Neapolitan Family January 2022 Digital Issue

JANUARY 2022

COMPLIMENTARY

Taking a Closer Look LOCAL ADVENTURES CATHOLIC EDUCATION MOMS & SOBRIETY POTTY TRAINING TOY CLUTTER

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

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1. Is this your full-time job?

2. Do you have references I can call?

3. How quickly can I expect a response during non-business hours?

4. How many sales have you closed this year?

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6. If needed, are you available to meet outside of normal business hours?

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

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January 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS 12 5 Reasons Parents Choose Catholic Schools. Learn more about what Catholic education can do for your child.

in every issue . . .

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

8

YOUR COMMUNITY

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COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATE

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FAMILY FUN CALENDAR

14 Potty Training. Tips on training your toddler from a pediatrician.

by Salvatore Anzalone, M.D.

on the cover…

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16 Take a Ride. See what the Naples Train Museum has to offer.

by Anna Snyder 17 Visit the Reinvented Nature Center at Conservancy.

Your family will love the new, interactive experience.

Maya Popielarz is 6 years old and in first grade. She is the daughter of Iwona and Tom Popielarz, and has two brothers, Dominic and Alexander. She loves animals, especially her dogs Bella and Freddie and all bunnies.

Maya is fluent in Polish and is learning to play golf. She likes gymnastics, the beach, paddleboarding and kayaking, playing outside, and camping. Thank you to Conservancy of Southwest Florida for hosting our cover shoot as it reopened its doors to the public.

Cover photo by Monica Alvarez of Monica Alvarez Photography www.monicaalvarezphotography.com 305-815-3495 info@monicaalvarezphotography.com

18 New You in ‘22. The first in our series of articles about moms healing – mentally, emotionally, and physically.

by Lissa Carlson

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21 Too Many Toys? Reduce toy clutter in 6 easy steps.

by Sarah Lyons 28 Destination: Nantucket. Find out what makes this historic island is worth more than a day trip from Cape Cod.

by Karen T. Bartlett

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

from the publisher… the parenting magazine devoted to collier county

P.O. Box 110656 Naples, FL 34108 info@neafamily.com 2021

2021

2020

2021

2020

Co-Publisher Stacy Nicolau snicolau@neafamily.com 239-370-5333 Co-Publisher Leigh Ann Newman lanewman@neafamily.com 239-272-0529 Travel Editor Karen T. Bartlett mostlykidsguides@gmail.com 239-595-9026 Feature Writer Anna Snyder Editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials.

Articles and advertisements in Neapolitan Family do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Neapolitan Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Neapolitan Family is available free of charge at distribution points throughout Collier County, as well as digitally at https://neafamily.com. Neapolitan Family is ©2022 by Neapolitan Family Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

THIS MONTH New You in ‘22 There’s something about changing the calendar over to a new year that makes us think we need to make some changes in ourselves. After a busy holiday season (that really starts with Halloween and ends with New Year’s Eve), many of us start to second guess the permission we gave ourselves to over indulge in our eating, drinking, and spending, and skipping the gym.

January is a great time to make some resolutions, but it is always the right time to make changes in your life that affect your health and your family’s.

In our new series, New You in ’22, we are talking with parents who have overcome significant challenges brought on by addiction, illness, divorce, and loss.

Our first article in the series sheds light on Mommy Wine Culture. Sure, we all have laughed at the memes that joke about children being the reason we drink, but for some mothers, drinking leads to the deterioration of their health, marriage, and safety of their home. While men and women equally can suffer from addiction, this article explores the common shame that many mothers experience because they feel the weight of their children’s safety and happiness, especially during a pandemic, on their shoulders.

If you also are looking to make a change in your child’s education, now is a great time to start touring new schools. This month we will be spotlighting local Catholic schools and the benefits of a Catholic education. Stay tuned for our annual education guide in February, which will help you explore all of your local educational options as well.

If you have suggestions for a New You in ’22 topic, please contact us at snicolau@neafamily.com.

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YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

L-R: Lea Haven, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center’s lead instructor; Ryan Pike; and Mary Fellenz, occupational therapist.

Youth Fund Horse-Based Occupational Therapy Program

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aples Therapeutic Riding Center’s new occupational therapy with a horse program has received a grant from a local student-led philanthropic initiative. The funds will help underwrite the annual part-time salary for NTRC’s occupational therapy services coordinator.

The $3,000 grant came from the Community Foundation of Collier County. The CFCC Student Philanthropy Council, in partnership with Youth Leadership Collier Foundation, awarded the funds. Students from the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2021 serve on the philanthropy council and selected NTRC as one of three nonprofit programs in which to invest.

Occupational therapy with a horse uses the horse’s movement in combination with assistance from NTRC’s equine-assisted occupational therapy specialist, certified therapeutic riding instructor, and volunteers to improve the core, balance, focus, and speech of children and adults. Sessions are conducted by NTRC supporter, volunteer, and clinical partner Mary Fellenz, who is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with more than 25 years of experience.

The intensive, semi-private, two-rider lessons are provided weekly for six weeks. This service differs from NTRC’s core equine-assisted therapeutic riding program because it provides an even more individualized treatment to address impairments, functional limitations, and more intensive disabilities.

Ryan Pike, an 11-year-old with autism, recently completed the program. In the sessions Ryan worked on sequencing and hand coordination while doing math facts, sight words, and puzzles – all while on the back of a horse.

“He has so much fun and doesn’t even realize he is in therapy.

It has been an amazing addition to his treatment,” said Amy Pike, Ryan’s mother. “NTRC is a very special place. Ryan feels accepted and is able to learn and grow in a relaxed, supportive, and unique environment.”

For more details on programs or volunteer opportunities, visit www.NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter.org or call 239-596-2988.

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

Inaugural Naples Moms Event Draws Crowd to Baker Park

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n estimated 2,400 people attended the Naples Moms Shop & Play event held last month at Baker Park. More than 50 vendors participated in the indoor and outdoor event, including food trucks, small businesses, first responders, and children’s activities such as a play space, hair braiding, crafts, and a bounce house.

The Naples Moms Facebook group allows members to post about their businesses only on the first day of the month, and at anytime in its subgroup, Naples Moms Marketplace.

“We [were] beyond excited to host this event and have the virtual meet the real world,” said Judy Huntley, group administrator of Naples Moms. “Many of our members have had their businesses grow from hobbies and passion projects to full-fledged and extremely successful endeavors right before our eyes.”

The Naples Moms online community grew out of a desire to create a safe space for local moms to find support. “Moms groups are historically known for being sometimes mean spirited and dishing out more shame than advice,” Huntley said.

“I knew that we could cultivate a group that not only met the needs of our area moms but also one where we could build an actual community. We strive for an uplifting, friendly environment where there are no bounds to the resources available to our members.”

