Parent & Child Magazine October 2020

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

OCTOBER 2020

Sick Child?

Same day sick appointments available Accepting New Patients FORT MYERS (239) 481-5437 CAPE CORAL (239) 573-7337 LEHIGH ACRES (239) 481-5437

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Let OUR Family Take Care of YOUR Family Physician-Owned. Patient-Centered

Ask PPC Walkers Not Recommended for Infants and Toddlers

By Sara Jo Foley, APRN Physicians’ Primary Care of SWF The infant/toddler walker has been a toy available to parents for years, however, it is neither safe nor recommended for children’s use. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), more than 230,000 children under the age of 15 months were treated for walker-related injuries in the United States in the past 15 years. Another study alarmingly showed that nearly 50 percent of children that used walkers between 2004 and 2008 became injured and just over 2,000 children presented for care on average per year.

Injuries occur most often due to a fall down the stairs or because the walker allows children access to household items that can cause injury or burns that they would not ordinarily be able to reach, as well as access to water sources that may result in drowning or near-drowning incidences. Studies show that the majority of injuries occur when parents are not able to respond quickly enough. In fact, our savvy

neighbors to the north have known for some time the danger of walkers. Canada has banned walkers from being manufactured and sold in stores since 2004.

For parents who choose to use a walker with their infant or toddler, there are some recommendations to follow to reduce risk but not eliminate them. First, do your research before you buy; research safety on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety standards.

Those safety standards should include the requirement that the base of the walker be at least 36 inches in width and that the walker have a braking mechanism that automatically stops the walker’s motion when one of the wheels is not in contact with the ground. Additionally, it should be ensured that the walker is only in use with direct adult supervision.

Most parents are under the impression that walkers increase an infant’s chance of independent walking earlier. Research has shown

Color the PPC Pals, then bring them into your doctor’s office where we will display them, or use to decorate in your own home.

that, in fact, the opposite is true. Baby walkers can hinder a child’s ability to walk independently and can affect a child’s gait pattern and posture in early childhood, developing a delay in those childhood milestones.

The American Academy of Pediatrics statement on walkers clearly states that infant walkers are not part of safe practice for children and can delay development of gross motor skills required for independent walking.

If you have questions about walkers and other devices for children, please contact a healthcare professional at Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida.

Sara Jo Foley, APRN, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the Cape Coral Pediatrics office of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida at 1 2 61 Viscaya Parkway.

For an appointment call 239-573-7337 or visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Physician-Owned. Patient-Centered

www.ppcswfl.com | 239.275.5522

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 3

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contents |

27

40

16 ask the expert

43

27 spotlight

Now that we’ve simplified, how do we keep that up when busy schedules resume?

18 in the kitchen

Megan Rose of Better Together supports families to keep children out of foster care

31 goblins and covid-19

Lee Health dietitian demystifies cooking fish at home

21 dining out

Will the coronavirus pandemic ruin Halloween?

33 eventful season?

How to eat your way through Sanibel

While numerous events are canceled, several continue with social distancing measures

23 kid stuff

How to use a fire extinguisher

25 teens

editor’s note

8

our contributors

9 online 11

me time

13 5 things 14 fyi 40 snapshots 48 things to do 50 last look

43 travel

Program helps students with special needs transition to life after high school

7

47 around town

39 safety corner

Crafts to bring autumn to your Florida home

ALSO INSIDE

North Georgia resort boasts quaint individual cottages and loads of Southern charm

49 voices

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

OCTOBER 2020

Why fishing is a great family activity right now

ILLUSTRATION BY LINDI DAYWALTFEAZEL AND GETTY IMAGES

13 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 5

In keeping with COVID-19 safety precautions all tutors and students must wear masks.

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editor’s note |

swfl

Part of the USA TODAY Network

Volume 21, Issue 10 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com Regional VP, Sales William R. Barker General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey kathryn@swflparentchild.com Editor Pamela Smith Hayford (239) 335-0448 pamela@swflparentchild.com Art Director Lindi Daywalt-Feazel ldaywalt@gannett.com

Editorial Contributors Jean Le Boeuf, Leigha Messner, Tricia O’Connor, Anne Reed, Jason Sabo, Andrea Stetson, Jennifer Thomas, Stephanie Vatalaro Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Shawna Devlin Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com Distribution (239) 335-0211 Southwest Florida Parent & Child is a FREE publication distributed at more than 500 locations throughout Southwest Florida by The News-Press Media Group. All rights reserved. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Any opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions of the magazine or publisher.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN?

T

he October calendar is usually bursting at the seams with things to do for families. Fall festivals. Haunted events. Trick or treating.

This year, much of the seasonal pageantry of October is canceled.

Big crowds of people and pandemic virus don’t go well together.

But there are ways to keep the fun in the season and follow the recommended health guidelines.

In this month’s issue, we explore what Halloween in the time of COVID-19 might look like, including some advice about trick-or-treating, and we found several alternative ways to celebrate. Plus, there are still some fall and Halloween events happening throughout Southwest Florida. Some are more naturally inclined to social distancing, like a corn maze that you navigate with your family. Or a haunted walk through the woods. One event organizer took this as an opportunity to expand a one-day in-person event into a monthlong virtual festival with costume contests, crafts, story times and other activities.

Having some fun helps take some of the scary out of the challenges we’re facing this year.

There’s nothing scary about Megan Rose. This Southwest Florida mom leads Better Together, an organization focused on keeping children out of foster care by giving families the support they need to succeed. Since starting Better Together, the organization has helped more than 2,800 children.

Read about Megan and find much more inside these pages. There are autumn crafts for kids, advice for cooking fish at home, toys that get kids playing outside, a charming getaway in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which will soon light up with fall colors.

In a time that’s anything but normal, my hope is to bring you a bit of normalcy, helpful information and happy inspiration.

PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ

parent &child S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

PAMELA SMITH HAYFORD, Editor

Member of

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from you. Send your photos, letters or comments to: pamela@swflparentchild.com. Or visit us online:

swflparentchild.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 7

MIROMAR

OUTLETS

| contributors

M

®

Awarded Top 10% of attractions worldwide

SPOOKTACULAR SAVINGS

eet the contributors to this issue of Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine.

Jean Le Boeuf • Dining Out • Jean Le

Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

Leigha Messner • In the Kitchen •

Leigha Messner, a registered dietitian and mom, is a clinical dietitian with Lee Health. She can be reached through media@leehealth.org or by calling 239-424-3120.

Tricia O’Connor • Will COVID-19

C O M P A N Y

haunt Halloween? • Seasoned journalist and content marketing specialist Tricia O’Connor is also a full-time mother of two children and an assortment of animals. She earned her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and regularly contributes to print and digital platforms. She also creates original website and blog content for businesses. She misses her kids now that they’re back in school but is happy to be writing at least 1,000 words a day. Surprisingly, Tricia’s Netflix queue is not empty — yet.

S T O R E

Anne Reed • Spotlight • Anne Reed is a

writer, wife, runner, mother of three and dogmom of two. Originally from the Midwest, she lives in Estero and loves watching the wildlife in her backyard.

Jason Sabo • Ask the Expert • Jason Sabo specializes in child and adolescent psychology.

As the site supervisor at Lee Health’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Practice, he is part of Kids’ Minds Matter, a philanthropy-supported effort

by Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to expand pediatric mental health services in the region. (kidsmindsmatter.com)

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1020-1539

Andrea Stetson • Halloween

Happenings, Kid Stuff and Teens • Andrea Stetson writes for magazines and newspapers throughout Southwest Florida. She has also been a news producer and writer at television stations in Fort Myers, Miami and Scranton.

Andrea lives in North Naples with her husband, daughter, dog and eight bunnies. Her son graduated from Georgia Tech.

online |

swflparentchild.com Get the latest event information and family news every day on our family-friendly site.

Kids yearning to connect with friends?

TRY THESE SOCIAL VIDEO GAMES. Finding opportunities for kids to forge those bonds of friendship that come naturally at school can be tough when going to school virtually. For many parents with tweens and older children, video games can serve as an outlet to maintain those relationships with classmates unable to physically connect at school. USA Today writer Brett Molina explores seven games that do just that. Get details on swflparentchild.com.

S W F L PA

Miss an issue?

SWFL Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues. Did you miss the summer list of things to do in Southwest Florida from our June issue?

It’s online. Or the birthday party issue in February? It’s online. Or maybe you wish you could find that list of where kids eat free (or nearly free) from the November issue? It’s online, too. Just visit swflparentchild.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. You’ll also find past stories individually on the site.

RENTCH

ILD.COM

OCTOBE

R 2020

Get SWFL Parent & Child anywhere at any time LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @swflparentchild FIND US ON PINTEREST pinterest.com/ swflparentchild READ US ON ISSUU issuu.com/swflparentchild

Looking for something to do?

Our website has plenty of ideas. There’s our calendar and list of attractions, but we also have lists of ways kids can continue to learn at home and features about local organizations hosting online events and activities.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 9

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

GET READY FOR CAT-TASTIC SURPRISES!

COMING SOON YOU CAN CHECK OUT GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE ON YOUTUBE! DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse © 2020 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All rights reserved.

me time |

MAKE WORKING OUT OUTSIDE EASIER Get fit while social distancing with these picks by Reviewed.com.

TAKE THE SHADE WITH YOU JUMP INTO HIGH TECH • There’s a reason this jump rope has some 10,000 five-star reviews. The Crossrope Get Lean rope weighs a quarter pound to challenge your strength and endurance more than a standard jump rope. Comes with a free app of guided workouts. $99 on Amazon.com.

• To protect the skin on your scalp from burning and your eyes from watering under the glaring sun, don’t leave for your outdoor workout without this lightweight runner’s cap with built-in sun protection of UPF 50. Customers love its adjustable strap, non-itchy material and sleek design. $34 at Athleta.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN • Working out outside creates a double trouble situation: heat created by the sun and heat created by your body.

Keep your skin from rubbing itself raw with the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick.

It uses natural botanicals like aloe and vitamin E to soothe, pomegranate seed extract to protect and grapeseed oil to hydrate. $13.99 at Target.

STAY HYDRATED • Tilted 45 degrees, this bottle holder avoids some of the issues with keeping a water bottle vertically upright, and it’s a little more aerodynamic. It also features enough space to store belongings like keys and cellphone. With over 800 Amazon reviews, the AiRunTech Upgraded No Bounce Hydration Belt helps many people look forward to working out — instead of dreading it. $16.95 on Amazon.com.

DATE NIGHT • Get active. Together. Whether simply walking around your neighborhood or participating in a competitive 5K, physical activity gets the feel-good chemicals in your body pumping, and it can make you feel good about your partner, too.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 11

5 things |

GO PLAY OUTSIDE Florida’s summer heat is slowly releasing its grip. These fun toys curated

by Reviewed.com help kids take advantage of the weather.

