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SYRACUSEparentJune 2012

2

Living with Celiac DiseaseC-NS HS senior with disorder prepares forcollege 5

A day for

dad8

The ‘naked truth about

birth’Play shares

birthing experiences

7Prevent dog bitesVet discusses prevention, treatment

2 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 Openers

Editor - Jennifer Wing434-8889 ext. 340

editor@syracuseparent.net

Associate Editor - Farah F. Jadrancalendar@syracuseparent.net

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See Trip on page 4

The more the merrier, this year at Disney We recently returned from our annual trip to the most magical place on earth,

and this year was an exceptionally busy visit packed with people, a cruise and, upon returning to Central New York, an immediate trip to another theme park.

In other words, as far as vacations go, it wasn’t the most relaxing, but it was probably one of the best we’ve taken, for a few reasons:1. We went with my folks and mother-in-law.

My husband, Eric, and I are firm believers in the adage, “Carpe diem,” or, for those who don’t speak Latin, “seize the day.” Simply put, we know that today is a gift, not one to be wast-ed, but tomorrow is not a certainty, and you never know what it will bring.

Therefore, we want to spend time with our loved ones when we can.

The side benefit of having the grandparents with them is, if someone didn’t want to go on a ride, such as my son Jacob, who refuses to go on the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Stu-dios, there is always someone willing to sit the ride out with him, or her, if Cassidy decides to veto a ride choice.2. We tried new things.

We took the Disney Cruise to the Bahamas, and swam with dolphins

JenniferWingMomsense

ABOVE: Jacob, Logan, Madi and Cassidy at the Biergarten in Epcot. RIGHT: The Wing/Niziol family at Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

Hurricanes and warm waterI learned a valuable lesson some years ago. I

was struggling with a very close personal friend who was in deep conflict with herself but didn’t know it. I not only wanted to help, I was asked to help. (I should’ve seen it coming!) Never-theless, we are all short-sighted sometimes.

So this friend was struggling with a personal problem. I kept getting involved and each time it seemed that it made matters worse. Each time, I would offer a helping hand only to find myself as frustrated and angry as my friend. Now, the kicker is that my friend’s problem was

impacting my life as well. So, my emotional investment was significant. I had to deal with the consequences of her choices. This is often true for us. Others’ choices impact us all the time. We have to live with the fallout of others’ choices.

Then a colleague of mine suggested to me ever-so-gently that maybe I should not get in my friend’s storm. I then realized that by doing this, I was only fueling her denial of the real issue at hand. Ah! The light bulb went on.

Theressa

McMorrisBarefooting it

Appreciating what we take for grantedI had the pleasure of spending time with Marion Leggett,

a Cicero resident, and her daughter Valerie Harrington, after they participated in the annual Making Tracks for Celiacs Run/Walk held in Jamesville a few weeks ago.

The mother-daughter pair has been through quite a bit from day one.

Marion says her daughter was a “miracle baby” as she was a baby girl seven years in the making. She’s an only child, too.

As her miracle was born and started to grow, so did many health issues. Valerie struggled to ingest her mother’s breast milk and was constantly sick.

By the time she was four years old, she was diagnosed with juve-nile rheumatoid arthritis, but that was only the beginning.

Since then, Valerie has been tested for just about every autoim-mune disease and any possibly related disease to her symptoms.

Right now, at age 17, Valerie is dealing with Celiac Disease and the fact that she cannot walk. In this edition of Parent you will learn more about CD, how it has totally reshaped a young girl’s life and how she and her mother care for each other.

No matter how many physical therapy sessions she attends, or the number of doctors she has (she has at least a dozen at any given point of the year) or the amount of medication or vitamins she takes, they are still hopeful.

Participating in the annual walk/run that supports CD research at

the University of Mary-land is just one way they keep hope.

In addition, Valerie has her sights set big for her post-secondary educa-tional career. Valerie will be a freshman at Syracuse University this fall.

At SU, Valerie will major in physical therapy, mainly because she wants to find a way to rehabilitate her legs so she can walk again.

Marion is beyond proud of her daughter, and she not only hopes Valerie will walk across the stage at the Cicero-North Syracuse High School graduation, but also four years from now when she becomes an Orange alumna.

It’s a positive outlook like theirs that should make you think… “What things do we have in our lives that we take for granted?”

That list is most likely very long. But don’t spend more time sulk-ing over the little things, take the time to say “I love you, to friends and family and appreciate all the good in your life.

That list will shrink and your heart will undoubtedly beat with a little more spirit each day.

Farah Jadran can be reached at fjadran@eaglenewsonline.com.

Theressa McMorris, MS, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Syracuse and Rome. Her experience includes church conflict management, guest speaker and retreat leader. You can connect with her at Theressa@harvesthousecounseling.com.

Farah

JadranAssociate Editor

See Hurricanes on page 3

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 • 3Openers

Paw prints: How to be proactive in preventing dog bitesIt is important to recog-

nize that any dog can bite if they feel scared or threat-ened, even the friendliest puppy.

In the United States, nearly 800,000 dog bites requiring medical treatments are reported annually, and there are likely thousands more that go unreported. Dog bite victims are most commonly young children followed by the elderly and home service providers such as postal workers.

In cases of dogs biting children, it is most often the family or friend’s dog, not necessarily a stranger dog.

Dog bites can cause significant trauma and have the potential to be fatal, so this is a serious problem which should not be taken lightly.

Luckily there are steps we can take to prevent bites from occurring.

There are certain breeds of dogs that have reputations as being more aggressive, but how a dog is trained and raised has more influence on behavior and the potential to bite.

So, the first step in preventing dog bites starts with being a responsible pet owner. When you decide to get a

dog, it should not be an impulse decision. Research what breed is best for your family and life-

style. If you have young children, waiting until a child is older may be best as most dog bites happen to children younger than five.

