SWFL Parent & Child December 2020 by SWFL Parent & Child Magazine

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

DECEMBER 2020

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 3

Tommy says

FESTIVITIES, FOOD & FUN THIS DECEMBER! Breakfast with Santa

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OPENING SOON

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contents |

ALSO INSIDE

25 14 ask the expert What you need to know about COVID-19 and the flu

16 in the kitchen Eight creative kitchen tools you’ll love

19 dining out Four comfort foods and the best places to get them

21 kid stuff Kids are loving these Science and Art on the Farm programs

23 teens Class of 2021 students talk about senior year during a pandemic

25 spotlight They make wishes come true for children who need them most — all year long

30 holiday happenings Local organizations find socially distanced ways to celebrate the season

editor’s note

our contributors

9 online 11

me time

12 fyi

35 gift guide

42 snapshots

This year’s holiday gift guide is full of items that passed the test with parents and kids

47 around town 48 calendar 50 last look

41 safety corner Tips to keep your holiday safe, from button batteries to extension ladders

44 travel Here’s how Florida theme parks aim to put happy into the holidays

49 voices Parents have got this new norm thing; we’ve always had new norms thrust upon us

ILLUSTRATION BY GETTY IMAGES

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 5

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editor’s note |

swfl

Part of the USA TODAY Network

Volume 21, Issue 12 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com Regional VP, Sales William R. Barker General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey kathryn@swflparentchild.com Editor Pamela Smith Hayford (239) 335-0448 pamela@swflparentchild.com Art Director Lindi Daywalt-Feazel ldaywalt@gannett.com

Editorial Contributors Cheryl Bashant Thirtyacre, Esther Copeland, Jean Le Boeuf, Leigha Messner, Dr. Andrew Podos, Andrea Stetson, Jennifer Thomas Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Shawna Devlin Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com

GOODBYE I

t’s hard to say goodbye. Even when a new adventure awaits. When my parents drove me to college and hugged me goodbye, I cried. When I dropped off my son for his freshman year in August, I cried. After 15 years as editor of SWFL Parent & Child, I’m moving on to a new adventure, and I’ll probably cry. But I’m also excited. I have loved meeting other parents in Southwest Florida, getting to know our cover kids on photo shoots, creating projects with families at ArtFest and other events — I’ve met so many great kids and adults because of SWFL Parent & Child. I love working with the writers who contribute to this mobile monthly resource, the team at the office — I’ll never forget the petting zoo we had for Dennis Wright’s birthday or the Star Wars makeover my co-workers gave my office. I even love smelling the magazine pages fresh from the printer. I’ve learned a lot from the experts of Southwest Florida, the Safe Kids coalition, the doctors and therapists, educators and scientists, the families who have been there, the families who have done amazing things and the families who have made mistakes yet find the courage to learn from them. You all occupy a sacred place in my heart. When I started as editor, my youngest wasn’t even 2 yet. Now she’s a sophomore in high school and her big brother is the college freshman making his mom cry at every goodbye. They grew up with this magazine. And I have, too. The best piece of advice I can leave you with is this: Don’t sweat it. Yes, safety matters. Yes, we need to educate ourselves about the different choices that lie ahead. But if we make a mistake — and we all make mistakes — it’s OK. It happens. It’s an opportunity to practice resiliency. Worrying won’t help. So don’t sweat it. Do your best and enjoy every moment you can. Life is full of possibilities and opportunities. Seize them. PHOTO BY BRIAN TIETZ

parent &child S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

Distribution (239) 335-0211 Southwest Florida Parent & Child is a FREE publication distributed at more than 500 locations throughout Southwest Florida by The News-Press Media Group. All rights reserved. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Any opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions of the magazine or publisher.

PAMELA SMITH HAYFORD, Editor

Member of

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from you. Send your photos, letters or comments to: pamela@swflparentchild.com. Or visit us online:

swflparentchild.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 7

| contributors

HAPPY MALLiDAYS

UP TO 70% OFF RETAIL PRICES

eet the contributors to this issue of Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine.

Esther Copeland • Spotlight

• Esther Copeland is a writer and educator living in Lee County with her daughter. She especially enjoys writing about the people of Southwest Florida and single parenting.