WE’RE A PUSHOVER FOR GARDENING • Enlist your little ones to schlep tools and small plants with the Step2 Springtime Wheelbarrow. Or they can push around stuffed animals and other toys. The push toy comes with a hand rake and trowel that fit in the wheelbarrow’s built-in storage area when not in use. $39.99 at Walmart, walmart.com.

GROW A GREEN THUMB • In southern Florida, we do

FLY HIGH

things differently. Instead of spring being the perfect time to start a garden, it’s fall. Make it a family affair with this kid-size Sunny Patch Giddy Buggy toy gardening set from Melissa & Doug. Includes tote, hand shovel, rake and spray bottle. Intended for ages 3 and older. $12.99 at Walmart, walmart.com.

SCOOT AROUND IN STYLE • Add some zip to your family walks. The Jetson Pixel kids’ scooter features LED lights on the wheels and board. Best of all, its lean-to-steer design allows kids to control the direction of the scooter by shifting their weight as they hold the handlebars. Plus, the handlebars are adjustable to grow with your child. $69.99 at Amazon.com.

• These little gems are fun indoors or outdoors. The foam glider planes by Anself are lightweight but still durable enough to withstand regular use. One cool factor: The nose lights up with LED. Recommended for ages 4-14. $12.99 at Walmart, walmart.com.

SWIRL, TWIRL AND PLAY • Water play can be an ideal sensory activity, especially for little ones. The Step2 Wild Whirlpool Water Table keeps kids occupied for hours. $39.99 at Walmart, walmart.com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 13

| fyi

IMAG OFFERS ITSELF AS STUDY SPOT FOR ONLINE STUDENTS Add the IMAG History & Science Center to your list of places that offer a socially distanced study spot for kids attending school online while parents work. (We added IMAG to our list at swflparentchild. com.) IMAG SOS, short for Students on Site, is a socially distanced learning program for students in grades 3-8.

Lee County kids attending online are welcome; that includes those in Florida Virtual School, Lee Virtual School and Lee Home Connect. IMAG staff provide educational support and fun activities. In response to the pandemic, IMAG expanded its program offerings, such as home-school programs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit badge workshops and IMAG@HOME.

LEARN HOW TO DJ (Yep, parents too)

E

ver imagine yourself at a couple of turntables scratching and mixing fly tunes? There’s now a DJ Mixing class for budding mix masters of nearly all ages at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers through its Six Finger Studios. In one-onone sessions with Tommy Giaime, aka DJ Tommy G, students from age 8 to adult learn the history of DJing, get an understanding of music theory, how to mix songs and how to perform to a crowd. Get details at sbdac.com/dj-mixing.

LEE HEALTH OPENS LAST OF OB EXPANSION Lee Health opened the final piece of its effort to expand obstetrics services. Staff cut the ribbon on Lee Health’s renovated obstetrics operating room in September at HealthPark Medical Center near the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in south Fort Myers. The renovation and expansion include new pre- and post-op light-filled private rooms with their own bathrooms, additional tech and a break room for doctors.

14 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

fyi |

IT’S NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH You can raise awareness and help the cause by wearing the color orange Wednesday, October 21, known as Unity Day. The Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center will also sell “Choose Kindness, Acceptance & Inclusion” T-shirts and yard signs at pacer.org.

WORK AND LEARN FROM PARADISE

LOVERS KEY OFFERS FAMILY DEAL Here’s a bonus for nature lovers and beachgoers. As Friends of Lovers Key and Lovers Key State Park get ready to open the park’s new 4,000-square-foot Welcome and Discovery Center this season, the citizen support organization is offering $35 family memberships. The FOLKS membership includes 12 free entries to the park (a $96 value). Regular family membership is $50 for the year. Families who join during the promotion also get 50% off a kayak or canoe rental and two additional months on their annual membership. Membership fees help raise money for exhibits and equipment in the center. Get details at 239-463-4588 or friendsofloverskey.org.

Florida resorts are jumping onto the distance learning band wagon. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach started two “remote retreat” programs for families learning and working remotely.

One program takes place in the Learning Lounge so that parents can do their thing independently.

It even includes a study buddy and a certified e-learning specialist. The resort also upgraded its Wi-Fi and created working lounges for the grown-ups — and IT staff for troubleshooting.

You can even set up your office in a beach cabana for the ultimate zoom background.

DO YOU OR YOUR KIDS HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? The Players Circle Theatre in North Fort Myers is looking for talent of all ages. We’re not just talking actors and singers. Producers Robert Cacioppo and Carrie Lund are open to cloggers; tap, flamenco and jazz dancers; magicians; comedians; musicians; the limit is only a person’s imagination. Think talent show or theater in the round. Cash prizes are planned for the winners of each evening’s talent performances; winners will be judged by the audience. Interested in performing? Email rcacioppo@playerscircle.org. Robert and Carrie founded the Players Circle Theatre and converted the Dolphin Room at the Shell Factory into the theater’s arts center. They’re also looking for volunteers to help with the theater, from behind the scenes to customer service. They hope to open their second season in mid-October, virus pending.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 15

| ask the expert

GETTY IMAGES

THE POSTPANDEMIC FAMILY COVID-19 forced families to get back to basics. How can we capitalize on that as busy routines resume? | BY JASON SABO

W

hile there is no doubt that COVID-19 will have longterm mental health implications, some of the changes that forced families to spend time together during stay-at-home, work-athome and virtual learning may have positive impacts.

I do not want to invalidate the

16 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

struggles families are facing. They are real, and families are dealing with extremely difficult situations that have threatened their basic need for safety and security. However, the pandemic can be an opportunity for our resilience to shine through and to show our children how to make the best of even the worst situations.

We are not always in control of our circumstances, but we are in control of our attitude. Within this pandemic, I

have seen a lot of families dealing with stressful situations. However, I have also seen a great deal of resilience, both by parents and children. I have seen families adapt by eating more family dinners together, rediscovering “old school” board games, going on family walks and taking trips to local parks.

The circumstances of the pandemic have created an unexpected reset, allowing families to simplify their lives in many ways.

AGES

ask the expert |

Family resilience is built by finding flexibility to react to changing circumstances, leading to cooperation and closer family bonds.

The pandemic has given families the opportunity to spend more time together and get back to basics. Any time we change the “normal routine,” there will also be changes in other areas, sometimes good and sometimes not so good. Psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner developed the Ecological Systems Theory to explain the interaction between children’s environments.

He termed the different environments as “ecological systems,” ranging from home to the larger school system, and then to the most expansive system, which is society and culture.

Each system interacts with and influences each other. Think of it like throwing a rock in a calm pond. Each ring stands for a different system. Multiple rocks thrown in the pond (stressors) create ripples. The more ripples the more stress. Occasionally, a boulder is thrown in the pond, which throws everything off. This pandemic is a giant boulder. It has affected every area of functioning.

A new normal has been slowly created.

Children have more control of their time, allowing them to manage more of their day, which can encourage independent behaviors such as preparing snacks, doing chores and resolving sibling disputes when parents must focus on work.

There are many ways to help children learn to be more independent and accountable. I encourage parents to buy their children’s “snacks” at the beginning of the week and allow the child to ration them throughout the week.

Oftentimes children will eat all of them the first day. The rest of the week will be a reminder of the lesson. Generally, the following week they make snacks last longer.

It is also important to have a list of daily expectations. When possible, pair internet use with accomplishing expectations. In my house, we have found creative ways to encourage physical activities. Our children are allowed two hours of electronics each day. They can add an hour of electronics time for each mile they run. My 13-year-old ran 24 miles the first week. (We had to change the system after that!)

Involving children in the work of the family helps their self-regard and responsibility, increasing self-esteem.

I personally believe children of all ages should have household obligations or chores. I see many parents who take care of everything for their children, which can result in children being inadequately prepared for life and taking care of themselves. The goal is giving our children the skills necessary to handle whatever life throws at them.

This will change with age. At an early age it may be hygiene or how to dress themselves. As they get older, it may be the ability to self-regulate, be disciplined or to solve problems.

It is important to set expectations.

These expectations can include making their bed, putting their clothes away, doing dishes, sweeping and taking out the trash. As children get older, they can have more responsibilities, while keeping in mind their No. 1 responsibility is education.

Children have more time to rest without commutes to school, work and after-school activities.

Many children have an additional three hours of sleep that they would have spent on the bus or in transit.

However, it is important to avoid the tendency to wake up, roll out of bed and turn on the computer. Parents are encouraged to treat every day, especially days children attend virtual school, as if children were going to physical school.

ASK THE EXPERT We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything. We’ll find the answer. Send your question to editor@ swflparentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

They should get up, take a shower, eat breakfast and dress appropriately. This is a big part of respect for both themselves and others and keeping a routine.

As we return to busy schedules, how can parents support gains made in family life by simplifying?

The trick is achieving balance through a blend of unstructured play, child-centered organized activities and rich parent-child interactions.

1. Put academics first. Ask children about their day at school (or virtual school). Ask them to teach you about a lesson they recently learned.

2. Maintain healthy boundaries on electronics. Most children are not

automatically good at setting limits with electronics. Set limits and stick to them.

3. Choose activities wisely and include your child in selecting their activities. Children are much more

willing to do things that were their idea.

4. Don’t overcommit. Pay attention to potential warning signs that a child is over-scheduled including a change in sleep patterns, a change in appetite, irritability, lethargy or a drop in grades.

5. Enforce family time. Make it a priority to have family dinners or family game nights. Remember, as parents we set the mood. Be excited and encouraging about the activity.

6. Introduce new expectations or changes in routines before they officially start. As the new normal is

being defined, it’s important to realize that this, too, will be a change and will require understanding. Parents need to help children make transitions by encouraging communication. Children must be aware of expectations and be involved in the process. Set family goals and individual goals for the school year.

Continuing the “we’re in this together” bond and setting positive routines will help to positively redefine the post-pandemic family.

Jason Sabo is the site supervisor at Lee Health’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Practice. He specializes in child and adolescent psychology.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 17

| in the kitchen

DIVE INTO

FISH Registered dietitian demystifies cooking seafood at home. | BY LEIGHA MESSNER

A

s native-born Floridians go, I am an anomaly. I did not like seafood until I was 25 years old. I dramatically suffered through family dinners and college sushi nights with friends, and even pretended to like oysters on my first date with my now husband — thank goodness for horseradish! I have since come to love most seafood just as much as I appreciate the waters they call home.

Being high in essential vitamins, minerals, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, a diet high in seafood has been linked to reduced risks of chronic disease, improved cardiovas-

cular and brain health and enhanced neurological development in infants and children.

Emerging evidence even links lower risk of depression with fish consumption. For vegetarian or vegan diets, some plant-based options have caught up with improving nutritional content of seafood substitutions by adding blends of omega-3 fatty acids.

While it is recommended that adults consume two servings of seafood a week by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, seafood consumption leads to increased risk of exposure to mercury. You are probably aware by now of the health concerns linked to mercury contamination. Mercury, found naturally in soil and as a byproduct of pollution, is converted by bacteria to the

Find a rec ipe for Healt hy Fish Stic ks on page 20.