T h e Fa c e b o o k group has since bloomed into a significant crowdL-R: Shop & Play sponsors Lauren sourcing resource for members in need.

Smith, director of operations, and “For Christmases of Lyndsey Creech, Realtor, The Nest the past, we have raised at Domain Realty in Naples. over $20,000 for needy families and delivered trunkfuls of magic to dozens of kids,” Huntley explained. “During the pandemic, we had a secret group that came together to pay rents, buy groceries, pay off electric bills – really profoundly show up financially, physically, and emotionally for other members when they needed it. We have helped women leave dangerous situations, find breast milk when they’re out, find that mom friend at the park they wished they’d swapped numbers with, or find the last-minute Halloween costume item. I’ve been truly blessed to watch it all unfold and have a hand in matching resources to those that need them.”

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YOUR YOUR COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NEWS NEWS & & EVENTS EVENTS

NAMI’s Hope Shines Fundraiser Raises Mental Health Awareness

L

ast month, nearly 300 people attended the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Collier County’s Hope Shines Luncheon to raise awareness of mental health needs in our community. Zak Williams, son of the late Robin Williams, was the keynote speaker.

Williams spoke about his experience with his own mental health struggles, and explained that his purpose is to erase the stigma that keeps people from getting the help they need, and to encourage everyone to practice mental health hygiene by finding the things they need to do to take care of themselves and show up for others.

Williams said that the biggest challenges to mental health are funding for resources and deploying the resources in a practical way. He noted that after the pandemic began, nearly 96% of polled college students said they were struggling with their mental health.

Williams’ path to mental health advocacy both in schools and on a global level was catalyzed by his trauma and depression after his father died by suicide in 2015.

“If my dad was here today, he would be sweating,” Williams said, giving a light-hearted nod to the unseasonably warm weather at the outdoor event. He went on to say, “He would be spreading

New Minature Horse Program at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

the same message. He stood for two things: to help people laugh and to learn.”

Neapolitan Family was proud to be a media sponsor of this event. For more information about NAMI resources and events, grant from the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation go to$100,000 https://www.namicollier.org. is funding a new miniature horse therapy program at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding and other equine-facilitated services to children and adults with physical, social, and mental health needs.

Two miniature horses, Toulmin and Itty Bitty, were donated all-newMiniature second edition toThe NTRC. horses, known as “minis”, are similar to their is the perfect guidepartners for full-sized equine in terms of personality, intelligence, and visitors, local families, disposition.

The grant was used to improve the facilities to ensure classrooms, homeschool the safety the minis as well as fund the new position of equine groups andoflibraries.

Twice as many manager colorful photos resource to implement and facilitate the program. and illustrations...more In addition to having the minis on site at the riding center, super-fun attractions and NTRC’s new mini traveling program will bring the therapeutic experiences...more freaky factoidsof and insideto tips. benefits horses worksites and organizations through Southwest Plus, all including the websiteshospitals, and Florida, schools, hospices, nursing homes, and phone numbers you need. rehabilitation centers.

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Left: Camryn with miniature horse and Toulmin.

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COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

By Jennifer L. Kupiec

CCPS Annual STEAM Expo Returns With Steve Spangler

T

he Collier County Public Schools 11th Annual STEAM Expo in-person event is back. On Saturday, Jan. 29, we’ll be on the campus of Gulf Coast High School for an exciting morning filled with adventure, learning, and fun.

“This is such an important event for CCPS,” says Lindy George, digital innovation and STEAM specialist. “It not only allows our students and our community to look at what’s available in our schools, but it also provides a glimpse into potential career opportunities for students as they move outside of our school system and into the world.”

Strolling through the STEAM Village, guests will find booths with interactive, hands-on activities such as Wizarding World of Coding, Aviation Academy Simulated Flight, and Machining Technology. The event also features an artist workshop where participants will be able to create art in a group setting, NAF academies showcasing programs available in CCPS high schools, displays from science fair finalists, and a middle school entrepreneurship marketplace where students will be selling their products.

“We really want our students to see the potential and explore career opportunities that they never considered or they may not have been exposed to anywhere else,” says George. “One of my favorite parts about the day is getting to stand back and watch the joy and the glee – a child taking their parent’s hand to the very next booth because they just can’t wait to get to the next project.”

The need for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math is real. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of STEM jobs will grow 8% between 2017 and 2029, with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way.

Several years ago, CCPS added the letter “A” to the commonly used STEM acronym to emphasize “arts” curriculum and activities,

which enable students to activate both sides of their brains.

“STEAM is important,” George explains. “It is an economic driver that presents great opportunity, but we need to prepare our future workforce to meet such opportunity.”

And who better to get kids excited about STEAM than America’s science teacher! Best-selling author Steve Spangler is back with us this year for a live on-stage show that will not disappoint. With more than 1,500 television appearances and multiple Emmy awards to his credit, former educator Spangler brings a love for science that is contagious.

“It was so fun to have Steve Spangler last year when he was virtual, but virtual is never the same as live,” says George. “Having his energy and his knowledge brought to our very own stage here in Collier County is going to be incredible.”

Register now for this free event at www.collierschools.com/ steamexpo. Those who sign up early will receive a CCPS STEAMthemed bag. Also, don’t forget Spangler’s opening session – there may just be a special surprise during the main event. Shhh…

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EDUCATION

On national and standardized tests Catholic schools consistently outperform public schools.

–National Assessment of Educational Progress

Five Reasons Parents Choose a Catholic School Education

I

f you are considering private education options for your children, this is the perfect time to learn more about Catholic schools. National Catholic School Week is an annual celebration in late January of Catholic education in the United States. Sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, schools observe the week with open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

Catholic schools aren’t limited to members of the Catholic Church. According to NCEA, one-fifth of the students at Catholic high schools nationwide are of other faiths.

Here are five reasons parents choose a Catholic school education for their children.

1. Morals and values. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Institute at Georgetown University confirmed that “strong moral values” is the top reason parents choose to send their children to a

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Catholic school. Many of the parents who select a Catholic school want their child’s education at school to be an extension of what they are being taught at home.

They are looking for influences on their child that mirror their religious beliefs and moral choices.

Parent Angela Savage chose a Catholic school education for her young daughter for several reasons, including safety concerns and a desire to have a school that focuses on the entire child. Happy with her decision, Angela stated that “the consistent religious instruction and activities helped my daughter’s faith develop even in demanding situations.”

2. A strong religious foundation.

Graduates of Catholic high schools statistically are more likely to continue church involvement as an adult. According to Our Greatest and Best Inheritance: Catholic Schools and Parental Choice (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops), “Catholic school students are more likely to pray

daily, attend church more often, retain a Catholic identity as an adult, and donate more to the Church.”

3. A sense of community. Families who have children in a parish school have an easier time developing a sense of community with their fellow parishioners.

