Bitterroot holidays 2015

n ov e m b e r 2 6 , 2 015

2 - Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015

Community trees bring Christmas magic to many

By Dominic Farrenkopf For

the

Ravalli Republic

It is well known that the communities of the Bitterroot Valley are occupied by many families that might possibly go without this Christmas. Fortunately, many kind and generous people live in those same quaint communities. Civic-minded people band together each holiday season and, with the help of all, bring Christmas magic to less-fortunate children and families. One of the most popular ways of organizing this Christmas magic is through giving trees. In almost every community there is at least one tree designed with this purpose in mind.

The Florence Share Tree Ann Bethea, president of the Florence Civic Club, spoke about the Share Trees that can be found in Florence.

“Florence Civic Club’s trees are located in Farmers State Bank, Florence Ace Hardware, Caffe Firenze, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Florence Carlton Community Church and Florence Carlton School.”

Bethea said, “If my memory serves me correctly, Florence Civic Club’s Share Tree has been providing needed gifts since 1995. Many families benefit from our program, and we serve anywhere from 50-90 children.”

The Florence Civic Club relies on everyone in the Florence area to make these trees successful. Each tag on the share tree includes information such as the age, gender and specific need of a child.

“Everyone is welcome to take a tag from the Share Tree, buy the gift and return it to the same location they picked the tag,” Bethea said. “We encourage everyone to get involved. Children also benefit from choosing a tag and then experience the reason for the season by fulfilling a need. Adults and families participate as well. We have high school students help with sorting, wrapping and organizing the gifts.”

Bethea said the most magical moments come on pick-up day.

“Parents come in to pick up the gifts. Some, when they realize how many gifts, extra socks, toys from Toys For Tots, and grocery gift certificates, become overwhelmed. Tears well up in their eyes, and they struggle to let us know how much our efforts have touched their lives. This is the true meaning of Christmas.”

To give, select a tag from a Share Tree from the aforementioned locations.

To receive, stop in Pantry Partners in Stevensville to determine eligibility. Call Suzi Parsons at 406-239-7669 for more information.

The Sharing Tree in Stevensville Located in the lobby of Rocky Mountain Bank in Stevensville, The Sharing Tree grants Christmas cheer to those wishing to give and to

those hoping to receive.

“Rocky Mountain Bank has been participating in the Sharing Tree for the holiday season these past 10-plus years,” said Jamie Kay Nobi, the bank’s operations manager.

Nobi also acts as the contact and receptor of gifts at the bank.

“Anyone can get involved that feels like helping a child with needs this holiday season,” Nobi said. “Just come in to the bank, pick a tag from the tree, purchase the gift and return it. I love when all of the tags are chosen from the tree and we have to contact Beth Perkins and have her provide us with more tags. My favorite part is picking a child and personally ensuring that they have a gift beneath the tree.”

Beth Perkins helps coordinate the tree.

“The First Baptist Church in Stevensville and Pantry Partners team up to make this tree possible,” Perkins said. “Last year we helped 386 children. We accept applications until Dec. 5, and this year we’ve already handled applications for 400 children. This will be our biggest year on record.”

Perkins couldn’t help but smile when she announced a recent grant award.

“The Phyllis and Dennis Washington Foundation granted us a challenge grant of $2,500. We raised our $2,500 and they matched it,” Perkins said. “I am ecstatic that this year we have $5,000 to help bring Christmas to so many children.”

To give, select a tag from The Sharing Tree at Rocky Mountain Bank.

To receive, contact Beth Perkins to determine eligibility. Perkins can be reached by calling 406-207-5748.

Victor’s Sharing Tree Farmers State Bank in Victor is host to a Sharing Tree. Erin Pickles commented on the tree.

“For the last 20 plus years, Farmers State Bank has displayed a tree,” Pickles said. “Anyone can visit our Victor branch and select a tag from our tree. The return date is clearly printed on the tag. If you don’t feel like shopping, a special account is set up at our branch.

You can contribute from any Farmers State bank branch – just make sure you designate that it is for the Victor tree!”

Families that live within Victor’s town limits can qualify for the tree.