18 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

in the kitchen |

organic compound found in nearly all fish and shellfish, methylmercury. The amount differs in the quantity and type of seafood eaten with high levels typically seen in predatory and/or long-living species.

Evidence shows the benefits of consuming lowmercury fish outweigh the risks of mercury toxicity.

Important rules of thumb are to follow the recommended weekly servings of low-mercury fish and, for young children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, to avoid seafood known to have higher levels

of mercury.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency categorizes fish into three tiers, making it easier to choose which type of fish and how much to eat based on mercury levels. A serving size is 4 ounces for adults, and for children 1 ounce at age 2, increasing in size to 4 ounces by age 11, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The EPA also suggests checking local advisories for fresh caught fish prior to consumption.

Be sure to speak with a physician about any additional concerns.

BEST CHOICES

EAT 2 TO 3 SERVINGS A WEEK • Anchovy • Atlantic croaker • Atlantic mackerel • Black sea bass • Butterfish • Catfish • Clam • Cod • Crab • Crawfish • Flounder • Haddock • Hake

• Herring • Lobster, American and spiny • Mullet • Oyster • Pacific chub mackerel • Perch, freshwater and ocean • Pickerel • Plaice • Pollock • Salmon • Sardine

• Scallop • Shad • Shrimp • Skate • Smelt • Sole • Squid • Tilapia • Trout, freshwater • Tuna, canned light (includes skipjack) • Whitefish • Whiting

GOOD CHOICES EAT 1 SERVING A WEEK

HOW TO COOK FISH Cooking seafood can be a challenge, which is why nearly two-thirds is consumed outside the home. Whether you’re a novice or expert when it comes to incorporating seafood into your diet, abundance in options coupled with variety of cooking methods make it easy to experiment with different tastes and textures. If you’re unsure how to prepare fish or are looking for new ways to prep old favorites, here are some tips to get you hooked.

BUYING SEAFOOD Fresh seafood should have a mild scent. Avoid anything with a strong fishy odor.

Frozen fish should also meet the fresh-smell test.

Whole fish should have bright eyes and red or pink gills.

It is a common misconception that frozen

means lower nutritional quality. Most fish are flash frozen upon being caught at sea. The “fresh” fish at many markets is often previously frozen and thawed. Talk with your local seafood counter regarding additional questions.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program is also an excellent source to

• Bluefish • Buffalofish • Carp • Chilean sea bass/ Patagonian toothfish • Grouper • Halibut • Mahi mahi/ dolphinfish • Monkfish

• Rockfish • Sablefish • Sheepshead • Snapper • Spanish mackerel • Striped bass (ocean) • Tilefish (Atlantic Ocean) • Tuna,

albacore/ white tuna, canned and fresh/frozen • Tuna, yellowfin • Weakfish/ seatrout • White croaker/ Pacific croaker

CHOICES TO AVOID HIGHEST MERCURY LEVELS • King mackerel • Marlin • Orange

roughy • Shark • Tilefish (Gulf of

Mexico) • Tuna, bigeye

Leigha Messner is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a clinical dietitian at Lee Health.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 19

| in the kitchen

help make smart and sustainable choices for healthy oceans.

wrapped in a Ziplock bag or other container will help to slow spoiling in the refrigerator.

Seafood spoils quickly. It is usually best to consume within two days. Generally with oilier fish, the sooner it is consumed the better, like salmon or sardines.

HEALTHY FISH STICKS

If you do not plan to consume within a couple of days of purchase, freeze it and consume within two weeks, being sure to thaw in the fridge and not at room temperature.

Keeping the fish on ice,

Dive into this healthier kid-friendly version of the classic fish sticks. The recipe is versatile enough to make with various fish as well as different flavor and texture enhancers.

PREPARING SEAFOOD

Preparation methods can vary. If pan-searing or frying, make sure to pat fish completely dry to achieve the

desired crispy outer layer. When grilling, brush a light layer of oil on both sides of the fillet (some chefs use mayo) to prevent it from sticking to the grate.

It is important to note that the acidic nature of a marinade can cook fish, thus limit marinating to 20 minutes or so for a flakier fish and one to two hours for thicker steak-like fillets.

COOKING SEAFOOD Over cooking is a common mistake and can result in undesirable texture and dryness.

To start, it’s important to have equal thickness throughout the fillet. If one side is smaller than the other, simply tuck the smaller end under to increase consistency in size.

If keeping the skin on, be sure to start skin-side down using a high-heat pan. Press down on the fillet so that all the skin is touching the cooking surface.

You will know the fillet is ready to flip once it releases itself from the skillet.

It may be worth investing in a fish spatula to ensure skin stays intact and fish does not flake apart when flipping.

The trick with baking is to allow 10 minutes per inch of thickness in a 400 F oven.

Internal temperature should reach 145 F. Fish should be opaque and flaky.

TASTE AND TEXTURE Taste and texture can be polarizing factors when it comes to palate preference. Starting out with a mild, thin, white fish is an excellent way to incorporate seafood into your meals.

Add favorite flavors you already know and love. Try out a mango salsa, garlicky pesto, or scale it back with just a salt and pepper shake.

20 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

To transform texture, consider crusting with finely chopped nuts, bread crumbs or Parmesan cheese.

Using a cedar plank for grilling fish, popular with salmon, affords a nice transfer of smoky, earthy flavors to an otherwise “fishier” fish.

Explore dipping sauces.

GETTY IMAGES

Fish have tiny pin bones found along the thickest part of the fillet that require special utensils to remove safely. To save time and frustration, ask for them to be removed. Most fishmongers do this for free at time of purchase.

INGREDIENTS • 1/ cup all-purpose flour 3 • 2 large eggs • 1 cup of whole-wheat or gluten-free Panko bread crumbs • 2 tablespoons garlic powder •1/ cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 • 1 pound white, flaky fish, such as cod, tilapia, mahimahi • Cooking spray • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper •¼ teaspoon kosher salt DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Spray baking sheet with oil.

2. Whisk eggs in small bowl. Combine flour with salt and pepper in separate bowl. In a third bowl toss bread crumbs with cheese and garlic powder.

3. Cut fillets into strips 1 inch wide by 2 inches long.

4. Pat fish dry with paper towel. Dip first into flour mixture, coating both sides. Second dip in eggs, then crumbs mixture, patting to help coating adhere to surface. Place on prepared baking sheet.

5. Spritz top of fish with oil and bake about 12 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and fish is cooked through to internal temperature of 145 F.

dining out |

HOW TO EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH SANIBEL’S RESTAURANTS — IN A PANDEMIC Restaurant critic Jean Le Boeuf took a much-needed vacation on Sanibel. Eating their way through the island, in a pandemic, turned out to be delicious. | BY JEAN LE BOEUF

I

t had been 20-some years since I vacationed on Sanibel.

That is, prior to this month.

I’ve been to the island plenty, mostly to eat, sometimes to fish or lounge on the shelltrimmed beaches. But vacationing on Sanibel is something Minnesotans and Canadians do. Not us locals. It’s for Michiganders in their black socks and Teva sandals, and for Wisconsinites, their pale, northern skin branded pink by our sun.

Sanibel, in my head, belongs to them. Or it did — until the pandemic struck and vacations worldwide came to a screeching halt.

I had plans to slurp hand-pulled lamian noodles in Vancouver’s Chinatown and tear through beignets and etouffee in New Orleans, to be the out-of-place tourist in someone else’s city. Instead I was home, cooking for myself, boring myself to tears with my same old recipes, my same reliably predictable flavor profiles, my same same same.

As I drove myself crazy, a friend proposed an island getaway on Sanibel. Just a few days. A quick change of scenery. I’ve never been more excited to pay $6 and cross the Causeway.

How does a restaurant critic eat through Sanibel with a small, COVID-conscious group amid a pandemic?

Carefully.

Here’s a closer look.

Schnapper’s Hots

TAKEOUT TO DROOL OVER Much of my Sanibel vacation was spent driving around and grabbing bags and boxes of food, which I was happy to do.

If I’d had my way, we would have eaten at The Pecking Order every meal, every day. I wrote a little something about the restaurant’s handmade pies last week, but everything here deserves recognition: the shatteringly crisp, fried-to-order chicken; the leafy collard greens; the velvety black-eyed peas with their richly savory kick.

The first night we got in, I ordered a 20-piece bucket with one of every side and pies galore. We ate as much as we could, then shoved the rest in our condo’s fridge for snacking throughout the weekend. It was gone a few hours later.

Our next stop for takeout was the classic Schnapper’s Hots. There’s nothing fancy about this place. It’s a counter with a few spots for stand-up dining and a few picnic tables out front. The prices — $4.95 for a hot dog, $6.95 for a plain cheeseburger

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 21

| dining out — are about what you’d expect on a vacation island. But the food. This food gets me every time. Schnapper’s serves natural-casing dogs that snap oh-so satisfyingly with that first juicy bite. Its burgers are chargrilled. Its onion rings are dipped in a faintly sweet batter that crackles and crunches. The fries are good.

The shakes are too.

This is post-beach food and prenap food — in all the best ways.

For takeout that’s even more creative, Paper Fig Kitchen came recommended by an island friend, a true Sanibel local. The 2-year-old catering company launched a cafe and to-go restaurant in January. It’s proven to be a pandemic savior for many islanders with grab-and-go, heat-when-you-like dinners and, for lunch, salads and hand-crafted sandwiches on scratch-baked breads.

From the fresh-squeezed lemonade and passion-fruit iced tea, to coconut shrimp po’ boys, Korean short rib tacos and the pecan-laced blondies for dessert, decisions don’t come easy at Paper Fig. But flavors do.

IF YOU GO • The Pecking Order Fried Chicken & Pies: 2496 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel; 239-472-2534; thepeckingordersanibel.com • Schnapper’s Hots: 1528 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-4728686; schnappershots.com • Paper Fig Kitchen: 2003 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-8870050; paperfigkitchen.com • Island Cow: 2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-0606; sanibelislandcow.com • Sanibel Fresh: 1020 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-0922; sanibelfresh.net • Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream: 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-476-0796; sanibelsbesthomemadeicecream.com • Joey’s Custard: 2467 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-7222; facebook.com/joeyscustard • Spoondrift Island Bowls: 2441 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-4720875; sanibelspoondrift.com

22 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Island Cow

IF YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN AND BE SERVED I have a confession: I’d never been to Island Cow before this staycation.

The 18-year-old restaurant always seemed to me like the ultimate tourist trap, a faux Key West trimmed in pastels and udders. But then someone in the group said paella and watermelon-mint cocktails, and I was powerless to stop.

We ate in a seashell-shaped booth on the front porch, blessedly surrounded by swirling fans. Our masked server took great care of us: promptly coursing out our meals; quick with refills; thoroughly sanitizing their other tables between diners.

That paella wasn’t a technical Spanish paella, no crisp crust of rice on the bottom, but it was still delicious. The watermelon cocktail could have been stronger. But what it lacked in vodka it made up for with refreshing ingredients. Not bad at all.

