EDITOR'SNOTE
A dream is a wish your heart makes When you're fast asleep Full Story
Letters To the Editor
E-mail letters, ideas, & thoughts to editor@baystateparent.com
Dear Bay State Parent, The YMCA of Greater Boston would like permission to reprint an article that appeared in the March, 2007 issue: Special Report Putting Muscle Into the Fight Against Childhood Obesity by Rosemary Cafasso. Full Story
FITTING IN WHILE STANDING OUT
6 Tips to Help Your Child Cope With Feeling Fat in a "Thin is In" World
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles on body image and children. You probably wouldn't believe it if you had heard it yourself. MaryBeth, a mother of three, came to me in a panic. Full Story
The grandmother is always there, even when she becomes the parent
Sunday, Sept. 9 is National Grandparents Day
"He was the only kid I know who could take a shower without getting wet," Donna Mezynski says of Dakota, the 9- year-old grandson she is raising as her own child. Dakota has been living in Millbury with Mezynski since he was removed from the custody of his biological parents by the Department of Social Services over five years ago. Full Story
Adoption Insights
Parents Helping Each Other
I confess that I hesitate whenever I write publicly about adoption. It's not easy for me. On the one hand, I want the world to know that building a family through adoption is a complete miracle: a loving couple eager to be parents connects with a beautiful child who needs a family. On the other hand, adopting a child is challenging - at least it was for us. Full Story
SEPTEMBER'SCHILD
Brandon is a handsome 10-year-old boy of Caucasian/African-American heritage. He is loveable, friendly, polite, and enjoys communicating with both children and adults. His foster mother describes him as "kind, generous, and someone who likes to share. Full Story
Leaving Lost Vegas ...
or at least trying to find a way out of the Mega Maze
Go ahead, test your luck at the Lost Vegas Maze at Davis' Mega Maze in Sterling. Hopefully, what happens inside the maze doesn't mean you're destined to stay in the maze (for hours!). Full Story
calendar of september events
All listings are accurate at press. Please call ahead to confirm events. Listings are arranged alphabetical by community. A Adult C Child Y Youth M Member NM Non-Member PP Per Person Full Story
Weekly Story Hours
Editor's note: Story hours are free, unless noted.
Drop-in Storytime. Acton Memorial Library, Acton. Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 978-264-9641. www.actonmemoriallibrary.org. Barnes & Noble Boston. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. 9/5: Back to School; 9/12: Monsters; 9/19: Clifford the Big Red Dog; 9/26: Fall. 617-247-6959. Full Story
Family Theater and Musical Performances
Playhouse Disney Live! The Mullins Center, Amherst. Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. www.mullinscenter.com. Beatlejuice & Friends. All Beatles, All Night, All Ages! Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. Sat., Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Reserved Seats: A$21.50, C 12 and under $12.50. 781-646-4849. www.regenttheatre. Full Story
Help Fight Autism
The Autism Resource Center of Central MA (ARCCM) services the 63 cities and towns of Central Massachusetts and provides support, education, and activities to children ages 0-22 with Autism/Aspergers and their families. Full Story
EDITORS'PICKS
Farms, Sing-A-Long, Benefit & Playing With Your Food With Fetch
1. Saturday, Sept. 8: It's Massachusetts Day at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon. Massachusetts residents, who buy one admission, get one free, with a MA ID. Admission prices are $16.75 for adults, $12.75 for children ages 3-12, and children age 2 and under are free. For more information visit, www.southwickszoo.com. Full Story
Fairs & Festivals
Visiting the fair each year is a family tradition. Use this comprehensive list, and you won't miss your favorites. Enjoy!
Fri., Aug. 31 - Mon., Sept. 3: 23rd Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival. Races, parade of sail, deck tours, public sails, lighted boat parade, fireworks, and other maritime activities. 978-283-1601. www.capeannvacations.com/schooner. Full Story
Events Especially for Moms
Bay State Parent Night at Dream Dinners Shrewsbury. Two sessions on Friday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Assemble a free 3-serving meal to take home. Food samples from the Sept. menu. Book a session that night and be eligible to win a getaway: a one-night stay at the Sheraton Ferncroft/CoCo Key Water Resort or a 2-night stay at the Bayside Resort in West Yarmouth. Full Story
ARTSGUIDE
I WANNA Rock & Roll ALL NIGHT AND BE A MOM IN THE 'BURBS
Sharon, Massachusetts is about as suburban as suburban can get. Widely known as one of the top Bay State communities in which to raise children, the town of 18,000 residents, located midway between Boston and Providence, can hardly be considered a birthplace of rock. Full Story
Singing Over Spilt Milk
MetroWest Men Turn Everyday Fatherhood Moments into Music
F atherhood, can be a rollercoaster of a ride. Through all the challenges and joys - from missing sleep to potty-training, to spelling out words in front of the kids, to the sweet things they say, to rekindling couple time - the POP Stars, seven dads from MetroWest Massachusetts, are providing musical therapy and giving support to parents everywhere. Full Story
Music Making Mama
Minivan-Driving Singer-Songwriter Achieving Her Dreams
Lori McKenna is one busy woman. Next year, the Stoughton mother of five will have one child each in college, high school, middle school, elementary school and yes, preschool. It's enough to exhaust any woman just reading about it. Full Story
Princesses of Pop GIRL AUTHORITY
"... the world is gonna know our name"
It's pop, packaged with personality nine times over, by the rising MetroWest singing group, Girl Authority. Full Story
Meet the Girls
Jess - Boho Girl Age: 14 Grade: Freshman Hometown: Sudbury Road Trip Solo: This is My Day and Car Wash Great Beginnings: My dad was in a band and sings. When I was 7 or 8, I said, "I want to do that too! Full Story
Can't Stop Dancing
Boucher School of Dance Celebrating 30th Anniversary
If imitation is the highest form of flattery, kudos to the dance instructors at the Boucher School of Dance. Full Story
Instilling a Love of Music
PAKACHOAG COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL CELEBRATES ITS SILVER ANNIVERSARY
This year, Auburn's Pakachoag Community Music School celebrates 25 years of mellifluous music making. Full Story
Music TO THEIR EARS
"I knew in my heart that Alexandra would benefit from music therapy, if I could only find someone to provide it," said Kristen Meciak, Alexandra's mom.
