contests, games, exhibits, recipe contest, Peanut Butter Kids Contest and the Nutter Butter Parade and food galore including everything peanut butter.

334-344-9601 www.piddle.org

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

390 Oc cra the gam ties giv inc and jac and

ww

Ch

Pa

Le

Dr ad

766 Oc Pa and are

nd n.

d

, s. m

Pioneer Day

6500 Stage Road Loachapoka, AL 36865 October 24, 7:00am-4:00pm. The same great sausage, biscuits, syrup, music, mules, arts, crafts, etc. that has been offered for the last 40 years will continue to be the same. The Plantation Heirs will sing at noon. Creek Indians demonstrations in heritage crafts and good food. Many vendors are returning along with new vendors.

334-887-3007 www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org

Pioneer Days at Pioneer Museum of Alabama

248 Highway 231 North Troy, AL 36081 October 9-10, 9:00am-5:00pm. Horse and wagon rides, trips on the Pioneer Express, Native American camps with demonstrations of candle making, spinning, weaving, quilt making, blacksmithing, drum, dance, etc. Friday is School Day. Also, October 31 is Nightmare at the Museum.

334- 566-3597 www.pioneer-museum.org

Spinners 38th Annual “Pumpkin Patch” Arts & Crafts Show

390 West 6th Street Prattville, AL 36066 October 24-25. Exhibitors of original art and crafts from throughout the southeast will display their wares. Food vendors, live entertainment, games, a coloring contest and many other activities for children and youth. Door prizes will be given at intervals during the show. Other events include The Great Pumpkin Race, a 5K/8K Race and a one mile Run/Walk, a motorcycle show, jack-o-lantern contest and more. Free admission and free parking. www.spinnersprattville.com

Church Events Parkway Kids Presents

Let Your Light Shine: Drive-Through Fall Festival ad on page 20

766 East University Drive Auburn, AL 36830 October 20, 5:00-7:00pm. You are invited to Parkway Kids’ Fall Festival. This year, dress up and drive-through for lots of treats and fun. We are excited to share an evening of family and

festival fun with the community! Pre-register at www.ParkwayAuburn.com 334-887-3782 www.parkwayauburn.org

October 31. Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm; Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm. Also available by reservation Monday-Friday for school, church, daycare field trips and more.

334-864-0713 www.jackolanternlane.com

All Saints Fair

Lakeview Baptist Church, 1600 East Glenn Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 TBA-Safe, family fun alternative to trick-or-treating; everyone welcome. Games include train, gladiator joust, gyro, horse and wagon, go fish, soccer kick, ring toss, bowling, inflatables and more! Lots of games, prizes and candy! Tickets children 0-12 years old- $3.00 fee includes hot dog supper, games and prizes. Or, $10.00 max per family. Individual Teen- Adult-$1.00 hot dog supper fee. Come dressed up, but please avoid ghoulish costumes. www.lakeviewbaptist.org

Costume Shopping Check-It-Out!

239 North Gay Street Auburn, AL 36830

334-826-0803 www.check-it-outballoons.com

The Red Oak Farm ad on page 7

6268 County Road 83 Lafayette, Al 36862 October weekends. Come out to The Red Oak Farm this fall to explore our large corn maze, take a hayride around the farm, or experience some of our many family fun activities. Conveniently located just NE of Auburn, AL. Saturdays 10-6; Sundays 1-6 334-750-0894 www.theredoakfarm.com

Backyard Orchards

6585 Hwy 431 North Eufaula, AL 36027 U-Pick It Farm with fresh fruits, veggies and pumpkins!

334-370-6490 www.backyardorchards.com

Corn Dodgers Farm

www.kidsclothesconnection.com

168 Sweetwater Drive Headland, AL 36345 Corn field maze, pumpkin barn (pick your own), cow train ride, corn cannon, pony rides, corn box, sunflower path, hay rides, pipe maze, farm-sized tic-tac-toe, and more

Party City

Cotton Pickin’ Pumpkin Patch

Kids Clothes Connection

804 Columbus Parkway Opelika, AL 36801 Gently used children’s costumes available.

2534 Enterprise Drive Opelika, AL 36801 Specializing in all things party! Costumes for all ages, accessories, decorations, and more.

334-745-1568 www.partycity.com

Fall Farms

334-726-1485 www.corndodgersfarm.com

11546 Lee Road 54 Auburn, AL 36830 Saturdays in October; 10:00am-6:00pm. Open during the week for field trips. Hayrides, pick a pumpkin/cotton, corn maze, corn crib, pony rides, country store and more. Call to schedule your group, schools, daycare, or parties 334-321-7946 www.lazenbyfarm.com

Jack-O-Lantern Lane at The Oaks ad on Back Cover

18151 Veterans’ Memorial Parkway Lafayette, AL 36862 Pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable park, train rides, gem mining, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, face painting, and more. Open September 26-

Dream Field Farms

6376 Highway 82 Fitzpatrick, AL 36029 Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, corn cannon, tractor pulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more. October. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, corn cannon, tractor pulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more.

334-534-6976 www.dreamfieldfarms.com

830 ,

s

.

t a

ut e ter.

om

29

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

AND

Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch

Lee County Road 61 Auburn, AL 36830 Located 6 miles west of Toomer’s Corner off of Hwy 14 near Loachapoka School. Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides and more.