“The number of families that benefit from the tree is 70 to 80,” Pickles said.

Farmers State Bank employees understand the importance of the Sharing Tree and help organize and wrap the gifts each year, Pickles said.

“We have some amazing volunteers who come in and help us wrap. We are grateful for their help,” Pickles said. “My favorite

continued on page 4

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 3

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4 - Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015

continued from page 2

moments are seeing the looks on the families’ faces when they come in and receive their gifts and seeing all of the volunteers coming together to help out.”

To give, visit Farmers State Bank in Victor, select a tag from the tree or make a monetary donation. You may contact the bank by calling 406-642-3431.

To receive, apply at Pantry Partners in Stevensville to determine eligibility. The pantry can be reached at 406-777-0351.

Hamilton’s Angel Tree For the fourth consecutive year, Massa Home Center is hosting the Head Start Angel Tree. Deana Wolfe and Tory Johnson coordinate

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the tree located in Massa Home Center’s lobby.

“If you’d like to help, just come in and browse for a child whose wish list interests you. After you have picked your angel, we have a more complete list in the office which includes sizes and other additional information,” explained Wolfe.

Wolfe said the teachers and staff at Head Start compile the wish lists. “And then Tory Johnson and I put them on our tree and get them out to the public,” she said. “We then organize the gifts and deliver them back to Head Start for the parents to pick up before the Christmas break begins.”

Christina Dunbar is the family and community partnerships coordinator at Ravalli Head Start, Inc. and coordinates the Angel Tree from her side.

“All of the families that are enrolled in our program get the opportunity to sign up for the Angel Tree at our parent-teacher conferences or home visits,” Dunbar said.

Wolfe talked about those involved: “Everyone helps. Customers, friends, and people who have never been in our store but read about the tree and want to help come in. My employees take special pride in this project and really make it special. They get so excited when the angels get selected from the tree, and almost giddy when the gifts start arriving back.”

According to Wolfe, 87 families and 219 children benefited from the magic of the Angel Tree last year.

Wolfe beamed as she talked about some of those magical moments.

“Last year a very sweet high school girl bought an American Girl Doll for a little girl on our tree. She spent a fair amount of her own money on the doll and absolutely made a little girl’s year,” Wolfe said. “Another gentleman bought a bike for his angel and was overcome with emotion. He thought that every child should have a bike, so he scraped enough together so he could deliver just that.”

Delivering the toys back to Head Start is Wolfe’s favorite part. “We fill a car hauler-trailer to overflowing and make hundreds of trips in and out of it, carrying each kiddo’s box inside,” Wolfe said. “It feels like I’m Santa on that day.”

Dunbar experiences the most magic when families pick up their gifts.

“There are many tears of happiness when people realize the magnitude of the generosity within our community. It’s hard not to cry when people are so appreciative and touched by the kindness shown to them,” Dunbar said.

To give, visit the tree at Massa Home Center. Deana Wolfe and Tory Johnson can be reached by calling 406-363-1922.

The Darby Sharing Tree For more than 15 years, the Darby branch of Farmers State Bank has hosted the Darby Sharing Tree. The tree is in the bank’s lobby and will be decorated with tags listing the needs of children in the Darby area.

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 5

Vicki Brown helps coordinate the project, which is a partnership with the Darby school system and the Darby post office. She said the bank employees and volunteers help make the event happen each year.

“Mr. Kurt Kohn of the Darby schools sends home letters with each student asking if they would like to participate in the Sharing Tree. If they want to participate, they fill out the letter and return it to Mr. Kohn,” Brown said. “The names will then be added to our tree. Community members may also contact our bank and add their family to the tree. This program is very confidential and the names are never revealed. We ask that anyone wishing to receive gifts apply by Nov. 25.”

Brown said there will be tags on the tree in the bank’s lobby with the ages, wants and needs of each child. People are encouraged to select a tag, purchase gifts, wrap the gifts and return them to the bank.