Jean Le Boeuf • Dining Out •

Jean Le Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

Leigha Messner • In the

Kitchen • Leigha Messner, a registered dietician and new mom, is a clinical dietitian with Lee Health. She can be reached through media@leehealth.org or by calling 239-424-3120.

Andrea Stetson • Holiday events, Kid Stuff and Teens • Andrea

Stetson writes for magazines and newspapers throughout Southwest Florida. She has also been a news producer and writer at television stations in Fort Myers, Miami and Scranton. Andrea lives in North Naples with her husband, daughter, dog and eight bunnies. Her son graduated from Georgia Tech.

MIROMAR OUTLETS

Jennifer Thomas • Travel:

Dine at our wide array of restaurants!

Holidays at the Parks • Jennifer Thomas is a freelance travel writer who has extensively explored the U.S. and destinations abroad. A journalism graduate from Bowling Green State University and an Air Force veteran, she is the owner of the FSR Ventures public relations firm and Beauty Results PR. Jennifer lives in Fort Myers with husband Bill, daughter Kylie, and golden retriever Rosebud.

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online |

swflparentchild.com Get the latest event information and family news every day on our family-friendly site.

Get SWFL Parent & Child anywhere at any time LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @swflparentchild FIND US ON PINTEREST pinterest.com/ swflparentchild

Fun with cookies

READ US ON ISSUU issuu.com/swflparentchild

Regardless of skill or creativity, decorating cookies with family during the holiday season is a meaningful tradition — and it’s one that doesn’t require you to congregate in big groups. It’s perfect for one-on-one time with your kids. Put on a holiday movie or playlist, wear an ugly sweater and pour yourselves a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider. We’ve resurrected our fun with sugar cookies article, “Get crafty with holiday cookies,” complete with recipes and instructions for every skill level. Find it in the Editor’s Picks section of swflparentchild.com.

Miss an issue?

SWFL Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues. Did you miss the summer list of things to do in Southwest Florida from our June issue? It’s online. Or the birthday party issue in February? It’s online, too. Just visit swflparentchild.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. You’ll also find past stories individually on the site.

Looking for something to do? Our website has plenty of ideas. There’s our calendar and list of attractions, but we also have lists of ways kids can continue to learn at home and features about local organizations hosting online events and activities.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 9

me time |

STUFF MY STOCKING

Whether you’re 3 years old or 30, receiving a stocking filled with goodies is always fun. And these Amazon.com items recommended by Reviewed.com hit the mark for moms.

•

DA BOMB

Nothing elevates bath time quite like a bath bomb. This one turns your tub into a galaxy. With more than 1,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, Amazon reviewers love Da Bomb Galaxy Bath Bomb. It has simple ingredients, doesn’t stain your bathtub or skin, and reviewers love the floral scent. $7.50 on Amazon.com.

FOR YOUR FACE TIME

• The Erase Your Face makeup removing cloths remove makeup with very little scrubbing and without irritating eyes and skin. More than 7,000 Amazon shoppers use them instead of traditional disposable wipes. $9.63 for a 4-count package on Amazon.com.

SWEET DREAMS • Whether basking in

a midday nap or trying to shut out annoying lights at night, the Nidra Deep Rest eye mask wins hands down. It’s contoured so no light sneaks in. One Reviewed editor said it’s “like having personal blackout curtains for your eyes.” $13.95 on Amazon.com.

ESSENTIAL AROMATHERAPY

• This highly rated pack of essential oils from Pursonic includes eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, orange, peppermint and tea tree, which pretty much gives you a scent for every mood. This gift set is $9.99 on Amazon.com.

TAKE IN THE LIGHTS

— just the two of you. Thousands of twinkling lights are so romantic. Take an evening to enjoy a display just the two of you. Some notable ones in Southwest Florida: Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Night Lights in the Garden at the Naples Botanical Garden. We’ve got details on both at swflparentchild.com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 11

| fyi

FASTTRAX TAKES OVER ZOOMERS Zoomers, the popular amusement park in south Fort Myers that shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, is about to open once again as FastTrax Entertainment. Over summer, Pat and Lisa Ciniello, owners of HeadPinz Entertainment Centers, purchased the park for $2.8 million and started renovations in the fall. FastTrax is keeping some of the park rides and the indoor arcade and spending about $6 million to upgrade the rest of the park. The gas-powered go-karts are being replaced with electric ones that are said to accelerate to top speeds more quickly. A new, electric-powered bumper car attraction is being added. The existing roller coaster is getting a fresh coat of paint. The putting course is getting improvements. And another new attraction is being added: Duck-pin bowling. The Ciniellos plan to open FastTrax by late January or early February. Get details at FastTraxEnt.com.