334-750-3792 info@auburnpumpkinpatch.com www.auburnpumpkinpatch.com

Paradise Pumpkin Patch

910 County Road 79 Eufaula, AL 36027 Corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower and cotton fields, giant inflatable park, petting zoo, playground, cow train, hay rides, pony rides, covered wagon rides pulled by a team of mules, giant corn box and hay bale mazes, concessions, and gift shop. Opens October 3, Saturdays 9:00am6:00pm, Sundays 11:00am-6:00pm. Special event dates and field trips available MondayFriday. Teacher Day- October 3. All teachers with school ID are free! Free Paradise for Special Children-October 5, 8am-3pm. Free field trip for special needs children. Home School Day- October 12, 8am-3pm.

334-695-2258 www.paradisepumpkinpatch.com

Pumpkin Patch at The Farmhouse

469 Farmhouse Road Ellerslie, GA 31807 Hayrides, bonfires, s’mores, crafts, scarecrow contests, music, and more. Jump on the tractor and take a ride to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your family to carve.

706-561-3435 thefarmhouseellerslie@hotmail.com www.thefarmhousega.com

Scarecrow Junction at Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

1919 9th Street Calera, AL 35040 October Saturdays and Sundays. Bring your family to Scarecrow Junction at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera every weekend in October. It’s a NEW family-fun, fall festival event that you don’t want to miss! Enjoy food trucks, safe, family-friendly games and activities, the

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

huge Great Pumpkin, and more! Put on your costumes, bring your cameras, and come have some fun at the NEW Scarecrow Junction this Fall at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. Seek out the hidden scarecrows displayed throughout the museum grounds and get your tickets to ride not just one - but two - different train experiences.

Ride behind the full-size, diesel C&S locomotive and, while you’re visiting, be sure to buy a ticket to ride the newly restored Shelby & Southern Narrow Gauge Steam Railroad and get your very own souvenir Golden Spike!

205-757-8383 info@hodrrm.org www.hodrrm.org

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm

929 Lee County Road 14 Auburn, AL 36830 Friday and Saturdays in October. The farm features a haunted house, haunted hayride and haunted maze. A free petting zoo is available nightly for family enjoyment. Tickets and additional information are available online.

334-750-2591 www.sleepyhollowauburn.com

The Pumpkin Patch at Barber Berry Farm

2362 Alabama River Pkwy Millbrook, AL 36054 Weekends in October. Hayride, pumpkin patch, pick your own pesticide-free fruit and veggies.

334-332-4306 BBFpumpkinpatch@yahoo.com www.barberberryfarm.com

Local Events City of Auburn Parks and Recreation ad on page 14 & 27

425 Perry Street Auburn, AL 36830 2020 Drive Thru Trick or Treat: October 30, Auburn Parks and Rec Complex on East Drake Ave. 6:00-8:00pm. Get ready for a spooky spectacular night! Join Auburn Parks and Recreation for the best Halloween parade in town at the Auburn Parks and Recreation Complex. This is a fan-

30

tastic alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, put on your costume, pull up in your car, and let the City of Auburn employees fill your bag with treats! This event is FREE and open to the public.

Don’t miss all the fun! All participants must come in a vehicle; no walk-ups will be permitted. We encourage visitors to dress up and decorate their vehicles. Participants must enter the parking lot from Drake Ave, then will be directed around the complex. A map and directions will be posted the week of the event. *COVID – 19 Note: This event will be held outside. Please remain in your car at all times. Plan to attend this event with members of your household. FREE to the public.

Fright Night at the Arboretum- Join the Donald E. Davis Arboretum and Auburn Parks and Recreation for Fright Night at the Arboretum on Friday October 23 at 6 p.m.! Come and enjoy classic cartoons for starters followed by the first feature Little Shop of Horrors at 7p.m. and the finale The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9pm.

Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Concessions will be sold to enjoy the movies. The event is FREE and open to the public. *COVID-19 note Seating areas will be clearly marked to ensure social distancing. FREE to the public.

334-501-2930 www.auburnalabama.org

City of Opelika Parks and Recreation ad on page 5

1001 Andrews Road Opelika, AL 36801 The Great Pumpkin Splash- October 16. 6:008:00pm. $4. Ages 6-12yrs. Pick your pumpkin from the pool! Kids enjoy harvest relay races, pumpkin roll, prizes and more!

Fright Night at the Villa- October 16, 6:308:30pm. Join us for a scary movie at Springvilla Park. Adults only.

Tour De Fright- October 30, 6:00-8:00pm. Bicyclers beware! Children 12 and under and their parents are invited to take a ride on the haunted walking trail.

The Eerie Express- October 9, 6:00-8:00pm.

Join us for a spooky family friendly night and a

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

not is a Tre by Joi His tric thr can Ha Att the pla as

334

D th ad

Jul So Thu 5:3 by Mu all of t sup qua in s aub or c 334

g, t

lic. me

eir t he he ent at rs

ald

n

t

EE

0-

AND

not-so-scary train ride at Monkey Park. This is a free event. Downtown Drive Thru Trick or Treat- October 29, 6:00-8:00pm. Presented

by Point Broadband and Opelika Main Street.

Join Opelika Main Street and the merchants of Historic Downtown Opelika for a socially distant trick or treat! Families are invited to drive through a portion of downtown and receive candy from their vehicles while enjoying festive Halloween decorations throughout downtown.

Attendees are also encouraged to decorate their cars as well! Halloween music will be played on the radio by the iHeart Radio team as well.

