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Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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October2013

Volume 18 Number 10

62 Columns

6 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note DeAnne Watson

8 Living With Children John Rosemond

12 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Professional Pediatrics

Poky No More

Bonding Time

Help your dawdler become more diligent with these tips for encouraging procrastinators.

Easy and fun ways to bring your family together throughout the busy week.

14 Montgomery Education Matters by Superintendent Barbara W. Thompson

42 Autauga Education Matters by Superintendent Spence Agee

44 Elmore Education Matters

78 52

by Superintendent Jeffery E. Langham

54 Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

60 Centsibly Southern Chic Laura Handey

73 The FlyLady Marla Cilley

Fall Festivals & Halloween Fun

Supporting the Spirited Child

74 A Page in a Book

Your guide to autumn fun in the River Region and beyond!

Discover 10 tips for dealing with your dramatic youngster.

Departments

Gerry Paige Smith

Bits and Pieces

On The Cover Brooke Evonne Murphy will turn two years old on October 19th. Her proud parents are James and Patricia Murphy. Brooke enjoys spending time with grandparents, cousins and friends. Some of her favorite things are cartoons, baby dolls and writing on everything!

School Bits 82

Calendar/Support Groups 95

Advertiser Directory 96

Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents

Editor’sNote The older children become, the more they pull

The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source

away from their parents and desire increased independence. And that’s as it should be, of course. If our kids remained totally needy for us through their teen years, they would be nowhere near ready to fly the coop when the time comes. That being said, I think every parent struggles on some level with letting our kids grow up. One particularly hard part is that we begin to see them much less, especially once they start driving. We entered this phase last March with Will and, boy, did things change. In light of the changes, I find myself planning family dinners more intentionally because they have become somewhat rare with Will’s work schedule at night, Anna’s activities, plus nights away at church functions. Our family trips have taken on more meaning, as well. Now, when we take off to the beach for a few days, Jason and I savor it more, knowing Will will be heading off to college in less than two years. We look for ways to bond through game nights, dinners out together and family outings to local concerts or events. I so desire for our bond to be strong...one that will always draw our children back to their family when time allows. Knowing this is the desire of most parents, we’ve included a helpful article,

Bonding Time, offering ways to bring your family back together as you face the busyness of life. Out of the 10 ways discussed, surely there are at least two or three we can all implement and reap the rewards. The beginning of a beautiful season certainly adds to the bonding opportunities! Outdoor events are plentiful in the River Region this month and our Fall Festivities

and Halloween Fun Guide tells you where to go. Plenty of festivals and pumpkin patches are happening right here in our community, but we’ve also listed some out

Montgomery Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Montgomery Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Founder Marty Watson (1950-2006) Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@montgomeryparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Research Editor Wendy McCollum Contributing Writers Spence Agee Marla Cilley Robert Coggin, M.D. Laura Handey Christa Melnyk Hines Malia Jacobson Christina Katz Dr. Jeff Langham John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith Barbara W. Thompson Cover Photography Lori Mercer Photography www.lorimercerphotography.com

of town events that would make a perfect day trip for you and the kids. Those extra hours in the car almost always lead to discussions you are thankful to have had. Two other features you won’t want to miss are Poky No More and 10 Tips for

Supporting the Spirited Child. Chances are we all have at least one procrastinator in the house and one child with a flare for the dramatic. These articles offer great advice for discouraging certain behaviors, encouraging better behaviors and offering understanding when needed. Finally, download our new Montgomery Parents App for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Keep up with local calendar spotlights, the digital issue, special coupons and more. Go to the App store and type “Montgomery Parents Magazine”. From one parent to another...Happy Fall!

Publisher Jason Watson jason@montgomeryparents.com Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson Joe Bass (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 ads@montgomeryparents.com Ad Design Tim Welch Member

DeAnne

deanne@montgomeryparents.com

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Montgomery Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. Montgomery Parents is copyrighted 2013 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in Montgomery 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.

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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

Big Problems Require Even Bigger Consequences period in your room and you will go to bed every one of those nights at seven o’clock, lights out. End of conversation.” Indeed, he managed to get a B from said Evil English Teacher. How he managed in less than five weeks to accomplish this feat is something I never looked into. I did not even talk to Miss Malevolence. She may not have been a very good teacher. I doubt that seriously; nonetheless, her competence wasn’t the issue. The issue was that I expected Eric, under any and all circumstances, to be a good student. There are three instructional morals to this story, the first of which being that Eric solved his English problem because he believed me. In the absence of at least a B in English, he absolutely knew that he would spend all of his free time in his room for nine weeks and go to bed, lights out, at seven. Eric knew that threats were not part of my parenting vocabulary. Can you say the same of your kids? The second moral is that big problems require even bigger consequences. Most

parents, I have discovered, try too hard to make sure punishments “fit” crimes. In the process, they end up doing nothing of consequence. A child misbehaves in some egregious fashion and parents respond with a light tap to the wrist with a flyswatter. “Take that!” they cry, and nothing changes. I was determined that this would be the first and last time I would have to deal with an issue of this sort, and it was. The third moral is that children do not make good witnesses, especially when they have emotional skin in the game. Specifically, when children complain about teachers, their complaints are generally not truthful. I don’t mean that they are necessarily lying. They aren’t telling the truth because they cannot see it. The ability to accept full responsibility for one’s misdeeds separates the men from the boys, which is why a good number of “men” (including a good number of women) are still “boys.” The bottom line: With this new school year, it would be a generally good thing if parents resolved to always give a teacher’s report the benefit of the doubt where school problems are concerned. Children benefit considerably when adults stand together. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com. © Disney

The statute of limitations has expired concerning the following tale, so I can finally tell it. In October of my now 40-somethingyear-old son Eric’s seventh-grade year, he informed me that he was probably going to get a D, maybe even an F, in English on his upcoming report card, and perhaps for the entire year. “How’s that?” I asked. “My teacher doesn’t like me, Dad,” he replied. He then launched into a litany of her many offenses against him, including blaming him for things he didn’t do, targeting him for unwarranted criticism, covering his best work with negative comments in dread red ink, and mocking his answers in front of the entire class. “You can’t pull wool over my eyes, Eric,” I said. “The truth is that you are making it difficult for her to do her job. You’re a troublemaker in her class. Maybe the other kids think you’re funny. She doesn’t, and neither do I. I have only one thing to tell you, which is that if you don’t get at least a B in her class, you will spend every free moment of the next grading

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Riverwalk Wine Festival

Saturday, October 12 * 2-5 p.m. $25/Ticket and includes: etched commemorative wine glass; discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shoppes; discounted ticket for a special Harriott II Wine Cruise; Picnic Baskets and Coolers are Welcome; NO outside alcohol; Live Music by King Bee. Tickets Available at Filet & Vine and Peppertree Steaks & Wine. Visit www. funinmontgomery.com.

Art in Concert

at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Friday, October 11 @ 7 p.m. Featuring Banditos and St. Paul & the Broken Bones. Tickets are $10 in advance/ $15 at the door. Pre-sale tickets end October 9 at 5 p.m. Chairs and picnic blankets welcomed; no outside food or drinks permitted. Cash bar and food available for purchase. Fundraiser organized by MMFA Junior Executive Board. Visit www.mmfa.org or call 240-4333.

Fall Harvest Market & Trick or Pink

Saturday, October 26 * 5-8 p.m. Shoppes at EastChase A night of family fun, the Fall Market features vendors with seasonal produce and unique gifts, food samples from vendors and restaurants and a Fashion Preview of various retailers throughout The Shoppes. Trick or Pink will bring the Pink Pumpkin Patch, Pink Halloween costume contest for the kids and hayrides around The Shoppes, which will all benefit the Joy to Life Foundation. In addition, cancer survivors will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate survival by taking part in forming the pink human ribbon around the fountain. For more information on Go Pink events, visit www. theshoppesateastchase.com/events. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Junior League Hosts Annual Holiday Market

October 16-19 at the Montgomery Multiplex at Cramton Bowl at 1022 Madison Ave. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets are on sale through October 11 at the following outlets: Barb’s, My Kids Attic, Montgomery Visitor Center, Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, Eastdale Mall, the Junior League of Montgomery Office or online at jlmontgomery.org. Holiday Market consists of four shopping days, special events, live entertainment and merchants from across the United States. Merchants at the Holiday Market offer unique gift ideas and holiday trends in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. This year we are pleased to offer more than 120 merchants. The traditional Santa’s workshop will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. on October 19, where children participate in holiday craft activities and enjoy treats and milk; regional schools and performing arts groups will provide live entertainment. As a special service to Holiday Market attendees, valet parking will be available for $5. For more info, visit jlmpontgomery.org 10

Make a Memory with HALO

H.A.L.O will hold its second annual Make A Memory Day on Sunday, October 20, from 1-4 p.m. at Union Station Train Shed at 300 Water Street in downtown Montgomery. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Continuing H.A.L.O’s goal of educating and raising public awareness regarding such loss, H.A.L.O’s Make A Memory Day is a free event and everyone is welcome. The

event will feature the bands “Fusion” and “Spoken For,” bounce houses, games, a raffle, a pumpkin patch, and Disney characters. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and come out to enjoy a time of togetherness and fun. Please, no Halloween costumes or pets. Photography mini-session appointments are available for a $50 donation and include: a 20-minute session with one of three H.A.L.O professional photographers & a minimum of five edited images on disk. All donations are tax deductible and go to H.A.L.O. For more information about H.A.L.O., the event, to schedule a mini session, order a T-shirt, sponsor the event or volunteer, please visit www.honoringangelslikeowen.org or call (334) 328-1202.

Montgomery ZooBoo

October 17-20 & 24-31 6-9 p.m. A safe alternative to Halloween. ZooBoo provides a fun-filled evening of games, treats, costumed characters, education presentations and the traditional Haunted Hay Ride (scary) and the family-friendly Pumpkin Pull (non-scary). Visit www.montgomeryzoo.com or call (334) 240-4900. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Alabama National Fair

October 4 through October 13 This year’s performers include Josh Turner, Ronnie Milsap, Foreigner and Anthony Hamilton. New attractions include Aussie Kingdom, the only traveling Australian animal show in the United States and Canada, and Swampmaster’s Gator Show. Visit www.alnationalfair.org.

World Wide Day of Play

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Willie Nelson & Family Sunday, October 27

Presented by the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $35. Visit www. mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100.

Saturday, October 5 Cooter’s Pond Park in Prattville from 1-5 p.m., at the pavilion on the upper deck. For the third year, the City of Prattville is joining Nickelodeon, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, and the National Park Foundation in celebrating the Worldwide Day of Play event. Mayor Bill Gillespie issued a proclamation recognizing September 21 as the Worldwide Day of Play, but DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, we rescheduled our event for October 5. There will be obstacle endurance courses for K-2nd grade, 3rd-6th grade, and 7th-8th grade. Each course will be optimized for those age levels. Medals will be given out in different categories. There will be a fun wall to climb, provided by the U.S. Army, and much more. After registering for the event, Army service members will apply camouflage paint to the kid’s faces before they tackle the obstacle course! Visit www.prattvilleal.gov.

Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair

Saturday, November 2 890 Old Carter Hill Road, Pike Road The 47th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair is a wonderful holiday shopping opportunity! More than 250 artists and craftsmen will display their wares at the historic Marks House (circa 1825). Enjoy BBQ, fried chicken and other yummy food specialties. $5 admission; free parking. For more info and directions, visit www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Professional Pediatrics

Media and Children Raising children has always been a daunting and challenging task. As parents, we try to provide as much instruction and direction as we can to our children, but we always worry about outside influences which may mislead them. In the past, the influences of television, movies, books, and magazines have been sources of this influence. However, today there are many additional influences such as video games, the Internet, phone apps, and social media that we seem to have less control over and are more difficult to monitor. This article will hopefully provide some resources with in depth information to make your role as a parent a little easier. There are many web sites that may provide guidelines in determining which media outlets may be appropriate for children of different ages and teenagers. These are a few sites that may assist you in keeping you children safe: • www.commomsensemedia.org: A non-partisan, not for profit organization that reviews a wide variety of media outlets. It provides reviews for movies, games, apps, web sites, television programs, books and music for all age groups. Very helpful. • cmch.tv: The Center on Media and Child Health is provided by Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. This is an educational site which provides scientific research in media and children. One unique features is an area called “Meet the Mediatrician” in which you are able to ask questions of a pediatrician who is well versed in the affect of media on children.

• www.netsmartz.org: From the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This site provides a multitude of general information on topics such as Basic Internet Safety, Blogging, Cell Phone Use, Gaming, and many other topics. It also provides video presentations on media safety for parents, teens, and children. • www.ikeepsafe.org: A non-profit international coalition of educators, law enforcement members, technology experts, and others which tracks trends around the world on issues related to media and children. • www.parentfurther.com: From Search Institute, a non-profit organization in Minneapolis, that provides research-based information on a wide range of parenting topics including technology and media, discipline, values, high risk behavior, and child development. Monitoring all the various media outlets could seem to be an overwhelming task, especially if you have several children. But, as for most other tasks, there’s an app for that - in fact several apps. • Mamabear: A way to provide a connection between parent and child when they are away from home. Allows parents to know where their children are by GPS and cell phone technology and allows them to get in touch with you easily. Enables you to set parameters on their social media and even know when they are speeding. • uKnowkids: Tracks activity on social networks, smart phone calls, texts, and emails. Requires subscription fee of $9.95 a month.

• Norton Online Family: Monitor website activity on smartphone and computer, block unwanted sites, set time limits on computer time, monitor social networking plus other features. Basic subscription is free; Premier service is about $50 a year. There are of course many other web sites and resources that allow you to learn of pitfalls and dangerous situations your child might face in cyberspace and ways to monitor your child’s safety. Your child, especially a teenager, might complain that such monitoring is too intrusive and you should allow them to make their own choices. Quite frankly, it is the role of a parent to be intrusive in their children’s lives. Children and teenagers often do not have the judgment, knowledge, and life experiences to make proper decisions, so parents need to be there to guide them in making good decisions. The best technique in supervising your child may be the old fashioned way – just sit down and talk with them. Explain what you are doing and why, discuss what you expect of them, explore ways they can deal with situations, and discuss consequences of choices they make. This may be something that has to be repeated, but in the end, let them know that you really love them and you want them to grow up to be healthy, happy, successful adults. Dr. Coggin received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and did his pediatric residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He began private practice in Mississippi and has been in Montgomery since 1983. He has two married daughters, one in Montgomery and one in Telluride, Colorado. He enjoys college sports with his wife, Cathy, who is an attorney.

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OFFICE (334) 271-5959 NURSE LINE (334) 272-6667

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Community Support Equals Success in Schools The support of our community is vital to the success of our schools. We are fortunate to have many groups who work with us side by side on a variety of projects ranging from improving the looks of our campuses, to tutoring students, to raising funds for technology. One of the groups who have been at the forefront for a number of years is Montgomery’s 100 Black Men. They have long been involved in assisting students and now they are stepping up once again to help our children prepare for college. They are providing a number of resources for our students to help them prepare for and take the SAT. The SATs

have been the gold standard used by colleges and universities all over the country for years. While most southern college accept both the ACT and the SAT to predict a student’s readiness for college and as a benchmark for academic scholarships, the SAT has been the standard for most northern institutions. The 100 Black Men are offering Montgomery Public School juniors and seniors preparatory classes for the test at no cost. They are also offering funds that will allow students to take the test multiple times. Students often improve their scores by taking the test, focusing with prep work on their areas of weakness, then taking the test again. An increase of just a few points can make a difference in acceptance and in possible scholarship funds. We need additional volunteers to help coach students as they prep for their SATs. If your child is a Montgomery Public Schools student, and you are interested in finding out more about the SAT prep classes or funding for test fees, just contact our communication office at 223-6873.

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We are so fortunate to have outstanding partners like the Montgomery Chamber, Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base, the Lion’s, Rotary, and Kiwanis clubs, dozens of churches – large and small, our local colleges and universities, and hundreds of individuals who do everything from tutor and mentor students, to helping re-shelve books in the library. Every person, every group is an important element in the forward movement to our school system. If you are one of those who volunteer in our schools, thank you. If you would like to volunteer as an individual or involve your church or civic group in the SAT prep coach program or in any capacity, please call us at 223-6873.

Barbara W. Thompson is Montgomery County Schools’ superintendent. She has served children as a teacher, curriculum leader, elementary principal, and supervisor of secondary alternative and at-risk programs. Superintendent Thompson’s skill as an educator has garnered her several professional honors. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of School Administrators and the Board of the School Superintendents of Alabama.

October 17-19, 2013 Montgomery’s Multiplex at Cramton Bowl Presented by Junior League of Montgomery

Title Sponsor:

Thursday: Join us for Holiday How To’s*:

Fashion Apparel & Accessories • Jewelry • Gourmet Food Toys • Holiday & Home Decor • Pictures with Santa Fine Art • Gifts and much more!

Sponsored by: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama *FREE with general admission ticket

THURSDAY & FRIDAY - 9am - 9pm SATURDAY - 9am - 5pm

2pm - Christmas Tree Decorating by Rosemont Gardens 3pm - Holiday Party Planning by Jeffery Long Designs 4pm -Organic Gardening by E.A.T. South • 5pm - Holiday Cooking by Davena McRae

Friday: Girls Night Out 6-9pm

The Holiday Market

Saturday: Santa’s Workshop 10am • $10 Sponsored by: Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc.

Pictures with Santa 12-5pm

October 16, 2013

TICKETS Advance Tickets $5 • Daily Admission $10 Military & Senior Citizens $5 Children 10 & under FREE *Presale and online tickets are ONLY available through 5pm, Oct. 11th!

Sponsored by: Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C

6-9pm • $40/person Cocktail Attire Featuring Iron Chef winner Chris Hastings from HOT AND HOT FISH CLUB

ADVANCE TICKET OUTLETS Junior League Office, Eastdale Mall, My Kid’s Attic, Barb’s on Mulberry, Gigi’s Cupcakes and Montgomery Visitor Center

For More Information Call 334-288-8816 Or Visit www.jlmontgomery.org Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Montgomery County Schools

College Dignitary Kicks Off Trinity’s Leadership Series

Saint James Classes Study Spanish Culture

Saint James High School Spanish teacher Rhea Grate instructs her classes in facts about Spain by wearing her own authentic flamenco dress, a costume worn by female flamenco performers, dancers who are closely identified with the historical cultural identity of Spain. One week into the school year, Grate was assisting her STJ class in learning political, cultural, geographical and historical facts about the southern European, Spanish-speaking country.

LAMP Freshman Earns Eagle Scout Award

LAMP student and Boy Scout Steven Porterfield was recently honored for receiving his Eagle Award. He became a scout as an elementary student at Blount and has worked hard over the past eight years to achieve this goal. Porterfield’s project was beautifying the garden at Garrett Elementary School. He raised $1,500 and was assisted by other scouts to plant new bushes, build vegetable garden boxes and purchase and cement a new lunch table for the court yard. He is with Troop 8 and is currently in ninth grade at LAMP. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Trinity Presbyterian School is kicking off its four-part Leadership Program Series. General Charles “Chuck” Krulak, president of Birmingham Southern College, and the first speaker of Trinity’s new four-part leadership series, traveled to Montgomery on August 21 to share with Trinity students what it means to be a leader. Leading a vibrant life, filled with many prestigious achievements, including serving as Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and as Deputy Director of the White House Military Office under Presidents Reagan and Bush (41), General Krulak was a captivating speaker with a message to the students of Trinity that they can pursue any career if they put their mind to it. Sharing his story of how he became a leader, Krulak allowed an inside look into his time fighting in Vietnam, where he witnessed leadership first-hand. Following the chapel, select student leaders and teachers were invited to participate in a reception with the general where they had the opportunity to ask additional questions. Krulak concluded with an inspirational message that touched the hearts of every student in the audience: “Do not say the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon!” At left, General Krulak visits with students in Trinity’s Media Center.

Macon East Wins ‘Volley for the Cure’

Macon East Academy hosted the AISA Elite 8 Volleyball tournament August 17. The tournament included all of the final four AISA teams from the 2012 season in both A and AA divisions. Macon East won the season-opening tourney after defeating Clarke Prep 25-12, 25-15; Cornerstone Christian 25-21, 25-18, and Lee-Scott in the championship match 25-9, 25-21. Tournament leaders in kills were: Jesi Garrett (23), Deven Kennedy (16), and Morgan Pounds (8). Pounds and Garrett also led the Knights in blocks with 10 and 4 respectively. Lexi Brantley led the tournament in aces with 14, followed by Garrett (8), Kennedy (7), and Sami Nesbitt (6). Brantley was also the leader in assists for the day with 53. The Elite 8 tournament was also a fundraiser for the fight against breast cancer. Macon East partnered with the Joy to Life Foundation as the girls “Volleyed for the Cure.” The Elite 8 teams celebrated breast cancer survivors and remembered those who had lost the battle. 16

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BTW Students Win $1,000 Scholarships

Booker T. Washington Magnet High students William Lewis, Tyrone Keels, Aliyah Childrey and Jerneice McNeal recently won scholarships in a national investing competition presented by State Farm. Over the last year, these students participated in the “Dollars and Sense” Youth Investment Program sponsored by the corporate office of State Farm in partnership with 100 Black Men of America, Inc. The program introduced students to basic financial literacy principles along with wealth development, retirement planning and investing. The students competed against groups from Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. and advanced to the competition’s finals round, where they each were awarded $1,000 college scholarships. From left are Mr. Trevor Small, Dr. Charles Smith, William Lewis, Jerneice McNeal, Dr. Edward Brown, Aliyah Childrey and Tyrone Keel.

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Lanier Cadets Honor Victims of 9-11

Lanier High School’s Junior Officer Training Corp recently held its Annual Saber Day Ceremony to recognize and install 27 cadet leaders for the school year, to assemble the entire cadet corps in uniform and to honor those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 attacks. The ceremony included tributes by the band, a flag ceremony, an official pinning ceremony and oath of office. Here, cadets raise the flag to honor the fallen.

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ECA Students Help Support Latin American Children

BrewTech Hosts Robotic Workshop

Brewbaker Technology Magnet recently hosted a VEX Robotic Workshop for elementary, middle and high school MPS teachers at the school’s Engineering Academy. Participants learned how to build a basic VEX robot and how to do simple programming. They also learned how to program bump switches and line following inputs devices. Instructors for the workshop were Cliff Ratliff and Carl Latini from Learning Labs Inc., in Calhoun, Ga. Fourteen teachers attended the two-day workshop.

ar Evangel Christian Academy’s elementary classes adopt a child to sponsor through the Latin American Child Care program. Each month, students bring money to donate to help underprivileged children in Latin America. The money that is given provides the impoverished children with a hot meal each day, medical supplies, clothes and the chance to attend a Christian school. Even more importantly, the program also provides the opportunity to share the love, hope and salvation of Christ. Some of ECA’s alumni have had the pleasure of meeting the children they helped support through missions trips. Evangel’s students, both past and present, are excited to support this ministry.

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AUM Professor Visits ACA First-Graders

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AUM Professor of Biology Robert Estes came to Mrs. Tolliver’s first-grade class at Alabama Christian Academy and taught the students what scientists do. He showed them some of the instruments scientists use when doing experiments. The children were allowed to measure different objects and look at a pinecone, fern, and a large spider that were enclosed in clear plastic blocks.

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Holy Cross Sixth-Graders Take On New Responsibilities

Being a sixth-grader at Holy Cross is more than just being the “senior” on campus. Along with being role models for the younger children, the sixth-graders have special responsibilities. Students help greet younger students each morning as they open car doors and help with car line. They are in charge of putting the flag up and down each day. They also participate in altar guild each Wednesday after the communion service at chapel. Sixth-grade teacher Amber Wright has been proud of the new sixth-graders and how they have taken on these responsibilities. “I cannot brag enough on my students this year,” she said. “They have really stepped up to the plate and are showing their true servant attitudes.” Shown are sixth-graders Janie Roberts, Grace Scott and Makayla Culpepper taking part in the communion service.

SUA Offers Media Production Course

Success Unlimited Academy is offering its first Media Production course this semester. “We are so excited to be able to offer another opportunity for our students to utilize their creative talents in new and exciting ways,” exclaimed Jack Moody, athletic advisor and fine arts director. “We had an unprecedented number of students sign up for the course. It is a testament to the interest of our student body.” The class started the year off by producing a multi-media presentation of weekly activities and announcements. This form of communication is used daily during announcements and devotional time. The next task on the course syllabus for the students will be to submit ideas and proposals for their first film production. Shown here are Jean Flournoy, Millennia Akwuba, James Dinsmore and Zenia Mims.

Cornerstone Hosts Back To School Fellowship

Ida Belle Young Park was the site of Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy’s Back to School Fellowship on September 20. The school welcomed new and returning families with a picnic dinner, games and a refreshing treat from Nancy’s Italian Ice. Many families enjoyed a relaxing opportunity to renew friendships after the summer vacation. The school families welcomed a record number of new students and two new faculty members. In addition, each class met together for a time of corporate prayer using a prayer guide specifically designed to address needs of the school. Cornerstone board member Michele Hough wrote the prayer guide.

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Floyd Magnet Students Receive Excellence Award

Lighthouse Preschoolers Enjoy Music Classes

The k4 students at Lighthouse Christian Academy enjoy music class each Wednesday with Ms. Nelson. To have your child join in, call 271-4200.

Dena Moncrief and Floyd Middle Magnet’s Technology Students Association received the Chapter Excellence award during the National TSA Conference this summer. More than 5,500 people attended the conference, held from June 28-July 2 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. Middle and high school student members competed in more than 60 events based on principles and concepts learned through projects during the school year in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. The conference celebrated the contributions of advancing technology in our society and TSA’s 35th anniversary with the theme “A Tradition of Excellence.”

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Eternal truths and the fundamentals of learning — reinforced with tomorrow’s technology at Alabama Christian Academy. Computer labs. Smart boards in every classroom. Even iPads for every student upon reaching 7th grade. Set your child on the right path today. ACA. ——

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Catholic Has 21 Duke TIP Qualifiers

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School has 21 seventh-graders who have qualified for the Duke University Talent Identification Program or Duke TIPS program for the 2013-2014 academic year. The 7th Grade Talent Search, which focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability students, offers qualifying seventh-grade students the opportunity to take college entrance exams alongside high school students. Many 7th Grade Talent Search participants go on to earn exceptionally high scores. Those who qualified are: Annie Bach, Anna Katherine Barranco, Erica Blackburn, Jacob Flowers, Jonah Gier, Anna Mary Gilbert, Dylon Godwin, Reagan Herbek, Grace Leslie, Madeline Losik, Ethan Macchia, Thomas McLaughlin, Demetrios Philippou, Zoe Rutland, Drew Smith, Chloe Smith, Sydney Sprowl, Emily Talbot, Hunter Vaccaro, Grant Walker and Benjamin Wilke.

Local Business Owner Donates to Fitzpatrick

Over the past decade, Jim Woodham, owner/founder of Jim Woodhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southside Firestone in Montgomery, has reached out on several occasions to assist Fitzpatrick Elementary with much-needed items to enhance student achievement. The generous donation that Woodham recently gave to the school will benefit all students at Fitzpatrick Elementary by allowing the school to test more children in the computer lab at one time during assessment periods. Woodham is shown with Dr. William Milledge, Jr., Fitzpatrick principal 21

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MPS Announces 2013 National Merit Semifinalists

Macon East K3 Class Goes Prehistoric

The students in the K3 program at Macon East began their school year studying a dinosaur unit. The children learned about different dinosaurs and other animals that lived long ago, as well as studied fossils and learned what a paleontologist does. Debbie Mills and her students enjoyed a fun and educational time on this prehistoric adventure.