Opportunities for fellowship, friendship, and service are available for families and create a warm and welcoming community.

For those who don’t have other family in the area, this can be especially important, and their church and school become an important hub.

4. Affordability. Private school tuition can be expensive, but many Catholic schools and dioceses offer generous tuition-assistance programs for families who need help.

5. High-quality education. According to NCEA, 99% of Catholic secondary school students graduate and 88% go on to a four-year college. On national and standardized tests Catholic schools consistently outperform public schools, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Local Catholic schools PK-8 • Royal Palm Academy www.royalpalmacademy.org • Saint Ann Catholic School www.stann.net • St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School https://saintelizabethseton.com 9-12 • St. John Neumann High School PK-12 • Donahue Academy NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

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YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

By Salvatore Anzalone, M.D., Healthcare Network

Please Seat Yourself

A

Tips for potty training your toddler

s a pediatrician, I often am asked, “When should toilet training begin?” I get it. Ditching diapers is a major milestone many families look forward to, but potty training should not be rushed and should begin only when your toddler shows signs of being physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. Some children are ready between the ages of 18-24 months, while others might not be ready until they are around 3 years old.

Signs your child is ready to begin toilet training may include: • Showing interest in the toilet, such as asking questions or following family members into the bathroom.

• Requesting to be changed or announcing they need to go.

• Pulling at a wet or dirty diaper.

• Feeling comfortable when they are sitting on the toilet.

• Having a dry diaper for a longer than usual time.

When your child shows readiness, be sure to make it a positive and fun experience. Here are a few helpful tips: Kick off “potty.” Weeks before you plan to start toilet training, help your child ease into the idea of using the potty by reading fun

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picture books such as Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel or Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi. Reading and discussing these cute stories can help diffuse potential fears and anxieties about this new experience.

“Pee”-kaboo. Another way to prepare kids is to let your toddler see a sibling or you use the bathroom – the little ninjas likely are already following you in there anyway. Use this as an opportunity to describe the experience from beginning to end: “I feel like I have to go potty.” “I just peed in the potty.” “Now I need to flush the potty and wash my hands.”

The throne. There are two basic types of training seats. The first is a free-standing kid-size potty chair. The second is a mini toilet seat that attaches to a standard toilet. There are pros and cons to both, but since toddlers eventually will sit on an actual toilet the mini toilet seat may help them with the transition. If you use this type of seat, be sure to provide a step stool for easy access; it also will help your child position better for bowel movements. Regardless, it is most important you pick the system that works best for your family.

“Potty” favors. Praise all attempts to use the toilet, even if NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

nothing happens. Reward progress! Your little one bravely sat on the toilet. Yea, reward! They peed in the potty. Yea, reward! They told you they had to go potty. Yea, reward! Rewards don’t have to be big or expensive but should be immediate to reinforce positive behavior. Consider praise such as hugs, high-fives, cheers, songs, a sticker chart, or a small toy.

“Urine” trouble. Never shame or scold a child for accidents.

Reassure them that accidents happen, they are doing great, and they will get the hang of it.

“Potty” time. Start a schedule. Most children naturally need to go before bed, first thing in the morning, and after naps or eating.

And pay attention to clues such as leg crossing or squatting. Keep in mind, toddlers will not choose to go potty, especially if it disrupts their current activity, so rather than ask, tell them, “It’s potty time!”

Keep it brief. Training underwear and diapers reduce the sensation of feeling wet. For this reason, I often recommend classic cotton underwear for daytime training, because it makes it easier for the child to associate the urge to go with being wet. To prevent embarrassing accidents during the early days of training, slip a pull up diaper over the child’s cotton underwear. This way, if an accident occurs, their clothes stay dry.

Also, the transition into “big kid underwear” can be a huge motivator for kids. Have fun and let your toddler help pick out underwear with their favorite characters.

Nighttime. Has your child mastered daytime training but still has difficulty staying dry at night? Nighttime control often takes longer, and it is extremely common for children to struggle with this up to age seven. It is thought some children are not physically able to hold their urine long enough or may be deep sleepers who don’t register the urge to go. It’s important to remember this is completely normal and to be patient.

It’s not a whiz. There is no need to rush the potty-training schedule. The process often takes several months, and even after your child is toilet trained, you might hit a snag or encounter setbacks. Be patient and supportive, and let your child learn in their own time.

However, if you have a have toilet training concern, you should always discuss it with the child’s pediatrician.

W is hing you a nd your f a m ily a

Happy New Year!

We’re here to help you meet your real estate goals. Contact us to start your homebuying journey!

SALVATORE ANZALONE, M.D., FAAP, is a pediatrician and the medical director of pediatrics for Healthcare Network. Call 239658-3000 or visit https://healthcareswfl.org.

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YOUR COMMUNITY

By Anna Snyder

Naples Train Museum Reopens

A

fter an approximately 18 month pandemic-induced hiatus, the Naples Train Museum is back in action. Located at 1051 Fifth Avenue South in the historic Naples Train Depot, the building was constructed by the Seaboard Air Line Railway System in 1926. The museum boasts a world-class collection of model trains, including a fully functional gas-powered train engine with five train cars visitors can ride. The entire operation is run by volunteers who are passionate about trains and our community.

I brought my 7-year-old daughter, Winnie, to the museum on a recent Saturday morning, and the museum, which attracts visitors from all over the world, was bustling with activity. Volunteer Jane Turczyn greeted us at the ticket counter and filled us in on everything that makes the museum so special “The entire experience is interactive. Our visitors can go in full-size train cars, push buttons at our model train display, and ride our train as many times as they want each time they come to visit,” Turczyn said.

The indoor interactive display is home to various types of fully functional electric model trains. Visitors press various buttons to activate movement on the massive display. Winnie pressed every button – there were flickering lights, circling airplanes, woodcutters, log loading and unloading features, carousels, and swings. The movement of it all was mesmerizing – we could have stayed for hours.

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The author’s daughter, Winnie, on the ride-on train to the left, and inside the Naples Train Museum with volunteer Jane Turczyn above.

Visitors to the train museum also can visit a restored dining and smoking car from the 1940s. Plush interior booths and small round tables created a cozy vintage interior, which was decorated for the holidays. Another full-size train car – a caboose – is available for visitors to pass through to see what it might have been like for railway engineers to sleep, work, and live on a train.

And, of course, we rode the locomotive multiple times!

Circling the property, the 7.5 gauge train requires constant maintenance but represents unlimited fun. There’s something so cool about sitting in a train car (designed in the 1950s and built in the 1980s) and taking a ride adjacent to U.S. 41. The museum was founded in 2000 as a result of a gift from the William von Liebig Foundation. “All of our trains, buildings, and displays require constant maintenance,” Jane explained. “The pandemic was difficult in many ways, but it was also a blessing in that we spent so much time and energy renovating and maintaining our trains. It gave us all something to focus on and pursue. And now we’re back, and better than ever.”