334-705-5560 www.opelikasportsplex.com

Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat at the Museum ad on page 18

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 South College Street, Auburn, Al 36849 Thursday, October 29, Curbside pick-up form 3 to 5:30 p.m. Pre-register for a goodie box inspired by outdoor sculpture at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. Enjoy all treats and NO TRICKS, as we explore the Out of the Box exhibition with hands-on activities, art supplies and more! Free for ages 3-12. (Limited quantities; pre-registration required). Donations in support of arts education welcome at jcsm. auburn.edu. Questions? Email jcsm@auburn.edu or call 334-844-1484.

334-844-1484 www.jscm.auburn.edu

Friday Fright Night at The Arboretum ad on page 27

Donald E. Davis Arboretum, 181 Garden Drive Auburn, Al 36830 October 23. Join the Donald E. Davis Arboretum and Auburn Parks and Recreation for Fright Nights at the Arboretum! On October 23, enjoy a special screening of your favorite monster movies! Come and enjoy classic cartoons for starters followed by the first feature Little Shop of Horrors at 7p.m. and the finale The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9pm. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Concessions will be sold to enjoy the movies. Parking is available near the entrances on three sides: along Lem Morrison and the Poultry Science parking lot, along Garden Drive and in the Arboretum parking lot off of Garden Drive. Patrons are encouraged to carpool or walk. The event is FREE and open to the public. *COVID-19 note Seating areas will be clearly marked to ensure social distancing. FREE to the public.

334-501-2948 wmorris@auburnalabama.org

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center ad on page 16

2222 North College Street Auburn, AL 36830 AUsome Amphibians and Reptiles- October 3, 10:00-11:00am. Join the KPNC educators for a one-hour presentation about the awe-

some amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond! Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining, hands-on program with live animals.

Admission is $5 ($4 for members); children 3 and under are free. Cancelled in the event of rain. To minimize the risk of COVID transmission, face masks are required for all attendees and temperatures will be taken upon entry.

Halloween Enchanted Forest- October 23-24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Enjoy a fun family-friendly Halloween event, hiking the KPNC trails and visiting some costumed characters who will entertain you on how they “trick or treat” other animals in the forest. Children are invited to wear their costumes and enjoy some early Halloween fun! Pumpkin bowling, a campfire, fortune telling, and face painting will be available! S’mores kits and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $7/person when pre-purchased online; $10/person when purchased at the door; children 2 and under are free.

334-844-8091 www.auburn.edu/preserve

Downtown Spooky Scavenger Hunt

Oct. 25-31. Downtown Auburn/Sponsored by Downtown Merchant Association. 12-5 PM. Looking for a mysterious Halloween adventure for the family? Beginning Sunday, October 25 through Saturday, October 31, Active Auburn will be hiding a pumpkin at a downtown merchant location every day of the week leading up to Halloween.

Each day at noon, a picture that contains a clue will be posted on Active Auburn’s Facebook page (@activeauburnAL). The first participant to physically find the pumpkin in person will receive a gift card from that location!

a

ir d

om

31

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

AND

but nin see

770

Haunted Auburn Walking Tour

102 South College Street Auburn, AL 36830 Every Friday and Saturday in October. Join your hosts Stoker and Poe as they lead you around to Auburns most haunted locations. Hear the tales, urban ledges, first hand accounts and true life facts about these locations. Two tours each night first at 6pm the other at 8pm weather permitting.

Dress accordingly. Fun for all (may not be suitable for children under 12). Meet at the 2 Eagles by the Toomer Oaks. Admission is FREE!!

334-444-1422

Annual Great Pumpkin Carve

Graves Drive Auburn University, AL 36849 Auburn University School of Architecture and Design, Dudley Court, Campus. October TBA, 9:00am-9:00pm. Come out and watch the students carve amazing designs into pumpkins.

As night falls, see the pumpkins turn into glowing jack-o-lanterns! Dress the kids up for a costume contest, games, and more!

334-844-4524 cadc.communications@auburn.edu cadc.auburn.edu/explore-cadc/events/view/110

Out of Town Events 29th Annual Halloween Fairyland

Tannehill State Park, 12632 Confederate Pkwy McCalla, AL 35111 October 231. The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a nonscary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visi-

tors, most of them children. Begun in 1992, the event features park-sponsored programs during the afternoon and traditional Halloween candy “trick or treat” stops at more than 200 campsites during the evening. Park events include a moon walk, clowns, face painting, pony rides and sand art. A special tradition is the festival’s annual Halloween Festival tee shirt. Campground site decorations and lights are extensive, creative and surreal.

205-477-5711 www.tannehill.org/events

35th Annual Tour of Southern Ghosts

Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd Stone Mountain, GA Atlanta’s favorite family Halloween event will be presented for the 35th year by ART Station…virtually. Southern Ghosts Storytelling Festival is a production that showcases six master storytellers who have performed the best ghost stories from the South for over 25 years. The production features fun and spooky ghost stories from the South; great fun for young and old. It’s for those who believe and for those who don’t and for those who just want to have a good time. Here you’ll meet six professional storytellers as they spin tales of Southern ghosts. Enjoy this Atlanta family tradition. It’s only here that you will experience the authentic Southern Boo! A Link will be available on our web site for ticket purchase on October 12th.

800-401-2407 http://artstation.org/portfolio_page/atour-of-southern-ghosts-october-15-25-2020/

Boo at the Zoo

Atlanta Zoo, 800 Cherokee Avenue SE Atlanta, GA 30315 October 17-18, 24-25, 31. 9:30am-3:00pm.