LOOK INTO MY EYES

he Naples Zoo renovated the giraffe area so that visitors can feed the world’s tallest animal from an elevated platform, face to face. The upgrade also includes a new restroom and a small café with seating that overlooks Lake Victoria and the Primate Expedition Islands — a stunning view. The giraffe feeding station is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Masks are required to feed the giraffes. Get details at napleszoo.org.

MILLION MILE CHALLENGE BEGINS AND IT’S GOT ZOMBIES Here’s a fun way to get your family moving — the Million Mile Movement. It’s when Healthy Lee challenges local families, businesses and individuals to collectively log one million miles in less than six weeks. New this year is a feature kids are sure to love: an app called “The Outbreak” that tracks your steps. It features family-friendly zombies and is open to all ages and fitness levels. Fight your way through family-friendly zombie mobs to reach the safe house before the horde reaches you. The challenge starts December 14 and runs through January 24. Get signed up at healthylee.com.

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fyi |

LEARN MINDFULNESS, FOR KIDS AND ADULTS When experts talk about dealing with stress these days, they often bring up mindfulness. Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, a local nonprofit, aims to help people understand and benefit from the practice through two free video series: Mindfulness Moments and Mindfulness for Children. Local professionals lead the videos, including Stacey Brown, a licensed mental health counselor; Maggie Stevens, a retired educator and meditation teacher; Kandy Love, a certified yoga teacher, and Mary Robinson, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Learn more at caloosahatcheemindfulness.org.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Rock the Road Challenge: Two first-time teen drivers will each roll away with a

$1,000 college scholarship in the Rock the Road Challenge by the Lee County Tax Collector. Two runners up will get $250 each. Lee County teens who have their Florida learner’s license by December 31 are eligible to apply. A select number will participate in a driving skills challenge on a closed course. Those with the highest scores move on to the next round. To get details and to register, visit leetc.com/lctcrocktheroad. Deadline to enter is December 15.

Suncoast Credit Union Scholars: The Suncoast

Schools Credit Union Foundation is partnering with each county to offer $2,000 scholarships to five graduates in the Class of 2021 for each county. Applications from Collier County students must be received by January 15; get the application at championsforlearning.org/ resources. Lee County students have until March 26; application available at leeschoolfoundation. org under scholarships.

FREE MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS EXTENDED The Healthcare Network in Naples received a grant to extend its free mental health program to help essential workers and their families cope with the impacts of COVID-19 through March 31. Essential workers include teachers, health care workers, first responders, grocery and retail workers, janitors and maintenance workers, truck drivers and more. If you’re interested in the free mental health sessions, call 239-6583000. Learn more at healthcareswfl.org/ direct-relief.

MORE FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES Last spring, when the pandemic began, Dr. Paul Simeone, the VP Medical Director of Behavioral and Mental Health at Lee Health, suspected there would be a greater need for behavioral health services in Southwest Florida. He started conversations with local providers and now Lee Health and some 20 other organizations are working to address those needs through Healthy Minds. The new initiative provides free mental health screenings, a resiliency toolkit that’s available online, lists of resources and local events where you can talk with volunteers to ask questions and get support for yourself or a family member. Learn more at healthylee.com/healthyminds.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 13

| ask the expert

COVID-19 AND THE FLU

A potential double whammy this winter | BY DR. ANDREW PODOS

t’s understandable that so much of the public’s focus is on COVID-19; it’s a new disease that we’re learning more about every day. It’s affecting tens of millions of people across the world. While its effects on children aren’t fully understood, we do know kids can be infected with this coronavirus strain, fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, and they can spread the virus to others. As we welcome winter, everyone should be reminded that COVID-19 isn’t the only respiratory illness we need to take steps to prevent. School vacations, holiday gatherings and cooler weather mean that all respiratory illnesses will likely increase in prevalence, as they typically do when people gather indoors. It’s a fact that close contact with other people increases transmission of these illnesses. COVID-19 has proven more deadly than influenza, but we can’t overlook the possible severity of the flu. There were more than 30 million U.S. cases of flu last year, while as of midNovember 2020, there were about 11 million U.S. cases of COVID-19. The flu is a nasty illness, and kids can be more susceptible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last flu season had one of the highest recorded numbers for pediatric flu deaths. Due to COVID-19, there are several new problems that will arise this flu season. Although you or someone