While I’d hoped to stop into Sweet Melissa’s, a longtime favorite, the timing didn’t work out, sadly.

Instead, a morning later, I ended up

on Sanibel Fresh’s patio, happily silenced by a perfect stack of Key lime pancakes. I chased each bite with a stolen forkful of quiche from one friend, a poached spoonful of acai from another, a sneaked bite of house-made granola from a third.

Sharing is caring.

I was surprised to see the 40-some-year-old Pinocchio’s ice cream shop had closed, but happy to find another house-made creamery, Sanibel’s Best, in its place. I’m a sucker for Joey’s Custard, too, and was thrilled to see it’s offering Hawaiian-style shaved ice in addition to its rich ice creams. And no visit of any length to Sanibel is complete without an insanely fresh poke bowl from Spoondrift Island Bowls.

The beauty of this getaway was that, right now, Sanibel is all ours.

The black socks and Ontario license plates are few and far between these days. I miss the tourists. I’m sure the restaurants do, too. But it’s fun taking their place for a bit and living that island-vacation life.

Jean Le Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @ JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

kid stuff |

CREATE YOUR OWN FALL

P

Numerous crafts and bright ideas bring autumn to the Sunshine State. | BY ANDREA STETSON

hotos of children jumping in a pile of leaves or collecting colorful leaves or taking a hayride through the woods give a picture of a northern fall.

Costumes in stores feature furry longsleeved creations. None of this is a picture of what autumn or Halloween is like in sunny Southwest Florida. So we set out to find ideas to create a picture of the season in the sunshine.

Jamie Berendes, a former art teacher at Bonita Springs Elementary School, says she adapted to the environment when teaching students. Since there are no leaves turning into browns, reds and yellows here, she had students create them from local greenery.

“We got some leaves and we cut sponges in the shape of the leaves, and then we sponge painted the leaves,” Jamie explains.

Jamie also likes to use shells in her creations.

“We took scallop seashells and hot glued fake feathers around the top,” she says. “Then we glued googly-eyes and a triangle of felt for the nose to make turkeys. You can also do pine cone turkeys, since we have those here, too.”

Dani Korson, a member of the Bonita Springs Shell Club, says volunteers there make fall crafts out of shells.

“We usually use sea urchins, and

we paint them orange and put little seashells on the top for a stem,” Dani says. “The swirly worm shells make a good stem. Then we paint a face on it and make a pumpkin.”

“You can always do shell art,” adds Naples artist Laura Barnard. “Kids can collect shells at the beach and you can spray paint them in lots of colors. They could use them to decorate around a mirror. We would go out and collect pine cones and then spray paint the pine cones. They can put glue on the pine cones and sprinkle them with glitter.”

Barry Leaman, the youth education director at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs lived in Salem, Massachusetts, for many years and found the transition to a Florida Halloween three years ago quite startling.

“Talk about a big deal. They revolve their whole economy around it,” Barry says. “My kids had to adjust, too, because they were used to the change in seasons.”

The 20-year veteran of teaching art says his philosophy is more about family and less about the season.

“Family gathering events, that is what I am looking for,” he stresses.

“When I came down here, I realized that everything I learned about fall goes out the window.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 23

| kid stuff

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Barry’s favorite fall craft is making board games reflect the season and family.

“A game like Memory, but instead of the cards being numbers or symbols, have them be different people in your family or different parts of your house. And you draw two of them,” he says. “A game like Candyland, you do your home or neighborhood. You decide what you are going to put in the spaces. Find something important that you put in the spaces. I think that is what we are celebrating. This year it is going to be really tough. You can’t travel. What you can do is bring in that fullness of family.”

Barry also uses fall colors in his art.

“If we do collage work, we might pick the colors that are fall,” he explains. “Use magazines; find yellows and oranges and reds that are bright. It is really hard.

“You are taking an entirely different culture of celebration. I know they understand fall colors and that leaves fall off of trees, but it is hard to picture that. You don’t get the change, so you are waiting for something to happen that doesn’t happen. So we focus on family. That is what everything is about.”

Local families have additional ideas for spreading fall creativity: » Find green leaves in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Put them under a piece of paper and use the side of an unwrapped yellow, orange or red crayon to do a crayon rubbing of the leaf. » Find colorful orange and purple scallops on the beach and glue them to drawn tree branches to represent local leaves. » Fill pine cones with peanut butter and coat with bird seed; hang outside for the birds to enjoy. » Draw a tree in the sand and decorate it with colorful shells.

Samantha Senkarik, of Naples, has a different fall tradition with her two children.

“It’s all about the fall candles and cinnamon broom sticks from Publix,” she says. “That always gets me in the mood.”

For those who need some fall foliage to get into the autumn spirit, there is a way to see fall colors in Southwest Florida. Golden rain trees turn yellow and orange in the fall. Along Livingston Road in northern Collier County, these trees are prominent in the road median, giving people a glimpse of fall as they pass by.

The Naples Botanical Gardens also has its own fall colors.

“In the fall the garden has a lot of pinks,” says Renee Waller, communications manager at the Gardens. “The muhly grass is all in bloom; they have all pillowing pink blooms. And our silk floss trees, those are also bright pink blooms, and they are some of the most jaw-dropping trees on property.”

teens |

PREPARING FOR AN INDEPENDENT LIFE Programs help transition students with special needs to life after high school. | BY ANDREA STETSON

T

he pathway is clear for most high school seniors: graduate from high school, then go to college, get a job or join the armed forces. But for teenagers with special needs, it isn’t that simple. The path usually has more challenges. That’s why experts in Lee and Collier counties start early to prepare the students and their parents for the future.

“With every student, we start meeting at age 14 with a

transition IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and talk about future employment and future living,” says Scott Kozlowski, Exceptional Student Education coordinator for Lee County Public Schools. “Starting at the age of 14, we start working at everything with graduation in mind.”

Collier County has the same program, and sometimes they start even earlier.

“Beginning around seventh grade, we encourage the student to come in with their parents to go through interest inven-

tory, looking at strengths and barriers,” says Rick Duggan, executive director of Exceptional Student Education and Student Support Services at Collier County Public Schools. “The emphasis is on self-advocacy.”

Rick says it’s important for students and their parents to plan early and understand what is needed for the future.

“It’s the ability to be assertive and knowing their rights,” Rick explains. “As students leave school, they are no longer covered under the student disability act. They go under the

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 25

| teens

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). So there are different accommodations. One of the main skills we can teach them is what their accommodations are and what to ask for. We do a lot of work on strengths and weaknesses.”

Lee County has teamed up with Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida for its Project Search program. There, students can work in the mail room, laundry room and at the front desk.

They might escort patients with a wheelchair to a car, make sure supplies are on a cart and numerous other tasks. They get experience in about 16 departments in the hospital.

“At the hospital usually one quarter to one third come back to work at the hospital,” Scott says.

The Collier school district has a Project Search collaboration with NCH Healthcare Systems.

“It’s been fantastic,” Rick says.

“It has far outdone anything I could have ever imagined.”

Project Search gives students real-life skills that Scott says are critical to their success in the workplace.

“At school they are used to being a little bit late, or taking a day off,” Scott says. “At Project Search they have to follow the same guidelines as anyone who works at the hospital. They are treated as adults for the first time in their life.”

Rick says the program also gives students transportation knowledge

since they must provide their own transport to NCH. “The Collier County CAT bus is great with transportation. We work with them on travel training and routes,” Rick says.

Project Search in Lee County is for students with significant disabilities. Lee County plans to start a program for students without significant cognitive disabilities in the fall of 2021.

“It was supposed to start fall of 2020, but with COVID it is starting a year late,” Scott explains.

Students with special needs can also spend part of their high school time working in the community.

Scott says they work at places such as Home Depot, a movie theater, Walmart and other local businesses. Getting a part-time job is a great idea, Rick says.

“For students that need more help, we have career experience,” Rick says. “Teachers contract with 80 to 90 businesses that work with us.”

Collier County students not only work at Publix and McDonalds, they get jobs at nail salons, the mall and area hotels. There is a program for students to work at the Naples Beach Club. Project Explore lets graduates be part of an adult education program at Lorenzo Walker Technical College.

Students can also gain experience at school.

“If they are interested, we can use some of their elective time to start building in vocational oppor-

tunities,” Rick says. “They begin with on-campus work experiences: library, cafeteria or tasks of independent living.

“Once students are about to exit, there is an exit meeting,” Scott explains. “We look to try to set them up with what we can before they leave our services.”

For students who plan to go to college, Scott says they offer programs to help with organization, social skills and living skills.

“These are the things we look to target,” he says. “It is very individualized.”

There are 14 schools in Florida called the College Experience. This gives students a chance to live in dorms and go to class.

“That has been starting to gain steam,” Scott says.

The College Experience lasts three to five years. Students do not receive college credit for the courses they take, but they get the experience they need to either transfer to a traditional university or use the skills in the workplace and with independent living.

Students in the ESE program can also defer leaving public school until they are 22 years old. During the time between graduation and age 22, they can focus on employment skills, daily living skills, work study and more.

“There are four more years,” Rick says. “We look at how we can make it so they can have the most productive life that they can have, being career and life ready.”

"One of the main skills we can teach them is what their accommodations are and what to ask for. We do a lot of work on strengths and weaknesses.” — RICK DUGGAN 26 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

spotlight |

SHE KEEPS

FAMILIES TOGETHER

Better Together CEO Megan Rose leads an organization focused on keeping children out of foster care by giving families the support they need. | BY ANNE REED

PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE

O

n a hot July afternoon, in the height of Southwest Florida’s COVID-19 wave, Megan Rose is on the road, fitting in an interview during her packed work day. As the CEO of Better Together, an organization that works to help families in crisis, Megan has seen an increase of 155% in calls for help since the start of the pandemic.

One of those calls involved Krystal and Jack — a story that was shared by Better Together through its social media pages and website, bettertogetherus. org, documented through the lens of photojournalist Kinfay Moroti. Krystal moved to Fort Myers from Pennsylvania but struggled to find a safe place for herself and Jack, her 1-year-old son.

Better Together volunteers provided a safe, loving family for Jack while Krystal and Jack’s father worked with Megan, her staff and volunteers to secure employment, create a budget and find housing.

And, on the day of our interview, Megan was headed to Krystal’s new home for the big reunion. Jack was coming home — another family safe, supported and together.

Megan’s story starts in Florida. She

was born in Orlando and grew up in the North Port area.

“When I grew up there, there wasn’t even a high school,” Megan remembers.

“It’s been nice to see it develop over the years.”

She attended Liberty University in Virginia, graduating with a degree in psychology, then studied abroad in Eu-

rope for two years as she pursued her master’s degree in human services with a concentration in family and group dynamics and leadership.

“I actually went to school to become a teacher,” Megan notes. “I took a psychology class, and I was just so fascinated by human behavior… it changed the course of my career.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 27

While attending Liberty University, Megan was employed as a nanny for a French family. When the family returned to Paris, they invited Megan to go with them — which is where she completed her master’s degree.

