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Where It’s At!
Giving Thanks
Features:
6 n Hosting a Kid-Friendly Friendsgiving (Without the Chaos) by Rebecca Hastings
8 n The Timeless Ties That Bind: 8 Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions To Try This Year by Shannon Dean
10 n Eight Ways to Encourage Thankfulness by Jill Morgenstern
11 n All Right Turkeys! Let’s Play Some Games! by Pam Molnar
13 n Raising Grateful Teens: Practical Ways to Help Adolescents Practice Gratitude by Rebecca Hastings
32 n Decluttering: Get Started and Stay Motivated by Rebecca Hastings 41 n 17 Ways To Celebrate Veterans Day With The Family by Tanni Haas, Ph.D. Directories:
n Gifts Galore
n Holiday Happenings
Your Child Adjust to Diabetes
n Single Parenting When Thanksgiving Doesn’t Feel So Giving by Meagan Ruffing
22 n The Daddy Track This is Thanksgiving? by Shannon Carpenter 23 n Parent Previews by Kirsten Hawkes 29 n Family Travel
Explore the Wonders of Niagara Parks by Deborah Williams
33 n Raising Digital Kids
Off the Feed, Not the Record by Mike Daugherty
35 n Dear Teacher by Peggy Gisler & Marge Eberts
37 n Tweens and Teens
A Guide For Teens: How to Exercise At The Gym by Cheryl Maguire
n Special Needs Getting Support When Your Child Has Special Health Care Needs
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IF YOU MOVE: Missed issues will not be replaced if we do not receive an address change before issue mailing date. WE ARE AN AUDITED PUBLICATION
n Family Flavors Creamy and Crunchy Desserts with Classic Pumpkin Flavor 47 n The Kiddie Gourmet Amherst Pizza and Ale House by Barbara Blackburn
What’s New... IN THE KIDBIZ web.finds
Tasty Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Ah…Thanksgiving. The turkey…the stuffing…the mashed potatoes… the leftovers!!! What to do with all of those leftovers? If you’re not interested in simply reheating them for a Thanksgiving dinner redo, here are some recipes we found online that take leftovers to another level.
Thanksgiving Leftover Balls
Matt at Real Food by Dad shares this inventive recipe that gives you the flavors of Thanksgiving in a single bite. Combine 2 cups of stuffing, 3/4 cup of finely chopped turkey, 3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, and 3 tablespoons of parsley. Mix well, form the mixture into 1-and 1/2-inch balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. Set up an assembly line with 4 bowls—one containing 4-5 cups of cold mashed potatoes; one with 1 cup of flour; one with 1 large egg, lightly beaten; one with 2 cups panko. Cover stuffing balls with 4 tablespoons of potato, coat with flour, roll in egg, and cover with panko. Fry in oil at 365º for 3-4 minutes. A perfect app for your Buffalo Bills game day party on November 30th! Find the full recipe at https://realfoodbydad.com/thanksgiving-leftover-balls/.
Easy Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey Tetrazzini is a great way to use up leftover turkey. But some recipes can be pretty complex, using over a dozen ingredients, requiring sauteed mushrooms and a homemade bechamel sauce. Natasha at Salt & Lavender uses a classic pantry shortcut—condensed cream of mushroom soup (low sodium can be used)—to get this version of Turkey Tetrazzini prepped and in the oven in about 5 minutes! This pasta casserole, topped with mozzarella and parmesan, is pure comfort food that your family will love. Visit https://www.saltandlavender.com/turkeytetrazzini/ for the complete recipe.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells
Rachel at Baked by Rachel gives us this pasta recipe that combines several Thanksgiving dinner staples for a unique, delicious dish. Instead of a traditional meat and cheese filling, these stuffed shells are filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, diced onion and celery, minced garlic, and shredded cheddar cheese. They’re then then topped off with leftover stuffing, gravy, and more shredded cheddar. For some additional flavor, garnish with chives or green onion. Find the recipe at https://www.bakedbyrachel.com/leftover-thanksgiving-turkeystuffed-shells/.
SHEA’S ANNOUNCES EXPANDED FREE FILM SERIES
Shea’s Performing Arts Center has announced the lineup for the 2025-26 Free Film Series, and it is bigger and better than ever. The expanded program includes movies appealing to audiences of all ages, including new offerings such as holiday films and double features!
Ring in the holiday season with the classic film Elf (Rated PG), starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, on Friday, December 12, 2025. Doors open at 6:00pm and Showitime is at 7:00pm.
The first double feature of the series will be a Classic Double Feature—Disney’s 1998 remake of The Parent Trap (Rated PG) and the nostalgic 1985 adventure The Goonies (Rated PG) will be shown on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Doors open for The Parent Trap at 10:00am, with an 11:00am showtime. Doors open for The Goonies at 3:00pm, with a 4:00pm showtime.
Fans of superhero films will love the double feature lined up for Sunday, February 22, 2026—Disney’s The Incredibles (Rated PG) and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (Rated PG13). Doors open for The Incredibles at 10:00am, with an 11:00am showtime. Doors open for Guardians of the Galaxy at 3:00pm, with a 4:00pm showtime.
The latest installment of the Jurassic World series, Jurassic World: Rebirth (Rated PG-13) will play on Sunday March 8, 2026. Doors open at Noon, with a 1:00pm showtime.
Wrapping up the series is this year’s blockbuster hit A Minecraft Movie (Rated PG), showing on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Doors open at Noon, with a 1:00pm showtime.
The Shea’s Free Film Series is made possible thanks to grant support for arts engagement and community programming from Erie County.
All films will be shown at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, located at 646 Main Street in Buffalo. Movie tickets are free to the public, but seating is limited. Free tickets must be reserved online at https://www.sheas.org/performances/free-film-series/. Tickets are available approximately three weeks before each film.
Hosting a Kid-Friendly Friendsgiving (Without
the CHAOS)
When fall arrives and Thanksgiving is on the horizon, many families start thinking about Friendsgiving. Unlike the traditional holiday meal that often revolves around extended family, Friendsgiving is about gathering with friends—sometimes with kids in tow— to share food, gratitude, and community.
But let’s be honest: hosting a house full of adults and children can feel daunting. Between the food, the mess, and the noise, the idea may feel more stressful than joyful. The good news is that with a little planning, Friendsgiving can be both kid-friendly and chaos-free. The key is designing the day with connection and flexibility in mind, so everyone— kids and adults alike—feels included.
Here are practical strategies to make your Friendsgiving festive and fun without overwhelming yourself.
Start With The Spirit of Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving is less about the perfect table setting and more about creating space for community. Unlike traditional holiday gatherings, there’s no set expectation; it can be as formal or as casual as you choose. Some hosts opt for paper plates and buffet lines; others prefer sit-down meals. Both can work.
What matters most is keeping the focus on gratitude and togetherness. Setting this tone helps relieve pressure and reminds guests that the day is about connection, not comparison.
Keep The Menu Simple (and Share The Load)
Food may be the centerpiece of the day, but that doesn’t mean you need to do all the heavy lifting.
Potluck Style Works Best: Assign broad categories like “main dish,” “side dish,” or “dessert,” and let guests fill in the details. This ensures variety without overwhelming the host.
Kid-Friendly Options: Make sure there are a few simple, familiar foods for younger guests. Mac and cheese, fruit skewers, or small rolls often go over better than fancier dishes.
Snack Station: Set out a tray with cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and pretzels. Having snacks ready keeps kids from getting hungry and cranky while waiting for the main meal.
Flexible Main Dish: Don’t feel locked into roasting a turkey. Friendsgiving doesn’t have rules—rotisserie chickens, pulled pork, or a big pot of chili can anchor the meal just as well.
Set Up Kid Zones
One of the best ways to keep Friendsgiving manageable is to give
Ask each guest— children included— to share something they’re thankful for...
kids intentional spaces to enjoy themselves. This ensures they are having fun, and it gives the adults a little space to connect with one another.
Craft Corner: Provide crayons, markers, stickers, and paper. Seasonal crafts like decorating paper leaves with “thankful for…” notes or coloring placemats add a festive touch.
Play Space: A basket of building blocks, puzzles, or board games helps kids of different ages find something to do.
Movie Zone: A quiet corner with blankets, pillows, and a family-friendly movie running in the background can give kids (and parents) a needed break. As the night goes on, it can be a great place for little ones who need to rest, too.
Older kids can help supervise younger ones in these spaces, giving them a sense of responsibility and keeping the atmosphere calmer.
Involve Kids in The Celebration
When kids feel like part of the event, they’re less likely to be restless. Friendsgiving is a perfect opportunity to involve them in age-appropriate ways.
Gratitude Ritual: Ask each guest—children included—to share something they’re thankful for before the meal. Kids who can’t write yet can draw their answer on a card for a “gratitude tree.”
Helper Roles: Assign kids small jobs like placing napkins at the table, stirring ingredients, or passing out dessert plates.
Special Seating: Consider a kids’ table. Cover it with butcher paper and provide crayons so they can doodle between bites.
Small touches like these help kids feel engaged and valued.
Manage The Chaos With Smart Timing
Children thrive on routine, and hosting a kid-friendly Friendsgiving means keeping that in mind.
Start Early: Afternoon gatherings work well. Starting at 2 or 3 p.m. means kids aren’t overtired, and families can head home before bedtime.
Build in Breaks: Plan for some downtime between the main meal and dessert. Kids can play outside, watch a movie, or do a craft while adults tidy up and reset.
Keep It Short: Three to four hours is usually the sweet spot. It allows time for eating, talking, and playing without stretching kids’ patience too thin.
This approach balances fun with family needs and helps prevent meltdowns.
Balance Traditions
And Flexibility
Part of the charm of Friendsgiving is its flexibility, but a few simple traditions can make the day memorable without overwhelming anyone.
Here are some easy traditions families can incorporate:
Thankful tablecloth: Use a plain tablecloth and provide fabric markers for everyone to write what they’re grateful for each year.
Recipe Swap: Invite guests to bring recipe cards for their dish so families can take home new favorites.
Kids’ Parade: Hand kids paper hats or scarves and let them parade around before dessert.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating rituals that bring people together year after year.
Tame The Mess
Before it Starts
A house full of guests can get messy quickly, but a little preparation can help. One key element is accepting help. Don’t dismiss offers for people to help with cleanup. It’s another way you can connect, and it makes your life easier later on.
Eco-Friendly Tableware: Compostable plates, cups, and utensils save time on cleanup.
Laundry Basket Trick: Keep a basket handy to collect stray toys and clutter before guests arrive. continued on page 12
The Timeless Ties That Bind:
8 Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions To Try This Year
Many feel that Thanksgiving is the best of the winter holidays since it focuses on family and gratitude without the pressure of commercialism. Taking part in yearly rituals gives families a sense of stability, identity, and connection. Sharing repetitive but flexible traditions gives families an annual opportunity to demonstrate what makes them unique. This exchange can be vital, since experts believe that the regular participation in rituals like Thanksgiving contributes to the well-being of the entire family.
A study by the Society for Research in Child Development concluded that parents who had pleasant memories of family traditions reported more positive interactions with their own children, who might one day continue this cycle. Now that we’ve established the importance of Thanksgiving, here are 8 easy, meaningful, and inexpensive rituals meant to facilitate family connections.
Turn Off Electronics: Most of us eagerly anticipate intimate conversations with extended family. Because it can be rare to have everyone in one place, we desperately want to catch up and connect, but electronics often interfere.
A study out of Virginia Tech concluded that technology at the table “has the potential to divert individuals from face-toface exchanges, thereby undermining the character and depth of these connections.” To avoid these distractions, try for a technology-free table this year. Simply say, “Let’s try turning off the electronics for a few hours,” and watch the verbal conversations flow.
Share Dishes That Celebrate Your Family’s Iden-
tity: Although it’s easy to stick with turkey and traditional sides, it can also be valuable to share dishes that are person-
ally meaningful. Many families have certain specialties that are served every Thanksgiving. Often, the foods reflect the family’s heritage or experiences.
Don’t shy away from special ethnic or regional dishes that reflect guests’ identity and personal preferences. Consider cooking such dishes with children so that they can eventually pass these specialties down to their own families. The “perfect” Thanksgiving menu varies from family to family.
