Start your weekend early

with the county fair and a concert in the park--there's no reason to wait. Events this week:

Starting Tues (July 29 - Aug 3), Otsego County Fair, in Morris. Free after admission to the fair: Buffalo Barfield Entertainment, Frog Bog Island Show, Racing Pigs, Petting Zoo, Critter Crossings, Horse Demos and more. Pay-one-price carnival rides Wed 5-10 PM and Thurs noon-5 PM.

Thurs in Neahwa Park (7PM): Lucia and Levi jazz-blues-rock-reggae-standards...!

Sat in Neahwa Park is the 51st annual fishing derby (which my husband won years ago) for kids ages 5 through 15. Preregister with the Oneonta Rec Dept (although the form wasn't yet posted when this blog published). More info: 432-0680 (further details posted in the Family Fun Calendar at the very bottom of this blog).

Also Sat, 10am to 4pm on Main Street in Oneonta, is the City of the Hills juried art exhibition and sale, featuring artist demonstrations and workshops, musical performances and an awards ceremony.

Sat and sun, Aug 2 – 3, Main Street, Delhi, two days of visual and literary art, food and music to stimulate and revitalize the spirit with activities for the whole family: Art and Soul of the Catskills.

Sun, Aug 3 at noon in Franklin, Jazz singer Hilary Kole with pianist Ted Firth, $15 (lunch included). Call or email Rob Hunt 431-4765, wbrown2@frontiernet.net for location. Hilary Kole

Also Sunday, 7 p.m. - 9 pm, Ice cream social in Sidney Center at the Maywood Historical Depot, featuring social time and dessert.

Looking ahead: Wed Aug 9th, 7pm at the the Foothills, the final round of the Ultimate Idol contest will feature some truly talented and entertaining performers.

Raising Confident Boys

Here's a parenting book I actually read all the way through (generally I lose interest around page 2)--Raising Confident Boys: 100 Tips for Parents and Teachers, by Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer. What I loved: you can read a quick section and apply what you've learned immediately. Why I'll read it again: just when I get comfortable, the boys grow up a little and everything changes. But the common sense approaches in this book apply to any age.

There is also a girl's version. more

According to a National Post article, changes in our society, standardized tests, the new toy market, and over-protective parenting are "threatening outdoor and make-believe play."

Seemingly harmless online pet-ownership games are described as "immersive advertizing." The latest toys (even legos!) are accused of being too specific, leaving little for kids to imagine. Classrooms are filled with drills, rather than higher level learning. Everyone, it seems, is stifling natural play, including worried parents and daycare centers.

These issues have decreased children's freedom for imaginative play in which "A park bench can become a doctor's office one moment and a hospital bed the next, or a grocery store five minutes later" which develops "very abstract, very high-order thinking."

I can limit TV and computer time and public school is still a distant worry, but as a parent who just spent an evening at the ER, I'm unsure just how protective I should be. Shouldn't jumping in puddles be a natural right of childhood? Well, not on a basketball court that can be slippery (seems obvious now). Luckily, no head injuries this time.

In favor of play

It might seem like the hours children spend playing are wasted hours, that maybe they could be learning things instead. Think again! Play is actually how children learn. And for a young child, hands-on, first person experiences are the only way they can learn, because words alone do not have that much meaning for them. Come to think of it, I'm an adult, and I still learn best by getting involved in a project and doing things myself.

In spite of mounting evidence that play is critical for children's intellectual development, kids today spend less time playing than they did twenty years ago, according to a 2004 study. Local school systems have been forced to compromise between playtime and study time, while at home, children are spending more time watching TV and playing video games. But there are ways to foster parent-child interaction, empower children's natural problem solving abilities and bring the focus of childhood back to playtime--the time experts say is critical for children's growth. Children's museums all over the country are doing just that. Why play is so important

For the birds

Are there fallen tree limbs in your yard from the thunderstorms that dotted our area in the past few days? Don't haul them to the curb! Make a brush pile and double the number of birds at your bird feeder this winter--and all year round. If you plant a flowering vine or two nearby, the mess of brush will turn into a beatiful flowering bird hostel. More tips here (including a primer on hand feeding wild birds.)

