Carolina Parent Magazine Raleigh Dec 2017

December 2017 • Free

12 Holiday Home Tours

Gift Ideas for Every Kid on Your List

Center Stage Players

Youth performers enjoy more than the spotlight

The Top 5 College Application Mistakes to Avoid

FAMILY IN TOWN? S H O W TH E M N O R TH C A R O L I N A W I TH O U T G E T TI N G C O L D !

S P E C I A L

P R O G R A M S

TEEN SCIENCE CAFÉ – “Music and the Mind” Friday, December 1, 6pm

SCIENCE CAFÉ – Trivia!

Thursday, December 7, 7pm

SCIENCE CAFÉ – “Fate, Chance and the Future of Evolution” Thursday, December 14, 7pm

SCIENCE CAFÉ – “Internet of Things” Thursday, December 21, 7pm

SCIENCE CAFÉ – “Curiosities in Collections” Thursday, December 28, 7pm

FINALLY FRIDAY – “Big Hero 6” Friday, December 29, 6pm

D A I LY

P R O G R A M S

MEET THE ANIMALS | 3D MOVIES | HANDS-ON LABORATORIES

Free Admission | Open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Do you have a rising Kindergartner?

MAGNET MINI FAIR FOR RISING KINDERGARTNERS

Visit with parents and/or staff from attending magnet elementary programs: THURS. | JAN. 4, 2018

TUE. | JAN. 9, 2018

WED. | JAN.17,2018

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

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5307 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609

Magnet Schools attending the Jan. 4 Fair: Brentwood, Brooks, Bugg, Combs, Conn, Douglas, Farmington Woods, Fuller, Green, Hodge, Jeffreys Grove, Joyner, Kingswood, Lincoln Heights, Partnership, Poe, Powell, Stough, Smith, Washington, and Wiley.

Magnet Schools attending the Jan. 9 Fair: Brentwood, Brooks, Bugg, Combs, Conn, Douglas, Fox Road, Green, Hodge, Hunter, Jeffreys Grove, Joyner, Kingswood, Millbrook, Partnership, Poe, Powell, Stough, Underwood, Wendell, Wiley, and Zebulon.

1000 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, NC 27601

Magnet Schools attending the Jan. 17 Fair: Brentwood, Brooks, Bugg, Combs, Conn, Fuller, Hodge, Hunter, Joyner, Kingswood, Lincoln Heights, Partnership, Poe, Powell, Smith, Stough, Underwood, Washington, Wendell, and Wiley.

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carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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CONTENT › D E C E M B E R

14

2017 Holiday Gift Guide Ideas for tots, techies, athletes and artists

19

Center Stage Players Youth performers enjoy more than the spotlight

22

Young Talents Spread Holiday Wonder Find out where to see local kids star in seasonal classics

26

Your Child's First Smartphone Tips for using digital devices in a balanced and responsible way

28

Santa Claus Mall Visits in the Triangle Check out Santa's photo schedule and special events at local malls

31

Holiday Giving Dos and Don'ts Advice for making smart donations

IN EVERY ISSUE

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5 December Online 6 Editor's Note FYI 8 Community 10 Education 12 Health CO LU M N S 32 Growing Up 33 Tech Talk 34 Understanding Kids 35 Hammers, Nails and Diaper Pails 36 College Transitions 38 Excursion 48 Faces and Places CALENDAR 39 Our Picks 40 Performances 42 Holiday Home Tours 44 Daily

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19 carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Taking the Stage morrismedianetwork.com

O

nce upon a time, in a small Virginia town not too far away, I auditioned

for my high school play. I received a small part and was quite content with only having to speak four lines. It was enough to build my confidence and challenge my humility, and it helped me feel like I was a part of something fun and creative.

I played three sports in high school, but theater involved a very different kind of stage with totally different players. Instead of setting a volleyball, shooting a hoop or passing a relay baton, I recited my memorized lines in front of a large audience made up of mostly peers. It was harder than playing sports, actually, and forced me out of my comfort zone. That experience helped me develop a newfound respect for my school’s thespian community — and for theater in general.

PUBLISHER

Katie Reeves · katie.reeves@morris.com

EDITOR

Beth Shugg · bshugg@carolinaparent.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Janice Lewine · jlewine@carolinaparent.com

ART DIRECTOR

Melissa Stutts · melissa.stutts@morris.com

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Allison Hollins · allison.hollins@morris.com

DIGITAL EDITOR

Myra Wright · mwright@carolinaparent.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Lauren Isaacs · lisaacs@carolinaparent.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Candi Griffin • cgriffin@carolinaparent.com Sue Chen • schen@carolinaparent.com Jen Pieh • jpieh@carolinaparent.com

ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Julianne Clune · julianne.clune@morris.com

MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS PRESIDENT

On page 19 in “Center Stage Players,” we explore the many benefits of public speaking and performing on stage. From experiencing intellectual stimulation to building leadership skills, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a reason not to encourage your child to step into the spotlight. Our “Understanding Kids” column on page 34 offers a nice bonus to this feature — columnist Adrian H. Wood’s perspective on how

DONNA KESSLER

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES KRISTEN STANDISH

VP INTERNAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KAREN RODRIGUEZ

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING DONALD HORTON

one of her children benefited from performing on stage.

BUSINESS MANAGER

Find out where you can see these benefits in action this holiday season in “Young Talents Spread Holiday Wonder” on page 22. Consider attending one of several youth ballet performances of “The Nutcracker” with your family, or enjoy a youth holiday choir or philharmonic concert.

SHELONDA WEST

PUBLICATION MANAGER KRIS MILLER

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR CHER WHEELER

When it’s time to turn your attention toward holiday shopping, check out our gift guide, which starts on page 14 and offers ideas for toddlers, sports-minded kids, young artists and tech-loving preteens. If this is the year your tween or teen will receive his or her first smartphone, be sure to read the tips on page 26 for how he or she can use it in a balanced and responsible way.

Take a trip to Hendersonville in our Excursion column on page 38 and enlighten your high-schooler on how to avoid the top five college application mistakes on page 36.

CONTACT US

carolinaparent.com

Phone: 919-956-2430 · Fax: 919-956-2427 5716 Fayetteville Rd., Suite 201, Durham, NC 27713 advertising@carolinaparent.com · editorial@carolinaparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services.

Carolina Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards.

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Our calendar section, which begins on page 39, rounds up performances, festive holiday home tours you can take with your family and more.

From holiday light shows to festive gatherings with family and friends, enjoy all of your seasonal celebrations. Happy holidays from everyone here at Carolina Parent!

A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman William S. Morris III

President & CEO William S. Morris IV

Beth Shugg, Editor 7

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

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Bring your friends and family together to celebrate the beauty of the Holiday season!

The Garden glows with holiday spirit from the twinkling trees to the sparkling fountains and is transformed into a natural winter wonderland filled with unique festive dĂŠcor including a towering tree of orchids, more than 600,000 lights, and illuminated displays.

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Purchase Tickets in Advance at www.DSBG.org 6500 South New Hope Road Belmont, NC 28012 704-825-4490

Guests enjoy Marbles Kids Museum's annual “An Evening With Elves” event.

Photo courtesy of Marbles Kids Museum

› FYI

|

community

BY JANICE LEWINE The colorful Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park opened in Wilson Nov. 2.

Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Marbles Kids Museum Awarded Federal Grant Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh celebrated its 10th birthday in September by announcing that it received a grant of $345,245 from The Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant will pay for a transformation of one of its exhibits into a space that fosters culturally relevant STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning, with a focus on dual-language learners.

“The STEAM Para Todos project is at the forefront of promoting intellectual and cultural experiences through hands-on learning and play,” says Rep. David Price of North Carolina’s fourth congressional district. “This exhibit, as well as Marbles Kids Museum, will continue to serve as a demonstration of the importance of IMLS grants.”

The project will involve research, testing, design, installation and evaluation.

The museum will work with Wake County Public School System, STEM partners, and local arts community and local organizations to develop the exhibit.

Learn more at marbleskidsmuseum.org.

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Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Opens in Wilson A new, 2-acre destination park in downtown Wilson filled with kinetic, colorful whirligigs created by North Carolina’s own folk artist, Vollis Simpson, officially opened Nov. 2 at 301 Goldsboro Street South.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park features 30 large-scale works created from recycled and salvaged parts and are associated with the region’s cultural identity.

The North Carolina Arts Council, led by Executive Director Wayne Martin, worked with the City of Wilson to create the park, which has already spurred $25 million in private investment toward improving Wilson’s historic downtown. “It has been a privilege for the North Carolina Arts Council to partner with the City of Wilson, local community leaders and generous funders to preserve the work of artist Vollis Simpson and utilize his legacy to benefit Wilson and eastern North Carolina,” Martin says. “As the pilot community for the Arts Council’s SmART Initiative program, Wilson has become a national model for how to use the arts to revitalize downtowns, create jobs and increase tourism.” Learn more at wilsonwhirligigpark.org.

Book Drive to Benefit Kids in Durham Durham’s Partnership for Children, a Smart Start initiative, recently launched its 12th Annual Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive, which runs through Dec. 31 at the Streets of Southpoint in Durham. Customers can purchase new books for children up to age 5 who might not otherwise have access to reading materials.

The organization will accept books for all ages and has a large need for bilingual books, as well as board books for infants and toddlers. Last year, patrons at Barnes & Noble’s Southpoint location purchased more than 3,000 new books for children. Visit dpfc.net to learn more.

STATS

Children’s Museum Statistics

243

Number of museums now open in the U.S.

65%

Percentage of museums located in urban areas.

1899

Opening year of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the nation’s oldest museum.

Source: Association of Children’s Museums, childrensmuseums.org

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

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FYI

|

education

BY KAREN SHORE

Here Comes the Bus App Now Available to WCPSS Families If you’ve ever dreaded waiting at the bus stop in the rain or cold with your child, worried that he or she missed the bus or wondered why the bus is late, a new app may be the solution you’re looking for. This school year, Wake County Public School System began using an app that Durham Public Schools is already using: Here Comes the Bus, a free phone app and website that tracks your child’s bus using GPS technology. Depending on how your notifications are set, you can receive an email and push notification to let you know that your child’s bus has entered a certain radius of his or her assigned bus stop.

The app shows the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map; provides scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for morning, midday and afternoon routes; issues alerts when a bus has been substituted; and allows users to manage multiple children on different buses easily, too.

Here Comes the Bus is a convenience for parents but it also helps school transportation departments by reducing the number of phone calls employees receive from panicked or frustrated parents wondering where their child’s bus is. Parents needn’t worry about security either — users must obtain a private ID number, which grants access to their child’s bus only, and accounts are encrypted and password-protected.

To sign up for Here Comes the Bus, WCPSS families should visit wcpss.net/herecomesthebus. DPS families can visit dpsnc.net and click on the transportation section. You’ll find codes and other information you need to participate.

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Photo of the Cloud Chamber courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art Launches NCMALearn to Connect Education and Art The North Carolina Museum of Art has created NCMALearn, a new web portal for educators and students designed to facilitate learning in and through the arts using objects in the museum’s permanent collection. The resource launched in time for the new school year, along with a series of teacher workshops, school tours, online courses and virtual field trips.

“More than 100 of the most teachable works of art in the museum’s collection can be searched through different filters to show their relevance across subjects and grade levels, with links to multimedia resources and standards-based lesson plans written by educators,” says Michelle Harrell, director of teaching and learning for the North Carolina Museum of Art. The museum’s popular Cloud Chamber in the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, for example, illustrates the integration of art and science. Artist Chris Drury’s walk-in camera obscura projects an inverted image of the sky on the chamber’s floor. Viewers look down — rather than up — for a view of the sky. Students can also watch a time-lapse video from inside the chamber and view a concept map to connect science, technology, visual arts, the environment, changes in the sky and perspectives of the sky. Learn more and explore the site at learn.ncartmuseum.org.