It’s that time of year when Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival returns! Sample treats throughout the Zoo, and enjoy the sights, characters and adventures of the whimsical Zoo Boo Town on four magical days with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume! Even the animals join the fun during Boo at the Zoo! Find out when your favorite Zoo residents are getting Halloween surprises. Guests can enjoy spooktacular activities: Enter costume contests, inflatable Corn Maze, Halloween games and crafts, Boogie down to Little Beat, a live party D and Take pictures with characters such as Wild Thing, Ladybug Girl, Splat the Cat, Zhu Zhu the giant panda, Cricket the frog and more!

404-624-9453 www.zooatlanta.org

Clue: On Stage!

Newnan Theatre Company, 24 First Avenue Newnan, GA 30263 October 15-18 and 22-25; Based on the classic board game and movie, six guests are invited to a dinner party thrown by an anonymous host.

They are given aliases--Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet. Though discouraged from revealing personal information, it is soon discovered that all of them have fallen victim to the same blackmailer, their very host of the evening.

Each is presented with a weapon and an option: pay their extortionist double, or kill the innocent

F.

297 Ha for alo wa Ca Pu Pu to a and Mo tio avo zon age my am from reg Co can reg ent We wo com alo age

706

Ha

Co Ave Oc Ast and of t ing

ww

Oc

Ch Ph Ou foo cor Sto son nat

http

Po

450 Oc thre you ride evi the inc

706

St

100 17t 19fam ent cla sun new exp Glo sic the

800

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

32

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

o 0 r

sts e es ty ld

c

t.

m,

e g. n: t

om

AOfallADparentsHalfV.qxp_Layout 1 8/7/20 2:05 PM Page 1 butler. What follows is a madcap, slapstick evening full of murder, mystery, and laughs as they seek to puzzle out the culprit amongst criminals.

770-683-6282 www.newnantheatre.org

F. D. Roosevelt State Park

2970 Georgia 190 Pine Mountain, Ga 31823 Harvest Moon Hike- October 1. Join a ranger for a easy to moderate, 3.4 mile full moon hike along Overlook Loop. Bring a flashlight and water, Geared towards ages 10 & up. Meet at Callaway Gardens Country Store Overlook.

Pumpkin Archery- October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.

Pumpkin target shooting adventure for ages 10 to adult. We provide basic instruction, equipment, and prizes. Halloween Saturday has a special Monster Hunt shoot. Zombie Survival Navigation- October 3, 10, 17, 24,31. Learn how to avoid the zombie horde and navigate to your safe zone using a map and compass. Geared towards ages 8 to adult. Going Batty. October 30. Dispel myths and discover fascinating facts about these amazing flying mammals with Dr. Mark Yates from LaGrange College. Location disclosed upon registration. Decorated and Carved Pumpkin Contest- October 31. Bring your entry and a candle/light to the Park Office for display. Preregister and pre-pay at the Park Office. Limit 50 entries. Prizes for adults and youth. Howl-oWeen Leaf Hike- October 31- Discover the fall woodlands and all its inhabitants with your canine companion as we trek through hardwood bottoms along Pine Mountain Ridge; a moderate hike for ages 10 & up. Bring water and a snack.

706-663-4858 http://gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt

Halloween Astro Night

Coca-Cola Space Science Center, 701 Front Avenue Columbus, Ga 31901 October 31. Enjoy a spooky “Home-Game” Astronomy Night! The evening begins with a talk and presentation by Dr. Rosa Williams, Director of the WestRock Observatory, followed by viewing an hour later! Feel free to come in costume! www.facebook.com/events/493298594687550

October Fall Music Festival

Chattahoochee Brewing, 505 13th Street, Phenix Ciy, AL Our Fall Festival is October 31, 2020. Featuring food vendors, Castle Hof and Spankin Spoon, corn hole, and live music beginning with Jonboy Storey at noon, followed by a great local singers/ songwriters Tony Brook and Neal Lucas, culminating with the Bibb City Ramblers at 6 pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1422510851471433/

Pope’s Haunted Farm

450 Lee Road 424 Salem, AL 36874 October weekends. Pope’s Haunted Farm has three different events to experience and scare you. The Haunted Barn: Taken, the Haunted Hayride that many have claimed to see the infamous evil specter Jasper, and lastly you can experience the Haunted Forest that’s an unguided tour that includes a graveyard deep in the woods.

706-566-7766 www.popeshayride.com

Stone Mountain Park

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd Stone Mountain, GA 17th Annual Pumpkin Festival- September 19-November 1. Play by day as you enjoy family-friendly park attractions and special fall entertainment featuring some of your favorite classic storybook characters! Then, after the sun goes down, you’ll glow by night in a whole new light with plenty of not-so-spooky outdoor experiences! New Glow By Night with Dino Glow: Take an outdoor journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 new themed areas.

800-401-2407 www.stonemountainpark.com

33

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Grading Family Movies: Streaming, Digital Rentals, and DVDs All In: The Fight for Democracy

Amazon Prime

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

A-

B

A

B+

A

This documentary examines the history and current use of voter suppression tactics to reduce voter participation in elections. Its historical survey ranges from the Colonial period through Reconstruction to the battle for female suffrage and the Civil Rights Movement. It also examines the current climate, with emphasis on the 2018 election in Georgia. Solidly produced with a stellar cast of interview subjects, this documentary avoids partisan rancor in favor of a detailed look at the topic. Suitable for tween, teens and adults.

Photo ©Amazon Prime

Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs

On Demand

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG

A-

B+

A

A

A

Seven heroic princes have traveled the land, coming to the aid of those in need until they are cursed by a fairy who turns them into dwarves. Their only hope is to be kissed by a beautiful princess. Meanwhile, Princess Snow White comes across a pair of red shoes that transform her into a slender, conventionally beautiful princess. Filled with messages of body positivity and kindness, this film is suitable for kids – and their parents might even laugh at the jokes. Photo ©Lionsgate

Pets United

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

Unrated

D

B

A

A-

A

Robocity is an apparent utopia where robots tend to every need of the human inhabitants. When the mayor banishes humans from the city, a stray dog named Roger bands together with pampered pets to stop the robot takeover.