Here's a quick and easy craft for the kids (messy though): Mix together 1/2 cup shortening, 1 1/2 cups uncooked oatmeal and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds. Tie a string to a pine cone (or card board tube) and coat the pine cone with the mixture. Then roll it in seeds. Hang your new birdfeeder outside and in a few days, the birds will surely find it. (From Hi 5 magazine).

That time again!

Tonight, Wed July 23, at 7pm there will be quite a show at the Foothills performing arts center (free)--two weeks ago I was amazed by the talent we saw in the karaoke contest and half of the singers have since been eliminated from the competition. The contest is in the tent behind the center and it's fairly kid-friendly, although there was a definite "drinking" atmosphere.

There will be storytelling tonight at Gilbert Lake State Park, 7pm, call 432-0562 or 432-2114 for info.

And let's not forget that the Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival begins tonight at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, and continues through Sunday. Ticket prices and info

Thursday July 24th in Neahwa park (rain or shine) George Kilby Jr and the Road Dogs will be showcasing their unique sound of blues/country with a cutting edge.

At 6:30 pm Animal Tales live falcon show in Otego at the Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main St. For info: 988-6661.

Friday July 25th Cruise-In on Main Street Oneonta is back: Classic cars, antique cars, hotrods and streetrods. For info: 434.6755 or Main Street Oneonta.

Saturday July 26th Al Gallodoro, "The Greatest Saxophone Player Who Ever Lived"
at the Sego Cafe. 8pm-11pm.

Sunday Jul 27 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Ice cream social in Sidney Center at the Maywood Historical Depot, featuring social time and dessert.

The who-what-where-when and why of it all

For a few years now, a small but growing coalition of parents, artists, educators and other local professionals have been working to create an interactive and engaging environment for play and exploration in Oneonta--what professionals in the field would call a children's museum, although you might be more familiar with words like discovery center.

Potential exhibits are endless and include Susquehanna Splash, for ecologically themed water play, and Creativity Junction, for fantasy play based within Oneonta's railroad history. Preliminary studies now in progress will estimate budget and facility requirements, but similar venues in comparable cities range in size from 2,000 to 20,000 square feet. We hope to open as early as 2011.

The research is clear: children develop creativity and problem solving skills best through guided play, which simply means that a minimum of inspiration, ideas, or parameters are provided to engage children's interest in an activity. Yet playtime has taken a back seat at home and in school for many children.

The children's museum, which has not yet been named, will help build generations of creative, confident and caring members of society. Local educational programs will benefit from programs that complement as well as provide alternatives to their curriculum, and small businesses will grow as visitors and residents find new reasons to rediscover the wonderful community we call home.

To learn more, email Amy.

Electronic privacy--for kids?

With some simple spy ware, you can monitor each website they view, read their instant messages, see what they watched on TV, even put restrictions on incoming and outgoing calls! Now, GPS devices hidden in backpacks or cell phones allow parents to track their very movements. Parenting gone overboard?

I might have thought so, until a friend's teen-age daughter was caught leaving the house to meet up with some 'boys' she had met online--alone, at night... imagine her parents' distress! All text messages were quickly deleted before her parents could see them, and we will never know exactly whom she would have met that night.

While my instinct is to give my children the privacy I cherished as a child, there are clearly some limitations required in the electronic age. Explore more viewpoints at The Responsibility Project .

Enjoy Life

The Kelly Miller Circus last weekend in Norwich was such a hit with the whole family. My new resolution: don't be afraid to live in the moment and let yourself be amazed.

Your weekend planner

As promised, here is a summary of near-by, affordable, family-friendly events for the upcoming weekend:

Thurs July 17th don't miss Al Gallodoro, the legendary master of the saxaphone, 7 p.m. in Neahwa Park, rain or shine.

