Come join the Centennial parade!

Come show your support for Oneonta World of Learning (OWL), by marching in the parade. Some parents are decorating their kids' wagons and bicycles, and a few people will be needed to help carry signs, but most of all, it would be great to muster as much support as we can for this event.

The parade is Saturday October 4th at 4:30pm. However, they are asking participants to gather with their floats inside Neahwa Park between 3 and 4 pm to give them time to line us up. Non-parade vehicles are asked to park outside the park. We are in section 2, number 23, between The Reminiscers Car Club and the Red Cross (look for the giant owl). The Centennial Website has more info, including where to view the parade on TV.

Knight of Dreams offers matinee

From the Mask and Hammer board:
"...due to increased interest, [the matinee Friday Oct 3 at 10:30am] is now open to the public, as long as they are aware that a large portion of the audience is made up by 3-6 year olds. Tickets are free for children 7 and under, and $3 for all others. You can reserve tickets by calling the box office at 436-3100."
"A Knight of Dreams" is performance of 2 one-act plays suitable for children. Run time of the show is about one hour. Regularly scheduled performances are October 1-4 at 8 pm.

Tune in tonight!

Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) representatives are scheduled to be interviewed on WISF "News Fifteen" Channel 27 Time Warner, Monday Sept 29 between 7 and 8pm.

A peek at the OWL:

Thanks to all of the many helpers who volunteered time and brought materials this week to bring our owl to life.

Happy birthday--home alone...

It came on suddenly. My almost-two-year old was happy and playful when we left home, but on arrival at a friend's house, he refused to play, didn't want snacks and wouldn't leave mommy's side. Within an hour, he was running a fever. The next day, he was fine again, but big brother began to run an even higher fever... following a throat swab, the pediatrician proclaimed that the boys were contagious--a viral illness for which time is the only treatment. So much for our boy's big second birthday party!!!

So just how do you decide when to keep your kids under quarantine? With cold symptoms, "If there's no fever, it's generally OK to send the child to school," according to an article on WebMD. (I really should have taken the kids right back home.)

However, if there is a bad cough, severe sore throat, diarrhea or vomiting, keep your child at home. He or she may need to see the doctor. With an earache, your child may not need to stay home, but should definitely be evaluated by a pediatrician. Keep kids with pink eye home (please!). But if your child has a rash, only a doctor can determine if it is caused by something contagious.

When in doubt, call your pediatrician. Mine told me to offer lots of fluids and maybe an icy pop in addition to the fever reducing medicine that was recommended. The only remaining question was entirely up to me. Do sick kids get to watch cartoons?

Local weekend activities:

This weekend, Orpheus Theater's "A Chorus Line" opens, with shows Friday Sept 26 and Sat Sept 27 at 8pm, and Sun Sept 28 at 2pm. Be advised that there is some adult content: Orpheus Theatre.

Sat Sep 27 at 7 p.m, enjoy the Catskills Folk Connection square dance and instruction with live music by Hilt Kelly and the Sidekicks, in Davenport at the Pine Lake Environmental Campus (info: 326-7908).

Also Sat, from 2-4 pm at the Sidney Library, there will be a play reading: "Swimming With Esther"A modern-day aquatic fairy tale" (info: Sidney Library Newsletter.)

Sat from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. there will be a pancake breakfast with live music by The Hot Pots at 11am, in Stamford at the First Presbyterian Church, Main Street. Stamford also hosts the Scarecrow Festival throughout the village from 10am - 4pm.

The Leatherstocking Railway will be busy all day Sat with a 1 p.m. Train Robbery and Fall Foliage Train and an Oktoberfest Train at 6pm. Info: 432-2429.

Sue Priest is teaching a children's art class at 10:30 am Sat in Delhi at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Let's not forget Saturday's 15th FAM 5K Fund run/walk at 10 am at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds, featuring live entertainment and Brooks' barbecue. (info: 800-932-3271 or FAM5K.com)

Sat 8 a.m. - 7 p.m, Christ Church in Gilbertsville hosts the fifth annual Apple Fest, featuring an 'Apple Fun Run,' baked goods, crafts, cider, white elephant sale, lunch and dinner. For info, dinner reservations: 783-2232.

The Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherberne is offering a 10 am Fall wildflower walk on Saturday, info: 674-4017 , (meet in parking lot to travel to Cush Hill.)


