GUESTBOOK

Dear baystateparent,

Recently my son went to a Halloween/birthday party and needed to wear a costume. He wore the Dracula outfit featured in last month's issue. We went to iParty to purchase the Snazaroo face paint and followed the pictures in the article.

The paint was easy to apply, even for a dad who doesn't have much experience with "make-up." The costume and face paint made it through the entire party intact. The best part had to be the effortless clean up. Thanks for the great tips.

Sincerely,

Jeff Cowden, Auburn Dear baystateparent,

I was very disappointed to see the promotion for the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus in the September issue of your magazine (page 39, "Family Theatre & Musical Performances").

By advertising circuses with live animals, you are supporting an industry that is built on cruelty, exploitation of innocent beings, and the ongoing humiliation and domination of animals.

It has been well documented that elephants used in the entertainment industry are traumatized when they are taken from their mothers as babies, and then they are trained through domination, fear, and punishment. Trainers sink bull hooks - sharp, steeltipped devices resembling fireplace pokers that inflict pain on elephants and puncture the skin - into the most sensitive parts of an elephant's body in order to force the animals to perform.

By attending circuses with live animals, children are being told that "this is okay" - but the violence and cruelty of keeping animals in cramped cages, performing unnatural "tricks" to entertain crowds, and transporting them in 18-wheel trucks around the country is undeniable.

There is a simple answer: Don't promote or attend circuses with live animals! There are enough circuses that rely on human actors; these are the circuses to support.

In Harmony,

Ed Morgan (a.k.a. "The Music Man"), Stow

Dear baystateparent,

Just wanted you to know how grateful I am to you for doing an article on teen fostering and adoption for this November issue (see page 34). I have been a big fan of baystateparent! Anyone with kids, either biological or adopted, can always find an article to identify with.

On behalf of DCF (Department of Children and Families) and myself, thank you so much for helping the children who so desperately need a family. Your articles touch so many.

Gina Doyle

DCF Ambassador

Foster and Adoptive Parent

Worcester

Dear baystateparent,

We cannot thank you enough for your generous support of The Ellie Fund and our Care for the Caregiver program last month through your wonderful Pink Pages issue, and co-sponsorship of our new "It's Bigger Than The Bag" program, which gives gift bags to breast cancer patients and their families (instead of event guests).

I am sure that most of BSP readers are aware that one in eight women will be touched by breast cancer in her lifetime. What they now know as well is that thanks to the support of BSP and its readers, until a cure is found, The Ellie Fund is here to provide hope, resources, and care free of charge for the entire family. With your continued partnership, we will be able to help more families than ever before.

Please know how much we appreciate all that you do for Massachusetts families. You are a wonderful resource and a fantastic group of people. I take our friendship as a great compliment.

With Best Regards,

Julie Nations Executive Director, The Ellie Fund.

elliefund.org