Nine Montgomery Public School students have been included on a prestigious list of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top students to be named 2014 National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program. For a second year, MPS leads the River Region in the number of students to be named Merit Semifinalists. LAMP students John S. Adams, Mimi Chung, Clare Forrister, Anwedha Guha, Da S. Jung, Oghenetegiri Sido, Cathryn Starkie, Mary Walcott and Sophie Williams are among 16,000 students who were selected from a pool of 1.5 million juniors from more than 22,000 high schools who applied for the program. These students will now advance in the competition and will have the opportunity to compete for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million, that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors and are the highest scoring program entrants in each state.

Catholic Welcomes Grandparents to Campus

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holy Spirit Campus welcomed grandparents to campus on September 5. The day began with MCPS students celebrating Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with their grandparents. Father Patrick Driscoll and Father Phillip McKenna were the celebrants. Afterwards, students and their guests were invited to the Parish Hall for a visit and enjoyed donuts, coffee and juice provided by the MCPS Holy Spirit Campus Parent Teacher Council. Grandparents had an opportunity to have their picture made with their students by The Studio at EastChase before they were invited back to the classrooms. The lower grades entertained their grandparents with a program while the older students worked on an assignment with their grandparents or introduced them to their classmates. Having generations of families on campus is a continued tradition at Montgomery Catholic, and will continue to be as MCPS celebrates 140 years of continuous education in Montgomery. Marsha Davis enjoyed Grandparents Day at Montgomery Catholic with her granddaughter Evie. Evie is the daughter of Jennifer and Daniel Veres. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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ACA Cheerleaders Hold Elementary Cheer Clinic

Alabama Christian Academy varsity cheerleaders held their annual elementary cheer clinic August 24 and had 51 girls in attendance. The girls learned a cheer, dance, jumps and were able to do some stunts with the cheerleaders. They performed what they learned before the first Varsity Eagles football game on August 30 during Elementary Night.

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Eastwood Readers Excel With Summer Olympics

In a contest called the Summer Olympic Reading Program, many Eastwood Christian lower school students competed to see who could read the most books over the summer. The top readers for each grade received a certificate and a gift card. Total books read for Eastwood were 2,512 book credits! Shown are first-, second- and third-place winners for each grade. First-graders tied for first place were Abbie Ensminger and Andrew Ensminger; second place, Andrew Ewald; and third place, Kurt Miller. Second-grade winners were first place, Emma Sonnichsen; second place, Mac Stewart; and third place, M.E. Grace Shumake. Third-grade winners were first place, William Givens; tied for second place, Rose Lucas and Gracie Phillips; and third place, Noah Davies. Fourth-grade winners were first place, Parker Ensminger; second place, Hudson MacDonald; and third place, Luke Duggar. Fifth-grade winners were first place, Rachel White; second place, Zach Golden; and third place, Sarah Johnson. Sixth-grade winners were first place, Yeonnah Beasley; second place, Ashlyn Oelrich; and third place, Millie Hodge. The Grand Prize Winner was Parker Ensminger.

Highland Avenue Teachers Design Art for School Lab

Teachers and staff at Highland Avenue, a five-time Alabama Torchbearer School, showed off their artistic talents recently by designing art that will be displayed in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new art lab. The activity gave teachers a creative outlet and will inspire their student artists as they develop their skills in the new lab. 23

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Lee High Cadets Perform at Race

Lee High School’s Air Force Junior Officer Training Corp unit recently participated in the Family Guidance Center of Alabama’s 5-10K Run/Walk held at The Shoppes at EastChase. The unit regularly performs community service projects and participates in community events as part of their service learning activities. Here, cadets perform complex maneuvers to entertain runners before the start of the race.

Saint James Welcomes New Kindergartners

Eli Sommer, son of Erin and Robert Sommer, and Sophie Shoults, daughter of Evelyn and Ben Shoults, celebrated their first day in five-year-old kindergarten when Saint James opened its doors, beginning the K3-12th grade school’s 58th year of service in the Capital City.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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2013 Duke TIP Program Selects Trinity Students

Thirty-five Trinity Presbyterian School seventh-graders were selected to participate in the Duke TIP Talent Search based on their scores in the 95th percentile or higher on one or more of the subtests on either of their two most recent standardized achievement, aptitude, or mental ability tests. The 7th Grade Talent Search helps educators and families find out how advanced their students’ abilities truly are and what level of educational challenge is appropriate. Eligible seventh-graders are invited to take either the ACT or SAT college entrance exams, which allows them greater insight into their abilities and also provided them with valuable benefits and resources. 7th graders selected include, front row from left: Gage Bendinger, Jack Singletary, Hannah McDaniel, Lauren French, Drue Walker, Mary Frances Green, James Newsome, and Ben Bricken; middle row: Anna Tucker, Hazen Finlay, Kenslee Harrison, Elizabeth Portis, Pickett Reese, Rob Chandler and Charlie Lott; third row: Emma Beth Teel, Caroline Easterling, Catherine Parma, Loren Potts, Keller Humphrey and Blake Hunter; and fourth row: Bailey Blake, Mary Ann Pittman, Abbie Ammons, Bryson Byrne, Chantz Henry, Jackson Adcock and Bracken Osmer. Not pictured: Griffin Allred, Alex Fisher, Chapman Gregory, Brody Ratliff, Zane Springer, Max Williams and Grayson Woodling

Macon East Students Take African ‘Safari’

The Macon East Academy third-graders began the school year with a “safari” to Africa. They learned about the topography of the continent and the diversity of the land and animals. At the end of their study, students used the information they had learned, plus their map skills, to create salt dough maps of Africa complete with a map key and compass rose. The salt dough maps showed the oceans and seas surrounding Africa, three different habitats, important places and landforms.

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Macon East Senior Receives Lions Club Scholarship

ACA Quarterback Named AL.com’s Player of the Week

Alabama Christian Academy quarterback Chandler Taylor was selected as AL.com’s Player of the Week in the Montgomery Region for the week of September 6. He went 22 for 39 for 441 yards passing with four passing touchdowns and an 80-yard long pass. He also rushed eight times for 54 yards with a 22-yard long and a touchdown. His passing yards have set a new school record!

Macon East Academy students Anna Marie Pugh and Mary Kaylin Veach had the opportunity to attend the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum at Troy University the weekend of June 21-23. Delegate qualifications include demonstration of leadership abilities, high academic standing, a sense of personal responsibility in their school, church involvement, and community service. Participants also must have an interest in further developing their leadership skills and improving the capacity to take effective action individually and in group settings. The forum was attended by 170 students from across the state. During the weekend, the students worked in 17 groups of 10 on team-building and leadership training. Each group nominated a male and female as outstanding delegates to move on in the scholarship interview process. Macon East Academy senior Anna Marie Pugh was selected as the female recipient for the $1,000 scholarship. “We always welcome the outstanding young participants from Macon East and appreciate the work their school’s Leo Club does with the local Lions Club,” said Montgomery Lions Club member Durden Dean. Keynote speaker for the event was Mitch Matthews, who shares his Dream Big message on college campuses across the country. Troy Professor Dr. John Kline led the leadership sessions and his college students served as mentors and group leaders throughout the forum.

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STJ Holds Successful First Cross Country Classic

The first-ever Trojan Cross Country Classic took place on Sept.ember 7, with 200 runners from 10 schools competing in the event. Saint James eighth-grader Sailor Miles came in second, overall. STJ Cross Country Coach Chris Campos said he was very pleased with the turnout for this firstof-its-kind event at the school, and looks forward to the growth of the race in the coming years.

Holy Cross Adopts Unique Class Pet

When you think about class pets, most think of hamsters, gerbils, fish, or maybe even a guinea pig. Visit the sixth-grade class at Holy Cross Episcopal School and you might be surprised to find a very spiky creature. When teacher Amber Wright had so much trouble keeping her class hamster in his cage last year, she decided to get something that could never get out on its own. After taking her dogs to the vet one day and meeting the waiting room hedgehog, she knew she had to get one. “Unfortunately, our hamster got out of his cage and never came back. I remembered thinking the hedgehog I had seen was adorable and quickly began doing my research,” she said. A few weeks later, Wright traveled to Cullman to pick up a six-week-old small salt and pepper African hedgehog. Harley has been an exciting addition to the Holy Cross family. Students have learned about his nocturnal behavior and have been trained on how to hold him using special gloves. After his arrival, classes took turns coming to the sixth-grade classroom to meet the spiky creature. “He may not be a pet you can curl up with, but he’s sweet-tempered and the kids adore him,” Wright says. Students are already looking forward to Harley’s first Blessing of the Animals, an annual event where students get to bring their pets to receive a blessing from a priest. 27

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Churchill Starts Off Strong School Year

The year got off to a terrific start at Churchill Academy for both the Lower and Upper schools. A visit from the Sensory Bus gave kids a chance to push their boundaries and learn through play. It was something of an in-school field trip. Speaking of learning through play, one of Churchill students’ favorite learning traditions is the “Fun Fridays” that provide a chance to practice burgeoning social skills. Participation in a “Fun Friday” is a privilege that must be earned by completing academic work and adhering to behavior standards throughout the rest of the week. So far, Fun Friday events have included activities like an upper school dance, a lower school dance, and a day of bowling for lower school students. Each Fun Friday presents unique opportunities and challenges. The dances provide students the chance to mingle and increase their ability to interact in casual social environments. Bowling presents an entirely different set of challenges. In addition to developing coordination, students interact with one another in a stimulating (and potentially over-stimulating) sensory environment. A Churchill outing to the bowling alley looks exactly like any other school field trip. Younger students still need bumpers, slightly older groups can be highly competitive, and the middle graders are still preteens who wish they were in charge. But there are some subtle variations. For example, students with sensory processing disorders may wear earplugs to filter out excessive noise. And those same highly competitive students are also highly supportive of each other, even at the expense of their own scores. Tony Bufford, Nathan Bennett, Branden Davis, Nicholas Whitmire and Landon Beard are shown in front of the Sensory Bus. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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STJ Seventh-Grader Visits Australia

Lee High Students Join RISE Program

Students at Robert E. Lee High School are “Raising Individual Standards of Excellence” through a unique college preparatory program called RISE. The program targeted 23 students entering their junior or senior year of high school and engaged them with rigorous college preparation work for eight weeks throughout the summer. Students received four hours of classroom instruction each week in the areas of ACT preparation, college essay writing, scholarship identification, and the college application process. During classroom sessions, students benefited from a low teacher to student ratio and highly individualized instruction. In addition to classroom sessions, students attended three full days of college tours including visits to Alabama State University, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, UAB, University of Alabama, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. During the college visits, students had the opportunity to meet with faculty, sit in on college lectures, meet with current college students and meet with admissions counselors. The mission of the RISE UP program was to take dedicated students and make them competitive applicants for admission to prestigious colleges and universities nationwide.

STJ seventh-grader Mitch Mathews was selected to go to Australia for the month of June as a People to People Student Ambassador, part of a 20-member delegation from Alabama. While there, he and his group explored the Sydney Harbor, and enjoyed a night at the Opera House as well as Biondi Beach. As part of the group’s cultural immersion study, native aboriginal groups taught them how to throw spears and paint with mud. Mathews even fed crocodiles and kangaroos, and then had an opportunity to try their meat for dinner. The Alabama delegation was also fortunate to visit parliament in Canberra. Mathews said his greatest adventure, by far, was snorkeling on The Great Barrier Reef with thousands of brightly colored fish and huge sea turtles. He is shown holding a baby Koala Bear in a northern Australian rainforest. Mathews is the son of James and Kimberly Mathews.

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Bear Second-Graders Display Artwork at MMFA

Man’s Best Friend Joins SUA Student Body

Ben Brewbaker is a typical ninthgrade boy. He likes pizza, fast cars and girls. Two things you notice first when you meet him are his engaging smile and his service dog, Princess. This is Brewbaker’s second year at Success Unlimited and he is doing quite well. He has made new friends and brings his dog to school. Princess knows more than 50 commands. One of the ways she helps Ben in class is by picking up things he may drop. Shown with Brewbaker and Princess is Frances McGowin, director of Dogs on Call, K-9s 4 Kids and K-9s 4 Heroes, Easter Seals Canine Programs. Find out more about this program by visiting http://dogsoncall.com and find out more about SUA by visiting www.suacademy.com.

Holy Cross Fifth-Graders Get Creative with Science

Holy Cross Episcopal School fifth-graders have been busy learning about bones. Their teacher, Connie MacDonald, had them make models of a backbone using a pipe cleaner, wagon wheel pasta, and gummy life savers. They learned that the spine is made up of 24 small bones (vertebrae) that are stacked on top of each other to create the spinal column. Between the vertebrae are soft cushions called discs that help absorb pressure and keep the bones from rubbing against each other. In this demonstration, the wagon wheel pasta was the vertebrae, while the gummy lifesavers served as the discs. Sarah Grace Daniel shows off her spinal column. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Bear Elementary second-grade students in Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Scoggan’s classes have artwork currently being displayed at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts as part of the Artworks Corridor Exhibition. The students learned about the life and art of Winfred Rembert and created class projects to submit to the museum. Here, Mrs. Scoggins’ class shows off the certificates they received for being selected. The artwork will be on display at the museum through January 5, 2014.

STJ Senior Participates in Vanderbilt Program

Saint James School senior William Setzer spent five weeks at Vanderbilt University over the summer participating in PAVE, a program designed for students planning to enter a college engineering, pre-medical/healthcare, science, or technology program. “PAVE was a pre-college program like no other,” says Setzer. “It was made to accurately simulate college. We were expected to learn from the first day, starting with physics and computer. It was all new material and we had a choice of labs that we could do.” As a participant in PAVE, students have the opportunity to improve their problem solving, technical writing, computer knowledge, and laboratory skills, as well as the ability to explore the humanities, work on application-oriented team projects, and attend a number of special-topic guest lectures/experiences. “The labs I did were biology, biomedical engineering, and electrical engineering, which dealt with electrical logic,” Setzer says. “These labs were on a college sophomore level and the physics and computer classes were on a freshman level. We completed about 200 hours of class time, plus the time writing lab reports for every class as well as lab report rewrites. The lab reports were graded by college standards.” In addition to the high level college coursework, Vanderbilt University administrators say the pre-college PAVE exposes students to campus life, and provides them with the experience to overcome the rough spots they may encounter in college. “With these classes, students also got a choice to participate in the medical experience,” adds the Saint James high school senior. “We got tips on how to get into medical school, participated in a simulated medical discharge for a patient (who was a paid actor), and observed surgeries in the O.R. PAVE’s medical program allowed students to decide whether or not they actually wanted to go to medical school, and some didn’t. It made me want to go to medical school to be a surgeon all the more.” Setzer said he expects to apply to Vanderbilt, Auburn, UAB, and USA, in hopes of admission next year. He is the son of Bryan and Tracie Setzer of Wetumpka. 30

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Catholic Senior Attends Duke Program

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School senior Guillermo Ravelo attended The Futures Institute: Shaping Tomorrow Now at Duke University for two weeks over the summer. Ravelo was challenged to develop the critical skill set of Futures Thinking and to apply that skill set to his personal development, academic direction, and life goals. The Duke program allows students to discover emerging trends in sustainability, nanotechnology, urbanization, biotechnology, medicine, artificial intelligence, robotics, brain science, and digital communication, create working strategies and bold responses to real world questions, helping to establish global transformation and solve planetary dilemmas, develop critical thinking that puts you on the cutting edge of social change and human development and helps develop a deeper understanding of the driving forces that are producing a rapidly expanding, volatile, and increasingly complex future. A major focus of the course was to help students to recognize patterns, systems, emerging issues, and weak signals of change across social, economic, environmental, technological, and political domains. The week ended in team projects that explored innovations that were designed to be of benefit to future residents of megacities in emerging economies. According to his evaluation, Ravelo had a “meticulous eye for detail, intellectual curiosity and analytical skills” that added to the course. “Guillermo lived up to the very high standards that are set for the students at the Futures Institute. He is clearly an astute observer of the world around him. His desire to learn and his intellectual focus will aid him in whatever he decides to pursue.” Ravelo is a member of the Loretto Chapter of National Honor Society at Montgomery Catholic, and the son of Marta and Cesar Ravelo of Montgomery. 31

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Success Unlimited Hires New School Counselor

New Eastwood Students Celebrate Summer Reading New Eastwood Christian School first-graders Libby Reed, Ella Moore, Abby Ensminger and Emma Hawkins enjoyed Nancy’s Italian Ice as they celebrated Summer Olympic Reading.

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On August 21, Success Unlimited Academy’s elementary students had the opportunity to meet the new school counselor, Justice White, LPC. White shared with the students the importance of making good choices, sharing thoughts in an appropriate manner, and listening when others are speaking. He answered questions about himself and what his role will be this year. The students were very receptive to having someone that could help them sort through the myriad of adolescent issues. White will be doing mini sessions on hot topics such as bullying, anger management and peer mediation. He has several years’ experience in working with adolescents and youth and brings this knowledge to our students. “Life can be scary at times, but having the right tools to help your child feel comfortable and confident in any situation will only empower them to be successful young adults,” White said. “Students today deal with so many issues and problems outside the classroom that can cause interruptions in the learning process.”

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CELEBRATING

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Music • Drama and Visual Arts Education Basketball • Baseball • Softball • Volleyball Cheerleading • Golf • Key Club • FCS • FCA Chess Club • Book Club • Youth in Government

Introducing Extended Sucess Programs Praise Band • Guitar Lessons • Show Choir • Jazz Band 3368 Harrison Road (k-6) Montgomery, AL 36109

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(334) 213-0803 • SACS/AdvanceED Accredited • www.suacademy.com Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Trinity Announces Hall of Fame Formation

Trinity has recently formed the Trinity Presbyterian School Hall of Fame. This Hall of Fame has been created to recognize and appropriately honor achievements of individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the programs of Trinity School. Nomination forms and criteria for the Hall of Fame are available in our school offices and online at trinitywildcats. com/halloffame. Nominees may be alumni, former teachers, groups, former Board of Trustees members, or Trinity community members with each category having specific criteria for nomination. This year’s inductees will be announced in November and will be recognized on February 4, 2014, during a school-wide assembly as well as a Hall of Fame banquet at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Trinity Hall. More information regarding purchasing tickets to the banquet will be available in January. “At Trinity, we stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Head of School Kerry Palmer. “The Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to honor our best and brightest, while providing motivation and encouragement for our current students. We encourage the friends of Trinity School to nominate people deserving of this high honor, and we look forward to a grand celebration in February!”

Holy Cross Gets Fit With Head of School

Holy Cross Head of School Melissa Coumanis has always enjoyed putting her tennis shoes on and going for a run. As one of the newest members of the Holy Cross faculty, she has also made it a priority to get to know each and every one of the students. What better way to do that than by running with them? For the last several weeks, Coumanis and other members of the Holy Cross faculty have been running around the school with students that have shown an interest in running. They feel that you are never too young to get fit and even elementary students can have their own “Junior Cross-Country” team. It is something that Coumanis and the participating students look forward to each week.

KNOW S C

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF

USPECTED

ONCUSSION

A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.

Any athlete with a suspected concussion: n

Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY

Should be urgently assessed medically

Should not be left alone

Should not drive a motor vehicle

ThinkFirst _____________________________________________

Alabama

CONCUSSION CLINIC 205.934.1041 www.Childrens AL.org/concussion IN CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 911 OR GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR LOCAL ER

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SUA Career Start Class Gets Successful Start

St. Bede Kindergartners Make Hairy Caterpillars

The kindergarten classes at Montgomery Catholic’s St. Bede campus read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. As a culmination project, the students merged science and literature to make “hairy” caterpillars out of pantyhose, soil, and grass seed. Mrs. Wilson’s class is shown with their very “hairy” caterpillars. From left are Kiersten Webb, Anderson Byrd, Elishia Farmer, Brandon Bell, Anna Marie Hill, Bowen Smith, Kyle Frank, Ethan Harbin, Anya Montelara, Ashlee Gollakner.

The students at Success Unlimited Academy were eager to see what instructor Mike Miller had on tap for their Career Start class at the beginning of school. As part of their curriculum, students are introduced to many aspects of the work force. Interview skills, job applications and employment research are part of the learning tools Miller is teaching. In order to put the plan into action, students will listen to guest speakers to enhance their learning perspective. Recently, David Ward, vice president of Hager Companies Human Resources Division, visited the classroom. Ward introduced the students to job and career readiness skills. He also discussed topics such as attitude, character, ethics, leadership training, interpersonal relationships and interviewing skills. Using his past experiences which included 24 years in the Army Special Operations Divisions, Ward was able to share personal experiences that brought the topics to life. Shown are David Ward, Jared Stauch and Joe Lisenby.

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Catholic Students Donate Hair to Locks of Love

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Students continue to give to those in need outside of school. This summer ninthgrade student Ansley Rohde and first-grade student Sophia Lopez both chose to cut their hair and make a donation to Locks of Love. Locks of Love’s mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need. Rohde has been growing her hair out for three years in order to donate to Locks of Love. On July 10 she got 10 inches of her hair cut at Salon Couture by Marty Mueller. Although a bit nervous, Rhode said she knew this would make a difference in someone’s life, and that made it worth it for her. Rohde was inspired to donate to Locks of Love by her sister Abby who donated her hair two years ago. She and her sister both plan to continue donating their hair in the future. Lopez was excited to get short hair and bangs! She was equally as excited when she learned she could make someone who is very sick “happy” again by donating her long hair to be made into a wig. Her mother Julie Lopez said, “It was a proud parenting moment, and one that illustrated and conveyed love far better than words ever could.” Lopez went to Voila! Salon in Pike Road to have her hair cut by Maegan Humphries in July. Visit www.locksoflove.org for more information on donations to Locks of Love.

Lanier Teacher Chosen For New York Workshop

Lanier High career tech teacher Senitha Barnett was recently awarded a distinguished fellowship to attend the Graduate Program of the New York Stock Exchange Euronext Teachers’ Workshop in New York City. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Teachers’ Workshop Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program. Barnett was one of 48 teachers selected from across the United States. She was chosen in recognition of the excellence of her application and the anticipated benefits that her teaching will have for her students and the community. The Teachers’ Workshop is designed to help educators teach students about the financial marketplace and its importance in their lives and the global economy. It provides educators with an understanding of the capital raising process and NYSE trading platforms. The Teachers’ Workshop also increases teachers’ ability to include the financial markets across curriculum disciplines and include support materials for classroom instruction.

“Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Proverbs 22:6

C hallenging a CademiC a tmosphere in a C hristian e nvironment Accredited AISA Blue Ribbon School Evangel Christian Academy is a ministry of Evangel Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

334-272-3882 ecalions.org Evangel Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, gender and national or ethnic origin.

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Montgomery County Schools

Lee Students Chosen for D.C. Summer Program

Holy Cross STEM Lab Enhances Education

The Holy Cross Episcopal School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab has been a fun and exciting addition to the Holy Cross Curriculum. STEM teacher Charlene Daugherty brought daylilies to STEM Lab previously. Thirdgraders dissected the lilies and located the pistil, stamen, style, ovary, and petals of the flower. They experimented with food coloring and celery to better understand vascular plants. The class made predictions on what the results would be and wrote up their conclusions when the experiment was completed. The class also participated in a nature scavenger hunt around the Holy Cross campus. Skye von Gal shows off items she found in the scavenger hunt.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Robert E. Lee High School students DeShay McKinney and David Smith had the experience of a lifetime when they attended the Summer Immersion program at the prestigious George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Phillip Ensler, their history teacher, is an alumnus of George Washington University. McKinney and Smith, who are currently in the 10th grade, spent two weeks living in the dormitories, taking classes, and visiting historic sites throughout the city. They even had an opportunity to meet Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, pictured here with them. The tuition costs for the two students were fully funded by generous donors who wanted to ensure McKinney and Smith had the opportunity to develop leadership and college-readiness skills. George Washington University professors were so impressed with McKinney and Smith that they have decided to create a partnership with Robert E. Lee High School which entails two more students attending George Washington University during the summer of 2014.

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Catholic Seniors Attend Boys and Girls State

Two Montgomery Catholic Preparatory seniors attended the 2013 American Legion Alabama Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State conventions at The University of Alabama. The convention was held June 9-15, and enabled more than 1,000 students to try their hands at politics and community service. This was the first time that both conventions were held at the same time. Alabama Boys State and Girls State are leadership and government training programs. They are among the highest honors granted to high-school senior boys and girls. Students from around the state are chosen based on their demonstration of leadership, hard work, strong morals and motivation in school and community activities. MCPS students chosen to attend were Alex Castanza and Maddie O’Mara. During the week, students conducted mock elections and learned about civic processes. Guest speakers included former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. Castanza was chosen as Chief Justice for Boys State, Alabama, and as an alternate for Boys Nation. He also attended a National Competition for Youth & Government in North Carolina. While at Girls State, O’Mara was appointed to the University of Alabama Board of Trustees by the newly elected Girls State Governor, Ashley Archer.

SUA’s Basketball Team Prepares for New Season

Success Unlimited Academy’s basketball team worked hard this summer preparing for the upcoming season. As part of the team’s preparation, members have been conditioning and practicing in open gym time. “The majority of our returning team attended the Faulkner University Basketball Camp hosted by Coach Jim Sanderson earlier in June,” said Jack Moody, athletic advisor and fine arts director with SUA.“This is the third consecutive year that SUA has attended the camp. It has played a huge role in our team’s success. We made it all the way to the state finals in 2013 only to experience a disappointing loss by three points at the sound of the buzzer! Our goal this year is to win it all. We feel we have the talent and determination to make it happen.” Allowing players from other schools to attend SUA’S open gym has elevated the level of play and competition.

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Montgomery County Schools

Macon East Serves Up Another Volleyball Tournament Win

The varsity volleyball team from Macon East Academy came out on top again at the Serves Up Tournament. The 12-team tourney was hosted by Eastwood Christian School at the CCJ volleyball complex. Macon East’s victories were as follows: Glenwood 25-7, 25-10; Pike 25-14, 25-18; and Eastwood 25-18, 26-24, 25-15. Deven Kennedy and Jesi Garrett were named to the all tournament team, and Garrett also received the tournament MVP honors. Garrett led for the day with 46 kills, while Kennedy reached 40. Lexi Brantley and Morgan Pounds added another 15 kills to the day, and Brantley also led the team in assists and aces with 95 and 8 respectively. The Knights volleyball team is working hard to make it three in a row as the reigning 2A AISA state champions. Front row from left are Sarah Margaret Poundstone, Lexi Brantley, Anna Marie Pugh, Haley Grant and Deven Kennedy; and back, Coach Amanda Smallwood, Madison Lane, Morgan Pounds, Jesi Garrett, Sami Nesbitt, Meagan Manley, Karli Hawkins, Assistant Coach Brynn Nix, and Manager Savannah Driver

STJ Volleyball Teams Prepare for the Challenge

All three Saint James School volleyball teams -- including varsity, middle school and junior varsity – posed after a solid afternoon practice August 15. The female student athletes, ranging from sixth through twelfth grades, have four different color practice shirts, with different words of inspiration on the shirts’ backs. For this practice, the teams’ words of inspiration were RELENTLESS.