14 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

you love might not be at risk for COVID, an increasing number of COVID cases means that medical resources are being stretched to their limits and may become unavailable. With high numbers of people being hospitalized and/or going to ERs and physician offices for COVID-19-related issues, it reduces available resources for patients who may become ill with the flu or other illnesses. Another problem is that it’s hard to distinguish between the flu and COVID-19. They both have very similar symptoms, so it’s often not possible for a physician to tell if you have COVID-19 or the flu without a test. This can create anxiety and confusion in homes, at workplaces, and in schools as people become concerned that they’re experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. Another potential issue is the possibility of co-infection. Some viral infections have the ability to occur simultaneously with another infection. This means it’s possible that during the flu season, you could get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Because COVID-19 is a new illness, the medical community is not yet clear whether this co-infection could create a more severe illness than when COVID-19 or the flu are acquired individually. The best way to prevent flu is with a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine by the end of October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout flu season,

even into January or later. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits, missed work and school days, and to reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children. Flu shots are available at physician offices, pharmacies and the Florida Department of Health. If you do get the flu, there are medicines available for treating it, but they are limited in their effectiveness for a few reasons. First, flu medicines need to be taken soon after the start of the illness to be effective. This can be a challenge because you or your child might not show symptoms until a day or two after the illness starts. It’s also important to realize that flu medicines are not a cure, they merely shorten the duration of the illness by a day or two by limiting replication of the virus. Unfortunately, medicines to treat the flu often make kids sick to their stomachs and can cause vomiting. Flu medicine can also be expensive. Your mother and grandmother were right; prevention is the best medicine. It’s better to avoid getting infected in the first place than it is to rely on medicines to try to treat your symptoms once you’re already sick. COVID-19 has taught us all a lot this year, and as we enter the peak of cold and flu season, don’t forget that the lessons of COVID-19 also apply to the prevention of cold and flu. To prevent getting sick, get a flu shot, wear face masks, practice social distancing when possible, and wash your hands often and thoroughly.

ask the expert |

ASK THE EXPERT

We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything. We’ll find the answer. Send your question to editor@swfl parentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

Dr. Andrew Podos is a pediatrician with Millennium Physician Group in Naples.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 15

| in the kitchen

8 CREATIVE TOOLS FOR YOUR KITCHEN From shears to crock pots, these tools make meal prep and clean-up easier. | BY LEIGHA MESSNER

his past year you may have found yourself among the 85% of Americans who made at least some change in their eating habits due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the International Food Information Council’s 2020 Food and Health Survey, 60% of Americans report cooking at home more. With this shift, more time has been spent in our kitchens following recipes that call for us to dust off cookware or buy equipment we never knew we needed in our arsenal. With the holiday season upon us, there are some old classics you might want to consider and new gadgets that are certainly worth investing in to help save time with meal prep and kitchen clean-up, increase food preservation, and decrease your carbon footprint well into the new year and beyond. Here are some of the top mentioned items by dietitians to have “In the Kitchen”:

FOOD HUGGERS

Lengthen the life of your cut fruits and vegetables while reducing food and plastic waste with these reusable food savers. As the name implies, the product “hugs” leftover fruit and vegetables of various sizes, creating a snug seal that preserves freshness of the cut side. This eliminates the need to wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The level of ripeness prior to being cut can lessen the amount of time cut produce retains its freshness, with maximum storage generally lasting three to four days.

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in the kitchen |

ANGRY AND CHILLY MAMA

The perfect gag gift that is worth getting for yourself! Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner helps ease the stress of cleaning your forgotten microwave. By adding measured amounts of water and vinegar and letting Mama heat for 7 minutes, she does the hard work while you need only wipe away any residue. If you have cleaned with vinegar-based products in the past, you will know to expect a vinegar aroma for an hour or two after using. Adding citrus juice, like lemon, will help with the aromatics. Her sister product, Chilly Mama, chills in the back of your fridge absorbing odors and policing freshness as long as you keep her happily filled with baking soda.

