CK Cover Oct 08

Sports Parenting: How To Win, Even If The Team LosesWhy do 35 million U.S. children participate in organized youth sports eachyear? To start, sports give boys and girlsan array of exciting “firsts”—the firstgame, the first big score and the firstteam victory. For every first win, however, there is also a child’s first big loss andthe question that follows: How can Iguide my child through the disappointment of defeat?While such comforts as juice boxes andgranola bars provide a good start, onlyan adult mentor can show a young athlete how even a 1 and 10 season can befull of fun memories and positive learning experiences.“Rebounding from mistakes, overcoming disappointment, rallying oneself toprevail at next week’s game—these arethe life lessons that youth sports provide,” says Jim Thompson, founder andexecutive director of Positive CoachingAlliance.Thompson emphasizes that to ensureboys and girls absorb these lessons, participation by parents in a constructiveand encouraging manner is crucial.“Youth sports offer so many teachablemoments that can enrich a child inthe long run,” says Thompson. “Whenmoms and dads successfully partnerwith their children’s coaches to put thegame in healthy perspective, kids aremore likely to view their sporting experience as positive.”Here are some pointers from www.ResponsibleSports.com on what parentscan do to keep the game rewarding fortheir children:1. Emphasize attributes other thanwinning. Children can take games veryseriously, but they quickly forget theirdisappointments and move on, showingthat winning and losing isn’t everything.Take their cue. Point out their effort.2. Establish an early positive relationship with the coach. It will be mucheasier to communicate later should aproblem arise.3. Fill the coach’s emotional tank—andyour child’s. Just about every coach andplayer does a lot of things well. Take thetime to look for those things and whenyou see something you like, let him orher know about it.4. Don’t put the player in the middle.It’s much easier for a child to put his orher best effort forward if parents showsupport for the coach. If you have a concern, take it up with the coach privately.5. Don’t give instructions during a gameor practice. It can be extremely confusing to your child and distracting to otherparents and fans to hear someone otherthan the coach yelling out instructions.For more tips on mentoring, visit www.ResponsibleSports.com. While there,you can honor a youth sports coach bynominating him or her for a LibertyMutual Responsible Coaching Award.Liberty Mutual celebratescoaches in all sports with 250grants to help offset the costs ofrunning a youth team. You canalso take the Responsible SportParenting course. By completing it on behalf of your child’syouth sports organization,you’ll help that organizationcompete for a chance to win a 2,500 grant.You can reach us at Countykids@news-herald.comSend us your kid pix, events info or be added to ourmailing list! We reach over 12,000 homes with families inLake County and beyond!To advertise, call Rachel DiBiasio at 440-974-0343COUNTY KIDS OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 5

Hottest Costumes forHalloween 2008BatmanThe Dark KnightSteps For A Food-SafeHalloween PartyGo all out withthis recipe forGraveyard Cake.IndianaJonesHannahMontanaGraveyard Cake(Makes 12 servings)PrincessLeia1 package (18.25 ounces) devil’s food or yellow cake mix1 container (16 ounces) prepared vanilla frosting12 Nestlé Crunch Fun-Size Candy Bars1 small tube white decorator icing1 (1.76 ounces) Nestlé Butterfinger Crisp Candy Bar, choppedGummy bugs or wormsPREPARE cake mix according to package directions using one 13 x 9-inchbaking pan. Cool completely in pan. Invert cake onto serving platter. Frost cake,using a little more frosting than usualon top (“tombstones” will be pushedinto frosting).WRITE spooky words such as “RIP” or“Boo” on Crunch bars using tube icing.Harry PotterToddlerDarth VadarLet sit for a few minutes to dry.PRESS Crunch bars into cake to create“tombstones.” Sprinkle chopped Butterfinger Crisp bar next to tombstonesto create “dirt.” Creatively place gummybugs over top of cake.For more celebration and decoratingtips, as well as festive family-friendlyrecipe ideas, visit VeryBestKids.com.Trick or Treat for UNICEFand make Halloween countThe U.S. Fund for UNICEF is committed to empowering children to makea real difference in the lives of theirpeers in need around the world.Remember the excitement of Halloween you experienced as a child?Now, as a parent, you may want torecreate the same memories for yourown children—but did you knowthat you can turn Halloween into alearning experience for your kids aswell?By Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF, kidslearn the importance of helpingothers in need. Explore the Trick-orTreat section of www.unicef.org forresources to support kids’ efforts andshow them they can make a difference through this beloved Halloween campaign.BabyWonderBreadBaby PenguinCOUNTY KIDS OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 6Are you planning on throwing aHalloween party for a group of yourfavorite ghosts and goblins? Hereare some easy steps from the USDAFood Safety and Inspection Serviceto help you and your guests befood safe and have a happy Halloween: Wash your hands with hot soapywater for 20 seconds before andafter handling food. Keep yourkitchen, dishes and utensils clean.Always use clean serving dishes forfood to prevent cross-contamination from raw food products to food products thatare ready to eat. Use a food thermometer to ensure that hotfoods are cooked to safeminimum internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria. Keep hot food hot andcold food cold. Hot foodshould be kept at a safetemperature of 140 F or above.Cold food should be held at 40 F orbelow to prevent bacterial growth. Follow the 2-Hour Rule: Foodshould not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.Discard anything on the buffet thathas been out at room temperaturefor two hours or more. If you are planning on servingjuice or cider to children at yourHalloween party, be sure to checkthe label to make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroyharmful bacteria. If you plan to use dry ice to createa spooky fog effect for a cauldron ofwitch’s brew, don’t put the dry icein your drink. Chips of dry ice cancause severe injury if ingested. Inspect Halloween treats forhazards before letting children eatany. Safe Halloween snacks shouldbe commercially wrapped and freeof signs of tampering, such as unusual appearance or tiny pinholesand tears in wrappers. Remove anychoking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.You can get more food safety tips tohave a safe and happy Halloween atthe USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Web site, www.fsis.usda.gov, or call the USDA Meat & PoultryHotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888674-6854).