“I loved the laidback lifestyle, art, food,” she says. “It was so fascinating. The family I nannied for — the parents were nuclear engineers. They had a completely different world view than me.”

Each night the adults would have wine and conversation.

“I just loved hearing their perspective and why they believed what they believed and why they saw the world the way they did.”

Her time in Paris had a huge impact on how she viewed people and how she connected with them.

After Paris, Megan moved back to Southwest Florida. As the oldest of six children, she has always been close to her siblings and family — especially her mother.

“She is my hero,” Megan says. “She is my role model.”

Megan began her job search but was rejected multiple times — until she applied and was hired to be a child welfare case manager.

“That was great because it was exactly where I need to be,” she says.

Megan worked for close to four years as a case manager, then became a director for a foster care agency.

“I was really young and ambitious, and they took a chance and hired me,” she recalls. “I had an incredible mentor and supervisor who helped prepare me to do the work I’m doing today.”

She built the foster agency from the ground up, assembling her team and recruiting foster families. During that same time period, she met Mason, now her husband. The couple began dating and he jumped right in beside her, supporting her work with foster families.

“We got engaged in the parking lot right before a foster parent appreciation dinner,” Megan says. “We had many date nights where we were out helping our foster families building cribs or delivering diapers.”

28 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE

| spotlight

The couple were married in 2014 and had an open reception so all the foster families and kids could be part of Megan’s big day.

“I was very hands-on and very invested in the family lives of these kids,” she says.

Megan and Mason decided to start a family right away, and when she was seven months pregnant, she connected with a group called Safe Families for Children, based in Chicago.

“They were trying to start their program in Southwest Florida. I had coffee with their team, trying to figure out how to work with them and their idea of volunteers helping before things spiral out of control,” she recalls.

“I wasn’t looking for a job — it wasn’t in my view.”

Nevertheless, they offered her a job.

“I was seven months pregnant — probably not the best time to leave my career and start something from scratch,” she says. “I talked to my husband and we thought about it and prayed about it.”

She left her job and started with Safe Families for Children in 2015.

“I didn’t really have maternity leave.

I just brought Brady with me.”

Safe Families for Children started as a franchise. Megan made changes along the way until, in 2018, she branched off and formed Better Together.

One of the first big changes? Better Together runs on donations from private donors and does not take money from the state.

“It became difficult for families to trust us when we were connected to the government,” she explains. “There

spotlight | was a real fear of losing their children.”

Better Together works closely with the Department of Children and Families, which introduces Megan and her staff to families who could benefit from their services.

“We try to make sure the families we help really want to help themselves,” she explains. “There has to be an internal drive; the parents have to want it. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want to help themselves.”

From the start, volunteers have been a large part of Better Together’s impact, and Megan and her staff strive to ensure that the volunteers have the support they need to succeed.

“We connect the helpers to the hurting, but we create a structure that stretches,” she says. “We work hard to make sure that the children are safe, that our volunteers are in it for the right reasons and will be good stewards of the families we serve, that the children are safe and loved and are treated as one of their own children.”

Her volunteer team continues to grow as more people learn about Better Together and the impact they are having on families in crisis.

“I really care about sustaining our volunteers,” Megan says. She strives to keep her hard-working volunteers feeling excited and supported and appreciated. “The greatest way to recruit new volunteers is to retain your current volunteers and treat them like gold.

Our volunteers are incredible — just amazing human beings with the biggest hearts.”

Megan and Mason are also volunteers. They have cared for more than 18 children in their home over the last five years. The first child they cared for, Brett, came to them when Megan was pregnant with her first child.

“We felt really strongly that if we were going to go out in the community and sell this idea to families and churches and partners, that we had to do it ourselves,” she says.

Brett, who was nearly a year old, had a mother who needed a support system and a father who was abusing alcohol. Better Together worked to

reunite Brett with both of his parents, “Because we know dads play a significant role,” Megan stresses.

During her younger years, her own father went through recovery and was able to “get clean and get healthy and be the dad I need him to be,” she says.

“Strangers came alongside our family and gave us support. Because of those kind, human connections and love and empathy, my parents ended up getting remarried.”

Megan acknowledges that, had her family not had help during their time of crisis, she could have become part of the foster care system and her family could have had a very different story.

It’s her first-hand experience seeing the love and care and respect her family needed and the services and support from strangers that ultimately led her to where she is today, the CEO of Better Together.

Through its Better Families program, Better Together has served more than 2,800 children, including 400 during the first half of 2020. Megan, her staff and team of volunteers now serve children in eight Florida counties. After reuniting families, Better Together continues to offer support and has found that 98% of the children whose families complete the program have no findings of certified maltreatment within 12 months of ending their services.

There are many factors that lead to a family being in crisis, including drugs, alcohol, mental health and job loss.

“We started our jobs program in 2016 because we realized 80% of the families in our programs were in crisis due to job loss,” she says. Job loss can lead to homelessness, drug use and depression.

Better Together’s Better Jobs program has served over 28,000 people in 25 states through job fairs, partnering with churches, employers and other nonprofits, with 1 in 3 job seekers hired on the spot. The organization held several virtual job fairs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one on August 13, which helped 650

people in Southwest Florida connect to employment opportunities. She describes their job fairs as having a culture of celebration and kindness, with volunteers offering encouragement and, most importantly, hope.

“The greatest tragedy is when people lose hope,” she says. “One thing we ask our job seekers is what is their level of confidence prior to coming in.

On average, it’s a two. But then they leave reporting an eight or nine. To me that is exciting because even if they don’t find a job, they have the confidence to keep looking and know they have potential.”

Which leads us back to Krystal and Jack. Krystal, who found temporary housing with the help of Better Together, who rode the bus each day to work at Walmart, taking as many shifts as she could to save money. Jack, who thrived with the volunteers from Better Together who cared for him and loved him as their own, volunteers who made sure his needs were met and that he never lost touch with his mom. Megan, her staff and volunteers, gave Krystal and Jack hope, supported her and gave her the tools she and Jack’s father, Jason, needed to survive and thrive as a reunited family.

They are one of thousands of families that Better Together has served, and Megan aims to grow the organization to serve thousands more.

“I just see Better Together really growing all over the state of Florida, which has the third largest foster care system. If I can cover the entire state and radically reduce the number of kids entering foster care, it would provide a blue print,” she explains, noting she wants to disrupt the foster care system in a good way, in a way that helps reduce stress on the system so changes can be made. “If we can do it in Florida, we can do it anywhere.”

Megan vows to continue to work to strengthen families in crisis and keep them together.

“I feel like God has been preparing me my entire life to do this work,” Megan says. “It’s more than a job to me — it’s a life calling.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 29

30 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

community |

WILL COVID-19 HAUNT THIS YEAR’S

HALLOWEEN? How a few extra precautions and some new ideas can make for a fun holiday. | BY TRICIA O’CONNOR

H

alloween is only weeks away and Mary Baron is already feeling spooked.

“Halloween is a huge event in our neighborhood,” says the single mother from Estero. “It will be a big deal if nothing happens.”

Mary, and her 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, look forward to the massive neighborhood event their community, Bella Terra, throws each year. This year, with Halloween falling on a Saturday night, the spooktacular holiday is supposed to be especially fun for ghosts, goblins and ghouls.

“Bella Terra is the ultimate

trick-or-treating place. We go all out. People even have to register ahead of time to bring friends in to trick-or-treat because we have so many people,” Mary says.

But COVID-19 is haunting Halloween plans for families, neighborhoods and city event planners alike.

Lee County has already put on hold several Halloween events, including the Lakes Park Fall Festival (including the Halloween Express train), North Fort Myers Fall Festival and the Boca Grande Halloween Carnival, says Betsy Clayton, the communi-

cations director for Lee County government.

“All Lee County Parks & Recreation fall events that were previously scheduled are currently on hold due to the pandemic,” she said in August. “We do not know if they will be canceled or able to operate at this time.”

At the same time, the pandemic hadn’t yet scared off Collier County’s plans (though as with any event, if case numbers rise, plans could change).

Collier

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County Parks & Recreation has a full slate of howling good fun scheduled, beginning with Halloween Howl on Saturday, October 17 and culminating on Friday, October 30 with the annual Halloween Party at North Collier Regional Park and a Trunk or Treat event in Immokalee.

Many communities well-known for being popular trick-ortreating destinations struggle with what Halloween will look like. The board of directors of Pebblebrooke Lakes in Naples was still figuring out how to advise its residents for Halloween when we spoke with Community Manager Cynthia Lee in August.

“I believe this is going to be a bit of a touchy situation, and I’m sure many communities will have different ways of handling the holiday,” she says. “It’s in these times, I wish I could be ‘Bewitched,’ wiggle my nose, and make it all go away.”

The largest issue communities like Pebblebrooke are facing is how to continue a beloved Halloween tradition that includes throngs of crowds, plenty of hands in bowls and candy swapping among friends, while also maintaining the safety recommendations put forth by federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health entities.

“The Health Department can advise homeowner associations and neighborhoods on how to make Halloween safe,” says Kristine Hollingsworth, the public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Collier County. “It’s not unlike when communities wanted to re-open their clubhouses.

It’s completely up to the HOA if they want to close their gates to the general public on Halloween.”

Kristine says families should continue practicing social distancing, maintaining physical distancing 6 feet apart and wearing a mask. If you do trick or treat, Kristine says avoid crowds of 10 or more people and use hand sanitizer frequently.

She also recommends skipping indoor haunted houses and invites to a pot luck party.

“It adds a whole new element, and it is a strange time to parent and be a child,” Kristine says. “One thing to consider is that children will remember how adults made Halloween for them in the long run. There may be short term disappointment.

But if you can find ways to make Halloween fun, they will remember that most of all.”

What worries many people is that without proper precautions, Halloween has the potential to become a catalyst event.

Many of those children out trick or treating will return to classrooms two days later. That’s one of the reasons why Mary is considering a more intimate Halloween gathering no matter what her community ultimately decides.

“I think I would probably try to do something with a smaller group of friends. Go over to some pre-selected houses with bags of candy already put together,” Mary says. “That way all the kids can still see their friends and dress up in costumes. We won’t be going to 200 houses, but we will still have fun.”

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5

BOO-TASTIC ALTERNATIVES TO TRICK OR TREATING

HALLOWEEN CANDY HUNT

Take some inspiration from Easter and hide candy around your house or yard. You could even repurpose your plastic eggs and paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint. “Any activity like that is the safest activity to do from a public safety standpoint,” says Kristine Hollingsworth, the public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Collier County.

HALLOWEEN HOME CARNIVAL

Remember all those fun games you used to play at Halloween carnivals? Well, now you have an excuse to create them at home. Grab some apples and individual bowls for bobbing. Tie up donuts on string and see who can eat them the fastest. Use your jacko’-lanterns as a pingpong toss game. Hand out your kids’ favorite candy as prizes.