Teach your dog basic obedience commands, reward positive behavior and avoid physical punishment. Provide daily exercise and mental stimulation.

Most importantly, take your dog to the veterinarian for yearly wellness exams and routine preventative care. How a dog feels can directly affect how it behaves.

What else can you do to keep your family safe? Educat-ing children at an early age about dog safety should be as important as teaching a child about strangers.

Teach your child to never reach through a car window or fence to pet a dog. Always ask permission before pet-ting a dog.

Also, teach them not to disturb a dog that is sleeping or eating. Adults should never leave a young child alone with any dog.

If you are in a situation where you feel you may be bitten what should you do? Avoid running away from the dog. Instead, walk calmly and avoid eye contact.

Do not yell or make loud noises. If you are knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your face with your

hands until you feel safe to get up. If the worst does happen and you are bitten or if your

dog bites someone, what steps do you take next? First, confine the dog immediately. Wash the bite wound with soap and water and then seek medical attention.

Even a minor bite can develop serious complications if left untreated. Record the name and address of the dog owner and description of the dog.

Contact local law authorities or dog control to report the incident.

If the dog that bites is not current on its rabies vaccine, a lengthy quarantine or even euthanasia may be necessary for public health reasons.

Lastly, if your own dog is the biter, contact your veteri-narian for advice on behavior or to determine an underly-ing medical condition for the cause of biting.

Dogs are special companions for many of us. Part of being a responsible pet owner is to be mindful of the real-ity of dog bites and how to prevent them.

This awareness will strengthen the wonderful relation-ship we have with dogs, so they will forever be known as man’s best friend.Dr. Anne Weiskotten Galton is a veterinarian at Cazenovia Animal Hospital. She can be reached at 655-3409 or agalton28@yahoo.com.

ACT ‘super scoring’ a puzzling practiceMariaBadamiCNY CollegeDirections

Dr. Anne Weiskotten Galton

‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ a riot “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” is a laugh-out-

loud riot of a movie. It is a wonderful stop-action film by Peter Lord

of the “Wallace and Gromit” series fame. “Pirates” is testimony that great animated fea-

tures may be suitable for children, but are written with an irony and subtle zaniness that appeals to adults.

Every visual, every written word, every inflection has comic intent that scores.The setting is 1837, and Great Britain rules the waves. The exceptions are the

pirates that linger in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The rotund Queen Victoria re-ally hates pirates. She orders her admirals to obliterate them all, wipe them from the map.

Meanwhile, our protagonist is the good-natured Pirate Captain (voice of Hugh Grant) whose big fun with his motley crew is weekly Ham Night. The captain ruefully reflects on his pirate career, admitting that his successes have been few.

He needs to win the Pirate of the Year award to restore his morale and that of his crew.

But, winning the award means presenting lots of booty.The captain’s search for fame and booty is frustrating until he encounters

Charles Darwin on Beagle. Darwin informs the captain that his beloved Polly is not a parrot, but a Dodo bird, long thought extinct; the captain can claim fame and riches if he presents Polly to the Royal Society in London.

This venture puts captain and crew right into the queen’s backyard — totally out of pirate context — where all manner of mayhem ensues.

In this world of animated artistry with high-definition computer graphics, many kids may not be drawn by Park’s quirky clay figures.

It’s a shame, because it is an art form performed meticulously and because the writing and visuals are so relentlessly funny.Jim Wigge is a Cazenovia resident and film-aficionado who reviews movies for the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached through the editor, at editor@cazenoviarepublican.com.

JimWiggeA local at theTheater

The issue of “super scoring” seems to create a great deal of confusion among college applicants. Super scoring is the practice of combining students’ best SAT or ACT scores and reporting the high-est combined scores on college applications.

For example, a student takes the SATs twice, the first time scoring a 600 on critical reading, 650 on math and 550 on writing, for a composite SAT test score of 1800.

The second time the student takes the test, he scores a 650 on critical reading, 600 math, and 600 on writing, for a composite score of 1850.

By super scoring, the student can take the highest score from each test date ( 650 criti-cal reading, 650 math and 600 writing) for a combined composite super score of 1900. The College Board and most college admissions of-ficers have accepted this practice for the SATs.

In fact, there is even a section on the Common Application where applicants can super score their tests.

Where the confusion arises, I believe, is with the ACTs. Like the SATs, when super scoring, a col-lege takes the highest score from

various test dates and gets a new higher score. While most colleges accept the practice

of super scoring the SATs, this is not the case with the ACTs. A relatively short list of col-leges super score the ACTs.

An applicant submitting ACTs should not assume the school super scores the ACTs and should contact the college admissions of-fice directly and inquire about each school’s practices.

Maria Badami is a college consultant with College Directions CNY, located at 7030 East Genesee St., in Fayetteville. She can be reached at collegedirectionscny@gmail.com or through collegedirectionscny.com.

It came to my attention many years ago during hurricane season that if a tropical storm moves over warm water, it increases in intensity. The warm water, if you will, is fuel to the storm. I realized that my efforts in trying to “fix” the problem were only increasing the intensity of her storm. What was hard was that I fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book. This person was asking for my help.

As soon as I figured this out, I stopped trying to fix my friend. I bore witness for my friend. I came alongside of my friend. I listened to my friend. I allowed my friend to wrestle with herself and not wrestle with me. I got out of the mix, but journeyed with her. I no longer carried anxiety for my friend. I moved my anxiety into prayer for

my friend.After several months of my friend wrestling

with herself, she found her answers and was able to get the help she needed. It wasn’t from me, but I was by her side all the way encouraging her and loving her and rejoicing with her as she found her peace.