East Chapel Hill High School Music Mentoring Program Grows Participation in the arts has been widely connected to success in school across all subjects. In Chapel Hill, high school students are volunteering their musical talents and getting a lot back in return.

Every week, student musicians attending East Chapel Hill High School travel to Phillips Middle School to mentor student musicians after school. The program, conceived by East Chapel Hill High School student Jack Welsby two years ago, now serves 60 Phillips Middle School students who take weekly lessons from a group of 20 East Chapel Hill High School students.

The program serves as a win-win for both groups since Program founder Jack Welsby works with a Phillips Middle School student.

Photo courtesy of Phillips Middle School

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

younger musicians learn from the older, more experienced students, and the older musicians gain skills in teaching, leadership, problem-solving and organization.

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Carolina Parent Camp Fair • Feb. 18, 2018 • 12-4 p.m.

Embassy Suites • 201 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Cary, NC 27513 carolinaparent.com/camps Interested in being a vendor at the Carolina Parent 2018 Camp Fair? Contact a media consultant at Carolina Parent at 919-956-2430.

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FYI

|

health

BY KATHERINE KOPP

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

Staying Healthy Over the Holidays During the holiday season, traveling, hosting visitors and participating in holiday activities increases your potential exposure to germs and illnesses. Here are tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help keep your family healthy.

Wash your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, and rub them together for at least 20 seconds.

Stay warm. Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially for infants and older adults. Stay dry and dress in layers.

Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing in other people’s smoke. If you smoke and would like to quit, call 800-QUIT-NOW or ask your health care provider for help.

Get necessary checkups and vaccinations.

Exams and screenings can help find potential problems early, and vaccinations help prevent

diseases and save lives. Schedule these exams and screenings with your health care provider.

Prevent injuries. Use step stools instead of climbing on furniture when hanging decorations. Keep candles away from children, pets, trees and curtains.

Never leave fireplaces, stoves or candles unattended.

Handle and prepare food safely. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces.

Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

Source: CDC

12.6% The percentage of Americans in 2016 who had high total cholesterol.

This percentage has declined from 18.3 percent in 1999.

Source: CDC

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Holiday Mental Health Tips Here are tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help minimize stress so your family can enjoy the holidays: • Try to keep household routines the same. Stick to usual sleep and mealtime schedules to reduce stress.

• Focus on one thing at a time.

Stop and pay attention to what is happening at the moment. Try to savor the experience.

• Give to others. Make it an annual holiday tradition to share your time and talents with people who have less than you do.

• Be sensitive to others. Many children and adults experience a sense of loss, sadness or isolation during the holidays. Be sensitive to those who feel this way.

• Don’t overspend on gifts. Consider making one or two gifts instead of buying them.

• Spend time with your family.

Go outdoors or play board games.

Visit relatives, neighbors and friends.

Katherine Kopp is a freelance writer in Chapel Hill.

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2017 Holiday

Gift Guide

BY ADDIE GOTTWALD

hether it’s a present for a toddler, a child who loves all things sports, a young artist or tech-loving preteen, our annual gift guide has you covered. From a modernized Barbie Hello Dreamhouse featuring sounds and working lights, to high-tech scooters with LED lights, here are 23 gifts to guide you on your holiday toy shopping journey.

(Note: Not all toys are pictured.)

BABY AND TODDLER 1. Stroller and Crib Toys from Babee Talk These organic, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly toys attach to strollers, high chairs, cribs or mobiles and encourage your little one to reach and grab. The attachment straps also make the toys harder to lose. Prices start at $13.99. babeetalk.com 2. Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Chair Ages 6 months-3 years Help teach your child his or her ABC’s, numbers, shapes and more with the help of this chair with Smart Stages technology that plays songs, phrases and sounds, and can be set for different developmental stages.

Available for $39.97. fisher-price.com 3. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy Ages 0-2 Babies who are teething can find some relief with the gentle texture of this teething toy. It can also be chilled to offer cool, soothing relief for sore gums. $15. manhattantoy.com

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4. Funtime Activity Turtle Ages 1+ Flashing lights, rotating gears, large buttons and sound effects captivate toddlers' senses, and the ability to pull the turtle along helps develop hand-eye coordination and reactionary skills. $29.99. tlji.com

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5. Luvabella Doll Ages 3+ Luvabella moves, talks and plays just like a real baby, offering realistic facial expressions, giggles and babbles. Hold her feet and she’ll say “Mama.” Tickle her and she’ll laugh.

Spoon-feed her and lull her to sleep with her bottle. Available in different skin tones. $99.99. spinmaster.com

SPORTS 6. Prevelo Bikes Ages 1.5-11 Lightweight and low-to-the-ground, these bikes are safe and fun for beginners. They also feature short-reach alloy brake levers, small diameter grips and quick seat-height adjustment. $199-$899. prevelobikes.com

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

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7. Jetson Jupiter Scooter With LED Lights Ages 5+ This scooter has over 100 multi-colored LED lights on the handlebar stem, wheels and deck, plus a rear fender foot brake that ensures a secure stop and a folding mechanism that makes it easy to store. $29.99. target.com 8. FINIS Mermaid Fin Ages 6+ Swim like a mermaid with this fin that has a foot strap and strategically placed vents that allow for faster gliding and graceful motion in the water. $31.99. finisswim.com 9. Air Jordan Retro Basketball Shoes Ages 8+ Air Jordan retro basketball shoes are back!

Browse Nike’s website to see the different color and style options. Children’s styles start at $85. store.nike.com

Touch app to bring sculptures to life on your computer screen with digital character stampers. $39.99. hasbro.com 14. Oonies Mega Starter Pack Ages 5+ Using the Oonie inflator, go crazy making three-dimensional designs with these air-filled balls that stick to each another without glue or water. The starter pack is available for $29.99. toysrus.com 15. DabitZ Learner Dab Desk Set Ages 6+ This art kit includes templates called DabDesignZ and a free app that transforms any picture into a template. Use the “Dabbers” drawing tools to dab color into the template for cool, pixel pictures. $49.99. dabitzart.com

10. Kryptonics 24-Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard With Light-Up Wheels Ages 8+ Light-up wheels make this skateboard more than the average board. Available in red and yellow designs. Found exclusively at Toys R Us. $39.99. toysrus.com

16. Crayola Fashion Super Star Ages 8+ Mix and match over a thousand combinations of dresses, tops and skirts to build your own virtual closet. Using the free app, upload designs, enter fashion challenges and get feedback from other designers. The kit includes a 62-page design book, 24 colored pencils, 18 markers and a designer case. $19.99. crayola.com

11. Razor Hovertrax 2.0 Self-Balancing Electric Scooter Ages 8+ Branded as the world’s smartest self-balancing electric scooter, it features auto-levels, allowing for a safer, easier mount and smoother ride.

The board is available in a variety of colors. $449. razor.com

17. Sculptapalooza Ages 10+ Sculpt to win with this game that has two teams take turns drawing cards and sculpting what they see with Playfoam. Things get interesting when participants must sculpt with their eyes closed or use their creation as a charade prop. $39.99. amazon.com

ART

TECHNOLOGY

12. Customizable Crayon Set Ages 3+ These customizable crayon sets are made from recycled crayons. Spell out your child’s name for a memorable holiday gift. Prices start at $10.95. art2theextreme.com

18. furReal Roarin’ Tyler, the Playful Tiger Ages 4+ Make some noise at this interactive tiger toy and he will roar back. Talk to Tyler and he will respond. Pet his head and he will close his eyes. Tyler features more than 100 sound-andmotion combinations. $129.99. hasbro.com

13. Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life Studio Ages 3+ Use molds to shape Play-Doh creations, then scan your creations into the Play-Doh

19. Fingerlings Ages 5+ These stocking stuffer-sized monkey toys

feature motion sensors on their heads, which allow them to interact with your child. They can make 40-plus sounds, open and close their eyes, and move their heads. Blow them a kiss and they will make a smooching sound. Clap and they’ll sing to you. A built-in huggable grip allows them to cling to fingers and pens. $14.99. fingerlings.wowwee.com 20. Barbie Hello Dreamhouse Ages 6+ This two-story smart home has built-in technology that recognizes more than 100 voice commands to direct the house to turn lights on and off, make sounds, open doors and more. The operating elevator, crackling fireplace, working oven light and spinning chandelier make the house even homier.

Available for $299.99. barbie.mattel.com 21. Dromida KODO FPV Drone Ages 8+ This drone combines a love of flying electronics with a first-person viewer experience. Connect your smartphone to the Wi-Fi camera on the drone and use the goggles to see what your drone is flying atop of — or mount your smartphone on the 2.4GHz radio’s transmitter holder. $89.99. dromida.com 22. DIY Gamer Electronic Kit Age 12+ Beginning coders can use this kit to create their own game. Learn about the Arduino platform using the video manuals and step-by-step instructions. Buy a separate soldering iron and use it to create different results. Price starts at $99.99. techwillsaveus.com 23. HP Sprocket Photo Printer Ages 12+ Print two-by-three-inch photos directly from a smartphone or tablet. The printer also offers options to customize prints with fun text, borders and emojis. $135. hp.com Addie Gottwald lives in the South End section of Charlotte and looks forward to going on a toy shopping spree for her 2-year-old niece. carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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Catch the Spark!

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Photos courtesy of iStock

Center Stage Players Youth performers enjoy more than the spotlight

BY SUZANNE WOOD

B

ehold the Tiny Tims, sugarplum fairies, angels and shepherds on stages across the Triangle this month. The holiday season is a prime opportunity for youth performers to share their skills, enthusiasm and, in many cases, extraordinary talent with the world. But just as the majority of youth athletes will never snag multimilliondollar pro sports contracts, neither will most youth performers go on to Hollywood or Broadway.

That doesn’t make their experiences — or those of students who participate in public speaking programs such as speech and debate — any less valuable. Indeed, performing arts and public speaking educators say these disciplines confer a host of benefits on children and teens.

These advantages go beyond the increase in confidence and maturity that many parents and educators observe of children who sing, play an instrument, act, dance or speak before an audience.

If you’re wondering whether to sign up your child for music lessons, or encourage her to take a theater elective, consider the other advantages of participating in performing arts and public speaking activities.

Experiencing Intellectual Stimulation When Judy Dove was teaching drama at Leroy Martin Gifted and Talented Magnet Middle School in Raleigh during her 19 years there, she says she always got a kick out of hearing how well her students did on pretests in their language arts and social studies classes. She wasn’t necessarily surprised, she says, because she picked plays and musicals that related to the subjects and time periods students were studying in their core classes.

Even when arts electives aren’t integrated with the core curriculum, students can reap intellectual benefits. “Research is also part of the performing arts,” says Dove, who is now an advisory board member and office administrator for North Raleigh Arts and

Creative Theatre, and secretary of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Theatre Conference. “While they’re learning their parts, kids are also learning about the time period (of the play or show), the history surrounding it, and new vocabulary words and how to pronounce them.”

Theater, in particular, also offers tweens and teens opportunities to enhance their writing skills. Many school-based theater programs produce original plays or musicals written entirely by students. Dove recalls a year when her students wrote and performed a musical called “Caught in the Middle,” which focused on the lives of middle-schoolers during the Civil War. They did everything themselves, from research and scriptwriting to picking out the music: Jay Ungar’s “Ashokan Farewell,” which Ken Burns used as the theme song of his 1990 historical documentary series on PBS, “The Civil War.” “They took ownership of the process,” Dove says, noting that the production earned a “superior” rating at that year’s North Carolina carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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Theatre Conference competition.