The Naples Train Museum is open during season on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Beginning in January, the museum plans to offer steam engine train rides on Fridays. To learn more, visit www.naplestrainmuseum.org.

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

S P O N S OR E D

C ON T E N T

Conservancy of SWFL Nature Center Reopens with New, Interactive Experiences

M

embers and visitors of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will get a fresh experience with the newly renovated Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center, now open to the public. The Dalton Discovery Center, which originally opened in 2012, is an interactive learning center featuring live animals and exhibits that showcase Southwest Florida’s diverse ecosystems under one roof.

The $5 million expansion and renovation includes the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing featuring an Invasive Species Gallery and digital Climate Change Gallery with advanced hands-on enhancements. Guests can interact digitally with a Florida animal in an Augmented Reality Wildlife Encounter or learn about the impacts of climate change on the “Science on a Sphere” digital display system.

“Thanks to the support from Sue Dalton, joined by other generous benefactors, including John and Carol Walter, the newly expanded Dalton Discovery Center brings together the latest technologies and hands-on activities to educate, engage, and entertain guests of all ages,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The new Invasive Species Gallery in the Walter Discovery Wing explores Burmese pythons, the new apex predator in the Florida Everglades, with a focus on the Conservancy’s nationally recognized Burmese python research and removal efforts. The gallery also examines lionfish, cane toads, and invasive plants.

Also in the Walter Discovery Wing is the Climate Change Gallery, which focuses on intensification of storms, ocean acidification, and habitat protection. The centerpiece is a spherical digital display system that introduces visitors to the impacts of climate change NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

locally and around the world. The “Science on a Sphere” system was developed by the federal government through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and has been deployed around the world with partner organizations.

“From human development and habitat fragmentation to invasive species and human-driven climate change, the new Dalton Discovery Center puts the impacts we are having on our planet front and center,” said Alex Levine, director of education at the Conservancy. “It engages visitors in ways designed not to frighten or to discourage, but to inspire action and change.”

Outside of the new Dalton Discovery Center, activities offered include nature walks; activities for younger children in the Little Explorer Play Zone; educational talks focusing on climate change, wildlife, and invasive species; and more. Electric boat tours are offered between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as guided kayak tours.

The Conservancy Nature Center is now open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to Conservancy members and children ages 2 and younger.

Admission for nonmembers is $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3-12.

The 21-acre Nature Center, also Site #69 on the Great Florida Birding Trail, is the gateway to the Conservancy’s mission, where guests can learn the importance of the area’s natural resources, understand the role the Conservancy plays and get inspired to take action. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits in the Sapakie Wildlife Exhibit Hall, meet animal ambassadors in the viewing pavilion, and learn more about how to prevent injury to wildlife.

Plan your visit at https://conservancy.org/naturecenter. neafamily.com

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Sober Solidarity 18

Increasingly, women are defying their ‘wine mom’ status for a healthier lifestyle & a happier home

neafamily.com

By Lissa Carlson

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

This is the first in our New You in ‘22 series of articles about moms healing – mentally, emotionally, and physically.

R

ebecca Novak woke up one Wednesday with a feeling. Whether it was sixth-sense intuition or garden variety anxiety, by the end of the day, she would make a life-changing decision to quit drinking.

The 39-year-old Wisconsin mother of two found the active lifestyle of her entrepreneur and politician husband, J.B., magnified her own lack of contributions outside their household. This laid the groundwork for her excessive drinking, coupled with a drinking culture taken to an extreme in a state that jokes: Drink Wisconsinbly.

It started with a glass of wine while making dinner, then she started drinking at 3 p.m. while she thought about making dinner. “It just kept getting earlier and earlier,” Novak says. “There were days when the kids would come home from school and I was already half in the bag.”

Enter the pandemic and that fateful Wednesday. She was anxious and depressed and eventually curled into a ball on her kitchen floor. Her 10-year-old daughter, Lilly, knew just what to do. She grabbed a box of wine from the refrigerator and a wine glass and handed them to Novak, compassionately telling her, “I know this always makes you feel better.”

That was an eye opener for Novak. “I thought, ‘What the [heck] am I doing?’”

She dialed both grandmas and left a message: “Somebody needs to come watch the kids. I think I have a problem.”

A friend in need When she wasn’t able to reach either grandma, she tried her friend Stacey, who had pulled her and another friend aside a few years earlier to tell them that she would support them if they ever decided to quit drinking. Stacey, a clinical therapist who does alcohol assessments for employers, answered her call.

Beverly Conyers, author of Addict in the Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, & Recovery, wishes she’d had a Stacey in her life. “I’ve thought about this a lot, and I have often wished that someone had said to me, ‘You know, have you ever looked at your own behavior and how that might be affecting your children?’” Conyers says. “I’m not saying that would have been a magic bullet, but it’s so easy to fall into a pattern of behavior and you don’t even consider its impact.”

NEAPOLITANfamily • January

Conyers’ youngest daughter2022 struggled

with heroin addiction in her 20s. Conyers reflected on what her own household was like while she raised three kids. “We drank pretty much every day,” she admits, “and we drank a lot. It’s not like we were falling-down drunk, but I realized that my own parenting had elements of addiction. While I don’t believe anyone causes someone to become an addict, I do believe [my drinking] was a contributing factor.”

Stacey helped Novak enter in-patient treatment at Hazelden Betty Ford. Treatment revealed Novak used alcohol to numb the pain of underlying issues and trauma, which Conyers says is common with addiction.

Drink like a mother One doesn’t need to look far to find popular sentiment that supports a parent’s drinking habit. After all, aren’t kids the reason we drink? Variations of the same joke appear everywhere, making it difficult to assess whether you have a bona fide problem with alcohol or you’re merely indulging in well-earned mommy time.

Heather Hayes, supervisor of outpatient services for Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, says drinking is normalized for women, particularly moms. “The greatest gift I can give my children is to be a sober mother,” Hayes says. “Being a sober mom means I’m available, and I’m fully present when I’m available. It doesn’t mean I’m going to parent perfectly or even really well, but it means I’m giving it my best.”

Former binge drinker and sober mom for five years April O’Leary agrees. “There’s a lot of things I didn’t get to fully enjoy as a mom because if there wasn’t alcohol present, I was annoyed,” the Naples mom admits.

“By quitting, I get to be present for my kids.”

O’Leary published Sober Moms, Happy Moms, featuring the stories of 12 moms who ditched drinking to be better parents.

She was driven to share their stories after experiencing the power of moms supporting moms in her own life.

O’Leary suggests moms specifically have a responsibility to stay sober. “When we drink,” she says, “we’re affecting little ones who have no choice but to be around us.”