The hardest part of this process is to let go. Letting go of people and their problems is a very difficult and often necessary process. There is al-ways discernment in that task. There are times to step in and times to step out. I think the sign that you should step out might be when you step in and that person pushes you back out. Stay out! Love them! Encourage them! Pray for them! For their sake and yours, don’t be warm water!

from page 2Hurricanes

4 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012

What are your children drinking?Health & nutrition

Writtent by, Julie Mellen RD, CDN, CDEWater and Milk

When looking at calories in the foods we eat to con-trol weight we often overlook the calories in the drinks we consume. Water and Low fat (1%) or fat free milk are by far the best choices for drinks. Water is calorie-free and is the best thirst quencher. Milk contains carbo-hydrate, protein, calcium, vitamin D and electrolytes; all of these nutrients make milk an excellent choice for rehydration after athletic events. Calcium requirements by age:

1-3 years: 700 milligrams/day4-8 years: 100 milligrams/day9-18 years: 1300 milligrams/day

The current dietary guidelines for milk or the equivalent (yogurt, fortified soy milk, etc.) are:

2-3 years old: 2 cups/day4-8 years old: 2.5 cups/day9 and older: 3 cups per day*One 8 ounce cup of milk provides 300 milligrams of

calciumJuice drinks, Soft drinks and Soda

Often kids who drink a lot of juice drinks or soft drinks such as soda, Kool-aid, lemonade, sweet teas, etc. do not consume adequate amounts of milk and risk tak-ing in excess sugar and calories which can lead to weight gain, obesity, nutrient deficiencies and tooth decay. In addition, juice drinks, soft drinks and soda are full of sugar and have no nutritional value at all. It is best to not start the habit of drinking sugary drinks at a young age. Children who start consuming these drinks early on will likely continue to consume more and more as they get older. At best, it should be an occasional beverage choice only.What about 100 percent fruit juice?

Only 100 percent juice should be served and it should

be limited. The current recommendations for 100 percent juice

include:Infants under 6 months: NO juice6-12 months old: maximum of 2-4 ounces daily in a

cup NOT a bottle1-6 years old: 4-6 ounces daily7-18 years old: 8-12 ounces per day

Sports Drinks and Energy DrinksIn 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics pub-

lished a statement on the use of sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents, stating that child athletes can benefit from using sports drinks contain-ing carbohydrate, protein, or electrolytes but are of little benefit for the average child engaged in routine physical activity. For them, water is sufficient. Whatever bever-age the child will drink the most of is the best choice to prevent dehydration during an athletic event. Children prefer flavored drinks, like sports drinks or chocolate milk, and either is preferable to soft drinks for rehydra-tion.

Energy drinks, however, have NO place in the diet of children or adolescents, whether or not they’re athletes. These drinks are usually high in caffeine, providing as much as 220 mg in a 16-oz can (equal to the amount of caffeine contained in more than six 12-oz cans of most caffeinated soft drinks).

Here is a sampling of what’s in one cup (8 ounces) of some of the drinks on the market:

Water, 0 calories, 0 grams sugar, 0 teaspoons sugar; fat free milk, 90 calories, 12 grams sugar, 3 teaspoons sugar; low fat chocolate milk, 160 calories, 26 grams sugar, 6.5 teaspoons sugar; 100 percent orange juice,110 calories, 22 grams sugar, 5.5 teaspoons sugar; 10 percent juice drink, 150 calories, 38 grams sugar, 9.5 teaspoons sugar; soda, 100 calories, 27 grams sugar, 6-7 teaspoons sugar;

vitamin water, 50 calories, 14 grams sugar, 3.5 teaspoons sugar; fruit smoothie, 225 calories, 40 grams sugar, 10 teaspoons sugar; Sports drinks, 50 calories, 14 grams sugar, 3.5 teaspoons sugar.

Resources: Committee on Nutrition and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents: Are they appropriate? Pediatrics. 2011;127(6):1182-1189. The Calorie King Calorie Fat & Carbohydrate Counter, 2011 Edition, CalorieKing.com, KidHealth.

Homemade fruit and yogurt smoothie

Blend 6 ounce plain yogurt, 1 cup nonfat milk, and 1/2 to 1 cup of frozen berries or any other fruit choice, until milk-shake thickness and enjoy!

while there. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was awesome. I know it was not something the grandparents would have done on their own – so now we can all check that off our bucket lists.3. There was a little bit of everything.

We spent four days at the Disney theme parks, then headed out on their new ship, The Dream, complete with the Aquaduck, the only “water roller coaster” in existence on a cruise ship. We swam in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas, ate fabulous food and watched enchanting shows. Dis-ney doesn’t disappoint!4. We spent time with friends.

We found out that friends of ours (who have two children close to the age of ours that are also good friends) were also going to be in Disney at the same time, so we met up at the Biergarten in Epcot for a great meal, dancing and performance by German musicians. The kids went on the ride “Soarin,” an interactive movie ride at Epcot and just experienced Disney as a group. The next day we met up with them at Animal Kingdom for more fun, including a ride on “Expedition Everest” and encounters with various wildlife while “on safari.”

When we got back, the vacation wasn’t really over.Cassidy had a cheerleading competition at Six Flags New England in Springfield,

Mass., so we traveled there the day after we returned, and had fun with friends and their kids while staying near the park. Boy! Our kids have the life, don’t they?5. I gained a new appreciation for family trips.

It’s hard to compromise and be able to do what you want. I have to say, my parents and mother-in-law were great. They left the planning up to me, the “Disney expert,” but I think they appreciated that they could just go with the flow. I think they had a good time; at least I hope they did. We certainly enjoyed having them with us, making new memories, strengthening bonds and reinforcing that there’s nothing as important as family.

from page 2Trip

I’m already planning next year’s trip...

Yep, that’s right, I am officially a Disney nerd. I’ve already figured out the dates for our trip next year and am working on some of the early plans. Tune in for more next month.