RETRO HALLOWEEN GAME NIGHT Resurrect the ’80s with a game of Ghost in the Graveyard or Flashlight Tag. The object of Ghost is to find the ghost — a player who is hiding. The player who finds the ghost’s hiding spot yells “Ghost in the Graveyard” to alert the other players. The player who finds the ghost is safe. All the other players must race back to base. Flashlight Tag is like tag and hide-andseek in the dark. Flashlight Tag’s rules vary, so a quick web search should help find one that works for you.

MOVIE MARATHON

Depending on the ages of your children, this can be a cheesy, B-movie gore fest, a truly terrifying scream fest, or a charming introduction to Halloween classics like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Dress up in costume, grab some popcorn and candy, and settle in for some cinematic magic.

SOCIALLY DISTANCED PUMPKIN PARTY Rally the neighbors and carve out a

chunk of time to slice and dice pumpkins into jack-o’lanterns from the safety of your own driveways. Then set a time to tour each other’s creations later that night. Don’t forget the spooky Halloween soundtrack!

things to do |

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anceled. Canceled. Canceled.

That’s what most organizers of Southwest Florida’s fall festivals and Halloween events are saying this year. With concerns about COVID-19 and social distancing, everything from annual haunted houses to longtime hayrides, pumpkin patches and fall festivals have been shuttered.

“It’s a shame. It really, really is,” says Susan Pruzan, who usually helps organize the annual Kiwanis KidsFest at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral.

This would have been the 23rd year of the event.

“I can’t wait until next year,” Susan says. “It’s just a nightmare this year.”

While this year’s calendar of fall events isn’t as packed as it normally is, there are some festivities that are going on, many in an abbreviated way, many with mask requirements and social distancing rules in place.

St. Monica’s Episcopal Church on Immokalee Road in Naples is hoping to salvage its annual Trunk or Treat Festival.

“We are hoping to with some parameters,” says Jennifer Flint, the parish administrator.

When this magazine went to print, the church didn’t have times or dates yet for the free annual festival,

34 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

but Jennifer says they hope to have socially distanced activities.

Many have canceled altogether.

The Haunted History Tour by True Tours in downtown Fort Myers isn’t happening this year. The Muertos Monster Mash at Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs is canceled.

Flamingo Island Flea Market took its annual Halloween Flamingo Fest off the calendar. Malloween at Coconut Point and Mall-O-Ween at Miromar Outlets are both nixed.

In Collier County, Boo at the Zoo is canceled and so is the annual Monster Mash at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay. North Naples Church canceled its yearly fall event.

Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park in Cape Coral canceled its trick-ortreating night but still plans to have its haunted hike, Frightmare on 78.

There will be no seventh annual Family Halloween Festival at the Koreshan State Park in Estero. But Park Manager Zach Lozano says he still hopes to have something for visitors.

“We are more than likely going to decorate,” Zach says. “It will be typical Halloween-type decorations in the settlement area. It’s just if people want to come to the park and want to take some photos.”

Some organizers are going virtual, like the annual Spooktacular on Fifth.

“It is possible to have a virtual costume contest,” says Heidi Fry, office manager for Fifth Avenue South.

“They are playing around with the logistics. This is all new. We are trying.”

The event will still be October 31.

Heidi recommends going to the website, fifthavenuesouth.com, for more information.

At the Collier Fairgrounds, plans for the annual haunted house and hayrides were in a holding pattern as of deadline.

“We are probably going to do some kind of drive-in movie for Halloween,” says Rhonda Ward, fair manager.

Rhonda says plans are to have a kid-friendly Halloween movie followed by a scary one for older kids and adults. She hopes to have some sort of fall festival but does not know if it would be possible. Rhonda suggests that people go to the website, collierfair.com, for the latest updates.

Events are also canceled in Charlotte County.

“We do not have any fall festivals or Halloween activities scheduled at this time due to COVID-19,” says Kathy Burnam, the marketing and events manager at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, a popular place for holiday events. “As a matter of fact, the city of Punta Gorda has publicly announced that there will not be an organized trick or treat in the residential area of downtown Punta Gorda as in all years past. Some homeowners will, of course, be offering candy to those who may trick or treat, but the city has discouraged any large gatherings.”

things to do |

WHAT IS HAPPENING LEE COUNTY Farmer Mike’s Corn Mazes Farmer Mike’s U Pick is planning a family-friendly corn maze and a haunted corn maze with timed tickets. There’s also a field of sunflowers, paintball, pumpkin patch for photos and pumpkin picking.

• Where: Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs •

When: The family maze and activities run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, October 7-31. The Haunted Maze is 7 to 11 p.m.

October 16, 17, 24, 25, 30 and 31. • Cost: Prices will be listed online when available. All timed tickets for the mazes are online; note there are no onsite maze ticket sales.

Details: 239-498-4576 or farmermikesupick.com

Frightmare on 78 Expect a haunted maze and haunted house, clowns, chain saws and more.

This one’s usually scary — best for older children and adults. Gator Mike’s also has a zombie escape room and paintball, a zip line, rock climbing, gokarts, batting cages and mini golf. Masks are required.

• Where: Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral • When: Starts at dark every Friday and Saturday throughout October and runs until 10:30 p.m. • Cost: $22 • Details: 239-574-4386 or gatormikes.com

36th Annual Haunted Walk Take a haunted hike through the woods that surround the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers. “We are hoping with social distancing and masks it will be OK,” says Kaitlin Danks, director of operations. “We are trying to keep everything safe. There will be one way that everyone can walk. We will be following all CDC guidelines. Masks will be required.”

• Where: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers • When: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. October 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30 and 31 • Cost: $15 (purchase online only) • Details: 239275-3435 or calusanature. org

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Scarecrows in the Park Families, youth groups, nonprofits and businesses showcase handmade scarecrows with an American Hero theme in this walkthrough exhibit. There will also be a pumpkin patch with a photo op area. This area will be capacity-limited with a monitor at the gate to ensure social distancing. Pumpkins will be available for purchase. Hayrides will be limited to one family or group of up to eight at a time. Note: If you’d like to create a scarecrow entry, deadline is October 16.

• Where: Children’s Garden at Lakes

Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers • When: Open during regular park hours of 7 a.m. to dusk October 24-31.

Pumpkin patch and hayrides run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 17-18 and Oct 24-25. • Cost: Parking is $1 per hour or $5 per day.

Hayrides and pumpkin purchase have extra charges. • Details: leegov.com/parks/parks/ lakespark

Spooktacular Halloween Cruises Take a Halloween pirate cruise aboard the 65-foot Pieces of Eight, a replica of a Spanish galleon. The family-friendly pirate cruises are planning Halloween-themed, interactive shows with stories of ghosts, ghouls, sea monsters and magic. Costume contests, prizes and games are also part of the fun, and the ship will be decked in Halloween decorations. On Halloween, kids can trick or treat by the docks. “We are definitely doing it,” says David Kastan, marketing manager.

• Where: Leaves from Salty Sam’s Marina, 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach • When:

Cruises with costume contests, interactive shows and decorations are ongoing throughout October. Special Halloween events include: Rocky Horror Picture Show Cruise for adults only 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 16; Kids Halloween Party Cruise 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31; and a Haunted Pirate Ship Masquerade Ball 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 31. • Cost: Starts at $25 • Details: 239-765-7272 or floridapiratecruise.com

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things to do |

Horsey Halloween Fall Festival Horse Interaction Day becomes a fall festival with horses in costumes, photo ops and riding. There will be no lunch this year, rather water and sealed snacks. “We are happy that we can do something,” says owner Christina Sdrenka. “The kids all need it. They need a bit of a normal life.”

Register online or by phone. No walkins.

• Where: Saddlewood Horse Club,

16111 Saddlewood Lane, Cape Coral • When: Two separate times to accommodate guests and social distancing: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24 • Cost: $25 • Details: 239-738-9300 or capehorses.com

Downtown Fall Large pumpkin sculptures by local artists are placed around downtown Fort Myers. Smaller carved pumpkins (also by local artists) sit in the windows of about 30 shops. There will be a pumpkin patch in the lot across from the Florida Repertory Theatre, where families can take photos and purchase pumpkins.

Boards by the Hall of States will be painted with Halloween and fall scenes, and selfie stations will be set up for photo opportunities. “There will be all kinds of special treats,” says Lisa Sbuttoni, president and CEO of the River District Alliance Fort Myers.

• Where: Downtown Fort Myers •

When: See the sculptures throughout October. Pumpkin Patch is open October 17-25; times will be posted online when available. • Cost: Free admission; pumpkins for sale • Details: myriverdistrict.com

Fandom Fest Thanks to COVID-19, this one-day festival is now a monthlong occasion with costume contests, fall crafts, story times, trivia and other activities.

There’s even grab-and-go craft kits

families can pick up at Lee County libraries and follow along how-to guides online. “We noticed that San Diego Comic-Con did it all online, and it gave us some confidence that we can pull this off,” says AmyJane McWilliam, youth services coordinator for the Lee County Library System. “We see that there is a need for quality online content.

It is all the Fandom Fest. Instead of a one-day festival, we are offering activities throughout the month of October. Normally our Fandom Fest is in December, but there are a lot of cancelations and we thought what a great way to celebrate in the fall.

Because it all relates to comics, it is about literacy and that is what the library is all about. It’s going to be fun for everybody.”

• Where: Online • When: Activities

take place throughout October. For the costume contest, upload a photo October 1-24, then vote for a favorite costume October 25-31. New meetand-greet princesses every Saturday, new story time every Wednesday.

• Cost: Free • Details: leelibrary.net/ fandomfest

COLLIER COUNTY Spook-tacular Halloween Science Cruise Take a cruise and conduct some science experiments — live or via livestreaming. Five families can register to take the cruise in person.

Everyone else can join on Pure Florida’s Facebook page, GoPureFL, to livestream the event. Families on board receive a sanitized package to do the experiments from their seats.

Families participating online can find a materials list on the Facebook page or purchase the supplies in advance for $20. Glen Beitmen of Super Science & Amazing Art will do a socially distanced science show with handson experiments. “For the most part,

this is completely free for families tuning in. It is mostly supplies you can have in your house,” says Merry Coffman the marketing and public relations director for Pure Florida.

• Where: Leaves from Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples • When: 10 a.m. Saturday, October 31 • Cost: $42 for adults, $21 for ages 2-12 to participate in person. Livestream is free. • Details: 239-263-4949 or purefl.com

Library Online The Collier County Public Library is taking events onto Facebook.

There are not-so-scary stories about pumpkins, apples and fall, a new one every Friday at 10 a.m. A new scary story is posted 10 a.m. every Saturday. Spanish stories are posted at 10 a.m. every Thursday. “A huge, huge hit,” children’s librarian Sonja Williams says of the Spanish stories.

A new fall craft is posted at 11 a.m. every Wednesday.

• Where: Collier County Public

Library’s Facebook page, @ colliercountylibrary • When: Throughout October • Cost: Free • Details: facebook.com/ colliercountylibrary

Family Halloween Monster Bash There’ll be dancing, music, games and treats.