The intellectual benefits of taking speech or debate classes, or of being on speech and debate teams, are perhaps more obvious. Even if a kid never grows up to give a TED Talk or spar with a fellow political candidate on stage, learning how to research and analyze a topic as part of crafting an argument or delivering a persuasive or entertaining talk will bear fruit for years to come, say speech and debate educators.

“Being on the team is revolutionary for them academically,” says Jeff Welty, head coach of Durham Academy’s high school speech and debate team. “For sure, one of the best things team members learn is to skeptically consider arguments — identifying biases, separating the wheat from the chaff.”

Durham Academy’s speech and debate team, which consists of about 50 members, meets twice a week to practice, and most of the team’s focus is getting ready for the next competition. Students choose events they want to participate in, such as podium speaking, interpretive speech, and individual or team debate.

“The time commitment is worth the payout,” Welty says, adding that many team members go on to pursue college-level speech and debate competition, and more than a few parlay their skills into careers in public service or law. A former speech and debate team member himself, Welty is a lawyer who, when not coaching debate, teaches government at the University of North Carolina School of Government in Chapel Hill and directs the North Carolina Judicial College there.

Identifying Reliable Sources One reason English teacher Jennifer Bennett agreed to become the coach of Raleighbased Sanderson High School’s speech and debate team is because she was dismayed by the lows to which public discourse sank during the 2016 presidential election. Bennett encourages student debaters to be careful when researching a topic. Not only do they need to know both sides of an argument, she says, they must also use credible sources.

“Otherwise, the other team will call you on the carpet,” she says.

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Student debaters have an advantage over other students whose research isn’t frequently being put on the spot.

“Getting used to evaluating sources is especially important in this day and age, when kids don’t seem to have the persistence to find the best sources,” Bennett says.

Building Leadership Skills Luke Ramee may only be 11 years old, but he’s already mentoring kids as young as 6 as a veteran member of the Raleigh Boychoir, which is open to boys in grades 1-12. Luke, a sixth-grader at Cary Academy, enjoys helping younger chorus members feel more at home.

Modeling good manners during snack time — a longtime fixture of the choir’s weekly practices — is just one way Luke is developing good leadership skills, says his mother, Heather Ramee. Luke adds that being on his best behavior while touring with the choir is also an opportunity to set a good example for younger boys.

For college-bound high-schoolers, participating in extracurricular arts- or speechrelated activities for several years, especially if they serve in a leadership role, also looks good on a college application to admissions officers who prefer depth over breadth.

So a student who served as an officer for her school marching band for three or four years might be more appealing on paper than an applicant who tried a little of this and that.

Feeling a Sense of Belonging Then there’s the camaraderie, which both Luke and his mom appreciate. “One of the best benefits is making a whole lot of new friends,” Luke says of his experience with the Raleigh Boychoir.

Just as being on a sports team or in a social fraternity instills a sense of belonging, so, too does participating in an extracurricular performing arts or speech program. Dove says watching the way some students turned their lives around by “finding their tribe” was perhaps the most rewarding part of teaching theatre for her.

She remembers one young man who was on the verge of quitting school, so she encouraged him to enroll in her technical theater class, which focused on the backstage aspects of a production.

“He said, ‘Mrs. Dove, I used to think I was the kid who couldn’t do anything, but in the theater, there’s a place for everyone,’” she recalls.

Suzanne Wood is Raleigh-based writer and mother of three.

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carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

21

Young Talents Spread

Holiday Wonder

See local youth perform seasonal classics across the Triangle

BY MANDY HOWARD

T

hough North Carolina’s outdoors may not always provide us with the snowy winter wonderland of classic holiday stories, the sights and sounds of the season fill our halls, auditoriums and theaters this time of year. In the Triangle, we are blessed with an abundance of talented and hardworking kids who are thrilled to share glad tidings.

Whether your ears crave carols sung by choirs, or your eyes want to feast on the majesty of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” you’ll have no problem finding a youth holiday performance, no matter what your budget is or where you live in the Triangle.

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TOP: Barriskill Dance Theatre’s cast features dancers between the ages of 7-18.

Photo courtesy of Christine Prisk BOTTOM: The Raleigh Boychoir presents "Carols of Christmas" Dec. 22 at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh.

Photo courteesy of Katie Gillespie

Barriskill Dance Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 15-17 at Reynolds Industries Theater at Duke University, Durham barriskilldance.com The cast of this spectacular event consists of 130 performers ages 7-18. Executive and Artistic Director Mari O’Donnell says the choreography changes every year to fit the dancers and that this year is especially significant. “This is the first year our Clara has ever been on pointe,” O’Donnell says.

This production serves as a wonderful introduction to the holiday classic as the dancers are younger and children in the audience can envision themselves on stage.

“We always know that there is someone out there who is seeing it for the first time and it’s magic for them,” O’Donnell says, adding that audiences should enjoy the battle scenes this year, to which they’ve added more “mischief.”

Purchase tickets for $15-$30 through the Reynolds Industries Theater box office at tickets.duke.edu. Group rates are available.

Triangle Youth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 2-3 at Hanes Theater at Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill Dec. 9 at Carolina Theatre, Durham triangleyouthballet.org This is the 23rd annual production of “The Nutcracker” for Triangle Youth Ballet. Family-friendly

ticket prices range $10-$27.

Enjoy live Tchaikovsky music conducted by Andrew McAfee.

City Ballet Raleigh’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 8-9 at North Carolina State University’s Stewart Theatre, Raleigh city-ballet.com/event/ nutcracker City Ballet is celebrating its 25th annual performance of “The Nutcracker.”

Tickets for this full-length production, which promises rich staging and costuming, are priced at $15, $25 and $30 and can be purchased at cityballet.com/tickets.

Capital City Girls Choir Winter Concert: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Dec. 15 at Meredith College, Raleigh capitalcitygirlschoir.org Celebrate the Capital City Girls Choir’s 30th anniversary season at this year’s winter concert, titled, “Do You Hear What I Hear.”

The audience will be treated to a wide range of music written by composers from all over the world.

“All three choirs, from the training choir to the internationally known Cantabile Singers, will be singing at our December concert,” says Fran Page, founder and conductor. “We will be singing a variety of music to celebrate the holiday season, and the audience will have an opportunity to sing favorite Christmas carols.”

Page adds that alumnae will also perform. “Each year, we invite alumnae to return

to the concert to sing Rutter’s arrangement of “Personent Hodie,” she says. “This is often the highlight of the concert for me.”

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, email info@capitalcitygirlschoir.org.

Cary Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker Suite” Dec. 15-17 at Cary Arts Center, Cary caryballetcompany.org/ nutcracker Not sure your little one can sit through a full-length production? Cary Ballet Company offers a solution with a family-oriented, one-hour performance of “The Nutcracker Suite” for $8. A Ballerina Tea follows the morning shows. Tickets for the Ballerina Tea are $10 and sold separately. The full ballet will be presented at the evening performances, and tickets for those performances range $21-$25 and can be purchased online at etix.com.

Raleigh Boychoir Sings “Carols of Christmas” Dec. 22 at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh raleighboychoir.org It’s the golden jubilee year for Raleigh Boychoir, as this Raleigh institution celebrates 50 years of creating beautiful harmonies. Join the singers for a night of yuletide favorites during “Carols of Christmas” to hear all of the choirs perform.

Katie Gillespie, mother of singers Logan and Joe Gillespie, says she appreciates

the timing of this event.

“It’s one of the last major events right before Christmas, so when you are there it’s a perfect time to be able to truly relax and appreciate the music and what these timeless songs are really saying.”

Tickets are $8-$18 and can be purchased online at rbc2017carols. brownpapertickets.com.

Cary Youth Voices Presents “A Joyful Celebration” Dec. 8 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Cary caryyouthvoices.org This evening concert features the talented voices of all three Cary Youth Voices choirs accompanied by piano, trumpet, violin and percussive instruments.

Admission is free.

Triangle Youth Philharmonic Presents “Musicians With a ‘Crowdsourced Chorus’” Dec. 8 at Edenton Street Methodist Church, Raleigh philharmonic-association. org/concerts/2017-18concerts.html Get your vocal cords warmed up for this annual singalong of Handel’s “The Messiah” — free to the public. Food bank donations are appreciated.

Triangle Youth Philharmonic Holiday Concert Dec. 17 at Athens Drive High School, Raleigh philharmonic-association. org/concerts/2017-18concerts.html

carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

23

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The concert will take place in the auditorium and tickets are available at the door for $5-$15.

“A Fairytale Christmas Carol” and “The Great Big Holiday Bake Off: A Confectionary Christmas Musical” Dec. 8-10 at Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex apexnc.org/1090/christmasplay-musical This unique two-forone opportunity includes a one-act play and a one-act musical. Director Kathleen Rudolph says she formats the show this way every year so she can “Get the actors who like to sing, and the ones who prefer not to!”

Kids of all ages will enjoy the fast-paced, upbeat and original holiday performance, which mingles the story of “A Christmas Carol” with classic fairy tales. When Scrooge is the Big Bad Wolf and his nephew is Jack, who may or may not be involved with a beanstalk, anything can happen!

“The Great Big Holiday Bake Off: A Confectionary Christmas Musical” shines the spotlight on contestants as they complete one final task in a confectionary cooking competition.

Arrive early so little ones can get a seat near the front.

Tickets are $6-$10 and can be purchased at etix.com.

Mandy Howard is a freelance writer and mother of three who lives in Raleigh.

See Barriskill Dance Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker" Dec. 15-17 at Reynolds Industries Theater on the campus of Duke University.

Photo courtesy of Christine Prisk

Your Child’s First Smartphone Tips for using digital devices in a balanced and responsible way

BY LAURA TIERNEY

Kids all over the U.S. are wishing for their first smart device this holiday season, whether it’s a phone, tablet, computer or even watch. Whatever it is, it comes ready to keep them ultraconnected to existing friends, new friends and, potentially, strangers.

Are your kids ready to manage that?

Are you ready to lean in and coach them? As you set up your child’s device for optimum connectedness and safety, consider taking these steps.

1. Sign a “Family Social Standards” agreement. This type of contract typically requires only the child to sign it and, again typically, focuses on what this child agrees not to do on social media. Consider an agreement the whole family signs around high standards everyone — even parents — agrees to live up to online.

2. Install the “Ask to Buy” feature.

If all of your devices are from Apple, use the Family Sharing and Ask to Buy features. That way, whenever your child initiates the purchase of a download on his or her device, you’ll be notified on yours. This conveniently allows you to review the request and either accept or decline it. Your child literally must ask to buy something from iTunes, like an app, book or movie, or to make an in-app purchase (like bonus game levels or ad removal).

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

3. Turn off group text notifications.

Texting with large groups of people is especially popular with middle school students. Let’s say your child’s soccer team is having one text conversation and her biology class study group is having another. That’s a lot of people … and a lot of notifications. Turn them off for each group individually. On iPhones, tap the “i” in the top right-hand corner of the group text and choose “Do Not Disturb.”

4. Show your child the nighttime light setting. The blue light of most smartphones can block the release of melatonin, the hormone that controls a person’s sleep cycle. So, most smart devices now come with a night mode option — Apple calls it Night Shift mode, Windows calls it Light Night and some Android phones simply call it Night Mode. It can be found in the device’s settings area, usually in the display or brightness section. Whether nighttime light settings actually promote better sleep is still being studied, but the National Sleep Foundation recommends no screen time for an hour before bedtime.

5. Include a “Strike-a-Balance” gift package. Make sure your child is set up for success as he learns how to strike a balance with his new, connected device.

• Purchase an alarm clock. Your child doesn’t need a smart-anything to get up in time for school. Experts say she will sleep better if her device is recharging in

another room.