Onondaga County Health Department news

WIC promotes healthy eating

Step out to cure scleroderma June 10The Scleroderma Foundation, Tri-State Inc. Chapter, will be holding its annual Syracuse,

Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk at Onondaga Lake Park on June 10. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Walkers can register prior to the event for $20 by going online to walks.SclerodermaTriState.org. Day of event walk registration is $25 for those 16 and older, $5 for those 5-15 and children under 5 are free. All participants receive a T-shirt and awards are given to individuals and teams that raise the most money. Sclero-derma is a chronic, degenerative autoimmune disease characterized by a hardening of the body’s connective tissue. With no known cure, scleroderma is a painful, life altering disease that can be fatal. Food, raffles, entertainment and an ideal setting will round out the event. For more information on scleroderma and the Scleroderma Foundation, Tri-State Inc. Chap-ter, call (800) 867-0885 or visit scleroderma.org/chapter/tristate.

The Onondaga County Health Depart-ment’s Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) is for women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or postpartum and infants and children up to age 5. At WIC, families will learn how to eat healthy and will also learn about:

Breastfeeding and the benefits to mom and baby; How to help a child who gains weight too fast; Feeding a baby; How to stretch the food dollar; Feeding a child who is a picky eater; and How to maintain healthy iron levels.

WIC provides healthy foods including milk, cheese, eggs, juice, cereal, peanut but-

ter, beans, tuna fish, whole grain bread or tortillas, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and infant formula. Fruit and vegetable checks can be used in grocery stores as well as at local participating farmers markets. WIC is here to help improve family’s nutrition and well being and can make referrals to other programs as well such as Head Start, Healthy Families, Family Planning and Food Stamps.

There are several WIC office locations in Onondaga County for your convenience. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call the WIC program at 435-3304.

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 • 5

17184

Health & nutrition

C-NS senior looks past Celiac Disease, on to SUBy Farah F. Jadran

During the last few weeks of the school year, most seniors in high school are worrying about taking those last few tests, deciding who they will go to Senior Ball with, planning a graduation party or getting excited about starting college in the fall.

But for 17-year-old Valerie Harrington, there’s much more to worry about as she nears the end of her senior year at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Harrington has Celiac Disease.Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition that affects both

children and adults. When people with CD eat foods containing gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. CD is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder

In addition to the everyday fatigue she feels, Harrington also cannot walk without the use of crutches. She has numbness in both legs and somewhat intolerable pain in her hips because of the lack of feeling in her legs.

“She’s in so much pain,” said Harrington’s mother, Marion Leggett. “It breaks my heart.”

Since Harrington was a child there was always “something wrong” in terms of her overall health. Leggett said her daughter looked as if she was jaundiced for long periods of time, and she also struggled to ingest breast milk like a typical newborn. Harrington was already showing signs of gastrointestinal issues.

Later on, at age 4, she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthri-tis. It was at age 5 that Harrington was finally diagnosed with CD.

However, the diagnosis came with much confusion. Her mother dealt with the issue of learning more about a disease that even some doctors

Farah JaDraN

Valerie Harrington, 17, is pictured at left with her mother, Marion Leggett. Harrington, who is a senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, has Celiac Disease.See Celiac Disease on page 6

6 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012

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were not very familiar with.Once Leggett found resources at Natur-

Tyme and also a suggested list of gluten-free (GF) food options, she felt ready to help her daughter manage the disease. And as of late,

Wegmans also has a GF section for which Leggett says is a Godsend.Being a teen, but coping with Celiac Disease

Because Harrington was able to walk, and run, up until recently, she did what any typical teen would do. She was a C-NS track runner and also a part of the cheer-leading team.

“I would come home very tired,” she said. “I have to try and sleep as much as possible…if I wake up, I have to take [pain] medi-cine and ice my legs.”

She also sleeps with “bean bags”

that are filled with

corn kernels. Once the bags are heated up, they can stay warm for a long period of time and they help relieve pain in her hips.

“If she’s in pain, we wait on her…she deserves it,” said Leggett, who is extremely proud of her daughter for enduring health issues with little to no complaints.

Harrington is working on her final weeks of high school with the help of a tu-tor. Because of days of unbearable pain, she has been unable to attend formal classes at the high school.Hoping for a better way to treat, cure CD

For the past four years, the mother-daughter duo has been participating in the annual Making Tracks for Celiacs Walk/Run. This year the event was held May 12 in Jamesville.

The event has gained importance in their lives for a few reasons.

The pair not only participates in the walk/run because it supports the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland, but because Harrington wants to be active as long as she is able.

Also, Harrington and Leggett help at the Mother Earth Health Foods booth at the event. Mother Earth is a local store that provides vitamins, food and resources for special diets and health issues.

Leggett says that helping at Sue Hutchin-son’s (owner of Mother Earth) booth is her and her daughter’s way of giving back to a place that has been helpful during their journey of navigating CD.

With another walk/run in the books, Harrington is hopeful that with more fund-ing going to research, there will be a better

way to treat the disease. In a perfect world, she would like to see doctors discover a cure for CD.

Harrington goes to physical therapy reg-ularly each week to help with the leg pain and she sees an array of doctors and special-ists for the all the issues she endures.

“I just hope they can finally find out what we can do,” Leggett said. “We want more perspective.”

While CD is treatable, both Harrington and Leggett would like to find out why she has so many other health issues on top of the autoimmune disease.

No matter the struggle, Harrington is looking ahead.

She says she will finish her senior year strong, attend senior ball and hopefully walk across the stage (with or without crutches) to accept her high school diploma.

In the fall, she will commence college at Syracuse University where she plans to major in physical therapy and learn more about exercise science.

“Maybe I can finally figure out what’s going on with me,” she said.

Farah JaDraN

Marion Leggett explains how Valerie eats certain Gluten Free (GF) foods.

from page 5Celiac Disease

Farah JaDraN

In addition to the everyday fatigue she feels, Harrington also cannot walk without the use of crutches. She has numb-ness in both legs and somewhat intolerable pain in her hips because of the lack of feeling in her legs.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults.