This heightened sense of responsibility can produce paralyzing shame. A few years ago, Conyers co-facilitated a treatment session for moms. “These moms felt so much shame, whether it was the sense they’d failed as a parent or they hadn’t protected their child enough,” Conyers says. “Shame is so deeply debilitating because it can make you feel like you don’t deserve any better, and it can keep a person stuck in a cycle.”

No rock bottom There was no pivotal event that compelled Jen Vacek, 47, to quit drinking.

The mother of three daughters in Duluth, Minn., was struggling on a run at the onset of the pandemic and recalled a fitness trainer had suggested no alcohol. Always a healthy eater, nixing alcohol and increasing her training led to a 40-pound weight loss.

Quarantine presented what Vacek calls the trifecta to quit – primarily to get healthier, but she also didn’t want to risk contracting COVID-19 to purchase nonessentials like alcohol. Plus she wondered if the stress of the pandemic could lead a harmless habit down the slippery slope of addiction. “It was a quick decision,” she admits. “I didn’t give it a lot of thought, although I knew it would change everything. I did, in the back of my mind, think, ‘Gosh, I don’t have a problem with alcohol, do I?’” Vacek was wise to wonder. In September 2021, USA Today reported that 1 in 5 adults used alcohol to cope with pandemic stress. Drinking is just one of the addictive behaviors moms resorted to during the pandemic, including mindlessly scrolling, snacking, Netflix binging, and online shopping – “anything but face our deepest selves, our fears, our shortcomings, and all the things we’ve shoved down deep and avoided with the busyness of life,” Vacek says.

Sober success Outside of the initial weeks when Vacek found herself absentmindedly reaching for one of her husband’s beers only to remember she’d quit, not drinking meant breaking a habit rather than overcoming an addiction for her. Her husband, Matt, recently asked her if she misses it. Between the dramatic improvements to her health and her daughters’ pride in her decision to quit, she doesn’t.

During the interview with Rebecca Novak, she answers her front door and there’s the telltale crumpling of cellophane wrapping as she thanks a delivery driver in the background. Did she just get flowers?

“Today is actually 23 weeks for me,” Novak says. “The last time I was sober was when I was pregnant, so I measure it in terms of pregnancy. Every week, J.B. adds one more flower delivered to me based on the week I’m on. I look forward to Fridays because it means a flower delivery bigger than last week’s.”

LISSA CARLSON credits writing this article with increasing her awareness of her own neafamily.com 19 unhealthy drinking patterns.

How to Ditch the Drinking

By Lissa Carlson everly Conyers, author of Addict in the Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, & Recovery, acknowledges that substance abuse is an effort to escape our life as it is at the moment. Overcoming that requires figuring out what it is you’re trying to escape, then finding meaningful ways to address it. Conyers suggests yoga and meditation as healthy alternatives to drinking, because both require full presence in our bodies, and develop a mind/body connection.

Family history is a strong indicator of your own vulnerability to addiction, says Heather Hayes, supervisor of outpatient services for Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples. For those most vulnerable, never drinking is the surest way to dodge addiction.

That advice comes too late for most moms. How do you determine if your drinking is an issue?

Most of us consider external factors, known as “outside trouble,” as concrete evidence of a problem. That might include losing a job, going bankrupt, or getting arrested for drunk driving – basically hitting rock bottom due to alcohol use. Hayes encourages readers to recognize that addiction is a continuum. You also can have what’s called inside trouble, when you make reflections

B

such as: I think about my drinking a lot; I’m controlling my drinking; I’m making rules about my drinking; I’m feeling badly or uncertain about my drinking; I’m looking forward to Friday night a little too much; I’m arranging my life around alcohol.

Treatment is as individualized as the continuum of addiction. Besides the most recognized program, Alcoholics Anonymous, other recovery options include in-patient treatment and online support groups. Beyond an internet search of options, a good place to start is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

April O’Leary, the Naples-based publisher of Sober Moms, Happy Moms, recommends AA as a free and effective service accessible to anyone. Go shopping for the group that fits you.

“AA meetings can be a lot like trying to find a good church,” O’Leary says. “There are many groups and meetings within AA. Try a meeting to determine, ‘Do I even belong here?’ and don’t be afraid to try another.”

O’Leary also suggests the following AA quiz to determine if your drinking is problematic: www.aa.org/pages/en_us/is-aafor-you-twelve-questions-only-you-can-answer See the chart below for additional local resources.

LOCAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES Alcoholics Anonymous

Free support group for those with drinking or substance problems

239-262-6535 www.aanaples.org

AA Lee County

Free support group for those with drinking or substance problems

239-275-5111

https://leecountyaa.org

Narcotics Anonymous

Free support group for those with substance abuse problems

239-451-3275

http://sunsetcoastna.com

Cocaine Anonymous

Free support group for those with cocaine abuse problems

727-793-7137

www.caflorida.org

Collier Resource Center

Provides connections to services for individuals and families

239-434-2030 https://collierresourcecenter.org

David Lawrence Centers

Detox and substance abuse and treatment

239-455-8500 https://davidlawrencecenters.org

Hazelden Betty Ford Clinic

Residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment for ages 18+

844-261-5609

The Willough

Provides treatment for mental health and addiction

239-775-4500 www.thewilloughatnaples.com

Justin’s Place Recovery Program

Faith-based substance abuse treatment program

239-774-0500

New Seasons

Treats opioid addiction with medication

239-280-0487 www.newseason.com

www.hazeldenbettyford.org/ locations/naples www.stmatthewshouse.org

LOCAL FAMILY AND FRIEND RESOURCES Al-Anon

Free support group for family and friends of substance abusers

239-263-5907 https://naplesal-anon.org

Families Anonymous

Free support group for family and friends of substance abusers

800-736-9805 www.familiesanonymous.org

Parents Anonymous

Free support group for parents of substance abusers

909-621-6184

www.parentsanonymous.org

Avow – Grief Support

Free support referrals for those who are grieving

239-261-4404

www.avowcares.org

OTHER RESOURCES Collier 211

Resource directory for services in Collier County

Dial 211

www.211.org

Drug Free Collier

Local resources for substance abuse information

239-302-6717

www.drugfreecollier.org

Veterans Services

Provides access to benefits for veterans

239-252-8387 www.colliercountyfl.gov

Suicide Prevention

Support for those at risk for suicide

800-273-8255 www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Dept. of Health in Collier County

General health information and services

239-252-8200 http://collier.floridahealth.gov

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

YOUR HOME

By Sarah Lyons

Toy Rotation

Reduce Toy Clutter in 6 Easy Steps

Toy clutter. It’s a problem all parents face. From the toddler years when blocks, push toys, and board books seem to be scattered down the hallway, to the school-age years where kids collect tiny building blocks, cars, and dolls, clutter remains an ongoing issue. Toy rotation is one way to fight this problem.