Trinity Senior Hannah Green Named Nat’l Merit Semifinalist

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Trinity Presbyterian School senior Hannah Green was named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. Green’s National Merit Semifinalist distinction places her among an elite group that represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. She is a gifted student with a cumulative grade-point average of 4.31 that includes some of the most advanced courses offered at Trinity. In addition to being named a National Merit Semifinalist, she was recently selected as an AP Scholar. Green has been awarded numerous accolades during her years at Trinity. She received the award for the Highest Grade Point Average in Honors English and qualified for the Summa Cum Laude Award on the National Latin exam. Green also placed in many areas of the Scholar’s Bowl and the Regional EnviroBowl competitions. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Even though she maintains a heavy workload, she continues to be an invaluable member of the Trinity varsity volleyball and basketball teams. Green has excelled in Trinity’s rigorous college-preparatory environment by selecting courses that include honors and Advanced Placement courses. As a senior, she is taking three Advanced Placement courses, including AP Chemistry, AP English, and AP Calculus. She is also very active in the Taylor Road Baptist Church and serves on the missions committee at Trinity. In addition, she served in the mission field on a recent trip to Puerto Rico. She also volunteered as an assistant volleyball coach for a young girls’ team at the YMCA. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

SUA Elementary Students Learn About Proper Nutrition

Elementary students at Success Unlimited Academy’s Harrison Road campus had a recent visit from SUA’s Boys’ Athletic Director Frank Allen. Coach Allen knows the importance of grooming future athletes through proper nutrition. He was asked to come set the bar for the younger students. “I believe we must start teaching good nutrition with our students if we expect them to have success in school and life,” Allen said. After asking the students what their typical day of meals consisted of, he showed them how to make small changes to their diets that could make a big difference. One suggestion was to limit sweets to once or twice a week and alternate whole milk and 2% milk throughout the month. Students were eager to share their nutrition knowledge and promised Allen they would begin practicing better nutrition. “One of our goals at school this year is to offer healthier snacks for the students. Fruit options and juices will be added to our choices,” said Principal Alred. 38

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Cornerstone Coffeehouse Promotes Author Paul Tripp

The board of Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy looks for opportunities to practically assist the families of the school. On September 27, the board hosted its annual Cornerstone Coffeehouse featuring a DVD presentation by noted author and speaker Paul David Tripp. The DVD entitled Your Christian School: A Culture of Grace? has made a profound impact on the board and the staff of Cornerstone and it was a joy to share its message with the wider school community. “One of the many things that I appreciate about our board’s focus is its desire to create a like-minded community in which to train and educate our students,” said Principal Priscilla Stewart. “Tripp’s message has aided us as an administration and a faculty to incorporate Biblical principles into our interactions with our students.” Cornerstone will be joining with several area churches to bring Tripp to Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery February 7 and 8, 2014. That weekend, Tripp will present his “What Did You Expect?” marriage conference. Tickets for the conference will go on sale soon at many area churches.

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Macon East Senior Attends Washington Youth Tour

F o r E v E r y G E n E r at i o n . Prattville First United Methodist Church • 100 E. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 TR A D ITION A L W OR SHIP 8 : 30 AM & 11: 00 AM SU N D AY SC HOOL 9: 45 AM THE W ELL 11 : 00 AM

www.prattvillemethodist.org Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Senior Anna Marie Pugh had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C. the week of June 15-20 as part of the Dixie Electric Cooperative 2013 Youth Tour. Pugh represented Macon East Academy and the local Dixie Electric service area, along with Saint James senior Caitlin Cobb. More than 1,600 students from across the United States and 43 representing the state of Alabama participated in the week-long trip. The Youth Tour was inspired by Senator Lyndon Johnson when he addressed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting in 1957. Since that time, the tour has been educating young people on the value of rural electric cooperatives as well as the political environment and history of our nation’s capital. Students who participate in the Washington Youth Tour also have the opportunity to be selected to represent their state at the NRECA’s Youth Leadership Conference. During the trip, Pugh and the other attendees toured the D.C. area monuments and museums and enjoyed presentations on cooperative business, leadership and the legislative process. On a visit to Capitol Hill, the delegates met with their congressmen to discuss government and current issues. Each state delegation convened for Rural Electric Youth Day to hear from several public figures and inspirational speakers. The high school seniors also enjoyed a dance on the Potomac River cruise and a visit to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. From left are Anna Marie Pugh & Caitlin Cobb. www.montgomeryparents.com

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STJ’s Conner Leads Technology Sessions

For the third straight year, members of Saint James School’s faculty attended iSummit 2013, updating their skills for the best ways to involve students in engaged, collaborative learning with new 21st century technology. The meetings (held this year at the Westminster School in Atlanta at the end of July) are intense professional development sessions intended to support teachers in employing the most modern techniques for using technology in the classroom. STJ High School Latin instructor Libby Conner was among the presenters at the high tech workshops, asked to do so because of her demonstrated skills in using technology to support learning in her Saint James classroom. “From what I could tell at meetings I’ve attended, I realize Saint James is ahead of the curve - at least statewide,” Conner says. “We’ve been conscious of using technology as learning tools, not toys. And then the teacher support we’ve received optimizes our own use of the technology, in terms of application in the classroom.” Conner says learning what tools are available and how to integrate them into the classroom can seem intimidating and time-intensive to some teachers. The iSummit and other professional development meetings focusing on technology help teachers become aware of the technology tools and help them learn to make the tools applicable in their own classrooms. “My session was based on how to use technology to assess student learning,” Conner adds. “I evaluate my students’ learning, using some of the tools I discussed in my session. I assess what the students learned and what I taught that day. I think the methodical way we [STJ] went about planning has been key to success, giving the teachers tools early, so they could plan and learn on their own, before they had the responsibility to teach others.” Other STJ faculty and staff attending the iSummit conference were Andrea Harris, Angela Smith, Ann Waller, Carla Sewell, Cindy Mullikin, Kiki Hughes, Colleen Murphy, David Long, Debbie Moncrief, Deborah Otis, Kim Ramsey, Jamie Fields, JB Copeland, Lynda Fain, Martha Cavanaugh, Tina Waggoner, Vicky Christie, Leigh Copeland and Bryan Oliver. Shown, Libby Conner uses digital tools to assess how quickly students are comprehending new concepts presented in the classroom.

Trinity’s Upper School Teaches K5 Lesson Trinity Presbyterian’s Upper School environmental science class presented a lab about mixing colors to the K5 students recently. The older science students prompted kindergartners with the question “What color will it make?” when different colors were mixed. The younger students tried to predict what color would result. Most students were already familiar with common mixes of yellow with red, yellow with blue, and red with blue. When the purple from the last mix was made, K5 students were asked what color would result when yellow was added. Most guessed and were surprised to see a dark, blackish color. After every mix, the flask was emptied into a white container. At the end of the exercise, students were instructed to look in the white container and see the resulting brown color. When kindergartners returned to their respective classrooms, they decorated cookies by mixing different colored frostings. This experiment reemphasized the result of mixing colors. Trinity environmental science teacher Kerri Watson and Trinity senior KK Carlson presenting a lab to the K5 class. 41

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I hope everyone had a restful Labor Day weekend. If you did not attend the Prattville Service League Barbeque, you missed out on some great food and fun. I had a barbeque plate, and it was great. The Prattville Service League has always been a huge supporter of the Autauga County public schools. I deeply appreciate their support and commitment to provide our children with a great public education. I know you can recall the saying, “When life gives you lemons make lemonade.” Well, that is exactly what Jodie Womble, principal at Prattville Kindergarten, is doing. Lightning struck a chimney at her school this summer. The lightning strike actually twisted the old chimney slightly, causing a few bricks to dislodge. A few days later a few more bricks fell. This caused a safety hazard so some of

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

the chimney was removed. Prattville Kindergarten School began selling bricks on September 24th for $20 each. Each brick will be sold with a decorative ribbon holding a pencil drawing of the school and date of operation. If you graduated from Autauga County High School, think how great it would be to actually have a piece of your Alma Mater. All proceeds will go to improve technology at the school. The Daniel Pratt Elementary School has a second computer lab this year due to the tireless effort of assistant principal Katie Gazell. She arranged for a $10,000 donation from Senator Bryan Taylor to the school for the computer lab. Then Mrs. Gazell sought out a $15,000 grant for the computer lab by following advice given to her by Senator Taylor. Her tireless effort and dedication will enhance all students’ educational experience by having a second computer lab to use. Go Eagles! Prattville High School has one of the largest and most decorated Air Force Junior ROTC programs in the state, serving over 210 students from all four county high

schools. The program is led by Lt. Col. Gary O. Essary and Master Sergeant Larry D. Smith, Sr. Students participate in Drill Team, Color Guard, Flag-Folding Team, Academic Teams, Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Program, Venture Crew, Fitness Team and Saber Team. The cadets participate in Relay for Life and are a leading sponsor for the Autauga County Fair. They also adopt and support three families through the Autauga County Christmas Team. Recent accolades include the designation of “Exceeds Standards” on their most recent Air Force Inspection and the Air Force Association Unit of the Year Award (equivalent to being State Champs). What a super program that is developing our future leaders. Go Junior ROTC Lions! Remember to shop Autauga County and support our children! Spence Agee is the Superintendent of Education for Autauga County Schools. He is a third generation educator with an ED.S. in Educational Leadership. He has 16 years of experience in the education field as well as 25 years of military experience. Agee is an active member at First Baptist Church in Prattville. He and his wife, Cesily, who is also an educator, have two daughters, Abby and Addison.

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Autauga County Schools

PCA Faculty Member Earns Certification

Tara Osborne, assistant athletic director at Prattville Christian Academy, has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) as a Certified Athletic Administrator. To earn this distinction, Osborne has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of her educational background, experience and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination. She is one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism.

Autauga Tech Student Certified in Microsoft

Future Business Leaders of America, the nation’s largest and oldest student business organization, held its National Leadership Conference June 27-30 in Anaheim, California. Chris Rumpke from Autauga County Technology Center competed in the Microsoft Office Specialist pilot event. Microsoft IT Academy was a pilot program offered at ACTC last year. Rumpke was selected to compete at the advanced level, based on score and time, to complete the Microsoft Office Specialist Word exam. He successfully completed the Advanced Word and MOS Excel exams. He is also certified in PowerPoint. FBLA advisor Rita Goldman and Rumpke attended general sessions, regional meetings, and breakout sessions on leadership. The Alabama delegation spent a day touring Hollywood, driving through Beverly Hills and visiting Santa Monica.

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Letter to Parents: Alabama’s College and Career Ready Standards I want to take this opportunity to share the content of a letter that the parents/guardians of all the students in our district received during the first weeks of our school year: Dear Elmore County Family: No doubt you have heard the buzz regarding the Common Core and you may be wondering how this will affect your child. Our graduates must be able to perform at a level that makes them competitive in this international and global marketplace. Alabama’s College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) – the Alabama version of the Common Core – were adopted for grades K-12 to equip our students to meet the demands of the future. These standards are more rigorous than what Alabama previously had in place in mathemat-

ics and English language arts in all grade levels. Alabama’s CCR standards ensure every student will graduate from high school college- and career- ready. We recognize that we must begin in Kindergarten preparing students to be successful graduates. These new standards help students think through real life problems and explain answers instead of forcing them to do rote memorization. In addition, some standards have been moved to lower or higher grade levels, which may present a challenge, depending upon the standard and grade level. The increase in rigor seen in mathematics and English language arts will also permeate throughout other courses such as science, social studies, and electives through a greater focus on problem solving and real-life application. Alabama teachers have been implementing the new math standards over the past year and understand that they require more of both students AND teachers. Our experience over this past year is that students are more engaged and excited about math than ever before. We anticipate the same positive outcomes with our implementation of the English language arts standards this school year.

Any time we implement something new, we experience what we call an “implementation dip” – in this case, this may or may not mean a slight shift in the grades your student is accustomed to earning. Be assured that we are continually monitoring our implementation process as well as students’ performance against these new standards. We are also working to provide ongoing support for students as well as teachers throughout this process. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher(s) if you have questions or would like additional information. As always, we stand ready to assist and support you as together we work to provide the highest quality education for your child. NOTE: Even though this letter was originally sent to parents/guardians within our school system, I want all of our general public to know that questions and concerns are welcomed and appreciated as we continue to move forward in this process. Dr. Jeff Langham is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. Now in his eighth year as the system’s leader, he has a total of 27 years of experience in the field of education. Langham is an active member at Landmark Church in Montgomery. He and his wife, Ginny, a nurse educator, have one daughter, Weldon.

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Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Elmore County Schools

ARIS Students Rewarded for Summer Learning

Ukrainian Teachers Visit Wetumpka Middle As an extension of a missionary project, retired central office employee Donna Goodwin brought Ukrainian teachers to visit schools in Elmore County. The Ukrainian teachers, who work with orphans in the Ukraine, had the privilege of visiting Wetumpka Middle School. They toured the school and met school Principal Mrs. Jackson and other teachers at WMS.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Nine Airport Road Intermediate School students persevered through the summer and completed a challenging summer packet of work, which included ten pages of writing in a journal. Students received writing prompts, such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you like the summer heat or do you spend your time in the cool, air-conditioned indoors?â&#x20AC;? The summer packets encouraged academic skills in reading, language, grammar, and math (word problems, addition, multiplication, division and subtraction). New third-graders coming to ARIS from Coosada who completed the work were Ariel Steele, Alex Cortes, Thomas Ledwell, Lydia Long and Olivia Raife. ARIS fourth-graders were Mackenzie Foshee, Benjamin Dale, Nina Morton and Rylie Grimes, who also completed the third-grade packet last year. Students received Mustang back sacks from Principal Marcia Stephens for their efforts. For her twoyear effort, Grimes also received a Mustang mug. From left, shown with Principal Marcia Stephens are Olivia Raife, Mackenzie Foshee, Thomas Ledwell, Rylie Grimes, Benjamin Dale, Alex Cortes, Nina Morton, Lydia Long and Ariel Steele.

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Victory Baptist School Wins Very Special Game

Victory Baptist School played its second game of the season on September 13, against Cullman Christian Academy. With the inspiration of a special 11-year-old boy, Carson, the Eagles were able to defeat the Lions 64-26. Carson is multi-handicapped and one of the things that gets him through each day is enjoying various outdoor activities, including watching the Victory Baptist Eagles play football. He was carried onto the field by Kevin Byrd alongside the football team, and there was an especially touching moment when a touchdown was scored in his honor. Jerrell Frazier, #32 of the Eagles, told his teammates before going out on the field that he was going to score a touchdown just for Carson. With the support of the team, Frazier was successful in delivering his promise and excitedly told Coach Jim Hardy the touchdown was for Carson. He then went directly to Carson and gave him a big hug!

Math Made Fun and Tasty At Holtville Elementary In Kim Wheelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-grade class at Holtville Elementary, math is taught in a meaningful and exciting way. By using cereals and potato sticks, children learn place value. Afterward, the activity is not wasted. Instead it is fun to eat manipulatives too!

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Elmore County Schools

Airport Road Selected ‘Be Healthy School’

WMS Rewards Positive Behavior

Wetumpka Middle School is implementing Positive Office Referrals. Many times students are called to the office for inappropriate behavior, so the administration decided to acknowledge those that are making the RIGHT choices in school.

Wetumpka Teacher Wins Monthly PTO Drawing

Wetumpka Elementary School teacher Stephanie Walker won the PTO’s most recent monthly teacher drawing. Her prize was a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart. From left are PTO member Teri Wood, Walker and WES Assistant Principal Bonnie Sullivan.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama selected Airport Road Intermediate School as a “Be Healthy School” for 2013-14. With that selection, ARIS received a grant of $10,000 to build a long-wished-for jogging track! Counselor Irene Wong, Principal Marcia Stephens, Coach Julie Morrison and Nurse Ann Bamberg will coordinate efforts to educate parents and students about the benefits of exercise and nutrition. Students will exercise in the classroom between subject transitions in order to pump more blood to the brain and improve alertness. Exercise will also combat poor posture due to sitting for long periods and carrying heavy backpacks. Coach Morrison will offer the 50-Mile Club for students and faculty to jog 50 miles during the year at school. Counselor Wong is providing parents with information to combat obesity. At a PTO meeting, Principal Stephens and Nurse Bamberg encouraged parents to model behaviors that cut back on snacks that are high in fat, sugar or salt. The motto for the year is “Habits 4 Health.” These four habits, an acronym of ARIS, are “Appreciate your body; Read the label; Integrate exercise; and Sleep.” Jeff Adams of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama presented a large mock check to Principal Stephens on August 23. Students were present to hold up the banner recognizing ARIS as a “Be Healthy School.” From left are Coach Julie Morrison, Nurse Ann Bamberg, Principal Marcia Stephens, Jeff Adams of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, and Superintendent of Elmore County Schools Dr. Jeff Langham. (Photo by Counselor Irene Wong)

Wetumpka Middle Faculty Visits School Neighborhoods

Wetumpka Middle School staff members boarded a school bus before the first day of school to learn first-hand about the neighborhoods and people that make up the diverse population of Wetumpka Middle School. The trip was meant to give teachers a deeper understanding of their students and a better footing for building relationships with families. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Edgewood Fourth-Graders Hold Western Week

Mrs. Fisher’s fourth-grade class at Edgewood Academy held a Western Week in honor of finishing Horn Toad Prince, a story about cowboys in the old west. The students even got a visit from Mr. Hagood, a professional saddle maker, who taught the kids all about what it takes to make a saddle just like they were made back then. 48

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Redland Honored With Second Safety Award

On the morning of September 17, students and teachers at Redland Elementary School gathered in the school cafeteria while Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange presented Principal Dan Aude with the school’s second Award of Excellence in recognition of the school’s safety program. This award is presented “to a winning school from each of the eight state school board districts that has demonstrated an exceptional and safe learning environment.” Redland previously earned the Attorney General’s Alabama Safe Schools Initiative Award of Excellence, sponsored in part by Alfa Insurance, from Attorney General Troy King in 2010. Prior to the presentation, Redland sixth-grader Isaac Stubbs led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Dan Aude welcomed attendees, which included Elmore County Schools Superintendent Jeff Langham, State Senator Dick Brewbaker, State Representative Barry Mask, and representatives from the office of District Attorney Randall Houston and Alfa Insurance. Aude thanked Brewbaker for his recent legislative grant of $3,000 given to the school, and Superintendent Langham stressed the honor of being recognized for school safety, explaining that Elmore County’s enrollment of 11,000 students makes it one of the largest school systems in the state. Assistant Principal Tim Collier then introduced the attorney general, mentioning that Strange had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 13 years old and had worked as a Merchant Marine to pay his way through college. He and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 30 years and are the parents of two sons. Attorney General Strange took the stage amongst jokes of his 6’9” height, but then quickly commended the school’s safety program, specifically mentioning the safety bags that each faculty member keeps on hand in the event of emergencies, as well as first aid kits. He said that the panel of judges had visited many schools around the state and were impressed with Redland’s procedures.

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334-277-3720

Shelia Blvd. KinderCare 701 Sheila Blvd., Prattville

334-365-0470

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Elmore County Schools

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Wetumpka Middle Wins County Volleyball Tournament

The Wetumpka Middle School volleyball team recently won the Elmore County Volleyball Tournament. The girls received the firstplace trophy, which was placed in the school’s new trophy case.

Wetumpka Celebrates Positive Behavior

Sports Author Visits Edgewood Academy

Students at Wetumpka Elementary School celebrated their Positive Behavior Support (PBS) theme, “Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe,” at a pep rally held on September 5. Students were surprised with visits by Big Mo from the Montgomery Biscuits and Aubie from the Auburn Tigers. The Wetumpka High School Pep Band, junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders also performed.

On September 11, Chad Gibbs, author of God and Football and Love Thy Rival, came to speak to Mrs. Smith’s High School Bible class at Edgewood Academy. He talked about his background, and what inspired him to write Christian novels. The class had spent the previous weeks reading God and Football, a book that chronicles Gibbs’ journey to all twelve SEC schools to witness their football teams worship and their worship at church. The students got a chance to ask Gibbs questions, and in the end some students were given a copy of his new book Love Thy Rival.

ARIS Parents Perform Community Service

Holtville Band Participates In Troy University Band Day

Six parents of ARIS students worked like a legion of gardeners who hacked back summer overgrowth of grass and shrubs at Airport Road Intermediate School one Saturday morning in preparation for the first day of school. All was transformed into beautiful scenery to welcome students on August 19. Parents Jon Foshee, Bill & Brittany Myers, Brad Wegner, Jim Bazzell (of Bazzell’s Lawn Service), and John Grimes Parents edged the lawn, trimmed bushes and shrubs, and mowed the grass. ARIS Principal Marcia Stephens and Assistant Principal Sharon Earl marveled at the commitment and work ethic of these parents. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

The Holtville High School Marching Green Machine Band participated in the Troy University“Sound of the South” Band Day on September 7. The band participated in the Trojan Victory March Parade before kick-off and also participated in a mass band performance led by the “Sound of the South” on the football field during half-time. The HHS band is under the direction of Doug Brasell. Ashley Wiggins is the drum major. 50

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Wetumpka High Choir Members To Attend Workshop in NYC

On November 14-18, members of the Wetumpka High School choir, under the direction of Jon Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke, will attend an Honor Choir workshop in New York City, in preparation for a concert at Carnegie Hall on the evening of November 17. The Honor Choir will be directed by Dr. John Ratledge from the University of Alabama and will feature high school singers from around the country. This is an opportunity not only to perform at the most prestigious venue in the United States but also to perform some magnificent music. Tickets are available through www.midamerica-music.com. Sponsors are needed to help defray the cost of this trip. The total cost is $9,000, which the students need to raise in order to participate in this opportunity of a lifetime. Choir members are Johnathan Albert, Andrea Barclay, Jessie Esco, Kaylee Green, Kelsie Green, Jess Howard, Victoria Loftin and Josh Norrell. If you are interested in partnering with our school to help make this dream happen, please contact Choir Director Jon Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke at Wetumpka High School, (334) 567-5158 or jonathon.orourke@elmoreco.com. Patrons will be recognized in the Wetumpka High School Performing Arts Program as well as receiving tickets to watch upcoming Musical Theatre and Madrigal performances.

Wetumpka Middle Students See Historical Document

Fifth- through eighth-grade students from Wetumpka Middle School had the unique opportunity to see the Articles of Association document recently. This was one of the four documents to make up the foundation of our government. Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.

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Elmore County Schools

Airport Road Teacher Shares Gift of Poetry

Holtville Kindergartners Take Time with ‘T’

Mrs. Jewell’s kindergarten class at Holtville Elementary recently learned about the letter T by cutting pictures that had the /t/ initial sound.

Third-graders in Amy Turner’s class at Airport Road Intermediate School are challenged to learn a poem a week—not the three- to five-line poem—but beginning with a ten-line poem about school. Turner handed out the poem one Monday to a group of groaning youngsters, but by Wednesday, many had made headway and had it memorized by the end of the week. There is a sense of community when the entire class recites the poem together. Within four weeks, the students were up to 20-line poems. Topics vary from learning the continents to interrogative sentences, to vowel poems. Students also illustrate their sheets with drawings. By the end of the school year, all students will have mastered more than 30 poems and have a keepsake journal.

Eclectic Students Get a Bit Dotty

Eclectic Elementary celebrated National Dot Day on September 13. Students read The Dot by Peter Reynolds and expressed themselves in a creative way by making their own dot. The library held an art competition with most grades having two winners, and fourth grade having three. Everyone also wore dots to school. One class dressed as Dalmatians.

ARIS Plans Third Harvest Festival

Preparations for Airport Road Intermediate School’s Third Annual Harvest Festival are underway. On October 24, from 5-8 p.m., expect to see a costume contest, cake walk, hayride, haunted house, crowning of the next Harvest Festival King and Queen, and booths for fun and games (pumpkin bowling, hairspray and glow sticks, for example). The lunchroom will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and nachos for hungry visitors. All proceeds will go to ARIS teacher classroom accounts. Profits will help teachers purchase items needed for their classes.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@montgomeryparents.com. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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ARIS Holds Double Assembly Kick-Off

Airport Road Intermediate School enjoyed a double assembly kick-off recently. The first assembly was a kick-off about ARIS being named a Be Healthy School and the second assembly was a fundraiser presented by Mr. Jerry, which would help pay for the new jogging track. The assembly began with a mini-movie written, directed and produced by Principal Marcia Stephens, Coach Julie Morrison and Counselor Irene Wong. The movie, “ARIS Wish,” follows four students who wish for a running track, so they could run without tripping into potholes, being bothered by bugs in tall grass, and getting their shoes muddy after a rain. They wish on a student’s red wishing shoes, “I wish I had a track.” The wish comes true with a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, which pays for more than half the cost of constructing a track. The following fundraiser was to help pay the difference. After Mr. Jerry explained all the prizes that would accompany the number of items sold, he entertained the students with a mini-magic show.

Wetumpka Middle Faculty Enjoy Bowling Team-Builder Wetumpka Middle School faculty and staff members were surprised with a team-building activity before school started. New Principal Tremeca Jackson took the entire staff to Brunswick Bowling in an effort to build school culture, get to know other faculty members, and encourage everyone to simply enjoy their colleagues.

Sunday, October 20, 2013 1pm - 4pm

Union Station / Train Shed 300 Water Street Montgomery, AL 36104

RAIN or SHINE

MUSIC SPOKEN FOR

ENJOY

Disney Characters & Others Bounce Houses Raffle Games

Refreshments Pumpkin Patch Face Painting

Bring your family and your lawn chairs to enjoy the live Christian music!

Event T-shirts* Professional Portrait Mini Sessions*

FUSION

Please no Halloween costumes or pets. * available for a donation to HALO * You may pre-register for a portrait mini session or pre-order your t-shirts online. * We are a 501 (c) 3 organization, therefore your contributions are tax deductible.

more info: 334.328.1202 www.honoringangelslikeowen.org

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Chandler Insurance Agency Davis Lawn Care Grace 28 Photography Judy Barranco Photography Magnolia Cremations And Embalming Service Meadows Auto Service Center Nelson Wholesale Automotive, LLC Posh Pics Steve & Dawn Barranco

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4082 Hwy 14 - Millbrook, AL (334) 285-4380 | Donations Welcome

VENDORS WANTED “Come in for coffee and a taste of home” 53

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Wild About Baby Gifts

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Finding the best gift for a baby can be harder than it seems when you enter the jungle of toys and gear designed for the pre-tot set. Ideally, you should try to gift a baby with something that will aid it its development, foster its growth, hold its attention (at least for a while) and please the parents (who have to hear-assemble-operate or otherwise assist with it). But, more importantly, it should be fun and engaging – so the child will respond to it and interact with it. The best baby gifts are those that show the thought that went into the design and provide versatility for a child developing at the fastest pace in their life. The following recommended items are plucked from the jungle of toddler toys and baby gear to make worthwhile additions to the nursery or playroom.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Musical Lion Walker

Gymini Move and Play

Before they take their first steps, the Musical Lion Walker will already be a familiar friend to the baby ready to walk. With its ‘grow-with-me’ design, a sitting baby will find plenty of busy activities to help hone their fine motor skills and enhance their sensory responses. The walker features eight engaging hands-on activities including the Lion’s rollerball ears, clacker bead toes, and light up nose, all of which boost babies physical control. Once tots start to pull-up from the knees, the four-wheel base and sturdy handle make this rolling lion ready to prowl. With lights and sounds that accompany the walker function, it’s going to be a fast forward romp through the jungle as baby takes the first steps on a big journey!