• Consider purchasing a landline and phone (if you don’t already have one). What if there’s an emergency?

Installing a landline solves that problem. Bonus: Landlines are known to be more reliable than cellphones and smartphones. Remind your child to keep the landline number private and to share it only with family and maybe her best friend.

• Use Bluetooth speakers for bedtime music. Does your child need music to fall asleep to? Stream it from his device (which should not be in his bedroom) to a Bluetooth speaker (that should be in his bedroom).

A phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer all make great holiday presents, but gift-givers typically operate under the assumption that gift-receivers will be responsible about owning and operating such devices. Make sure your child isn’t overwhelmed by the capabilities and that she is ready to strike a balance with this new device in her life.

Laura Tierney is founder and president of The Social Institute, which teaches students positive ways to handle one of the biggest drivers of their social development: social media. Learn more at thesocialinstitute.com.

DECEMBER

TINKERTOY WOODEN BUILDING SET In 1913, inventor Charles Pajeau observed children playing with pencils and empty spools of thread. This gave him the idea to create TINKERTOY building sets. In 2012, licensed by Hasbro, K’NEX began manufacturing TINKERTOY sets out of plastic, but after hearing from lifelong fans of the product, K’NEX began manufacturing nostalgic 100-piece wooden TINKERTOY sets in time for the 2017 holiday season.

Enter to win a wooden TINKERTOY building set by going to carolinaparent.com/cp/contests and clicking on the TINKERTOY contest post. Type this code in the online form you’ll be required to fill out: 100 Wooden Pieces. We’ll announce a winner Dec. 20, 2017. Good luck!

PLANNING A

FAMILY GETAWAY? Browse our Day Trips + Family Travel Directory for kid-friendly destinations.

CarolinaParent.com/daytrips carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Santa Claus Mall Visits in the Triangle

S

BY LAUREN ISAACS anta Claus has come to town! Take your little ones to share their holiday wish lists with

Santa and to have their annual Santa photos taken at malls in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary. Check each mall's website for the specific times Santa will be available.

CRABTREE VALLEY MALL 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh Promotional Court, lower level 919-787-8993 crabtree-valley-mall.com/events/ visit-santa Nov. 19-Dec. 24 (Santa is not available on Thanksgiving Day) Photo packages: $19.95-$45.95 Special events: • Pet Nights – Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 11, 5 p.m. to closing time • Military Day - Dec. 4, all day • Grandparents Day - Dec. 12, all day

TRIANGLE TOWN CENTER 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh Center Court 919-792-2020 triangletowncenter.com/holiday

THE STREETS AT SOUTHPOINT 6910 Fayetteville Rd., Durham Center Court (Nordstrom side) 919-572-8808 celebrateyourholiday.com/ reservations Nov. 17-Dec. 24

Nov. 26-Dec. 24

Photo package: $39.99

Photo package: $34.99

Special events: • Pet Nights – Mondays through Dec. 11, 5-7 p.m.

• Ugly Sweater Night – Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m.

Special events: • Pet Nights – Dec. 4 and 11, 6-7 p.m.

• Tarheel Santa Nights – Dec. 12, 6-8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 6-7 p.m.

NORTHGATE MALL 1058 West Club Blvd., Durham Town Hall Village 919-286-4400 northgatemall.com/event/ santas-arrival-parade Nov. 18-Dec. 24

Nov. 10-Dec. 24

Photo packages: $17.95 and up

Photo packages: $24.99-$49.99

Special events: • Elf on the Shelf Instagram Contest – Dec. 1-20 • Breakfast With Santa – Dec. 2, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

• Paws and Claws – Dec. 3, 1-6 p.m.

Special events: • Santa’s Magical Arrival and Light Show – Nov. 10, 5-8 p.m.

• Holiday Light Show Spectacular – Daily, 6 p.m. until closing time • Santa Pet Photos – Nov. 13, 20 and 27, 6-9 p.m.

• Santa Cares Night – Dec. 3

UNIVERSITY MALL 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill Near Southern Season 919-945-1900 universityplacenc.com/event/ santa-photos-at-universityplace/2145479317

CARY TOWNE CENTER 1105 Walnut St., Cary Center Court near the food court 919-467-0145 shopcarytownecentermall.com/ content/holiday Nov. 11-Dec. 24 Photo packages: $24.99-$49.99.

Receive a $20 Shutterfly gift card with every photo package.

Special events: • Pet Nights – Nov. 13, 20 and 27, 6-9 p.m.

Lauren Isaacs is the social media specialist for Carolina Parent.

carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

29

Enter Our ‘12 Days of Giveaways’ Contest m o at C c . t a r o l i n a Pa r e n

Enter Carolina Parent’s 2017 ”12 Days of Giveaways” holiday contest Dec. 1-12 for a chance to win prizes ranging from toys and games to dolls and show tickets. Just go to carolinaparent.com/ cp/contests each day at 9 a.m. to see a new prize and to find out who our randomly chosen winner is for the previous day’s prize.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the prizes you can win this month: • 4 Tickets to Tweetsie Railroad Christmas • 2 Tickets to “98° at Christmas” Dec. 5 • 2 Tickets to “Fantasia: Christmas After Midnight” Concert Dec. 6

• $100 Learning Express Gift Card • 4 Passes to the Museum of Life and Science • American Girl WellieWishers Doll and Cozy Up Cocoa Stand • 2 Cuddle + Kind Dolls

• 4 Tickets to See “Rudolph” Dec. 8

• 3 ThinkFun Coding Games

• 4 Tickets to see “Shopkins Live!”

Jan. 17

• TINKERTOY wooden building set

• 2 Tickets to “The Illusionists Present Adam Trent” Feb. 15 • 2 Tickets to “The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible” May 11-12 • $100 Laura Ashley gift card

• Prismacolor 21-piece coloring kit • WONDERBOOM Wireless BlueTooth Speaker • Dr. Panda Plus: Home Designer • Holiday hardcover books

Please note: Participants can enter to win daily, but they must have entered on the day a prize was posted in order to win that particular prize. Also, all winners must be local to the Triangle and be able to respond to emails confirming that they are able to accept their prize in order to win it. Two attempts will be made to contact winners before a new winner will be selected. Winners must also be able to pick up their winnings at our office: 5716 Fayetteville Rd., Durham, NC 27713. 919-956-2430

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Holiday Giving

Dos and Don'ts

BY CAITLIN HOFF

I

s giving back a part of your family’s routine during the holidays? ConsumerSafety.org put together a list of dos and don’ts to help you make smart donations during this season of giving.

DONATE THE NECESSITIES While a first-aid kit or a package of diapers may seem like a dull gift, it can mean a holiday season with less worry and struggle for those who can’t afford these life necessities.

Think about things you might take for granted — seasonal clothing, socks or underwear, basic medical supplies, personal hygiene products, warm bedding or baby care items. If you still feel like adding a touch of holiday cheer to your gift, small toys, chocolate or other nonperishable treats are always an accepted token of the holiday spirit. The Durham Rescue Mission (durhamrescuemission.org ) is an example of a local organization accepting these kinds of donations.

DONATE DIVERSELY Poverty can affect all walks of life, but we often see the same items being donated that identify with traditional American culture and not always other items families may need. For example, it’s common to see donations of canned corn and cranberry sauce during the holidays, but not all American holiday meals look the same. Consider donating nonperishable foods from ethnic food aisles in your grocery store. The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (foodbankcenc.org) would be happy to accept items like these this holiday season.

MAKE A FLEXIBLE DONATION In the case of charitable donations, a monetary gift can sometimes be better than donating items. The charity you give to knows its community and the families it serves, so a monetary donation can give the charity the freedom and flexibility to help those people on a much more personal

level. Undoubtedly, there are also items people donate infrequently. By donating money, you can help the organization purchase those items that aren’t donated as often but that are still needed by the community. Haven House Services (havenhousenc.org), for example, accepts both monetary donations and wish list items to support those in need in your local community.

DON’T DONATE JUNK This last tip really sums up what not to donate. Think about the people who will be receiving your donations. If you wouldn’t give the product or clothing article to a close friend or family member because of its condition, don’t donate it. When in doubt, call the charity to find out what it allows.

• Avoid donating clothing with stains or tears.

• Don’t donate food items past their expiration date.

• Don’t donate cloth toys that are difficult to sanitize.

• Avoid donating used safety items, like bike helmets or sport pads, that may no longer be up to code.

The spirit of giving can be thrilling during the holidays, but donating smartly and safely makes it even more special for your family and the recipient(s) of your gifts. So, make an effort to connect with your community this holiday season — whether it’s through your church, your child’s school or a local organization. Donate what you can — your time, money or gifts. All are welcome and appreciated.

As a health and safety investigator for ConsumerSafety.org, Caitlin Hoff uses her background in industrial design and her passion for health and wellness to educate consumers. carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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GROWING UP

GROWING UP

How to handle whining, talking back and other annoying forms of ‘kid speak’

inquire about how she did on the test. Her eyes roll to the ceiling and she retorts, “Um, how do you think?” before flouncing to her room and slamming the door. Disrespect often appears during elementary school as tweens begin to chafe at authority, test boundaries and try out new social personas. Just because it’s normal doesn’t mean parents should let it go unchecked, Mazor says.

“At this age, children are trying to grasp for some control in their lives,” she says. “Back talk is often an indicator of feeling disrespected, unheard and powerless.” It may also be a signal that parents should do more listening and less talking themselves. Mazor recommends holding family meetings to help tweens feel heard, building respectful communication skills through negotiation and taking turns, and encouraging teens to advocate for what they feel are fair rules and consequences.

BY MALIA JACOBSON

Teen Years

Whine of the Times

S

cience has proven what parents already know: Whining is the most annoying sound on earth. A recent study published in the journal Evolutionary Biology found that when compared to other forms of speech, including baby talk, whining was uniquely distracting, causing listeners to tune in to the whining at the expense of other tasks. Another study from the State University of New York at New Paltz found that whining was more distracting to people attempting to solve a simple math problem than the sound of a table saw. Then there’s back talk, whining’s older and even more irritating sibling. While managing these frustrating utterances is a part of parenting, here are age-by-age tips to help dial down distracting and disrespectful communications.

Early Years

Whine Time Whining is tough to ignore for a reason.

According to a study by Evolutionary Biology, it serves an evolutionary purpose, attracting a primary caregiver’s attention just as a child leaves babyhood. In other words, it’s a way to attract babying once a child no longer requires it. That’s also why whining peaks at ages 3 and 4, and why it’s so often directed at a child’s primary caregiver. How should parents and caregivers respond to this cringe-inducing but biologically normal behavior?

First, remember that whining tots aren’t necessarily being disobedient, says Talya Mazor, a licensed school social worker at

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DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

Triangle Counseling in Chapel Hill.

“It’s easy to think that children are being uncooperative when they’re really just acting their age,” Mazor says. “Good behavior is encouraged through positive parenting strategies, such as developing strong and affectionate parent-child relationships, offering descriptive praise and giving attention to positive behavior.”

Elementary Years

Sounding Off You’re waiting at home for your fifth-grader to step off the school bus, eager to hear about her big test that day. After she’s arrived home and shed her backpack and coat, you gently

School Rules While younger children often reserve their most irritating whining and back talk for their parents, teens might act out toward a teacher or authority figure as a way to appear tough in front of peers. While parents may be shocked to hear that their formerly angelic child told a teacher to “blank off ” (you fill in the blank), it’s important to keep a level head, Mazor says. Support the school’s disciplinary plan and don’t double punish, doling out additional consequences at home. Grounding your teen for mouthing off at school is redundant if a punishment was already given at school. Instead, allow the situation’s logical consequences to deliver the lesson. For example, when a teen displays a bad attitude toward a teacher, that teacher is less likely to grant the teen an extension on homework.