Use (And Add To) Family Heirlooms:
Many hosts serve Thanksgiving dinner on “the good china,” so that the meal is particularly special. Some families embrace mismatched but vintage pieces that are specific to the holiday. Those who don’t start with a complete set will find that building a larger collection is relatively easy and inexpensive. Scouring auction sites, garage sales, and thrift stores will often turn up matching pieces or items that will complement what is currently in use.
It’s rewarding to add to your collection as your family grows. It’s also thoughtful to make the pieces available to whoever hosts Thanksgiving.
Remember Absent Family Members:
It can be therapeutic and respectful to remember family members who can’t attend Thanksgiving or who have passed away. Many families choose to honor absent family members with gestures like lighting a candle, leaving an open chair or place setting, serving favorite dishes, or saying a special blessing. It’s important that all family members know that, despite any loss or absence, they will always be held up by generational family bonds.
Experts stress that although it can be important to use discretion if grief is fresh, not talking about an absent family member ensures that they are really lost. It is the sharing of memories that keeps them close.
Tell Family Stories:
An easy way to bring meaning to dinner conversation is to ask family members to share stories. Doing so ensures that mealtime topics remain positive and that family members gain new insights about one another.
Adults can begin this process by asking open-ended questions like, “What was your favorite birthday?” Or, “What personal attribute is most important to you?” The answers may lead to an intimate peek inside a family member’s personality, values, and experiences.
Provide An Ornament, Craft, Or Game Table For The Kids:
Even the most engaged and well-behaved children enjoy entertainment or activities meant just for them. One easy and efficient way to accomplish this is to set up an activity, craft, or game table.
Many companies offer craft kits that have all the needed supplies. Some families encourage kids to make handmade Christmas ornaments or winter holiday decorations that can be sent home with guests, since many families decorate their homes the day after Thanksgiving. Consider offering games for children who would prefer an alternative to crafts.
Value Repetitive Rituals, But Remain Flexible And Open-Minded:
As valuable as repetitive traditions can be, change is inevitable. Sometimes, unforeseen events or a shift in circumstances may mean that the food, the people, and the activities may be different from year to year. However, an open mind and a spirit of acceptance ensure that any changes needn’t alter the true purpose and enjoyment of the holiday.
Add to Growing Displays of Gratitude: Many
families make a yearly habit of sharing one thing that each person is thankful for. Although some families choose to share verbally, others will create a thankful tree, a gratitude chain, or a tablecloth of thanks that can be added to every year. It can be heart-warming to watch these displays change over time.
Placing an emphasis on recurring sentiments of gratitude keeps the focus on what is truly important—on giving thanks, on sharing important traditions, and on encouraging familial connections meant to endure for generations.
None of these tips is particularly time-consuming or expensive, but experts agree that encouraging deep, ongoing family relationships is worth the effort. Dr. Marie HartwellWalker, author of Tending The Family Heart Through The Holidays says, “It is important to be reminded that we are part of something bigger than our individual selves; that our relationships with people are more important than our relationships with people are more important than our relationships with avatars; and that our time with our families is just as important as time with co-workers and friends.”
Author Shannon Dean is the mother of two sons. She enjoys writing about the health and well-being of families.
RESOURCES:
Serving Pieces:
If you aren’t sure of the name or pattern of the pieces you already have, Replacements Limited (www. replacements.com) is a good place to start. The site can help you identify dinnerware, silverware, glassware, and flatware. You can search for pieces by name or photo. Check out eBay, Etsy, shopgoodwill, your local thrift store, or vintage shops to add to your collection.
Family Stories:
Storycorps.com offers great suggestions for conversation starters from categories like family heritage, growing up, and raising children. (storycorps.org/participate/great-questions/)
Familytreemagazine.com has a list of 20 questions that are applicable to all family members. (www.familytreemagazine.com/premium/20-questions/)
There are also games that facilitate fun and meaningful family discussions. (www.tabletopics.com)
Ornament / Game / Craft Table:
Many companies offer craft kits for the winter holidays. A few examples are Oriental Trading (www.orientaltrading.com) and ssww.com. The kits offer enough materials for several finished crafts and everything is pre-cut and pre-measured. This option is often less expensive and time-consuming than buying and preparing all of your own materials. There are crafts available for various winter holidays and themes.
Thanksgiving Tablecloth, Thankful Tree, And Gratitude Chain:
Today.com has a great example of (and story about) a family tablecloth that was years in the making. All you need to replicate this is the cloth of your choice and permanent markers. (www.today.com/parents/whythanksgiving-tablecloth-great-family-tradition-t10518)
PBS provides step-by-step instructions for making your own Thanksgiving gratitude tree, which you can easily add to every year. The tree and leaves can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. (www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/thankful-tree)
Kiwico.com offers an excellent tutorial on making a “gratitude chain.” One example mentions being thankful for rainbows and transportation. (www.kiwico.com/diy/ Holidays-and-Events/2/project/Gratitude-Chain-/2704)
—by Jill Morgenstern
Eight Ways to Encourage Thankfulness
As Thanksgiving approaches it’s natural to be thinking about gratefulness and how to encourage it in our kids. According to Harvard Health, gratitude is associated with greater overall happiness, can help people deal with adversity, and even help form strong relationships. These are qualities we want for our children all year long! How do we cultivate a sense of gratitude in our children? Christine Carter in her book Raising Happiness says that “Gratitude is a learned skill to be practiced like kicking a soccer ball or speaking French.” Here are eight ways you can help to build that skill in your child:
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
Model “please” and “thank you” just the way you’d want to see it in your children. Children are keen observers of how you treat others in your life and will naturally follow your lead. When eating out, for example, your server may or may not notice whether you thank them as they present your meal, but your children definitely will. The importance of being a good role model cannot be overstated and may be one of the most important ways to encourage gratitude, so keep your thank yous at the ready!
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering can contribute to well-being in multiple ways, including increasing self-confidence, providing a sense of purpose, and even improving physical health. There is also evidence to suggest that volunteering increases both gratitude and happiness. But there are even further benefits to volunteering. Depending on the activity, kids are given the opportunity to learn essential skills and increase their sense of responsibility.
CHORES
Believe it or not, doing chores can increase gratitude. By participating in housework, children get a first-hand look at what it takes to run a household. This can raise their awareness of what is being done for them on a day-to-day basis and can awaken a sense of gratitude.
ENCOURAGE THANK YOU NOTES
Actual thank you notes seem to be going out of style as our forms of communication become almost exclusively electronic. However, there is still something quite meaningful about writing and receiving a thank you the oldfashioned way. If your child resists, try making sure he or she writes a thank
you note before using a gift. This will encourage even the most reluctant child to complete the notes.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Whether it’s each night at dinner or as a bedtime routine, have children recount the best parts of their day. This can be a reminder that even a bad day had good points and help end the day on a positive note.
LET THEM EARN SOME OF THEIR POSSESSIONS
Children can learn not only gratitude from earning some of their own possessions, but also a sense of responsibility. When they have worked for a toy or other item, they have a better sense of its value, potentially increasing their gratitude not just for that item but for their other possessions as well.
EXTENDING THANK YOU
According to the Raising Grateful Children Project at UNC Chapel Hill, 85% of parents prompt their children to say thank you. But going beyond common manners can help increase gratitude. Try asking children how a gift makes them feel, or why they think they received the gift.
LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Try looking for the positive when things get hard. Asking yourself or your child what good could come out of a hard thing is a way to see the best in situations and can help increase gratitude. Next time things aren’t going as expected, try and point out the bright side to your children. It might be helpful to your own mood too!
All of these skills can help build gratitude in your child, which can lead to a happier overall child as well as a more resilient one. These are great skills to build not just at Thanksgiving but all year round.
Jill Morgenstern is a mother to four. She has over 20 years teaching experience in various settings and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Reading.
—by Pam Molnar
All Right Turkeys!
Let’s Play Some Games!
Dinner is the big focus on Thanksgiving, which often leaves us with a “Now what?” feeling after all the plates have been cleared. Many families break off into groups of those who retire to the couch and those who are stuck with never ending kitchen duty. This year, keep the family together by playing some after dinner games.
DON’T STEP ON THE CRANBERRIES
For this game, you will need red Solo cups and a blindfold. Arrange the cups upside down on the floor in a random pattern. Players are blindfolded and must pass from one end of the cups to the other without touching any of them. Players can walk, run or jump, but it is not recommended to slide your feet as there is a greater chance of touching a cup. It is not as easy as it sounds.
THE TURKEY DANCE
Remember the telephone game where you whisper something in one person’s ear and it changes as it travels down the line? This is the same thing but with dance moves. Players stand in a line facing away from the first dancer. The second person in line turns to face the dancer and watches their quick routine. Then that player must perform that same routine (or their best version) to the next person in line, as the first person turns back around. This goes down the line with players turning to watch the routine and perform it themselves. Warning: This game may cause rolling laughter for both the players and the observers.
LAST TURKEY STANDING
This is a simple game for all ages and can be played at the table, in a large room or seated in the living room. All players take turns giving their best turkey gobble while trying to make the other players laugh. However, if you laugh, you are out. Everyone keeps playing until the last turkey is standing. This game can also be played with players telling “Dad Jokes.” You can prepare some ahead of time on pieces of paper for the players to draw and read aloud.
TURKEY DINNER
This game is like musical chairs. To play, you will need paper plates and a marker. Write the names of items that you might find at a Thanksgiving dinner—turkey, cranberries, Grandma, etc. You will need enough plates for each player, minus one. Players sit in a circle and pass the plates around until the host shouts out two of the items. The players holding those plates must get up and run over to the other person’s spot first. The last one there is out, along with that plate. The last person and plate is the winner.
WHITE ELEPHANT BINGO
For this game, everyone brings a White Elephant gift that is wrapped (or the host can supply all the gifts). Players play the continued on page 12
same number of rounds of Bingo as you have prizes for. You can find printable Thanksgiving Bingo cards online and assign someone to be the caller. For each round, the winner gets to pick a gift or steal one that is already opened. We usually put a threesteal limit rule in place. If you don’t want to do White Elephant, baskets from the dollar store are usually a hit.
TURKEY CHALLENGES
This is a new one for our family this year. There are dozens of social media challenges that you can try with your family which show off everyone’s turkey talents (or weaknesses). Try silly ones like the Catch the Cup Challenge, Stairs Challenge, Sit to Stand Challenge and Skipping Challenge. If there are pets involved, you can try the cute Level Up Challenge, which has pets jumping over tape or toilet paper rolls. You can also create your own challenges like hula hoop contests, family trivia contests or Name that Tune.
THE GREAT TURKEY RACE
This game is a spinoff of the board game Horse Racing For this game, you will need 12 mini rubber ducks (look for Thanksgiving themed ones), a poster board, a pair of dice, a deck of cards and poker chips or coins. Create a board with 12 columns across and 8 rows down. Number the columns 2-12 and put a duck on the top of each. After removing the Aces, Kings and Jokers from the deck, deal 4 cards for each player, which you leave face up in front of you. These are the numbers for your Turkeys. Before each race, have someone roll the dice four times to eliminate four Turkeys. Players with those Turkey numbers add a chip to the pot. For the race, players take turns rolling dice to move a Turkey forward, adding chips to the pot if they roll an eliminated Turkey number. The first horse to the finish line is the winner. All players with that card number split the pot.
Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. Holidays at their house include lots of food, laughter and of course, games.
Disposable Table Covers: Cover kids’ tables with butcher paper or disposable cloths for easier cleanup after crafts and meals.
Cleanup will still take effort, but these steps make it faster and less stressful.
Why It’s Worth It
Friendsgiving can feel like extra work, especially when kids are involved. But when parents build a gathering that is simple, flexible, and fun, kids get the chance to see friendship and gratitude lived out in community.
For children, the memories of laughing with friends, sharing food, and feeling included often last far longer than any perfectly set table or gourmet dish. For parents, the reward comes in seeing kids play happily while adults enjoy a chance to connect.
Hosting a kid-friendly Friendsgiving may not be perfectly quiet or mess-free, but it can be warm, joyful, and deeply meaningful—exactly what the season of gratitude is meant to be.
Rebecca Hastings is a former elementary teacher who traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.
Kid-Friendly Friendsgiving
Menu Ideas
Keep things simple with dishes that are easy for kids to enjoy alongside the main meal.
• Mini Turkey Meatballs—A fun fingerfood version of the holiday classic.
• Mac & Cheese Cups—Individual portions make serving (and cleanup) easy.
• Fruit Skewers—Colorful, healthy, and easy for little hands to grab.