“Once all of the tags have been filled, we will take the gifts to the Darby post office for delivery,” Brown said. “One of our volunteers will call the families notifying them that they have a package waiting. We normally help 30 families in the Darby area each year. We encourage anyone who would like to help a needy family have a Merry Christmas to stop in and pick a tag.”

Making Christmas merry for many brings much joy to Brown.

“Seeing all of the tags removed and gifts returned means that we have had another successful year. Because of the generous people of our community and our volunteers, we are able to make this happen,” she said. “I am glad to be a part of it.”

To give, stop by Farmers State bank in Darby and select a tag. Cash donations are also accepted.

To receive, call Vicki Brown at 406-821-5101 or Kurt Kohn at 406-821-1316.

Dominic Farrenkopf

Massa Home Center’s angel tree.

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6 - Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015

Carrying on culinary traditions

By Dominic Farrenkopf

jam. He won a grand champion and I got a ‘thank you for participating.’ He has never let me live that down.”

Holiday is a time for family. A time for fellowship. A time for food.

Colton recognizes the culinary history in his family and is proud After all, cooking and baking together is a holiday tradition for of it. He was very young when his great-grandmother passed away, many families in the Bitterroot Valley. but he still remembers that when For some, it’s a year-round tradition Ruth made a meal she made plenty in which a culinary torch has been of food. “I think if five were coming, handed down through the generashe’s prepare for 25.” tions.

Colton also knows that his greatColton Mason, a sophomore at grandmother was a master at apple Corvallis High School, is part of one pie and Christmas divinity. Colton of those culinary traditions. continues to make both of those Colton’s great-grandmother, Ruth recipes.

Meeser, lived in Corvallis most of her “I have won blue ribbons at the adult life. As a devoted homemaker, fair for her apple pie, and her divinity cooking and baking were very imporcomes out great when the humidtant to her. ity is right. We’re pretty safe over Ruth’s daughter, Margaret Mason, here when it comes to divinity,” said said her Sunday dinners were special Colton.

- usually a pot roast, potatoes, gravy Now 15 years old, Colton said and all the fixings. Every Sunday Ruth wants to eventually own a restaurant made pies. She made apple, huckor be a television chef. In the meanleberry, mincemeat and pumpkin, all time he is satisfied with baking and from items she’d preserved. experimenting in his kitchen. Two Ruth first passed on her culinary years ago he attended a culinary arts knowledge to Margaret. camp in Seattle and won the overall “Mom taught me to always keep a cooking contest. He has also been Dominic Farrenkopf clean kitchen and make sure the food very successful at the Ravalli County Colton Mason wants to eventually own a restaurant or be a TV chef. was fresh.” Margaret said. “We lived Fair. in the time when everything was organic and came fresh from the “I am so proud of Colton for being a take-charge person at the farm. She taught me to make everything taste delicious.”

Ravalli County Fair,” Margaret said. “He has a list of at least 10 items, Now Margaret works in the kitchen with Colton. so the challenge is there. He loves to be in the kitchen, and I know a “I’ve taught Colton about making great raspberry freezer jam. He lot of that comes from his mom.” always enters the jam in the Ravalli County Fair and has received Colton said he knows his place in the kitchen. grand champion twice,” Margaret said, flashing a grandmotherly “When I’m in the kitchen with Nana (Margaret), it’s as if she’s the smile. “Colton has picked berries at my house since he was in diamaster and I’m the apprentice. She has a great way of teaching me pers and he, of course, always eats his share. We always bake his with that strategy,” Colton said. “I learn a lot in the kitchen with my favorite when he visits – chocolate chip cookies.” mom too. She teaches me like I’m an equal to her, and expects me Colton is very active in his kitchen at home. His mother, Tammy to be. That makes me up my game.”

Bedey, spoke with pride about her son’s culinary talents.

Colton said he will continue his family’s tradition of preparing great “Colton has been in the kitchen with me since he was two years food. old,” she said. “He made cinnamon rolls by himself when he was “It’s important to keep good recipes close, and when they’re linthree. He has been entering stuff in the fair as far back as I can eage recipes ... you keep them closer,” he said. remember. He is very competitive. We both make jam to see who can win ribbons.