Step 1: Gather In the main play area, gather all the toys to the center of the room. You are making a bigger mess at first, but this will help you get organized in the long run. “It may be best to start this process when the kids are in bed or out of the house,” says Colorado Springs mom Kara Thomas. The process may go more quickly and smoothly sans children. However if that isn’t an option, involve the kids and have them help bring toys to the center of the room.

Step 2: Reduce Go through the pile you have gathered and throw away broken toys and items that have missing pieces. Take out any toys that are no longer age appropriate. Lastly, pick out toys that the children don’t play with. “We purge things every year for the annual neighborhood garage sale,” says Jill Miller, a mom of two from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “It also gives us a little cash boost.” If your family is not up for the work that goes into selling items, consider donating them to a local charity or passing them along to a friend.

Step 3: Sort Once you have reduced the amount of toys, you should be left with age appropriate toys that your children enjoy. Now divide toys into three categories: thinking toys (puzzles, board games, shape sorters), pretend play (play food, dolls, blocks), and toys that encourage gross motor play (balls, push toys, cars). When you have the items sorted, there should be three piles, one for each category.

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

Step 4: Divide Divide toys into three to four groups. Each group should have equal amounts of toys from the categories of thinking toys, pretend play, and gross motor toys. Place each group of toys into a large box and label it. Plastic tubs work well and can double as a toy box.

Step 5:Store Once the toys are sorted and separated into three to four boxes, keep one out and put the remaining boxes in storage. Make sure you have easy access to the stored boxes so you can rotate them frequently.

Step 6: Rotate Decide how long to keep a box out for play. Some families switch weekly, while some change every two to three weeks, and some may rotate every month or longer. Choose a time that works for your family. When each box is out, take note of what toys are most popular and which get ignored. As you are packing up the box, remove the items that didn’t get played with and donate or sell them.

By implementing a toy rotation system, you will cut down on toy clutter in your living space because three-fourths of the toys will be in storage at any given time. In addition to a tidier home, there will also be less mess to clean up and a better chance for all toys to be utilized. neafamily.com

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10 a.m. Toddler Storytime. Ages birth to 3 years. Stories, songs, and finger plays. Registration is required. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Call 239-252-7371 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

OUT & ABOUT in January 2022 1 SATURDAY 9 a.m. Free Admission for Collier Residents. Present qualifying ID for free entry. Located at Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples. Call 239266-2830 or check www.napleszoo.org.

3 p.m. Bonita Holiday Fair. Final weekend. Rides, games, shows for all ages, and fair food. Located at the former Bonita Springs Greyhound Track, 28010 Race Track Rd.., Bonita Springs. Check https://bonitaholidayfair.com.

6 p.m. Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden. Ends Jan. 2. Thousands of lights, live performances, and food available for purchase. Located at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples. Call 239-643-7275 or check www.naplesgarden.org.

3 MONDAY 10:30 a.m. W.O.N.D.E.R. A fun lesson and activities about a monthly theme. Daily.

Registration not required. Located at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples. Call 239-643-7275 or check www.naplesgarden.org.

4 TUESDAY

Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden

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10 a.m. Family Storytime. Stories, songs, and hands-on activities focusing on pre-literacy skills. Registration is not required. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www. collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7073.

10:30 a.m. Family Storytime. Stories, songs, and hands-on activities Registration required. Located at South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples.

Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239252-7542.

11 a.m. Toddler Tuesday Storytime & Craft. Songs, stories, and craft. Included with open play from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Located at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, 17640 Tamiami Tr. S., Fort Myers.

Check www.werockthespectrumfortmyers. com or call 239-362-3378.

6:30 p.m. Read with Therapy Dogs.

Read with a dog from K9 Caring Angels.

Ages 5-11. Located at Bonita Springs Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Check www.leegov.com/library or call 239-533-4860.

5 WEDNESDAY 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime.

Stories, activities, and an art project for children ages 3-5. Registration is not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary. org.

10:30 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, and other fun activities to engage little hands

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

6 THURSDAY 10 a.m. Little Explorers. Every Thursday. Best for ages 18 months to 5 years.

Multisensory, interactive activities, stories, and crafts. Located at Conservancy of SWFL, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples.

Call 239-262-0304 or check https:// conservancy.org.

Toddler Tuesday Storytime & Craft

and bodies. Ages 18 months to 5 years.

Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Call 239252-7160 or check www.collierlibrary. org.

3 p.m. Lego Fun. Share ideas, be creative, and have fun. Bricks provided. All ages. Registration is not required. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7073.

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

10:30 a.m. Family Storytime. Stories, songs, and a craft for children of all ages and caregivers. Registration is not required.

Located at Marco Island Library, 210 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island. Check www. collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7064.

10:30 a.m. Pre-Readers Dance Party. Dance to favorite songs while practicing letters, numbers, sounds, and rhyming. For ages 2-5. Located at Bonita Springs Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Check www.leegov.com/ library or call 239-533-4860.

7 FRIDAY 8 p.m. Cowboys & Constellations.

Join us as we explore major constellations

and share tips about how to navigate and tell time like cowboys. Free. Located at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave., Immokalee.

Check https://colliermuseums.com or call 239-252-2611.

8 SATURDAY 11 a.m. Dia de Los Reyes Festival.

Celebrate Three Kings Day with performances, domino tournament, kids’ activities, food, music, and more. Located at Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center, 4522 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral. Call 239-462-2442 or check https://leadinglatinaswfl.com.

11 a.m. LGBTQ+ Youth Group. A safe space for those in grades 6-12. Located at Naples Pride Center, 2248 Airport Pulling Rd. S., Naples. Call 239-304-9407 or check www.naplespride.org.

11 a.m. Penguin Pillow Craft. Free.

A new craft every month. Parents receive 10% off coupon to use that day. Located at JCPenney at Coastland Center Mall, 2076 9th St. N., Naples. Call 239-261-6010 or check www.jcpenney.com/m/kids-club.

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11:30 a.m. Saturday Movie Matinee: Luca. Rated PG. All ages. Registration is not required. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Call 239-252-7073 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

3 p.m. Pups ‘n’ Books. Stop by to read to a dog or just pet one. All ages. Registration is not required. Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7160.

11 TUESDAY

5:30 p.m. DIY Colorburst Coasters for Teens. Use Sharpies to create colorful designs on tile, transforming them into coasters. Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Call 239-5334400 or check www.leegov.com/library.

6 p.m. Teen Video Game Night. Eat snacks and play video games. Try the VR headset. For ages 11-17. Drop-in. Located at Bonita Springs Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Call 239-5334860 or check www.leegov.com/library.

10 a.m. Family Storytime. Birth to 5 years and caregivers. Stories, music, movement, and activities. Registration required.

Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Call 239-5334400 or check www.leegov.com/library.