With poor quality animation, an incoherent plot, and unpleasant stereotypes, this is not a great option for family viewing.

Photo ©Netflix

Spy Cat

Digital on Demand

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG

B-

B-

A-

A-

A-

Marnie is a pet cat who’s obsessed with the detective shows she watches on TV. When burglars strike in her neighborhood, she sees an opportunity to live her dreams and track down the bad guys. This film is forgettable, but largely harmless unless parents object to firearms violence in a children’s animated production.

Photo ©Global Screen

Grades range from: A= absence of content concerns to D= excess of content concerns Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

34

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Drugs

on s

te, llar r of

Drugs

only hite

and at

Drugs

man

ver. pes,

Pre-K Admissions Event Tuesday, October 27th 5:00pm We invite you to meet our Pre-K teachers and hear more about our program and how we are equipping our students with the tools necessary to build a strong educational foundation.

RSVP to Director of Admissions Leigh Smith lsmith@lee-scott.org www.lee-scott.org

Drugs

n ve y d

om

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 35

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

F

FamilyCalendar Thursday, October 1 Fall Sundown Concert Series Kiesel Park. 6:00 PM. Join us for an evening of music and fun at beautiful Kiesel Park. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, kick back, and enjoy the music. D.J. K Cole will be performing. Pets (on leashes) are welcome. This event is free to the public. *Seating areas will be clearly marked to ensure social distance. www.auburnalabama. org/parks

festival on October 9 and 10. It will be held in the yard of the Standard Deluxe. The line up includes: • The Band of Heathens •Lillie Mae • The Pine Hill Haints • Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires and more! www.standarddeluxe.com

Saturday, October 10 20th Anniversary of the Old 280 Boogie See Oct. 9 for details.

Friday, October 2

Monday, October 12

500 Weekend 2020 Oct. 2-4. Admission charged. Make it an incredible weekend of racing at NASCAR’s biggest and most competitive track. Ask about Kid’s VIP programming for Sunday where they get up close and personal with drivers. Friday night it’s the Big one on the Blvd. for drivers and fans then Saturday night it’s the traditional concert! There’s lots to do in addition to the best racing anywhere (which will feature Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500). www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

Oct 12-13: Fall Camp at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center The KPNC offers fall camps to students in grades 1 through 6 on days when schools are closed. Campers will join the KPNC naturalists outside, exploring our natural world and wildlife communities and discovering new adventures all around us. Snacks will be provided; children should bring their lunch and a refillable water bottle. Registration is $50 per child per camp, with a $5 discount for siblings living in the same residence.

Saturday, October 3

Tuesday, October 13

AUsome Amphibians and Reptiles Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Join the KPNC educators for a one-hour presentation on the AUsome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond!

Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining, handson program with live animals. Admission is $5/person.

Children 3 and under are free. http://wp.auburn.edu/ preserve/event/ausome-amphibians-reptiles

Family Discovery Hike: Bird Migration Join our guides for an educational adventure as you and your children take in the many sights and sounds of the Nature Center. Family Discovery Hikes are for families with children ages 5 to 12 and are offered the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Groups meet at the pavilion.

Hocus Pocus Springer Opera House. You’re in for a devil of a time with three outlandishly wild witches. This is a bring your own chair event in the outside theatre. www.springeroperahouse.org

Fall Camp at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center See Oct. 12 for details.

2020 Opelika Alley Cat Explore Opelika on 2 wheels with a family friendly scavenger hunt through historic downtown Opelika.

Prizes will be given for the most hilarious group photos, the slowest group to finish and all groups who successfully complete the manifest. Sponsored by the Opelika Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Auburn Hey Day 2020 Dating all the way back to World War II, Auburn University’s student body and members of the Student Government Association pushed for a day that would unite the Auburn Family and promote a friendly atmosphere known as HEY DAY. This year Hey Day will be on October 14. Each year we carry on this tradition of handing out name tags and encouraging students, faculty, and the rest of the Auburn Family to greet one another with the Auburn Spirit in an effort to bring all those parts of Auburn closer together. www.auburn.edu

7th Annual Fall Festival The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual Fall Festival. There will be Arts & Crafts vendors selling handmade items, artwork, cosmetics, etc. Food vendors selling a variety of foods. There will be several free activities for the kids. Free live Music and other live entertainment for the whole family.

Elite Sports Alabama Georgia Border Showdown Elite Sports is hosting a softball tournament for a battle between the states. They will be hosting the tournament at the Auburn Sports Complex. Entry to the tournament is $7. www.elitesports-usa.com

Thursday, October 8 Nature Walk: Bird Migration Join our guides for a peaceful morning walk as you take in the many sights and sounds of the Preserve.

Nature Walks are for adults only and offered the second Thursday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 AM. Groups meet at the pavilion.

Fall Sundown Concert Series Details October 1.

Friday, October 9 20th Anniversary of the Old 280 Boogie The Old 280 Boogie is having its 20th-anniversary

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

Wednesday, October 14

Thursday, October 15 Del McCoury Band Join us at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center as we welcome the Del McCoury Band for a night of bluegrass entertainment! www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Friday, October 16 Fall Camp at KPNC See Oct. 12 for details.