Parents should also model appropriate behavior. For example, don’t bad-mouth your child’s teachers or shirk the school’s rules, even if they are rules that you don’t happen to like.

This parental self-discipline demonstrates to teens that there are some rules we all need to follow, like it or not.

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. charlotteparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Tech Gifts for People Who Truly Need Them

BY CAROLYN JABS

T

hese days, holiday gift-giving is all about gadgets — smartphones, educational toys and smart devices. Not all children, however, have easy, early access to the digital world. Instead, we face what’s often been called a digital divide. If you’re looking for a way to share with people who have less this holiday season, it’s worth thinking beyond warm mittens and turkey dinners.

Donate Money for Technology The simplest way to get technology into the hands of kids who wouldn’t otherwise have it is to make financial donations to well-run organizations, such as these: • One Laptop Per Child strives to put a low-cost computer into the hands of every child. The laptops weigh less than a lunchbox and come with software that allows children to read, write, record, measure and make music. one.laptop.org.

• The Rural Technology Fund, founded by a tech executive who had limited access to computers while growing up in rural Kentucky, provides equipment to out-of-theway schools to ignite a “spark” for studying electronics, programming or engineering. It also gives scholarships to students in rural communities hoping to pursue technology careers. ruraltechfund.org.

Adopt a Classroom Public schools provide another way to give kids access to technology. Teachers know what

devices make a difference in their classrooms, and playing Santa can be very rewarding.

• Your school district. Find out what technology needs teachers have at your child’s school and consider reaching out to another school experiencing challenges.

• DonorsChoose.org allows teachers to explain how they would use specific pieces of equipment and makes it possible for donors to search by location or curriculum. In many cases, a modest donation puts current technology in the hands of teachers who are eager to use it with their students. donorschoose.org.

Donate Equipment or Time If family members get tech gifts during the holidays, you may end up with used equipment you can donate. Donating your time also makes a difference.

• The Non-Profit Locator helps donors identify local organizations that can benefit from your used equipment. Enter a zip code to get a list of local agencies and

TECH TALK

detailed information about equipment needs. donatetechnology.com.

• Child’s Play delivers video games to children’s hospitals and shelters for kids who have experienced domestic violence. A map on the charity’s website shows organizations within its network.

Each group has an Amazon wish list. childsplaycharity.org.

• Code.org hopes to make computer science a standard part of the curriculum, just like biology or chemistry. The organization provides lesson plans for grades K-12, runs an annual Hour of Code campaign and actively recruits volunteers to help with the Hour of Code. code.org/volunteer/guide.

• Community Corp identifies volunteer opportunities for people with technical expertise. Its search engine allows you to find virtual or in-person projects in a variety of areas. thecommunitycorps.org.

Set up Passive Donations Perhaps the easiest way to support charities is registering with a site that makes a microdonation every time you do something simple, like searching or shopping online.

• Goodsearch.com is a search engine powered by Yahoo that makes a tiny donation to a chosen charity each time you search, which can add up. Sister site GoodShop (goodsearch.com/goodshop) makes it easy to donate a fraction of every online purchase to good causes. goodsearch.com.

• Giving Assistant is a coupon marketplace offering discounts from retailers like Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

A percentage of what you save goes to a charity you designate. givingassistant.org.

Whatever you decide to do, involve your kids as much as possible. Encouraging them to imagine life without their beloved devices may very well be the gateway to a lifelong habit of empathy and generosity.

Carolyn Jabs is the author of “Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart,” available at Amazon and cooperativewisdom.org. carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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UNDERSTANDING KIDS for the most part, he had never laid eyes on.

The other Lost Boy who had a speaking part was actually a girl. Watching them build a relationship by performing together was lovely.

Perseverance. Thomas learned to “grin and bear it” like never before. His costume was itchy and uncomfortable, his shoes rubbed on his heels and his hair was too long — but he was not allowed to cut it. These all served as building blocks in developing perseverance.

Adrian H. Wood's son, Thomas, snagged the role of a Lost Boy in a youth production of "Peter Pan." Photo courtesy of Adrian H. Wood

Should My Child Be in a Play?

BY ADRIAN H. WOOD

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ou know it’s getting to be the holiday season when auditions fill your newsfeed. All over North Carolina, organizations have been readying for plays and dramatic performances — and they may have beckoned your child. Should you let him or her do it?

December is crazy enough — and then to throw a play into the mix with practices and official performances, other children to juggle and the expenses involved in making it all happen, you may be thinking, “I just don’t know.”

Say yes, yes, yes! Ignore the “Why?” and listen to the “Why not?”

Today, more than ever, our children are infiltrated by technology in every aspect of their lives. At school, after school and while playing with friends — at least at my house — it's a battle to get them moving, creative and building. I saw some amazing benefits when my oldest son, Thomas, auditioned for and was awarded the role of one of the Lost Boys in a performance of “Peter Pan” put on by College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

Imagination. What a way to propel children to think creatively! My son sat, night after night, among other children and adults watching a fairy tale come to life.

Confidence. There's nothing quite like putting yourself out there and memorizing lines if you’re an 8-year-old in a room full of people. Moving out of a comfort zone is a skill that will carry your child far in life.

Thanks to experiences such as playing Alice Wendleken in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, I

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can walk into a room, smile and introduce myself to strangers.

Commitment. You can’t just skip a rehearsal because of a soccer game or last-minute weekend invitation. Nope, at audition time you hand over the dates you may not be available and those are considered when roles are determined.

Camaraderie. I sat on the sidelines many evenings and watched my oldest child build relationships with a group of children whom,

Working together. A good play is only as good as all of its parts. Everyone must work together and allow the story to unfold in a way that appears seamless. There is no time, room or place for a “me first” attitude.

Being able to accept criticism. This is a big one — perhaps the biggest. In an education system that places so much emphasis on perfect test scores and behavior, it’s refreshing that the performing arts typically don’t involve set rules. The space is gray and changing, so children do their best, but it may not be exactly right. Thomas learned to see that criticism isn't a bad thing — it can be helpful.

Family support. This was a really great way to teach my other children that not everyone gets everything the same way all the time. In our family, we take turns. Because Thomas participated in the play, our other children took a break from their extra activities. “Life is fair,” my husband and I say. “You get what you need when you need it.” Since then, we make time to take one child away for a night and the other three don’t badger us about when they get their night. Life doesn’t, and shouldn’t, work that way.

Fun. It’s just fun doing something constructive, tiring and rewarding.

Adrian H. Wood, Ph.D., is a North Carolina writer who lives in Edenton with her husband and four children, the youngest of whom has extra-special needs. Read more of her writing at talesofaneducateddebutante.com.

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HAMMERS, NAILS & DIAPER PAILS

The Joy of Giving

BY PATRICK HEMPFING

S

he just wouldn’t let me buy her anything.” Jessie’s grandmother said, as she expressed her frustration to me about their morning trip to an arts and crafts festival. Jessie had spent Friday night at her grandparents’ house. Early Saturday morning, Jessie’s great uncle and grandmother took her to the event.

Many attendees made purchases. Jessie’s grandmother wasn’t one of them, much to her dismay, as she wanted to buy something for her 13-year-old granddaughter.

After the festival, Jessie’s grandmother dropped her off at the library, as I had reserved a table at the library’s book fair for Jessie and me to promote my book. Before leaving the library, Jessie’s grandmother checked out the other authors’ stands. She came back to our table and told us, “I met an author who wrote a book where the story took place near a city I grew up in.”

A few minutes after Jessie’s grandmother left, Jessie whispered, “We need to go buy that book for Grandmommy.” I might have thought of this eventually, but her young brain works faster than my old one. Prior to leaving the event, I purchased the book and asked the author to sign it.

When we got back to Jessie’s grandparents’ house, Jessie walked in the front door with the book hidden behind her back. She couldn’t wait until Christmas.

Her grandmother’s face lit up when Jessie handed it to her.

Gift giving! Yes, it’s the time of year when shopping days are counting down.

But in this calmer, pre-Christmas season, I realize Jessie’s approach is the right one. The joy is in the giving, not the receiving.

Last week, I stopped at the dance studio to pick up Jessie from her ballet class.

I arrived a few minutes early, so I peeked

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock through the window of the studio to catch a glimpse of her dance routine. My eyes widened when I saw four high school-aged girls lifted Jessie above their heads. They spun her outstretched body around in a circle, 6 or 7 feet above the floor. When they put her down a few seconds later, she gave a quick glance to the window to see if I saw what had just happened.

Oh, I saw it all right!

My gift to Jessie was that I didn’t run into the studio yelling, “Don’t drop my baby!” As the tallest girl on her elementary school’s cheering squad, Jessie was always the “lifter,” not the “liftee.” Now, as she dances with older girls, being twirled in the air is an exciting first for her. I’m still learning as a father, but I’m pretty sure Jessie wouldn’t have approved if I had run in with open arms ready to catch her.

At the same time, though, Jessie gave me a gift. After her quick glance, I noticed the corners of her mouth curved upward.

She was glad I was there to see her flying.

Okay, maybe she wasn’t flying, but let’s just

say Dad’s more comfortable when Jessie is the “lifter" than when she is the "liftee."

In the weeks ahead, tired, frantic shoppers will be out in full force. Yet it’s good to remember we can share gifts each day and, in many cases, without spending a dime. A smile, a hug and a good deed go a long way. Not running in to embarrass your child is good, too. I think one of the most appreciated gifts, though, is sharing our time with others.

So, when you’re searching for a parking space or standing in a long line at the store, remember that some of the best gifts are free and don’t require a trip to the mall or an online shopping spree. And when the holidays end, don’t stop giving gifts. We can experience the joy of giving every day.

Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year professional career in banking, accounting and auditing before he became a father at age 44. He is now a full-time husband, stay-at-home dad and writer. Follow him at patrickhempfing.com. carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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COLLEGE TRANSITIONS over. Advise your child against weaving the same tale of overcoming adversity through field hockey into every essay topic.

Since real estate space on an application is valuable, she should use every open space to reveal something new and important about who she is. That’s what it’s there for.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The Top 5 College Application Mistakes to Avoid

BY DAVE BERGMAN, ED.D.

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ith the majority of college application deadlines just weeks — or even days — away, it’s important that your son or daughter perform a thorough review of his or her applications to avoid making obvious mistakes that can negatively impact his or her admissions chances. When your child is done with that, he or she should do it again and then have a second and third set of eyes do the same. Serious colleges want serious applicants, and a shortsighted error can spell disaster for your child’s admission prospects.

Below is College Transitions’ list of five college application mistakes applicants frequently make, and that you can help your child avoid.

Prevent typos. Let’s start with the most obvious mistake. In life, typos happen.

Autocorrected texts can turn a “dear friend” into a “dead friend.” Make sure your child reads and rereads her application, then rereads it again. Then encourage her to ask everyone she knows to read it. Because, when it comes to grammar, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

your son to keep his goofy/offensive/ nonsensical email account and use it without shame — except when he is emailing prospective colleges.

His best bet is to open a new account that is as close to his legal name as possible: firstname.lastname@whatever.com. If his name is Mike Jones, he might have to add a six-digit number after it, but that’s okay.

Be professional. We know your child’s partystud1@hotmail.com account has served him well since eighth grade. While others in your child’s social group traded in their Hotmail accounts for Gmail ones eons ago, your son held steady. Advise

Don’t beat a dead horse. We’re using a cliché here and not referring to actual postmortem equine abuse (tip: that wouldn’t look good on a college application either), but the point is, admissions officers do not like to read the same thing over and

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Avoid creating a never-ending activity page. Your child organized a potato sack race at a family reunion when he was 10?