• Sweet Potato Fries—A kid-approved twist on a traditional side dish.
•
• Rolls with Butter or Jam
A crowd favorite for kids and adults.
—by Rebecca Hastings
Raising Grateful Teens: Practical Ways to Help Adolescents Practice Gratitude
Parenting teenagers can feel like riding a roller coaster. One moment, they’re cracking jokes at the dinner table, the next, they’re slamming doors because you asked them about homework. With so many highs and lows, it’s easy to feel like gratitude is the last thing on their radar. But here’s the good news: gratitude isn’t just a personality trait. It’s a skill that can be practiced and strengthened over time.
Research shows that grateful teens are often happier, more resilient, and even better equipped to handle stress. They notice the good in their lives instead of always focusing on what they’re missing. And while it doesn’t happen overnight, with patience and a little creativity, you can help your teen develop a gratitude habit that sticks.
Here are some practical ways to weave gratitude into everyday life with your teen.
1. MODEL GRATITUDE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Teens may roll their eyes at lectures, but they notice how you live. Show gratitude in simple, visible ways. Thank your spouse for making dinner, wave to the bus driver, or tell your teen you appreciated it when they unloaded the dishwasher without being asked.
You can also share what you’re thankful for out loud: “I’m so glad the sun is shining today—it makes me feel happier,” or “That soup really hit the spot.” These small comments make gratitude feel normal and doable, not forced.
2. ENCOURAGE A GRATITUDE JOURNAL OR LIST
Suggest that your teen jot down one or two things they’re grateful for each day. Keep it low-pressure: a notebook, the Notes app on their phone, or even sticky notes on their mirror. At the end of the week, you can invite them (without pushing!) to reflect on what they wrote.
If they’re resistant, try making it a family activity by using a shared “gratitude jar” where everyone drops in slips of paper or by keeping a running gratitude list on the fridge. Reading them together at the end of the month can be surprisingly powerful.
3. SHIFT THE FOCUS AWAY FROM “STUFF”
Teens live in a world of constant advertising, peer pressure, and TikTok trends. It’s easy for them to think happiness equals having the latest gadget or brand-name sneakers. You can help by drawing a line between wants and needs.
continued on page 14
RAISING GRATEFUL TEENS:PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP PRACTICE GRATITUDE continued...
Instead of buying every little thing on demand, encourage them to save for items they want or earn them through chores. When teens invest time or effort into something, they tend to value it more and realize that happiness isn’t found in endless shopping bags.
4. VOLUNTEER TOGETHER AS A FAMILY
Serving others is one of the most effective ways to nurture gratitude. Look for opportunities that match your teen’s interests. Consider things like helping at an animal shelter, running a 5K for charity, or packing food boxes at a local pantry.
Volunteering provides perspective. Teens see firsthand that not everyone has the same opportunities they do, and they also experience the joy of making a difference. It’s a win-win: they help others while also learning to appreciate what they have.
5. CHOOSE EXPERIENCES OVER THINGS
While gifts are fun, shared experiences are the ones that become stories your kids will retell years later. A family hike, game night, or day trip can mean more than another piece of clothing. These moments build connection, and connection fuels gratitude.
As teens grow older, involve them in planning experiences. Let them choose the restaurant for a family dinner, the playlist for a road trip, or the board game for the night. When they feel like they had a hand in shaping the memory, they’ll appreciate it even more.
6. NOTICE—AND NAME—THEIR KINDNESS
When your teen thanks a teacher, helps a sibling, or texts a friend to check in, acknowledge it. You don’t have to make a big deal. Just offering a simple, “I noticed you helped your sister with her math homework. That was thoughtful,” goes a long way.
Even if they shrug it off, your words plant a seed. Over time, they’ll start to see kindness and gratitude as part of their identity.
7. PRAISE EFFORT, NOT PERFECTION
Teen years come with pressure from school, sports, and even social media. Gratitude grows when teens know they’re valued for who they are, not just for their achievements.
Instead of focusing only on results, show appreciation for their effort: “I love how hard you worked on that project,” or “Thanks for helping clean up, even though it wasn’t your mess.” Gratitude for effort teaches resilience and self-worth, even when life doesn’t go perfectly.
BE CONSISTENT AND PATIENT
Gratitude might not always come naturally to teens who are caught up in their own busy, sometimes dramatic world. But the seeds you plant now matter. With small, steady reminders and practices, you’re helping them build a life skill that will serve them long after curfews and college applications.
The truth is, gratitude changes the lens through which teens view the world. It reminds them that joy can be found in little things—a warm meal, a loyal friend, a parent who shows up and keeps trying. And as they grow into young adults, they’ll carry that perspective with them, helping them not only survive but thrive.
PICK OF THE LITERATURE
— by Dr. Donna Phillips
One thing that never gets old is gratitude. Whether you call it thankfulness, appreciation, or just plain thanks, this is the time of the year when we focus on our blessings, big and small. We celebrate those people and things that we are grateful for and those who are grateful for us. As we get into the holiday season and begin to gather with family and friends, there are some wonderful books that can help us look at this Thanksgiving with new eyes. Or as is often said, “looking through the eyes of a child.” I think these books will open eyes and hearts.
What are your Thanksgivings like? Do you have small, calm celebrations with just a few family members or friends? Or do you have ones that are full of energy and chaos? Perhaps you have traditions that include certain foods baked with a special family recipe. Maybe you have a simple meal. Or maybe you go out to a restaurant to celebrate. In Family Feast (Crown Books for Young Readers, New York, 2025, $18.99), written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison, we get to experience the joy, exuberance, and chaos of a big family as they converge on Big
Ma and Pop’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Big Ma is up early getting things started and Pop is there to help her. Soon the relatives begin to descend on the house. Oldsters and youngsters, dogs and cats add to the celebration of love and relationships. With each new arrival or turn of events a refrain repeats, “Tastes like home when family meet; a bond so warm, so strong, so sweet.” The bouncing rhyming words of the story capture chaos and energy and the illustrations pick up the energy and bring it an even higher level. It is rare to find such a perfect match of words and illustrations.
Not everyone can be with family for Thanksgiving, so many celebrate with friends. Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, New York, 2025, $18.99), written by Marcie Colleen and illustrated by Laura Sandoval Herrara, is the perfect book for a friend’s celebration. What is it that friends do? As the pages turn, we learn that Friends Travel, Friends Prepare, Friends Share, Friends Gather, Friends Give, Friends Relax, Friends Help, Friends Love. Each page invites us into the scene with vibrant and busy illustrations that vividly show the different ways friends connect, celebrate, and support each other at Thanksgiving. The celebration of diversity and customs is
integrated into family-like settings showing the multiple ways we can show our gratitude for what we have and who we have in our life. As is often said, “Sometimes the best families are the families we found.”
This Land: The History of the Land We’re On (Crown Books for Young Readers, New York, 2025, $18.99), written by Ashley Fairbanks and illustrated by Bridget George, is a wonderful book to acknowledge the history of the lands we live on. Everyone in this country has an indigenous group to thank for where they live now. This simply written book acknowledges the Native Americans that were displaced but are still living among us. The power of this book is not to blame but celebrate how these people are still contributing and inspiring us. They remind us of the gifts of nature and ways to live in harmony with the land. They share songs, stories, healing and spiritual techniques, and guide us with their ancient wisdom and history. They are innovators, professionals, tradesmen, artists, scientists, authors, and more who carry their history with them. The power of their forgiveness is a lesson for us all at Thanksgiving and should make us eternally grateful for their forced sacrifices. This time of year should remind us that there are still wounds to heal and injustices to be righted and this should humble us with their dignity and determination. The image of the First Thanksgiving is not complete without those who were here and innocently welcomed the newcomers. As we often set a place at the Thanksgiving table for those who are no longer with us, perhaps this year we might set a place for them in their honor. America Gives Thanks (Penguin Workshop, New York, 2025, $19.99), written by Bob McKinnon and illustrated by Thai My Phucng, takes us on a tour with America and her class as they visit important sites in Washington DC.
continued on page 16
While some of students complained about the trip, their teachers reminded them that it was complaints that made historic changes in our county. This gave America a whole new purpose for the trip. Her teacher gave her another challenge. “So, America, perk up your ears! If you listen really, really closely … maybe you’ll hear how someone’s complaint from years ago has led to something you feel thankful for today.” And so, her challenge begins as she visits the Supreme Court, the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the statue of Franklin Deleno Roosevelt, and the U.S. Capitol. With each stop, she thought she heard a faint message. A message of disagreeing respectfully, standing together, providing for those who are in need, creating new opportunities, and that complaints can lead to constructive change. All of the things that make America great and grateful.
Giving thanks and gratitude should not be a yearly thing, but a daily practice. We can always find even the smallest thing to be thankful for. And with each little thing we find, they all add up so that we have more abundance than we ever realized. It is all around us. We just have to look for it. So, this Thanksgiving look and listen for the big and small blessings that surround you and give thanks.
Dr. Donna Phillips is an associate professor in the College of Education at Niagara University where her specialty is literacy and children’s literature. She lives on Grand Island, NY and is the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of one.
GiftsGalore
A Holiday Gift Guide
The Buffalo History Museum’s 5th Annual Makers Market
1 Museum Ct, Buffalo • 716-873-9644 buffalohistory.org/calendar/
Join us on November 28 from 11am-5pm or November 29 from 10am-5pm for the 5th Annual Makers Market. Located inside the Buffalo History Museum, our market brings together over 30 vendors spread out between each floor of the museum. You’ll find jewelry, pottery, fabric crafts, candles, local history books, and more. You can find a list of vendors on our website. This market is free to attend; we hope to see you there!
Designing Dish
138 Grey Street, East Aurora • 716-655-4456 www.designingdish.com
Everyone is an artist at Designing Dish – a paint your own pottery store featuring Glass Fusing. Create make and take gifts from christmas trees to ornaments. We have those special projects that everyone will always remember. Open for walk-ins, ladies nights, and accepting reservations for private parties. Celebrate the Holiday Season by visiting us in the historic village of East Aurora. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Federal Meats
With 9 WNY Locations to serve you. Call 716-633-1390 for the nearest location. www.federalmeats.com
Give The Gift of Good Taste! Enjoy this real old-time butcher shop, where meat professionals assist customers one-on-one in selecting their meats, poultry, deli and seafood. Here is where you can have your favorite items cut and wrapped to your specification. Their large deli section includes a full signature line of freshly prepared dinner entrées and appetizers to choose from. Federal Meats specializes in friendly knowledgeable service where phone orders are always welcome. Federal Meats accepts Cash, Master Card, Visa, Discover and EBT. Holiday Gift Certificates, Steak & Meat Packages are also available for year-round gift giving. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram - @federal_meats.
Gymnastics Unlimited
70 Weiss Ave., W. Seneca/Orchard Park • 716-677-0338
www.gymnastics-unlimited.net
GYMNASTICS will keep your child moving all winter! No need to be a member for these programs to burn off that winter energy: Birthday Parties! Held on Sundays, call to book and for schedule. Toddler time on Wednesday from 12:15-1pm for 5 yrs & under, $7 per walking child and Open Tumbling on Monday & Wednesday from 8:50-9:45pm, $10, Jr. High (11 yrs old) & older. HOLIDAY GIFTS!!! For those gymnasts in your life, we have gymnastics apparel, accessories, and gymnastics inspired gifts.
Hyatt’s All Things Creative
1941 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo • 716-884-8900
www.hyatts.com
Discover special gifts for everyone on your list and shop local this year with Hyatt’s All Things Creative. As a family owned business in Western New York for over 60 years, Hyatt’s knows how to inspire creativity in people of all ages with their more than 55,000 products. Beyond art supplies, visit their newly expanded kids creative play area with more toys, building blocks, and STEAM sets! You’ll also find experienced and knowledgeable staff that are happy to take the time to help you find the perfect gift. Gift cards also available in any amount.
Kid to Kid
1060 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda • 716-831-8300 www.kidtokid.com/tonawanda 980 Union Rd., Southgate Plaza, West Seneca • 716-675-0483 www.kidtokid.com/westseneca
Holiday gift shopping at up to 70% off mall prices! We’re a family-owned, upscale resale store with two great locations in Tonawanda and West Seneca. We buy and sell the best of what kids outgrow: kids’ clothing sizes 0-14, shoes, toys, books, games, baby equipment, and more. We buy all seasons all the time, no appointment necessary. It’s a win-win for parents...by trading in outgrown items and buying what’s needed now, and by giving another child an opportunity to love those items. Kid to Kid supports and donates to local charities. Open Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 12-5pm. Follow us on Facebook!