Sun Sep 28, Cherry Valley has a Carnival (games, hot dogs and popcorn), at the United Methodist Church.


Looking ahead to next Wednesday:

Wed Oct 1 from 9 - 11 a.m. the Butternut Valley Play-Group is having "Morning Out" at the Morris Village Library.

The suco college camp observatory, run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is offering a public observing opportunity Wed at 8pm. The program begins with a film.

Especially for kids: SUCO's Mask and Hammer theater group is putting on "A Knight of Dreams"--a performance of 2 one-act plays, including "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Maker of Dreams" The performances begin Wed Oct 1, running Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat at 8 pm (but not until NEXT WEEK). The show lasts about an hour. For Info call the box office at 436-3100 between the hours of 12-4 or email maskNhammer@yahoo.com.

A big thank you to our volunteer grandmothers!!!

It was my distinct pleasure to sit down this afternoon with four local grandmothers (and one great-aunt) and talk about the needs of this community. These grandparents are doing everything under the sun with their grandchildren, including play doh, cooking, sewing, baking, painting, gardening, tea parties, dress up, and in the words of one enthusiastic grandparent "doing a lot of clapping!" Some even mentioned making snow-angels and ski-jumping on the wii.

They expressed concerns about the intense schedules children keep these days, while noting a lack of activities for children too young for kindergarten. They hope for more kid-friendly cultural events in the area and more opportunities for kids to make cross-cultural connections. Also on the wish-list: a clean, safe place to have playdates outside of private homes (and not associated with fast food).

Most of all, there was a great sense of joy in the room. Thanks again, ladies, for a wonderful afternoon.

Finding your roots

I still remember the distinct taste of my grandmother's bread, a strong sour-dough flavor from small white loaves, sliced thin and served un-toasted with butter. The daughter of pioneers, she sewed her own clothes, ladled ice cold, delicious water from a tin water cooler, and suffered the grief of lost children that was all too common in her day. A favorite family photograph shows grandma on the porch, plucking a chicken. Considering what her life was like, it seems selfish for me to complain about a recession... we have two cars, tv, internet, and fresh fruit on the table. And I never pluck my own chickens (ew!)

The New York State Room at the Huntington Memorial Library is a great place to get started doing your own family research. Those of you with local roots may also want to contact your local historical society, such as the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. While no one is able to do the research for you (for free anyway) you will be surprised at just how helpful (and enthusiastic!) people can be.

The Delaware County Historical Association has rediscovered the cemetery of the Bennett family, the first African-American family to settle in Delaware County. Descendants of the family are returning to Delhi to tour an exhibit at the DCHA museum as well as the cemetery at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi. The public has been invited to attend (Info: 746-3849).

Sat and Sun, Sept 27-28th is also Generations Weekend at Maple Shade Farm, featuring "antique farm equipment, a cider press, horse and wagon rides, a pie sale and a country auction," according to the Daily Star. So the kids can have some fun in addition to taking a walk in the woods.

I once blogged about my son's favorite tree, mysteriously named Barry Sideman (never just Barry). I wonder, did the Sideman's settle Otsego County long ago??? Perhaps I'll see you at the library.

The OWL cometh...

It may not look like much now, but hopefully, we will soon have a giant paper mache owl to use in the Centennial Parade October 4th in Oneonta!!! The owl has been incorporated into the Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) logo designs, and was proposed by Kiersten Jennings of Oneonta.

Bats!

Bats are wonderful animals, eating up to 2,000 mosquito-sized insects each night (my kind of animal!) They use echolocation to see where they are going and actually nurse their young while hanging upside down. Even their poop (respectfully called guano) is treasured as manure and harvested for it's unique enzymes and bacteria. Best of all they don't bother humans very often, so you can enjoy all the benefits of having bats live nearby but rarely, if ever, see them. For a great video on bats and a multitude of fun facts, visit Kidz Cave.

That said, if you ever do come into contact with a bat, wake up with a bat in your room, or discover a bat in the same room with a young child, capture the bat and call the county health department. Exposed pets, even if vaccinated, will need a booster shot. The Daily Star reported Friday on a recent rabies case in our area.

Still interested in helping to restore declining bat populations and eliminate a lot of mosquitos? NY Conservationist will tell you everything you need to know about building a bat house on your property. I plan to put mine on the BACK of our property, once the kids are a little older.