What are its symptoms?When people with CD eat foods

that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

What is gluten?Gluten is the common name for

the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.

source: celiac.org

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 • 7

1734

3Syracuse, New YorkChess-Intro-Sequel

Christian Brothers AcademyJuly 30-Aug. 3rd 2012

Health & nutrition

The ‘naked truth about birth’

PhoTo CourTeSY oF aIMee BrILL, FouNDer oF VILLaGe BIrTh INTerNaTIoNaL

Village Birth International midwives. VBI is among the organizations that will benefit from proceeds of the play.

Play to share varying birth experiencesBy Jennifer Wing

“Birth,” a documentary-style play based on more than 100 interviews conducted with pregnant mothers across America about their birth experiences, tells the true sto-ries of eight women painting a portrait of how low-risk, educated women are giving birth in America today.

“The movement for this play to come to Syracuse has been the direction of so many women, those involved in the community,” said Christine Goldman, CD, CPD, CBE, LE, owner of Doulas of CNY. One woman, Karen Brody, interviewed women across the U.S. and turned those interviews into “Birth.”

For Goldman, a wife and mother of five, the film is an extension of what has become her calling.

“Even as a young girl, pregnant women seemed to grab my attention every where I turned. Being pregnant with my own children was inspiring, and birthing them even more empowering,” she said. “I am now the owner and founder of Doulas of CNY. We guide and work with many women in advocating their birthing choices and goals and supporting them as birth doulas and in their postpartum recovery.”

Those choices and goals are a part of “Birth.”Addressed in the play are “the surprisingly large

number of pregnant women not knowing their birth options and the risks of medical interventions; coercion of pregnant women physically and verbally; the power – and pleasure – available to women who give birth; and that secret knowing inside all pregnant moms that their bodies rock,” according to boldaction.org, the website for BOLD, “a global movement to make maternity care mother-friendly. ‘Birth’ has been performed to sold-out audiences throughout the world

‘Birth’What: A staged reading of the play, “Birth,” per-formed by local women

When: on Thursday, June 7, at the May Memo-rial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction prior to the per-formance at 6:30 p.m.

Benefits: Village Birth International birth center in Gulu,Uganda; The new Syracuse BirthNetwork chapter; and BOLD - A global movement to make maternity care mother friendly.

Information: Syracuse-BirthNetwork @gmail.com

RSVP: boldaction.org/attend

SuBMITTeD PhoTo

Two women perform in ‘Birth,’ a play which addressses birth choices through the stories of eight women.

See ‘Birth’ on page 9

8 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012

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ather’s Day is right around the corner and that means many chil-dren, spouses and other family

members will be scrambling to locate the perfect gifts for the men in their lives.

Put away those coupons for neckties and remote control caddies. There’s a good chance Dad wants something a little less cliche and more in tune with his interests. If you think carefully about gift ideas, there’s bound to be something that will be a perfect fit.

SportsIf Dad follows a particular team or

sport, gifts inspired by his love of a favorite team are a surefire bet for suc-cess.

Team jersies, game memorabilia, tickets to the next at-home game, or an expanded satellite dish or cable TV sports programming package are some gift ideas that will coordinate with a sports theme.

Some dads also may be content to simply hit the links or spend a few hours at the batting cages.

Personalized giftsPersonalized gifts can show that special

man in your life that you care about him in a special way. Instead of a run-of-the-mill item pulled off a store shelf, a personalized gift can feature a name, date or sentiment right on the gift itself.

Think about giving Dad a personalized plaque that designates his work area in the

garage or a pocket lighter or photo frame engraved with a special message or his name. An embroidered bath robe, or a golf bag embroidered with his initials also may be a special treat.

Fit for foodiesAs the adage goes, “The way to a man’s

heart is through his stomach.” Take advantage of these words of

wisdom by gifting your Dad with food or culinary-themed items.

Dad may be an amateur chef and will enjoy a cookbook by his favorite Food Network(TM) personality.

Or he may have a restaurant he insists on going to all the time, so guarantee-ing a gift card to said restaurant will be a hit.

If Dad appreciates not only the taste, but also the culture of food, plan a tour of food shops in the area or go on a wine- and cheese-tasting adventure.

Gear headsSome dads get revved up about au-

tomotive gifts, especially if they spend the weekends pampering their prized cars or trucks.

If he tends to have a wrench in hand and head under the hood, treat your father to some new supplies for his automotive pursuits. Quality car waxes and upholstery cleaners are always in de-mand. Or give him a gift certificate to his favorite hand-wash, auto-detailing cen-ter. Gas station gift cards or a new ratchet set are other good auto gift ideas.

TechiesSome dads get excited about the latest

tablets or smartphones. They may keep abreast of virus-detection software or think the technological gadgets sold in those speciality magazines and mall stores are must-haves. Chances are if you spend enough time with Dad you know just what he likes to dabble in, and you can get him an electronic device he’ll find invaluable.

Although it may seem difficult on the surface to find a gift for Dad that he truly will enjoy and use, all it takes is a close examination of his likes to find something appropriate.

Gift ideas for DadF

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 • 9

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as part of the BOLD movement, raising over $350,000 for projects that provide mother-friendly maternity care services and outreach.”

Among the characters in “Birth” are:A stay-at-home mother of four chil-

dren.A 35-year-old successful, high-pow-

ered computer systems manager from New Jersey who confidently planned a cesarean.

A buyer for a major department store who never had a doubt that she wanted an epidural.

A lesbian in her 40s, who, despite her feminist background, wanted a medical-ized birth, fearing the safety of herself and the baby.

An African-American woman who felt intimidated and used by her mid-wives and the medical system after her birth.

A woman who thought birth was “just one day” but found out that hav-ing an emergency c-section on that day changed her world, who then tries to have her second baby differently, a much-hoped for VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).