AtPerkins School for the Blind in Watertown, where Alexandra attended the infant/toddler program, Meciak learned about musical therapy, but said she had difficulty locating a music therapist in the Millbury area. Full Story
MEET THE REAL-LIFE Emily Elizabeth
When I was younger I didn't realize it was special," said Emily, who tends to omit the "Elizabeth" in everyday situations. "It wasn't until I got into my 20s and 30s, when grown-ups would come up to me and say 'Clifford was such an important book to me -
T he real Emily Elizabeth's eyes are a vivid blue, with only the black of her irises resembling the two ink spots her father has been drawing for almost 50 years as the writer and illustrator of the beloved Clifford books. Full Story
making WISHES come true
Disney Trips Just One of the 100s of Dreams Made Possible by Massachusetts Make-A-Wish Foundation
When Christopher Ashby finished two years of chemotherapy in October 2006, his family didn't want to celebrate with a party. It felt too soon to declare victory over the leukemia he had been battling since age 4. "We wanted to ease into it," said his mom, Wanda Ashby. Full Story
Penta Communications' Gala Benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation
Since 1987, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts has granted more than 3,600 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In fiscal year 2007 alone, 325 children in the Bay State received wishes. Nationwide, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has 69 chapters in the U.S. Full Story
New Soccer Fields Open A New Frontier
Massachusetts, With Over 1 Million Youth Soccer Players, is One of the Nation's Top Soccer States
This month celebrates the grand opening of the new Mass Youth Soccer Association's Citizens Bank fields in Lancaster - 16 of them, in fact. On the 30th, a date chosen to coincide with the Kohl's American Cup, Massachusetts will boast playing fields unparallel in this part of the United States. Full Story
Is Soccer Right for Your Child?
Bay State Parent magazine asked local experts how to determine if soccer is the right sport for your child. Here is what they had to say: Full Story
Don't Miss the 17th Annual Kidsfest
WHEN: Saturday Sept. 22 & Sunday Sept 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE WHERE: Wachusett Mountain at 499 Mountain Road in Princeton Fabulous Family Fun for all ages! Besides the Trickstars Bike Show, KidsFest features SkyRide, food samples from Price Chopper, musicians, moonwalk, magicians, and more. Full Story
KidsFest Highlights:
Price Chopper Supermarkets Sampling Sample a variety of foods and beverages from: Polar Beverages George Weston Garelick Edy's Cape Cod Pepperidge Farms Poland Springs Snyder's Keebler Stoneyfield Farms Mystic Pizza Full Story
Featured KidsFest Entertainment:
Girl Authority
Girl Authority will perform live throughout the festival. Enter to win a chance to sing on stage during one of their Saturday shows! Details about this exclusive contest are on page 34 or visit www.baystateparent.com for complete rules. Full Story
CAN ONE FLY ON A BIKE?
The answer is a definitive "YES," after watching the Northeast Trickstars Stunt Team perform seemingly gravity-defying stunts at this year's KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton.
Be prepared for speed, turns, flips, and tricks. Back for their tenth consecutive performance at KidsFest, Josh Kirtland and crew are set to perform such tricks as 360whips, 720s, and of course, plenty of backflips - moves guaranteed to keep you glued to your spot, no matter what your age. Full Story
2007 Price Chopper KIDSFEST
September 22 - 23
We welcome Price Chopper Supermarkets joining us for our 17th year celebrating children and their families at KidsFest 2007!! Two days of music, food, and fun! Traditional favorites include: • Northeast Trickstars Stunt Show! Full Story
Circle of Friends
September Calendar of Adoption-Related Events
Listings are arranged alphabetically by organization.
Adoption Community of New England, Inc.
45 Lyman St., Westborough. Pre-register and RSVP at least 24 hours before events (including free offerings). 508-366-6812.
Full Story
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