The weekend approaches

There are so many local festivals scheduled for this weekend, that there is sure to be a venue near you.

Fri Sep 19 at 7:30 p.m, the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society presents 'Wetland Residents: From Beavers and Birds to Dragonflies,' at the Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Info: eleanor@dmcom.net.

Sat Sep 20 8 a.m, The American Kennel Club brings Responsible Dog Ownership Day to Neahwa Park, in Oneonta. Info: 965-9863.

Also Sat, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m, don't miss Applefest in Oneonta at the First United Presbyterian Church (Main Street and Walling Avenue). There will be Brooks' chicken, lawn sale, crafts, baked goods and homemade candied apples. For info: 432-7520.

The Annual Duck Derby and Family Festival, Sat 12 p.m. - 4 p.m at Fortin Park, Oneonta, will be especially fun for kids. For info: www.springbrookny.org.

If you're near Worcester, the Free Library is having a Summer reading program closing event Sat at 10:30 am, featuring 'Bugs, Frogs and Fun,' presented by Skip West.

Milford will be hosting the Susquehanna Valley Garlic Festival from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat, with Wood Bull Antiques, local garlic growers, products, lectures, demonstrations, food, music and children's activities. Details: 638-9016.

Sat and Sun Sep 20 – 21, Applefest at the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard includes plenty of apple and cider sampling, a large display of antique tractors, a variety of children’s games, a dunking booth, inflatables, and live musical entertainment. There will be a daily build-your-own scarecrow contest. Info: http://www.flycreekcidermill.com/.

Fri , Sat, Sep 19 - 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., enjoy FoxCare's popular Fall Craft Fair (which always brings back memories of my hometown, somehow). Along Rt 7, Oneonta.

Looking ahead: Anyone interested in a little amateur astronomy? Wed, Sep 24, 8pm – 9pm, SUCO's Obeservatory at the college camp hosts a program that begins with a film at 8:00 p.m. See http://www.oneonta.edu/oas/collegecamp/observatory.asp for info.

Mark your calendars--

SUCO's Mask and Hammer theater group is putting on "A Knight of Dreams"--a performance of two one-act plays suitable for children. One is "The Ugly Duckling" by A.A. Milne and the other is "The Maker of Dreams" (directed by one of OWL's own volunteer face painters!) The performances are October 1-4 at 8 pm. The directors are exploring whether or not an earlier performance can be scheduled.

For Info call the box office at 436-3100 between the hours of 12-4 or email maskNhammer@yahoo.com. Total run time for the show is about one hour.

Can't wait!

Here's a hot topic:

Since its ADHD month, we might as well talk about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Back when this was all new, a close relative of mine was diagnosed with ADD and given (gasp) medication to control it. As far as I know, he’s still on the medication today, but we are all incredibly proud him—now an infantryman stationed in Iraq with a young child of his own at home.

There is an awful lot of blame, shame, and anger surrounding any ADHD diagnosis. Complete strangers offer parents a lot of well meaning (yet somehow critical) advice. Some lash out at teachers, others blame a lack of recess or too much TV, while many point to artificial food coloring and vitamin deficiencies or even suggest that kids themselves are manipulating their parents. For anyone dealing with such a diagnosis, remember this bit of advice from the National Institute of Mental Health: “you are your child’s best advocate.”

NIMH gives some simple suggestions to help ADHD children cope:

• Post your daily routine with set times for homework, indoor and outdoor play.
• Organize everyday items and have "a place for everything and keep everything in its place”--must be good advice because my mother also said it!
• Stress the use of homework organizers to write down assignments.
• Keep rules consistent and simple.
• Look for reasons to praise the ADHD child, who may receive a lot of criticism.

Thanks for a great day!

We knew we'd meet some great people and enjoy ourselves, but I think I can speak for all of the many volunteers when I say that we were overwhelmed by the positive response we received today during the Grand and Glorious Garage Sale. So many people signed the petition of support for OWL that we nearly ran out of signature sheets.

Thanks to everyone who baked food and donated items for the raffle baskets. I'd especially like to thank those who shared their time manning the booth, playing games with the kids and painting faces!!!