Moving between first-person mono-logues, some dialogue, and the voices these women heard on the day they gave birth, this play is the first piece of theater to confront what City Lights Theater Company called, “The naked truth about childbirth.”

In watching the play, “expectant mothers and fathers will have an oppor-tunity to see different birthing options [and] resources and how to support their partners in their very important role,” Goldman said.

This play is not only for mothers, she said, but is also for “fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and families... education is empowerment and key to the success of future birthers and supporters.”

Proceeds from the play will benefit Village Birth International birth center in Gulu,Uganda, BOLD and the Syracuse BirthNetwork, a newly-formed group in the area.

Modeled after Birth Network Na-tional, the Syracuse Chapter consists of “local organizations, businesses and women in CNY [who] have come togeth-er to support mother friendly, mother-centered birth initiatives and we believe that every woman deserves to be treated with love and respect as she welcomes her baby into the world,” according to the group’s Facebook page.

“To join, simply email SyracuseBirth-Network@gmail.com” Goldman said. “The group is just getting started, and meeting times will be established in the near future.”

Founding Members of Syracuse BirthNetwork include: MamaBirth YOGA, Village Birth International, Radiant Birth, Holistic Moms Network, Doulas of CNY, Family Tree Midwifery, CNY Doula Connection, Co-Mothering CNY, Village Birth, Breathing Space Studio, Comprehensive Family Wellness Care and women of Central New York.

For more information email: Syra-cuseBirthNetwork@gmail.com.

About BOLD“BOLD is a global movement to make

maternity care mother-friendly. Since 2006 hundreds of BOLD events have taken place around the world produced by volunteer activists in the U.S. and around the world,

educating thousands of people about child-birth options and the birthing climate in local communities. It is a community who passionately believe childbirth is normal and that when we trust birth pregnant mothers and their babies are honored.

We envision a world where there is no violence or coercion of pregnant mothers; where each mother can have the birth she wants.”

- boldaction.org.

from page 7‘Birth’

Make Dad happy with less traditional Father’s Day fareGetting ready to gift Dad for Father’s Day? To those

heading to the menswear department of their local clothing stores, do not even think about veering toward the tie display. Doesn’t Dad deserve something a little more than a necktie?

Father’s Day celebrates the scores of fathers who get up early every morning and head to work to provide for their families. It also honors the men who devote their free time to coach baseball practices, lead scouting troops, run behind a bicycle while a child is learning to ride, and so many other fatherly tasks.

Every year kids (and their moms) fret over what to purchase for the special man of the house. Maybe Dad has a hobby or interest that makes gifting easy. Too often, however, figuring out a Father’s Day present can be a challenge.

Although neckties top the list of go-to gifts, chances are Dad wouldn’t be upset if he didn’t unwrap one this year. Instead, think about these less-cliche gifts.

✓ “Of the month” club: Enroll Dad in one of those se-ries subscriptions that sends him a new item to try every month. From fruit to books, there are many opportuni-ties to find something he'll enjoy. Plus, this shows Dad he's special more than one day during the year.

✓ Food basket: If the "way to a man's heart is through his stomach," a gift basket filled with his favorite treats will be a winner. Look for specialty items that he enjoys but seldom buys.

✓ Sports game: Buy tickets to attend a game when Dad's favorite sports team will be playing nearby. Wrap the tickets with some team memorabilia, like a new hat or T-shirt.

✓ Dinner for two: Although Father's Day is to cel-ebrate the special bond Dad has with his children, a fa-ther who often sacrifices his time to be with the kids may not have many private moments with the other special person in his life. Arrange dinner reservations for two, so parents can go out and enjoy a little adult time.

✓ Fish aquarium: Tending to and watching fish can be a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Purchase Dad a new fish tank and accessories and make a date to go together to pick out fish to fill it.

✓ Something to make chores easier: Think about the chores that Dad does but may not enjoy. Arrange for an easier way to get those chores done. For the father who doesn't relish mowing and tending to the lawn, reserve a lawn-care service for a month or two to ease Dad's workload.

✓ Automotive accessories: Oftentimes, a car or truck is viewed as an extension of its owner. Dad may adore his ride and items that will help him wash, wax and buff it into a pristine vision will no doubt be ap-preciated.

There are many Father’s Day gifts to purchase or arrange that go beyond the stereotypical gifts bestowed year after year. Kids can make this celebration even better with gifts that really show they care.

10 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012

Things 2 do

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Sat June 2Take a Stand, Save a Life 2012. 9

AM to 7 PM. The soon-to-be annual event will feature a craft fair, car and motorcycle show, live music, raffles, children’s activities and food. Regis-ter and purchase tickets at event or visit standagainstsuicide.org.

Paige’s Buttergly Run. 9 AM 5k Run; 9:45 AM Caterpillar Crawl; 10 AM Fitness Walk/Run. Join as either a participant or corporate sponsor and help make a difference in the lives of children in Central New York who are fighting cancer. Clinton Square, Syracuse.Register: paigesbutterfly-run.org.

Second annual Regional Interna-tional King of Trucks. All day event. All Truck Supershow is returning to the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The event is organized by Right Coast Inc., the producer of Syracuse Nationals, one of the larg-est classic car shows in the country. On-site RV campsites are available with water and electric hookups for $35 per night. Advanced sale tick-ets and vehicle registration is now available at www.King-of-Trucks.com. Advanced sale one-day tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for children

(ages 6 to 12). Advanced sale week-end passes are $20 for adults and $15 for children (ages 6 to 12). For more information on King of Trucks visit www.myKingofTrucks.com or call 800-753-3978.

Gifford Family Theatre Book Fair Event – How I Became a Pirate. 11 AM. The Gifford Family Theatre, which is performing a stage musi-cal version of the popular children’s book by Melinda Long, How I Be-came a Pirate, at Le Moyne College from May 25 through June 16, will visit the store to present a rollick-ing reading of the book, complete with songs from the play, pirate-y costumes, and plenty of ‘aaaaarghs.’ Barnes & Noble, Dewitt. 449-2947.

