LETTERSTO THEEDITOR
Dear Bay State Parent,
Just wanted to say thank you for featuring the Boston Children's Chorus (January issue). Our concert on Monday was a phenomenal success: two sold out performances (both the afternoon dress rehearsal and evening concert) hosted by Good Morning America's Robin Roberts at Jordan Hall; Senator Kennedy, Governor Romney and Mayor Menino were in attendance, and our young singers gave an incredible and inspired performance.
Coverage in a widely-read parent magazine like yours is key to our recruitment efforts in Boston-area neighborhoods. I'll keep you posted on our future musical adventures!
Judi Garfinkel
Boston Children's Chorus
www.bostonchildrenschorus.org
Dear Bay State Parent, I haven't been able to find Bay State Parent magazine. I used to find it at Star Market. Can you suggest some other locations?
Carrie Martin, Newton
Editor's Note: Bay State Parent is distributed at Newton Indoor Sports and Excel Gymnastics in Newton. Although most readers choose to pick us up for free, we do offer an in-state home subscription at $24 a year. The cost covers mailing each issue monthly. If interested, please mail a check made out to Bay State Parent magazine to Bay State Parent, c/o home subscription, 800 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520.
Dear Bay State Parent,
Thanks for the fabulous skiing feature ("Plow Into Winter: 10 Best Ski Resorts for Families," December issue). Our family has vacationed at several of the New England resorts mentioned, but we were looking to head West for school vacation week. After reading about Steamboat in Colorado, I did more research online, had a brochure mailed to us, and later booked our family vacation there. We all can't wait to experience the resort.
Shea family, town withheld
Dear Bay State Parent,
I thoroughly enjoyed Lindsay Crone's article on parenting a preschooler. (January issue). Disciplining a preschooler can be a struggle, but so too can disciplining a pre-teen. I have one of each, and two in the middle. Have you considered an article on how to discipline children of all ages? I think other parents would enjoy reading it too. P.S. Love you magazine! I pick it up every month.
Maria Sanchez
Dear Bay State Parent,
I enjoyed the article on the RadKIDS program (January issue). Where can I find a program in my area to sign my children up?
Julie Jones
Editor's Note: I apologize, we should have
provided that information. Visit www.radkids.org for individual instructors and community programs in Massachusetts. In fact, there are more than 100 instructors and programs in the Commonwealth.
Dear Bay State Parent,
Thanks for the book recommendation. Katie Caught a Cold is a delightful, informative tale. My daughter is very inquisitive and kept asking me questions when she was sick and couldn't go to preschool. She loves the book. It is now one of her favorites.
Debbie Winters, Burlington
Dear Bay State Parent,
Thanks for the article on computers and toddlers (What Should I Give My Child a Mouse? January issue). It was very informative and helped me decide if my 3-year old son was ready for the computer. It is amazing how fast technology has changed our world. When I was a child, we didn't have a computer at home and shared one at school. Now, it seems like every one of the children in my son's playgroup uses a computer. Thanks also for the software recommendations. Software can be very expensive, so I hope you will continue to recommend programs.
Linda Thomas, Massachusetts
Editor's Note: We review software programs on occasion in our PediaMedia column, along with reviews of books, CDs, DVDs, and games for children.
Dear Bay State Parent,
I couldn't stop laughing reading the "CinderMama" column (Pondering Parenting, Feb. issue). Dr. (Kerri) Augusto basically described by day-to-day existence.
I love your magazine, but that column, along with a strong cup of coffee made by day!
Natalie Taylor
Dear Bay State Parent,
I just wish to thank you for recognizing the
importance of raising a child with a special need. The "Educating a Child with
Down's syndrome" hit home for me (March issue). Thanks for making a great magazine even better. Keep those articles about "special" children and how to parent them coming.
Anna Simpson Dear Bay State Parent,
I was disappointed in the photos awarded in the magazine's contest (February issue). While the grand prize photograph is cute, a couple of the winning photographs were neither great shots of children nor fabulously artistic. I just expected to see more funny or adorable shots of children in a parenting magazine's photo contest. My mom's club friends and I were talking about the winners at our last meeting and thought we all have shots of our children that were just as good, if not better. Shame on us for not entering. Next year!
But, I have a suggestion. Why not get the readers involved in selecting the winners. Perhaps next year, the judges could select 12 finalists and have the readers vote on the winners via mail or online.
Chris Hale
Dear Bay State Parent,
Thanks for giving us the publicity for our children's programs. My "Just Drop In'" Friday program series ended on March 17. We have averaged over 81 kids & moms, dads & caregivers for each of the 22 programs offered since Sept. 2005 thanks to your publication!
Frank Sestoka
Worcester Public Library
Dear Bay State Parent,
I am writing in regards to an article I read in your March 2006 issue titled "Geocaching." I have read your magazine for quite a while now and have found many great ideas but this has to be one of the best. We tried it out this past weekend and the clues took us to Spider Gates. We live in Leicester so it couldn't have been more convenient. Not only did we get outside to enjoy the weather, we had a great hike and in the end, we found the treasure. Our children 6 & 5 were thrilled and we are now hooked on Geocaching. Our next adventures will take us to Spencer and Paxton. Thank you for all your wonderful ideas for children and their families.
Karen Kemp
Leicester
Dear Bay State Parent,
You probably don't remember, but I was in touch with you about a year ago...you (your staff) had written an article about me and single parent adoption (I adopted three boys two years ago.) and I also wanted to order Bay State Parent at home. ... I still love it. ... Anyhow, I am writing this time to ask about writing an article and/or placing an ad in your magazine for our small Catholic school in Clinton. Keep up the good work ...your magazine is a terrific resource for parents like me who have NO time to track things down for kids...it's all there...every month...in one magazine.
Debra Anderson
We Love Letters E-mail: to editor@baystateparent.com