“A couple of years ago we both made and entered huckleberry For

the

Ravalli Republic

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 7

These Poems Need Homes: Cherishing memories of loved ones It ties in the back...

Her Apron I awoke early ‘twas an hour before dawn.

I stepped in the kitchen and slipped her apron on.

It always hangs on the back of the pantry door.

I wear it on special daysnot for routine chore.

A week ago I wore it to make the fresh dough I’d use for dinner rollsand bread stuffing you know.

That same day I baked a fresh batch of pumpkin pies.

Also apple, and her favoritemincemeat surprise!

Monday night I wore it too for orange date nut bread.

We have it Friday morning with a cream cheese spread.

Making her secret eggnog, I wore it last night and thawed the turkey in the sink.

The fit was tight.

This morning I took the stuffing and filled that bird then followed her Jell-O recipe word for word.

I started the potatoesboth the mashed and sweetwith the marshmallows on top always such a treat.

With the relish tray done I was ready for guests.

She referred to them as “her necessary pests”.

I poured some wine and glanced at her cranberry dish.

I raised my glass to her and made a secret wish.

Though she won’t be here for dinner, this you can see, when I wear her apron... my mom’s right here with me.

Dominic “Flominic” Farrenkopf thesepoemsneedhomes@live.com

8 - Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 9

10 - Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015

A Book is a gift that you open again and again

By Barbara Theroux For

the

Ravalli Republic

An early deadline changed the direction of this month’s column.

Instead of featuring bestselling books from school book fairs, I am highlighting several new books for children, young adults and the young at heart.

Some new picture books are helped with interactive elements to explore over and over again: How Machines Work: Zoo Break! by David Macaulay Award-winning artist David Macaulay introduces readers to his hilarious new creations, Sloth and Sengi, in How Machines Work: Zoo Break! Follow the mad antics of Sloth and his sidekick Sengi as they try to find their way out of the zoo with the help of machines. Their efforts are brought to life through novelty elements including pop-ups, pull-outs, and lift-the-flaps, allowing readers to explore in greater depth how and why machines work. Spreads highlight the use of simple machines in everyday objects, such as scissors and clocks, mixers and whisks, bikes and brakes, while the story contains clear and simple text to engage the reader.

Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by Carolyn Sloan with illustrations by James Williamson Using one of the most famous works in classical music— Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony—here is the perfect way to introduce a young child to the world of classical music. This interactive picture book with its panel of 19 sound buttons is like a ticket to a concert hall, taking readers on a journey from the exciting first moment when the musicians begin tuning up to the end of the first movement (attention newcomers: don’t clap yet!). At each step of the way, readers learn the basics of classical music and the orchestra: What

is a conductor? What is a symphony? Who was Beethoven? The different aspects of music: melody, harmony, tempo, theme.

And the families of instruments—strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson, Christie Matheson (Illustrated by) A companion to the popular and acclaimed Tap the Magic Tree!

From sunset to sunrise, watch—and help create—the magic of the nighttime sky in this interactive bedtime story.

What happens while you’re asleep?

With lush, beautiful watercolors and cutpaper collage, Christie Matheson reveals the magic of the nighttime sky. Wave good-bye to the sun, gently press the firefly, make a wish on a star, rub the owls on their heads, and . . . shhhh. No two readings of the book will be the same. A page of facts about the stars, the moon, and the nocturnal animals and plants from the book is included at the end.

New chapter books to read aloud as a family include: The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Callie Vee, Travis, Granddaddy, and the whole Tate clan are back in this charming follow-up to The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

Callie’s younger brother Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the animals—Travis included—away

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 11

from her mother’s critical eye. When a storm blows change into town in the form of a visiting veterinarian, Callie discovers a life and a vocation she desperately wants. But with societal expectations as they are, she will need all her wits and courage to realize her dreams.

Whether it’s wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, the trials and tribulations of Callie Vee will have readers cheering for this young heroine.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1 The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan Everyone is celebrating the start of Rick Riordan’s new series based on Norse mythology.

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he barely knows—a man his mother claimed was dangerous.

Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war.

Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon Have you ever wanted to hold a little piece of the impossible?