“Welcome to Stanford University, young man!” says the man in the tweed jacket as he hands a teenage boy a celebratory cigar.

Perhaps this absurd, never-gonna-happen scenario is the fantasy driving applicants who submit activity pages and resumes longer than that of the average head of state.

Suggest to your child that he keep his resume and activity pages short and sweet. Colleges know that no matter how accomplished your 18-year-old may be, he’s still a teenager.

The great majority of his resume-worthy achievements lie ahead.

Keep Mom and Dad on a leash. Speak to any group of college admissions officials and tales of overly involved parents abound. Make no mistake: Excessive parental intervention can harm your child’s admissions chances. Emails and phone calls to the admissions office should come exclusively from the applicant, not the parents. Your child’s application should not show any traces of Mom or Dad’s influence — or middle-aged writing techniques.

For a further explanation of an appropriate role for parents to take during the admissions process, revisit our November 2016 column in Carolina Parent, titled “A Parent’s Role in the College Admissions Process.”

Dave Bergman, Ed.D., is a co-founder of College Transitions, a team of college planning experts committed to guiding families through the college admissions process. He is also a co-author of “The Enlightened College Applicant: A New Approach to the Search and Admissions Process.” Learn more at collegetransitions.com.

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EXCURSION › EXCURSION

At Home in Hendersonville Often overshadowed

by Asheville, its showier neighbor to the north, this charming western North Carolina town is a family destination in its own right.

BY ALEIGH ACERNI

Go on a “bear hunt” to find bear statues in downtown Hendersonville.

Photo courtesy of Henderson County Tourism Development Authority

K

nown for its mountaintop orchards, Hendersonville has been home to the annual North Carolina Apple Festival for more than 60 years and is the largest appleproducing county in the state. But there’s more to explore than apples in this charming town.

At 2,200 feet above sea level, changing leaves make Hendersonville a popular destination in the fall, although its sweeping mountain views are beautiful year-round. The town’s “Home for the Holidays” series of events makes December an ideal time to drop in for a spell, too.

Home for the Holidays Main Street shop owners go all out for the holidays in Hendersonville’s historic downtown, adorning shop and restaurant windows with decorations, hanging big red bows from streetlights and filling planters with twinkling lights. An ice-skating rink, carriage rides, holiday concerts, a Christmas parade and more holiday fun welcome natives and visitors alike.

Go on a Bear Hunt As it winds through a ridge of the Appalachian Mountains, downtown Hendersonville is also studded with a unique collection of whimsical bear statues. Called “Bearfootin’ in Hendersonville,” the statues are auctioned off each October. Visitors — and locals — enjoy going on a “bear hunt” to track down the statues. Pick up a bear map at the Hendersonville Visitor Center.

While you’re downtown, stop by Hands On!, an interactive children’s museum for ages 1-10. Kids can “shop” in a play grocery store,

26 38

dress up and perform on stage or in the puppet theater, or scoop ice cream from behind the counter of a miniature Kilwins ice cream shop.

Admission is just $5, and the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Learn About Land and Sky The western North Carolina mountains offer some of the best places to learn about gemstones, minerals and geology. Choose from a variety of gem mines, where you can buy a bag of dirt and use a screen and sluice to search for amethyst, emeralds, garnets, sapphires and rubies. Try Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, which features a covered outdoor sluice, plus an indoor sluice, so you can mine year-round.

Celebrate North Carolina’s “first in flight” bragging rights with an up-close look at vintage airplanes at the Western North Carolina Air Museum. Kids can climb into various vintage and replica antique planes, then wander outside to the runway, since the museum sits adjacent to an active airport. Weekend visitors might get a chance to see a vintage plane in action — and possibly even catch a ride.

Explore Art and Culture Nearby Flat Rock is home to Flat Rock Playhouse, which refers to itself as “The State Theatre of North Carolina.” Established in the 1940s, the playhouse offers a nine-month

DECEMBER 2017 | charlotteparent.com carolinaparent.com

season featuring Broadway musicals, comedy, drama and plays for young audiences. Recent family-friendly performances include “The Little Mermaid” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Across from the playhouse sits the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, which celebrates the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, historian and author. Sandburg’s estate, Connemara, is managed by the National Parks Service, which offers guided tours of the house ($5 for ages 16-61, $3 for ages 62 and older; and free for ages 15 and younger). Connemara was built in 1838 and includes Sandburg’s massive collection of 12,000 books. The home has been preserved to look the same as when Sandburg lived there. The house is currently under restoration, so furnishings have been moved to storage until 2018. The 264-acre park also offers 5 miles of hiking trails, a farm with dairy goats and plenty of places to explore.

Hendersonville’s holiday spirit, agricultural roots and mountain charm make it a must-see town for North Carolina families interested in a relaxed, low-key day trip or weekend destination.

Aleigh Acerni is a freelance writer who lives in Charlotte with her husband and 3-year-old daughter.

December OUR PICKS

“The Gingerbread Boy” Dec. 16 Catch the Gingerbread Boy on the run as he meets a counting inchworm, a spelling bee and a turtle along his journey, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at The Scrap Exchange in Durham.

Rags to Riches Theatre for Young Audiences presents this delightful performance for ages 2 and older that encourages audience participation and offers a make-and-take activity after the show. Purchase tickets, $10, at gingerbreadboy17.eventbrite.com or at the door.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock The Official Strongman Games feature grit, strength and determination.

Photo courtesy of Scott Lloyd Photography

Official Strongman Games | Dec. 16-17 See 270 epic athletes from 21 countries battle it out for the titles of strongest men and women at Dorton Arena in Raleigh. The two-day event of mental toughness and human perseverance includes competitions in weight lifting, log press, yoke carry, car deadlift, truck pull and more. The event features current Masters World's Strongest Man Nick Best, Lithuanian powerlifter “Big Z” Zydrunas Savickas, the World’s Strongest Woman Champion Jill Mills and many others. Hours are 9 a.m.6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, Purchase tickets for $15 on the website. Tickets are $20 at the door. trainstrongman.com.

Celebrate the winter solstice in Hillsborough.

Photo courtesy of Kristin Prelipp

Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk | Dec. 21 Take the family to celebrate winter’s astronomical phenomenon when the Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk takes place at 5:45 p.m. in Hillsborough. The solstice in the northern hemisphere marks the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. Register online for the walk, which is free and meets at the Farmer's Market Pavilion at 144 East Margaret Lane, at hillsboroughartscouncil.org/lantern-walk. Take a handmade white lantern with an LED light, since flames are not permitted. Spectators may the view the walk from the Eno Parking Deck, located behind Weaver Street Market. Only registered individuals with lanterns will be allowed to enter the walk. carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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Experience holiday charm in “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” at Fletcher Theater in Raleigh through Dec. 24.

Photo courtesy of Curtis Brown Photography

PERFORMANCES “RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL” Through Dec. 24 – Fletcher Theater, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $22 and up.

See the classic story brought to life onstage with characters Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Rudolph and more. Purchase tickets online. ticketmaster.com.

“A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS” Dec. 1-10 – Theatre in the Park, 107 Pullen Rd., Raleigh. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $12/person. Enjoy the classic Christmas TV special performed live on stage as Charlie Brown discovers the true meaning of Christmas, with help from Linus. A sensory-friendly show takes place Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. Contact the box

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office by phone at 919-831-6058 to learn more about this special needs performance. theatreinthepark.com.

CARY PLAYERS PRESENT “A CHRISTMAS STORY” Dec. 1-4 – Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. Join Ralphie Parker on his quest to get a Red Ryder air rifle from Santa. etix.com.

“CINDERELLA” Dec. 1-17 – Raleigh Little Theatre, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $26 and up.

This visually stunning musical combines elegant costumes and scenery with singing, dancing, conniving step-relatives and

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

resourceful fairy folk. raleighlittletheatre.org/ shows/cinderella.

beloved children’s novel by J.M. Barrie.

Purchase tickets online. burningcoal.org.

INFINITY BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS “NUTCRACKER DANCES”

FOLK ANGEL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Dec. 1-3 – Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets, which are $8/person. Talented ballet students perform the classic holiday ballet. etix.com.

“PETER PAN & WENDY” Dec. 1-17 – Burning Coal Theatre, 224 Polk St., Raleigh. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $25/adult, $15/ student. Burning Coal Theatre Company presents a stage production based on the

Dec. 2 – Binkley Chapel, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 120 S. Wingate St., Wake Forest. 7-9:30 p.m. $5/person. Folk Angel from the Village Church in Texas performs a Christmas concert. All ages. Purchase tickets online. eventbrite.com/e/folk-angel-christmasconcert-tickets-36417072444.

TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER” Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 9 – Performances Dec. 2-3 are at Hanes Theater at Chapel Hill High School, 1709 High School Rd., Chapel Hill.

Performances Dec. 9 are at Carolina Theatre,

› 309 W. Morgan St., Durham. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $10-$27/person. Triangle Youth Ballet performs Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet. Purchase tickets online. triangleyouthballet.org/the_nutcracker.html.

CAROLINA PUPPET THEATRE PRESENTS “RUDOLPH”

THE RALEIGH RINGERS’ HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 9-10 – Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St., Raleigh.

See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $20/adult, $10/student. The Raleigh Ringers perform holiday handbell music. rr.org.

CAPTAIN KID AND JAX PERFORM

Dec. 5 – Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 11 a.m. $5/person. Puppets tell the beloved tale of Rudolph. Purchase tickets online. etix.com.

Dec. 10 – Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro.

2:30-3:30 p.m. $3/person. Captain Kid performs with his talented macaw, Jax. carrbororec.org.

FANTASIA: “CHRISTMAS AFTER MIDNIGHT”

WAKE FOREST CHILDREN’S CHOIR’S HOLIDAY CONCERT

Dec. 6 – Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. 7:30 p.m. See the website for fees. Grammy-winner Fantasia performs her greatest hits and new holiday music.

Purchase tickets online. ticketmaster.com.

TRIANGLE WIND ENSEMBLE PRESENTS “A JOYFUL CELEBRATION” Dec. 8 – Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 7:30 p.m. $15/adult, $5/child. Holiday films with live music, songs of the season and other goodies usher in the season at this annual concert. Purchase tickets online. etix.com.

TRIANGLE YOUTH PHILHARMONIC PRESENTS “MUSICIANS WITH A ‘CROWDSOURCED CHORUS’” Dec. 8 – Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. 8 p.m. Free. Take part in an annual singalong of Handel’s “Messiah.” Food bank donations appreciated. philharmonic-association.org/concerts/ 2017-18-concerts.html.

“A FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS CAROL” AND “THE GREAT BIG HOLIDAY BAKE OFF: A CONFECTIONARY CHRISTMAS MUSICAL” Dec. 8-9 – Halle Cultural Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $6-$10/ person. Enjoy two musicals in one performance. “A Fairytale Christmas Carol” mingles the traditional story of “A Christmas Carol” with classic fairy tales. “The Great Big Holiday Bake Off: A Confectionary Christmas Musical” spotlights contestants as they complete one final task in a confectionary cooking competition. etix.com.

CITY BALLET PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER” Dec. 8-9 – Stewart Theatre, North Carolina State University, 2610 Cates Ave., Raleigh. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $15-$30/person.

City Ballet Raleigh presents its 25th annual performance of the family-friendly ballet featuring guest artists from Carolina Ballet dancing alongside 80 children in the classic roles of Clara, mice, soldiers, flowers, snowflakes and more. city-ballet.com/tickets.

Dec. 12 – Wake Forest Renaissance Center, 405 Brooks St., Wake Forest. 6 p.m. Free. The choir performs an evening of holiday favorites for all ages. facebook.com/wfchildrenschoir.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

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CARY TOWN BAND PRESENTS “WINTERFEST 17” Dec. 15 – Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury O’Dell Place, Cary.