An apple a day

The apple harvest in NY is smaller this year than average (maybe those late spring frosts killed off some of the flowers?) However, there are more apples on my ages old apple trees than we'll ever eat. The mystery varieties that came with our property aren't as beautiful as Red Delicious, as sweet as Golden Delicious, or tart in quite the same way as the famous Granny Smith apple. They are awesome for making pies and fun to pick (or dodge after shaking the tree), and now and then you'll see a ground hog posing out back while nibbling on one.

There is no end to the fun you can have with apples. Family Fun suggests carving faces in them, drying them in an oven on low for three hours, then adding raisins and rice for eyes and teeth--wonderful little shrunken heads for Halloween.

Younger kids might be successful making apple stamps (also from Family Fun): Cut an apple in half, pop out the seeds with a toothpick, blot the cut surface dry using a paper towel, then brush it with white acrylic paint. Add a line of green or red paint around the edge and stamp away.

According to Wikipedia, the real Johnny Appleseed did not spread apple seeds randomly, everywhere he went. Instead he planted nurseries, fenced them in, and left them in the care of a neighbor who would sell trees on shares. Although the estate he left to his sister on his death was worth millions of dollars, he in fact lived off the land, gave away most of his clothes and never collected on debts that went unpaid.

Also according to Wikepedia: Apple seeds do not actually grow into the same type of apple tree they came from. In fact, if you plant an apple seed (which will have a combination of genes from each of it's parent trees) you will rarely get a plant which is of any use at all (except maybe shade?) Instead, stems from a desirable plant are grafted onto other trees (there is a very careful process of cutting off the stems, slipping the end under the bark of another tree, then wrapping it up with string and glue.)

I may just try planting the seeds from one of my all-time favorite apples ever anyway. What I would give to have a Pink Lady apple tree in my yard!!!

It's Thursday again...

...time to plan your weekend, of course!

Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) is making its grand public debut at the Grand and Glorious Yardsale!!! Look for us on Main Street in Oneonta between 8am and 4pm on Saturday, Sept 15. At our table there will be face painting, baked goods, carnival style games (everyone wins!) and kid's raffle baskets. The Oneonta Farmer's Market (9am-2pm, also on Main Street) has planned a special scavenger hunt. Additionally, there will be food, crafts, garage-sale items and more all along main street.

Ommefest: Sat Sept 13, 12 pm - 5 pm, is a toast to the harvest season with fermented food, local beer and other locally grown foods. Entertainment includes old timey music, apple bobbing and stilt walking. Food and drink will be available from a variety of local sources.

Sat and Sun, Sep 13-14, St. Mary's School on Route 7 in Oneonta presents Fall Family Festival: Continuous live entertainment, exciting games, great food, pie baking contest, giant inflatables, art center, face painting, harvest treasures and much much more. More info .

Also Sat and Sun, from 10am-4pm, the town of Sharon Springs hosts its eighth annual Garlic Festival. There will be artisans, food, live music, historical displays, garlic (I presume) and more. More info..

Cruise-In For Kids car show, Sunday Sep 14 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m, at Borst Field in Schenevus is presented by Schenevus Valley Lodge #592 to benefit local youth programs and features a pork dinner, cars, vendors, DJ music and more. Info: 638-6033.

I've been doing everything wrong!!!

In Jane Nelsen's article, Eighteen Ways to Avoid Power Struggles, she describes the 'positive time out,' a nurturing (not punitive) area you and your child go to together. By the way, no child under 3 1/2 is ready for such a place... (oops). "Punishment decreases brain development. Children are often punished for doing what they are developmentally programmed to do -- explore." Instead, I'm supposed to be using distraction and a lot of supervision with my young children.

So are they developmentally programmed to grab both of my legs and sit on my feet while I try to cook dinner or start screaming whenever I pick up the phone??? This nurturing place puts me in mind of Adam Sandler's movie, Happy Gilmore, in which a golfer struggling with uncontrollable rage is told to go to his 'happy place.'

That said, I did try some of the techniques listed on the website during last night's evening meal melt-down. Asking for a hug (because I needed one so much) worked surprisingly well. So did reading a story. Luckily, my mother in law was doing the cooking, so I didn't have to worry about anything getting burned.

Rain, rain, go away...

The state song of Wyoming is "Home, home on the range." Growing up there, I never thought much about the last line of that song, "and the skies are not cloudy all day." In the summer, rain would fall for about 15 minutes, then three weeks might pass before my sister and I saw another drop. Anytime it rained longer than 15 minutes, the air would cool off beautifully and we would usually run right out and play in the rain--rain was so rare, it was a treat.