Lavishly illustrated—in full color—The Doldrums is an extraordinary debut about friendship, imagination, and the yearning for adventure, from author-artist Nicholas Gannon.

Archer B. Helmsley wants an adven-

ture. No, he needs an adventure.

His grandparents were famous explorers . . . until they got stuck atop that iceberg. Now Archer’s mother barely lets him out of the house. As if that would stop a true Helmsley. Archer enlists Adelaide—the girl who, according to rumor, lost her leg to a crocodile—and Oliver—the boy next door—to help him rescue his grandparents.

Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal and great for young readers, now in paperback Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, with illustrations by K.G. Campbell It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew,

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with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a big heart.

Two from Montana authors with issues worth reading and discussing with young adults: We Are Warriors by Theresa Nichols Schuster How did Blake end up on a Montana Indian Reservation?

There’s no snowboarding on this flat prairie, all his friends are back in Bozeman for their junior year, and his dad’s the school principal. Could it get much worse?

The visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield doesn’t help.

Custer and his men were killed on these hillsides fighting the Sioux and Cheyenne, tribes who sought to protect their land and lifestyle. How much hatred and anger still remained toward white people like himself?

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Although he eventually makes a few friends, including a beautiful dark haired Native American Indian girl named Nicki, Blake is constantly challenged by open prejudice, trying to meet the expectations of his parents, and coping with his medical condition of diabetes. The clash of cultures plays a role in everything Blake tries to do, often showing him that things are not always what they seem.

MARTians by Blythe Woolston In a near-future world of exurban decay studded with big box stores, daily routine revolves around shopping—for those who can. For Zoë, the mission is simpler: live.

Last girl Zoë Zindleman, numerical ID 009-99-9999, is starting work at AllMART, where “your smile is the AllMART welcome mat.“ Her living arrangements are equally bleak: she can wait for her home to be foreclosed and stripped of anything valuable now that AnnaMom has moved away, leaving Zoë behind, or move to the Warren, an abandoned strip-mall-turned-refuge for other left-behinds. With a handful of other disaffected, forgotten kids, Zoë must find her place in a world that has consumed itself beyond redemption. She may be a last girl, but her name means ”life,” and Zoë isn’t ready to disappear into the AllMART abyss. Zoë wants to live Finally, a picture book for bacon lovers of any age: Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio, Eric Wight (Illustrated by) A cautionary tale about a little slice of bacon with a big, greasy ego.

Sure, everyone loves Bacon— until Bacon’s popularity goes right to his head. He’s so busy soaking up the attention from his fans, that he soon forgets the important things in life, like friendship and family. How will things end for our deliciously crispy hero?

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 13

Focus on fitness this season

By ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writer

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) — If you’re looking for a device to track your fitness, alert you to incoming messages and occasionally let you buy stuff with a scan or a tap, there’s no shortage of computerized wristwatches to choose from.

Over the past several months, I’ve tested numerous smartwatches for iPhones and Android devices, along with fitness trackers that have some smarts. I’ve even worn six watches at once during three marathons over the past month, courting both ridicule and some lousy times. (I’m blaming the extra weight.)

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are relatively early devices with a lot of growing up still to do. Temper your expectations, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Just don’t go in expecting magic, because that’s a recipe for disappointment.

Your options will vary depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android, as most of these watches require a companion phone for their smarts. There are also big differences between all-in-one smartwatches and simpler gadgets that primarily track fitness.

SMARTWATCHES FOR ANDROID: Samsung’s Gear S2 (starts at $300)

Samsung smartwatches have improved tremendously. Instead of swiping through screen after screen, you now rotate the watch’s circular outer ring to select apps or view notifications. The watch faces can display information ranging from stock quotes and headlines to sports scores. I tracked some Mets games that way, though the watch doesn’t guarantee a win.

The main shortcoming: limited apps. The Gear S2 works with Android phones but doesn’t run Android apps, putting it in a kind of limbo. A few apps from big-name partners like Yelp, The Wall Street Journal and Nokia’s Here (for maps) are available, and Uber is coming soon. But most apps I looked for weren’t there.