GiftsGalore
A Holiday Gift Guide
Monaco’s Violin Shop
& Music Centre,
Inc.
55 CrossPoint Pkwy., Suite 106, Getzville • 716-688-8600
www.monacosviolinshop.com
Monaco’s Violin Shop is a family owned and operated business serving this area since 1973. Monaco’s is the only store in WNY that specializes in the retail, rental, & repair of violins, violas, cellos, and basses. Monaco’s carries instruments made in Romania, the Czech Republic, Germany and others. Monaco’s is the exclusive dealer of the Samuel Shen line of instruments in WNY. We have years of experience repairing many different stringed instruments including guitars, banjos, ouds, mandolins, and more. Our annual sale on instruments, accessories, and musically inspired gifts, runs from November 28th thru December 23rd.
Parkside Meadow
Corner of Parkside & Russell, Buffalo • 716-834-8348
www.parksidemeadow.com
The Parkside Meadow - full bar and restaurant - is located on the corner of Parkside and Russell, across from the Buffalo Zoo. Enjoy a full menu of home cooked foods like Reubens, Albacore Tuna Melts, Beef on Weck, Quesadillas, home made soups and appetizers. Also noted for their huge fish frys and Shaved Lamb sandwich. A warm and friendly neighborhood pub, featuring historic Buffalo museum decor. Offering local taps plus Genesee Beer on Tap. Kids menu, friendly, casual. Hours: Wed. & Thurs., 4pm - 9:00pm; Fri., 4pm - 9:30pm; Sat., Noon - 9:30pm.
Past & Present Science & Nature Store
3767 South Park Avenue, Blasdell • 716-825-2361 www.pastpres.com
Past & Present is a unique science & nature store offering unusual treasures from around the world. Fossils, rocks, minerals & crystals are some of the geologic wonders you might find for that one of a kind gift. Beautiful amethyst cathedrals, geodes & other natural pieces of art, along with handcrafted jewelry, are always available. Browsing our shop is a great experience for kids of all ages. Books, posters, science discovery kits & geology tools are just some of the great gift ideas available. Be sure to visit our free Fossil Gallery featuring dinosaurs, sharks, local & internationally found fossils.
Shop local this Holiday Season! Raff and Friends, a specialty toy store, is located in the Eastern Hills Mall across from Duff’s. The store is full of an incredible variety of quality products including Breyer horses, Bruder trucks, baby toys, Magna-Tiles, Melissa & Doug, Playmobil, Squishables, Calico Critters, dolls, so much plush, crafts, sensory/fidget toys, logic and jigsaw puzzles, metal and DIY kits, science, books, board games for all ages, and much, much more. Shop Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5. Raff and Friends is here to help you find those special gifts this holiday season.
250 St. Gregory Ct., Williamsville (next to Millard Suburban Hospital) www.stgregs.org
St. Gregory’s annual Craft Show will be held Friday, Nov. 28, 10am-4pm; and Saturday, Nov. 29, 10am-3pm. More than 140 artisans and crafters will sell their handcrafted, unique, quality items. Avoid the Black Friday frenzy, the crowds, and the chaos at the malls. Come support the local economy by choosing gifts from one of the many artisans and crafters from around WNY. You’ll find purses, gourmet dips and mustards, candles, photographs, soap and spa products, painted glass, garden statues, jewelry, doll clothes, decorative pottery, floral decor and so much more. Admission is $3.00, no charge for children 12 and under.
Williamsville PTSA Craft Show
175 Heim Road, Williamsville www.facebook.com/HolidayCraftShowPTSA/
Shop more than 170 new and returning local artisans and students at our 49th annual Williamsville PTSA Craft Show. Happening Saturday, December 6 from 10am –4pm and Sunday, December 7 from 10am – 3pm, there’s something for everyone. Crafters fill the halls of Heim Middle and Elementary Schools, offering seasonal and sports-themed goods and décor, knits, linens, jewelry, art, toys, tasty treats, pet items and more. Admission is $3 ages 18+, $1 ages 11-17 and ages 10 and under free. Enjoy free parking while you explore. Proceeds benefit the Williamsville PTSA Council Student Scholarship fund for graduating seniors.
ADMISSION $3; 12 AND UNDER FREE 140 HANDMADE CRAFTERS, 2 BUILDINGS
VIEW MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS, FEATURING NEW AND ORIGINAL AM&A’S CHRISTMAS ANIMATED DISPLAYS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 10:00 AM - 4:00PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT MINISTRY CENTER & SCHOOL
100 AND 250 ST. GREGORY COURT WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: CRAFTSHOW@ STGREGS.ORG
SPONSORED BY:
49TH ANNUAL
Shop more than 170 new and returning crafters, filling the halls of Heim Elementary and Heim Middle Schools.
December 6: 10am - 4pm December 7: 10am - 3pm
175 Heim Road, Williamsville NY
Admission: $3 ages 18+, $1 ages 11-17, 10 and under free Free Parking
One of the hardest parts about divorce, can be alternating holidays with the kids. On the years when I don’t have my three kids for Thanksgiving, I know I feel like something is missing…well, because it is. Since Thanksgiving is a time when family gathers around the table and shares funny stories over a home-cooked meal, it’s only natural to feel a sense of disappointment when some of the most important people in your life are physically not there. With the support of friends and family, I have been able to focus on the things that I do have during this time of year and things I am thankful for while still acknowledging that I flat out, just miss my kids.
1. I usually try to volunteer on or around Thanksgiving when I know I will be alone. Helping someone else, especially another mom, always makes me feel better and helps put things in perspective.
2. I reach out to friends on the years my kids are with their dad and ask if I can join them for some part of their Thanksgiving holiday. My friends typically invite me before I have a chance to ask, but knowing that there are other people who want to spend time with me makes me feel less lonely. Divorce has a way of making you feel less than and having folks who can remind you that you’re worthy of loving just because of who you are, is helpful and healing.
SINGLE PARENTING
— by Meagan Ruffing
When Thanksgiving Doesn’t Feel So Giving
3. I bake yummy breads—specifically, my Grandma Shirley’s zucchini bread—and freeze a couple of loaves so when my kids get home, we can have our own Thanksgiving meal. This has become a special tradition in my home and my kids have come to expect that there’s usually a loaf in the freezer. They know this is my way of connecting with them when they’re not around.
6. I have two dogs that I absolutely adore, Tommy and Conner, who I make sure to take on a walk on Thanksgiving. The chill air and crispness the outside brings helps me feel grounded on a day when I can feel somewhat sad.
7. One of the things I am trying to get better at incorporating into my weekend routine are naps. So, on Thanksgiving, I allow myself time to rest and find myself doing it more on the years when I don’t have the kids. As a mom, there’s still a large part of me that feels the need to do all the things all the time, so when my kids aren’t home, I feel more at ease to lay in bed or cuddle up on the couch.
8. I try to buy a couple of books to have in my ‘at home’ library so that I can pick up a new one to read when I feel like it. I have found holidays are the ideal time for me to get lost in a book since I’m off from work for an extended period of time. Plus, who doesn’t love ‘shopping’ at home for something fun to read?
4. I journal about the things I am grateful for to help set the tone for the day. I include the sad parts too, but I inevitably gravitate towards all that I have which changes my attitude around the day.
5. I Facetime with my kids when it’s convenient for them. Since they’re usually at their grandparents’ house on their dad’s side for Thanksgiving, I want to be sensitive and respectful to the time they are spending with the other side of the family. I message their dad to let him know I’d like to Facetime with the kids when it’s convenient for them and have found that sharing this expectation with him in advance has helped reduce my anxiety around making sure I get to ‘see’ the kids.
9. There’s usually a Turkey Trot of some kind in every town or nearby city. While I don’t do this every year, I do try to sign up for one when I feel like the time is right and I have the energy to run a 5k. Even if you don’t plan to run the entire race, it’s still a fun activity to do after eating a big Thanksgiving meal where you can walk things off.
I hope this Thanksgiving is full of lots of family time—whatever your family looks like. Even when your holiday looks different than what you hoped it would, there can still be comfort in the uncomfortableness of starting new traditions and leaning into your new normal.
Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist, mental health therapist, and single mom who tries to do her best each day. She doesn’t always get things right but continually strives to do better.
Daddy Daddy The Track
T– by Shannon Carpenter
hanksgiving is an early morning sun that everyone but the cook gets to ignore. The kids take their respite from school, and the inlaws snore. The fabled bird is taken out of the fridge and left on the counter to rest as if it is about to run a marathon.
The turkey is massaged with butter and seasonings. Gizzards and necks are separated and placed into a pot. Carrots and celery are chopped and added. Water begins to steam on the stove as the coffee pot gurgles.
Eventually, I get out of bed at a time that, on any other day, would be considered almost unreasonable. The kids still sleep. The in-laws mumble. The turkey is prepared. I am shushed out of the kitchen even though I cook every other meal. 364 days a year, I sweat over hot pots and pans. But today, on Thanksgiving, I am given a pick slip for twenty-four hours.
The turkey goes into the oven, and the timer is set, beeping like a starter’s pistol. The kids roll out of bed. The inlaws use the bathroom, and everyone quietly vacates the area. Quiet disappears from the house as voices and playful arguing take over.
The TV is turned on and the sound of a parade acts like mood music. It sets the tone as a family orbits around the kitchen, each taking in the smell of whatever magic brews. Impromptu card
“Come get your drinks, dinner is ready.”
This is Thanksgiving?
The kids come still in their pajamas because Thanksgiving is not about formality in this house. It’s about people that you are as comfortable with as cotton and fleece. Warm, and inviting, and made for hugs on cold nights. The in-laws still dress up, and I still shave because Grandma wouldn’t let me sit with scruff. But the kids get to be kids, and these memories are unique to them.
The table is missing a few chairs from others that have drifted in and out of our lives. Myths of epic arguments that weave through the smell of the rolls. Given time to cool, those events are told as part of the tradition.
games appear. The in-laws go out for the newspaper. It’s a habit now, the physical paper, that reminds them of the holiday. To hold black and white print that takes them back to black and white televisions. With the radio programs of their youth. With handwritten letters that have given way to Snapchat.
Green beans are casseroled, meat is basted, and football games are played outside. Touch becomes tackle, becomes Hail Mary’s, becomes epic celebrations in a neighbor’s yard. Penalties are never assessed on kickoffs, and the referees are asleep in a La-ZBoy somewhere inside. And the turkey cooks, bubbles, and acts like a candle as the aroma fills the house.
Professional football starts after the parade ends, and everyone takes their anointed seat. Chips and dips are served. A pickle plate is prepared and put on the table because a grandmother a generation past always did that. It’s the memory of her, of those tart pickles and the sweet peanut butter cookies that would follow, that makes this a true Thanksgiving. The one that the in-laws remember and the one that I feel. There cannot be a Thanksgiving without the pickle plate.
The oven opens, and we all wait for the word of Paul Revere. One if by land, or two if by sea. The turkey is coming, the turkey is coming. And then we hear it.
“Remember when Uncle Carl kept farting at the table?” I would say. “Mom got mad, threw the potatoes at him.”
“But Aunt Pat loved him,” someone would respond, even though they weren’t there for the event. “And I guess we can’t control that.”
Aunt Pat would go on to divorce that Thanksgiving myth.
And then the turkey would be carved. The in-laws give up the knife because it’s no longer their house. No longer their table. For twenty-five years, I have taught myself the art of carving a turkey. It’s my most important duty, and I’ve got it down to a science.
The turkey breasts are removed first. They are sliced against the grain and plated layered like a deck of fanned out cards. The dark meat is pulled instead of sliced because Grandma did it that way. Then the dumplings are removed from the back of the turkey with a spoon.
The doorbell rings, and others come just in the nick of time. They take the seats left by others.
There we sit, and this is Thanksgiving. People who may be related by blood, but more often by those related by hardship. Experiences that have taught us that those who carry the burden of life with us are most deserving of our thanks.
Shannon Carpenter is the father of three and has been a stay-at-home dad since 2008. He’s the author of the book “Stay-at-Home Dad: Your Essential Manual for Being an Awesome Full-Time Father.” as well as the co-host of Dadhouse Pod. In addition to his writing on parenting, he is also a humor writer trained through the famous Second City. And we all know that having a sense of humor is essential to surviving parenthood!