• Where: Golden Gate Community

Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples • When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 16 • Cost: $3 • Details: 239-252-4180 or collierparks.com

Halloween Howl Enjoy tricks and treats, costume contest, games, bounce house and prizes.

• Where: East Naples Community

Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples • When: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 17 • Cost: $10 per family • Details: 239-252-4414 or collierparks.com

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Trunk or Treat Halloween Event Candy Haunted House Creations Children use an assortment of candy, frosting and cookies to design a haunted candy house.

Everything is included. Register by October 18.

• Where: Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd., Naples • When: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 23 • Cost: $10 • Details: 239-252-4105 or collierparks.com

Halloween Event This event for ages 4-6 is designed to foster social interaction, a chance for children to make new friends.

• Where: Immokalee South Park,

418 School Drive, Immokalee • When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 23 • Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252-4677 or collierparks.com

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Part party, part trick-ortreating. Kids enjoy music, face painting, bounce houses, food, a costume contest and tons of spooky fun. “As of today those are all going to happen,” regional manager Aaron Hopkins says of the Collier parks events. “We are planning on hosting on all those events. Obviously with masks and social distancing and the numbers might not be as high.”

• Where: Immokalee

Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee • When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 30 • Cost: $5 • Details: 239-2524449 or collierparks.com

Collier County Halloween Party This annual party features candy, bounce houses, hayrides, costume contest, games and prizes.

• Where: North Collier

Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, North Naples • When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, October 30 • Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com

safety corner |

HOW AND WHEN TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

H

BY ALEXIS ROTHRING aving a portable fire extinguisher and knowing how to use it can be extremely valuable when a small fire occurs. Before we learn how to use a fire extinguisher, it’s important to understand not all fires are the same, and therefore not all fire extinguishers are the same. Let’s look at the different types of fires you could encounter in your home or workplace: » Class A: Made up of ordinary combustibles. These include wood, paper, cloth, rubber or plastics. » Class B: These are flammable liquid fires such as gasoline, oils, solvents or alcohols. » Class C: These involve energized electrical equipment such as computers, servers, motors or appliances. » Class D: Made up of flammable metals such as magnesium or titanium. » Class K: Fires in cooking oils and

greases such as animal and vegetable fats.

Some types of fire extinguishers can be used on more than one type of fire. These are the type of extinguisher you are likely to encounter in your home or workplace. Look at your extinguisher; it is probably an ABC extinguisher, which means it can extinguish a Class A, B or C fire. Now that we know, we must match the type of fire to the type of extinguisher when fighting a small fire.

Now, let’s take a look at the steps for using an extinguisher.

When a small fire occurs in the home or workplace, your first two steps should include calling 911 and assisting anyone in immediate danger or those incapable of exiting on their own out of the building. After those two steps have been completed — and if there is no risk to yourself, the fire is small and contained, you are safe from toxic smoke, and you have a means of escape — you may now use the fire

Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.

extinguisher to attempt to extinguish the fire.

When operating a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

» Pull the pin. » Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire. » Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the fire extinguishing agent. » Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of re-ignition.

As with any life safety device, proper maintenance is important.

Check your fire extinguishers regularly for the following:

» Easy access in an emergency » The recommended pressure level » Working parts » Cleanliness Contact your local fire district with any questions or to inquire about upcoming hands-on learning opportunities.

Alexis Rothring is the public education specialist and public information officer for the San Carlos Park Fire District. She writes on behalf of Safe Kids Southwest Florida.

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FIRST DAY OF VIRTUAL SCHOOL • Stephanie Balan, right, watches as her daughter, Laurel Oak Elementary second grader Ela Balan, left, waves to her classmates as she attends her first day of school virtually at home in Naples on August 31.

Photo by Alex Driehaus

CHILD’S PATH •

Bella, 4, helps announce the new name of Collier Child Care Resources: Child’s Path. The organization, which provides partial scholarships for early learning and child care, rebranded over the summer.

Photo by JoAnn Lawrence

40 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

MISS TEEN GLOBAL UNITED STATES • Cayley

McCloskey, of Naples, won the 2020 Miss Teen Global United States title at the Miss Teen Global United States Pageant held July 17-19 at the Florida Hotel in Orlando. She will now travel, promote volunteerism and go to Bali to support the Miss Global United States in competing for the Miss Global title.

With her here is Miss Global United States Maurah Ruiz.

Cayley also plays violin and models for Envy Models and Talent in Fort Myers.

Courtesy of Envy Pageant Productions Inc.

snapshots |

WORKING TOGETHER • During

the coronavirus pandemic, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Collier County was forced to close the Sarah Ann Center, where 400 of the organization’s clients would drop in for a warm meal, support and activities. Trinityby-the-Cove stepped up by choosing NAMI Collier as its grant recipient. With the help of Trinity-by-the-Cover, Meals of Hope, the Community Foundation and Collier Harvest, NAMI had delivered 1,751 meals through July 21.

Photos special to SW FL Parent & Child

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL • Maxwell Claypool, 7, hugs his mother, Beth Collette, goodbye as he heads off to Tanglewood Elementary for the first day of school on August 31. He is starting the second grade and will be taking face-to-face classes. Photo by Andrew West

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 41

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BACK TO CLASS

• St. Andrew Catholic School started classes August 17 with a combination of in-person classes and online learning.

Clockwise from left: A middle school students gets a locker assignment. • Mrs. Mattfeld checks her technology during preparatory days for school opening.• Principal David Nelson and Assistant Principal Bambi Giles welcome back students and families on the first day of school. Photos courtesy of St. Andrew Catholic School

Send us your snapshots:

Send your images with a brief description and names of the people in them to editor@swflparentchild.com

TOP STUDENTS • The Immokalee Foundation boasts 31 students graduating in the top 10% of the Class of 2020, and

nine of the Top 10 graduates were foundation students. From left: Britney Garcia is attending Florida State University. • Cindy Velazquez graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 2020. • Giovanni Matias, who placed fifth in his graduating class, is attending Northeastern University to study computer science and computer engineering. • Natalia Garcia Lopez graduated as the Class of 2020 salutatorian.

Photos courtesy of The Immokalee Foundation

42 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BARNSLEY RESORT

travel |

GET AWAY TO THE

COUNTRY C The Barnsley Resort in North Georgia boasts a countryside setting with Southern charm. | BY JENNIFER THOMAS

ountryside cottages nestled in the North Georgia foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains beckon nature-loving families to the Barnsley Resort, where they’ll encounter Southern hospitality, history, good cuisine and a plethora of activities, such as clay shooting, fishing, canoeing, biking and exploring the resort’s grounds and ruins.

“Families appreciate the variety of activities available on-site, as well as the resort’s walking

village (which is also bicycle friendly) and is the ideal place to unplug and enjoy spending time together whether it’s making s’mores, connecting with nature or discovering a new activity,” says Barnsley Resort President David Friederich.

The Barnsley Resort is a storybook setting where Godfrey Barnsley started building the estate in the 1840s for his wife Julia, who passed away before the home was completed. Both the original manor, called Woodlands, and the elaborate gardens were inspired by landscape designer

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| travel

Andrew Jackson Downing. As detailed in the resort’s story, some months after the passing of his wife, Godfrey began having dreams of Julia in the boxwood parterre gardens, asking him to finish construction of the estate for their children and future generations; and that’s exactly what he did. Today, the Manor House Ruins are one of the resort’s most iconic attractions.

The resort is a 3,000-acre historic Southern estate that offers 90 rooms among 39 individual cottages, which range from one to seven bedrooms per cottage. Each charming abode is unique while offering hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplaces and clawfoot bathtubs.

Due to the pandemic, the resort has implemented extra safety procedures.

“The health and safety of our guests, members and staff has always been and continues to be our top priority. The blueprint of Barnsley Resort is centered around spending time outdoors and connecting with nature, which guests have enjoyed since we reopened in June,” David says. “Of course, cottage rooms and suites have been very popular for families looking to enjoy all of the resort amenities and experiences

while having a bit more dedicated private space during this time. The private cottages are a strong appeal to families, as it provides a home-away-from-home setting for the entire family to enjoy. Guests can even bring their family pets along for the adventure, as there are no weight limits for dogs and select cottages are pet friendly.”

Fort Myers resident and mom Audrey Lovell traveled to the Barnsley Resort with her family over the Christmas holiday a couple of years ago and stayed in one of the property’s cottages.

“We brought our own Christmas decor for the exterior porch and enjoyed the evenings on the swing,” she recalls.

“The collection of cottages that were arranged in an English country village setting was picturesque to say the least. They have nightly fire pit with seating areas spread throughout the village along with cornhole and nightly s’mores.”

No matter how you spend the day, the best way to cap it off is by toasting s’mores at the outdoor firepits, David advises.

“Of course, we provide all of the ingredients in individual s’mores kits,” he says.

“Things may look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean guests can’t enjoy the opportunity to get away together in a safe and memorable resort environment.”

— DAVID FRIEDERICH

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BARNSLEY RESORT

travel |

Audrey and her family selected the resort for their holiday getaway because it was off the beaten path in Northern Georgia and drivable from Southwest Florida.

“We decided to go to a location that would provide a unique holiday experience, but that we could drive to,” she says. “They had a wonderful Christmas ambience with a village-type charm. There was a unique candlelight Christmas Eve ceremony in their wood-framed church in the center of the village and a robust holiday buffet on Christmas Day. The holiday decorated historic ruins and gardens were free to roam while staying on-site and at night lit up with a thousand lights.”

For 2020, guests can expect a fun-filled holiday experience at Barnsley Resort with plenty of festivities for everyone in the group to join in on. During the time of Thanksgiving, guests can enjoy the annual “lighting of the ruins” event where guests count down to light up the Manor House Ruins for the holiday season.

The holidays are also a magical time for families with more than one million holiday lights and special crafting workshops, David says.

“We encourage everyone to look at the Calendar of Events list on the resort website for additional fun happen-

ings throughout the year, such as intimate concerts with local musicians and educational Birds of Prey seminars,” he says.

“Things may look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean guests can’t enjoy the opportunity to get away together in a safe and memorable resort environment.”

The resort describes its cuisine offerings as authentic Southern at its three on-site restaurants. Woodlands Grill is the staple restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily overlooking the award-winning golf course. The al fresco Beer Garden provides a laid-back dining option with barbecue dishes and grab-and-go items. Located in a 19th century farmhouse, the Rice House restaurant creates a garden-to-table experience where the menu changes weekly and incorporates local ingredients and seasonal items from the on-site kitchen garden.

Audrey dined at the Rice House during her stay; she recommends it for couples due to the menu and atmosphere.

However, she says, “The Woodlands Grill was charming, as the food was moderately priced and had a unique Southern flair.”

Reflecting on her getaway, Audrey says what she loved most was the uniqueness of the resort, its grounds and the activities.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BARNSLEY RESORT

| travel

“The grounds were rolling hills and charming cottages.