Sat July 19: Trolley Tour of Oneonta Railroad History. Call 432.0960 or go to Greater Oneonta Historical Society.

Also on Sat: Sidewalk Sale Festival: live music, games for kids, face painting, crafts, taekwon-do demos and more! Call 434.6755 or go to Main Street Oneonta. Also enjoy Grill Day at the Oneonta Farmer's Market 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free burger and veggie samples hot-off-the-grill and great recipes for summer BBQs. If you missed Thursday's show, see saxaphone legend Al Gallodoro, accompanied by Joanne Chmielowski from 11 to Noon. Call 433.2545.

All month long: Fri July 18th - October 18th Stroll through the streets of beautiful and historic Cherry Valley and view the work of twenty local, regional and nationally recognized artists. Pickup a map at local businesses.

The Vision

A children's museum is not a museum in the classic sense. Exhibits are meant to be hands on, with engaging, kid-friendly activities. In the children's museum at Oneonta (which has not yet been named) we will provide children and those who care for them with an interactive and engaging environment for exploration. Visitors will gain an understanding of their place in the local community and subsequently the global community through hands-on, minds-on discoveries.

We envision a world where children will grow to be creative, confident, and caring members of society by discovering the essential components of community. Children will become active problem-solvers through invention and guided play. Far from being controlled play, guided play simply means that a minimum of inspiration, ideas, or parameters will be provided to engage children's interest in an activity.

Can't wait to bring this vision to reality!

News flash

I found a few weekday activities--free family fun I had to tell you about:

Mon Jul 14, 7 - 9:30 p.m., City of the Hills Women's Chorus (think barbershop for women) First United Presbyterian Church, 381 Main St. Oneonta, Roosevelt Avenue entrance. For info: 267-4718. On the same day, the Midstatesmen Barbershop Harmony Chorus will be at the Salvation Army, River Street, Oneonta at 7:30 p.m. (is it a competition?) For info: 278-6369.

Wed Jul 16 from 9 - 11 a.m., the Butternut Valley Play-Group is hosting a morning out activity for parents and toddlers at the Morris Village Library.

At 10 a.m, you can 'Catch the Reading Bug' at a sing-along with Nan Hoffman at the Sidney Memorial Public Library, River Street. For info: 563-1200.

Also Wed, from 6:30 - 8 p.m, Orcas Swim club at the Oneonta YMCA, open to swimmers ages 4 through 18. For info: 432-0010.

You would think that being smarter might make life easier.

Wrong. Life comes with a full set of challenges no matter who you are, how smart you may be or even how much money you have. Despite high potential, it does not follow that gifted children will be high achievers. They may display intense emotions, need little sleep even as infants, and present a unique parenting challenge at every stage.

According to The Hollingworth Center, "Highly gifted children need a specialized advocacy because very little has been done to develop appropriate curriculum and non-traditional options for these children."

As we enter the National Parenting Gifted Children Week, July 13-19, let's reconsider how we categorize our kids, and remember that each child we meet is unique and will need customized care to achieve their full potential.

Resources for parents of gifted children

The weekend is coming

In this heat, it may feel like the week will never end, but I'm here to tell you, it will:

Thursday July 10th: The Sidney Community Band at Neahwa Park, performing classical, jazz, blues, pop and concert marches at 7pm, rain or shine. For more info contact Orpheus Theatre at 432.1800.

Fridays at Rogers Convervation Center: The summer children's series will start with an exploration of Adams Farm wildlife habitats. Programs are for 4- to 10-year-olds and begin at 10:30 AM. Please call to register as supplies may be limited: 607-674-4017 ext. 623.

Saturday July 12th at Rogers Convervation Center a morning hike and evening campfire with s'mores and entertainment.

Sunday July 13: Old Tyme Sing-A-Long for young and old alike at the Swart-Wilcox Museum, celebrating Oneonta's Centennial birthday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Also on Sunday: Ice cream social from 7-9 pm in Sidney Center at the Maywood Historical Depot.