7:30 p.m. Free. Celebrate the season with favorite carols and enjoy a singalong. townofcary.org.

BARRISKILL DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER” Dec. 15-17 – Reynolds Theater, Duke University, 125 Science Dr., Durham. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. Barriskill Dance Theatre School presents its annual production of Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet. The cast consists of 130 performers, ages 7-18, and the choreography changes every year to fit the dancers. barriskilldance.com.

CARY BALLET PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER SUITE”

Dec. 12-23 – Center for Dramatic Art, 250 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $15 and up. Take the family to this witty and warm journey through a lifetime of Christmases as Scrooge finally finds redemption, charity and love. playmakersrep.org/show/ christmas-carol.

Dec. 15-17 – Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $21-$25/ person. Cary Ballet Company presents Tchaikovsky’s holiday ballet. caryballetcompany.org/nutcracker.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: “WINTER TOUR 2017: THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE”

Dec. 16 – The Clayton Center, 111 E. 2nd St., Clayton.

2 p.m., 7 p.m. $15/person. The Johnston County Chorale and special guests sing Christmas favorites. facebook.com/ musicalfun1977.

Dec. 13 – PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh.

See the website for show times and to purchase tickets. $43-$75/person. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents a holiday spectacular for all ages. Purchase tickets online. ticketmaster.com.

“MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER” Dec. 13-14 – Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham.

7:30 p.m. $28 and up. Marking its 25th anniversary tour, "Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker" features worldclass Russian artists, larger-than-life puppets, Russianmade costumes and a 60-foot magical Christmas tree highlight the Moscow Ballet’s holiday treat. Purchase tickets online. carolinatheatre.org.

CAPITAL CITY GIRLS CHOIR WINTER CONCERT: “DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?” Dec. 15 – Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh.

7:30 p.m. $15/person. Celebrate the Capital City Girls Choir’s 30th anniversary season with a concert featuring music written by composers from all over the world. This year’s winter concert is titled, “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Capital City Girls Choir alumnae will also perform during the concert. capitalcitygirlschoir.org.

“IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR”

TRIANGLE YOUTH PHILHARMONIC’S HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 17 – Athens Drive High School Auditorium, 1420 Athens Dr., Raleigh. 4 p.m. $15/adult, $5/child. The Triangle Youth String Orchestra performs its annual holiday concert. All ages.

Purchase tickets online. etix.com.

RALEIGH BOYCHOIR PRESENTS “CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS” Dec. 22 – Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. 7 p.m. It’s the golden jubilee year for Raleigh Boychoir, as this Raleigh institution celebrates 50 years of creating beautiful harmonies. Hear the Raleigh Boychoir perform classics and yuletide favorites during its “Carols of Christmas” concert. Purchase tickets online. rbc2017carols.brownpapertickets.com.

NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY PRESENTS “A NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION CONCERT” Dec. 31 – Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St., Raleigh.

8 p.m. $37-$84. Ring in 2018 in style, with the unparalleled sound of a full symphony orchestra. Purchase tickets online. ncsymphony.org.

carolinaparent.com | DECEMBER 2017

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holiday home tours

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

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holiday home tours

HOLIDAY HOME TOURS IN THE TRIANGLE

See 12 beautifully decorated homes on the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour in Raleigh.

Photo courtesy of Tom Bagby

By Janice Lewine Many of the Triangle’s best-known historic homes, elegantly decorated for the holiday season, open their doors to visitors this month. These deckthe-halls tours not only offer a glimpse of how Christmas was celebrated in yesteryear, they can also spark inspiration to dress your own home in its holiday finest. *Tours requiring a ticket purchase are noted with an asterisk.

*DUKE HOMESTEAD 2828 Duke Homestead Rd., Durham 919-627-6990 dukehomestead.org/christmasby-candlelight.php Dec. 1 and 8, 6:45-9:15 p.m.

Purchase tickets on the website, $3 for ages 1-10 and $6 for adults.

BENTONVILLE BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE 5466 Harper House Rd., Four Oaks 919-594-0789 nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi Holiday open house: Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

HISTORIC STAGVILLE 5828 Old Oxford Hwy., Durham 919-620-0120 stagville.org/events Holiday open house: Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. *Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m.

Lantern tours are $5/person. Call to purchase tickets.

JOEL LANE MUSEUM HOUSE 160 S. Saint Mary's St., Raleigh 919-833-3431 joellane.org Holiday open house: Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

PAGE-WALKER ARTS AND HISTORY CENTER 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary 919-460-4963 townofcary.org Dec. 2, 4-6 p.m.

*APEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S HOME TOUR

*HISTORIC OAKWOOD CANDLELIGHT TOUR

Downtown Apex and surrounding areas apexhistoricalsociety.com/ahshome_tour_2017.htm Dec. 3, 1-5 p.m.

Tickets are $6-$12 and are available at the MaynardPearson House, 1101 Olive Chapel Rd., Apex on event day.

Downtown Raleigh historicoakwood.org/historicoakwood-candlelight-tour Dec. 9-10, 1-7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for ages 6 and older (ages 5 and younger are free with a paying adult) and are available on the website or at The Tucker House, 418 N. Person St., Raleigh, on event day.

RALEIGH STATE CAPITOL 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh 919-733-4994 facebook.com/ncstatecapitol Holiday open house: Dec. 6, 5-7:30 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE MANSION 200 N. Blount St., Raleigh 919-733-3871 nchistoricsites.org/capitol/exec/ exectour.htm Holiday open house: Dec. 6-9; 6-8 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

MORDECAI HISTORIC PARK 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 919-996-4364 reclink.raleighnc.gov Holiday open house: Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m.

Free admission. *Holiday Tours: Dec. 9, 5-9 p.m. Tickets are $5/person and available on the website.

*HILLSBOROUGH CANDLELIGHT TOUR: A SALUTE TO HILLSBOROUGH VETERANS Downtown Hillsborough 919-732-8156 hillsboroughchamber.com/pages/ home-tour Dec. 10, 3-7 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$20 and available on the website. Family-fun activities, some requiring a fee, begin at noon.

BENNETT PLACE STATE HISTORIC SITE 4403 Bennett Memorial Rd., Durham 919-383-4345 bennettplacehistoricsite.com/ special-events Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. *Dec. 16, 6-9 p.m. Candlelight tours are $3 for adults and $2 for ages 5-16. Call to purchase tickets.

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1 FRIDAY

Astronomy Night. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 5-7 p.m. $2. Enjoy an indoor presentation before viewing the moon and stars with the preserve’s telescope. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Register online using barcode #211960. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Teen Science Cafe: “Music and the Mind.” North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. 6-7 p.m.

Free. Teens learn about the power of music with guest speaker Julia Daniels. naturalsciences.org.

2 SATURDAY

Breakfast With Mrs. Claus. Garden Supply Company, 1421 Old Apex Rd., Cary. 9-10 a.m. Free. Mrs. Claus reads a Christmas-themed story, and children enjoy a continental breakfast and craft. Take a letter for Mrs. Claus to give to Santa.

Advance registration required online. gardensupplyco.com.

Explore a Rock Outcrop. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 2-4 p.m. $5. Kids hike to a rock outcrop to learn how rocks are formed and are changed by rain, ice, plants and people.

Wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Age 6-10. Register online. Choose course #211973. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Goldfish Swim School Grand Opening. Goldfish Swim School, 2980 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary.

Noon-3 p.m. Free. Cary’s new swim school welcomes families for a free swim, facility tours, a balloon artist, photo booth, raffles, arts and crafts, and more. goldfishswimschool.com/cary.

Make and Take: Essential Oil Gifts.

Leigh Farm Park, 370 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $3-$8. Kids make homemade gifts for their friends and family with the guidance of a skilled aromatherapist. Ages 5-12 with adult. dprplaymore.org.

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Natural Explorations: Winter Wonders Walk. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-noon. Free.

Take a guided hike to learn how wildlife prepares for the cold weather. Look for animal tracks and other wildlife signs. All ages with adult. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Santa’s Workshop. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 10-12:30 p.m. Free.

Kids ages 10 and younger enjoy a variety of craft stations and a visit with Santa. Support the Cary Teen Council’s food drive by taking two nonperishable food items or a cash donation to benefit a local charity. townofcary.org.

STEM Saturday. SMILE Camp, 6301 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. 10 a.m.1 p.m. $55/child. Take part in hands-on science experiments.

Register online. smilecamp.org/ programs/academic.

Take a Photo With Santa at the Old Mill. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 10 a.m.-noon. Free.

Take a picture with Santa inside Yates Mill. Play reindeer games in the mill yard, try out a variety of old-fashioned toys and enjoy free seasonal refreshments. Purchase tickets online beginning at 9 a.m. on Dec. 2 for either the 10 a.m.noon or 1-3 p.m. session. Prices for photo packages vary. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Winter Wildlife Wonderland.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-5 p.m. $26/resident, $34/ nonresident. Kids enjoy nature activities. Ages 6-10. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

3 SUNDAY

Holiday Wreath Making. Durant Nature Preserve, 8305 Camp Durant Rd., Raleigh. 2-3 p.m. $5/child. Parent and child make holiday wreaths using materials from nature and enjoy hot

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

chocolate. Ages 6 and older.

Register online. Choose course #210500. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Junior Naturalist: Winter Animal Homes. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-2 p.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Participants develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature.

Ages 5-8 with parent. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

4 MONDAY

Kids Discover Nature: White-tailed Deer. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 11 a.m.-noon. $4/child. Learn about deer with a story and hands-on activities. Make a deer track to take home. Ages 3-7 with adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Nature Tots: Seasonal Discoveries.

Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill.

10-10:30 a.m. $2/child. Discover what is happening in nature through stories, hands-on nature activities, games and more.

Ages 1-3 with adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

5 TUESDAY

Hour of Code. The Coder School, 201 Davis Grove Circle, Cary.

5 p.m. Free. Learn to code during Computer Science Education Week, an annual program designed for K-12 students to take interest in computer science. Register online. thecoderschool.com/cary.

Medication Management for ADHD. Duke Child and Family Study Center, 2608 Erwin Rd., Pavilion East, Ste. 300, Durham. 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Parents learn about the role of medications in the management of ADHD for children and adults. Register online. dukehealth.org/events.

Nature Families: Getting Ready for Winter. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon. $1/person. Learn how animals get ready for winter.

Play a game and make a craft. All ages with adult. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

6 WEDNESDAY

Calling for Owls. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 4:30-6 p.m. $3. Learn about the owls that live in the nature preserve. Enjoy an owl story, make a craft, and go outside to call owls. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Register online. Choose course #210662. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Nature Watchers: Time to Sleep.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon. $4/child.

Learn which animals hibernate in winter and make a winterthemed craft. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Register online. wakegov.com/ parks/crowder.

Swamp Romp: Animals in Winter.

Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.noon. $3. Budding naturalists enjoy crafts, engaging activities and a guided walk through the park.

Register online. Choose course #209275. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Wee Walkers: At Home in a Hole.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10-11 a.m. $8/resident, $10/ nonresident. Children delight in discoveries of shapes, colors and textures in nature. Ages 1 and older with parent. Registration required. classweb.townofcary.org.

7 THURSDAY

Hour of Code. See Dec. 5. 6 p.m.

Project Enlightenment Workshop: Understanding Your Shy, Cautious or Anxious Child.

Project Enlightenment, 501 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $22/person, $33/couple.

Learn strategies for helping a shy, cautious or anxious child.

› For families with children ages 3-6. Register online. projectenlightenment.wcpss.net.

Stay & Play. Immaculata Catholic School, 721 Burch Ave., Durham.

9-10 a.m. Children up to age 4 enjoy crafts, games, stories and snacks.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. immaculataschool.org/ admissions-events.