Family Movie Options: In Theaters and Streaming Online
Tron: Ares
Soul on Fire
Gabby’s Dollhouse:
Two corporations are on the hunt for a “ permanence code ” that will allow the ir AI - created beings to last for more than 29 minutes. To that end, a digital supersoldier named Ares is tasked with corporate espionage – but he soon develops his own agenda. Bland, boring, and poorly acted, this film never lives up to its digital effects. As with all films in the Tron franchise, the visuals are striking, and negative content is comparatively low, but the story is completel y forgettable .
When Gabby’s beautiful dollhouse accidentally rolls down the hilly streets of Cat Francisco, it is found by Vera, a kitty litter magnate and crazy cat lady. Now Gabby needs to find the dollhouse and be reunited with her beloved feline friends. This film is a smash hit for kids, who enjoy dancing and singing to the catchy songs as they absorb positive messages about friendship, courage, cooperation and kindness. Amazingly, the film even contains some entertaining moments for adults in the audience, which is a win
Helmuth lives comfortably despite the war swirling around him – until a Jewish friend is seized by the Nazis. Determined to free Germany from the tyranny of Hitler’s brutal government, the 16 - year - old begins producing and distributing anti - government flyers – but there are consequences for this type of resistance. A gripping story of courage, integrity, faith, and patriotism, this is an outstanding film for teens and adults who want to consider big questions
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's making a stop at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens! Visit us on November 29 from 10am-2pm to meet Santa and take a scenic holiday photo. The vibrant colors of our annual Poinsettia Exhibit make the perfect backdrop for your pictures and are sure to fill you with holiday spirit. Santa will also be at the Botanical Gardens on November 28 from 5-9pm during a very special edition of Gardens After Dark. See our magically illuminated greenhouses, give Santa a letter, and escape from Buffalo's cold winter nights in our warm conservatory.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo 716-885-5000
www.bpo.org
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s holiday concerts provide heartwarming moments of joy and connection with our families and community. From November 29 through December 21, each performance captures the spirit of the season and transforms everyday moments into something extraordinary. Journey to a world of pirates, princesses, revenge, and true love with The Princess Bride film in concert November 29. Sing along while Santa helps conduct the orchestra at Jingle Bell Jam December 14, gather the family together for WNY’s cherished Holiday Pops event December 18 through 21, and more! Share the magic at Kleinhans Music Hall this season. Details at bpo.org
ACharlieBrownChristmasat
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
646 Main St., Buffalo
716-847-0850
www.acharliebrownchristmaslive.com
Peanuts’ timeless holiday television special comes to life with the national tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage, coming to Buffalo on 12/10 at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre! This critically acclaimed holiday celebration that the whole family can enjoy brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang together live on stage as they uncover the true meaning of Christmas and perform songs from the unforgettable musical score of legendary composer Vince Guaraldi. Get your tickets today at www. acharliebrownchristmaslive.com
Dickens Christmas
Various Locations, Skaneateles
315-685-0552
www.skaneateles.com
Welcome to Skaneateles: The Year is 1842. Dickens Christmas is an enchanting holiday event that brings "A Christmas Carol" to life. Celebrating its 32nd year, Dickens Christmas begins the day after Thanksgiving with Bright Friday and continues weekends through Christmas Eve. Event times are 12-4 pm and 12-2:30 pm on Christmas Eve. We invite you to take advantage of our free shuttle to ensure a stress-free day! Join us in Skaneateles for caroling, chestnuts, theater shows, and family-friendly activities this Holiday Season! There is no cost to attend this event and it’s appropriate for all ages!
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda 716-693-1885 www.carrouselmuseum.org
Come visit the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum during the holiday season! Open Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm, until December 30th. Experience the past and present of Western New York Amusement! The museum features two historic carousels, over ten band organs, and interactive exhibits for all ages. Our gift shop includes items for all ages, and is a great stop for unique gifts. This holiday season Santa will be riding the carousel at our ticketed events on November 29th, December 13th, & December 20th. To plan your visit or for more information please visit www.carrouselmuseum.org.
Holiday Happenings at Genesee
Country Village & Museum
1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford 585-538-6822
www.gcv.org/holiday-happenings/
Make your holiday season magical! With festive events, gift-giving inspiration, historical holiday cookies, and more—Genesee Country Village & Museum is the perfect addition to your family’s holiday traditions. One of our most beloved events is Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinners. Held throughout December, this immersive experience allows you to step into a bustling Christmas Eve night in 1870. Breakfast with St. Nick & Holiday Open House take place December 7 & 21. Enjoy a tasty breakfast with St. Nick then spend the day on a festive exploration into celebrations of holidays past. Tickets sell in a flurry—secure yours today!
A Magical Christmas Adventure
at Hidden Valley
2887 Royce Rd., Varysburg 585-535-4100
hiddenvalleyadventure.com
A Magical Christmas Adventure awaits at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure. The Lodge, in full holiday splendor, will host Santa’s Wonderland where you’ll decorate cookies, write letters to the North Pole, take holiday photos with Santa, and more before boarding your trolley for a journey through Hidden Valley’s Mystical Forest. There you’ll see herds of bison and elk, Randy the camel, llamas, and blackbelly sheep roaming the wintery terrain. Upon your return, pet and feed a variety of live animals in open-air stalls. Four consecutive weekends starting Black Friday, November 28 – December 21, 9am-4:30pm. Reservations Required. Allow 3 hours for the full experience. Book online at hiddenvalleyadventure.com.
Town of Cheektowaga Holiday Events
Various Locations, Cheektowaga 716-897-7207
www.cheektowagarec.org
Celebrate the holiday season in the Town of Cheektowaga with three magical events! Start with Winterfest, where you can visit with Santa, dance to Christmas music, and enjoy crafts, food, and a stunning fireworks display. Next, skate with Santa at Christmas on Ice and warm up with a free skating session when you donate new winter gear. End the season with Sleigh & Play, a horse drawn wagon ride through dazzling light displays, complete with a special visit from Santa. Don’t miss out on these enchanting experiences! Register now at www.cheektowagarec.org
HAPPENINGS Holiday
‘TwastheNightBefore… at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
646 Main St., Buffalo 716-847-0850 www.sheas.org
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre invites families to experience the holiday magic of ‘Twas the Night Before..., a dazzling Cirque du Soleil production that reimagines the classic Christmas poem with breathtaking acrobatics, festive music, and heartwarming storytelling. Perfect for all ages, this high-flying spectacle brings the spirit of the season to life with wonder and whimsy. Whether it’s your child’s first theater experience or a cherished family tradition, ‘Twas the Night Before... promises joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Tickets available at sheas.org — don’t miss this celebration of holiday cheer!
The Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
Science and Mathematics Complex –Buffalo State University planetarium.buffalostate.edu
This holiday season, a planetarium fan favorite returns for the first time since 2012! Star of the Magi: Reflections on a Silent Night explores accounts of the “Star of Bethlehem” by considering who the Magi were, looking at timelines of historical events, and visualizing possible celestial explanations. This program includes a tour of the winter constellations. Also join us for a laser music experience! Elton John: Rocket Man will be playing at the end of November and into December, then we switch to holiday tunes with our Holiday Laser Music Experience. Current show and ticket information is available at WFPlanetarium.Eventbrite.com
— by Deborah Williams
WExplore the Wonders of Niagara Parks
inston Churchill, Britain’s larger than life wartime leader, famously called the Niagara Parkway, the 35-milelong drive along the Canadian side of the Niagara River from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.”
It is still a lovely drive in the fall and winter season and filled with a host of family friendly attractions that are open year-round. New and innovative enticements seem to arrive every few years. The parkway also features a bike path, picnic tables, and parking spots along the river to enjoy the views. Wineries and orchards abound, many with fruit stands.
The newest attraction, Niagara Takes Flight, opened Labor Day weekend to rave views. This fully immersive flying theater ride takes riders on a breathtaking journey along the Niagara River corridor. It is in the impressive Table Rock Centre next to the brink of the Horseshoe Falls.
“You may have been here before, but you have never seen Niagara like this,” claims the promotion. Several nearby riders said they thought the ride was amazing and they did not want it to stop.
“It takes visitors on a wonderful aerial roller coaster ride, showcasing a
variety of hidden natural wonders that would be impossible to see any other way,” said Rick Rothchild, creative director, describing his creation.
Visitors can see Niagara Falls and its surrounding landscape from the sky. Amazing views of the region unfold on a 55-foot domed screen while motionbased seats and other sensory effects like wind, mist, and scent come together to create the exhilarating illusion of free flight.
Prior to boarding, passengers can explore 13,000 years of history through a pre-show spread across multiple rooms. Entering the attraction, visitors see Niagara Falls as it appeared thousands of years ago, constantly moving.
In the Ancestors Room, everyone is invited to gather round the fire as elders tell stories passed down through the cen-
turies. In the Waterfall Room, visitors can discover many of the milestones that transformed Niagara Falls into one of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations told through the voice of celebrated filmmaker and explorer James Cameron. Next step inside the transporter, a chamber infused with historic artifacts. As the atmosphere shifts, begin your descent into the launch chamber and then climb into your seat for your flight.
The Niagara Parks Power Station opened four years ago in the massive stone power station beside the Horseshoe Falls. It offers another perspective on Niagara Falls. Completed in 1905, the imposing building harnessed the powerful flow of the Niagara River to bring electricity to Western New York and southern Ontario. It was Canada’s first major hydroelectric power station. Decommissioned in 2006, the power station sat idle for years until the Niagara Parks Commission took over and gave the building new life and a new purpose. This one-of-a-kind attraction is the only fully intact, decommissioned hydroelectric power plant of its period left in the world.
The water from the mighty Niagara was diverted to run the 11 giant generators that electrified the region.
continued on page 30
The original 11 blue cylindrical generators are on display in the main hall. Displays and exhibits tell the story of the inventors including Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse. Uncover the War of the Currents, a bitter feud between inventors that lasted many years. Guides are on hand to tell the building’s remarkable story.
It’s time to enter the glass paneled elevator that offers views of the six underground decks as it travels down 180 feet to the 2,200-foot-long tunnel. This is where the water would exit into the river when it was operating as a power station.
It took thousands of workers four years to build this tunnel and excavate the shale using dynamite, shovels, and pickaxes. There are benches for resting and exhibits along the walls. It is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Near the end of the tunnel, we can see daylight. The path exits onto a 60-foot cement platform very close to the base of the Horseshoe Falls.
There seems to be mist and water everywhere but not to worry as our guide hands out yellow plastic raincoats. Out of the mist comes the Maid of the Mist. Many have said this is the best place of all to take in the wonder of the falls.
Come back in the evening for an entirely different way to experience the power station. Called Currents: Niagara’s Power Transformed, it is an epic sight and sound show in the heart of the plant. It features immersive, interactive media where projected effects react to your presence. Children seemed to be
having a great time with that feature. There’s imagery, color, lights, sound, and a wonderful musical score.
The award-winning Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory located within the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens is a parkway must-visit especially during cold autumn and winter months. Step inside to a tropical oasis without needing a plane ticket. There are more than 2,000 butterflies from more than 40 species at North America’s largest year-round butterfly conservatory.
Watch your step as you walk carefully along the pathways, past waterfalls and lush vegetation to avoid squashing any of these incredible creatures. The waterfalls are designed to mimic a virtual rain forest. There are feeding trays where butterflies gather. The flowers are specially curated to attract these colorful creatures.
Be sure to stop at the emergence window where various species of butterfly hang in their pupae stage. Lucky visitors can see a butterfly emerge from its pupa, hanging to dry its wings before its first flight.
It was built in 1996 and has since welcomed millions of visitors to learn about the delicate beauty and fascinating lifestyles of butterflies. The facility includes video theaters, interactive displays and specialized greenhouses for rearing butterflies and growing plants.
Time your parkway and Niagara Falls visit to experience the Winter Festival of Lights which welcomes visitors from November 15 to January 4, 2026. The multi award winning extravaganza is Canada’s largest free outdoor light festival.
The expansive and spectacular displays feature millions of lights and larger than life creations throughout the tourism districts. Illuminations include more than 50 large displays and dozens of trees wrapped in lights along the parkway, including Canadian wildlife displays, the two-story tall Zimmerman Fountain, 40-foot light tunnel, a castle and much more.
There are nightly fireworks displays and even a hot chocolate trail.