Having a dedicated play mat for baby to lay and play on while they are in the pre-crawling stage is a given. Getting a play mat that does everything the Gymini can…is priceless. With a large mat space, there’s room for caregivers to join the play or the extra border area can be easily snapped together to create a cozy enclosure to enhance baby’s sense of security. The activity arches above can be adjusted, bringing the action in reach of little hands or move the hanging toys right down to baby’s level during tummy time. The colorful wildlife theme offers a monkey teether, peek-a-boo elephant ears and a host of other sensory stimulation for baby to explore. The mat itself is portable, washable, and the toys are detachable to accompany the kid on the go! The Gymini’s stimulating options combine with some very sensible adjustability to make the Gymini Activity Gym one of the best available!

(Fisher-Price)

(Tiny Love)

Musical Stack & Play Elephant

Rain Forest Peek-a-boo Musical Mobile

(Tiny Love)

(Fisher-Price)

Irresistible at a glance, this playful pachyderm weighs in with everything he needs to be the most popular plaything among the peewee set. While the elephant is ideal as a soft, traditional ring stacker, the colorfully patterned rings can also link together independently for a different kind of exploration, motor skill development and play. The stack-and-play also functions as a responsive game with the four balls included. When tots drop balls into the crown of the elephant’s head, the balls re-appear - with great fanfare (music and lights) - at a little door opening at the bottom. The outstanding combination of thoughtful design and engaging function in this Musical Stack & Play Elephant definitely put it at the front of the best-baby-toy herd!

With delightful rainforest creatures moving slowly through the canopy of leaves to engage little eyes, the Rain Forest Peek-a-boo Musical Mobile adds a smart variety of movement and sound that is designed to soothe and relax baby for bedtime or naps. With the touch of a button, caregivers can play gentle music including classical Mozart, Bach and Beethoven or choose the mesmerizing sounds of the rainforest. Special settings and remote control allow parents to select from three combinations of sound, movement and duration for baby’s needs. The Rainforest Mobile can also transform into a music box and nightlight as baby grows into toddler territory down the road. Versatile, effective and sturdy, this mobile is a sweet jungle dream for crib comfort.

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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No More by Malia Jacobson

Procrastinators

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Children may grow up fast, but when it comes to certain tasks, they’re experts at slowing things down. Maybe your tot drags out the morning get-dressed routine for a grueling hour, or your grade-schooler waits until the proverbial last minute to start on an important school project. Whatever your child’s procrastination problem, you can help him build important life skills like punctuality and responsibility that will pay off in school and in the working world. Read on for expert advice on replacing procrastination with promptness. 56

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TODDLER/PRESCHOOL YEARS 2-5: Keep it simple Though your toddler may sprint like the wind at her favorite park, young children generally aren’t known for their swiftness. In fact, they can be downright poky. Tasks like dressing, using the restroom, or picking up toys— things adults can handle in a matter of minutes—simply take longer for young children to complete, says Jane Bailey, Ed.D, Dean of the School of Education at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. She encourages parents to have patience, and to match tasks with a child’s developmental level. “Parents often assume a procrastinating child is being willfully defiant, when in fact it’s simply that the chore is bigger than the child can handle,” she notes. Avoid power struggles by scaling the task to your tot’s pint-size attention span. Don’t expect a preschooler to know how to make hospital corners; making the bed might mean pulling the blanket up over the bed and smoothing it out. Similarly, “setting the table” might entail folding and placing napkins, and “clearing the table” may mean that the child takes his own plate and cup to the sink.

ELEMENTARY YEARS 6-11: School rules During grade school, book reports, science fairs, and a plethora of other school projects mean that kids (and their parents) have no shortage of homework deadlines to meet. This makes the elementary years a prime time to instill solid study habits in preparation for the more intense academics kids will encounter in middle school, high school, and beyond, says Dayle Lynn Pomerantz, a parenting educator based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the author of Secrets of Great Parents. When a child has a big project looming, think time management, says Bailey. “Just giving a student a deadline for a major assignment is not teaching him/ her how to ‘chunk it.’” Write due dates on the family calendar, break the project into three manageable ‘chunks,’ and set a deadline for each one. Offer a reward 57

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(like extra TV or video game time) if the project is done on time, advises Baily, and talk about how great it is to have an assignment done early.

TWEEN AND TEEN YEARS 12-18: Tough love With heftier responsibilities, burgeoning academic loads, and college admissions deadlines to juggle, teens pay a higher price for procrastination. Missing a scholarship application due date or falling behind on SAT prep brings lasting consequences, so it’s natural for parents to push teens to meet deadlines. Some parents even step up and take on some of their teen’s duties themselves, or resign themselves to constant nagging. But this type of pushy “helicopter parenting” won’t help your overbooked teen build the skills she needs to thrive after high school. If your teen is struggling with a packed schedule and missing deadlines as a result, make time for a weekly mini-meeting to help her organize her calendar. Then, turn over the responsibility for meeting commitments to your teen. “If something isn’t done because of a student’s procrastination, then it’s time to let the light stay on later and have the student learn that help won’t always be available at the last minute. It’s time for the teen to face the music and accept the consequence!” mp

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published parenting and health journalist and mom of three. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Great Style at Any Age Have you ever gotten up in the morning and tried on everything in your closet just to find that certain items in your wardrobe do not fit or look like they did 10 years ago? I know I have. I am notorious for cleaning out my closet and changing my style the older I get. Let’s not look at it as getting older, but as getting more fashion forward. As we age, our style should enhance who we are not create an alternate persona. It’s time to stop shopping in the juniors department and Forever 21 (there’s a reason the number 21 is in that name). Embracing your age and embracing the style that comes with your age will turn back the clock and bring in the youthful side of you. There are many of trends that look great on women over 40. From smart and sophisticated work wear to casual embellished tops and cover ups to midi skirts with knee high boots, there’s something out there for everyone! Fashion doesn’t have an age limit...there are trends that suit every woman at every age, and it’s all about how you wear it. 1. Look for shape enhancing details like cap sleeves, stretch in the right places, different trouser cuts, and built-in panels to make you look and feel great. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

2. Don’t shy away from color; be confident and daring. Wear colors that compliment your skin tone and hair color. Experiment with substitute colors like black for purple or deep berry tones for red. 3. Make sure that you are in control of your wardrobe. A few well chosen, great fitting staples like a pair of wide-legged trousers, a glamorous top with some embellishment and a classic shift dress mixed and matched for different occasions are all you need to see you through the season. 4. Find items that are easy transitions and classic. For example, we all need a black

Simplicity is the key to looking stylish and sophisticated. 6. You must always feel comfortable in what you are wearing. There’s nothing worse than constantly worrying about adjusting your clothes, or thinking “my shoes are hurting.” This goes for anyone at any age. 7. Try something new and develop your own personal style. Finding out what suits you and what works for your body shape involves a lot of trial and error, so don’t be scared to try different looks. If you are worried about stepping out in a new style here is a tip, take a picture of yourself the night before and send it to a friend or two for their opinion. 8. Experiment with prints. Prints cut on the bias or diagonal are always great. Wear busier prints on more fluid garments and pair with a plain trouser, skirt or shirt to ensure they aren’t too over the top. You want to still have fun with your style and prints are a great way to mix it up.

dress, pants, blouse or skirt. The older we get the harder it is to be motivated to shop or constantly update our styles. Classic pieces help with this often daunting task. 5. Accessories can really change up many styles in your wardrobe, but remember, sometimes less is more. Choose one statement piece of jewelry – necklace or earrings. Too many accessories can look too fussy and over the top. 60

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9. Have fun with pops of color! This goes for anyone. If you really want to be bold then do a little color blocking. Color blocking is also great way to hide problem areas. Laura Handey is an independent clothing consultant in Pike Road, Alabama. You may reach her by email at laura@ centsiblysouthern. com or visit her website at www. centsiblysouthern. com.

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Tonya Speed’s Dancers Earn Platinum in Atlanta

Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection has more than 40 team members that perform and compete, known as the TSDC Company! For example, the studio’s “New York New York” tap dance received a Platinum Award and overall first place at the Hall of Fame Dance competition in Atlanta. The group performed a tap dance but included Colby Jones, a hip hop dancer who popped out on stage as the “boy from New York City.”

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Docarmo’s Taekwondo Students Meet Olympic Bronze Medalist

Last year, Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center (DTC), a local martial arts school, hosted then-Olympic hopeful Terrence Jennings. Jennings visited Montgomery right before taking off to London to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. On September 6 and 7, Jennings not only returned to Montgomery as a member of the U.S. Taekwondo Olympic delegation, but as an Olympic Bronze Medalist! Jennings spent Friday evening working with a select group of students that have Olympic-size dreams of their own! As members of the DTC Elite competition, these students worked on specific drills that will help them succeed beyond the local and regional competition circuit. Most of the students participated in the seminar offered last year before going to the USA Taekwondo (USAT) Junior and Senior Nationals. Instead of refreshing things they had already learned, Jennings spent time working on areas that could use improvement. Beyond the physical drills, goal setting was a large component of the Friday night seminar. On Saturday, Jennings led two age-appropriate workshops at Woodland United Methodist Church in Pike Road. Taekwondo practitioners from throughout Alabama, Georgia and Florida came to learn from the World-Class Olympian. “I feel that it is important to rub shoulders with great and successful people,” said DTC owner/operator 6th Degree Black Belt Anne Docarmo. “Within our sport, Mr. Jennings represents what hard work and dedication can achieve. His success in London last year really means something to these students.” As a current member of the U.S. Taekwondo National Team, Jennings’ Olympic pursuits are not over. He is now eyeing the 2016 Olympic Games that will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! While his schedule will be demanding, he said he intends to return to Montgomery during the first quarter of 2014. 61

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Bonding Time 10 Easy Ways To Bring Your Family Back Together by Christina Katz

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Life is busy. So make sure you slow things down on a regular basis and just enjoy being a family. As kids grow up, everyone can seem pulled in utterly different directions. You may even find yourself thinking that you liked your kids better before they had the ability to leave you at will. But never fear. Here are ten remedies that will keep your relations relating even while everyone evolves along individual lines:

Eat dinner together. When my daughter Samantha was little, she wrote us a note of protest after one night when we did not all sit down to dinner together. It said, quite simply, “We hav to eat togther.” Today, when I’m tempted to skip a formal sit-down dinner due to busy schedules, I remember her note and set the table anyway or ask her to do it. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

If she complains, I simply quote her back to herself.

Play games. Sunday afternoons are just as perfect for game night as they ever were. But if you are having trouble gathering your kids to all be home at the same time every other week, you might need to make family game night a mandatory family event. Sure, you’ll hear some reluctant grumbling before the games begin, but once you settle in and start having fun, you’ll be so glad you insisted--and so will your kids.

Create a shared workspace. Surely you have a space in your home that is underutilized. Be it the dining room, the laundry room or an extra bedroom, it’s easy to convert this space into a shared work space where the whole family can 62

convene instead of scattering to every corner. Simply add a large table (a folding table is fine), ample places to dock and charge electronics, office supplies, a pencil sharpener and a printer and voila! This instant family office is a great place to have your family meetings or collaborate on projects.

Put music on while you do the dishes or chores. You have seen The Big Chill, right? Then surely you remember the dish-washing scene. You can either be the type of family that says quit-yourgrousing-and-do-your-chores, which makes everyone sullen and pokey, or you can be the type of family that makes chores fun and silly. Sometimes the difference is as simple and easy as turning on the radio to a station that plays oldies. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Take a family walk. Grab the dogs, the leashes, and a couple of water bottles and get the heck out of dodge. Go just far enough away from home to walk without interruption from friendly neighbors and just stroll. Don’t bring up any difficult topics, don’t confront anyone about unacceptable behavior, just take your family for a walk and leave your collective worries in the dust.

Treat everyone to dinner. Let this be a surprise even if it’s just the local burger or teriyaki joint. If you plan dinner out in advance, don’t tell everyone you have a consensus--it was an awful, terrible, rotten day. Then do your best imitation of the Dad in A Christmas Story when he says, “All right, get dressed. We are going out to eat!” And watch those frowns turn upside down.

Celebrate the small stuff. Don’t wait for birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate each other. Try to recognize one person in the family every week. Was someone selected for the school play? Maybe someone else got to play for the varsity team. Maybe mom got elected to a position in the PTA. When it’s a big enough deal, head out for ice cream or bring home bakery cupcakes. And

don’t forget, you can stick a birthday candle in just about anything.

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Create a family altar. Use a

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game of “Highs & from the day, or just

large hutch, buffet, or fireplace mantel as the main display area for a well-blended family. Find words that describe your family values or blocks with sweet sayings on them. Add photos of each person that really show their personality. Ask each member to contribute one or two personal items that may seem quirky separately, but when combined together, perfectly capture the spirit of your clan.

tucking in and kissing goodnight, end on a

with a smile. Whether it’s a quick game of “Highs & Lows,” sharing a story from the day, or just tucking in and kissing goodnight, end on a consistent happy note no matter what the day was like.

Have a do-nothing day of rest. Stay in

your jammies until noon on a Saturday morning. Cook a big messy breakfast, or grab the paper and some doughnuts. Watch a movie in the middle of the day with fresh popcorn. Don’t bother cleaning up until the eleventh hour. Just enjoy the splendid imperfection of being the family you are right now...happy and relaxing together. mp

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no matter what the day was like.

Have an end-of-day ritual. Our family enjoys reading a book from a book series out loud before bed. But make yours whatever your family finds relaxing and enjoyable, so everyone can drift off to sleep

Christina Katz loves nothing better than relaxing deeply with the people she loves most so everyone can reboot and reconnect. She often wins at games of luck and is not afraid to crow about it.

Join us for a celebration of God’s goodness through praise and worship, followed by a life-applicable Biblebased teaching by senior pastor John Schmidt via video. Come casual and enjoy our service that starts at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Jim Wilson YMCA at New Park. Nursery and children’s program provided.

For more information contact our office at (334) 356-3076 or visit our website at centeringlives.com

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& Halloween Fun Halloween Events Camp Chandler Halloween Carnival

October 19 from 5-8 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per child. Come out and join us for a night of carnival games, raffle tickets, inflatables, Little Pumpkin Playhouse in Lions Lodge, facer painting, hayrides to Waterfront for Marshmallow Roasting, Concessions and cake walk, Haunted House and a costume contest. Call 567.4933. Please check with your local YMCA for other fall festivals.

Halloween Candy Walk Tuesday, October 29th at 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Downtown Prattville. Free admission. Children up to 2nd grade are encouraged to dress up and come get lots of candy. Call (334) 361.3640 or visit www.prattville.com.

Harvest Time at Old Alabama Town Montgomery. October 1-31. Come down to Old Alabama Town as we feature Harvest Time in the 1800’s. Join us for tours of the cotton gin and grist mill, and get a first hand look at farming in the 19th century. Individual self-guided tours offered Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Guided tours available by reservation only, for groups of 10 or more. Call 1 (888) 240.1850 for more information or visit www. oldalabamatown.com.

Haunted Hearse Tours of Montgomery (334) 514.4457 Come along with us on a ride through Montgomery’s dark history. You will visit places of those souls who according to legend won’t or can’t rest. Listen to our ghostly tales of events, some long past, that happened along the quiet streets of the Capitol City. You will tour Montgomery’s most macabre locations in a real hearse. She is a licensed taxi, but not like any other cab you’ve encountered. She has been modified to accommodate 6 living passengers. The hearse “Hilda” is a 1988 rare Chevrolet Caprice built by Eureka of Canada. Only a handful of these cars were ever built. Tours will leave The Alley every hour on the hour beginning each evening in October starting at 7:00pm; the last tour is at midnight each night. Reservations are strongly suggested due to the limited seating capacity. Call us and make your reservation and our “hearsetess” will meet you at the water tank at The Alley and get you prepared

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

for the tour. The cost is $15.00 per person, cash only please. Some descriptions of death and graphic descriptions of actual events are discussed in grave detail. Haunted Hearse Tours might not be suitable for everyone. Please visit us at http://www.hauntedhearsemgm.com/

Haunting On The Harriott Friday October 26, (Adult Cruise); Boards at 8 p.m., Cruises 8:30p-10:30p, $20 per adult. Cash bar and Concessions available, musical entertainment provided and costumes required. Adult only cruise.

Monster Mash Party & Performance

Presented by The Montgomery Ballet. Davis Theatre Courtyard, Montgomery. October 25. 6:30pm. Please visit us at www.montgomeryballet.org.

Trick or Pink at The Shoppes at EastChase Saturday Fall Harvest Market & Trick or Pink come together for a night of family fun at The Shoppes at EastChase on Saturday, October 26, from 5 – 8 p.m. The Fall Market will feature vendors with seasonal produce, unique gifts and arts and crafts, food samples from vendors and a Fashion Preview of various retailers throughout The Shoppes. Trick or Pink will bring the Pink Pumpkin Patch, Halloween costume contest for the kids and hayrides around The Shoppes, which will all benefit the Joy to Life Foundation. In addition, cancer survivors will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate survival by taking part in forming the pink human ribbon around the fountain. Vendors interested in participating in the Fall Harvest Market must submit an application by 6:00 p.m. September 30.

Whispers From the Past: A Native American Experience Scott’s Halloween Bash Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, Montgomery. www.fitzgeraldmuseum.net; October 31. Featuring a night of music and mayhem.

Zoo Boo

Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, Al. October 17-20, 24-31 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. A safe alternative to Halloween, Zoo Boo provides a fun-filled evening of games, treats, and costumed characters, enjoy education presentations, and the traditional haunted ride. For more information call 240.4900 or visit www. montgomeryzoo.com.

Fall Farms Agape’s 5th Annual Adoption Celebration Saturday, November 2, at the Dreamfield Farms and Pumpkin Patch in Union Springs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The community event provides an opportunity for adoptive families to come together, build relationships and celebrate God’s unique plan for their family. The celebratory event is free and lunch will be provided. To register your family for the event, please email info@ agapeforchildren.org or call (334) 272.9466.

Backyard Orchards 6585 Hwy 431 North, Eufaula, AL. (334) 370.6490. U-Pick It Farm with fresh fruits, veggies and pumpkins!

Butts Mill Farm Pine Mountain, Ga. (706) 957.7601. www.buttsmillfarm.com; Pick your own pumpkin, take a hayride, sip some apple cider, and much more.

Corn Dodgers Farm 1555 Knowles Road, Headland, AL. www.corndodgersfarm.com; September 28-October 31. 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!

Cotton Pickin’ Pumpkin Patch Lazenby Farm, 11546 Lee Rd 54, Auburn. (334) 321.7946, www.lazenbyfarm.com; Friday and Saturdays, October 1-31; Fridays and Saturdays, 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!

Dream Field Farms

6376 Highway 82, Union Springs, Al. (334) 534.6976. www.dreamfieldfarms.com; Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, train rides, corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, corn cannon, tractor-pulled hay rides, inflatables, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals and more. September 28-October 31; Monday- Wednesday 9:00am- 2:00pm; Thursday- Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm; Sundays 1:00-6:00pm. Hero Appreciation Day- September 28. Half price admission to all military and first responders.

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Fan Day- October 5. The first 100 Facebook fans receive a free upgrade to a season pass. Home School Day- October 8. Home school parents admitted for $5.00 and home school children receive a free small pumpkin. Columbus Day- October 14. In honor of this holiday, the farm is open to the general public all day. State Employees and Teachers receive a 50% discount off general admission.

Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch Lee Country Road 61, Auburn. Located 6 miles west of Toomerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner off of Hwy 14 near Loachapoka School. (33) 750.3792. 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. Monday-Friday, 3:00-6:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am-6:30 pm.

Grand Old Pumpkin Patch, The 1901 Lay Dam Road, Clanton, Al. (205) 755.4553. Acres of fresh-off-the-vine pumpkins, covered wagon rides, pony rides, face painting and hay rides, bungee trampoline, sheep shearing presentations, helicopter rides, twacter train, petting zoo, inflatable park, Kiowa presentations, concessions, and more. October 1-31. Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-5:00pm; Friday and Saturday 8:00am-dark; Sunday 1:00pm-dark. Call for weekday reservations for groups, schools, daycares and more! Please visit us at www.alabamagrandolepumpkinpatch.com.

Jack-O-Lantern Lane at The Oaks L.L.C. 18151 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Lafayette, Al. (334), 864.0713. Pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, inflatable park, train rides, gift shop, snacks and

refreshment stand, face painting, and more. Open September 28 - October 31. Friday 1:00-6:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm; Sunday 1:00-6:00pm. Also available by reservation Monday-Friday for school, church, daycare field trips and more. Please visit us at www. jackolanternlane.com.

The Pumpkin Patch at Barber Berry Farm

Paradise Pumpkin Patch

469 Farmhouse Road, Ellerslie, Georgia. (706) 561.3435. Friday/Saturday in October. Hayrides, bonfires, sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

910 County Road 79 South, Eufaula, Al. (334) 695.2258. 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. September 21 - November 1. Saturdays 9 am-6 pm and Sundays 12-6 pm. Special event dates and field trips available Monday-Friday. Teacher Day- September 21. All teachers with school ID are free! Free Paradise for Special Children- September 30. Free field trip for special needs children. Home School Day- October 14. Please visit us at www.paradisepumpkinpatch.com.

The Pumpkin Patch Express Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera, Al. www.hodrrm.org; October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. Train boards and departs Saturdays 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm; and Sundays 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Enjoy an autumn train ride aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express that lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours, including our time at the Pumpkin Patch. At the Pumpkin Patch, riders will deboard to enjoy a hayride, jump station, coloring, and temporary tattoos (all activities are included in the price of your ticket). Snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch for an additional fee. Reservations recommended.

2362 Alabama River Parkway, Millbrook, Al. www.barberberryfarm.com; October 4-30. Hayride, pumpkin patch, pick your own pesticide-free fruit and veggies.

Pumpkin Patch at The Farmhouse

Yeargan Farms Pumpkin Patch

Located on Hwy 14 just past the Ocmulgee subdivision, Selma, AL. Visit www.yeargan.com. Pumpkin patch, corn maze, games, country store, hay rides, local arts and crafts vendors and more. Plan a field trip or birthday party or bring a group from church. For more information, contact Angie Yeargan, 334-375.2424 or email angieyeargan@yeargan.com.

School Festivals Autauga Academy PTA Fall Festival Saturday, October 19, Autauga Academy Gymnasium. Dinner, Games, Haunted Trail. Times to be announced. Come join us for an evening of fun! Call (334) 365.4343.

Edgewood Academy Fall Festival (334) 567.5102, 5475 Elmore Road, Elmore, AL Tuesday, October 29 Carnival, games, cake walk, hayride, inflatables, Haunted Trail and much more. Costume contest divided by age group. Ticket prices at the door.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 4:00-5:30 P.M. First United Methodist Church 2416 West Cloverdale Park Games, family fun, and old favorites!! For children through grade 3 and their parents. Happy costumes are welcome! For more information call 834.8990 or visit www.fumcmontgomery.org

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Fall Family FunFest at Bear Exploration Tuesday, October 22, 3:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., At the Bear Exploration Center sporting field. Preschool age children and parents are free. Wristbands are available for purchase at the gate. Concessions available for purchase. Fun activities for all ages will include Pony Rides and Hay Rides, Inflatable’s, Karaoke, Face Painting, Bead Art, games and so much more. Come join the fun! Everyone is welcome. 2525 Churchill Dr. near the intersection of Woodley Road and McGehee Road. Please call 284.8014.

Fall Festival at Alabama Christian Academy

Thursday, November 7th, from 3-6 p.m. Inflatables, Pony rides, games and more. They will have a silent auction and Country Kitchen and chili cook off. Each class sponsors games for children of all ages. Concessions will be available. Admission is $5. Call 277.1985 for more information.

Fall Festival at Montessori Academy 1025 South Hull Street Friday, October 18, 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Pony rides, Inflatables, Magic Balloon Man, Face Painting, Cup Cake Walk, Games and Prizes. Admission fee charged. Alumni and grandparents are always welcome. Call 262.8685 for information.

Arts & Crafts Festivals/ Fall Festivals 2nd Annual Make a Memory Day Free Fall Family Fun Outdoor Event

October 20th from 1-4 p.m., Union Station Train Shed at 300 Water Street in downtown Montgomery. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, as

well as the birth month of Wendy & Nathan’s baby boy, Owen. Continuing H.A.L.O’s goal of educating and raising public awareness regarding such loss, H.A.L.O’s Make A Memory Day is a free event and everyone is welcome. The event will feature the bands “Fusion” and “Spoken For”, bounce houses, games, a raffle, a pumpkin patch, and Disney characters. Families are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and come out to enjoy a time of togetherness and fun. Please no Halloween costumes or pets. Photography mini session appointments are available for a $50 donation and include: a 20 minute session with one of three H.A.L.O professional photographers & a minimum of 5 edited images on disk. All donations are tax deductible and go to H.A.L.O. For more information about H.A.L.O., the event, to schedule a mini session, order a t-shirt, sponsor the event or volunteer please visit the organization’s website www.honoringangelslikeowen.org

4th Annual Hot Strings! Birmingham’s Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival Colonial Brookwood Village, Hoover, Al. www.hotstrings. org; October 6, 12:00-6:00pm. Featuring some of the best names in Bluegrass including Matthew Mayfield, Act of Congress, Mandoline Orange, Three On a String and others. Great food, art, kid’s zone, fiddlin’ contest, jam sessions, farm demonstrations, and more!

6th Oktoberfest & Arts Festival Historic Stone Mountain Village, Stone Mountain, Ga. www.stonemountainvillage.com; October 12-13. 12:006pm. Authentic German polka dancing, music, food festival, beer, kid’s activities, hayride, arts and crafts, and more.

18th Annual Arts on the River 1100 Block of Broadway, Columbus, Ga. October 19. 10:00am-5:00pm. The fine art show and sale includes paint, photography, hand-thrown pottery, and sculpture, with some artists performing live demonstrations. Free.

21st Annual Alabama Cotton Festival

October 12. 8:00am-til. 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 by Shenandoah, The Keith Moody Band, Fire Mountain and more.

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23rd Annual Christmas Made in the South

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Columbus Convention & Trade Center, Ga. www.madeinthesouthshows.com; November 1-3. 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 close-up photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures all await and more! Adults $6.00, Children 12 & under-Free; admission good for all three days.

33rd Annual Oktoberfest Festival Charles E Bailey, Sr. Sportsplex, Alexander City, Al. October 12; Day long celebration features local arts and crafts, great food, entertainment, Kid-fest children’s activities sports programs, antique car show and much more. Admission is free. www.alexandercityonline.com. Please call (256) 329.6736 for more information.

35th Annual Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival Presented by ArtsRevive 3 Church Street, Selma, Al. October 11-12. 5:30 p.m. The performers this year are Dolores Hydock, Carmen Deedy and The Dill Pickers. Art show, StreetFest, Ballet, Market Day, Pilgrimage and more! Visit www.artsrevive.com.

42nd Annual Harvest Day Festival Headland, Al. October 12. 9:00am-4:00pm. Arts and crafts, children’s games and rides, wonderful food and entertainment. Please visit us at www.headlandal.com.

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42nd Annual National Shrimp Festival Gulf Shores, Al. October 10-13. Over 300 vendors that offer fine art, arts and crafts, a retail marketplace and of course, SHRIMP!

47th Annual Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair

Historic Marks House, Pike Road, Al. www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com; November 2. 9:00am-4:00pm. Shop the arts and crafts and eat BBQ, sweets, and more! Special activities for the children too- face painting, a tour of the Pike Road Fire Department’s Mobile Fire Safety House and free “make and take” crafts will be provided by Home Depot.

50th Annual Bluff Park Art Show

Bluff Park Community Center, 517 Cloudland Dr. Hoover, Al. www.bluffparkartassociation.org; October 5. 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.