The BestHeart Careto Last aLifetime.If a heart condition is threatening your child’s health,know that Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital is hometo the region’s largest and most experienced staff ofpediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.We treat more complex cardiac cases than any area hospital,and our team works closely with you – as a parent – toensure the best possible experience and outcome.And, as part of Cleveland Clinic, the best heart care inthe nation is here for all your child’s years ahead.Cleveland Clinic Children’s HospitalTo make an appointment, call 216.444.KIDS (5437)or 800.223.2273. For more information or for a freeChildren’s Hospital DVD, visit clevelandclinic.org/kids-heart

Lake Metroparks presentsCorn & Pumpkin Harvest WeekendExperience the harvestseason at the annualCorn & Pumpkin Harvest Weekend at LakeMetroparks Farmpark inKirtland. The event runs9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Saturday, October 11, andSunday, October 12. Theweekend will be filled withactivities that highlight thesights, smells, and tastes ofvarious corn and pumpkinharvest activities!Children can experience thethrill of harvesting their ownpumpkin from the pumpkin patchat Farmpark (purchase of pumpkinis required). After selecting just theright pumpkin, they can take it to thecraft tent and use their imagination anddecorate. Children will also enjoy making a cornhusk doll, exploring the haymaze, and testing their knowledge ofvegetables in various veggie activities including veggie-art. Be sure to bring yourcamera to capture family and friendspeaking through character cutouts.Cowboy Ben will teach the art of ropingto young handlers. Pony Rides will beavailable both days for 3.A special demonstration will be presented throughout the weekend on howcorn was harvested using antique farmequipment. Be sure to explore the manytwists and turns of the three-acre cornmaze and then tour the Giant PumpkinPatch. Savor some tasty corn treats andsample apple butter freshly boiled overan open flame.Learn about how maple syrup is produced as you tour the Farmpark Sug-arhouse. Regular Farmpark weekendactivities will also be featured at theCorn and Pumpkin Harvest Weekend.Milk a cow, take horse-drawn wagonrides, and make ice cream making. Meetsheep, pigs, chickens, and rabbits in theWell Bred Shed located in the Arena.At the Plant Science Center, exploreplant life in The Great Tomato Worksand hydroponics exhibits, and discoverhow wind and solar power are harvestedby the wind turbine and solar power array. Be sure to visit Farmpark’s gift shopfor a great selection of unique gift ideas,and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or snack atthe Sawyer House Cafe.Lake Metroparks Farmpark is located at8800 Chardon Rd. Take I-90 to the Rt.306 exit. Head south on Route 306 fivemiles to Chardon Road (Route 6), turn lefton Route 6, and head east one mile.Admission to Corn & Pumpkin Harvest Weekend is 6; ages 60 and over, 5; youth 2 to 11, 4; and children under 2 are free. Farmpark membersreceive free admission to this event. For more information about the Corn and Pumpkin Harvest Weekend or about annual Farmpark memberships,visit lakemetroparks.com or call (440) 256-2122 or (800) 366-FARM (3276).COUNTY KIDS OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 8