If you are lucky, you will be able to see something that Niagara Falls visitors who come in the warmer weather can never see: a
continued on page 43
The Niagara Parks Power Station tunnel end Niagara Parks Butterfly
Get Started and Stay Motivated Decluttering:
—by Rebecca Hastings
It starts with a drawer. You open it to grab something and suddenly realize it’s overflowing with things you haven’t used in years. That’s when it hits you—clutter has taken over more than just your drawer; it’s creeping into your home and mind. The mess isn’t just physical; it can create stress, anxiety, and even make daily tasks harder.
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a few strategies, you can start the process and stay motivated until the job is done. More importantly, you’ll create a space that supports a calmer, more enjoyable life.
START SMALL, THINK BIG
One of the biggest mistakes people make when decluttering is trying to tackle everything at once. That approach often leads to frustration and burnout. Instead, start with small, manageable tasks:
The Five-Minute Rule—Set a timer for five minutes and declutter as much as possible in that time. Small bursts can add up quickly.
One Drawer at a Time—Focus on a single drawer, shelf, or small area before moving on. Seeing small victories can boost your motivation.
The One-Year Test—If you haven’t used or worn something in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go. If you struggle, ask yourself if you’d buy the item again today.
The 12-12-12 Challenge—Each day, find 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to return to their proper places.
SET CLEAR GOALS
Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve can help keep you on track:
Define Your Why—Are you decluttering to create a peaceful space, make room for new things, or simply reduce stress? Maybe you want to prepare your home for retirement or make cleaning easier.
Create a Decluttering Schedule
Set aside specific times each week to work on different areas of your home. Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Use the Four-Box Method—Label boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Trash,” and “Undecided.” This method prevents you from simply shifting clutter from one space to another.
STAY MOTIVATED
Decluttering is not just about getting rid of things—it’s about creating a home that brings you joy and peace. But it’s easy to lose motivation when faced with sentimental items or a never-ending pile of stuff. Here’s how to stay on track:
Celebrate Small Wins—Acknowledge your progress, even if it’s just one cleared-out shelf or a single decluttered drawer.
Visualize the End Result—Imagine how your home will look and feel once it’s clutter-free. A lighter, more peaceful space awaits you.
Find a Decluttering Buddy—Enlist a friend or family member to keep you accountable and make the process more fun.
Donate with Purpose—Knowing your items will go to someone in need can make letting go easier. Consider donating to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores.
Reward Your Progress—Find little ways to celebrate as you go. For each closet you tackle or room you finish, treat yourself to coffee with a friend or a walk outside. Make sure it’s something you look forward to!
LETTING GO WITH EASE
It’s common to struggle with letting go of sentimental items. They often hold memories, but they can also take up valuable space. To make it easier, you can take photos of meaningful items before donating them, so the memories remain without the clutter.
Another great tip is to keep a memory box with only the most cherished keepsakes instead of keeping everything. This will make these things feel extra special. When it feels hard to let go, remind yourself that letting go of objects doesn’t mean losing the memories attached to them. The real value lies in the experiences, not the items.
continued on page 34
RAISING DIGITAL KIDS
— by Mike Daugherty
Off the Feed, Not the Record
You raised a child with a strong sense of self. That’s a win. Now that your tween or teen is curating their own digital life, you may hear a firm request: “Please don’t post pictures of me.” It can feel like a door closing, especially when you want to celebrate a big moment or keep distant relatives in the loop, but it’s also an opening. It’s a chance to model consent, build trust, and teach your child how to manage a reputation that will follow them into college, work, and adult life. When a young person asks for more control, they’re telling you they’re ready for more responsibility. That’s a milestone worth honoring.
Start with a conversation, not a counter-argument. Ask what’s behind the “no.” For some kids, it’s privacy. They don’t want photos turning up in group chats or search results. For others, it’s about control over how they’re presented. Sometimes it’s simple embarrassment, especially with throwback photos that feel cute to us and cringey to them. Listen for the why, reflect it back, and resist the urge to talk them out of their feelings. The goal isn’t to win; it’s to understand. That understanding is what keeps the door open next time.
From there, set expectations together. Explain your perspective: you want grandparents to see the game winning goal; you want to mark a rite of passage; you want a family record that doesn’t live only on one phone. Then propose a framework that treats them as a partner: you’ll ask before posting, avoid live posts that share location in the moment, and give them veto power on anything that includes their face or full name. When families agree on a few simple rules, arguments shrink and memories grow.
If you hit friction, try narrowing the audience instead of abandoning the memory. A private, invite only album can satisfy the need to share without broadcasting to the world. Cloud services make this easy: add the handful of relatives who actually want the photos and leave it at that. Or go offline: print a few favorites, make a simple photo book, or text images directly to the people who care most. You’ll still tell the story, just to the right people.
Schools, teams, and public spaces complicate things. A choir concert or playoff game is by definition public, and other parents will be snapping away. A quick word to the coach or club advisor at the start of a season goes a long way:
“Our child prefers not to have identifiable photos posted publicly.” When you’re the one behind the camera, think like an editor. Capture the medal, the huddle, the shoes laced at the starting line: details that honor the moment without making a face the focus. If a wellmeaning friend posts a close up anyway, respond kindly and clearly: “Could you take that down? We’re keeping <Name> off public social media right now.” Most people will respect a direct, respectful request.
Some families worry that saying “no posting” means losing the family archive. It doesn’t. It means curating it with intention. Keep an offline folder labeled by year or season. Let your teen help decide what belongs there. Handing them the role of co-curator sends a powerful message: “This is your story, and you have a say.” Over time, that shared ownership teaches exactly what we want kids to learn: how to weigh the audience, context, and consequences before they share.
It also helps to look ahead. Teens know colleges, coaches, and employers may eventually see pieces of their lives online. They don’t want a single image, caption, or inside joke to become their continued on page 34
RAISING DIGITAL KIDS
entire identity. A simple gut check can guide everyone: Would I be comfortable with this photo on a bulletin board at school? Would I be fine with it resurfacing five years from now? If the answer is “not really,” skip the post or crop the image to focus on the moment instead of the face. That small edit protects privacy and keeps the memory.
When mistakes happen (and they will), focus first on your child’s well-being, then on cleanup. If a picture spreads beyond your comfort zone, pause and reassure them: “You’re not in trouble. We’ll fix what we can and learn from it.” Take screenshots of the post, usernames, and URLs. Use the platform’s reporting tools and ask the poster to remove it. If the image is sensitive or manipulated, don’t amplify it by reposting; go straight to formal removal options and loop in your school if peers are involved. Treat it like a bad spill: contain it, clean it, and keep moving.
At home, keep your tech guardrails simple and consistent. Use private accounts by default. Turn off geotagging. Avoid captions that include schedules, last names, jersey numbers tied to schools, or anything that helps a stranger connect dots. Teach your teen to review who’s allowed to see close friends’ posts and stories, and to think twice before resharing. These are small habits that compound into safety. They’re also habits your teen can carry into adulthood when you won’t be there to help.
The conversation gets easier when you trade “rules” for “reasons.” Explain that faces are long lasting identifiers. A password can be changed, but a face appears in photos across years and platforms. Photos can be copied, edited, and taken out of context. Even disappearing messages can be screen-recorded. None of this is a scare tactic; it’s simply how the internet works. The more kids understand the mechanics, the more invested they become in drawing their own lines. And when they see you practicing the same discipline (you ask before you post, you choose smaller audiences, and you caption with care), they learn that boundaries aren’t a punishment. They’re a form of respect.
If your teen does want to share, shift into coaching mode. Encourage them to post after the event instead of during it. Keep accounts private while they build a small, trusted audience. Remind them that a great story doesn’t need full names, uniform numbers, or location tags to land. And ask to see their archive now and then, not to police but to protect. Backing up photos and giving them the power to edit or remove older posts communicates that this is their portfolio, not a permanent record of every moment.
Grandparents and extended family deserve a plan, too. Give them a simple script: “Our family is keeping <Name> off public social media. Please share in the family album instead.” Most relatives will appreciate the clarity. The few who don’t will appreciate boundaries even more once they see you hold them kindly and consistently. It isn’t about policing other people’s feeds; it’s about protecting your child’s comfort and choices.
There’s one more benefit to honoring a teen’s “no.” You turn a potential power struggle into a relationship win. You
prove that your love isn’t measured by posts or likes, and that your first instinct is to safeguard their dignity. You still get the memories: framed on a wall, tucked in a book, or shared quietly with the people who matter. And your teen gets something even better: a voice in how their story is told. That’s the kind of keepsake that lasts.
Bottom line: You don’t have to stop taking pictures. You just have to update how you share them. Ask first. Aim smaller. Caption lightly. Keep a private archive you build together. When your teen sees you protect their story, they’ll trust you with more of it. That trust is worth more than any “like”.
Mike Daugherty is a husband, father of three young children, author, speaker, Google Innovator, and possible Starbucks addict. He is a certified educational technology leader who has served in a variety of roles through his twenty-year career in public education. Currently, Mike is the Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Technology, and Communications for the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School district in Northeast Ohio. As an IT director he has developed creative, well thought out solutions that positively impact teaching and learning.
DECLUTTERING: GET STARTED AND STAY MOTIVATED continued...
MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM
Once you’ve decluttered, keeping your space organized requires ongoing effort:
Adopt a “One In, One Out” Rule—When something new comes in, something old should go out.
Regularly Reassess Trouble Spots—Some areas, like kitchen counters or entryways, tend to accumulate clutter quickly. Make a habit of tidying these spots often.
Practice Mindful Shopping—Before buying something, ask yourself if you truly need it and where it will go in your home.
Use Storage Wisely—Baskets, bins, and shelves can help keep things organized, but be careful not to let storage solutions become an excuse for keeping unnecessary items.
THE REWARDS OF A CLUTTER-FREE LIFE
Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about improving your quality of life. A home free of unnecessary items is easier to clean, more enjoyable to live in, and can even improve your mental well-being. By taking small steps, staying motivated, and developing habits to maintain order, you can enjoy a clutter-free home that feels peaceful and inviting. More importantly, you’ll create a space that allows you to focus on the things that truly matter—family, relaxation, and making new memories, rather than managing old stuff.
DEAR TEACHER
– by Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts
Helping all parents make their children’s educational experience as successful as possible
THERE ARE BOTH GOOD AND BAD SIDES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Parents: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already a big part of your children’s lives and your lives, too. Basically, it can be described as any computer program that can do tasks that usually require human expertise or skill. The advent of AI has brought both incredible advancements and unforeseen challenges.
THE BENEFITS OF AI
First, let’s look at the real benefits of AI in education, and there are many:
Personalized Learning: content can be tailored to children’s needs whether they are struggling learners needing additional resources with simplified steps or advanced learners ready to skip ahead.
Increased student engagement: by increasing their interest in learning through games and providing realtime feedback to a lesson.
Support for Students with Disabilities: there is speech recognition for hearing disabled and real-time translation for non-English speakers.
THE DARK SIDE OF AI
It is absolutely essential that parents understand the potential risks that AI can pose for their children. We have found two websites that will help you have productive conversations with your children on the risks of their using certain artificial intelligence features. They are: commonsensemedia. org/ai and childrescusecoalition.org/ education.
AI Dangers Every Parent Should Know
1
. Social AI Companions
These products such as Nomi and Replika are designed to meet users’ (especially teenagers) social and emotional needs, offering companionship, empathy, and even romantic relationships. They use human-like features and attempt to sustain long-term “relationships” with users, mimicking the dynamic of human friendships. There is a real danger of their encouraging dangerous behavior (suicide, dropping out of school), avoidance of real-life relationships, and giving poor advice to those with mental health issues. No one under 18 should ever use them. They are, however, immensely popular and used by millions of children even some as young as 5.
2. AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
This refers to the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to create life-
like, but entirely fabricated, explicit content involving minors. These AI tools have an unsettling ability to create content that looks shockingly real, blurring the lines between what’s authentic and what’s not. It’s a disturbing reality that no longer does someone need a real nude or explicit photo of your child to exploit or threaten them—now they can create fake versions using publicly available photos from school or social media.
3. ChatGPT
This tool and alternatives like Perplexity, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot generate text. They can be used by students to write essays and reports and even answer college application questions or solve math problems. They respond to a question or command with information gathered from data found on the Internet. They do not cite sources and may have misinformation or biased results which students believe are accurate. There is also the fear that ChatGPT could lead to a decline in critical thinking skills because the students are not struggling through the material themselves.