KITCHEN SHEARS

These fancy scissors can cut prep time by doing away with sharp knives that aren’t always the best tool for the job and help curb cross contamination on cutting boards. Use these to help snip herbs and prune vegetables, breakdown poultry, slice bacon, chop whole tomatoes in their can, or open food packaging. Best of all, they can “toddler-ize” any food into appropriate bite-size pieces.

NONSTICK BAKING MATS

Silicone baking mats are a luxury you didn’t know you were missing. The task of adding oils, cooking sprays, aluminum foil or parchment paper will be a thing of your past. They also reduce the amount of elbow grease needed for clean-up. Add in their ability to be reused on anything from baked goods to sheet-pan dinners and they are a no-brainer when it comes to sustainability and saved time in the kitchen.

Leigha Messner is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a clinical dietitian at Lee Health.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 17

| in the kitchen

RUBBER-TIPPED TONGS

These are like having your best friend helping you in the kitchen at all times. They help with multitasking by flipping vegetables or meats while sautéing or grilling, tossing a salad, or mixing a sauce into pasta. By locking the tongs or holding them shut, they easily transform to help mix sauces or dressings together without having to break out another utensil. The rubber tip is key to prevent scratching your pots and pans.

Slow cookers have come a long way since their introduction in the 1950s with every change continuing to save us money and time in the kitchen. The latest models have timers alongside the High, Low and Warm settings that allow you to tailor cooking time to your family’s schedule. Menu possibilities are endless with the ability to cook anything from baked goods, side dishes or entrées. Add in the multitude of leftovers and this is one of the most economically efficient ways to prepare your meals.

BABY STEAMER What was originally a Hail Mary to help transition our baby to solids has now made its way through infancy and become a staple kitchen gadget in the house. With the help of pre-programmed timers, vegetables, fruits and protein are prepped or cooked in record time. The steamer eliminates the need to watch water boil or worry about over-steaming. The most used feature as of late is the ability to cook hard-boiled eggs or steam a sweet potato with the simple push of a button. This little gadget will continue to be used well through toddlerhood and beyond.

CROCK POT

CITRUS SPRAYERS

I saw these during a conference and was surprised at their efficiency. The top is made to screw directly into the fruit, then sprays the fresh juice right onto your plate or into your glass. While not really a necessary kitchen tool, this little sprayer is fun to use and can instantly help you liven up a dish or beverage with a spritz of citrus. Simple rule of thumb would be to use citrus at room temperature and use smaller and larger sprayer for appropriate citrus varietals.

Whichever tools you decide to add to your kitchen arsenal, remember the fine line between cooking healthy, costconscious meals at home versus over-priced takeout often comes down to how easy the meal is to prep and make after a long day. Investing in just a few kitchen staples such as these can be all the difference in meeting nutritional goals. NOTE: All products have been independently selected. Writer is not affiliated with any brands.

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dining out |

4 COMFORT FOODS

n the culmination of a year of uncertainty, Jean Le Boeuf, the nom de plume food critic for The NewsPress and Naples Daily News, put together a list of four dishes that are practically guaranteed to bring comfort. JLB takes it from here: These four dishes, found from Fort Myers to Naples, are my certain comforts. These are the foods I know won’t let me down, the ones I turn to when I want a reassuring hug, that’s also edible. I hope they bring you solace.

And where to find them | BY JEAN LE BOEUF ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH

My pick: Chicago Beef Guy, 1127 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral; 239-772-0713; beefguycapecoral.com When I want to lose myself in a sandwich, I turn to Chicago Beef Guy. The Guy’s Italian beef sub is juicy comfort on a hoagie roll. It’s beef, slow roasted in house. It’s spicy-crisp giardiniera, also crafted in house. It’s the richness of the housemade dipping jus (soaking jus is more like it). It’s the fact anything the Beef Guy doesn’t make in house, it orders direct from the Windy City. It sounds simple enough but put it together and you get bites of delicious, time-erasing bliss. Also worth a try:

Beefstro’s Gourmet Beefs, Naples; Chicago Beef, Dogs and Pizza, Cape Coral; Chicago Boys, Fort Myers