57th Annual Central Alabama Fair

Lion’s Fair Park, 2401 W. Dallas Ave. Selma, Al. September 30- October 5. www.SelmaAlabama.com 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! Please visit us at www. centralalabamafair.com.

60th Alabama National Fair

October 4-13, Garrett Coliseum and Alabama Agricultural Center and Fairgrounds in Montgomery. Midway rides, main stage entertainment, food, information and commercial booths, kids area, livestock and other competition, family faith day and lots more. Please visit our website for ticket pricing. Visit www.alnationalfair. org or call 272.6831 for more information.

66th Annual Lee County Fair

US 431 near Opelika High. (334) 749.3353. October 1-5. Livestock shows, contests, exhibits, pageants, rides and much more.

70th Annual National Peanut Festival

5622 U.S. Hwy. 231 S., Dothan, Al. www.nationalpeanutfestival.com; November 1-10. Headliner Easton Corbin and Need To Breathe. Livestock exhibits, competitions, demolition derby, crafts, food preservation, recipe contests, entertainment, carnival rides, sea lion show, and much more!

Alabama Gourd Festival

Cullman Civic Center. www.alabamagourdsociety.org; October 19-20. ‘Gourding In a Winter Wonderland’. Annual festival features gourd arts and crafts, such as birdhouses, musical instruments and decorated gourds. Dulcimer band performs.

Alexander City Fall Festival

Russell Crossroads, Alexander City, Al. www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com; October 26. Join friends and neighbors for pumpkin painting, a costume contest, wagon rides and more, courtesy of Russell Lands on Lake Martin.

Boll Weevil Festival

Enterprise, Al. www.enterprisedowntown.org; October 19. Arts and crafts vendors, variety of music, food, children’s costume contest and activities, farmers market, car show, family entertainment.

Christmas Village Festival

Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham. www.christmasvillagefestival.com; November 6-10. The largest indoor arts, crafts, and gifts show in the south, this show draws exhibitors from over 30 states with products like clothing, jewelry, food, decorations and much, much more.

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Cotton Pickin’ County Fair

Gay, Ga. www.cpfair.org; October 5-6. Return to 1910 where the Farmhouse, the Cotton Gin, and the Cotton Warehouse form a unique backdrop for a great day of 21st century fun. Amidst skilled artisans and antique specialists, the Fair shares remnants of farm life in days gone by. New talent keeps the festival fresh and interesting while returning artists welcome loyal customers seeking to add to individual collections.

bustling with food, crafts, antiques, music, local artists, open storefronts, rides, and activities for the whole family. Please visit us at www.hummingbirdfestival.com.

birdhouses and other momentos. Please visit us at www.pinemountain.org.

Indian Festival & Pow-Wow

Brundidge, Al. October 26. 9:00am. 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. Please visit us at www.piddle.org;

Stone Mountain, Ga. October 25-27. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine , Seminars & How-to’s, Artisan Demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, Children’s’ Activities & Fall Festivities. Visit stonemountianpark.com.

Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard inside Stone Mountain Park, Ga. October 31-November 3. Experience Native American culture through dance & drum competitions, music, authentic craft demonstrations, cooking samples and storytelling activities. Learn about primitive skills such as flint-napping, bow making, fire starting, open fire cooking and pottery. Find that oneof-a-kind holiday gift in our artists’ marketplace, where world-renowned Native artists and crafters demonstrate their skills and offer items for purchase. Please visit us at www.stonemountainpark.com.

Crafty Christmas

Indian Summer Arts & Crafts Festival

Country Living Fair

Opelika, Al. November 23. Come support the Big House Foundation and local crafters/vendors, all the while checking off that Christmas list early! Admission is $5, kids 12 and under free. Please visit us at www. ourbighouse.org.

Harvest Hoe Down

Warm Springs, Ga. October 12-13. Enjoy this fall celebration with arts, crafts, good food, entertainment and more! Please visit us at . www.warmspringsga.us.

Harvest Time at Old Alabama Town

Montgomery. October 1-31. Come down to Old Alabama Town as we feature Harvest Time in the 1800’s. Join us for tours of the cotton gin and grist mill, and get a firsthand look at farming in the 19th century. Individual self-guided tours offered Monday through Saturday from 9:00am-3:00pm. Guided tours available by reservation only, for groups of 10 or more. Please visit us at www.oldalabamatown.com.

Hummingbird Festival

Hogansville, Ga. October 19-20. Main Street will be

Historic District- Eufaula, Al. www.eufaulachamber. com; October 12-13. Fine arts and handmade crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment and more.

Peanut Butter Festival

Pioneer Days

Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Troy, Al. October 11-12, 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. Please visit us at www.pioneer-museum.org.

Riverfront Market Day

Merry Market

Callaway Conference Center, Campus of West Georgia Technical College, LaGrange, Ga. www.merrymarketlagrange.com; October 24-26. Thursday: Preview Party and Silent Auction: Enjoy this kick-off event and first chance to buy a variety of items. Your ticket $25 includes food, beverages, music and admission to the market for the entire time the market is open! FridaySaturday: General Admission tickets $5.

Ole Chipley Town Fair

Pine Mountain, Ga. September 28. Join the crowd of Pine Mountain and enjoy local crafts, quilting, pottery, metalwork, woodwork, food and entertainment. Spend the day strolling down Pine Mountain’s picturesque streets or shopping in downtown Pine Mountain’s and Chipley Village’s shopping centers, each filled with unique shops and boutiques. You’ll find it all—from antiques to fine art to handcrafted

Water Ave., Selma, Al. October 12. Various artisans and craftsmen market their wares, food vendors, entertainment, kids activities and more. Please visit us at www.riverfrontmarketday.com.

Riverwalk Wine Festival

Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Riverfront in Downtown Montgomery. Event will include wine tasting from 11 different distributors representing over 100 wineries. Admission is $25 per person and will include: Etched wine glass, discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shops, food samples, live music, picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, discounted tickets for a special Harriott II Wine Cruise. Please visit us at http://riverwalkwinefestival.com for more information.

Seasonal Artist Showcase

Rumbling Water Studios & Gallery, Wetumpka, Al. October 19-20. 9:00am-5:00pm. A showcase featuring

Plan a field trip, birthday party or bring a group from church. Make Yeargan Farms your destination for Fall. For more information contact: Angie Yeargan

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angieyeargan@yeargan.com www.yeargan.com

Located on Highway 14 east just past the Ocmulgee subdivision.

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Spinners 32nd Annual “Pumpkin Patch” Arts & Crafts Show

Holiday Shopping 25th Annual Montgomery Junior League 2013 Holiday Market

Spinners Park, Prattville, Al. October 26-27. 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. Please visit us at www.spinnersprattville.com.

Wednesday, October 16 for the Preview Party from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Thursday, October 17 - Friday, October 18 9:00 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Montgomery’s Brand New Multiplex at Cramton Bowl. The Junior League’s annual shopping extravaganza. You’ll find gifts, items for the home, food for gift baskets, gifts for children and more. Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. You may purchase tickets at the Junior League office, 3570 Carter Hill Rd. For more information, call 288.8816.

Syrup Sopping and Historical Fair

Mistletoe Market

Loachapoka, Al. October 19. 6:00am-4:00pm. Weaving and cloth-making demonstrations, musical entertainment featuring hammered and mountain dulcimers, banjos and guitars, a doctor’s beautiful herb garden and crops garden, bread making, soap making, period pottery, fireplace and outdoor cooking, and other old time crafts. Food includes famous sweet potato biscuits made on site, camp stew, beans, collards, BBQ, and home-made ice cream Tour the two-story 140 year old Trade Center museum, watch the blacksmiths at work, visit the Log Cabin, and the Taylor Whatley agricultural implement collection. Please visit us at www.syrupsopping.org.

Friday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 8p.m., and on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mistletoe Market, a merchant’s market held at the Doster Memorial Community Center in Prattville, AL., is a great opportunity to begin your holiday shopping. Great holiday gift ideas including home décor, clothing, jewelry, bed & bath, gift baskets, food gifts and more. 40 vendors. Visit www.visithistoricprattville.com or call 365.7058 for more information.

Wiregrass Heritage Festival

Saturday, October 19th Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s United Methodist Men Organization. Slow cooked over a wood burning open pit grill all night, making some of the best, mouth watering BBQ pork and chicken around. Each plate includes chopped pork and a chicken quarter, coleslaw, baked beans and BBQ bread. Tickets are $8 per plate with ALL of the proceeds going to support local area

Landmark Park, Dothan. October 26. 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. Please visit us at www.landmarkpark.com.

Church Events Annual BBQ Aldersgate UMC

and international mission’s projects. Pre-ordered tickets are available in the church office at 6610 Vaughn Road between 8:30 a.m. and 2p.m., from any member of the Aldersgate UMC, or by calling the church office at 272.6152. On the day of the BBQ you may enjoy the convenience of our drive through line, come in and pick up your order to go, or come in and dine with us.

Aldersgate UMC Fall Festival 6610 Vaughn Road, Thursday, October 31st from 5 until 7:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat, Games, prizes, crafts, hayride, inflatables. A fun-filled family night open to everyone free of charge. For information call 272.6152.

Christ Community Fall Festival

8285 Ryan Rd.; 273-8110 October 27, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Join us as we come together to enjoy some great food, fun, and fellowship at our annual fall festival. There will be games, cakewalk and sure to be plenty of candy! Free and open to the entire public. Kids are welcome to dress up, if they would like. No scary costumes, please.

Annual Family Fall Festival at Dalraida Baptist Church Sunday, October 27, 5:00 until 7:30 p.m. 3838 Wares Ferry Road, Games, Prizes, Food, Hayride, Inflatables and More! Please Call 272-2412.

Fall Festival at Dalraida UMC Saturday, October 26, 6:00 until 7:30 p.m.. 3817 Atlanta Highway Games, food, prizes, costume contest and other surprises. Please Call 272.2190.

Family Fun Fall Festival at East Memorial Baptist Church Thursday, October 31st, 6-8 p.m. 1320 Old Ridge Road, Prattville, AL

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Join us for our annual Family Fun Fall Festival. Games, Blow ups and all sorts of fun for the whole family! For info call (334) 365.7500 or visit us at www.eastmemorial.org.

Fall Family Festival at Eastern Hills Baptist Church Thursday, October 31st, 4-6 p.m. 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road; Trunk or Treat in back parking lot. Candy, free popcorn and games, games, games! Hot dog supper for $2.00 which includes hotdog, chips, cookie and drink. Please, no scary costumes. Call 272.0604.

First Baptist Church, Montgomery Fall Family Festival 305 South Perry Street, Perry Street Lot Sunday, October 27, 4:00-6:00 p.m. FREE! Games, Fun and prizes. Hot dog dinner with chips and drink for $3 per person. For more information, call 834.6310.

Family Fall Festival at First Baptist Church, Prattville

Thurs, October 31, 5:00-7:00 p.m. 138 S. Washington Street Candy, prizes, games, rides, live entertainment and more. Fun for the whole family. No scary costumes, please. Free admission. Ages preschool through 6th grade. For more information, call 365.0606.

Fall Family Festival at Gateway Baptist Church Thursday, October 31st from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. 3300 Bell Road, Free admission. Games, inflatables and Trunk or treat. Little bit of something for everyone. Call 272-9494 for more information.

First UMC, Montgomery Pumpkinfest

Sunday, October 27, 4 p.m. until 5:30 2416 W. Cloverdale Park For children of all ages - Front lawn of the church. Fun, games, horse-drawn hayride, moonwalk, refreshments and more! Happy costumes are welcome! Come join the fun! In the event of rain, the Pumpkinfest will be moved indoors. For children age toddler through 3rd grade! Call 834.8990.

FUMC Fall Bazaar 2013

Wednesday, October 9th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Fall Bazaar will offer heavenly baked goodies, delicious frozen casseroles and soups, pre-loved children’s clothing, and a gift shop with items for every occasion. Please call 834-8990 for more information. Tickets can be purchased for $10 by calling the church. First United Methodist Church, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery.

Fall Barbeque at FUMC

October 9 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Montgomery. Fun for the whole family! A real picnic with great barbeque and all the fixins. Jazz music, Pony rides, rock wall, dunking booth and moonwalks for the kids. Bring family and friends for food, fun and fellowship! For more information call 834-8990.

Hallow-Him Festivities at First UMC, Wetumpka Sunday, October 27 from 4 until 7 p.m. 306 W. Tuskeena Street Contest, games, concessions, inflatables, dunking booth and treats for all ages. Tasteful, non-scary costumes are optional. Parents are encouraged to attend with child. Call 567-7865, email: sean.eiland@gmail. com or visit www.fumcwetumpka.com.

Judgement House

Enjoy this Christian alternative to a haunted house. Located at 3987 Eastern Boulevard (Old Circuit City) at the corner of Eastern Blvd. and Troy Hwy. In Montgomery Towne Center, near Longhorn Steakhouse and Winn Dixie.Wednesday, October 16, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, October 19, 6-10 p.m., Sunday, October 20, 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, October 23, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 6-10 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 6-9 p.m., Monday, October 28, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, October 29, 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, October 30, 6-10 p.m. and Thursday, October 31, 6-9 p.m. Many churches have taken part in R.R. Judgement house to make it a success. For more information, call 546.8088. Please visit us at www.judgementhouse.com.

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Fall Festivities Mulder UMC Trunk or Treat, Thursday, October 31, 5 - 7 p.m. 3454 Firetower Road, Wetumpka Fun for the whole family. Free hot dog supper, hayrides, inflatables, games with prizes, candy and face painting. For more info call 567-4225.

New Testament Christian Center’s Fall Festival Saturday, October 26, at 2 pm Activities include hay rids, games, food, inflatables, a potatoe pie contest and more. Located at 10300 Hwy 80 East next to Jenkins Brick and Buck Master. For more info call 215-7215.

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Fall Festival at Ridgecrest Baptist Church Sunday, October 27 from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. 5260 Vaughn Rd, There will be games, food & drink, Trunk or Treat. Activities will be both inside and out. For more info, call 277.0011.

Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat Saint James UMC 9045 Vaughn Road Sunday, October 27th, 5 until 6:30 p.m. Inflatables, candy, hayride and much, much more. For more info, call Jennifer at 277-3037.

Taylor Road Baptist Church Treats the Town

1685 Taylor Road, next to Shoppes at Eastchase. Thursday, October 31, Gates open at 6 p.m. FREE FOOD. Hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, peanuts, cookies, candy, inflatables, games, Treat Street, hayrides, and family pictures. Family Atmosphere. NO scary costumes please. Call 271-3363 for more info.

Fall Festival at Thorington Road Baptist Church Sunday, October 20th, 3:30-5:30 p.m. 450 Ray Thorington Road. Come join us for inflatables, games, and fun for the entire family. Free! Rain or shine! Call 396.9376.

Vaughn Park Church Trunk-or-Treat Sunday, October 27, 5:30-7 pm 3800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. A safe Halloween alternative; please no scary costumes. Cake walk, bouncy house, plus much more.

Out of Town/State Fun 3rd Annual Atlanta’s Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Atlantic Station in Midtown, Atlanta. November 4. 12:00-5:00pm. A traditional Mexican celebration that remembers the life of family members and friends who have passed away. Altars are built in their honor, and include photos of the loved one, food they enjoyed, activities they participated in, and other special items. Free. Please visit us at www.atlantadayofthedead.com.

2013

Pioneer Days October 11th & 12th, 9 AM-5 PM

11th Annual Pumpkin Festival Stone Mountain Park, Ga. September 27-October 27 (Fridays-Sundays). Throughout weekends enjoy attractions, entertainment, activities and fall decorations that are fun for all ages. Event highlights include Kids Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt, Family Scavenger Hunt, The Great Pumpkin Puppet Parade, Children’s Costume Contest, Storytelling, Pie Eating Contest, Pumpkin Palooza, & Pumpkin Party Patch. Entrance to the Pumpkin Festival is included in the Adventure Pass. Please visit us at www.stonemountainpark.com.

(334) 566-3597 pioneer-museum.org

Admission $6.00 per person Children under 5 are free

22nd Annual Halloween Fairyland Tannehill State Park. October 26. The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a non-scary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visitors, 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 moonwalk, 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. Please visit us at www.tannehill.org.

28th Annual Tour of Southern Ghosts Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain, Ga. October 11-13, 17-20, 24-27 (Thursdays-Sundays). Meet professional storytellers spinning their tales of famous

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(and not-so-famous) Southern Ghosts along the lantern-lit paths of the Antebellum Plantation groundsnever too frightening and always appropriate for young children. Each night offers a different cast of six storytellers. Please visit us at www.stonemountainpark.com.

BOO 18 Halloween Party ‘Monsters Inc.’ Benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Alabama

B & A Warehouse, Birmingham, Al. October 25. 8:00pm. Live music, ‘Scary’-oke singing, costume contest and more. Open to adults 21 yrs. and older. Please visit us at www.boohalloweenparty.com.

Creepy Wonderful Critters ‘Snakes’-

The Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. October 19. 10:00am. Come learn about Alabama’s venomous snakes! Snakes, spiders, lizards, and other creepy critters will be on display. $4 non-members, $3 members, 3 yrs and under free. Please visit us at www. auburn.edu/preserve.

Fall Family Fun Days

The Rock Ranch, The Rock, Ga. September 28-November 16. Open 10:00am-8:00pm each Saturday, guests will enjoy themed entertainment plus Train Rides, Hay Rides, a Petting Zoo, Zip Lines, Pony Rides, the Pumpkin Cannon, Tiny Town and much more! Lumberjack Day-October 5. Featuring collegiate Timbersports competition. Day of the Cowboy- October 12. Hot Air Balloon Rally- October 19. The ‘Not-So-Spooky’ Halloween Festival- October 26. Pumpkin Destruction Day- November 2. Please visit us at www.therockranch.com

Fields of Fear Haunted Hayride Freeman Rd, off Highway 49N, Dadeville, Al. October 19, 25, and 26. 7:30-11:30pm.What really lurks in the deep hollows of the woods in Central Alabama? On your tour, bring someone you can hold tight because when you dare to venture down the Fields of Fear

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Hayride, the last thing you want is to be alone. Please visit us at www.eaglecreekhayride.com.

Ghosts on the Mountain Spookapalooza

DeSoto State Park. October 25-26. Weekend of FREE spooky storytelling & fun events guaranteed to run shivers up and down your spine! Friday & Saturday night both will be spooky nights of storytelling, costumes, treats, & more with storyteller Renee Morrison & her story-tellin’ aunt Jenny Whitman. Storytelling, Spooky Movie Under the StarsOctober 25. Growing Up Wild for Preschoolers- October 26. Mask Making, Creepy Critters Show and then Saturday night join us in DeSoto’s Campground before the party for ghoulish games & trick or treating through-out the campground. Please visit us at www.DesotoCarvernsPark.com.

Great Pumpkin Roll

Alexander City, Al. (256) 329.9227. October 26. 3:005:00pm. Free. Bring your own pumpkin or get one at the Farmer’s Market. Rolling begins at the top of Alabama Street at Strand Park.

Haunted History Tours

Old Cahawba, Sturdivant Hall, Old Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, Al. www.preserveala.org; October 18-19. On Friday night, 7:00-10:30pm, join Central Alabama Paranormal Investigation on an investigation of Old Cahawba. The past will come back to haunt you as we tour magnificent antebellum Sturdivant Hall and some “spirited” characters of Old Live Oak Cemetery. On Saturday, take a walking tour, 10:00-11:00pm.

Haunted Museum Tours

Port Columbus Museum, Columbus, Ga. October 2426. 6:30-9:00pm. Your “Ghost Host” will guide you through the museum as you encounter spirits of the Civil War Navies. Enjoy family friendly entertainment aboard the Water Witch including music, games and

tales. During your tour you might recognize our more famous ghosts as well as hear the little known stories of Nurses, Citizens and Sailors. Please visit us at www. portcolumbus.org.

Hogansville House of Horror Royal Theatre, Hogansville, Ga. October 20, 26-27, 31. 7:00-9:00pm. The Old Royal Theater of Hogansville is stirring in its mouldering grave. Entities are rising from the dust and debris of the decades-and you may have to meet them face-to-face! It’s creepy--it’s old--it’s HAUNTED! Please visit us at www. hauntedhogansville.com.

Owl-O-Ween

Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham. (205) 663.7930, Ext. 4. October 26. Features children’s activities, wildlife presentations and educational programs. Free after paid admission to park.

OZtober

DeSoto State Park, Every Saturday in October. 10:15am and 12:15pm. Follow Dorothy and her friends as she makes her way home in this one hour roaming production. The journey begins at the Yellow Brick Road in the park and concludes in the cave which has been transformed into the Magical Emerald City. Tickets $19.99 or $9.99 with Fun Pac. Wear your favorite Oz costume and receive $2.00 off your ticket.

Pope’s Haunted Farm 450 Lee Rd 724, Salem, Al. (706) 566.7766. October 5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-27, November 1-2. 7:30pm. Pope’s Haunted Farm has three different events to experience and scare you. The Haunted Barn made as a mock of the Saw movies, 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. Please visit us www.popeshayride.com. mp

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A Flight Plan For You and Your Home. by Marla Cilley

Parents Should Do Their Best, If Not Momma But Expect TooAin’t Much Happy in Return This morning, as I lay in bed after waking, I found myself making a list of why our home feels beautiful. I asked myself this question. What are the things that make our home feel beautiful? The first thing that came to mind was that I always know where my keys are! That may seem strange to some people, but searching for your keys to leave is very stressful when you are in a hurry. I hate walking down to my car and having to come back to the house to get the keys. My keys now have a home and they are not hiding in the refrigerator or a drawer. Plus, they are much easier to find because they are on a lanyard. I keep my keys on a hook with my sunglasses and my little purse. Everything has a place and everything in its place. My keys are not lost in the bottom of a huge purse, and even when I use my

large bag for travel, the lanyard helps me to put my hands on them without having to get out a flashlight. The next feature that makes my heart sing is the fact that I can open my door to anyone at any time. Our home is not an embarrassment. There may be a few puppy toe prints on the floor and nose prints on the doors, but with only a few minutes they are gone. Our home blesses us because I have used my routines to keep it company ready; the best part is that we are the company. We love being home and we also love entertaining on the FLY. It doesn’t have to be perfect and I didn’t have to spend days getting ready to have friends over. The stress is gone! Another blessing that adds to the feeling of our beautiful home is the simple fact that my kitchen sink is shining. That shining sink gave me hope

when I first decided to get organized. I never dreamed that it would free me from the guilt of a messy kitchen and a chaotic home. That shiny sink started my day with a smile. I was not behind! I no longer dreaded cooking because the dishes were put away and the counters were clear. It is the simple things that make you smile, especially when you have lived with mystery water and dirty dishes your whole life. As I look back at what has contributed to that beautiful feeling of clean in our home it has more to do with me not being all stressed out! When I can accomplish my routines and feel ahead then the stress and anxiety leave my body. I feel that I have more time in my day to do what God put me on the Earth to do! After all, if Momma ain’t happy, then ain’t nobody happy! A few simple habits can make all the difference in the way your home feels. For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, see her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net. Also check out her books, Sink Reflections, published by Random House, and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter, published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2013 Marla Cilley. Used by permission in this publication.

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A Page in a Book by Gerry Paige Smith

Being Better Than the Bully Everyone encounters a bully, sooner or later. Your child will meet the kid who - through ignorance, anger or meanness - simply turns on his peers with rude, hurtful and pushy behavior. You can help your child avoid being a victim, caught off-guard by bullying, by introducing the signs and actions that fall into this unpleasant realm. Understanding the forms of bullying may help your young reader avoid being picked on, know what to do if it starts, and learn not to mimic bullying behaviors themselves. The following titles take a light-hearted look at bullying while offering gentle suggestions that may help children to navigate these troubling situations, and more importantly, to behave better than the bully.

Lion vs Rabbit

by Alex Lattimer (Peachtree) All of the animals of the savannah are tired of being bullied by Lion who delights in playing cruel pranks on them. In an effort to stop Lion’s mean behavior, the animals advertise a reward to anyone who will come to deal with their problem. The first three applicants try their strength, size and speed against Lion – but each fails to defeat him. When the last taker, a small rabbit, arrives to challenge the bully, Lion is so confident of victory that he agrees to several competitions. But Rabbit has a smart plan to ensure that Lion cannot win any of them. With humorous illustrations and a very clever storyline twist, “Lion vs Rabbit” is a delightful tale of a lofty bully brought back to earth by strength in numbers.

Bad Apple

by Edward Hemingway (G.P Putnam’s Sons / Penguin) Mac is a shiny red apple who loves to read, to go on adventures and is - by all reports - a good apple. But when he wakes up one day to meet Wil, a worm that’s taken up lodging in his head, Mac discovers a friend who completes him in all his activities. They begin to do everything together, sharing the closest bonds of friendship. But soon the other apples begin to tease Mac, and call him mean names, a ‘bad’ apple because he has a worm in his head. The cruelty is enough that Wil leaves in the night, so his friend won’t be bullied further. But Mac learns that a true friend is far more valuable that the opinions of small-minded crab apples, and he sets out to get his best friend back. With an uplifting message of staying true to yourself and your friends, in spite of teasing from bullies, “Bad Apple” is a delicious testimony to loyalty and personal strength!

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

by Anna Dewdney (Viking / Penguin) With her deft hand at exploring emotionally delicate childhood situations, “Llama Llama” author Anna Dewdney turns her talents toward bullying in her newest title. Gilroy Goat is the new “kid” in school and he quickly alienates most of the class with his bad behavior. He mocks the other students, disrupts the lessons and calls the other pupils mean names. The children try to avoid him and focus on their own play, but Gilroy becomes impossible to ignore as he becomes more aggressive. When Llama Llama enlists the help of the teacher, some time-out and direct talk puts the “bully” goat onto the friendlier path to making friends. This gentle exploration of bullying is ideal for very young children with its sound advice to involve an adult and its optimism that bad behaviors can change for the better. Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Clanton Dancer Cast In Tri-County Nutcracker

Family Karate Center News

When Master Carole Smith receives a call at The Family Karate Center for the need to teach children and women’s self defense at any organization, she loads up her class and they ARE THERE! This month’s free self defense demonstration group was the Women’s Real Estate Board, located on Carmichael Road. Concerned about recent purse snatchings, home invasions and home robbery reports here in the tri-county area, Smith was called to show each woman what to do if her life was in danger. Because Master Smith is a small woman, she showed the women that even a small woman or child could perform these moves if grabbed or assaulted. The ladies were able to try each move themselves, and thanked Master Smith with a nice lunch and asked her to come back again. Master Smith in turn offered free lessons to each lady and her children. Are you concerned about your child’s safety from child predators? Do you ladies know what to do if you were grabbed or appraoched aggressively? Free lessons are offered each day to every new person that visits the Family Karate Center, Call 220-9319 or 277-4911TODAY for your free demonstration at your business or free lessons from internationally certified instructors! Family Karate Center is located at 8159 Vaughn Rd, near happy’s Deli and Jalapeno’s.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Portraying the role of Clara in The Nutcracker is an aspiration of many young ballerinas. Katherine Speaks, a sixthgrader at Clanton Middle School, landed the role in this year’s Tri-County Nutcracker presented by CJ Martin of CJ’s Dance Factory in Prattville, Janey Ledbetter of Janey’s Academy of Dance in Montgomery, and Tammy Rauch of Tammy’s Academy of Dance in Clanton. The Nutcracker will be performed December 14 at Jefferson State College in Clanton. Speaks has been dancing since the age of three and studies ballet in Clanton under the direction of Tammy Rauch. She is the daughter of Janine and Chris Speaks. For more info, contact CJ Martin at (334) 467-8603, or Janey Ledbetter at (334) 265-5299.