Wee Walkers: At Home in a Hole.

See Dec. 6.

Wee Walkers. Durant Nature Preserve, 8305 Camp Durant Rd., Raleigh.

10-11 a.m. Free. Join others on an hike around the park to explore what’s happening in nature.

Register online. Choose course #210342. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

What’s in the Box? Parts of Art. North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. $5/member, $8/nonmember.

Explore a part of art. Ages 2-5 with caregiver. Purchase tickets online for either the 10:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. session. ncartmuseum.org.

8 FRIDAY

Crowder By Night: Mysteries of the Moon. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 4:30-5:30 p.m. $1/person. Listen to stories about the moon and discover whether there is truth to them.

Enjoy activities and crafts. All ages with adult. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

Family Art Workshop: “Holiday Creations.” JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 10 a.m.-noon. $10/child member, $15/child nonmember.

Parent and child use materials from the garden to make fun crafts. All ages. Register online. jcra.ncsu.edu/events/details. php?ID=1574.

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt.

Powell Drive Park, 740 Powell Dr., Raleigh. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

Help the North Pole’s elves find their lost candy canes. Take a flashlight. Ages 6-12. Registration

encouraged. Choose course #211906. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Park Tales: “Stranger in the Woods.” Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m-noon. Free.

Enjoy the story by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick. Take a walk in the woods and make a snowmanthemed craft. All ages with adult. Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

9 SATURDAY

Enloe Charity Ball. Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. 7-11 p.m. $35-$40. Enloe High School hosts its 13th annual Charity Ball at Marbles to benefit the Raleigh Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness.

Purchase tickets online. charityball.webconnex.com/2017.

Foster Care Christmas. Lifepointe Church, 9500 Durant Rd., Raleigh. 4-6 p.m. Foster families enjoy a Christmas party that includes a visit from Santa Claus, food, inflatables and a movie.

Registration required. outreach. lifepointechurch.com/foster-carechristmas.

Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops. Family Preschool, 4907 Garrett Rd., Durham.

11 a.m. $40/house. Take the family to make a gingerbread house in this allergy-free workshop. Advance registration required online. familypreschool. org/gingerbread.

Nature in Winter. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 2-4 p.m. Free. Discover how the animals of Lake Crabtree survive the darkest, coldest season. Take water and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Rockin’ Reindeer Hop. Apex Community Center, 53 Hunter St., Apex. 7-9:30 p.m. $5/child. Teens and adults with disabilities ages 14 and older hop the night away

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with music, dancing, refreshments and more. Participants requiring close supervision or assistance must take a chaperone. Register online. Choose program #5719. apexnc/peakconnect.

A Kid’s Life: Taffy Pulling. Leigh Farm Park, 370 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham. 10 a.m.-noon. Free.

Donations appreciated. Travel back in time to the 1800s when taffy pulling parties were a popular pastime during the Christmas season. Make old-fashioned taffy.

Drop-in program. Ages 5-12 with adult. dprplaymore.org.

Calling for Owls. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. See Dec. 6.

Coder Fair. The Coder School, 201 Davis Grove Circle, Cary. 2-4 p.m.

Free. Coder School students display their games and apps. The public is invited. thecoderschool.com/cary.

Grinch Candy Cane Hunt. Bond Park, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 1-2 p.m. $10/child. Help find candy canes in Bond Park before the Grinch turns them green. Ages 6-12.

Register online. Choose course #103713. townofcary.org.

Holiday Nature Mini-Camp. $20/ child. Collect materials from nature to use in the creation of hand-made projects that can be given as gifts. Play a fun game and enjoy time outdoors. Register online. Choose course #210501.

Ages 6-12. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Winter Wildlife Wonderland.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-5 p.m. $26/resident, $34/ nonresident. Kids enjoy nature activities. Ages 6-10. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

13-15. Register online. classweb. townofcary.org.

Hour of Code. See Dec. 5. 11 a.m., noon.

10 SUNDAY

13 WEDNESDAY

Hemlock Nature Quest: Owl Prowl.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 4-6 p.m. $12/resident, $16/ nonresident. Search for owls and other nocturnal wildlife. Ages

11 MONDAY

Cosmic Open Bounce. BounceU Apex, 3419 Apex Peakway, Apex.

4-6 p.m. $10/person. Take the family to bounce under the black lights and special effect lights that dance and bounce to music.

Registration required online. bounceu.com/apex-nc.

12 TUESDAY

Happy Hanukkah!

Family Fun Night at Marbles.

Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. 5:308 p.m. Free. Children with special needs experience the museum after hours in a calmer, quieter environment. marbleskidsmuseum.org.

Kids, Cookies and Candy Canes.

Century Center, 100 N. Green St., Carrboro. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.

Enjoy holiday fun with cookies, crafts and a children’s show. carrbororec.org.

Nature Fun-Days: Deer. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary.

10 a.m.-noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Welcoming Winter. Durant Nature Preserve, 8305 Camp Durant Rd., Raleigh. 10-11 a.m. $3/child.

Enjoy a short walk to look for signs of winter and play games.

Ages 3-5 with adult. Register online. Choose course #210418. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Cosmic Open Bounce. See Dec. 11.

14 THURSDAY

Open Bounce. Open Bounce. BounceU Apex, 3419 Apex Peakway, Apex. Noon-2 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.

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$10/child. Enjoy music, games and inflatables. Take socks.

Registration recommended online. bounceu.com/apex.

15 FRIDAY

Kids Nature Night: Getting Ready for Winter. Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh.

6-8 p.m. $5. Kids take a hike in the wetland, learn how animals get ready for winter, make a natural ornament to take home, and enjoy a movie, popcorn and hot chocolate. Dress to get dirty. Ages 5-10. Register online. Choose course #209318. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Nature Nuts: White-tailed Deer.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10-11 a.m. $10/resident, $13/nonresident. Go nutty for nature as children satisfy some of their curiosity about the world around them and parents share in the joy of discovery. Ages 3-5 with parent. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Night Out in Nature. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Raleigh.

6-9 p.m. $15/resident, $19/ nonresident. Kids spend a night out in nature making memories and new friends in an oldfashioned, camp-style program.

Ages 8-12. Registration required. townofcary.org.

16 SATURDAY

Breakfast With Mrs. Claus.

See Dec. 9.

Discover the Park: Walk in the Woods. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.noon. Free. Take a walk in the woods and discover the animals and plants that call the park home. Help collect data for our Natural Resource Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. Ages 14 and older. Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

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Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops. See Dec. 9.

Nature Nuts: White-tailed Deer.

See Dec.15.

STEM Saturday. SMILE Camp, 6301 Hillsborough St., Raleigh.

See Dec. 2.

Tales and Trails: Stories Around the Campfire. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 4:306 p.m. $18/resident, $24/ nonresident. Discover what’s happening in the forest as the sun sets, and enjoy stories and s’mores around a campfire. All ages with adult. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

17 SUNDAY

Family Feature: Winter Wrap Up. Crowder District Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 2-3 p.m. $1/ person. Learn about winter. Sip pine needle tea, and observe the ice and snow through hands-on science experiments. All ages with adult. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

The Grinch Visits. Quail Ridge Books, 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd., Raleigh. 2 p.m. Free. Enjoy Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as the Grinch makes a live appearance. Singing and holiday activities round out the fun. Take a camera. Ages 3 and older. quailridgebooks.com/event/ grinch-comes-quail-ridge-books.

Lights and Latkes. Beth Meyer Synagogue Social Hall, 504 Newton Rd., Raleigh. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Advance tickets online are $10/ages 3-18, $12/adult. At the door: $12/ ages 3-18, $15/adult.

Take your menorah from home for a group menorah lighting in celebration of Hanukkah. Enjoy crafts, latkes, jelly doughnuts and more. Proceeds benefit ongoing teacher education and financial aid programs at Beth Meyer Preschool. bethmeyerpreschool.org.

DECEMBER 2017 | carolinaparent.com

18 MONDAY

Apex Ham Toss. Apex Community Center, 73 Hunter St., Apex. 6 p.m. Free. Family members join teams to shoot foul shots for a chance to win a holiday ham. See the website for age divisions and times. Registration not required. apexnc.org/programguide.

Kids Get Crafty: Welcome Winter.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon.

Free. Create a snow globe to take home. All ages with adult.

Registration not required. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

19 TUESDAY

A Side of History: Totally Toys.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh.

10-11 a.m. $1/person. Explore toys that children all over the world enjoy. Make a toy to take home and read a story. All ages with adult. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

20 WEDNESDAY

Cosmic Open Bounce. See Dec. 11.

21 THURSDAY

What’s in the Box? Movement.

North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. $5/member, $8/nonmember.

Explore creative movement.

Purchase tickets for either the 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. session. Ages 2-5 with caregiver. ncartmuseum.org.

22 FRIDAY

Christmas in Raleigh. Centennial Campus Middle School, 1900 Main Campus Dr., Raleigh. 7-8:15 p.m.

Free. Enjoy holiday traditions of hot cocoa, cookies, carols and more paired with a family-friendly service to celebrate the holiday season. Presented by Soul Church. christmasinraleigh.com.

Field School: The Ingalls’ Long Winter. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $6/ child. Learn what the Ingalls family did to survive one especially long winter and how they celebrated Christmas. Taste an old-fashioned peppermint candy stick and make a craft. Wear a pioneer outfit. Register online for either the 10:30 a.m.-noon or 2-3:30 p.m. session. Ages 7 and older with adult. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Nature Fun-Days: Cardinals and Chickadees. See Dec. 12.

Nature Lab: Kids Get Holiday Crafty. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill.

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $16/child.

Kids enjoy crafting and nature activities while parents enjoy holiday shopping. Take a lunch and water bottle. Ages 6-10. Meet at the park office. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

23 SATURDAY

“The Story of North Carolina.”

North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Tour an exhibit that features more than 14,000 years of the state’s history that unfold through artifacts, multimedia presentations, dioramas and hands-on interactive components. ncmuseumofhistory.org.

24 SUNDAY

Enjoy a Holiday Light Show.

Search “must-see holiday light shows” at carolinaparent.com.

25 MONDAY Merry Christmas!

26 TUESDAY Happy Kwanzaa!

27 WEDNESDAY

Cosmic Open Bounce. See Dec. 11.

28 THURSDAY

Open Bounce. See Dec. 14.

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29 FRIDAY

Art in the Park: Super Snowflakes. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Make paper snowflakes and decorate the exhibit hall. All ages with adult. Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Nature Fun-Days: Salamanders. See Dec. 12.

1-3 p.m.

Open Bounce. See Dec. 14.

30 SATURDAY

Art in the Park: Super Snowflakes. See Dec. 29.

31 SUNDAY

Art in the Park: Super Snowflakes. See Dec. 29.

First Night Raleigh. Downtown Raleigh. 2 p.m.-midnight. $10/person for a First Night Button. Enjoy live music, performers, sleigh rides, vendors and more. Watch the Acorn drop at midnight. firstnightraleigh.com.

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CALENDAR POLICY The Carolina Parent calendar lists local and regional activities for children and families.

To submit an event for consideration, visit carolinaparent.com by the 6th of the month for the next month's issue.

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

This calendar may include some events not intended for young children.

Find more events at carolinaparent.com/ cp/ calendar.

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Buy 4 lessons in first month and get 5th lesson FREE!

YOUR AD. THIS SPACE. NEXT MONTH. advertising@carolinaparent.com

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› FACES & PLACES

Ford (4), Keaton (4), Emerson (7) and Shane (7) enjoy a day of fun at Three Bears Acres in Creedmoor.

Submit high-resolution photos of your kids having fun in the Triangle at carolinaparent.com/facesandplaces.

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