SHRIMP AND GRITS My pick: The Rooster Food + Drink, 600 Goodlette Road N. No. 101, Naples; 239-228-5973; theroosternaples.com Southern food = comfort food. I don’t make the rules, I just report on them. And there are few more comforting dishes in Naples than shrimp and grits from The Rooster. Hearty pink shrimp rest atop a thick, buttery bed of grits sprinkled with bacon bits

under a blanket of pepper pan sauce. Makes me want to forget the world, get up early, smell the sweet Southern air and relax in a rocking chair to a symphony of crickets and chirping frogs as I tuck into another hearty bite. Also worth a try: Salty Papa’s Shrimp House, south Fort Myers; Slate’s, Cape Coral; Doc Ford’s, multiple locations

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 19

| dining out

PANCAKES My pick: Crave, 12901 McGregor Blvd.,

south Fort Myers; 239-466-4663; cravemenu. com There are pancakes and then there are *pancakes*. Pancakes can be made at home, taste good, will make you smile, fine. But *pancakes* are fluffy bites of utopia, buttery rounds of happiness that feed not just your stomach but your soul. And *pancakes* are Crave’s specialty. I don’t know exactly how Crave makes its *pancakes* , but I suspect copious amounts of butter to be involved. Maybe some magic. A dash of sorcery. Whatnot. I don’t question Crave’s methods. I just eat the *pancakes* until I’m stuffed silly. Then I roll home, take a *pancakes*-induced nap, and dream about my next go-round. Also worth a try: Sanibel Fresh, Sanibel; Annie’s, Cape Coral; Blueberry’s Cafe, Naples; Skillets, multiple locations

KEY LIME PIE My pick: Keylime Bistro, 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-395-4000; captivaislandinn.com Living in Southwest Florida, there’s something specifically comforting about Key lime pie. It’s at the end of almost every menu. It can be great and good, but rarely is it bad. Keylime Bistro’s version isn’t Key lime pie so much as a towering wedge of Key lime heaven. The Captiva restaurant takes its name from this dish for a reason, well, a few reasons: thick, gooey, tangy-sweet layers that, when put together, create Key lime perfection. Also worth a try: Tony’s Off Third, Naples; Deep Lagoon Seafood and Pinchers restaurants, multiple locations; Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Bonita Springs

Jean Le Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/ jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

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kid stuff |

FARM LESSONS

Kids learn science and art through agrarian experiences in North Fort Myers. | STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA STETSON

hildren happily dash around picking up baby ducks and chickens, petting a cat and scratching the belly of a 600-pound pig. They grab hay to feed goats and cows, while also petting the farm animals. Science on the Farm at Shaker’s Acres South, a family farm in North Fort Myers, features a different hands-on science lesson each week. But before

class begins, the children get to explore the farm and play with the animals. “Holding the animals is my favorite,” stresses Ziggy Tuloa, 9. “There are two baby goats; one is a boy and the other is a girl and the horns feel different.” “I like holding the chicks,” says Lili Webber. “Feeding the animals,” adds her sister Mackenzie. Torie Shaker has been hosting science classes at the farm for three years now and art classes for the past

five years. “It works,” Torie says. “I am home with my three kids. I was a teacher. Rather than put them in day care and go back and work, I can do this and teach and be involved in the home-school community and this is great.” Each week has a theme. On a sunny October morning, the lesson was pumpkins. The children divided into groups and made predictions about its circumference, weight, how far it would roll, how many seeds were inside and whether it would

From left: Titus Mizelle, 8, feeds the goats at Shaker’s Acres South in North Fort Myers. • Ziggy Tuloa, 9, holds a baby chick during the Science on the Farm program at Shaker’s Acres South in North Fort Myers. The children get to play with and feed the animals before the science program each week. • The children pet a 600-pound pig named Esmerelda.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 21

| kid stuff

float or sink. Then they measured, weighed, rolled, put their pumpkin in lake water and finally cut it open to count the seeds. “I love that they love to be in nature and with the animals,” says Katie Webber, who brought her three daughters and baby son. “We don’t have any pets where we live so this is great. I like that it is mixed ages so they can be with different ages. The older ones get to be the leaders. It is nice for me to have something where I know they are learning science. We do art as well.” The art classes feature clay projects where the children learn to form their creations and how to glaze them. Valerie Rowe brings her daughter Olivia, 7. “They are amazing,” Valerie says. “This is our first year home-schooling so we have been looking for something interactive. Torie puts on a great school. The art ones are very informative. Olivia loves them.” Each week there is a different theme. In the science classes, children have dissected owl pellets, studied spiders, examined trees, frogs and more. In December they will learn how the sun works and will study pine trees and lizards. “I want them to have exposure to nature and the farm,” Torie says. “With our nature study class, we use the back woods and observing and nature and seeing what is around you.” Classes are one and a half to two hours each. “We are pretty flexible. It usually ends when they get hungry,” says

Above: Lili Webber, 9, shows her mother, Katie, and her brother, Starlo, 10 months, a baby chick during the Science on the Farm program. Left: Hattie Baudin, 8, and Penelope Shaker, 8, measure their pumpkin.