Lee Ann Suttonmom toaM ck & Nora123 River RoadMentor, OHme440-555-1233 Ho llCe1132555440lasutton@net.comHandy Calling Cards for the busy MomMaybe this sounds familiar: You’re at the playground, talking with a new mom friend.You decide to exchange contact information, butall you can find in your very full diaper bag is acrumpled up grocery receipt, and scribble yourphone number on it. And then of course, you losethe darn thing!Recent piracy lawsuits brought bythe Recording Industry Associationof America (RIAA) have parents andyouths concerned about the risks andethics of downloading copyrighted songsand videos. But piracy charges are justone of many dangers kids face when theydownload files illegally.Downloading files or software canmake computers vulnerable to harmfulprograms, like viruses and spyware. Filesharing can allow other Internet usersaccess to all of the files on your computer, which means that information, likebank details and personal documents,can be stolen. Peer-to-peer, or P2P, sitesare notorious for lacing any download-The solution is so simple - mommy calling cards!These handy cards are perfect for handing out at school, playdates, nursery,anywhere that you need to give important contact information.Consider adding any medical alerts (ie:medication, allergies, special needsetc) on the back of the card. Never digaround for a pen and paper again!TRY THESE Teaching Kids Safe and Ethical Downloadingable files with sexually graphic or violentcontent.To help parents protect their familiesand computers, a non-profit organization, iKeepSafe.org, has developed resources to teach kids the safe and ethicaluse of the Internet and how to downloadsafely. Before downloading, kids shouldunderstand the “3 KEEPs” for safe andhonest downloading:1. Keep safe your personal files. Don’tshare your music, videos, games, or pictures– especially pictures of yourself – withstrangers online.2. Keep away from doubtful downloads. Files from peer-to-peer sites, socialnetworking sites, or blogs of people you don’tknow could have bad files attached to them.3. Keep using common sense. If it’snot free in stores, it shouldn’t be free online– that’s stealing from the creators, and it’sagainst the law.A new children’s book and animated DVD, “Faux Paw and theDangerous Download,” teachkids in a fun way the safe andethical use of downloading.To further promote safety,parents can explain that filesharing and illegal downloading of copyrighted materialsis viewed as theft and canexpose both you and themto legal action.COUNTY KIDS OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 9Parents should also checktheir computer’s browserhistory regularly – evidence of P2P sites suchas BitTorrent or new iconsand software on yourdesktop suggestillegal activity.

NEW: ORDER YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT LAKEMETROPARKS.COM!!!Lake Metroparks Halloween Hayrides Tickets on sale now!!!Get your tickets early for LakeMetroparks Halloween Hayrides! Tickets are on sale nowand are going fast! The datesfor this year’s event, held atLake Metroparks Farmpark, areOctober 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 &25 Rides begin at 6:30 p.m. onboth Fridays and Saturday andare offered in half-hour timeDISCOUNTSHUGE ON KIDSWEAR!Save 50% to 70% off store retailprices. Wide variety of the latest,most popular children’sfashions. Many brand name itemsbut HURRY! At these drasticallyreduced prices, they won’t last!Log on towww.magickidsusa.comSAVE50%OFFSTOREMention DiscountCodeMK48766slots until 8:30 p.m.Lake Metroparks Halloween Hayridesfeature a 20-minute, narrated hayridealong a one-mile-long trail filled withfamily-oriented thrills, chills, and adventures. Encounter upside down skeletons,falling spiders, and a lagoon with a mysterious creature! Many “fright” sites willleave you with goose bumps or giggles!The Halloween Hayrides are ratedNow Open!The Backyard PlaygroundIndoor Playground*Inflatable Structures*Climbing Structures*Padded Floors*Infant Play Area*Cafe (Coming soon)*Free Coffee & wi-fi for parentsAsk about Private Birthday PartyPackages!AdmissionUnder 1 FREE 12-18 mos. 51 Child 7.50 2 Children 14 3 Children 20Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pmHeisley Pointe Center - corner of Heisley & MentorAve. (behind Half Price Books) 440-974-9448PRICES“PG-5” for their non-violent, familyfun nature. Remember to dress for theweather — rides go rain, shine, or snow!Returning this year is a haunted trailthrough Festival Field. After ridingon the wagon, visitors continue theirjourney with a walk through a hauntedhair solon, a monster band, and anenchanted pumpkin patch. Back bypopular demand is the ever-popular‘Evolution of Dance’ with the glowstickdancers! Pony rides will be available for 3. Concessions will be available in boththe loading area and Festival Field.Advance Ticket prices for this familyfun event are as follows:Lake County Residents age 3 and older 4. Out of County Residents age 3 andolder 5. Under 2 free. Tickets at thedoor, if available, are an additional 1Three ways to order:Online ticket sales will be offeredfor the first time this year at lakemetroparks.com. Online ticket sales areavailable 24/7; in person and by phoneticket orders are be available 10 am toPATTERSON FARMSFAMILY FUN FESTCHESTERLAND, OH4:00 pm Monday – Saturday throughthe day of the ride, if tickets arestill available. Click on theHalloween Hayride link on thehome page for more information.In person or by phone:Call the “Halloween Hotline” at(440) 256-2158. 10 am to 4 pmIn person at two locations:10 am to 4 pmLake Metroparks Farmpark(Monday through Saturday)8800 Chardon Road (Rt. 6)Kirtland. (440) 256-2158Lake MetroparksRegistration Office(Monday through Friday)11189 Spear Rd., Concord440-358-7275 or1-800-669-9226Visa and MasterCard acceptedCash and check accepted in person.A 2 handling fee per order appliesticket sales taken by phone.St. Gabriel PTUCHRISTMASinthe COUNTRYCRAFT BOUTIQUEIN BEAUTIFUL GEAUGA COUNTYFRIDAY,NOVEMBER 76:00 PM - 9:30 PMA FAMILY FARMSETTING FOR CHILDRENPRESCHOOL THRUELEMENTARY AGES. AWAGON RIDE TAKES YOURFAMILY TO OUR PLAY AREAWHICH INCLUDES STRAW ANDCORN MAZES, TREE HOUSE,WALKING TRAILS AND MUCH,MUCH MORE!!SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 89:00 AM - 4:00 PMSt. Gabriel School9935 Johnnycake Ridge Rd.(Route 84)Concord TownshipA juried show featuringover 100 quality crafters andartists, delicious food, kids’crafts and raffles.Admission 2Age 12 and under freeNo Strollers, PleaseChildren’s Craft Center withMake & Take GiftsOPEN EVERYDAY FROMSEPTEMBER 13 THRUNOV 2. NEOEA DAYIS OCTOBER 17TH.PLEASE CALL ORVISIT OUR WEBSITEFOR HOURS, RATESAND DETAILS.440-729-9809WWW.PATTERSONFARM.COMCOUNTY KIDS OCTOBER 2008 PAGE 10