Monday, October 19 Bartender of the Year Competition 2020 The Hotel at Auburn University. The annual competition is open to all professional bartenders in the state. The Regional competition for Auburn will take place on October 19, at The Auburn University Hotel. The judges will score based on speed, taste/ creativity, and crowd interaction. The Regional winner will go on to compete at the State tournament for a prize of $1,500.

36

Tuesday, October 20 The Simon & Garfunkel Story Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. The Simon & Garfunkel Story is touring North America again this year, using huge projection photos and original film footage, featuring a full live band performing all the hits including ‘Mrs. Robinson’, ‘Cecilia’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘Homeward Bound’, and many more.

Thursday, October 22 Smart Cycling Opelika SportsPlex. Bring your bike and join us for socially distanced educational courses taught by a Licensed Cycling Instructor. Each class will be a combination of videos and hands-on learning.

Saturday, October 24 Not Our First Goat Rodeo Join us at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center as Not Our First Goat Rodeo: Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile with guest Aoife O’Donovan is an astounding group of virtuosos—Yo-Yo Ma on cello, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Edgar Meyer on bass, and Chris Thile on mandolin—reunite live for the first time in nearly a decade! Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu Fall Family Fun Day at The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Come celebrate the fall with music, nature hikes, animal encounters, face painting, and crafts, presented by the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Overflow parking will be in the north parking lot, but there will be a well-marked 0.4-mile hike over to the amphitheater (or golf cart shuttle if needed). Entry is a $1 donation to the KPNC for adults and youth – children 3 and under are free.

Oktoberfest 2020 The sights, sounds, and tastes of Germany are making their way to Auburn University’s Ag Heritage Park Pavilion for the 11th annual Oktoberfest. The event will feature traditional German fare, beers from breweries across the U.S., a selection of German wines, food trucks, craft tables, and live entertainment. Oktoberfest attendees will get to choose from more than 150 beers from local craft breweries and national brand favorites. If beer isn’t your drink of choice, a selection German wines will be available to sample as well. A variety of food trucks will be on hand. Live music and TVs showing college football games will be set up throughout the festival. Additionally, attendees can enjoy live music from Kidd Blue, as well as a steinhoisting competition and wiener dog race. Ag Heritage Park Pavilion. www.auburnoktoberfest.com Aorta Tough Ten & Tough Two Run, jog or walk a scenic 10 mile or 2-mile route through the moderately rolling hills of Auburn, AL. Strollers and dogs on leashes welcome and encouraged.

All proceeds are donated to the East Alabama Medical Center’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Early Detection.

Ogletree Village, Auburn. auburntough10@gmail.com Harvest Market Town Creek Park. 8:00 a.m. to noon. Parking will be available for all market attendees in the gravel parking lot across from Town Creek Park. *COVID 19 Note* All market visitors must maintain a minimum of 6 feet between one another. Food samples will not be served, and cooking demonstrations will not be allowed. All available products will be prepackaged. Loitering and social gatherings will not be permitted. We ask that you please purchase your products and promptly exit the parking lot for others to easily accessible parking spots.

Animals will not be allowed to attend the market. Masks

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

are bet all C lists City

Sa

Zom Go Sta Onl at 1 rece day EST ride

O

Tra Oct

The Vir Oct exe me us. dire We How how the swi The the hon affe you you the

202 Oct crea kits Dec Mon can

ear, e, ing ,

t e o

r e u

mal he ks e ed

C

ng

will s

est

FamilyCalendar are required if you cannot maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and others. To stay up-to-date on all City Market announcements and weekly vendor lists follow us on our Facebook and Instagram @ CityMarketAuburnAL.

Saturday, October 31 Zombie Squirrel Apocalypse Dual Slalom Go Nuts Biking is hosting a dual slalom at Chewacla State Park. Come out to enjoy a Halloween themed race.

Online registration ($25) ends Thursday, October 29, at 11:59 p.m. EST. USA Cycling Annual members will receive a $5 discount when registering online and the day of the race. Onsite Registration opens at 7:00 AM EST ($35). Pro Open Cat ($35 Online) Onsite ($45). 100 rider cap. Chewacla State Park. www.gonutsbiking.com

Ongoing in October Train Schedule at Municipal Park, Opelika Oct. 3-Nov. 29. Saturdays and Sundays, 2-5 PM. The Cancer Event to Remember: Virtual Challenge Oct. 1-31. The Cancer Event to Remember is a virtual exercise challenge that honors cancer survivors and memorializes our loved ones who are no longer with us. 100% of the funds raised for this event will go directly to The Robert and Marjorie Goodson Oncology Wellness Program at the EAMC Spencer Cancer Center.

How “Exercise to Remember” Works: Determine how many minutes you will commit to exercising in the month of October. Exercise can include walking, swimming, riding a bike, working out in a gym, etc.

The time options are 300, 600, or 1000 minutes for the month. The goal is to spend your time exercising honoring and remembering loved ones who have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. You will be able to log your exercise minutes directly with Run Sign Up after you register. www.runsignup.com/race/al/Opelika/ thecancereventtoremember 2020 Pumpkin Decorating Contest Oct. 15-30. Get ready to show off your spooky and creative pumpkin decorating skills! FREE decorating kits will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Decorating kits can be picked up at the Harris Center Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 15 - 29. You can also pick up a FREE kit on October 24 at City Market

located at Town Creek Park from 8 a.m. – Noon. You do not have to pick up a decorating kit to be included in the contest. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Prettiest Pumpkin, Spookiest Pumpkin & Most Creative Pumpkin. Each prize category winner will receive a gift card to a local Auburn business. A picture of your pumpkin must be emailed to scook@auburnalabama. org by October 30 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on October 31!