Tue June 5NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color. 7

PM. Bring your NOOK Tablet or Color and learn about the many features of these dynamic interactive devices at this 1-hour tutorial. Please RSVP to the Barnes & Noble in DeWitt NOOK counter or call the store at 449-2948.

Star Party: Venus Transit. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A Star Party during the day? That’s right! Venus will be moving across the sun, and you can watch!

These “transits” are extremely rare. The last one was in 2004, and the one before that, in 1882 was used to calculate the distance of the Earth from the Sun and, subsequently, the size of our solar system! The next won’t occur until 2117. You’ll want to catch this one! $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/fam-ily. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350. Thu June 7

Spring Bird Walk. 9 to 11 AM. Reg-ister for a serendipitous nature walk for stay-at-home moms/dads, retir-ees and people with flexible sched-ules. Participants will hike around the woods, grasslands and wetlands searching for spring waterfowl, rap-tors, and songbirds. Space is limited. Registration required. Fee: $3/child, $5/adult, $15/family. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, N.Y. 365-3588.

MOPLE Ice Cream Social. 3 to 8 PM. The Friends of the NOPL @ Ci-cero Library are having their annual Ice Cream Social to help support the library. Strawberry and chocolate sundaes will be sold for $1.50 each. Location: NOPL @ Cicero Library,

8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. 699-2032. nopl.org.

NOOK, The Simple Touch Reader. 7 PM. Bring your NOOK and explore the many features of our fabulous, easy to use eBook Reader. Please RSVP at the NOOK counter or call the store at 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt. Storytime with Miss Colleen. Thursdays at 10 AM. Barnes & Noble story times are always fun, filled with great books, silly songs and cool activities. Great for toddlers and preschoolers! 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Fri June 8 Fundraiser for People for Ani-mal Rights. 7 to 9 PM. Sparky Town restaurant, 324 Burnet Ave. (corner with Catherine Street),Syracuse, 422-8401 sparkytown.net. Perfor-mance of folk, old-tyme, traditional, mountain,blues, bluegrass. And originals by The Genesee Three, who are: Shirley Stevens with the Blue-grass Band, “Diamond Someday” and “In Harmony” Dana “Short Order” Cooke with “A Rose Amongst the Thorns” Eileen Rose with “Larry Hoyt and the Good Acoustics,” “Mark Zane and Friends”, and “A Rose Amongst the Thorns.” Donations of any amount will be accepted at the event to help PAR. Sat June 9 Curious George Visits Storytime. 10 AM. Join us for a special Storytime with a guest appearance by Curious George! 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

The Girl Who Wears Gumamela Flower by Heidy Ramos. 11 AM. Join local author Heidy Ramos for a Storytime and signing of her latest book, “The Girl Who Wears Gumame-la Flower.” 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Sun June 10Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma

at the Scleroderma Foundation/Tri-State, Inc. Registration and check-in start at 9 AM and the walk begins at 10 AM. Walk Onondaga Lake Park (Bay-view Tent Area by Willow Bay parking lot) along with patients, families and friends as they gather for an encour-aging event that honors scleroderma survivors and lifts the spirits of those who support them. Food, raffles, en-tertainment and an ideal setting make this a great day. For more information on scleroderma and the Scleroderma Foundation/Tri-State, Inc. Chapter, call (800) 867-0885 or visit www.Scleroder-maTriState.org.

Things 2 do

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Kidney Golf Classic – Liberty Mu-tual Invitational. To be held at the Cavalry CC. Benefits the National Kid-ney Foundation of CNY. For an event time and for more information contact John Bonura at the Kidney Foundation of CNY; 476-0311 or email jbonura@cnykidney.org.

Mon June 11 California Scheming by Joseph Pittman. 7 PM. Join us for a reading and Q&A with author Joseph Pittman. California Scheming is the second novel in his Todd Gleason crime series. 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Tue June 12 That’s Ferntastic!10:30 AM. Tom loves ferns, a lot. Join him on this easy walk to discover the ferns growing in Baltimore Woods, and to see why their elegant fiddleheads and beautiful fronds have not only survived for millennia, but have also fascinated people for generations. $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350. Thu June 14 Kidney night at the Syracuse Chiefs. Benefits the National Kidney Foundation of CNY. For an event time and for more information contact John Bonura at the Kidney Foundation of CNY; 476-0311 or email jbonura@cnykidney.org.

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. “THE PITCH” runs from June 14 to Aug. 18 at Theater Mack at the Cayuga Museum, located at 203 Genesee St., Auburn. Four performances will be shown each week throughout the duration of “THE PITCH.” Performance times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets: fingerlakesmtf.com or by calling 255-1785 or (800) 457-8897, or in person at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival offices in the Westminster Presbyterian Church lo-cated at 17 William St. Second Floor, Auburn.

Storytime with Miss Colleen. Thursdays at 10 AM. Barnes & Noble story times are always fun, filled with great books, silly songs and cool activities. Great for toddlers and preschoolers! 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Fri June 15 Relay for Life in Baldwinsville. 7 PM to 6 AM (Through June 16). Each dollar you raise will help save lives. How far will you go to make a dif-ference in the fight against cancer? C.W. Baker High School, Pelcher

Arcaro Stadium. relayforlife.org.

Sat June 16 Skaneateles Garden Club: What’s Blooming. 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Save the date for a tour of seven beautiful gardens in Skaneateles. Tickets: $20 for the luncheon; $20 for the tour. Contact: Skaneateles Gar-den Club at P.O. Box 96, Skaneateles.