Needless to say, our 'rainy-day' activity book was pulled out often out of boredom, but not once because of rain! The weather in upstate New York is just a little different... and the grass is greener too (by a long shot).

An all-time favorite rainy-day activity: making forts!

Meet OWL!!!

Oneonta World of Learning is making its public debut at the Grand and Glorious Yard Sale! There will be face painting, baked goods, raffle baskets, and every-one wins carnival games.

We are looking for volunteers to spend about an hour and a half at our table taking signatures and doing activities with the kids, as well as to provide baked goods for sale. Call 607-847-9884 or email me at WorldOfLearning@live.com and join us on Main Street in Oneonta Saturday September 13th between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Ready for the weekend?

We are! The first full week back to college/work/daycare/swim lessons has worn us out, every one of us. What does the weekend hold in store?

Tonight, Thurs Sep 4th from 3pm to 7pm: Morris Farmers' Market in Morris at village park on Main Street near the fire hall. Info: 263-2618.

Fri Sep 5th: Coyote Howl at the Landis Arboretum, 8:30 pm-10:00 pm, in Esperance. Call (518) 675-6935 or visit Landis Arboretum.

Sat Sep 6th 11am - 5pm: 13th Annual Central New York Stock Car Reunion & Hall of Fame, Otsego County Fairgrounds in Morris, NY. Info: Race Report 2008

Also Sat: Responsible Dog Ownership Day at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, Norwich. Info: Kennel club

Sat and Sun Sept 6-7: The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival brings so many great attractions to Norwich, that I can't list them all. There are main stage performers, a children's stage, free children's activities, face painting, (free) nature-related activities, glitter goo and tie-dye for kids, (free) mask making, children's talent shows and more: Main street, West Park, and East Park locations in Norwich. Website: Colorscape.

Sun Sep 7th 2-5pm: Glimmerglass bike event includes a 15 mile ride followed by ice cream social. Registration: 547-9355 or 547-8662 and details : Park info

And of course, Sun 7-9pm: Ice cream social at the Maywood Historical Depot in Sidney Center.

Making the case

When my mother (born 1931) graduated from high school, they offered her a teaching job right away--in the same school system she had just left. Rebel that she was, she went to college (a fact which has always made me proud). How times have changed!

Today, children are expected to learn more earlier (and their teachers are expected to teach it). I learned to tie my shoes in first grade--my son will need to know how to do it before he gets to kindergarten. Meanwhile, algebra has crept slowly from being a high school requirement to hitting desks somewhere around the end of grade school.

Kids are capable of more, and I certainly wouldn't want to dumb down the school system, but let's not forget that children aren't maturing emotionally any faster today. They are certainly exposed to more grown up ideas through television and the internet, but deep down, kids are kids.

Of course, that's where a good children's museum comes in (like Oneonta World of Learning will be): they provide a safe place for kids to be kids. A place to play! Play has been linked to foundational skills such as memory, self control, language, and more. Without an agenda or schedule, children can think for themselves--what an important skill to master!

I hope I've made my case: that children's museums provide a place for kids to just be kids in a world that wants them to be everything but.

Many thanks to the Association of Children's Museums, which expresses that children's museums not only battle the 'compression of childhood,' but also help combat scarce family time, a lost sense of community, and diminishing community resources--more on those later!

Oneonta Centennial Balloon Festival

Feeback from one spectator at last weekend's event:

"It was pretty cool once the balloons went up. Nothing happened for a long time and no one knew what was going on. Turns out [the hot air balloons] could not take off because of a slight breeze in an unfavorable direction ... Eventually I found out that they planned to inflate briefly before sunset. I took the girls and just walked right up to the basket and looked inside the balloon ... [My three year old] was frightened by the noise, but eventually calmed and otherwise both girls seemed to enjoy the show (as well as the opportunity to stay up after bedtime.) [My chemist husband] was so excited and inspired by the event that he plans to do some sort of laboratory experiment to calculate the heat needed to set a balloon afloat!"

"The Taste of Oneonta event was good barring a few glitches, such as food running out! Actually, they opened the Red Caboose, which I think was a highlight and the balloons were awesome."