Kristin Baudin who helps with the classes. On that October afternoon, the children learned that their heavy pumpkins floated. They found dozens of seeds inside and found weights ranging from 4 pounds to more than 12 pounds. “My favorite is doing the science,”

said Penelope Shaker, 8. Most of the other children stressed that the animals were their favorites. “I like feeding the animals,” said Hattie Baudin, 8. “My favorite are the baby bunnies and the baby chicks,” added Josephine Lam, 9, “but mostly the baby bunnies.”

“I want them to have exposure to nature and the farm. With our nature study class, we use the back woods and observing and nature and seeing what is around you.” — TORIE SHAKER

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teens |

‘LOSING ALL OF IT’ Class of 2021 students share their thoughts on a frustratingly limited senior year. | BY ANDREA STETSON

he 2020 high school seniors lost their prom and graduation, but many in the class of 2021 say they have it much worse. “They say 2020 was the worst, but it was not worse,” says Katherine Standish, a senior at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples. “They got 70% of their school year. They were able to do group projects. They were able to sit in a crowded gym on a Friday night.” “They thought it was bad they lost the last quarter of last year, but we are losing all of it,” echoes Thomas Beatty, a senior at Gulf Coast

High School in Naples. Heather Morse, assistant principal at Estero High School, helped organize a drive-thru senior breakfast, senior signs and a virtual graduation last May. Now she wants to make senior year better for the Class of 2021 but can’t give them what they really desire. “We can’t have any big gatherings, so unfortunately there was no homecoming dance, no pep rallies,” Heather says. “For the athletes the capacity is very limited. At football games there is only 25% capacity for the fans, so that is a big adjustment for everybody.” It’s not just the big events, but how students interact is limited, too. “They have to socially distance at lunch,” Heather explains. “There is only four to a table rather than having as many kids as they want. So that is different, too.” It’s different and disappointing. “We are miss-

ing out on homecoming and we are missing out on assemblies,” Katherine says. “We are missing out on a lot of social interaction with each other.” Thomas is in band, Model U.N. and on the Mock Trial team. “Overall a lot of the extracurriculars are just being canceled,” he says. “Mock Trial has been completely canceled or is virtual now. The music performance we do every year for band has been canceled as well.” Model U.N. trips to compete around the state and the country are canceled. So is the Collier County Band Showcase and the big Florida Bandmasters Association competition. When the band performs at halftime, they don’t do a marching show. They stand in place and play their instruments. There are no away games for band, and for the first month the number of band students at home games was severely limited. Thomas says he’s glad that band senior night was able to happen with parents and seniors making the honorary march across the field wearing masks.

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| teens

“Honestly if COVID went away that would be really nice. Just being able to socialize and get together at school and not be 6 feet away from each other. There is nothing social now. It is tough for seniors.” — KATHERINE STANDISH “I would like things to go back to normal, but there is not a magical way for that to happen,” Thomas says. “I would like things to be as normal as possible, but I know that is optimistic. I am just trying to make the best of it.” Brian Robinson, a senior at Estero High School, was also disappointed about missing homecoming. “A big thing for a lot of seniors, it is our last homecoming and we were not able to have a dance this year,” he says. “We missed not being able to have that last memory. School spirit is very difficult to maintain. You only have 25% capacity at football games and that sells out very quickly, and a lot of people can’t participate in that big event, that is not so big anymore.” Brian is part of student government and is trying to keep school spirits up. “Student government is working toward any ways possible to heighten school spirit,” he says. “We had a modified pep rally outside during dismissal and waved as people were leaving. We are missing out on pep rallies that are usually in the gym and people are cheering. It is a memory to have, but unfortunately we are not having that.” Rebecca Selias, another Estero High senior, says school is very different now. “What is interesting is that even though we are at school, it still feels like we can’t socialize with our