Birding and Boating Series. 1:30 to 4:20 PM. A continued series of exploring the Montezuma wetland waterways. Enjoy the last bit of spring birding on a leisurely canoe paddle. You’ll be listening closely for the song of the cerulean warbler, a vulnerable species and one that nests at Montezuma. Take part in the monitoring of this important bird! Fee: $7.50/child without boat rental; $12.50/adult without boat rental; $40/canoe rental (maximum 2 adults plus 1 child). Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savan-nah, N.Y. 365-3588.

Frog Catching Party. 1 to 3 PM. Frogs! Where? Down at Phillips Pond of course! Join our Naturalists for a celebration of all things frogs as we engage in this classic childhood activity.

Space is limited to 30 people— register early. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/fam-ily. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Summer Reading Kick-Off with Captain America.2 to 4 PM. Stu-dents entering grades 1-6 and their families are invited to join us as we kick-off our 2012 Summer Reading Program with a special guest ap-pearance by Captain America! Meet Captain America, learn how to earn a free book, and enjoy activities cel-ebrating America. 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Tue June 19

The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhat-tacharya. 7 PM. Reading, discus-sion and book signing. Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya’s heartbreaking and haunting novel takes a timeless tragedy and hurls it into present-day Afghanistan. Taking its cues from the Antigone myth, Roy-Bhattacharya brilliantly recreates the chaos, inten-sity and immediacy of battle, and conveys the inevitable repercussions felt by the soldiers, their families and by one sister.

The result is a gripping tour through the reality of this very contemporary conflict, and our most

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Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012 • 11

12 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • June 2012

Things 2 do

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powerful expression to date of the nature and futility of war. 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Wed June 20 Solstice Stroll. 7:30 to 9 PM. Join one of our naturalists for a pleasant hike through the evening woods, cel-ebrating the longest day of the year. Experience the sights and sounds of the forest as animals prepare for the night. We’ll stroll past the beaver pond in hopes of seeing these elusive creatures in action. We won’t stay out ‘til the cows come home, but perhaps ‘til the fireflies come out! $5 for mem-bers; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Thu June 21 Howland’s Island Bird Walk. 9 to 11 AM. Howland’s Island is 3,500 acres of state land located in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. It offers countless recreational op-portunities and it provides excellent habitat for many types of birds. We’ll hike around the island and identify the birds we see on the way. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us. Fee: $3/child; $5/adult; $15/family. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, N.Y. 365-3588.

Storytime with Miss Colleen. Thursdays at 10 AM. Barnes & Noble

story times are always fun, filled with great books, silly songs and cool activities. Great for toddlers and pre-schoolers! 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Sat June 23 Montezuma Birding Van Tour. 8 to 11 AM. Breeding season is upon us and adult birds are busy caring for their young. Hop in our van for an excursion to Montezuma’s birding hotspots where waterfowl, raptors and songbirds can bee seen and heard! Participants are encouraged to bring their camera and binoculars. Expect to walk up to three miles. Fee: $7.50/child; $10/adult, $30/family. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, N.Y. 365-3588.

Frog Catching Party. 1 to 3 PM. Frogs! Where? Down at Phillips Pond of course! Join our Naturalists for a celebration of all things frogs as we engage in this classic childhood ac-tivity. Space is limited to 30 people— register early. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/fam-ily. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Sun June 24 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Fes-tival. 1 to 5 PM. Downtown Auburn. Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

and the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce will host the “Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival Block Party” featuring the annual “Flavor of the Finger Lakes.” To register as a vendor for the “Flavor of the Finger Lakes” or to register for the Garage Run, please contact the Chamber at 252-7291.

Tue June 26

Judy’s Book Club. 7 PM. Join Judy and the group by the fireplace as they discuss “Caleb’s Crossing” by Geraldine Brooks. “Caleb’s Crossing” brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave, openhearted spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of supersti-tion and ignorance. 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Society of Children’s Book Writ-ers and Illustrators Group. 7 PM. Welcome, Central New York children’s writers and illustrators! Come for a discussion at our children’s stage. A great way to get information and connect with local authors and il-lustrators. 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Wed June 27 Dragons of Montezuma. 10 to 11:30 AM. Dragonflies and damsel-flies are known to scientists as Odo-nates and observing these beautiful insects has become a popular pas-time called “oding.” Become an “oder”

as we learn how to identify some of the many species that live at Mont-ezuma. Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras. Fee: $3/child, $5/adult, $15/family. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, N.Y. 365-3588.

Thu June 28 Shade Grown Coffee House and Open Mic Night. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. The Montezuma Audubon Center hosts a coffee house/open mic featuring lo-cal music and talent. Come relax and enjoy the music or sign up to per-form. The coffee house will feature a brief presentation on grassland bird conservation. This is a free event. Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, N.Y. 365-3588.

Storytime with Miss Colleen. Thursdays at 10 AM. Barnes & Noble story times are always fun, filled with great books, silly songs and cool activities. Great for toddlers and pre-schoolers! 449-2948. Barnes & Noble, DeWitt.

Fri June 29 Nature’s Little Explorers Frog Frenzy (for preschool age chil-dren). 10 to 11:30 AM. Join us for every child’s favorite nature activ-ity – catching frogs! We will supply the nets and you supply the child. Wear clothes and shoes that will get MUDDY! Children must be accompa-nied by an adult. Meet at the lower parking lot. $5/child (member); $8/child (nonmember); adults free. Balti-more Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Home School Expeditions Stream Stomp. 1 to 2:30 PM. Get into explor-ing a stream - literally! Students will wade in our stream searching for in-vertebrates and other animals to help us determine Baltimore Brook’s water quality. Wear sturdy water shoes and shorts, and get ready to get wet! Meet at the lower parking lot. $5/child (member); $8/child (nonmem-ber); adults free. Baltimore Woods Na-ture Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Sat June 30

Frog Catching Party. 1 to 3 PM. Frogs! Where? Down at Phillips Pond of course! Join our Naturalists for a celebration of all things frogs as we engage in this classic childhood ac-tivity. Space is limited to 30 people— register early. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/fam-ily. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.