While they can be helpful in explaining complex material or doing fun things like writing music, too often they are being used to do school assignments. For this reason, many schools are blocking them on schoolissued tablets and computers.
There is another very important reason for discussing the use of these tools. If children are using them to do schoolwork and are submitting them as their own work, it is plagiarism. It is not ethical and is cheating. Children need to understand this.
4. AI -Driven Online Grooming
Unlike traditional grooming, which relies solely on the instincts and tactics of the predator, AI-driven grooming uses advanced algorithms to identify and target potential victims more effectively. AI is used to analyze a child’s online activities, communication patterns, and personal informacontinued on page 36
tion, allowing predators to tailor their approaches to exploit a child over time.
5. What Can Parents Do: Tips for Combating AI Risks
In today’s tech-packed world, parents are facing a whole new set of challenges when it comes to keeping their kids safe online. These high-tech risks remind us that going online comes with very real risks, in addition to its inherent benefits. AI is becoming an increasingly normal part of our life—one that’s unavoidable, and thus, demands our attention.
Our kids are growing up in a world where tech can be used to deceive, groom, and put them at risk. Staying informed and taking practical steps to be the tech-savvy parents our kids need isn’t just a bonus; it’s a must in this digital age
TIPS FOR COMBATING AI RISKS:
Engage in Open Conversations: Initiate honest and open conversations with your children about their online activities. Encourage them to share their experiences, express concerns, and be aware of the potential risks associated with explicit content online.
Promote Online Skepticism: Instill a sense of skepticism in your children when it comes to online interactions. Encourage them to question the authenticity of messages, even if they appear to be from someone they know, and to seek verification.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries regarding the sharing of personal information and explicit content online. Encourage your children to think twice before posting or sharing anything that could potentially be misused.
Use Privacy Settings: Familiarize yourself and your children with privacy settings on social media platforms. Ensure that their profiles are set to private, limiting the exposure of personal information to a select audience.
Monitor Online Activities: Implement parental control software to monitor and restrict access to potentially harmful content. Regularly check your children’s online activities and engage in ongoing conversations about their digital experiences.
Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com and visit the dearteacher.com website to learn more about helping their children succeed in school.
Showcase your school, organization or education-related business to tens of thousands of WNY parents in this annual pull-out section. Editorial content focuses on various aspects of education in WNY, targeted to elementary grades and higher, including college.
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Space Reservation: Friday, November 10, 2025 Copy & Materials: Tuesday, November 14, 2025
A Guide For Teens: How to Exercise At The Gym
TWEENS & TEENS
—by Cheryl Maguire
My husband and I are fitness fanatics who exercise six days a week. When our twin 14-year-olds asked if they could join us at the gym, we were elated that they wanted to share our love of fitness and spend time with us.
But during our first workout they had lots of questions that we couldn’t answer, such as:
“Which machine should I use?”
“Should my target heart rate be the same as the one listed on the elliptical machine?”
“Is it okay if I lift weights with you?”
Even though we are well-versed in different types of exercise, all our knowledge was based on adult workouts. To find guidelines for teenagers, I turned to the experts.
BEFORE YOU WORKOUT
Prior to beginning a new fitness program, teens should have a physical with their primary care provider to assess their health and screen for any injuries or illnesses that might make training unsafe, says Dr. Teri Metcalf McCambridge, a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Towson Orthopaedic Associates in Baltimore.
After being cleared for participation, teens should learn how to properly use the machines and weights. Most gyms have personal trainers who offer a free session on how to use the equipment, and teens can also ask staff members for advice as questions arise. It is important that teens start out slowly with any routine or program to prevent injuries.
USING CARDIO EQUIPMENT
Most gyms offer a variety of cardio equipment, such as ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bicycles, but teens
should be supervised at first to make sure they use these safely. In her practice, McCambridge has seen injuries to patients from all of the following mishaps: riding a stationary bike extremely fast and then releasing one foot; running on a treadmill at top speed then falling off the back and hitting the wall; and running on a treadmill in bare feet and catching a toe under the belt. Teens, she says, should “wear shoes and use the equipment only to their level of ability.”
WHAT’S A GOOD WORKOUT?
Cardio equipment often has built-in heart-rate sensors. Many trainers recommend using the heart-rate monitor on machines to target an effort zone that will burn calories and strengthen the heart. But what’s an appropriate rate for teens? “Children’s maximal heart rates tend to be lower than adults,” says McCambridge. If your teen is interested in doing the calculations, there are guidelines from the National Council on Strength and Fitness: Under the age of 20, multiply age by .7, and then subtract that result from 208. (208 – (.7 x age))
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Encouragement and Positive Reinforcement through Dance to reach one’s personal best
CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO
But if you’d prefer to skip the math, there’s a simple guideline, says McCambridge: Children ages 6 to 17 should exercise for one hour every day.
STRENGTH TRAINING
In addition to using cardio equipment, teens can strength train using their own body weight, free weights, or weight machines. But they should use caution and avoid overdoing it, says Daryl Thayil, a personal trainer and content creator for the website Advanced Weightlifting.
“Make sure that they are training with proper form and appropriate weights,” says Thayil. “While their bodies are in rapid growth and the spine is maturing, improper technique can lead to significant injury.” That’s why Thayil recommends good coaching—whether it’s a trainer at the gym or even a strength coach through their school.
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
Most gyms offer a wide array of group fitness classes, and many gyms allow kids to start participating in these around age 13. Both Thayil and McCambridge recommend yoga as an addition to a teen’s fitness routine. “Yoga is a great option for group classes and teaches a different kind of strength and control than other fitness group classes,” says Thayil.
OTHER WAYS TO WORKOUT
The cost of gym memberships can vary depending on the area and options offered. Sometimes health insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for gym membership fees.
There are also free ways to have a gym workout without belonging to a gym such as:
• Some high schools have gym equipment available for free to residents after school hours.
• If you have a cable subscription, check out the OnDemand option for free workouts.
• Look in your local library or on YouTube for workout videos.
IT’S WORTH IT
Whichever way your family chooses to exercise, it’s worth pursuing an active life. Active teens “have demonstrated better performance in school, improved bone density, improved lipid profiles, improved self-esteem, and a decrease in high-risk behaviors,” says McCambridge. Plus, says Thayil, there’s the discipline and patience required, as well as proven reductions in anxiety and depression.
For our family, the best parts are seeing our twins get stronger both physically and mentally and having the chance for real conversations. Hey, the actual exchange of words may only be about their target heart rate, but the togetherness is enough to make our family trips to the gym our numberone priority.
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at X @CherylMaguire05
Specia l N eeds Insp ire
Getting Support When Your Child Has Special Health Care Needs
When most parents think of the juggling act of raising a family, they think of balancing soccer games with ballet practice and grocery shopping.
But if you’re a parent of a child who is sick or has a disability, your schedule likely also includes doctor’s visits, therapy sessions, and waiting for doctors and insurance companies to call you back.
What you need is help. But how can you get it? Here are ways to make things run more smoothly.
1. ACCEPT HELP FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
Everyone’s busy and that makes it hard to ask for or accept help. It may be hard to let the kids or a partner help because things may not be done the way you do them. Or maybe letting other people know you feel stressed is just not your style. After all, parents are expected to be good at multitasking and juggling everyone’s needs. But you’re not superhuman. Turning to others is a sign of strength, not weakness. Re-
charging your batteries once in a while can help you be a better parent, partner, and person. So go ahead and say “yes” to that friend or loved one.
2. BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED.
By letting people know about your situation, you’re allowing them to enter your world. When you say, “Going to the hospital by myself is hard,” you’re giving a friend a chance to say, “Let me come with you.” When you say it’s sometimes hard to get dinner on the table, your loved one knows that delivery of a warm meal will be greatly appreciated.
3. CREATE A LIST OF NEEDS.
How many times have you heard someone say, “Let me know if I can do anything.” And how many times have you said, “I will”—and then didn’t? People want to help but they don’t know how. Make a list of the things
that would make your life easier. Then, match the task with the friend who’d have the easiest time helping you out. Do you need help picking up your other kids from school? Ask a neighbor who’s already picking up their own kids. Ask grandparents and siblings to do things they enjoy, whether it’s watching your child to give you a break or cooking freezer-ready meals. Use social media to ease the burden of asking. Post your needs on your personal social media page or register on one of the many caregiver websites. These sites let you create a list of needs (for example, dinner twice a week, the lawn mowed weekly, a companion for hospital visits) so friends can sign up for tasks that best fit their skills and schedules.
4. ENLIST OTHER CAREGIVERS.
Parents of children with disabilities often feel that they’re the only ones who can handle their child’s care. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t
continued on page 40
get away for a few hours every now and then. By leaving your child with a trusted sitter or family member, you are teaching your child to handle change. Your child will develop the resilience and adaptability that every kid deserves to learn.
To ensure the person helping you is up to the task, consider caregiver training. Many hospitals and state social service agencies provide classes for siblings, parents, grandparents, teachers, and babysitters.
5. CONSIDER HOME HEALTH CARE.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of an in-home health aide or visiting nurse for a few hours a week if your child’s medical problems are chronic or severe. Call your benefits provider to see if you are eligible. Respite services also may be available for children with disabilities or developmental disorders, including autism. These services can include a caregiver coming to your home to give you a break for a few hours or overnight, or a drop-off program in the community.
6. TURN TO THE EXPERTS.
Talk to a social worker on your child’s care team. Social workers can tell you about local services and support in your area that can help take
Often what a caregiver needs most is to maintain contact with friends and family.
the burden off you (and your bank account). This includes respite care, government benefits, and financial support. Social workers also help with emotional support and can help you find ways to practice self-care. Family advocates, such as parent advocates at your local Family Voices chapter, can also tell you what resources are available.
7. HANG WITH A FRIEND.
Seeking help doesn’t always mean asking someone to do something. Often what a caregiver needs most is to maintain contact with friends and family. That can be hard when your kids need you close by. So ask a friend to come over after the kids go to bed. Talk over a pot of coffee, share a meal,
or watch a movie. Take time to connect and laugh with others and free yourself from your usual worries. Support groups, both online and in-person, can be helpful too.
The truth is that most people want to help. If you let your friends, family, and your care team know just what you need, they can help you carry the load—and that’s not just good for you, but for your whole family.
Information provided by Nemours Children’s Health through its awardwinning Nemours KidsHealth website. For more on this topic, visit KidsHealth.org. Reprinted following Guidelines.
17 Ways To Celebrate With The Family
November 11 is Veterans Day, a great moment to help kids learn about all the sacrifices that U.S. service members have made in the past and continue to make on behalf of the country. Here’s a list of 17 ways you can celebrate this important federal holiday together as a family.
1. Attend Veterans Day events like ceremonies or parades. Most cities and towns host gatherings that you can enjoy with the kids. You can find information about what’s happening near you by going to the websites of your local municipality and veterans groups.
2. Bring the kids to the nearest veterans memorial site or museum to experience and learn more specific historical events. The websites of The American Legion and The National Park Service have information about commemorative places across the country.
3. To make the celebration extra special this year, attend the National Veterans Day Ceremony at the Arling- ton National Cemetery in Virginia. Part of the ceremony is open to the public, and seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Other national celebrations include ceremonies in Washington, D.C. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial, and the National Veterans Day Parade which runs from 7th – 17th Street along Constitution Avenue.
5. Take the kids to your local veterans group to meet veterans. Few things bring history to life like talking to people who have actually experienced it. National organizations like American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars can guide you to their nearest local chapter.
—by Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
6. While you’re at it, why not bake some treats and write some thank-you cards that the kids can share with the veterans that they meet? If you want to reach even more veterans, prepare care packages to mail in advance of Veterans Day.
7. Donate money to organizations that send care packages to service members stationed overseas. Well-known organizations include Blue Star Moms, Operation Gratitude, Packages From Home, Soldiers Angels, and Support Our Troops.
8. For a more personal touch, ask these organizations for the names and mailing addresses of service members to whom you and the kids can mail thank-you cards directly. It’s a great family project which may lead to long-lasting pen pal relationships.
continued on page 42
9. Encourage the kids to get together with their friends to raise money for a local veterans group. Whether they’re running a lemonade stand or offer to rake your neighbor’s garden or wash their car, it’s a great way for the kids to get actively involved.