10 a.m. The Hungry Caterpillar Story Time. Storytime, activities, and caterpillar craft. Registration required. Located at Golden Gate Library, 2432 Lucerne Rd., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-4549.

12 WEDNESDAY 10:30 a.m. Baby Rhyme Time. Ages birth to 18 months and caregivers. Stories, music, activities, and rhymes. Located at Bonita Springs Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Check www.leegov. com/library or call 239-533-4860.

13 THURSDAY 10 a.m. Preschool Storytime. Ages 3-5. A fun and interactive storytime of reading, talking, singing, writing, and playing. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby. Registration required. Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Check www.leegov. com/library or call 239-533-4400.

3:30 p.m. Kindness Club. Ages 7-11.

Fun activities designed to encourage kindness and help make the world a better place. Registration is required. Located at South County Library, 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy., Estero. Check www.leegov.com/ library or call 239-533-4400.

Pups ‘n’ Books

NEW! INFANT CLASS OPENING JUNE 2022

Miguel Argumosa, DMD, Erin M. Taylor, DMD, Nicole Eastham, DMD Sarah Vanderbosch, DMD Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Three Locations to Serve You. BONITA SPRINGS

9510 Bonita Beach Rd. Ste. 101

239.333.2990

Your child deserves the BEST! Creative Learning Outstanding Education Nurturing Environment For more information or to schedule a tour: 239-455-3227 preschool@naplestemple.org

neafamily.com

239.322.5222

PORT CHARLOTTE

3872 Tamiami Trail, Unit D&E

941.391.8090

Music - Art - Storyland Science - Mini Market Gymnastics - Playground Outdoor Classroom - VPK Baby & Me Temple Shalom Preschool 4630 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119

WWW.TEMPLESHALOMPRESCHOOLNAPLES.ORG

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CAPE CORAL

1508 S.E. 12th Terrace

Most Insurances Accepted NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

4 p.m. Lego Fun. Bricks provided. Ages 4-11. Registration is not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239-252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

14 FRIDAY 6 p.m. Kids’ Night Out. An evening of games, activities, dinner, and a movie. $10 per child. Ages 5-11. Located at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Visit www. collierparks.com or call 239-252-3527.

15 SATURDAY 9 & 11 a.m. Landkeepers L.A.B. Ages 8-12. Are leaves really green? Learn about the rainbow of colors inside plants.

Reservations required. Free. Located at Gore Nature Education Center, 4261 40th Ave S.E., Naples. Call 239-308-0281 or check https://cclandkeepers.com.

10 a.m. Free Family Art Lab. Come ready to imagine and create. Free. Located at Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGre-

gor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 239-939-2787 or check www.artinlee.org.

10 a.m. Naples Train Museum and Train Rides. Open Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to museum includes unlimited train rides. Located at Naples Depot Museum, 1051 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Check www.naplestrainmuseum.org.

2 p.m. Teen Book Bingo. Bring a friend and win some prizes. Ages 11-17.

Registration is not required. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7073.

9 p.m. Celebration in the Sky. A fireworks display choreographed to lights and music. All ages. Free. Located at Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. Call 239-658-1313 or check www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com.

16 SUNDAY 10 a.m. Pets on Third Parade and Pet Fest. Celebrate your pets with a

Naples Train Museum

parade with prizes and other activities.

Located at Third Street South, Downtown Naples. Check https://thirdstreetsouth. com or call 239-434-6533.

17 MONDAY 9 a.m. Avow Kids at Gore Nature Education Center. An exciting morning of trail tours and a nature-inspired art project. Transportation from Aunt Janet’s House and snack provided. Located at Avow, 1301 Whippoorwill Ln., Naples.

Call 239-261-4404 or visit https:// avowcares.org.

NACS Naples Adventist Christian School

We are a K-8th grade school centrally located in Naples. We are proud to have a committed staff teaching a nationally certified and accredited curriculum in a Christ-filled environment. We accept Step Up For Students and Florida Empowerment scholarships. The NACS family exists to show children Jesus, teach them to think, and empower them to serve. All students are welcome!

Contact us to schedule a visit, or explore online.

2629 S. Horseshoe Drive, Naples, FL 34104 239-261-NACS (6227) • nacs@flcoe.org www.NaplesACS.org NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

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18 TUESDAY

6:15 p.m. Movies on the Lawn: Cruella. Gates open at 5:15 p.m. Food available for purchase. Located at Mercato Shops, Naples. Call 239-254-1080 or visit www.mercatoshops.com.

20 THURSDAY 3 p.m. Winter Wonder. Winter-themed math, science, and craft activities. Ages 4-10. Registration is not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239-252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

7 p.m. PFLAG Naples. Every third Thursday. A safe, loving, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment for the parents, family, and friends of LGBTQ+ people. Located at Naples Pride Center, 2248 Airport Pulling Rd. S., Naples. Call 239304-9407 or check www.naplespride.org.

21 FRIDAY 6 p.m. Avow Kids Movie Night.

Come in your comfiest pajamas and enjoy

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pizza and hot cocoa during a special screening of Brave. RSVP to avowkids@ avowcares.org to reserve your spot.

Located at Avow, Ispiri Community Center, 301 Whippoorwill Ln., Naples. Check https://avowcares.org or call 239-2614404.

22 SATURDAY 10 a.m. All About Birds. Ages 3+.

Celebrate National Bird Day featuring Florida birds with crafts, games, and puzzles. Registration is not required. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7369.

11 a.m. Empty Bowls. Help feed the hungry by purchasing a hand-crafted bowl and enjoying soups from local restaurants at this popular annual fundraiser. Live performances, silent auction, pottery sale, and bowl painting. Located at Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S., Naples. Visit https:// emptybowlsnaples.com or call 239-5918848.

Empty Bowls

25 TUESDAY 10 a.m. Crafter’s Choice. All day.

Ages 3-11. Make fun crafts. Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-7160 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

7 p.m. International Holocaust Remembrance Day Event. An intimate evening of questions, learning, and ideas.

Located at The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers. Check https://laboratorytheaterflorida.com.

NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

26 WEDNESDAY

30 SUNDAY

6 p.m. Art After Hours. Free admission to the Barker Art Museum. A fun evening of art and entertainment for all ages. Located at Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Call 239-597-1900 or visit https://artisnaples.org.

10 a.m. Open House at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School. Classroom/ campus tours, refreshments, meet teachers and staff, and enter raffle for $1,000 tuition voucher. Located at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School, 2730 53rd Terrace S.W., Naples. Call 239-455-2262 or check https://saintelizabethseton.com.

Retro Game Night

27 THURSDAY 3:30 p.m. Family Game Night. Bring your favorite family game to share. Some games provided. All ages. Registration is not required. Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-2527073.