The Family Fun Fest at Patterson Fruit FarmBring the family, pack a lunch (or visit our concession stand)and relax in our outdoor farm fun area – designed to allowyour family to choose the pace and activities you most enjoytogether. You can play in our hay stacks, try our tree house inthe woods, wander through our corn maze and take a wonderful nature hike through the ravines and hills of GeaugaCounty. The admission fee includes a wagon ride. You can ridea horse drawn wagon to a pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkinon weekends. During public hours you can also paint a pumpkin for a fee. Of course, picking your own pumpkin right outof the field is a delightful activity as well!The fest is open on weekends through November 2, including NEOEA Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a costof 6.00 per person. Weekdays are open to the publicfrom 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. You need to bring your ownfood. The cost is 4.00 per person. Pumpkin paintingis available these afternoons as well as on weekends.CURSE OF THE WEREWOLFPresented by The Geauga Lyric Theater GuildOctober 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 at 8:00 & October 12, 19, 26 at 2:00Tickets 12 (Adult) 10 (Senior/Student)A spooky castle, excentric family members,a dancing penguin, a murder, andlet’s not forget the werewolf Everything is here from a touch of light romanceto a classic “will-reading” scene with fiery red eyes at the window. The laughsnever stop and there are plenty of chills. This energetic and crazy spoof will keepyou “howling” with laughter. www.geaugatheater.orgCome to the farm and enjoyBreakfast with Santa & Santa’s Workshopat Lake Metroparks FarmparkAdvanced registration begins October 27 (Lake County Residents)Out of county residents may register beginning October 27Lake Metroparks Farmpark presents an opportunity for familiesto enjoy breakfast on the farm with a special visit from Jolly OldSt. Nick. Breakfast with Santa at Farmpark is a great way tocreate a lasting holiday memory for your family. New this year,children ages 2 – 11 can build a toy at Santa’s Workshop! Aftervisiting with Santa and building a toy, take a horse-drawnwagon ride through the park and participate in Farmpark dailyactivities that Farmpark has to offer.SummerWind Stables &Tack & Gift Shoppe11770 Chillicothe Rd.10%ChesterlandRetail Discount www.summerwindtack.comwith this adwww.summerwindstables.comThinking About Becoming AFamily Child Care Provider?We have information to help you getstarted! Call or email us for details.440-357-1241 or 800-880-0971CCRR@starting-point.org440-729-184910% Discount on NEW Lessons andBoarding in OctoberLessons, Boardin

6 Hottest Costumes for Halloween 2008 Steps for a Food Safe Halloween Party Trick or Treat for UNICEF and Make Halloween Count Graveyard Cake Recipe 8 Corn & Pumpkin Harvest Weekend at Lake Metroparks 9 Handy Calling Cards for Busy Moms Teaching Kids Safe and Ethical Downloading 1