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NextGen Students Enjoy Recent Card Project

NextGen Martial Arts students took a few minutes after training to make handmade cards recently. The purpose behind these cards was to brighten the day of three-year-old Abby, who is receiving chemotherapy for Wilm’s tumor in Atlanta. Her parents requested cards for Abby to open while she was receiving her treatments and needed to sit still. The NextGen students had fun making cards full of glittering, shiny stickers for her. For information on joining the NextGen family, visit www.nextgenmartialarts.com. Shown are some of NextGen’s XMA students: Connor Strowbridge, Cameron Strowbridge, Lincoln Campbell and Kevin Henry.

Christian recording artist CeCe Winans will headline A Montgomery Family Christmas at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. This fun, family Christmas event is presented by the Baptist Health Care Foundation and benefits Baptist Hospice. Tickets are currentlyon sale. Concert tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, ticketmaster.com or the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, mpaconline. com. Tickets for this event are $35 for theater seats, $25 for balcony seats, and groups of 10 or more receive $5 off of each ticket. CeCe Winans is one of the most prolific artists in Gospel music. As a testament to her popularity, she has collaborated on recordings with some of the world’s leading musicians including Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder. During her musical career spanning more than two decades, Winans has received 11 Grammy awards, 21 Grammy nominations and numerous Dove and Stellar awards. She is also a noted author and devoted wife and mother. Baptist Hospice cares for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses. With the help of the Baptist Health Care Foundation and A Montgomery Family Christmas, Baptist Hospice is able to provide care and accept all qualified patients regardless of their ability to pay. Since the concert’s inception, the Baptist Health Care Foundation has raised more than $180,000 to assist Baptist Hospice patients with hospice care and various needs. Tickets can be purchased directly through the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre box office (800-745-3000) or through www.ticketmaster.com. For more info, call (334) 273-4565.

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Worried your child’s Academy Award-worthy outbursts might earn her the tiara for neighborhood drama queen? Both boys and girls go through phases where they struggle with controlling their emotions. For a child, who is emotionally intense by nature, mindful parenting techniques can help her learn boundaries without repressing her feisty personality. In her book Raising Your Spirited Child, author Mary Sheedy Kurcinka says intensity “is the invisible punch that makes every response of the spirited child immediate and strong. Managed well, intensity allows spirited children a depth and delight of emotion rarely experienced by others.” Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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Find happy mediums An overly-sensitive child may imagine worst-case scenarios or inflate situations with friends. Point out when she may be over-reacting to a situation. Also, make her aware when her fears weren’t realized. “You were so upset and worried about the math test, but because of your hard work and persistence, you aced it.”

Artful exuberance The performing arts provide an appropriate outlet for dramatic children to exercise their expressive personalities. And, relax if your child wants to wear yellow leggings and a bright blue, polka-dotted sweater paired with purple snow boots. As long as she makes choices with respect to your family’s values and the school dress code, her non-conformist fashion sense is a harmless outlet for her creativity.

Set clear rules Spirited kids will push, pull and negotiate, seeking weakness in rules. Articu-

late the rules in your home and consistently enforce them.

Playful expression Create space each day for your child to engage in unstructured activities. Through play he can decompress, engage his imagination, and process feelings.

Teach resilience Acknowledge your child’s feelings, but avoid over-reacting. Listen, empathize, and ask your child how she could solve the problem. If there’s no real solution, rather than feeding the drama by oversympathizing with your child, calmly respond, “Oh well. That happens some times.”

Soothing time alone A calendar crammed with too many activities and play dates can set any child up for meltdowns. Set aside 30 minutes or more of quiet time during the day for reading, playing alone, or engaging in a creative endeavor. If your child

has trouble starting off on a project on his own, put together an “Imagination Bucket” filled with art supplies, textured materials like play-dough, pipe cleaners, puffy stickers and ribbons.

Note outside influences Does your child seem especially moody and negative after being around a particular group of kids? Encourage your child to seek positive, upbeat friends who inspire self-confidence. In turn, guide your child toward being a caring friend to others.

Manage your drama Exemplify calming, positive ways to manage your moods by counting out loud, deep breathing techniques or stepping away from an emotional situation by taking a short time-out. “If the family dynamic is dramatic and volatile, the child, even as a baby, can absorb this as their norm of behaving,” says Lisa Bahar, a licensed family therapist and clinical counselor. “This generally comes with issues not being resolved,

The Phantom of the Opera World Premiere

Choreography by Darren McIntyre

October 10-13, 2013 at the Davis Theatre MONTGOMERY

For tickets: etix.com or (334)409-0522 www.montgomeryballet.org

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arguments that escalate to yelling and difficulty maintaining emotions.”

Tap positive media Read books, watch movies and TV shows, and attend live performances together that feature children who may be dramatic in nature, but don’t act like divas. Check out Olivia by Ian Falconer, a popular young children’s book series about a pig with a penchant for drama. Bahar recommends Disney films that “encourage the innocence of life” such as Miracle on 34th Street,

E.T., and Fantasia.

Accept your child’s individuality Understand that your child may just need to process his or her feelings in a more intense way. “Keep tissues on hand and don’t shame them for using them,” says one mom of a dramatic10-year-old. “Don’t let other people shame them either. Accept more frequent tears as part of who they are and crying won’t become problematic. My daughter always feels better after she cries. She processes her feelings faster than anyone I know!”

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two active, sometimes melodramatic, boys.

The label is laced with negative connotation, but what is a so-called drama queen? “I would define a child drama queen as one who needs excessive amounts of attention in order to feel in control,” Bahar says. “Keep in tune with a child that tends to change peers consistently, dresses provocatively, has older friends, possibly experiments with substances, has intense emotional relationships and is territorial with peers.” A family move, unpredictable or inconsistent boundaries, or a major upheaval in the family environment can trigger overly-dramatic behavior or extreme reactions. “The child finds that they are unable to cope effectively with the stressors and reacts...with volatile behavior, screaming (and) crying uncontrollably to get what they want,” Bahar says. Consult with your pediatrician or child psychologist if your child is unable to cope, isolates herself, or engages in self-destructive behaviors like promiscuity, substance abuse or eating disorders.

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Alabama Dance Theatre Presents 2013-2014 Season The Alabama Dance Theatre opened its spectacular 27th Season with two successful free performances of “Stars on the Riverfront” in early August and will continue its tradition of excellence in the celebratory 2013-2014 Season. Alabama Dance Theatre continues to achieve regional recognition and has established a reputation as a strong training ground for pre-professional dancers. ADT recently held company auditions and the 2013-2014 Senior Company members selected are Aariona Boswell, Amari Boswell, Angelica Burgher, Anna Gentry, Haley Gentry, Hope Gilmore, Safiya Haque, Taylor Jordan, Ke’Yana Robinson, and Jessica Russell. Junior Company members are Aloria Adams, Baylee Clark, Catherine Cobb, Cameron Crawford, Amelia Felder, Phoebe Hall, Francie Hill, Makenzie Kilpatrick, Destiny McGhee, Rebekah Norwood, Maya Pegues, Lauren Taylor, Allyson Trimble, and Ana Clare Wolfe. Apprentices for the 2013-2014 Season are Ta’Myia Cousar, Heidi Gilmore, Hayeong Jin, Derrilynn Leach-Wilson, Ja’mesia Morris, and Virginia Perry. To herald Montgomery’s holiday season, ADT will present “Mistletoe,” featuring “The Messiah” which is back by popular demand. “Favorite Dances of Christmas” choreographed by ADT’s Artistic Director Kitty Seale, Ballet Master Foye DuBose, and Resident Choreographers Sara Sanford and Janie Alford will also be performed. Performances will be November 15-17 at the Davis Theatre. In addition to public performances, ADT offers special school performances of “Mistletoe” for more than 3,000 area students. Tickets range in price from $15- $30 and can be purchased three weeks prior to performance date. Visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com or call 241-2590 for information on tickets.

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Calendar/Support Groups Ongoing

Ala. Dept. of Archives & History Exhibit galleries include a children’s gallery and a reference room for genealogical and historical research. Hands-On Gallery includes Grandma’s Attic where you can try on clothes, uniforms, shoes, try an old typewriter, sit at an old school desk or experience making a quilt square. However, the Hands-On Gallery and Grandma’s Attic will temporarily close for 2nd floor hallway renovations this summer. The Museum will remain closed until Monday, August 19. You can visit our History at Home web page to print off fun activities you can do at home. Stay tuned in for upcoming events from the Archives, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook. Call 242-4435 or visit www.archives. alabama.gov. Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka has weekly after-school Arts Clubs which meet on Thursdays from 4-5 & 5-6 p.m. There are three clubs: Guitar (acoustic), Clay (polymer, ie “sculpy”) and Painting/Drawing. Each Club is $20 a month. Students for Guitar Club must be 10 years old, but 7-year-olds are welcome for the other two. Clubs are limited to the first 10 students, for one month. While children are in Arts Clubs, parents are welcome to stay and browse our Gallery or Resource Library, or just wait in the kitchen with a soda! Studio space is also available on a lease basis. The Pottery Studio is available to ARRAC members trained on the wheel. First Saturday of every month is a free Sit & Sew, from 9 a.m.-noon. Bring your hand-sewing project or sewing machine for a morning of sewing with the ladies. (Bluegrass Jam is going on at the same time in another room.) 300 W. Tallassee St. (former Wetumpka Jr. High building), Wetumpka, AL 36092. Visit www.arrac.org or see us on Facebook: Alabama River Region Arts Center, or call 578-9485 for more information. Artists In Action: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of EVERY month at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts from noon-2 p.m.. Local and regional artists at work. For more info, call 240-4333. “Artworks,” a hands-on children’s exhibit. FREE. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays. For more info, call 240-4333. Bama Brushstrokes Art Club Meets 9 a.m., 2nd Saturdays of each month, Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. Club members include beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Activities include seminars with well-known artists. Classes are taught by our members or guest artists. We share our talents with our community in various programs, such as the Memory Box Project for hospice patients through sponsorship by the Society of Decorative Painters. Our chapter creates finished paint projects and murals for various hospitals, libraries, and community-based organizations. For more info, contact Diana French, president, at garnet2@ bellsouth.net. Celtic Dance Classes Fridays at Montgomery Ballet from 4-5 p.m. We welcome boys and girls ages 6 to adult. Call Amanda at (706) 457-9254 or e-mail Celtic.traditions@gmail.com for more info. The Central Alabama Tennis Association (CATA) is a volunteer-based tennis organization formed to provide programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout central Alabama. The CATA has four essential charitable and educational purposes: (1) to promote and develop the growth of tennis in central Alabama area by providing a variety of educational and charitable tennis programs and services; (2) to educate the community concerning the importance or tennis and the benefits that can be derived from tennis; (3) to

expand the opportunities in the community for learning tennis and to offer opportunities for learning tennis to individuals who do not have access to tennis; and (4) to provide programs and services in the community that teach participants scholarship and fair play and that permit access to volunteers and instructors who can serve as positive role models and mentors. For event info, call Ernie Rains, CATA Community Coordinator, at 324-1406 or e-mail www.centralalabama.usta. com. The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa A private, non-profit, community-based organization located at 2213 University Blvd. in downtown Tuscaloosa, next to City Hall. Current hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed most holidays. Special programs are held for preschoolers weekly. Admission is $5 per person, with no charge for museum members or children under the age of 1 year. Special discounts are available to schools. For info, call (205) 349-4235 or visit www. chomonline.org.

October 2013 Wilderness Park, and Wetumpka’s arboretum at Ft. Toulouse. For more info in Montgomery, call 1-800240-9452 or visit www.VisitingMontgomery.com. In Prattville, call 361-0961 or visit www.prattville.com/visitor/history. In Wetumpka, call 567-3002 or visit www.wetumpka.al.us/features. Other numbers are: Blount Cultural Park (274-0062 or www.blountculturalpark.org); Grace Episcopal Church (215-1422); Old Alabama Town (240-4005 or www. oldalabamatown.com); and Alabama Garden Trail (1-800-ALABAMA or www.touralabama.org). W. A. Gayle Planetarium Public Shows offered Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. Admission $3.50/person, children under 5 free, seniors $2.50/person. Mon-Thurs. at 3 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. 1010 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Call 241-4799. Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a family-friendly space filled with interactive and educational hands-on exhibits for children age eight and under. Imagine It! also offers birthday parties, memberships and field trip tours. Museum hours:

Find a listing of Public Library Storytimes and Events at MontgomeryParents.com!

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Civil Rights Memorial A monument to those who died and/or risked death in the struggle for civil rights. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery. For information, call 264-0286. Cloverdale Playhouse “Third Tuesdays” Montgomery’s singers and songwriters perform in our intimate theater space each month on the third Tuesday. Join us for a musical evening in Old Cloverdale. For details, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Also contact us about volunteer opportunities, auditions, and the Playhouse School! Cool Kids Cook is a faith-based ministry with classes offered at different locations. Please call 220-3651 if you’d like to attend or volunteer with this ministry. Cupcakes by Tish Offers Cupcake Decorating Workshops and Parties for Kids and Teens Every fourth Saturday, classes will be offered for children ages 4-6, 7-10 and 12-15 between noon and 6 p.m. at The Shoppes at EastChase location. The hourlong workshop is $25 per child and gives each child the opportunity to learn the art of cupcake decorating. Each child will receive a Cupcakes by Tish apron and four decorated cupcakes with a variety of candies, sprinkles, and goodies that adds personalization. Older kids and teens will be shown the basics of fondant decorating. To register, contact Special Events Coordinator Ebony Ware at (334) 356-5292 or parties@ cupcakesbytish.com. First White House of the Confederacy Open on Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This year begins the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The First White House of the Confederacy played a significant role during the war and served as Jefferson Davis’ family residence from February-May 1861. Located at 644 Washington Avenue in downtown Montgomery, neighboring the Alabama Department of Archives and History. For more info or to tour the museum, call 242-1861 or visit www.firstwhitehouse. org. Garden Tours Local gardens include Southern Homes and Gardens, Blount Cultural Park’s Shakespearean Garden at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Grace Episcopal Church, Prattville’s historic gardens in Old Pratt Village and the

Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $11 plus tax for adults and children ages 2 and above. Imagine It! is located at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more info, visit www.imagineit-cma.org or call (404) 659-KIDS [5437]. Montgomery’s Freedom Rides Museum Road to Equality: The 1961 Freedom Rides yearlong exhibit features works of art from top Alabama artists and offers unique interpretations of one of the most pivotal desegregation events in the nation’s history. Located in the capital city’s recently restored 1951 Greyhound Bus Station, the exhibit will remain open every Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment throughout the year. For more info, visit www.freedomridesmuseum.org or www.montgomerybusstation.org MOOseum, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Children’s educational center featuring past, present and future in agriculture and the cattle industry. Free. Group tours should be pre-scheduled. Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. -noon and 1-4 p.m. Last scheduled tour of the day starts at 3:30 p.m. 201 Bainbridge St., Montgomery. For info, call 265-1867 or visit www.bamabeef.org. Old Alabama Town 19th and early 20th century outdoor history museum. Tours Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 6-18. Under 6 free. 301 Columbus St., Montgomery. For information, call 240-4500. Prattville-Millbrook Newcomers Club A non-affiliated social club geared to new people moving into the area AND to those looking to form new friendships or just learn more about the area. We will also have interest groups that meet during the month at various times and locations. They could be groups such as canasta, bridge, lunches, movies, etc. General meetings are second Tuesdays September-May at 10 a.m. at the YMCA on McQueen Smith Road. For more information, contact Nancy Schrull at (334) 356-5026 or nschrull@theschrullgroup.com River Region Contra Dancing Everyone, school-age through adult, is invited for a little exercise and a lot of fun. Singles, couples and

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families are welcome. All levels of experience – including no experience. Dancing is on 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7 p.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 5260 Vaughn Road. For more info, visit www.riverregioncontradance. com or call Katherine Thomas at 334-361-6572. Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery Street, 241-8615. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sundays and holidays, closed. Admission 12 years and under-$5.50/ Over 12-$7.50. Alabama college students with a valid student ID: $6.50; discount price for both Museum & Children’s Wing: adults: $14, children $10 Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Enjoy the outdoors together, while experiencing a variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation. Visit the 1870s town of Crossroads and enjoy live entertainment, skilled craft demonstrations, shopping, dining and more. Additional attractions include: the 4-D Theater, The Great Barn, Paddlewheel Riverboat, Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, Pedal Boats, Mini-Golf, New Camp Highland Outpost and Treehouse Challenge, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Antique Car & Treasure Museum. The Regular One-Day All Attractions Pass is $24 (plus tax) for ages 12 and up, and $19 (plus tax) children ages 3-11. For an additional fee, guests can also “Ride the Ducks” sightseeing tour. Required parking permit is $8 for one day or $35 for an annual permit. Call (770) 498-5690 or visit www.stonemountainpark.com. Toastmasters International is an organization that was founded in 1924. Its mission is to help individuals with their communication and leadership skills. Each club provides an atmosphere where individuals can speak without being criticized or judged, yet provide effective evaluations. We also offer the opportunity to take on leadership roles as club president, vice president, and other officer positions that teach planning, time management, organizing and parliamentary procedures. Anyone 18 years or older can join Toastmasters. We currently have six clubs in the River Region. Toastmasters is now starting a club named The River Region Toastmasters in the Prattville/ Millbrook area. Meet every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Journey Church located at 2050 Commerce Street, just off I-65, exit 179. For more info, contact the interim president, Gene Ann Hildreth, at 361-6333 or alabamasoupgirl@aol.com. Tales for Tots Join us for this FREE introduction to art in storybooks and in the Museum galleries for young children and their families. Each time a different work of art and special story will be presented. Next class is October 9. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org for more info.

Classes

Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Classes Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Zink Chiropractic Clinic, Course includes pregnancy exercise and nutrition, body changes during pregnancy, the coach’s role in pregnancy and natural birth, the stages of labor, breathing and relaxation for labor, common interventions and how to avoid them, breastfeeding, basic newborn care, and more. Contact Lanette Tyler, 450-4605 or lanette.tyler@gmail. com; or visit www.bradleybirth.com Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes troubleshooting common problems to establish a successful breast-feeding experience. Usually the first Saturday of the month, from 9-11 a.m. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. FREE. Class schedule is subject to change, so please call 293-8497 to register or for more info. Childbirth Basics Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year but are often held on the first Saturday of the month, from noon-2 p.m.. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 2938497 by your 4th month of pregnancy to register. Childbirth Preparation Class Comprehensive four-week series covers all aspects of

the labor and delivery experience, admission process, medication and anesthesia options including epidurals, cesarean sections, coping and comfort measures including breathing and relaxation techniques. Postpartum care and baby care basics are also included. A maternity area tour is also included as a part of this class. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule your class. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp An abbreviated version of Childbirth Preparation Class offered in a one-day format. A maternity area tour is also included as a part of this class. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule your class. Chinese Language Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Office of Far Eastern Initiatives offers Saturday classes for children and adults. The one-hour weekly courses are provided free-of-charge as a service to the community. For more information or to register, contact April Ma at 244-3018 or ama@ aum.edu CPR & First Aid The American Red Cross offers classes in adult and infant/child CPR as well as first aid and babysitting classes monthly. Call 260-3980. Diabetes Education --Prattville Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available Wednesdays by appointment at Prattville Medical Park. Call 213-6360 for more information. Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 213-6360 for more info. Grandparent Class This program presents new concepts in newborn care to grandparents who need a refresher course. Usually one Tuesday per month. FREE. Call for schedule. Jackson Hospital. Call 293-8497. Infant Safety/CPR Class Teaches parents and grandparents American Heart Association’s Family and Friends CPR for infants and children, including care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands-on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. Class will also help parents with creating a safe environment for their child. Classes are taught by certified CPR instructors. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule. Maternity Area Tour Maternity area tour for expectant mothers and families not attending Childbirth Preparation Class/Boot Camp. Baptist Medical Center East. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule. Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Classes Includes water aerobics, step-floor aerobics and strength training. SportsFirst. Call 277-7130. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Provides expectant mothers information about breastfeeding including various factors influencing lactation, advantages of breastfeeding, basic anatomy and physiology of milk production, specific techniques to promote a successful breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding equipment and supplies. Classes are taught by IBCLC instructors. Partners are encouraged to participate in this class. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org to schedule your class. Sibling Preparation Class Fun one-hour class is designed for expectant “big brothers and sisters” ages 3 to 8. They will learn about the arrival of their new baby through an introduction to the hospital experience and the early days at home. Parents should plan to attend with their child. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org to schedule.

Your Amazing Newborn One-night class taught by a pediatrician and nursing staff usually one Tuesday a month. This class presents new concepts in newborn care and helps alleviate parenting jitters often experienced by soon-to-be parents. Grandparents also welcome. Jackson Hospital. FREE. For more info, call 293-8497.

Services

American Cancer Society seeks Volunteers for Road to Recovery This program is designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatment. Road to Recovery volunteers can be individual drivers with time to help others or even local companies who allow employees to provide transportation on company time in company cars. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer. For more information, or to volunteer, please call Luella Giles at 612-8162 or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Hospital Volunteers Volunteers are needed at Baptist Medical Center East, Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville Baptist Hospital. Duties vary by facility but include delivering mail and flowers, transporting patients, staffing waiting rooms and information desks, and furnishing coffee for visitors. Volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. For more info, call 286-2977. Hospice Volunteers Through volunteering at Baptist Hospice, the opportunities to help are endless. Our volunteers are an important part of the patient’s care and are the heart of the hospice family. There are many other ways to help, such as special projects and events or providing administrative support for the staff, that are essential. Volunteers often have special talents and innovative ideas that add so much to our program. Please call Gloria @395-5018 to join our dynamic team. Volunteer Services Jackson Hospital is looking for volunteers for the information desk. These volunteers are needed for the evening shift, 5-8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be friendly and eager to offer information to those visiting the hospital. With this position, a free meal will be given as well as a parking spot next to the lobby. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are asked to work 4 hours a week. They must complete an application and pass a background check and health screening. If you are interested in volunteering, call 293-8967 or visit www.jackson.org/patients_volunteers. html and fill out the application. Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville. Both centers have the ability to diagnose up to 84 different sleep disorders. There are four board-certified physicians and a clinical psychologist on staff between the two centers. For more information, call 286-3252 for Baptist Medical Center South and 361-4335 for Prattville Baptist Hospital. Jackson Sleep Disorders Center Jackson Hospital houses a sleep disorders center on the third floor of the Goode Medical Building to monitor those who are suffering from sleep disorders. For more information, contact your physician or the Sleep Center at 293-8168. Jackson Hospital Offers Animal Therapy Program to Pediatric Unit Jackson Hospital’s Animal Therapy Program is a vital part of its patient care. Animals in the program are limited to dogs, and no other animals are allowed to participate. Currently, there are 10 dogs in the program. Their handlers have undergone extensive training and orientation, and visit the hospital weekly. For more information, please call 293-8894.

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Calendar/Support Groups Support Groups Adoption Support

Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more information, call Hannah Taylor at 4099477 or the church office at 272-8622. Autauga/Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@childrensaid.org Panda Pals is a support group for families who have adopted or in the process of adopting children from China. We have playdates, family nights and gettogethers to talk about raising our children from China. If you would like to join our group, just e-mail PandaPals2005@yahoogroups.com or call Tracie Singleton at 395-8215.

Cancer Support

American Cancer Society, including Montgomery, Elmore, Autauga, & Macon Counties: **To access or sign up for these programs, call the American Cancer Society’s Montgomery office at 6128162 or call 1-800-ACS-2345 and you will be connected to the Montgomery office.** Look Good…Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program in which trained volunteer cosmetologists help female cancer patients deal with the side effects of treatment. Patients are taught beauty techniques to enhance their appearance and self image during or after treatments, including ways to disguise hair loss and skin changes. Call Luella Giles at 612-8162 for more info. Man to Man is an American Cancer Society support group for men who are battling or have survived prostate cancer. It offers them education, discussion and support. Please call for next meeting dates at the American Cancer Society Office in Montgomery. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors on a one on one basis. College scholarships to cancer survivors Free wigs and other supplies for cancer patients Free rides to treatment through our Road To Recovery program (where volunteer drivers use their cars and time to take in need cancer patients to treatment) Free lodging through the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham (if patients are sent to Birmingham for treatment) On-line cancer information classes and support group through www.cancer.org. Information anytime and trained specialists at 1-800-ACS-2345 General Cancer Support Group held at Christ Church, 8800 Vaughn Road, Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. This is an open group. For more information, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie Diemayer at 467-4578. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 2nd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Provides education, awareness and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family or friends. For more info, call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@ charter.net.

Divorce Support

Divorce Care, Grief Share, Divorce Care for Children, All three groups meet Sundays at 5 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 1849 Perry Hill Rd. Call 279-9976. Divorce Care and Divorce Care 4 Kids First Baptist Church Montgomery, Wednesdays starting August 22 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15 (scholarships available). Contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@montgomeryfbc.org or 241-5125. Divorce Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

Gambling Support

Gamblers Anonymous meetings in the River Region Area: Saturdays @ 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 5375 U.S. Hwy. 231 (Directly across from the Winn-Dixie shopping center), Wetumpka. Call (334) 567-7534. Sundays @ 5 p.m., Mental Health Association, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Mondays @ 6 p.m., St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery. Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 334-541-5420

Grief Support

Bereaved Spouses Support Group A new ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church, USA (Unavoidably Single Again) Ministries is designed to offer ongoing support, social events and fellowship to those who have lost their spouses to death. The group is open to ALL widowed individuals, regardless of age, religious beliefs, or length of marriage or widowhood. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the church’s building, 301 Dalraida Road. Please e-mail Lynda Coats at farauthor@aol.com for more information. “Big Leap!” Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is designed to meet the needs of children who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. This group provides a hands-on, safe space for age-appropriate expression of grief. These sessions aim to increase feeling identification, decrease self-blame or guilt, and build coping skills. Through music, art, and play we meet your child or grandchild on their level. We encourage your children to hold tight to their memories as they make a “big leap” into their new future. This group is open to children ages 7-11. Space is limited to 6 participants so call 279-6677. Start date will be determined once reservations are confirmed. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW “Comfort and Conversation,” Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is intended to address those affected by a recent loss (0-12 months after death). Through meeting with others who are walking a similar journey, you will be encouraged to work through the complications of your loss, understand your pain, and adjust to your new reality. Space is limited, so please call 2796677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW Compassionate Friends, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, first Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. We have an annual special event on Tuesday, Dec. 4. We will hold a Candlelight Ceremony in memory of our children at 7 p.m. at Eastmont Baptist Church. Registration is encouraged and may be made by calling (334) 2842721. We will also collect Toys for Tots for anyone interested in participating. “Connect,” Fridays at 11 a.m., biweekly, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is for those who have already walked through the initial grieving process but still desire to connect with others who share similar experiences. This group will allow you to meet new people, stay active in the community, and look ahead to a bright future. We will share lunch, visit museums, volunteer, attend movies, and participate in area events. We even have a fishing trip on the agenda! This group is ongoing and does not have a participation limit. It’s time to have fun again, come join us! For more info, call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW Grief Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info. Grief Recovery After Suicide, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., first Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 3102. This group is open to family members and friends who have lost a loved one as the result of suicide. Group offers a confidential environment in which to receive support, hope and information. Contact Rev. Susan Beeson, 272-8622.