Coming in November Zombie Squirrel Apocalypse Dual Slalom Nov. 1. See Oct. 31 for details.

Alabama Frontier Days Nov. 4-7. Using Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park as its historical backdrop, Alabama Frontier Days focuses on demonstrating frontier life in the southeast during the period 1700-1820. The public can experience this living history as frontier trades and crafts are demonstrated by living historians in period correct costumes. The event takes place over four days, Wednesday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 4 PM each day.

2020 Christmas Village Festival Arts, Crafts & Gifts Show Nov. 4-8. Alabamians know Christmas shopping officially begins when the Christmas Village Festival sets up over 600 exhibitor booths inside the B.J.C.C. Many families and friends have made it their tradition to visit Birmingham during the first weekend in November for the best selection of arts, crafts, and gifts at this annual event. Photo sessions with the Christmas Village Santa are a long lasting memento now passed along to the next generation.

Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair Nov. 7. The Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair will take place on the grounds of the historic Marks house in Pike Road. There will be over 250 vendors selling beautiful and unique arts and crafts just in time for Christmas.

Delicious pulled pork barbeque sandwiches, homemade chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches and fried chicken will keep you from getting hungry. Special children’s activities. The event is held annually on the first Saturday of November.

2020 Lineville Heritage Day Festival Nov. 7. Downtown Lineville. Join us in Lineville for an old-fashioned street festival. Other activities include an antique tractor show and parade, a juried vintage quilt

show, and an old-fashioned costume contest. Enjoy historical displays and live music featuring local talent, Mr. and Miss Heritage Day, horseshoe and domino tournaments and more. Great food, craft vendors, and activities are planned for the whole family. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

256-396-6143. Free.

Deep Blue Sea Nov. 7-8 and 14-15. Springer Opera House Theatre for the Very Young Series. This underwater exploration follow Tuttle the Turtle, a nervous sea turtle who has to bring show and tell for his class on Friday. The worst… how is he going to swim in front of his whole class to present his show and tell? www.springeroperahouse.org Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Sensational Strings Nov. 10. Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Join us to enjoy The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as they present ”Sensational Strings.” www. goguecenter.auburn.edu Family Discovery Hike: Turkeys Nov. 10. Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. Join our guides for an educational adventure as you and your children take in the many sights and sounds of the Nature Center. Family Discovery Hikes are for families with children ages 5 to 12 and are offered the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion.

Fall Camp at KPNC Nov. 11. Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. The KPNC offers fall camps to students in grades 1 through 6 on days when schools are closed. Campers will join the KPNC naturalists outside, exploring our natural world and wildlife communities and discovering new adventures all around us. Snacks will be provided; children should bring their lunch and a refillable water bottle. Registration is $50 per child per camp, with a $5 discount for siblings living in the same residence.

Nature Walk: Turkeys Nov. 12. Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. Join our guides for a peaceful morning walk as you take in the many sights and sounds of the Preserve. Nature Walks offer excellent opportunities to socialize and learn, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Nature Walks are for adults only and offered the second Thursday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 AM. Pre-registration is not required. Groups meet at the pavilion.

n

e

ed. al n. m

g

t d,

ou

ts. sks

om

37

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

FamilyCalendar Syncopated Ladies Nov. 12. Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. A leading lady of tap, Chloé has performed on stages around the globe and her choreography has been featured in over 50 episodes of The Late Late Show With James Corden, including the hit Crosswalk The Musical, Aladdin with Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott. www.eastalabamaarts.org.

The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Nov. 12. Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. Under the leadership of Scotty Barnhart, the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra travels the world, swinging and shouting the blues with precision, while maintaining the excellent standard as “the most explosive force in jazz.” www.goguecenter.auburn.edu.

Charis Crafters “Home for the Holidays” Craft Show Nov. 12-14. A wide variety of handmade (quilted, sewn, crocheted, knitted, etc.) crafted items and homemade (cakes, pies, jams, etc.) delights perfect for gift giving or for decorating your home. The event is held annually on the second weekend of November. www.facebook.com/pages/CharisCrafters/156215514402119 Disney’s Frozen Jr. Nov. 12-22. The enchanting modern classic from Disney! www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org 2020 Battles of the Armory Nov. 13-15. Tallassee Living History and Heritage Days, brought to you by The Tallassee Armory Guards (SCV Camp 1921) in conjunction with the new Talisi Cotton Belles (OCR Chapter 020), is a Veteran’s Weekend celebration featuring the Battles for the Armory live Civil War Reenactment. There will be a Tea/Brunch on Saturday. Battles are at 2 PM. Auburn Thunder Classic Nov. 13-15. Come join us for a competitive weekend of competitive soccer matches at Auburn Soccer Complex. We look forward to hosting your teams and showing off the coolest college town in the south!

Elite Sports Auburn Turkey Classic Nov. 14. It is a softball tournament at the Auburn Sports Complex. Ages to compete are 8 up to high school. It is $7 entry for regular fans.

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

Alabama Designer Craftsmen 48th Annual Craft Show Nov. 14-15. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Annual Fine Craft Show of juried members of Alabama Designer Craftsmen (ADC). The show and sale take place inside the main building at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, rain or shine. All works for sale are handmade and include items to be worn, used in the home or office or as outdoor decoration. Artists will demonstrate and explain their craft. Children can enjoy a free Art Corner.