As for exercise, the watch mostly tracks footsteps and heart rate. Its mileage calculation is way off unless you’re also carrying a phone with GPS. Alternatively, you could consider the Gear model with both GPS and 3G data for about $50 more, plus an additional $5 or $10 a month for the data plan.

The Gear S2 works with most Android phones, though some features specifically require a Samsung phone.

Android Wear (starts at $129) Several companies make smartwatches that run Google’s Android Wear software. I tried the cheapest, Asus’s ZenWatch 2, as a starting

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point. You can pay more for better bands, features such as built-in GPS or sheer luxury — right up to $1,500 for a model Tag Heuer developed with Intel and Google.

Android Wear has also gotten better. One swipe gets you apps, with recently used ones on top. Swipe again for contacts and again for common tasks. The screen can stay on without draining the battery, something rare in a smartwatch. App selection has also improved; many apps available for the Apple Watch now have Android Wear versions.

Sony’s GPS-enabled SmartWatch 3 worked well for me while run-

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ning, but other non-GPS devices, including the ZenWatch, were more frustrating. The main health app, Google Fit, doesn’t let you start or stop workouts manually, with or without GPS. It relies on automatic detection and accused me of walking parts of my marathons, even though I didn’t (really!). Several apps offer manual controls, but require built-in GPS or a phone, which can be a pain to carry on a run.

You need an Android phone for full functionality. Android Wear works with the iPhone, but it’s handicapped. You don’t get turn-by-turn navigation on the watch, for instance, as I learned the hard way driving to Toronto with a Moto 360.

SMARTWATCHES FOR IPHONES: Apple Watch (starts at $349) Android Wear will work, but Apple Watch is the one you need for full functionality. Apple put a lot of thought into it, with the inclusion of a lefties mode and a passcode in case you leave it on a bathroom sink somewhere.

Apple Watch stands out in fitness. Although the watch doesn’t have GPS, it learns your walking and running patterns when you have the phone with you, so it’s more accurate than other non-GPS watches when you leave the phone at home.

Apple’s smartwatch doesn’t just count steps. Instead, it challenges — or nags — you to exercise at least 30 minutes a day and to take 12 walk breaks throughout the day. For a perfect score, you also need to burn a certain number of calories — determined by your age, sex, weight and fitness level. With rival devices, I meet my default goals easily. With Apple Watch, even an eight-mile morning run isn’t enough.

Bring on the challenge!

Apple Watch lacks advanced features found in sport-specific devices. I rely on a Garmin running watch during workouts, but Apple Watch nudges me the rest of the day.

Battery life isn’t as good as Samsung and many Android Wear devices, though I made it through the recent marathons with plenty to spare by turning off the heart-rate monitor.

FITNESS FOCUSED, FOR IPHONE, ANDROID OR WINDOWS: Microsoft Band 2 and Fitbit Surge ($250 each) These are among the few fitness trackers with built-in GPS and heart-rate monitors. Don’t confuse the Surge with cheaper Fitbit models, which mostly track footsteps. The Surge and the Band are limited smartwatches that can, for instance, notify you of new texts or calls.

The Band also offers news headlines and a few apps from the likes of Starbucks and Facebook.

But the Band’s battery life doesn’t cut it for heavy exercise. I outlasted the Band for all three 26.2-mile races. Even turning off the screen didn’t keep it from dying before the finish, in one case just a third of a mile short. By contrast, the Surge lasted each race with plenty of charge to spare. Under normal use, the Surge lasts up to a week.

Both are solid fitness companions — at least for shorter workouts, in the case of the Band. But neither is a replacement for a sport-specific device.

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 15

Toys are making a comeback

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer

The U.S. toy industry is expected to have its strongest year in at least a decade after several years of kids choosing videogames and mobile apps over Barbie and stuffed bears.

Annual toy sales are projected to rise 6.2 percent to $19.9 billion in 2015, according to The NPD Group Inc., a market research firm that tracks about 80 percent of the U.S. toy market. That’s up from a 4 percent increase last year, and the biggest increase in at least 10 years since the group has tracked toys using its current system.