10. Visit injured veterans at the nearest veterans hospital. While general visitation (going from bed to bed) is often prohibited, you’re allowed to visit with patients who belong to the same religious group or community as your family.
11. Contact local assisted living facilities or nursing homes to see if they house any veterans who might welcome a visit. The visitation policies are likely to be less restrictive than at government-run veterans hospitals.
12. Go to the library and borrow books about Veterans Day to read to the kids. Some of the most well-known children’s books include The Poppy Lady by Barbara Walsh, The Wall by Eve Bunting, and Veterans Day: November 11 by Jacqueline Cotton.
13. Once you’ve finished a book about veterans, ask the
kids to write about what they’ve learned, including why it’s important to celebrate Veterans Day and by summarizing the lives and sacrifices of veterans they’ve read about.
14. Teach your kids how to write an acrostic poem about Veterans Day. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word when read vertically. Possible words include: Veteran, Sacrifice, Troops, or any other word that they can think of.
15. Make arts and crafts that celebrate veterans and their service like red-white-and-blue banners, flags, medals, and ribbons. Hang these decorations up in your living room, the outside of your home, the garden, etc.
16. Show the kids educational movies. One of the best ones is Veteran Children which is free to stream on PBS’s website. This 29-minutes-long documentary profiles the lives of various kids whose families serve in the military.
17. Honor veterans by flying the American flag and observing two minutes of silence. Every year, two minutes of silence are observed across the U.S. starting at 2:11 p.m. Eastern standard time. This commemorates the signing of the armistice that concluded World War I.
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
your
what would
is your favorite dessert? What is the funniest thing that has happened to you?
What qualities make a best friend?
If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
frozen Falls
partially frozen Falls. Mist forms glittering icicles and the thunder of the falls echoes in the cold, crisp air. There is something quite magical about the Falls in winter and the multi-colored lights adds to the scene. It has been called a frosty fairytale.
Travel Tip of the Month: The US dollar buys a lot more in Canada these days. As of press time a U.S. dollar is worth $1.39 Canadian. The tolls on area international bridges are cheaper for cars with EZPass transponders.
Canadians already celebrated their Thanksgiving last month on our Columbus Day, so if visiting on our Thanksgiving it will be a normal workday. Be sure you have required paperwork for crossing the border: passport or passport card, enhanced drivers’ license, or Nexus card. Children under 18 need a birth certificate or Nexus card.
In cases of divorce, if you share custody of the minor, carry a consent letter if the other parent is not with you or if you are not the parent or legal guardian. It is best to have the consent letter notarized. Border services officers are always looking for missing children and may ask questions about minors traveling with you.
For more information on the Niagara Falls, Canada region visit: niagarafallstourism.com or call 800-563-2557. For information on the Winter Festival of Lights visit: wfol.com or call 905-356-6061. For Niagara Parks visit: niagaraparks.com or call 877-642-7275.
Deborah Williams lives in Holland, NY and is a veteran travel writer whose work has appeared in national and international publications. She is the recipient of the Society of American Travel Writers’ Lowell Thomas Gold Travel Writing Award.
ChoicesWellness
Helping Your Child Adjust to Diabetes
When your child has diabetes, there’s a lot to talk about—especially at first.
All Feelings Are OK
It’s normal for someone who learns they have diabetes to have lots of different feelings.
Some kids are eager to express their feelings. Others may need encouragement to share what’s on their mind. Be available when your child wants to talk. Listen carefully to what they say. Reassure them that their feelings are OK.
Remind yourself and your child that diabetes is no one’s fault—there’s nothing you or your child did to cause it. Because of new treatments and technologies, kids with diabetes today can learn to manage their condition while doing all the things other kids do.
A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes can bring on feelings of shock, sadness, or anger. If you need help talking with your child about diabetes, reach out to the care team.
Give Your Child Support
Your child looks to you for care, comfort, and advice. They count on you to support them physically (like helping them through an insulin shot) and emotionally (like talking about the feelings that come with having a new and lasting condition).
To show your interest and support, start having open conversations soon after your child’s diagnosis. You’ll set a strong foundation for communicating about any challenges that could happen in the future.
Here are some ways you can talk about these issues:
Talk about daily care. If your child is upset about needing an insulin shot, you may say, “I know it’s scary—you’re so brave.”
Talk about emotions. You can ask, “What has it been like for you to have diabetes so far?” or “Is there anything you feel worried about?”
Your whole family can support your child too. When possible, include any siblings in meal planning and physical activities. A “team” approach will help the family make healthy choices together, and your child with diabetes won’t feel singled out.
Finally, help your child re-engage in all the activities they were doing before the diagnosis. This will help you both learn how to manage diabetes in different situations. It will also help your child learn that they can still do all their favorite things.
Tips to Help Your Child Adjust
Kids have different needs as they grow and change. Slowly, over time, you can help your child build the skills they’ll need
November is Diabetes Awareness Month!
to someday manage diabetes on their own. As you talk about diabetes, be honest and ready for questions.
Your words and actions matter. Use words that are right for your child’s age or developmental stage:
For infants and toddlers: Comfort your child with a gentle tone and calming words while you give shots or fingersticks. Soon these activities will become part of your child’s daily routine, like diaper changes or getting ready for a nap.
For preschoolers: Use simple words when explaining the daily care tasks you do, like giving a shot. When you can, give your child a sense of control. For example, let them choose where to get their insulin injection, which finger to use for a fingerstick, or where they want their continuous glucose monitor placed. Kids can learn a lot by watching their parents do daily tasks and helping with different parts of their own care. Participating now often makes it easier for kids to adjust to managing their care later on.
For kids in grade school through middle school: Encourage your child to take on more of their own diabetes
care with your support and supervision. Gradual moves are key. Start with one task, and slowly give your child more responsibility. Your diabetes health care team can also guide you on which tasks are appropriate for your child’s age.
For teens: Ask your teen what it’s like to have diabetes at school and around friends. Listen without judgment. At this age it’s important to fit in with peers, and some teens experiment with substances that could affect blood sugars. So this is a good time to talk about alcohol and drugs. Another topic to discuss is your level of involvement in your teen’s diabetes care. Talk about
how you can keep in touch with each other so you’re both satisfied. This may mean finding the right balance between your teen’s wish for independence and their willingness to let you provide guidance and support.
When questions come up, use the diabetes care team as a resource for support. They’re always ready to help.
Information provided by Nemours Children’s Health through its awardwinning Nemours KidsHealth website. For more on this topic, visit KidsHealth. org. Reprinted following Guidelines.
Creamy and Crunchy Desserts with Classic Pumpkin Flavor
(Family Features)
If there’s one food item that brings everyone together more than most during the holidays, it’s warm, delicious desserts. From classics like pumpkin pies and cookies to extravagant dishes like souffles, loved ones can savor the flavor of sweet treats at the dessert table all season long.
This much-loved version of Pumpkin Pie is a delicious take on a traditional dessert that’s perfect for any time of year. Even if you’ve never baked a pie, this easy rendition makes it a cinch to share with your nearest and dearest.
It’s made with Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin, which is more than just a seasonal product. You can enjoy it as a go-to for smooth, pure pumpkin in baked goods, chilis, savory dishes or morning smoothies as a wholesome boost full of earthy pumpkin flavor.
made), at room temperature
3 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant
100% Pure Pumpkin
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Roll out dough to 2 inches larger than pie dish. Gently press dough into dish until it lines bottom and sides. Trim dough to within 1/2 inch of dish edge. Fold edges underneath themselves, creating thick 1/4-inch border. Crimp edges with fingers. Refrigerate. Preheat oven to 375º F.
Or you can celebrate its deliciousness in these coffee house-style Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Cookies. Featuring a rich, buttery flavor, these pumpkin cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar, bake up soft, and boast a sweet, crunchy exterior that’s perfect for those who love pumpkin spice.
Find more inspiration for holiday baking and beyond by visiting greengiantvegetables.com.
Pumpkin Pie
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 50-55 minutes
Servings: 8
1 pie crust (store-bought or home-
In large bowl, whisk eggs and sugars until smooth. Add pumpkin, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Stir until well blended. Slowly pour filling into pie shell. Cover edges with thin strips of aluminum foil. Bake 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 70 minutes
Yield: 48-50 cookies
1 cup unsalted butter
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups brown sugar
1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant
100% Pure Pumpkin
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 egg yolks
For Rolling:
2 tablespoons cane sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
In small saute pan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir regularly until butter turns deep golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Pour browned butter into heat-safe bowl or measuring cup and refrigerate until cooled, but not solid, about 15 minutes.
In large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
In separate medium mixing bowl, stir browned butter and brown sugar. Whisk in pumpkin and vanilla extract followed by eggs and egg yolks. Gradually mix wet ingredients into dry until evenly mixed. Refrigerate dough 30 minutes.
Form dough into four separate logs 2-3 inches in diameter and about 7 inches long. Wrap each cookie dough log with plastic wrap. Freeze dough 30 minutes, or until ready to bake.
For rolling: Preheat oven to 350º F and line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir sugars and cinnamon on large plate. Unwrap desired amount of dough (thaw slightly at room temperature if dough is completely frozen) and roll each log in sugar mixture. Slice into 1/2-inch slices. Place on baking sheet 3 inches apart.
Bake 14-15 minutes. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.
Cool cookies at room temperature on baking sheet 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack and cooling 10 minutes.
THE KIDDIE GOUR ME T
Over 35 years ago, Western New York Family Magazine was launched as Mother’s Lifeline under the direction of Michele Miller. My first column featured my son Brad as a young boy and my daughter Trina as the original kids; today they are in their early 50s. The original concept was to use a printed kids’ menu. That still holds true today.
— by Barbara Blackburn
Amherst Pizza and Ale House
Crosspoint Pkwy
Getzville, NY 14068
716-625-7100
Amherstpizzaandalehouse.com
This month, Dad (now Grandpa) and Mom (now Grandma) visited Amherst Pizza and Ale House in Getzville, and with us was our “original kid,” son Brad. We all specialized in pizza. When Dad mentioned to the waitress we liked a lot of onions on our pizza, she kindly brought us our ordered white pizza ($24.50 medium) with plenteous onions and loads of cheese. Dad always appreciates a very cheesy pizza. Mom—that’s me— is a Goldilocks when it comes to pizza crust. I prefer not too thick and not too thin—just right. This crust met my preferences. We all enjoyed the pizza. If you want another signature item, you best order the Stuffed Banana Pepper pizza which, incidentally, is one of the signature award winning creations with garlic spread, a layer of banana pepper sausage stuffing, tomatoes, mozzarella & hand sliced banana peppers ($24.50/$37.00). If your preference is Stuffed Banana Peppers ($14.00), order them stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and cheese. Warning—it could be very hot. A bountiful and healthy salad accompanied the pizza, making an entree of both quality and quantity. It appears that a lot of other people were enjoying their pizza because the place was packed. People were of all sizes and ages, more teens than tots.
fries loaded with cheese and pepperoni. We all enjoyed it. The “original kid” thought it needed more flavor. But, judging from the fact that he ate more than anyone else, he enjoyed them.
By far, this was one of the best selection of brews I witnessed: our choices were Spatzen Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen, Maple Warlock, and spicy Pumpkinhead Ale. If you desire a spirit flavored burger, there is the Crown Royal BBQ Burger with famous bbq sauce, onion ring and cheddar cheese. You should know that burgers are served with chips and dill pickle on a wheat or white Kaiser roll, and may be topped with lettuce and onion.
Our Little Friends probably won’t order any peppers, so you won’t find them on the kids’ menu. All the items come with a small drink except for the traditional style Mac & Cheese. What you will find is Kids’ personal size Pizza with one topping; Kids’ one half Grilled Cheese on sourdough with fries; Kids 4-ounce Cheeseburger with fries, and Mac & Cheese traditional style. What an adorable kids’ menu! It has a friendly looking buffalo, a cute monkey, a pensive owl, with tic-tac-toe and a word search. Crayons in a cup are complimentary.
To select dessert, check the special menu. You won’t be disappointed if you order the New York style Hot Fudge Cheesecake, with a chocolate cookie crust, oozing with a fudge sauce. Desserts are all $8.00.
After studying this intensive menu, let me quote the Campbell kids, “M’m! M’m! Good!”
As for me, I ordered one of the award-winning specialties—pizza fries ($16.99). That translates into regular
Barb has been happily doing the Kiddie Gourmet for over 35 years. She has two aging children and four grandchildren, all living in Florida.