October 2013 Grieving With Hope, St. Mark UMC, meeting weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. The group offers a place to share, care and heal from the losses of life. Facilitated by Dr. Lennie Howard and Marie Parma. Contact the church at 272-0009. Honoring Angels Like Owen, Inc. (HALO) offers family-oriented, Christian-based grief support groups that meet monthly. These groups are for families who have lost a child from 20 weeks gestation up to the age of 2 years old. Our parents’ group is for mothers and fathers. Our siblings’ group is for children ages 6-15. Both groups meet at the same time and place. These groups offer faith-based healing through sharing and emotional support. Meetings offer an outlet for sharing your child’s memory and your day to day struggles, while receiving support of others who have been in similar situations. Please feel free to bring photos of your child to share. HALO also offers free professional photography for families facing the loss of a child up to the age of 2 years old and needs-based financial assistance for burial. Visit www.honoringangelslikeowen. org or call (334) 328-1202.

Homeschool Support

ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. 2nd and 4th Fridays year-round from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http://www.onlineecho.com PEAK of Montgomery Homeschool Group Parent Educators and Kids (PEAK) of Montgomery is an inclusive, member-led group of homeschooling families who meet regularly for field trips, park days and other social and educational activities. We welcome all local home educators who enjoy sharing and learning within a diverse community. To join us, visit us at www.peaknetwork.org/montgomery

Illness Support

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Day Care, Frazer Memorial UMC, Thursdays, in Room 3101, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is no charge, but registration is required. For more information, call the Congregational Care office at 272-8622. Each participant needs to bring a sack lunch. On the first Thursday of each month, the Caregivers’ Support Group meets in Room 3103 beginning at 10:30 a.m. For the support group, call the church at 272-8622. Cardiolife, a FREE educational series for congestive heart failure patients and their caregivers, meets 4th Thursdays of each month, 10-11 a.m. Diabetes Center classroom, Jackson Hospital. For more info, call 279-6677. Topics include: Lifestyle Changes, A Heart Healthy Diet, Proper Fluid Intake, Importance of Daily Weights and Exercise Tolerance. Support for this program provided by River Region Supportive Care – a Division of Hospice of Montgomery. Facilitated by Arla Chandler, RN, BSN, MBA. Depression/Bipolar Support Alliance, Room 3101 at Frazer UMC, 1st Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. This group is for those with depression and bipolar illness and their families. For more info, call 2728622 or visit dbsamontgomery@yahoo.com Meetings also available 3rd Saturday afternoons from noon-2 p.m. at Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway. For more info, call 652-1431. Depression & Bipolar Support, Montgomery Public Library Main Branch, 245 High Street downtown, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 3rd Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.; OR 1609 West Street, north off Carter Hill and Narrow Lane, 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 2019638 or 652-1431 for more info. Fibromyalgia Support, Room 8114 at Frazer UMC, 3rd Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. This group is for those that have fibromyalgia and for their family members and friends. For more info, please call 272-8622. Gluten Intolerance Group (www.gluten.net) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide support to those with any form of gluten intolerance. GIG-Montgomery assists with awareness of diverse

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potential symptoms, which can range from fatigue and headaches to nausea and intestinal problems. Guidelines are provided on how to eat safely both at home and eating out. Another objective is to facilitate more effective communication between the local gluten-free community and stores, restaurants and the medical community. Meets 2nd Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., at Taylor Road Baptist Church, Fellowship Suite (faces entrance of EastChaseNE. Turn on Berryhill Rd. by EastChase). Check the blog for special “alternate site” meetings (www.glutenfreemontgomery.blogspot.com) For more info, you may also e-mail dr.hetrick@charter.net or visit the group’s Facebook page. Montgomery Area Mended Hearts, First floor of Montgomery Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Baptist Medical Center South. For anyone who has experienced cardiac illness. Third Mondays, alternates between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 286-3410 for more info. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Montgomery offers General Membership meetings on 4th Mondays (beginning January 28, 2013) at the Dalraida UMC annex building at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to anyone who is interested in issues concerning mental health. The NAMI Montgomery Family Member Support Group continues to meet on 2nd Mondays, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Dalraida UMC annex building. Call Mary Jo Logan (271-2280) for directions/ details. Beginning in February, NAMI Montgomery will offer the 12-week “Family To Family” education program (free) on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Bell Road Lowder Regional Library. Call 271-2280 to register. Overeaters Anonymous, Unity of Montgomery, 1922 Walnut St., Saturdays from 3-4 p.m. Contact Misty at 324-9568 or Carol at 467-5742. Parkinson’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, meets 4th Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Room 8114. Group is for Parkinson’s patients and their family members. For more info, call 272-8622. Sjogren’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, meets 3rd Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. in room 3104. This group is for those with Sjogren’s disease and the family members of those affected by this disease. For more info, call 272-8622. Traumatic Brain Injury Support, cafeteria at HealthSouth on Narrow Lane in Montgomery. 2nd Thursdays at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Alabama Head Injury Foundation for anyone with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or related disability. For more information, contact Holli at (334) 290-0646 or e-mail: ahif_montgomery_auburn@yahoo.com. Visit www. ahif.org Veterans OEF/OIF Caregivers Support Group meets 3rd Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 3108 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group provides support and understanding to those caring for OEF/ OIF Veterans. For more information, contact LaQuana Edwards, Caregiver Support Coordinator at CAVHCS, (334) 727-0550 ext. 5350.

La Leche League of Montgomery, East Imaging Center on Winton Blount Blvd., Montgomery, 3rd Fridays, 10 a.m. Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers who have completed an accreditation program and are familiar with breastfeeding management techniques as well as current research. Meetings are free and open to all women. Expecting moms, children and grandmothers also welcome. If you need information before the next scheduled meeting, please contact Bridgit (569-1500), Amy (356-3547), or Heather (LLL_ heather@yahoo.com). Moms’ LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) First Baptist Church, Prattville. Meets twice monthly from 8:30-11:45 a.m. in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Prattville August through May. For moms of all stages and ages of life. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guests, special guest speakers and a lot of fun! Cost is $5 per meeting. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call Kelley Manning at 361-7919. The Montgomery Multiples Club is a non-profit organization offering support to the mothers and families of twins, triplets, and more in the Central Alabama region. They have a mom’s night out with dinner once a month. They also have a yard sale twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. For more info, visit http:// montgomerymultiplesclub.org. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. Moms, are you looking for a good excuse to get out of the house? MOPS is a great opportunity to hone your mothering skills, meet new friends, and learn new things while deepening your relationship with God. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Oct. 3 & 17) Call Kristi Gay at (334) 233-8989 or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Are you in need of a time-out? Then have we got the place for you! MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. Childcare is provided. For more info, e-mail VFCMOPS@gmail.com.

Parent Support

Singles’ Small Groups, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info. TNT (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Bldg. 7000. A meal ($5) and program are provided. For reservations, call 272-8622.

D.A.D.S. (Dad and Daughter Saturdays) Second Saturdays at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library in downtown Montgomery at 11 a.m. D.A.D.S. is the vision of local resident and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce staff member Ron Simmons and his five-year-old daughter Erin. It gives fathers and daughters an opportunity to read together to create fun, educational memories. All fathers in the River Region are invited to bring their daughters to the library to read, laugh and have fun. This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library and Dreamland Barbeque. For more information on this event, call Ron Simmons at 334-777-8596. iConnect, Frazer Memorial UMC, 3rd Thursdays from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Share life, encourage and be encouraged by other women. We meet for breakfast, fellowship and a speaker. Advance reservations are necessary for breakfast and preschool nursery. Cost is $5 per meeting. For more info or to make reservations, call Frazer’s Women’s Ministry at 495-6391 or e-mail Sandy Boswell at sandy@frazerumc.org

Pregnancy Loss/Infertility

Hannah’s Prayer, Prattville First United Methodist Church, 2nd Thursdays and 3rd Sundays. Support group for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues. Call (334) 365-5977. Sav-A-Life conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet eight consecutive Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. The “Forgiven and Set Free” Bible study is used. Confidientiality is assured. Please call Kathy at 260-8010 for information.

Single Parents Support

Special Needs Support

Central Alabama Autism Support Team (C.A.A.S.T.), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Hwy. 31 in Prattville from 6-8 p.m. 3rd Thursdays quarterly (Feb., May, Aug., Nov.). Visit www.easysite.com/caast or e-mail casst50@yahoo.com for more info. Down Syndrome Support, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 1st Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Childcare provided. Call 356-9048 or visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com for information. Montgomery Area Hearing Loss Support Group meets monthly at the Wesley Building of the First Methodist Church in Montgomery on 2nd Thursdays at 4 p.m. It is affiliated with the nationally recognized non-profit advocacy group, Hearing Loss Association

of America. The purpose is to bring together all adults and parents of children who would like to know more about hearing losses, its causes and its possible corrections. Licensed audiologists make brief presentations explaining their local programs, their offices and the availability of hearing tests, of possible medical corrections, and/of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Refreshments at each meeting. For more info, contact HearingInfo@earthlink.net River Region Autism Support Group, Cafe Louisa (in Old Cloverdale), 1036 E. Fairview Ave. We meet on 1st Saturdays from 4-6 p.m. This group is comprised of parents whose children are on the autism spectrum. We also welcome others involved with autistic children, such as grandparents, friends, teachers, therapists, etc. For more info about how to join the group, or if you plan to attend a meeting, e-mail Lyra Stephens at LyraStephens@yahoo.com

Teens/Families Support

Life is Fun Together (LIFT): A FREE Relationship and Marriage Enrichment Program providing different educational and fun-filled seminars to individuals and families. The LIFT Program is provided through Family Guidance Center of Alabama in partnership with the Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative. Call Tonya Rogers at 270-4100 for class start dates or more info! “Relationship Smarts Plus” teaches teens in grades 7-12 about healthy relationships in a fun, interactive way. Six-week sessions are available throughout the year on Mondays from 4–6 p.m. “Smart Steps for Stepfamilies” is a six-week session that helps stepfamilies learn strategies to strengthen and stabilize their families. Parents and children ages 8 and up meet in their own groups, then meet up at the end of each session for a fun family activity! “Together We Can” gives non-married parents the skills they need to maintain healthy relationships between themselves and their children. “How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (or Jerkette)” teaches single adults how to get the most out of dating. “Mastering the Magic of Love” is a communication class for all couples. Bring your spouse, fiancé, or that special someone in your life with you to learn new communication techniques and enhance your skills as a team of two. All adults are welcome, including graduates looking for a refresher! Also…. LIFT has a brand-new program just for parents of teens!!! “Bridging the Great Divide: Parents and Teens Communicating About Healthy Relationships” is perfect for parents or guardians who want open lines of communication with their teen. Topics include “Principles of Dating & Healthy Relationships,” “Sensitive Topics,” “Rules & Boundaries,” and more!!! Building D of Family Guidance Center, 2358 Fairlane Drive. This workshop lasts only three weeks, so call TODAY to reserve your spot! You can look at a calendar of LIFT classes & events online by visiting our LIFT web page: http://www. familyguidancecenter.org/ Remember, LIFT has FREE programs for singles, couples, stepfamilies, parents, teens, and now parents of teens! Call 270-4100 or e-mail trogers@familyguidancecenter.org if you didn’t see your class listed so we can contact you when the next one starts. Support Group for Teens with difficulties communicating with parents and friends. Contact Felicia Pressley at Pressley Counseling by leaving a message at (334) 625-0159.

This Month

Tuesday, October 1

Autauga County Fair -- Through October 5 Hours Tuesday through Friday are 6-10 p.m. and Saturday 1-10 p.m. at Mac Gray Park in Prattville, AL Information on the fair can be found on the ACFO

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Calendar/Support Groups website: at www.AutaugaCountyFair.com. The ACFO plans to bring back the popular exhibit competitions by local artisans, cooks and artists. Wednesday night is traditionally “church night” in most of the South and the new AFCO President wanted to carry that tradition to the fair. The Gene and Virginia Hall Building will once again hold space for commercial exhibit booths as well as outdoor space for vendors. Rhema Community-Wide Women’s Bible Study Tuesdays through October 22 Saint James United Methodist Church. Choose between 9:30-11 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. Free Bible study centered on “Fire of His Presence: a study on the tabernacle of Moses.” Childcare available by reservation only for morning session, $5/week. To register, contact Sarah Olsen at 277-3037 or solsen@sjlife.com.

Thursday, October 3

8th Annual Women Of Hope Luncheon Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. This luncheon is the major fundraiser for Women of Hope, which promotes breast cancer awareness and education and provides support and encouragement for patients and families with the disease. Local realtor, artist and breast cancer survivor Martha Bell will be the featured speaker. She will relay her own personal experience of “Angels on Assignment” through her painting ministry. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in Wesley Hall at Frazer UMC and includes cuisine from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, as well as a fashion show by Focus on Fashion. Tickets are $30, with $25 being tax deductible. For more info, visit www.thewomenofhope.org, e-mail womenofhope@charter.net or call 220-4599. Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Wait Until Dark Through October 6 A hit on Broadway and in London and a classic film starring Audrey Hepburn, this masterfully constructed thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene that will leave you on the edge of your seat, or, in the Playhouse’s case, the edge of your pew. For tickets or more info, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org Wetumpka Depot Players present Blithe Spirit Through October 12 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. matinee on October 6. Cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine plans a séance as research for his new book. He invites the eccentric Madame Arcati into his English country home, intending to expose her as a fraud. However, Arcati mistakenly summons his first wife, Elvira, back from the dead. Tickets are just $10 in advance and $12 at the door and online. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Depot at (334) 868-1440 or by visiting www.wetumpkadepot.com.

Friday, October 4

3rd Annual AUM Nursing Dept. Golf Outing 8 a.m., Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill, Prattville. Hosted by Gregg Newschwander, dean of the Auburn and Auburn Montgomery Schools of Nursing and the Barbara S. Witt Professor of Nursing. Enjoy 18 holes of golf in a beautiful setting while supporting the schools’ joint graduate program, which prepares nurse educators and primary care nurse practitioners to serve the Southeast. Registration is $250 per person and includes cart, greens fee, continental breakfast, boxed lunch, and a gift bag. For more info on this event or to purchase tickets, contact Shelley Grider at (334) 2443032 or sgrider@aum.edu. Old Alabama Town Tavern Fest 6-10 p.m. Celebrate history with live music, food, dancing, and craft beer tasting! We will be taking over N. Hull St. in front of Lucas Tavern, making room for live bands, beer tents, food, and even a silent auction! Tickets are $10 per person, which will get you 4 beer

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

or wine tastings. Jennie Weller Catering will have grills going and there will be some great Silent Auction opportunities (goods and services only). Live music by the Goat Hill String Band! Gates open at 6 p.m.. band starts at 7 p.m. For more info call 240-4500. All proceeds benefit Landmarks Foundation - Help us bring more school children to learn about history at Old Alabama Town! 13th Annual Blue Jean Ball 5-11 p.m. Held at the Barnett Deck in front of Moore Hall on the AUM campus, activities will include live music, dancing, meet-and-greets with mascots Aubie and Curtiss, photo opportunities with birds of prey from Auburn’s Southeastern Raptor Center, a live auction emceed by special guests, a silent auction, tours of AUM’s School of Nursing and new Wellness Center, dinner catered by Dreamland Barbeque, and more. Tickets are $100 per person and table sponsorships are available. Net proceeds will support current programs and initiatives benefitting the schools’ students and faculty. For more info on this event or to purchase tickets, contact Shelley Grider at (334) 244-3032 or sgrider@aum.edu. Black Jacket Symphony Presents Abbey Road by The Beatles at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 8 p.m. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience by recreating classic albums in a live performance setting with a first class lighting and

Please see our Fall Festivities & Halloween Fun Guide for more October events!

video production. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album. With no sonic detail being overlooked, the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. Following the album and a brief intermission, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening’s artist. Ticket prices begin at $29. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100. Late Night with YMCA Goodtimes -- Also October 11, 18 & 25 A weekly Parents’ Night Out program for parents of five-to 12-year-olds offered at the YMCA Goodtimes Center on Bell Road. Time is 6:30-11:30 p.m. and supper is included. Cost is $15 per child and no reservations are required. Child to staff ratio is 15:1. Call 279-8878 for more info. Alabama National Fair -- Through October 13 This year’s performers include Josh Turner, Ronnie Milsap, Foreigner and Anthony Hamilton. New attractions include Aussie Kingdom, the only traveling Australian animal show in the United States and Canada, and Swampmaster’s Gator Show. Visit www.alnationalfair.org Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents Les Miserables Through October 26 Theatre doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 6:15 until 7. The show begins promptly at 7:30.

October 2013 Tickets are $25 and include dinner and the show. Members of the military can purchase tickets for just $20. Reservations must be paid in advance. Make reservations or for more information, call 386-7190 or e-mail boxoffice@faulkner.edu. 3rd Annual Zombie Walk and Prom Kick off at 7 p.m. as the walking dead trudge their way from the intersection of Perry and Dexter Avenue to Riverfront Park. This year’s event will also include food, beverage and other vendors as well as live music from the band Outside the Inside. The zombie walk will also be led by the St. Andrew’s Pipe and Drum Band and four hearses this year. All participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items as a donation for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MontgomeryZombieWalkAndProm

Saturday, October 5

Home Depot Kids’ Workshop Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. This month’s project is “celebrate Fire Safety Month and build a Fire Rescue Plane!” In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin. 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 5-12. Free. “All About Daylilies” Montgomery Group Hosting AHS Region 14 Fall Meeting. Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2130 Bell Road. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Registration Fees: $25 for adults, $15 for youth and deadline is Tuesday, October 1. Make checks payable to: Montgomery Area Daylily Society. Information and registration form are at: http://www.ahsregion14.org/ Upcoming_Meetings.html. Hosted by the Montgomery Area Daylily Society. Guest speaker will be Bill Maryott, of Maryott’s Daylily Gardens in Freedom, Calif. Family-friendly event! There will be door prizes, BBQ lunch, plant auction and more! Prepared Childbirth Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Topics include stages of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, the role of the coach, and proper care of mother and baby after delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year, from 9 a.m.-noon. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 or e-mail liz.owen@jackson.org. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Chonda Pierce 7 p.m. Chonda Pierce has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for more than a decade. Her unpretentious Southern charm and sharp wit, along with her aresenal of material, have both church goers and those who never sat in a pew laughing uncontrollably. An in-demand stand up comic, television hostess and author, Pierce has parlayed her gift for storytelling into a multi-faceted career. Ticket prices begin at $22. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100. Fan Day at Dream Field Farms The first 100 Facebook fans receive a free upgrade to a season pass! Yoga Classes at the Shoppes at EastChase Also October 12, 19 & 26 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the grassy area across from Genghis Grill. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and a portion of the proceeds will go to promote breast cancer awareness. AUM Offers Free Mandarin Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Confucius Institute continues to offer free Mandarin classes to the community on Saturdays this spring. To register, send the student’s name, age and contact information to ama@aum.edu. Santuck Flea Market An outdoor flea market with more than 450 booths featuring arts, crafts, antiques, novelties, imports, food, and more. The Santuck Flea Market is open the

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first Saturday of each month from daylight until 2 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE. Free admission, free parking available. Call 567-7400. World Wide Day of Play Cooter’s Pond Park in Prattville from 1-5 p.m., at the pavilion on the upper deck. For the third year, the City of Prattville is joining Nickelodeon, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, and the National Park Foundation in celebrating the Worldwide Day of Play event. Mayor Bill Gillespie issued a proclamation recognizing September 21 as the Worldwide Day of Play, but DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, we rescheduled our event for October 5. There will be obstacle endurance courses for K-2nd grade, 3rd-6th grade, and 7th-8th grade. Each course will be optimized for those age levels. Medals will be given out in different categories. There will be a fun wall to climb, provided by the U.S. Army, and much more. After registering for the event, Army service members will apply camouflage paint to the kid’s faces before they tackle the obstacle course! Visit www. prattvilleal.gov. Jasmine Hill Gardens in Wetumpka Open Saturdays through October 9 a.m.-5 p.m. “Alabama’s Little Corner of Greece” now features more than 20 acres of year-round floral beauty and classical sculpture, including new statuary honoring Olympic heroes. The Olympian Centre welcomes visitors with a video presentation of Jasmine Hill’s history and a display of Olympic memorabilia from the Games of past years. A tour of Jasmine Hill, now completely accessible to visitors with disabilities, offers spectacular and ever-changing views, including our full-scale replica of the Temple of Hera ruins as found in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Flame. For more info, visit www.jasminehill.org or call (334) 263-5713.

Monday, October 7

Math & Science for Preschoolers Classes for “3-2-1 Blast T.I.M.E.S. (Technology, Innova-

tion, Math, Engineering, & Science)” are held every Monday, excluding federal holidays. Children ages 3-5 will learn math and science concepts through everyday play. Classes are 30 min. long and $8/week. Join us at 1585 E Main St, Prattville (next to Pri-Med), to have fun and get a boost in math & science. Please visit 321 Blast TIMES on Facebook for times. To register or for more info, contact Susan Trombley at 321blasttimes@ outlook.com or (334) 380-1879. Smart Shopping 102 at AUM Continuing Education 5:30-7:30 p.m. If you took Smart Shopping 101 and want more money-saving tips and practice actually finding and printing coupons, then this class was designed just for you! In one night, get direct instruction on how to find the best deals as well as sign up for and print coupons. This is a hands-on class where you will practice what you are being taught, and you will leave with tons of money-saving tips. Teacher is Towannah Smith and fee is $22. Visit https://coned.aum.edu to register. Dine Pink at the Shoppes at EastChase Through October 12 Go Pink and benefit the Joy to Life Foundation by dining in participating restaurants at EastChase. Specific restaurants will have special “Pink” menu items and portions of the proceeds will go to Joy to Life. Check The Shoppes at EastChase website for details on participating restaurants at www.theshoppesateastchase.com.

Tuesday, October 8

Homeschool Day at Dream Field Farms All the fun field trip events plus more available for homeschoolers. Homeschool parents admitted for $5 and homeschool children receive a free

small pumpkin. Call (334) 534-6976 or visit www. dreamfieldfarms.com.

Wednesday, October 9

Master Gardener ‘Lunch & Learn’ Program Noon-1 p.m. Bring your own lunch to the Alabama Cooperative Extension Services (ACES) at 340 Queen Ann Road, just off Highway 14 on the west side of Wetumpka. The program is free and beverages will be provided at no cost. The topic for October is “Planting and Growing Garlic,” presented by Central Alabama Master Gardeners’ Assn. (CAMGA) member RC Arceneaux of Deatsville. The ‘Lunch & Learn’ series will continue on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, call 567-6301 or visit the Extension Office on Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka.

Thursday, October 10

America’s Got Talent Live Tour at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center 7:30 p.m. For more information or rickets, call (205) 458-8400 or visit www.bjcc.org. Digital Photography Workshop at Montgomery Museum of Fine Art 6-7:30 p.m. Learn tips and techniques for making accurate digital reproductions of your artwork without the hassle and expense of professional lighting equipment. This workshop will include information about straightening distortions, color correcting and resizing images using Adobe Photoshop elements software. Offered in partnership with the Montgomery Art Guild. Cost: $10 MMFA/ Montgomery Art Guild Members or $25 non-members. Visit www.mmfa.org or call 240-4333. New Exhibit Opens at Stonehenge Art Gallery Through November 2 An opening night reception for artist Michael Vaughn Sims will be held from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. Best known locally for his realistically detailed watercolors, Sims will also display

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Calendar/Support Groups drawings, oil paintings and sculptures inspired by a recent visit to Jasmine Hill Gardens in Wetumpka. A native of Mobile, Sims spent his childhood in Selma, where he studied art privately with the late Marilyn Morris. At Auburn University, he studied architecture and music before receiving a degree in theatre design and technology. He now has established a studio at his family home in Lowndes County. He is an active member of the Montgomery Art Guild and a frequent recipient of awards at regional juried art shows. Stonehenge Gallery is located at 1041 East Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, in the heart of Old Cloverdale. For more information, call (334) 262-8256.

Friday, October 11

Parents’ Night Out at the Wetumpka Family YMCA A monthly Parents’ Night Out program for parents of kids 12 years and under offered the 2nd Friday of each month from 6-10 p.m. Games, arts and crafts, a movie and hot dogs are offered. Cost is $10 per child for members and $15 per child for non-members. You must register by the Thursday prior. Call 567-8282 for more info. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Gregg Allman 8 p.m. Gregg Allman is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. His distinctive voice placed him in 70th place in the Rolling Stone list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Ticket prices begin at $28. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call the MPAC Box Office at (334) 481-5100. Art in Concert at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 7 p.m. Featuring Banditos and St. Paul & the Broken Bones. Tickets: * $10 pre-sale/ $15 at the door. Pre-sale tickets end October 9 at 5 p.m. Chairs and picnic blankets welcomed; no outside food or drinks permitted. Cash bar and food available for purchase. Fundraiser organized by MMFA Junior Executive Board. Visit www. mmfa.org or call 240-4333. Alabama Tale-Tellin’ Festival in Selma -- Also October 12 Swapping Ground at 5:30 p.m.; Tale Tellin’ at 7 p.m. ArtsRevive Carneal Building, 3 Church Street in Selma. Food available for purchase; admission charged. For more info, visit www.artsrevive.com or call (334) 878-2787. The Montgomery Ballet Presents The Phantom of the Opera at the Davis Theatre for Performing Arts -- Also October 12 7:30-9 p.m. For tickets or additional information, call (334) 409-0522 or visit www.montgomeryballet.org Elmore County Homeschool Organization Meets -- Also October 25 Elmore County Homeschool Organization is a non-profit support group for homeschooling families. We provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children & support and encourage their parents in the homeschooling process. We meet the second and fourth Friday of every month year-round from 10 a.m. to noon at Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. Membership is free and is open to all homeschoolers in the tri-county area. ECHO has field trips, park days, holiday parties, enrichment activities, and a yearly awards ceremony. For details, visit http://www.onlineecho.com

Saturday, October 12

Capitol Heights Artoberfest 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Located in Vickers Park, this event will feature local art, crafts, street cafes, pop-up shops, food and more. FREE admission. Artists and vendors wanted! More Information on Facebook. Riverwalk Wine Festival 2-5 p.m. $25/Ticket and includes: etched commemorative wine glass; discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shoppes; discounted ticket for a special Harriott II Wine Cruise; Picnic Baskets and Coolers are Welcome; NO outside alcohol; Live Music by King Bee. Tickets Available at Filet & Vine and Peppertree Steaks & Wine. Visit www. funinmontgomery.com.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

National Chess Day Scholastic Chess Tournament Brookwood Village Mall in Birmingham. Advance registration PREFERRED and must be postmarked by: October 4. Send entry form and payment directly to the Event Organizer/Tournament Director: Caesar Chess, LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill Road Suite 204 - 202, Birmingham, AL 35244. Make checks payable to: Caesar Chess. All Proceeds will be donated to Children’s of Alabama. ALL entrants MUST check-in at On-site Registration and attend Players Meeting at 8:45 a.m. E-mail: CaesarChess@yhaoo.com or call (334) 8680271. Join Membership: USCF – www.USChess.org and ACF – www.AlabamaChess.com Chris Tomlin Live at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center 7:30 p.m. For more information or rickets, call (205) 458-8400 or visit www.bjcc.org. 10th Annual Buddy Walk The Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group will host its 10th Annual Buddy Walk at Faulkner University’s John Mark Stallings Football Field. The registration fee is $12 per person. (Note: Registration fee for attendees requesting a XXL T-shirt will be $14 and attendees requesting a 3XL T-shirt will have a $16 registration fee.) Registration begins at 9 a.m. The walk will begin at 11 with an awards ceremony afterwards. For more info, contact Paige Keeter at (334) 239-6452 or mgmbuddywalk@aol.com or visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com/Buddy_Walk.php. Walk for Life Fund Drive Sponsored by River Region Pregnancy Center Help by walking and gathering pledges or being a donor for someone who is walking. No one needs to collect the money before the walk; the center will take care of contacting the donors and collecting the money. The event will begin and end in the back parking lot of the Prattville Chamber of Commerce at 131 N. Court Street in Historic Downtown Prattville. Call (334) 365-8266 to request a brochure and a pledge form. Registration begins at 9 a.m. or you may pre-register by calling or mailing your registration to: 707 McQueen Smith Road S; Prattville, AL 36066. Pledges of $250 or more earn a free T-shirt. 21st Annual Alabama Cotton Festival Downtown Eclectic. Featuring five-time Grammy Award winner Shenandoah, Keith Moody Band, Fire Mountain and the winners of the Battle of the Bands. Cotton Queen Pageant, 5K Run, Anglers for Kids weigh-in, Art Contest, Arts & Crafts, an expanded Kids Zone, Motorcycle Run, Antique Car Show, Vendors from all around the south and so much more. All-day event starting at 8 a.m. Free admission. For more info, call (334) 578-1620 or visit www.townofeclectic.com. Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic 10 a.m. Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. This month’s project is a spooky stacker game. Ages 5-12. Free. Online registration opens a few weeks before each clinic’s date. For more info, visit www.lowesbuildandgrow.com or call your local Lowe’s.