The increase factors in brisk sales during the final quarter of this year, when sales are expected to be up 5 percent to $9.6 billion, a stronger pace than last year’s 3.6 percent gain.

The growth is being fueled by increasing popularity of collectibles, toys based on Hollywood blockbuster films and better technology that allows toys to do things like talk back to children. It comes after sales slowed and sometimes declined in the past 10 years as children — much like their parents — became more enthralled with technology.

Now, toymakers are using chip technology, which is getting cheaper and more powerful, in toys. They’re also focusing on grabbing the attention of the long-ignored but increasingly influential preteen crowd.

“The selection is much greater than in the past,” said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of TTPM, an online toy review site. “Technology is much better in the toy aisle, and it’s really inspiring young kids to play but also bringing older kids to things like radio control and role play items.”

What’s giving toys a boost?

HOLLYWOOD Surging demand for all things “Frozen” helped the toy industry achieve a rare gain last year. Toys related to the blockbuster about a princess who sets off to find her sister with icy powers were popular.

In fact, “Frozen” was the top toy brand last year, reaching $531 million in sales, according to NPD. And the Hollywood infatuation is expected to continue with the release of the “Star Wars” movie on Dec. 18: Hundreds of products, from puzzles to action figures related to “Star Wars,” are expected to exceed Frozen’s success.

Marty Brochstein, who’s with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association, says the $199.99 LightSaber from Hasbro, which features motion sensor-controlled sound effects, already are on backorder. He says “Star Wars” appeals to both kids and adults.

“It’s multi-generational,” Brochstein says.

Hasbro, the nation’s second largest toy company, reported a jump in second-quarter profit last month, helped by toys related to “Star Wars.”

Hasbro has the major merchandising licensing rights to make Star

Wars toys from now until 2020. It’s also teaming up with Walt Disney Co.’s consumer products division to make “Frozen” dolls in 2016.

That deal froze out Mattel, which sells the dolls based on “Frozen” characters.

Toys R Us’ new CEO David Brandon says the retailer is placing big bets this holiday season on brands like “Star Wars” to help boost sluggish U.S. sales.

“It will be very interesting to see at the end of the holiday season where the growth comes from. And how much growth there is,” Brandon says.

BETTER TECHNOLOGY Toy companies are pushing remote controlled cars and droids controlled by smartphones. And robotic creatures are becoming more life-like with voice recognition features.

Hasbro’s StarLily My Magical Unicorn, for example, responds to voice and touch with more than 100 sound and motion combinations. Mattel, the nation’s largest toy company, also is hoping technology will help it reverse years of slumping sales.

“You want to make sure that you give them enough that they’re going to want to walk away from their iPads and phones,” said Mattel’s Executive Vice President Geoff Walker.

Mattel’s new Barbie features speech recognition and can have a two-way conversation with girls. And its Fisher-Price brand has “Smart Bear,” an interactive plush bear marketed as having the brains of a computer without the screen — and is linked to a smartphone app. Fisher-Price also is pushing a robotic dinosaur.

“The best thing about it is that it shoots from the front and it shoots from the back,” says Matthew Fic, a 6-year-old who recently played with the toy.

TARGETING THE PRETEEN SET The 8- to 12-year old group accounts for 22 percent of toy sales, according to NPD, but has been ignored because they’re the biggest users of mobile devices.

Now, toy makers believe they can keep older kids’ attention because features like voice recognition are more affordable.

For example, Spin Master’s Meccano Meccanoid G15 allows kids to build and program their own personal four-foot-tall robot that records and plays back audio and it learns from them. It has more than 1,200 parts and features 64 megabytes of memory.

And Hasbro spiffed up its Nerf gun to cater to the 14-plus crowd.

Nerf Rival shoots balls 100 feet per second. Think paint ball meets Nerf.

Still, it could be a hard sell.

“It’s fun. But I don’t know how long I would play with this until I got bored.” said Jackson Roberts, 14, from Manhattan, referring to Nerf Rival. On Roberts’ holiday wish list: a 3-D printer and a droid that takes pictures.

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