Summertime

and the livin' is easy. But it won't be here for long so get out while you can. Little kids will enjoy turning over rocks and looking for bugs, bigger kids can wet their toes in the stream and collect what they find. Last night our evening stroll took us to Grampa's house. We came home with fresh lettuce from the garden and another dozen eggs. It's surprising what you can learn on a walk. My three year old has named his favorite tree Barry Sideman, who can't walk and talk because he's a tree (we were silly enough to wonder).

Summertime meals can be extra fun too. Tom turned on the Mexican music channel last night for taco night. Breakfast this morning came from Hi 5 magazine: freeze vanilla yogurt overnight and let it soften for about 15 minutes in the morning. Slice a banana in two, place ice cream scoops of frozen yogurt on top. Add blueberries, strawberries and granola cereal. I put the strawberries in the blender with a teaspoon of sugar to make sauce.

Stars for the stars

If you've ever felt that star-gazing was too complicated, not to mention slow-paced, then this is the month for you. Best of all, you don't even have to stay up late. Perhaps you've noticed a few really bright stars in the sky this month? They're not stars! Look for Mars and Saturn low and to the west in the early evening (so bright, they are hard to miss). Jupiter, the brightest light in the sky after the moon and Venus, will cross the sky each night low and to the south.

On July 9th, the night my good friend performs in the Foothills' Ultimate Idol competition, Jupiter will be at it's brightest point for the year (appropriately, I thought).

For those of you who can't wait to find out whether or not Pluto is a planet (again), or just how great the soil on Mars is for gardening, I recommend Sky and Telescope or the Mohawk Valley Astronomy Society.

Heartfelt thanks!

Thanks to all who participated in our first Fortin Park Focus Group! Local mothers told us how they spend their time, how they deal with the isolation of long New York winters, and what they feel is missing from this area. They expressed a desire for more places to go in the winter, with age appropriate play spaces. Many also expressed a deep desire to foster global awareness in their children. All valued local support and play groups. It was even suggested that we have more "focus groups" just for fun--so moms can actually talk while their kids play!
Special thanks to those who volunteered to play with the children. The kids had a wonderful time with sidewalk chalk, the world's largest collection of Mr. Potato Head toys, the swing sets and the ball tent. We'd especially like to thank Sallie Han for sharing her special talents in organizing this event.

Sincerley,
Amy, Andrea, and Rachel
Founding Co-Chairs
The Children's Musuem at Oneonta

Need help finding a local play group for your children? Email Amy.

Celebrating America

If you haven't yet made plans for the long weekend, you might want to consider the following local events:

Thursday July 3rd: Oneonta Community Band in Neahwa Park (7 pm rain or shine). Last year they featured an original piece. Great for kids who can't sit still, because they don't have to!

The July 4th celebration Friday in Neahwa Park begins at Noon. Food, activities and inflatable games by local non-profits will be available. Free Oneonta Tiger's game at Damaschke Field will begin at 3:00 p.m. preceded by a vintage baseball game between the Roxbury 9 and a visiting team, to celebrate the city's centennial. For more information contact Central New York Radio Group at 432.1030.

A traditional 1845 Independence Day at The Farmers' Museum Noon-5pm July 4th. Patriotic music, games, dances and orations.

Saturday July 5: Make-a-flag art project for kids at the Oneonta Farmer's Market on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine. For more information call 433.2545.

July 5th Train Robbery on 1PM train. Contact Leatherstocking Railway for more info (607) 432-2429.

All weekend: revisit Gilbert Lake--Activities include Dave Raphaelson Sing-a-long July 3rd, Jumpstart Band July 4th, Fun Technicians Magic Show July 5th, and the Zoomobile July 6th. Call (607) 432-2114 for details. And let's not forget that the swimming beach opens at 11am daily.

For reference, check out the Family Events Calendar at the bottom of this web page.

You will also want to add Sweet Home Oneonta, with listings and information about virtually everything related to Oneonta, to your list of favorite links.