28 FRIDAY 6 p.m. Retro Game Night. Revisit your childhood game closet with retro games such as Candy Land and Operation. Enjoy the free ice cream sundae bar. All ages.

Located at Naples Depot Museum, 1051 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Call 239-252-8419 or check https://colliermuseums.com.

29 SATURDAY 8:30 a.m. NAMI Collier’s Mental Health Walk. Walk to raise mental health awareness. Music, refreshments, face painting, and photo booth. Located at Baker Park, 50 Riverside Cr., Naples.

Check www.namicollier.org or call 239260-7300.

9 a.m. Native Butterfly Count. Join a research team in tracking native Florida butterflies as our newly planted pollinator gardens grow. Great for all ages. Reservations required. Free. Located at Gore Nature Education Center, 4261 40th Ave. S.E., Naples. Call 239-308-0281 or check https://cclandkeepers.com.

Opening February 2022 KNIGHT TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX

11 a.m. Open House at Saint Ann Catholic School. Tour the state-of-theart campus, meet the teachers, and ask questions regarding our curriculum, extracurricular activities, and much more.

Spaces are limited. Located at Saint Ann Catholic School, 542 8th Ave. S., Naples.

Check www.stann.net or call Tracy Farley at 239-262-4110, ext. 309.

a

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

Also in: Fort Myers at 239-274-0039 Port Charlotte at 941-764-8121

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27

TRAVEL

By Karen T. Bartlett

Destination: Nantucket

F

irst, you must read Moby Dick.

Okay, you don’t technically have to, but I promise you’ll have a deeper respect for that 46-foot whale skeleton inside the Whaling Museum in Nantucket, Mass., the former whaling capital of the world. Besides the aforementioned skeleton, there are 1700s-era spears and harpoons, an authentic whaleboat (it’s shockingly tiny, considering!), storytellers, interactive exhibits, and a movie about the whaleship Essex and the tragic 1820 incident on which Moby Dick was based.

There’s also a huge, impressive Fresnel lens from the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, a selfieworthy rooftop view of the island, and an even more selfie-worthy 18 foot-long jawbone of a sperm whale. It definitely makes the Bible story of Jonah way more real. Visit www.nha.org.

I had you at skeletons and jawbones, didn’t I? But that’s only one of many reasons I love Nantucket. That pretty red and white lighthouse that you can see on page 29, for example. It stands sentry 28

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on the easternmost point of the island near the picturesque seaside village of Siasconset (‘Sconset to the locals). Its cousin, the Great Point Light, rises above rugged moors and high dunes in the 1,100-acre Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge at the northernmost tip of the island.

That’s where snowy owls and endangered shorebirds nest in the grasslands, and grey seals sun themselves on the beach. You can bicycle, moped, or shuttle from downtown Nantucket to Sankaty Head, but you’ll want to rent a jeep with a permit for the full Great Point/Coskata-Coatue experience. Visit www.youngsbicycleshop.com.

Maybe your vision of Nantucket runs more to imposing sea captains’ homes, storybook cedar-shake cottages with English gardens, masses of pink and lavender hydrangeas, and rose-covered trellises. You picture sheer cliffs and windblown fences half-buried in the dunes. Maybe you see children raking the sand for clams and eating strawberry cones at an ice cream stand, while grownups gather around

weathered wood tables piled with baskets of mussels, cod, lobster, crab, and clams.

At night, of course, you imagine thick grey fog and the distant wail of a ship’s foghorn.

That’s all true, too.

Old Nantucket is in many ways a sister to Old Naples. Its arts and shopping district swells to several times its population during “season,” which starts on Memorial Day. Excellent museums, galleries, upscale boutiques, and restaurants are tucked into historic buildings, sharing the streetscape with ice cream stands and souvenir shops. There’s the historic wharf, harbor, and top-notch art colony; and just a short drive away is a vast wilderness and fishing of mythic proportions.

Both towns have their seafood claim to fame: They have their legendary clam chowdah, and we have a lock on stone crabs. We have our dolphin and manatee-watching experiences; Nantucket has whale and seal watching. I highly recommend Captain Blair Perkins and his sons Max and Alex, whose company, Shearwater Excursions, NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

is a one-stop shop for whale-watching cruises, clam-digging experiences, fishing trips, and more. My fave was the 2.5hour cruise to remote Muskeget Island, a breeding ground for about 3,000 grey seals. I’m thrilled that the curious creatures couldn’t wait for the boat’s arrival.

They braved the extreme danger of their worst enemy – the great white shark – to meet our boat a mile out, poking up their whiskered, hook-nosed faces for a closer look. Captain Blair says they’re just out for a swim, but I prefer my story. For families, Shearwater also offers a super-fun private kids’ fishing trip and one-hour ice cream cruises around the harbor. Visit www. shearwaterexcursions.com.

Getting there Daytrippers can catch the morning ferry from Hyannis on Cape Cod (www. steamshipauthority.com), spend the entire day strolling around the historic district, and then hop the last ferry out without ever leaving the harbor area. I did this once. The next time, I attempted to do the whole island in four days but still left so many experiences untried. If you’re vacationing on the cape, the day trip is definitely worthwhile. But next time, I’ll budget a week just on Nantucket, maybe starting with the eye-popping two-day Daffodil Festival (April 22-24 this year) and take full advantage of the preseason lower crowds and prices. A few attractions may not yet be opened for the season.

Several major airlines offer direct flights to Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK).

Getting around Besides bikes, mopeds, and 4-wheel

Facing page: Weathered cedar shingles and old fishing buoys reflect the Nantucket mystique.

Above: Grey seals basking on the beach of Muskeget Island, a breeding ground for the seals.

Below: The Sankaty Head Lighthouse.

Photos by Karen T. Bartlett

vehicles, you can catch the WAVE shuttle for $3 or less to bike paths, beaches, ‘Sconset, and popular points of interest.

Beyond the strawberry cone As for me, I’ll skip the kids’ all-time favorite and go for the strawberries and dark chocolate chips folded into strawberry ice cream and served in a fresh-baked waffle cup at Nantucket’s iconic Juice Bar. Or maybe the Triple Chocolate Mountain (brownies and chocolate chips folded into chocolate cake batter ice cream). Dairyfree and gluten-free options are available, but neither of these is one of them. Oh yes, they have juice, too.

Travel Editor KAREN T. BARTLETT is the author/photographer of several destination coffee table books, three family travel guides, and hundreds of travel articles published worldwide.

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OPEN FOR

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DISCOVERIES We are open for new discoveries at the Conservancy Nature Center!

Come join us in our newly expanded Dalton Discovery Center and the John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing to observe, explore, and investigate.

Learn and see the ecosystem that surrounds you like never before!

HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Closed Sunday & Monday

32

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NEAPOLITANfamily • January 2022

1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, FL 34102 • 239.262.0304 • www.conservancy.org