Admission is $5.00 and Children under 12 are free. ADC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education of folk and contemporary craft created in Alabama.

on Saturday mornings that is all about STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math This storytime will focus on these concepts in a fun, interactive, story-driven format Please note: Some activities may involve messy fun! (334) 501-3296.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Nov. 15. Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Based on the animated television special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” all your favorite characters soar off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season! www.goguecenter.auburn.edu.

Crazy 8’s Math Club (3rd – 5th grade) Mondays, 3:30-4:30. Join us and you’ll build stuff, run and jump, make music, and make a mess… it’s a totally new kind of math club! Space is limited to 16 participants per age group. Please register by emailing libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org.

Camille A. Brown and Dancers at the Gogue Nov. 18. Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Camille A. Brown and Dancers is a Bessie Awardwinning, New York City-based dance company advancing the artistic vision of Camille A. Brown. Founded in 2006, the company performs locally and across the world, inviting audiences into stories and dialogues about race, culture and identity. The work uses theatricality and the aesthetics of modern, hip-hop, African, ballet and tap to tell stories that connect history with contemporary culture. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu.

Jeanne Robertson Nov. 20. Join us at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center for a hilarious performance by an Auburn living legend! Jeanne Robertson will entertain us with her witty observations about everyday situations. www. goguecenter.auburn.edu.

Henry Cho at the Bottling Plant Event Center Nov. 20. Henry Cho has funny but clean comedy that has been featured on the Late Late Show with James Corden. www.bottlingplanteventcenter.com

Library Events Saturday STEM Storytime Saturdays, 10-11 AM, Auburn Public Library.

Preschoolers - 2nd grade children (ages 4-7) and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime

38

Crazy 8’s Math Club (K-2nd grade) Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30. Join us and you’ll build stuff, run and jump, make music, and make a mess… it’s a totally new kind of math club! Space is limited to 16 participants per age group. Please register by emailing libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org.

Kids Writing Workshops with Authors (3rd-5th grade). Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30. Has your child ever wondered how his or her favorite authors come with the stories they tell? This fall three authors will share their writing tips with elementary-age children.

Children and their favorite grownup can join us to learn how to create a compelling character or add a plot twist to your own stories in a special writing class for kids. libraryevents@auburnalabama.org Library Puppet Troupe Dates: 10/11, 11/8, 12/13, 1/10, 2/7, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1.

All ages welcome. 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Join the Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe for shows full of laughs, wonder and puppets sure to delight children of all ages! Each show will feature two performances for your entertainment. libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org Story Time in the Outdoor Classroom 9:30-10:00am. A special socially distanced outdoor story time for our friends 0-5 years old with their favorite grown-ups! For specific dates, libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org Family Story Time in the Outdoor Classroom 6:00-6:30pm. A special socially distanced outdoor story time for our friends 0-5 years old with their favorite grown-ups! For specific dates, libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

ath ,

hild e l n.

a ass

@

@

@

om

39

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Christmas in...October?

Q. I know it may be early to talk about Christmas, but do you have any advice on saving for the holiday season?

A. It’s never too early to talk about Christmas! I’m glad you’re thinking about things ahead of time. A lot of people wait until December to buy gifts and make plans. That’s fine if they’ve got the money set aside to handle things, but most of them don’t.

Then, they panic and turn to credit cards. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re still paying off Christmas in April.

If you don’t have anything put aside yet, I’d suggest setting some spending goals now. Taking a close look at your income and living expenses should be part of this. If you’re not doing it already, what I’m talking about here is living on a written, monthly budget. Look at how much you can afford to put toward Christmas each month,

make a gift-giving goal amount, and stick to it. Along with this, you might consider opening a separate account just for your Christmas savings. Start looking for gift deals now, too. There are end-of-summer sales still going on, and you never know what you might find.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful Christmas or make the season special for others—even when it comes to giving.

Thoughtful handmade items, meaningful photographs set in a frame, or special baked goods are great ways to show the folks in your life you’re thinking about them and how much you care.

Now, let’s talk about next year. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with including a line just for Christmas in your budget each month. Putting a little money aside all year long might just take some of the stress out of your Yuletide planning.

Simple Steps

Q.

With COVID-19 and all the resulting economic problems, do you have advice for what a person can do to prepare for the future?

A.

Regardless of the coronavirus or any economic situation that might arise, there are always a few smart, simple things people can do to protect themselves financially. The number one thing is to live on a written, monthly budget. When you give every dollar a name, and write it down on paper, you’re telling your money what to do, instead of scratching your head and wondering where it went.

Staying out of debt and saving as much money as possible are two other great ideas.

Remember, your income is your biggest wealth building tool. If you’re saddled with a bunch of debt, your money goes to creditors—not into your pocket. Saving prepares you for the future and all the unexpected things, good and bad, life will throw at you.

These are all simple things. But they’ll make a huge difference in your financial situation now and in the years to come!

SAFER AT HOME

SUNDAY PUZZLES Each week we are sharing a new puzzle featuring an artwork from the Museum’s collection. Whether a solo personal challenge or joint family effort, we make it easy for you to get solving—simply play on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Play now at mmfa.org/blog.

Leonard Koscianski (American, born 1952), Red Fish, 1990, oil on canvas, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association Purchase, 1991.17

Blount Cultural Park One Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL mmfa.org | @MontgomeryMFA

Auburn Opelika Parents I October 2020

40

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Help Alabama

Shine!

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.

New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!

“Happy to be part of this survey.”

“Thank you for checking on us!”

Actual comments from survey responses.

Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set!

Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding 1 genetic information, and other federal, www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, or email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.

1

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents