October, 2013, Vol. VIlI, Issue X

MONROE COUNTY

FREE

Does your dress-up box

inspire any Halloween

costume ideas? Page 3

Put pumpkins to use in many different ways Page 7

Introduce solid foods for infants at 4 to 6 months Page 8

OctoberCalendar of Events

Page 11

Page 2/ Monroe County Parent l o c a l f a c e s October, 2013

© The Monroe Publishing co

Office20 W. First St.

Monroe, MI 48161Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.Phone: (734) 242-1100

editorialDeborah Saul

(734) 240-5748 saul@monroenews.com

advertisingDave Zewicky

(734) 240-5025 dzewicky@monroenews.com

Design and layoutEmily Yates

(734) 240-5736 emily@monroenews.com

Jim Dombrowski (734) 240-5708

jimd@monroenews.com

circulationMonroe County Parent is published

monthly and distributed free at select locations around the county. An

annual subscription is $20 and can be obtained by calling (734) 242-1100.

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ALL GIRLS MATTER — Monroe County Parent photos by TOM HAWLEY

Miss Downriver All Girls Matter Pageant took place on September 21 at Huroc Park in Flat Rock. The pageant was a community service pageant allowing girls and young ladies ages 5 through 26, with special needs, to participate in a non-competitive pageant production. Miss Downriver PreTeen 2013 (left) Elizabeth Wirth, 13, of Ida chaperoned Maliyah Middlebrooks, of Eastpoint on stage.

October, 2013 o n a b u D g e T Monroe County Parent /Page 3

paula wethingtonParenting On a BudgetD on’t despair if he or she starts brainstorming wild ideas, such as the “ghost vampire

princess” idea my niece once came up with. As long as you stay away from well-known characters who are best depicted with detailed costumes, you can assemble a great outfit on a budget by looking through a child’s dress-up box or repurposing something you might already have.

Here are some ideas to start your imagination:

n Crown: Miss America. Zeus. King and Queen from a deck of cards if you need a couples’ idea. Queen of England.

n Asian dress: Mulan. Jedi Knight (Look at the school scenes from Star Wars Episode II.)

n Black sweatshirt and sweatpants: Mouse. Cat. Dog.

n Pumpkin head: The Great Pumpkin.

n White sweatpants and sweatshirt: Snowman. Clown. Boy angel.

n White gloves: Queen or princess. Michael Jackson if you use just one glove.

n Scrubs or medical jacket: Dr. Frankenstein.

n Cape: Any superhero. Vulcan. Jedi Master. Vampire.

n Ripped jeans: Zombie. Hobo. Scarecrow. Wolverine.

n Medical scrubs: Doctor. Nurse. Paramedic. Missionary. Dentist.

n Tie and business jacket: President of the United States. FBI agent. Clark Kent (have a “reporter notebook” handy).

n Wand or scepter: Tooth Fairy. Fairy godmother. Pageant winner.

n Sunbonnet: Laura Ingalls. Civil War nurse.

n Tri-corner hat: Pirate. George Washington.

n Red cape: Red Riding Hood.

n Black dress, robe or skirt: Wicked Witch of the West. Grim Reaper. Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon Custer. Orchestra or choir performer (carry some sheet music).

n Brown robe or dress: John the Baptist. Pocahontas.

n Rabbit ears: The Dust Bunny (carry a duster). Easter Bunny (carry an Easter basket).

n Football jersey: Quarterback. Beat-up quarterback. Tailgate chef (carry some barbecue tools).

n White robe or dress: Ghost. Angel. Princess Leia. Roman Emperor.

n Microphone: TV reporter. Talent show contestant.

n Big headphones: DJ.

n Snare drum: Rock and roll musician. Marching band member.

n Reindeer antlers: Reindeer. Someone’s hunting trophy deer (when paired up with someone in hunting gear).

n Santa hat: Santa Claus. Mrs. Santa. Santa’s official photographer (carry an old camera).

n Stuffed animals: Noah. Shepherd. St Francis of Assisi. Veterinarian.

n Backpack: Dora the Explorer.

n Large metal key ring: Jacob Marley. St. Peter.

n Orange sweatshirt and sweatpants: Jailbird. Great Pumpkin.

n Cowboy hat: Cowboy or cowgirl. Country singer.

n Vest: Hippie. Discount store greeter.

n Pom poms: Cheerleader. Zombie cheerleader.

n Wings: Fairy. Angel. Butterfly. Insect.

n Army pants: G.I. Joe.

n Crown of flowers: Mother Nature. Bride.

Does your dress-up box inspire any Halloween costume ideas?

If you’ll serve as a candy host this year for trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat, here’s an estimate of what the treats will cost you

Based on what Paula Wethington, the Monroe on a Budget columnist for The Monroe News, learned shortly after the Halloween candy arrived on the shelves this season, the best pricing candy hosts can expect after money-saving tricks such as coupons and megabags are applied will be in the $10 to $15 range for each 100 pieces of funsize candy bars or similar treats.

Therefore, if you need to supply 300 pieces of candy, your candy budget will be $30 to $45.

What will that Halloween candy cost you?

What does your child want to be for Halloween?

Page 4/ Monroe County Parent s e a s o n a l October, 2013

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Predictions for popular Halloween costumesMany Halloween costumes have stood the test of time. Trick-or-treaters are bound to come up against fellow ghosts,

vampires and zombies each Halloween, while popular movies also set trends in new Halloween costumes.If you are among the throngs of people ready to transform into a mythical, heroic or mysterious creature for Halloween,

consider these costumes that figure to be popular this season.

n Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. has starred in yet another installment of this popular film. This robotic suit that turns an ordinary person into an evil-fighting maven will once again be popular this Halloween.

n superman: Speak-ing of superheroes, few have been as prolific as Superman, and he figures to be just as popular this Halloween thanks to the success of the summer blockbuster “Man of Steel.”

n The lone Ranger: Despite flopping at the box office, this Johnny Depp film may still have people dressing up in eye masks, western hats or Native-American-inspired face paint to pay homage to its classic characters.

n Minion: Thanks to the release of “Despicable Me 2,” yellow bean-shaped minions figure to be popular this Halloween.

n birds and Pigs: Each new version of the “Angry Birds” franchise pro-vides opportunities for fans to dress up as projectile feathered friends and their porcine foes.

n Mike Wazowski: The central character from “Monsters University” figures to be popular among young Halloween enthusiasts this year.

n annie: This year marked the return of the red-headed orphan to the stage, and many children may be anxious to don her signature dress and red curls and belt out their own renditions of “Tomorrow.”

October, 2013 a s K D R . K Monroe County Parent /Page 5

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Page 6/ Monroe County Parent f a M I l Y f u n ! October, 2013

all is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors. Beautiful fall foliage coupled with great weather compel many people to spend ample time outdoors before the arrival of harsh winter weather drives them back indoors. The following are a handful of actvities that are tailor-made for fall.

n Raking leaves: While raking leaves might not jump out at you as a great way to spend a nice fall afternoon, families often find raking leaves together soon turns into a fun day in the yard. Build leaf piles and let the kids jump in, and then do it again.

When raking, encourage kids to collect some colorful leaves and set them aside. Once the raking is done, you can then enjoy making some homemade crafts with the leaves you and your youngsters just collected.

n apple picking: Perhaps no activity is more synonymous with fall than apple picking. Many apple orchards encourage customers to come by and pick their own apples in the fall. Once your family and you have scoured the orchard for the perfect apples, relax with a cup of warm apple cider before returning home to make some homemade apple sauce and, of course, a delicious apple pie.

n Hayride: Hayrides are another fall tradition, and many farms offer relaxing hayrides throughout fall. Younger children who may tire if asked to patrol an apple orchard for apples might find a hayride is more their speed. Some farms may even allow customers to walk the grounds and visit the animals on the premises.

n Hiking: Hiking is a fun activity that can be enjoyed nearly year-round, but it’s es-pecially enjoyable in the fall. That’s because few things in nature are as captivating as a park or forest when the fall foliage is in full bloom. Early fall also boasts ideal tempera-tures for hiking, as the mercury likely won’t rise enough or sink low enough to produce the kind of extreme temperatures that can compromise a hiker’s afternoon. Instead, fall temperatures tend to be mild and comfortable, allowing hikers to fully enjoy their

often beautiful surroundings.

n corn maze: Visiting a corn maze is another activity that many people instantly associate with fall. Some farmers

transform their cornfields into corn mazes once the tem-peratures dip, and such mazes can be fun for adults

and children alike. Though adolescents can often be trusted to find their way through corn mazes,

younger kids should be accompanied by an adult.

n Pumpkin picking: Much like apple pick-ing is best in fall, so is pumpkin picking. Rather than buying your Halloween pumpkin from the

grocery store, where your options may be limited, go straight to the source and pick your future jack-

o’-lantern from a nearby pumpkin patch, which will provide a much wider selection. Let your youngsters

pick their own pumpkins and then spend the rest of the day carving them at home. And don’t forget to save those

seeds, which can be roasted over an open flame to make a delicious snack.

Fun family activities tailor-made for autumn

The IHM Sisters are hosting the third annual Food Day event on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1-4 p.m. at St. Mary Organic Farm (SMOF), located behind the IHM Motherhouse.

Food Day, recognized nationally on Oct. 24, was created in 2011. It is a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food and a grassroots campaign for better food policies. Championed by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food Day aims to bring us closer to a lifestyle with food produced with care for the environment, animals, farmers and consumers.

Another goal is to help people “eat real” – cutting back on sugar drinks, overly salted packaged foods and fatty, factory-farmed meats in favor of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and sustainably raised protein.

This is an opportunity to support better local, state and federal food and nutrition policies and to educate the public, especially children, about healthy, sustainable diets. The typical American diet is contributing to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems, which cost more than $150 billion per year. A meat-heavy diet takes a terrible toll on the environment. “Eating real” can put the food system on a more humane, sustainable path.

Food Day at SMOF is being sponsored by the IHM Sisters, Great Start Collaborative of Monroe County, United Way of Monroe County and St. Mary Organic Farm. Families will learn about planting and harvesting local crops, sustainable fishing practices, how to incorporate good nutrition and personal fitness into daily habits, methods of food preservation, outdoor games for the whole family and how bees, butterflies and other insects help to keep our gardens and orchards blooming. Bring a non-perishable food item for The Lord’s Harvest Pantry to help feed the hungry.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact IHM Ecology Director Sharon McNeil at 240-9720 or smcneil@ihmsisters.org. Visit FoodDay.org for more information and get in on the conversation on social media.

The IHM Sisters’ Motherhouse is located at 610 W. Elm Ave.

Food day event perfect for all ages

F

October, 2013 f a M I l Y f u n ! Monroe County Parent /Page 7

utumn is the season when pumpkins are ripe for the picking, and thousands of people flock to local farms and roadside vendors to select perfect pumpkins. Many pumpkins are turned into decorative jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween, only to be tossed in the trash come Nov. 1. That could be because many people are

unaware of the various ways they can put pumpkins to good use.Pumpkins are gourds and members of the squash family and

have been grown and used for thousands of years. Evidence sug-gests that pumpkins date back to 7,000 B.C., possibly originat-ing in Mexico. Today they are widely used for decorating around Halloween, but there are many other things that can be done with pumpkins.

n create a food vessel. Pumpkins can be transformed into bowls to hold soup, punch, fruit or even dips. Make sure the pumpkin has been cleaned well of its pulp and seeds, as well as the stringy flesh that is inside. Rub the inside walls of the pump-kin with oil to keep them from drying out and caving in, then fill with your food of choice.

n Make pumpkin puree. Puree from a pumpkin can be used in all types of recipes, from soups to baked goods. The puree also can replace the oil in cake recipes. Cut the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and stringy membranes. Then place it cut-side-down in a pan with a little water in the bottom. Bake at 350 degrees for around 90 minutes. The flesh will become tender and easily removable. Blend the resulting puree in a food processor and reserve flesh for recipes. Some pumpkins are sweeter or better to use as part of recipes. Check the variety you’re purchasing.

n Whip up a facial. Use some pumpkin puree with a little brown sugar and a dash of milk to create a vitamin-rich facial mask.

n get illuminated. Turn hollowed-out mini pumpkins into candles. Melt soy wax, beeswax or the gel type of candle wax that can be found at most craft stores. Add your favorite scent and place a wick into the bottom of the pumpkin. Then pour the wax into hallowed-out space and allow it to harden. Try the same thing with bumpy and multi-colored gourds for added decorat-ing appeal.

n Turn the pumpkin into a flower pot. Fill a hollow pump-kin with soil. You may not have to worry about scraping the pumpkin completely clean because the pulp can be used to help fertilize the potting soil. Plant your favorite fall flowers into the festive and earth-friendly flower pot. When the pumpkin shows signs of rotting, simply put the whole thing into a traditional flower pot or bury it directly in the ground.

n Make pumpkin stock. While vegetable or meat-based stocks may be the standards, pumpkin can be used to make stock as well. Clean out the seeds from the stringy guts of the pumpkin and put the guts into a pot filled with water. Add celery, carrots or any other aromatic vegetables for extra flavor. Allow to boil for at least 30 minutes. The stock is ready when it begins to change color. Strain and reserve the stock for use in a variety of recipes.

n Turn into a billowing cauldron. Instead of a standard jack-o’-lantern, put a glass jar into the carved pumpkin, add dish soap and hot water to the jar and then put in a piece of dry ice. Bubbles and smoke will pour out of the pumpkin to create a spooktacular effect.

Put pumpkins to use in many different waysPumpkins are staples of autumn decorating. But there are more uses for these orange gourds than just carving them into Jack-O-Lanterns.

A

Page 8/ Monroe County Parent a s K D R . K October, 2013

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Dr. anthony l. KomaroffHarvard Medical School

Introduce solid foods for infants at 4 to 6 monthsDeaR DocToR K: I’ve started giving pureed solid foods

to my 2-month-old daughter. My sister doesn’t think this is safe. What’s your opinion?

DEAR READER: I agree that it’s too soon. Pediatricians advise waiting until a baby is 4 months old to introduce solid foods. You can even wait a bit longer. Breast milk or iron-for-tified infant formula provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months. There is no proven benefit from introducing solid foods before 4 months, and there are risks.

Babies younger than 4 months are not physi-cally ready for solid foods. They usually cannot sit up by themselves or hold their heads up well. Also, the muscles in the mouth that help guide solid food into the back of the throat and then down into the stomach are not fully developed. This means that when they try to swallow solid foods into the stomach, the food can drop down into the lungs, not the stomach. That’s called aspiration, and it can cause pneumonia.

Giving solids before 4 months may increase the risk of obesity, Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, although these disease links are not solidly established. It may also increase the risk of eczema and of food allergies. Breast-fed babies who start solids early tend to stop breast-feeding sooner. Given all we know about the health benefits of breast-feeding, that’s not a good thing.

Most babies develop the ability to eat solid foods at 4 to 6 months. But even when your baby is ready, learning to eat

solids takes time and practice.Before you begin, talk with your pediatrician. Most recom-

mend one of the iron-fortified infant cereals, such as rice, oatmeal or barley, for the first food. These types of cereals are least likely to cause allergies. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, can help the absorption of iron.

There is no value, and there is potential harm, from adding either salt or table sugar to the food. You will still be giving the baby milk or formula as you gradually introduce solid foods. Be careful not to feed the baby too many calories. Your pediatrician or a nutritionist can help you plan.

Watch for symptoms of allergy, such as rash, wheezing, stomachache, diarrhea, gas, fussiness or vomiting. If you notice any of these things, stop giving the food in question and consult your pediatrician.

Also keep the following in mind as you start your baby on solids:n Add only one new food at a time. Wait five to seven days

between new foods so that you have time to watch for a pos-sible allergy.

n Do not give honey to your infant before 1 year. Honey can cause life-threatening food poisoning (botulism).

n Wait until your child is at least 3 years old to give small, round or hard foods that can cause choking. Examples include grapes, raw carrots, popcorn, hot dogs, raisins, nuts, seeds, jelly beans and other hard candies.

(Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.)

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October, 2013 g o o D I D e a s Monroe County Parent /Page 9

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Many uses for leftover Halloween candyLeftover Halloween candy can be put to many different uses after the holiday has come and gone.

Halloween is certainly known for the spooky decorations that adorn homes and for the creative costumes children put on to canvas the neighborhood. But for many youngsters, Halloween is all about the candy.

In just a few hours, trick-or-treaters can accumulate a substantial amount of assorted chocolates, confections and other sweet treats. Once everyone has had their fill of their favorite items, candy often gets relegated to a giant bowl on the kitchen table, where it beckons each resident who passes by.

Rather than submitting to the call of the candy and sacrificing your dental health as a result, enterprising individuals can repurpose that leftover Halloween candy.

I N C E N T I V E S

Parents can store extra candy to use as rewards for good behavior. Many parents use sweet treats as rewards for children learning to potty train. Rewarding older children for a job well done cleaning up their rooms or as a special treat for scoring a good grade on a test also can be a way to put the candy to good use.

G I N G E R B R E A D H O U S E S

Christmas is just two months after Halloween. Put candy into sealable baggies and use it come the holiday season when building gingerbread houses. You will have a variety of different candies from which to choose and won’t have to purchase anything new in order to decorate your creations.

A DV E N T CA L E N DA R S

Halloween candy can be saved to make an Advent calendar. This calendar traditionally counts down to Christmas, revealing a date and a sweet treat behind each door. Instead of purchasing a ready made Advent calendar, families can get together and make one for a family craft as a way to recycle Halloween candy.

G O O DY BAG S

Candy is a crowd-pleaser, and leftover candy can

be used in goody bags doled out at birthday parties.

Keep the candy well-sealed to store away until it is

needed to fill goodie bags. Add a few trinkets that tie

in with the theme of your party, and you’re all set.

On a similar note, leftover candy can be used to stuff a pinata for

a party. Pinatas are available in many different themes and styles,

making any occasion ripe for a pinata.

BA K I N G

Cookies, brownies and cake bars taste even

better with peanut butter cups, chips and

chocolate candies baked inside. Some candy

can be frozen for later use in baked goods.

Baked goods can be enjoyed by the family or

used for bake sales for schools and other organizations.

D O N AT I O N S

Hospitals, doctors’ offices and nursing homes may

appreciate donations of candy for staff and visitors.

You can visit different places to see if they would

appreciate a candy donation.

A D U LT B E V E R AG E S

Hard candies can be used to add some flavor to adult

beverages. Let the candy sit in the alcohol for a few hours

and the candy will dissolve. Use a coffee filter to strain

out any candy remnants.

There are many different ways to put Halloween candy to use so it

doesn’t go to waste or end up ruining teeth and waistlines.

Page 10/ Monroe County Parent T H I n g s T o D o ! October, 2013

Thatababy by Paul Trap

SPOOKY RECIPE

The River Raisin National Battlefield Park will be hosting a Children’s Fall Craft Day at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park Oct. 19 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Children will learn how to make crafts like the settlers of Frenchtown and the Native Americans did more than 200 years ago. They will be able to choose an age-appropriate craft ranging from arrowhead beaded necklaces, corn husk doll making, gourd decorating and fall wreaths. Each craft will have an instructor to lead them and explain the historical significance of the art. All the materials will be supplied and the children will be able to take their craft home with them.

Arrowhead necklaces and wreaths are recommended for ages 6 and up. Corn husk doll making and gourd decorating are recommended for ages 3 and up.

The sessions will run simultaneously and are limited to 12 participants each. Advanced registration is required. Please call 243-7136 to register or for additional information.

Authorized in 2009 and established in October of 2010, as America’s Newest National Battlefield Park, the River Raisin National Battlefield Park remembers, commemorates, preserves and interprets the January, 1813, battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. Although American forces were victorious in the first battle, the second ended in the most disastrous defeat for the United States during the war; a devastating loss that included mass killing of the wounded. One of the most historically significant events to emerge from the battles was the cry, “Remember the Raisin!” which persuaded forces to fight successfully at the Battle of the Thames later that year. The American victory at the Battle of the Thames sealed the War of 1812 in the western theater for the Americans; however, it claimed the life of the great Shawnee leader Chief Tecumseh.

children’s fall craft day!

Spiders and their sticky webs go hand-in-hand with Halloween. Create spiderwebs that can be used to adorn cookies and cupcakes and give them an extra scary flair.

Use a template of a spiderweb and place this template under a piece of waxed paper to serve as your guide. Use store-bought or homemade royal icing to pipe out the shape of the spiderweb on top of the waxed paper. Allow to dry until completely hardened, then peel off the paper. Repeat the process for as many spiderwebs as you need. You can use these spiderwebs as garnish for a variety of baked goods, or they can be eaten on their own.

Sugar Spiderwebs

October, 2013 c a l e n D a R Monroe County Parent /Page 11

15th annual custer Week, oct. 7-13 Monday-saturday, Monroe Annual commemoration of the life of Gen. George A. Custer, who grew up in Monroe. Visit the Custer exhibit at the Monroe County Historical Museum. View Custer pen and ink drawings on display all month at Ellis Reference and Information Center. Special events will be held each day in Monroe, including walking tours and spe-cial speakers. For more detailed informa-tion, visit the General George Armstrong Custer Facebook page.

evening lantern Tours at oakwoods Metropark friday oct. 11; saturday, oct. 12; friday oct. 18, saturday oct. 19, 7 and 8:30 p.m. The tours are held at Oakwoods Metropark, 32911 Willow Rd., New Boston, and include a hayride, followed by a lantern-lit hike around the nature trails. Cider and cookies will be served in the Nature Center. Tickets $12 per person; advance purchase required. Vehicle entry permit also required.For information or to purchase tickets, call (734) 782-3956 or go to www.metroparks.com.

second annual fall family fun festival The church of Jesus christ of latter-Day saints, 3740 W. Dunbar Rd., Monroe saturday, oct. 12 The family-oriented event includes a hay ride, inflatables, cake walk and games. A free lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. county line Tractor show in Deerfield sunday oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The County Line Tractor Show will be held at Deerfield Free Methodist Church, 572 E. River St., Deerfield. Events include a tail-gate / potluck breakfast at 9 a.m., church service at 10 a.m., tractor parade at 11:30 a.m., and lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. There will also be tractor displays and kids games.For information, call Pastor Rick Jewett at (313) 701-7815 or Carl Radulski at (734) 819-1167.

children’s self-Defense seminar at Monroe county community college

Thursday, oct. 17, 7-8 p.m. Mark Bergmooser, a certified 4th-degree black belt, will teach a children’s self-de-fense seminar for ages 5-12 at the college, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. The seminar will cover simple self-defense strategies de-signed to protect children from attackers. Cost is $19 per student; children must be accompanied by a parent.For information, call (734) 384-4330 or go to www.monroeccc.edu.