Monday, October 14

Columbus Day at Dream Field Farms In honor of this holiday, the farm is open to the general public all day. State employees and teachers receive a 50% discount off general admission. Call (334) 5346976 or visit www.dreamfieldfarms.com

Wednesday, October 16

The Junior League of Montgomery Hosts the 25th Annual Holiday Market -- Through October 19 Montgomery Multiplex at Cramton Bowl at 1022

October 2013 Madison Ave. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets will be on sale through October 11 at the following ticket outlets: Barb’s, My Kids Attic, Montgomery Visitor Center, Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, Eastdale Mall, the Junior League of Montgomery Office or at jlmontgomery.org. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents The Beach Boys 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $45. Visit www. mpaconline.org or call (334) 4815100.

Thursday, October 17

ArchiTreats: Food For Thought The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Bring lunch and a drink and join us every third Thursday for these FREE lectures sponsored by Friends of the Alabama Archives. Today’s topic is “Alabama and the War of 1812,” presented by by Jeanne & David Heidler. Call 353-4726 or visit www. archives.alabama.gov. Montgomery ZooBoo -- Through October 20; Also October 24-31 6-9 p.m. A safe alternative to Halloween. ZooBoo provides a fun-filled evening of games, treats, costumed characters, education presentations and the traditional Haunted Hay Ride (scary) and the family-friendly Pumpkin Pull (non-scary). Visit www.montgomeryzoo. com or call (334) 240-4900. ARTtalk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6:30-7:30 p.m. Get an up-close look at artists, their work, and the creative process in this unique program, designed for artists as well as those interested in art. Six times a year artists have the opportunity to bring a work of art to the Museum, show it to other artists and participants, and have friendly feedback about the work. Cost: $20 for Museum or Art Guild members/$35 for non-members. Visit www.mmfa.org or call 240-4333. Autauga County PALS Electronic Recycling Event Autauga County PALS and C E & E Solutions of Prattville host a Monthly Electronic Recycling Drop-off third Thursdays at Pratt Plaza, from 3-6 pm. Recycle your old, broken, or obsolete TVs ($10), cell phones, radios, stereos, computers, laptops, cameras, toaster ovens, microwaves, vcrs, remotes, printers, scanners, pagers, tape recorders, vacuums, irons, hair driers, keyboards, monitors, projectors, video games, speakers, server hubs, turntables, CD/ DVD players, etc. Divert old electronics from the landfill, free up storage space, & create jobs by recycling. ($10 fee for TVs). CE&E (568-9621) is registered with ADEM as an electronic recycler. For details, call John-Paul (358-6749). Millbrook Community Players Presents Driving Miss Daisy -- Through October 20 Dinner theatre presentation tickets are $22 and include dinner and the show. Visit www.millbrooktheatre.com or call (334) 782-7317 for more info.

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Friday, October 18

ARMSChair Concert: Spike Graham Orchestra Kiwanis Park in Old Alabama Town at 7 p.m. Local blues/ rock band, The Spike Graham Orchestra, will play a tribute concert in honor of Eric Clapton’s 50th anniversary as a professional musician. Clapton joined The Yardbirds in 1963 and has been cranking out rock and blues tunes since. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. No concessions are sold on site, so bring your own food and refreshments. Admission is $2 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. For more info, visit www.oldalabamatown.com or call 240-4500.

Saturday, October 19

Angel Fest at St. Michael and All Angels Church 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 5941 Main Street in Millbrook. We are celebrating 16 years of Angel Fest with a bake sale, silent auction, children’s carnival, great concessions,

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Newcomers Club Monthly Luncheon The Newcomers Club of the Greater Montgomery Area invites women who are new residents in the area to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Country Club. This month’s speaker will be Jennifer Lambert, a local fiber farmer and weaver. Cost is $15 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, October 21, to lyrad0980@yahoo.com or call 354-9797. Visit www.newcomersmontgomery. com. Davis Theatre Presents Ray Parker Jr. 7-9 p.m. This Detroit native, singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer started out at 13 in the legendary Motown studios, then continued his professional career at the age of 18 as a member of Stevie Wonder’s band. Ray Parker Jr.’s live show is a fun-filled, rockin’ R&B extravaganza of hit songs and good times. For more info,

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H.A.L.O Holds 2nd Annual Make A Memory Day Free Fall Family Fun Outdoor Event, taking place at Union Station Train Shed at 300 Water Street in downtown Montgomery from 1-4 p.m. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Continuing H.A.L.O’s goal of educating and raising public awareness regarding such loss, H.A.L.O’s Make A Memory Day will feature the bands “Fusion” and “Spoken For,” bounce houses, games, a raffle, a pumpkin patch, and Disney characters. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and come out to enjoy a time of togetherness and fun. Please no Halloween costumes or pets. Photography mini session appointments are available for a $50 donation and include: a 20 minute session with one of three H.A.L.O professional photographers & a minimum of 5 edited images on disk. All donations are tax deductible and go to H.A.L.O. For more information about H.A.L.O., the event, to schedule a mini session, order a t-shirt, sponsor the event or volunteer please visit www.honoringangelslikeowen. org Family Art Affair and Jazz Jams at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 2-5 p.m. Come for an afternoon of art making, artist demonstrations, guided tours, music, and dance! Make your own musical instrument and costumes using recycled materials and join the Museum parade. The event includes demonstrations by visiting artist Natalie Barker Perkins and performances by the Alabama Roots Music Society and the Booker T. Washington (BTW) Dance Theatre. Visit www.mmfa. org or call 240-4333 for details.

Author and Constitutional Scholar “B.K.” Mangelson Presents ‘Independence Forever! The 4 Steps to Save America’ Wetumpka Tea Party meeting. The presentation will be held in the cafeteria area of the Elmore Community Hospital in Wetumpka beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mangelson, who travels extensively throughout the United States, presents training and education to audiences everywhere on how to protect and save our constitution and America’s future. During the presentation, he will recount miracles and inspirational stories of America’s founding; teach how to protect our freedoms; focus on restoring Constitutional principles and provide an opportunity for Constitutional Education. The Wetumpka Tea Party meets at 6:30 p.m. on third Mondays of each month, generally in the cafeteria area of the Elmore Community Hospital, 500 Hospital Drive, Wetumpka. For more info, visit www.wetumpkateaparty.com/.

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entertainment, loads of vendors selling unique wares, and the sale of Boston Butts. Family fun, no admssion charged. All proceeds go to the outreach program of the church! 29th Annual Aldersgate Methodist Men’s BBQ Proceeds benefit local and international missions and ministries. Boxes are $8 and include both pulled pork and a chicken quarter, plus beans, slaw, and bread. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the church, or boxes can be bought the day of sale. Drive-thru service is provided at the front of the church on Vaughn Road. Call the church office at 272-6152 or email aldersgateumm@gmail.com for more information. Trick or Pink Celebrate Halloween while helping to fight breast cancer at The Shoppes at EastChase from 5-8 p.m. There will be a Pink Halloween costume contest for the kids and a pink pumpkin patch where kids can find their perfect pink pumpkin. Cancer survivors will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate survival by taking part in forming the pink human ribbon around the fountain. Visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com. CaraVita Village Hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast 8 a.m. 4000 Fieldcrest Drive, Montgomery. In an effort to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatment, CaraVita will support the Joy to Life Foundation with a yummy breakfast, sweet treats and shopping with all proceeds benefitting this worthy cause. Cost is $5 for a delicious breakfast. For more info, please call (334) 284-0370. Must RSVP by Oct. 16. Alabama Nature Center General Public Weekend Also October 20 Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook. Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Enjoy hiking five miles of scenic ANC trails while learning about the fascinating natural history of central Alabama. You can even add to the outdoor experience with a tasty picnic under or

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Calendar/Support Groups visit www.troy.edu/davistheatre or call 241-9567. Capri Classics Presents The Princess Bride 7:30 p.m. A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather). Rated PG. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org.

Friday, October 25

Beauty and the Beast at the BirminghamJefferson Civic Center -- Also October 26 Performance times are October 25 @ 7:30 p.m. and October 26 @ 2 and 7:30 p.m.. For more information or rickets, call (205) 458-8400 or visit www.bjcc.org. Montgomery Ballet Presents Monster Mash 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Courtyard. For tickets please call 409-0522.

Saturday, October 26

2nd Annual River Region Prayer Walk Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery. Registration Time: 7:45 a.m.; Prayer and Praise Concert: 8:30 a.m.; and 5K Prayer Walk Begins: 9 a.m. Registration Fee: $10 per person (includes T-shirt). Children under 12 are free. Join us as we come together as the citizens of the River Region to pray over our cities, government leaders,

schools and teachers, uniformed heroes and servants, pastors and ministry leaders, and all of the people that make up the River Region. We will conclude the prayer walk back at the train shed for a time of refreshments and fellowship. If you are unable to participate in the walk, we invite all River Region prayer warriors to bring a chair and join us under the train shed for prayer. Register at http://riverregionprayerwalk2013.eventbrite. com. For more info, contact Brooke Freeman at: riverregionprayerwalk@gmail.com or 300-5407. Halloween-themed Mystery Dinner Theater at Callaway Gardens Enjoy a little detective work while you dine on delicious cuisine from the Callaway Gardens culinary team led by Executive Chef Chris Smith. Guests selected just before the show will receive reading parts and will be cued to deliver their award-winning performances. Expect a few surprises and activities to add to the fun; plus, solving the mystery comes with token prizes for the winning team. Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. For additional info, call 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit www.callawaygardens.com. Cupcakes by Tish Offers Cupcake Decorating Workshops for Kids and Teens Every fourth Saturday, Cupcakes by Tish will now host Cupcake Decorating Workshops. Classes will be offered for children ages 4-6, 7-10 and 12-15 between noon and 6 p.m. at The Shoppes at EastChase location. The hour-long workshop is $25 per child and gives each child the opportunity to learn the art of cupcake decorating. Each child will receive a Cupcakes by Tish apron and four decorated cupcakes with a variety of candies,

October 2013 sprinkles, and goodies that adds personalization. Older kids and teens will be shown the basics of fondant decorating. To register, contact Special Events Coordinator Ebony Ware at (334) 356.5292 or parties@cupcakesbytish.com. Fall Harvest Market & Trick or Pink The Shoppes at EastChase from 5-8 p.m. The Fall Market features vendors with seasonal produce and unique gifts, food samples from vendors and restaurants and a Fashion Preview of various retailers throughout The Shoppes. Trick or Pink will bring the Pink Pumpkin Patch, Pink Halloween costume contest for the kids and hayrides around The Shoppes, which will all benefit the Joy to Life Foundation. In addition, cancer survivors will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate survival by taking part in forming the pink human ribbon around the fountain. For more info, visit www.theshoppesateastchase. com/events. Spinners 32nd Annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pumpkin Patchâ&#x20AC;? Arts and Crafts Show -- Also October 27 Spinners Park, 390 West Sixth Street, Prattville. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more info, visit www.spinnersprattville.com or call (334) 365-7195.

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Sunday, October 27

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Willie Nelson & Family 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $35. Visit www. mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100.

Tuesday, October 29

Wetumpka Candy Walk 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wetumpka Riverwalk behind the City Administrative Building, 408 S. Main Street, Wetumpka. Ages toddlers to 4th grade. Local businesses provide Trick-or-Treaters with fun and safe treats. Please bring a canned food item for donation to the Elmore Food Pantry. For more info, call (334) 567-5147. Prattville Candy Walk Toddlers through second-graders can trick-or-treat from 4-6 p.m.; the walk begins at Prattville City Hall. All children who are participating in the event are asked to bring a non-perishable canned food item to be donated to Autauga Interfaith Care Center (AICC). For more info, call (334) 595-0854.

Thursday, October 31

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Alice Cooper 8 p.m. Considered “The Godfather of Shock Rock,” Alice Cooper draws inspiration from horror movies, vaudeville and garage rock. Ticket prices begin at $28. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 4815100. The Capri Community Film Society’s Halloween Benefit Concert Featuring The Gate Band Doors open at 7 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Advance & member tickets are $25; tickets at the door are $30. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org.

Saturday, November 2

Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair 890 Old Carter Hill Road in Pike Road community. The 47th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair is a wonderful holiday shopping opportunity! More than 250 artists and craftsmen will display their wares at the historic Marks House (circa 1825). Enjoy BBQ, fried chicken and other yummy food specialties. $5 admission, free parking. For more information and directions, visit www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com Agape’s 5th Annual Adoption Celebration Dreamfield Farms and Pumpkin Patch in Union Springs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The community event provides an opportunity for adoptive families to come together, build relationships and celebrate God’s unique plan for their family. The celebratory event is free and lunch will be provided. To register your family for the event, please e-mail info@ agapeforchildren.org or call (334) 272-9466. Breastfeeding Class Breastfeeding and lactation education designed for expectant mothers, fathers, and/or support persons. Class includes benefits, basic breastfeeding techniques, and prevention of common problems. 10 a.m.-noon. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. $15 covers mother and support person. Pre-registration required. Call 293-8497 or visit www.jackson.org/events to register or for more info.

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Calendar/Support Groups

Sunday, November 10

Town of Pike Road’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Begins with the Veterans Walk of Honor at 2 p.m. at the Old Town Hall site on Pike Road. Event will include the dedication of new brick pavers leading to the veterans monument. For more information, call (334) 272-9883.

Monday, November 11

Wednesday, November 6

Disney on Ice Presents: Princesses and Heroes at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Through November 10 Multiple performance times. For more information or rickets, call (205) 458-8400 or visit www.bjcc.org. Don Williams at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. With his laid-back straightforward vocals and large imposing build, Don Williams came to be known as “the Gentle Giant.” That nickname was bestowed on him in the early ‘70s, when he began a string of countrypolitan hits that ran into the early ‘90s. He had a total of 17 number-one hits. For ticket information, call 481-5100 or visit www.mpaconline. org.

Thursday, November 7

Sav-A-Life Banquet Frazer Memorial Church on Atlanta Highway. Abby Johnson, formerly the abortion center director at the Bryan/College Station Planned Parenthood facility in Texas, will share how she abruptly turned from prochoice to pro-life in 2009 and became the founder of

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

October 2013

“And Then Were None.” Johnson will be the primary speaker at the 2013 Sav-A-Life/First Choice of Montgomery Womens’ Medical Center Banque. With Johnson’s Texas background, the theme of the SAL Banquet will be western with Bar-B-Que and related side dishes. Because of the generosity of underwriters, there is no charge to attend. However, reservations are required. Those interested in attending or hosting a table of 8 should contact Melinda@ mstewart@firstchoicewmc.com or call 334-8010 no later than October 24. Theatre AUM Presents No Exit Through November 17 Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for senior citizens and students from other schools, and free to AUM students, faculty, staff and alumni with identification card. Theatre AUM is located in the Taylor Center at AUM, 7440 East Drive. Call 334-244-3632 for more information.

8th Annual Agape Golf Tournament Golf for a cause at the Wynlakes Golf and Country Club. Taking part in this event will help support Agape in finding Christian homes for foster children and orphans, as well as helping women through a crisis pregnancy. The annual golf tournament is more than just a great day of golfing—it’s an opportunity to be part of a ministry that serves neglected and abused children, families who want to share their love with a child, and pregnant women in need of assistance. Special military discounts for veterans and active military are available for individuals and teams in honor of Veterans Day. For registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.agapeforchildren.org/golf.

Calendar information due by the 15th of each month. Send to editor@montgomeryparents.com.

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The Piano Man Piano tunings, repair, and restoration. Active member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Contact us today to arrange a time to give your piano much needed attention. Call 569-9662 or visit www.pianoman.net/al

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Provides breastfeeding education, antepartum doula services, childbirth education, and Happiest Baby on the Block classes. Handmade breastfeeding greeting cards and breast pump rental services also available. For more info please contact Tangela Boyd at 334-782-9816. Email: Tangela@mommymilkandmeinc.com Website: www.mommymilkandmeinc.com

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The FREE AD GUY knows that every business needs a few lucky breaks before it can become successful. That’s why he is offering more FREE ads to Home Based Businesses. In return, the FREE AD GUY would appreciate it if you would tell a friend about Montgomery Parents Magazine. If you’ll just help him spread the word about Montgomery Parents Magazine he’ll keep working for you and your business. If you have already run a FREE ad you can send a request to repeat the ad or make changes. Please understand but we will not accept any phone requests. For new Home Based Business advertisers, just send your information to: FREE AD GUY, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123, or freeadguy@montgomeryparents.com. The FREE AD GUY reserves the right to refuse any ad in case it’s not appropriate for our readers.

Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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AdvertiserDirectory We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents. We hope this directory saves you time as you refer to the magazine throughout the month. Page numbers follow the advertiser’s name.

First UMC, Prattville, 40

New Testament Christian Center, 71

Fleming’s Martial Arts, 90

O’Connor Tennis Lessons, 77

Frazer UMC Upward, 36

Paradise Pumpkin Patch, 72

Glitterbug the Clown, 27

Party Ponies by Renfroe & Daughters, 93

A Great Start Learning Academy, 34

Grand Old Pumpkin Patch, 59

Pediatric Cardiology, 79

Adventure Sports II, 23

H.A.L.O. Make a Memory Day, 53

Pike Road Community Arts Festival, 51

Alabama Army National Guard, 81

Heart of Dixie Railroad, 67

Pioneer Museum of Alabama, 71

Alabama Christian Academy, 20

Holy Cross Episcopal School, 26

Playtime, Inc., 93

Alabama Dept. of Public Health, 55

Hooper Academy, 28

Professional Pediatrics, 12

Arts in Motion, 76

Huntington Learning Center, 37

Pump It Up Party, 27

ASKIN/Synergy House, 93

Junior League Holiday Market, 14

River Region Prayer Walk, 91

AUM Continuing Education, 43

Kindercare, 49

Riverview Camp, 89

Baptist Health, 3

Kingry Orthodontics, 21

Rolling Video Games of AL, 31

Bee Smart Tutorial/Childcare, 51

Kreative Moments, 93

Ross Christian Academy, 44

Born to Dance Studio, 93

Kumon, 45

Saint James School, 31

Bradford Health Services, 75

Learning Tree Child Care, 87

Saint James UMC, Inside Back Cover

Centerpoint Fellowship Church, 63

Legacy Early Learning Center, 92

Sea Dragon Pirate Cruises, 4

Centre for Performing Arts, 90

Looney’s Super Skate, 93

Smiles Galore Parties, 77

Chapman Orthodontics, 28

Lori Mercer Photography, 58

Spacewalk of Montgomery, 41

Children’s of Alabama, 33

Macon East Academy, 73

Spacewalker, The, 61

Churchill Academy, 17

Mathnasium, 47

Spotless Cleaning Services, 73

Dancewear, Etc., 91

Maya’s Dance & Fitness, 81

Success Unlimited Academy, 32

Dentistry for Children, 23

Mistletoe Market, 25

Sylvan Learning Center, 21

Disney on Ice, 9

Mom’s Flea Market & Consignment, 53

Taylor Road Baptist Church, 34

Doodlebugs, 18

Montessori @ Hampstead, 40

The Big Green Bus, 57

Dr. Bradley Willis-Dentist, 58

Montessori @ Mulberry, 1

The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover

Dr. Kendall Dunn-Orthodontist, 42

Montessori Academy, 24

Trinity Presbyterian School, 15

Dreamfield Farms, 67

Montgomery Ballet, 79

United Gymstars & Cheer, LLC, 37

Dynamite Magic & Balloons, 42

Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center, 44

Vaughn Park Church Fall Festival, 71

Easter Seals, 18

Montgomery Humane Society, 8

Vaughn Park Church Upward Sports, 39

Edward Jones-Lane Easterling, 76

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 81

Vaughn Park Mom’s Day Out, 80

Embellish, 57

Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontics, 47

Vaughn Road Preschool, 19

Evangel Christian Academy, 35

Montgomery Taekwondo, 93

Vishnu Dental, 39

Family Karate Center, 7

Montgomery Zoo, 70

Wonder World, 46

First Baptist, Montgomery, 66

Mrs. Sandy’s House, 93

Yeargan Farms Pumpkin Patch, 68

First Baptist, Prattville, 69

My Kids Attic, The Shoppes at, 29

YMCA Camp Chandler, 66

First UMC, Montgomery, 65

New Park, 2

Zackery Burr, Attorney, 11 95

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Battle of the Year MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: B Sexual Content: B+ Language: CAlcohol / Drug Use: C+ The MPAA has rated Battle of the Year PG-13 for language and some rude behavior. Whether you consider b-boying to be an athletic achievement or an artistic endeavor, Battle of the Year follows the sports movie genre to a T. Sadly, an American team hasn’t won the annual international competition for several years and as a result the U.S. company that sponsors the crew is experiencing an sales downturn. It seems people are losing interest and failing to buy all the b-boy paraphernalia the company sells -- whatever that is. During a tirade in the boardroom, Dante Graham (Laz Alonso) the company president, vows to bring this year’s trophy home -- though it is likely less for national pride than his own commercial interests. Of course the only man capable of the feat is Dante’s old breaking dancing crewmember Jason Blake (Josh Holloway). He happens to be presently holed up in a dark basement nursing a bottle of booze. It’s hard to know who is taking the biggest gamble -- Dante for offering the job or Jason for questioning whether he should take it. One of Jason’s demands is that he assembles a team from the country’s top breakers. Once the finalists are chosen, he takes them to an old juvenile detention center and lays down the rules in preparation for their first competition. As any sports movie fan knows there has to be at least one big blowup before the team learns to work together. And thanks to the ego-laden dancers (Chris Brown among them) pent up together in the decaying facility, there are lots of confrontations and a steady stream of profanities along with several crude hand gestures. In fact there are enough clashes that it’s hard to believe these b-boys can really put aside their out-of-control attitudes long enough to learn the same routine. The dance moves, once they happen are amazing athletic feats. Unfortunately Director Benson Lee, who also made the 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy, chooses to use high-speed shutter cinematography for the dance sequences. If the 3-D effects don’t give you a headache, the stuttering images likely will. Rather than enhancing the scenes, the camerawork becomes a distraction, making the images look almost staged instead of real. With its sparse storyline and several musical montages, Battle of the Year almost feels more like a documentary than a features film. The American team’s journey seems to be there just to give the director a chance to show off the performances of several international crews. But while a documentary has to stick fairly close to the truth, a fictionalized story doesn’t have the same constraints -- even if it’s based on a true event. If you’re looking for stellar family entertainment, Battle of the Year might come up short. On the other hand the film offers some positive messages that make it worth a second look for teens. Both teamwork and success come at a price for these competitors and luckily we see them actually having to put in some effort. While most of those lessons are dished out on a tray of clichés, they still have merit for kids who have a hard time seeing past themselves. The film’s frequent profanities and the coach’s alcohol issues may dissuade some families from watching this film.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: BSexual Content: ALanguage: AAlcohol / Drug Use: B+ The MPAA has rated Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 PG for mild rude humor. Food takes on a life of its own in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. After his food making machine, an invention that turned simple water molecules into scrumptious entrees, went berserk in the first movie, Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader), his father Tim (voice of James Caan) and everyone else on the island of Swallow Falls are forced to evacuate. An environmental group, The Live Corp, is called in to clean up the leftovers and restore the island. At the head of the company is Flint’s idol Chester V (voice of Will Forte). While deploying his team of ecological engineers, he invites Flint to be part of his ultra hip, caffeine-driven, cubicle dwelling work force. Theses are the people always toiling to invent something new and fantastic for Chester V’s consumption hungry public. But after one dismal failure follows another, Flint begins to wonder if he’ll ever get a chance to be part of Chester V’s inner sanctum of scientists. Then one day he is summoned to the head honcho’s high tech office and given the opportunity to return to the island and take on a secret, one-man mission. Flint is so excited that he fails to withhold this confidential information and before long he is headed back to Swallow Falls with his father and his friends Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Farris), Brent (voice of Andy Samberg), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), Earl (voice of Terry Crews) and his monkey Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris). Once they’re back home, the group discovers the food machine is still working. But now it’s creating food-human mutants like shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons and green onion brontosauruses. In order to stop the machine, Flint and his friends have to get past the hungry tacodiles, wade through the maple syrup bog and scale the big rock candy mountain. The fantasy elements in this film rise to a new high with a Jurassic Park-like theme on the island. Even the musical score sounds surprisingly similar to the dinosaur movie. Thankfully the script contains a healthy helping of jokes for the parents and plenty of imaginative creatures for young viewers. Some brief moments of peril (involving a hungry cheese throwing hamburger spider and the threat of falling into a giant food grinder) along with moments of bullying and an apparent death are the movie’s biggest concerns for parents of little children. Otherwise this creative diversion, with its crazy food creatures and an earnest young scientist, cooks up a tantalizing tale about the power of friendship, family relationships and scientific integrity. And that makes it a pretty appetizing entertainment option for family audiences.

What Parents need to know about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2...

Violence: A male character is hit in the groin. A character is bullied and humiliated in front of others. Characters experience brief peril when chased by animals. One character appears to be eaten. A man is pushed over the edge of a cliff. Characters tumble over a waterfall. A group of people is tied up and hung over a giant food grinder - one character falls in. Characters argue briefly. Sexual Content: Characters kiss briefly. One character is seen in his underwear, and a girl is shown in her bikini. Language: The script contains some brief name-calling and bullying threats. Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters drink excessive amounts of coffee and use multiple caffeine patches at the same time to keep them awake. Other: The script contains a couple of brief bathroom and flatulence jokes. A cow is shown with her partially born calf hanging out.

What Parents need to know about Battle of the Year...

Violence: Characters push and scuffle with one another. Two characters engage in a fistfight. A character talks about a fatal car accident. A brief bar brawl breaks out after a character is taunted. Sexual Content: Characters yell out catcalls at a woman and make some crude sexual comments. Dancers grab at their groin. Some tensions arise around a homosexual character. Language: The script contains frequent profanities, uses of scatological slang terms and some terms of Deity, along with at least a half dozen crude hand gestures. Alcohol / Drug Use: A man uses alcohol to deal with the death of his family and turns to drink to deal with stress. Characters drink socially in a bar and at a restaurant. Montgomery Parents I October 2013

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