Nature trails across the property were well maintained.

We truly enjoyed the history horseback riding experience throughout the property as well as the clay shooting,” she adds.

Families with tweens and older kids (11+) can take a sporting clays lesson at the Beretta Shooting Grounds or enjoy a guided horseback ride through the natural hillside of the resort, David says.

“While I enjoy each of the experiences the resort offers, my personal favorite is the Jim Fazio golf course and Golf Performance Center. It's a fan favorite all-around, not only for adults but for younger ones, too. Private instruction is available for golfers of all ages and levels,” David says. “Kids especially love the TrackMan radar systems since it provides visuals on how they can improve their game.”

Catch-and-release fishing is another memory making activity among families, as are the various lawn games.

“For younger ones, the Animal Canvases at The Farm is a fun and interactive way to be around the barnyard animals

46 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

and gently paint them with nontoxic paint,” David recommends. “We’re expanding great family options this fall with the addition of archery, and adults will love the new option of axe throwing as we continue to enhance the resort experience.”

David also advises some off-property attractions for guests to explore.

“For science lovers, the Tellus Science Museum offers hands-on experiments with light, sounds, magnets and more.

History fanatics should swing by the Booth Western Art Museum, the world’s largest permanent exhibition space regarding western art and culture,” David recommends. “Both museums offer hands-on, interactive family exhibits ideally suited for younger kids.

“As we look ahead, we’re pleased to continue to serve as a remote destination where families can escape for relaxation and outdoor adventure along with warm hospitality and first-class service. The resort activities that travelers have come to know and love are still available, with new protocols in place.”

around town |

UP YOUR GAME AT TIGER WOODS’

POPSTROKE This place looks like it’s as much fun for adults as it is for kids. PopStroke, the Tiger Woods-backed golf-entertainment venue that opened last month in south Fort Myers, has two 18-hole putting courses designed by Woods and TGR Design that were created with both children and adults in mind. There’s also an outdoor dining area, cocktails, ice cream, outdoor games and a kids’ playground. Perhaps it will inspire the next Tiger Woods. PopStroke Fort Myers is at 5531 Six Mile Commercial Court, south Fort Myers. For details, call 239-323-4653 or visit popstroke.com.

Explore the trading posts of southern Florida Before there were interstates or railways, Southwest Florida was peppered with trading posts where indigenous hunters and pioneers would sell pelts, plumes and hides that eventually made their way to the fashionable shops of the big cities. A new exhibit, “Trading Posts of South Florida,” explores the commerce and culture of the day at the Museum of the Everglades, itself an historic building that was built in 1927 as a commercial laundry during the days when the Tamiami Trail was created. Admission is free. The museum, at 105 W. Broadway Ave., Everglades City, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Race in STARability Foundation's virtual 3K The annual 3K Fun Run, Walk & Roll fundraiser for the STARability Foundation is going virtual this year.

Participants sign up, invite family and friends to join them, schedule their walk, run or roll before October 10 and then share their story in a short video to be shown on race day. The videos will be released at 9 a.m. October 10 for all to celebrate. Registration is $30 for adults, $15 for children younger than 12. Sign up at starability.org/3k-fun. Watch the celebration at to givebutter.com/3k-fun-run.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 47

| things to do FALL FESTIVALS & HALLOWEEN EVENTS

For more fall and Halloween events, turn to page 33.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3 Brick or Treat » On weekends in October, families can enjoy neighborhood-style trick-or-treating with candy, seasonal shows and exclusive Lego characters at Legoland Florida Resort. Kids can also help build an enormous Lego mosaic and participate in a competition build to win prizes. Included with general admission. legolandflorida.com

Walk for Wishes » The Make-AWish Southern Florida holds its Walk for Wishes 5K Walk to raise money to grant wishes to local children with critical illnesses. This year, the walk takes place in your neighborhood with a virtual celebration. Cost is $20 to participate. Get details at walkforwishessfla.net.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16

Family Adventures » Explore everything fun at the Mound House in this outdoor activity led by staff.

All participants must wear a mask. $2 per person, free for members. Takes place at 11 a.m. Saturdays, October 3, 10 and 24 at the Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers beach.

Weather permitting. For ages 5 and older. 239-765-0865. moundhouse. org

“James and The Giant Peach” » Rescheduled from May, the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs Youth Players present this childhood favorite, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17 and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, in the Hinman Auditorium at the Center of Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. artcenterbonita. org

TUESDAY, OCT. 6

SATURDAY, OCT. 17

Emerging Inventors: Get Gardening » For children ages 18 months to 5 years, Emerging Inventors programs include story and music time, socializing with other children, educational activities, science experiments and exploration of the homes, gardens and museum at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. In this session, grab a watering can and play in the garden. Kids will have fun planting, making sweet paper, and learning how plants grow. Takes place 10-11 a.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 3583 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers; includes one adult (mask required) and one child (mask not required). Limit six per class. edisonfordwinterestates.org/ education/preschool-programs

Family Fun Kayak Tour » This kayak tour guided by an environmental educator is fun for the whole family.

See birds, dolphins, manatee and other wildlife while paddling through the Estero Bay mangroves. Each family must have a child between ages 6 and 11 to qualify. Masks required. $25 for ages 13 and older, $15 for ages 6-12; equipment included. Takes place 9 a.m. Saturday, October 17 and 31 at the Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers beach.

Registration required. 239-765-0865. moundhouse.org

SATURDAY, OCT. 10 Etiquette Class at Edison Ford » Mina Edison was a gracious hostess and concerned with the well-being of children and the community.

Following in her tradition, this twohour etiquette class teaches etiquette and social skills. For ages 6-12.

Cost is $75 for members, $85 for nonmembers. Takes place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 Mc Gregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-334-7419. edisonford.org

48 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

SUNDAY, OCT. 18 Taco Fest 2020 » More than 25 local restaurants and food trucks feature $2 tacos from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 18 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. $10 for ages 3 and older. facebook.com/ events/559739374674634

TUESDAY, OCT. 20 Emerging Inventors: Happy Halloween » Grab a costume and join in some spooky tricks and Halloween treats. For children ages 18 months to 5 years, Emerging Inventors programs include story and music time, socializing with other

children, educational activities, science experiments and exploration of the homes, gardens and museum at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Takes place 10 to 11 a.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers; includes one adult (mask required) and one child (mask not required). edisonfordwinterestates.org/ education/preschool-programs.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22 Halloween Bat Kayak Tour » GAEA Guides leads kayakers along a North Fort Myers creek to see bats come out of their hiding places at dusk.

5-8 p.m. $50 per person; equipment included. Reservations required. 239694-5513. gaeaguides.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Movie in the Park: “The Addams Family” » Enjoy dinner from a food truck and a free movie with social distancing, 6-9 p.m. at Jim Jeffers Park, 2817 S.W. Third Lane, Cape Coral. Movie starts at about 7 p.m. Costume contest for the kids starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but tickets required. Available through Eventbrite. facebook.com/ events/1470363299838437

SATURDAY, OCT. 31 2020 LCEC Goblin Gallop 5K Run/ Walk » Dress up in your Spooktacular best and run to raise money for United Way. Costumes not required.

For safety, there will be no registration on race day. Race in person or virtually. As race day approaches, if large gatherings are not permitted, this event will be completely virtual.

Packet pick up is October 29-30.

In-person race is at Jaycee Park, 4125 S.E. 20th Place, Cape Coral.

Registration: uw.lcec.net/SitePages/5k. aspx.

FRIDAY, NOV. 6 Fashion Show » Baby Basics of Collier County is hosting a virtual fashion show to raise money to help families in need. Tickets are $35. babybasicscollier.org.

voices |

3 REASONS TO CAST A LINE

A

For families looking to relieve social distancing boredom, fishing can be the right antidote. | BY STEPHANIE VATALARO

s a mom, I love heading out on the water with my family after a long week. A family fishing adventure is the perfect way to relax while spending time together outdoors. And now, more families than ever are searching for nature-based remedies for boredom. In fact, one in four American parents have become more interested in fishing during COVID-19.

This traditional pastime is making a comeback. Here are three reasons why fishing is a perfect family activity right now.

It’s good for your mental health.

We could all use a little stress relief right now, right? For many families, fishing and boating are lifelines to health and wellness. There are many hidden mental health benefits of getting out on the water that you might not expect. For example, people who spend time in nature have lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that indicates stress.

Since fishing requires focus, it can take your mind off stress. As a result, it helps to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Given the uncertainty in today’s world, there’s just something uniquely appealing about the calming

effect of the water. And when you go with your family, it provides meaningful engagement with your loved ones, which can also boost your mood.

To help everyone discover the mental health and wellness benefits of fishing and boating while social distancing, we’ve teamed up with Discover Boating to launch a public service initiative called Get On Board. Anyone can get involved by visiting TakeMeFishing.org/ GetOnBoard or using #TheWaterIsOpen and #RecreateResponsibly on social media.

Fishing is a great social distancing activity.

It’s easy to recreate responsibly while fishing. You want to stay six feet apart from other anglers anyway so that your lines don’t get tangled. Fishing is a smart way to follow social distancing guidelines while prioritizing the health and wellness of your family.

We encourage all anglers and boaters to follow local and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines while out on the water. If you’re wondering what the regulations are in your area, check out www.TakeMeFishing.org for a state-by-state map with updates to current fishing and boating access related to COVID-19.

For Florida specific regulations, visit the state’s website at myfwc.com/fishing.

It’s easy to get started.

Even if you’re a newbie, fishing is a simple activity that you can bond over as a family with just a few beginner steps. For young anglers, choose a kid-friendly starter rod-and-reel combo designed for smaller hands. Visit Take Me Fishing’s YouTube channel for other tips on fishing with kids.

Going fishing doesn’t mean you have to pack up for a long drive far away from home. When selecting a family-friendly fishing spot, look for amenities like play areas, easy parking and picnic facilities as well as safe water and boat access. You can find lots of places to fish nearby at TakeMeFishing.org.

Before you hit the water, remember that the most important item to carry is your fishing license. That’s because the conservation programs that take care of our waterways depend on revenue generated by fishing license sales. You can get your license anytime at TakeMeFishing.org and learn a variety of beginner tips. You can also get your license directly from the state at myfwc. com/fishing.

Fishing can promote healthy living, strengthen family connections and even foster a sense of accomplishment in your kids by teaching them a new skill.

Give it a shot, and you might just find your family gets hooked.

A lifelong angler, Stephanie Vatalaro works to introduce newcomers to the water as senior vice president of marketing and communications for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and its Take Me Fishing initiative. Outside of work, you’re likely to find her fishing and boating with her family.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 49

| last look

NEW BEGINNINGS Larry and Lianne Martin hug their daughter Riley Martin as she begins her first day of kindergarten at Lake Park Elementary School in East Naples on August 31.

PHOTO BY JON AUSTRIA

50 » OCTOBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

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400 8th Street North, Naples, FL 34102 | www.MillenniumPhysician.com SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2020 » 51

Your heart care heroes.

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