2013 lantern Tours at navarre-ander-son Trading Post friday, oct. 18; saturday, oct. 19; friday, oct. 25; saturday, oct. 26; 6:30, 7:50, 8:10 and 8:30 p.m. Costumed re-enactors lead tour groups and present local and national history during this popular annual nighttime tour of the trading post site at 3775 North Custer Road. Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Monroe County Historical Museum. Tour spots are limited and sell out quickly. For more information, call the museum at (734) 240-7780, fall funtacular festival at Monroe church of the nazarene saturday, oct. 19, 1-4 p.m. This free festival will be held at the church at 3401 S. Custer Rd. Activities include moonwalks, games, snacks, face paint-ing and a hayride. There also will be a pie auction.For information, call (734) 241-0753 or go to www.monroenaz.com

bow Wow Ween Halloween Party in flat Rock sunday, oct. 20, 1-3 p.m. Area residents are encouraged to bring their pets in costume to this party at the Flat Rock Community Center, 1 Maguire St. The event features a costume contest parade at 2 p.m. A photographer will also be available to take pictures of pets at an additional charge. Adoptable pets, ven-dors and concessions also will be on site.Cost of entering a pet in the event is $5 per pet before Oct. 11, $7 between Oct. 11 and Oct. 19, and $10 on the day of the event.

For information, call the Flat Rock Recre-ation Department at (734) 379-1450.

fall Harvest celebration in saline

sunday, oct. 20, 1-4 p.m.Tours and period re-enactments at Weber Blaess One Room School, 520 Woodland Drive East,

Saline. Re-enactments of a typical day in the school by Saline Area Schools drama club students plus a snack and crafts. The free event typifies the area’s 1800’s fall harvest celebration.

For information, call 734-429-8020 Ext 1 or 734-429-5922.

Downtown Milan Merchants Trick or Treat friday, oct. 25, 5 to 6 p.m.Only downtown merchants with fliers at their stores indicating participation should be visited, an many of the candy stations will be on the sidewalks. Children should be accompanied by an adult. The Milan Police Department will help little ones cross the street safely.

evening hayride and bonfire at oak-woods Metroparkfriday, oct. 25, 6 p.m.This event will be held at Oakwoods Metropark, 32911 Willow Rd., New Boston.Cost is $7 a person. Huron-Clinton Me-troparks vehicle entry permit is required. Advance registration is required at (734) 782-3956.

Halloween History at lake erie Me-troparksaturday, oct. 26, 10 a.m. Journey through time to visit the origins of Halloween and the myths and legends behind its celebration at Lake Erie Me-tropark, 32481 W. Jefferson Ave., Brown-stown Township .

Advance registration is required; cost is $3 a person. Vehicle entry permit is required.

For information or to register, call (734) 379-5020. www.metroparks.com

fall fun fest at bedford nazarene church saturday, oct. 26, 4:15 p.m.Children are invited to come dressed in costume at this free community event at the church, 7866 Douglas Rd., Lambert-ville. Featured performer will be John Louis, with his “On the Edge of Illusion Gospel Variety Show.” This presentation

features comedy, music, juggling, live animals and illusions as he delivers an inspirational message. After the show, there will be games, prizes, a moonwalk, popcorn, cotton candy and trunk or treat.

For more information, call the church at 734.847.6749.

Trunk or Treat at Monroe Missionary baptist churchsaturday, oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m.This community event at the church, 14260 S. Dixie Hwy., allows children ages 12 and younger, and their families, to collect candy in a safe environment. Cider and doughnuts will also be served. Costumes are encouraged; no scary costumes, please.

For more information, call the church at 734. 241-6860.

River Raisin Halloween festival in Downtown Monroesaturday, oct. 26Details and times unavailable at press time, but this annual afternoon event usu-ally includes trick or treating at downtown businesses plus entertainment and other attractions. Updated information will be posted closer to the date at www.monroeinfo.com.

Truck or Treatelevate church. 15269 s. Dixie Hwy., Monroe sunday, oct. 27, 3 to 5 p.m.There will be trunk or treating, refresh-ments and activities at this party. More than 1,000 kids attended last year’s event. For more information, go to http://elevate-church.com.

Trick-or-treating Thursday, oct. 31 Most area municipalities will host trick-or-treating in the early evening; details and times will be announced closer to Oct. 31. For updated informa-tion, check the Monroe Talks online calendar at http://www.monroetalks.com/events.

Page 12/ Monroe County Parent H e a l T H October, 2013

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