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friends,” she says. “Even though we are physically there, there are so many rules of where we can socialize or be in groups.” Katherine echoes the sentiment. “Honestly if COVID went away that would be really nice,” Katherine says. “Just being able to socialize and get together at school and not be 6 feet away from each other. There is nothing social now. It is tough for seniors.” Parents are also disappointed. Beth Beatty, mom to Thomas, also has a son, Robert, who is a senior at the University of Florida. “It stinks,” she says when asked about her sons’ senior years. Beth liked seeing Thomas go to the courthouse for Mock Trial and work with real judges and lawyers. She liked seeing him go to live competitions for all his activities. “Band has stunk. All his extra curriculars stunk,” she says. It might be even harder for her older son, who was not able to do an internship over the summer and is now worried about employment after graduation in May. “All those jobs hire from internships,” she says. “Everybody that graduated last year, none of them have jobs.” Even with the disappointments, students are coping and trying to stay positive. “Last week was our homecoming week. Even though we didn’t have a dance, we had everything else,”

Rebecca says. “We had the dress up days, we had the class competitions, we still had the homecoming game and homecoming court, just no dance. “We can still socialize, like at lunch. We have an opportunity to sit with three other people, but you can’t get up and talk to anybody. You have to stay in your seat until you are dismissed.” “Our kids are handling it very well,” Heather says. “I am impressed with their maturity. My heart is with everybody. It is the hardest year yet. It is very challenging.” Katherine says keeping active outside of school helps. “I hang out with friends after school or before practice,” Katherine says. “A bunch of us will go out and get coffee. On days when we don’t have games, we go to someone’s house to socialize.” Now seniors are just hoping the pandemic diminishes before the school year ends. “If anything I just want to walk the stage and have a graduation,” Rebecca says. “If everything else gets put down that is all I want.” “It really depends on how long this will last for,” Brian says. “If this lasts all the way to senior prom, we will have none of the things for seniors. If it gets better and we are able to get back to normal and we can have graduation, it will be better, but if not then it is doomed.”

spotlight |

MAKING

COME TRUE The Make-A-Wish Foundation gives critically ill children respite and hope. | BY E. COPELAND

ome on, sweetie, close your eyes and make a wish. OK, now! Blow out the candles! Happy birthday!” If it were only that simple. Close your eyes, have a chocolate frosted cake in front of you, complete with candles signifying your age, and just blow. And just like that! Your wish is granted. Birthday wishes and fairy godmothers are pretend, make-believe — not real. But there is a place where wishes really do come true. No, not the “Happiest Place on Earth” (sorry, Disney). I am talking about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Adele Ayuso has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her health.

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| spotlight

For 37 years, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, wish.org/sfla, has been changing lives and granting wishes longer than some of us have been alive. Through generous donors — they receive no government funding — wishes come true, from meeting a celebrity to traveling with family to an exotic locale. The Make-A-Wish chapter has granted more than 12,000 wishes since 1983. Even with COVID-19, the mission hasn’t stopped. Make-A-Wish is still fulfilling wishes for critically ill kiddos. Despite the virus still rocking our nation and world, the Southern Florida chapter has found creative and innovative ways of making wishes come true.

How it works

And these wishes change lives. The wishes give sick children a chance to free themselves for a moment — time to forget the machines, the therapy, the medication that makes them sick to their stomachs. Thanks to donors, a child gets a little happiness.

The kids The stories are so incredible, you want to cry. I recently spoke with Stu Opperman, the media relations point man at Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida. He took me through quite a bit of the information of what's been going on with the foundation and the lives that it has touched. Lives like

that of 15-year-old Eric Martinez. Last year he found out that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia. Imagine being a sophomore in high school and getting the news that you have cancer. When I spoke to Eric, he was very pleased with his experience with MakeA-Wish. I felt honored to speak to such a vibrant and strong young man. He recounted the days, not long ago, when medication and treatment robbed him of attending high school. Smiling, he told me how much the Make-A-Wish Foundation gift meant to him. Eric said that Make-A-Wish gives hope and comfort to a situation that is anything but. He says the experience was the boost he needed to be encouraged.

• Many wish kids get referred by their medical team, but they can also be referred by family members or even themselves. • When a referral is received, Make-A-Wish verifies eligibility. • The child must be older than 2½ and younger than 18, have a diagnosed critical illness, live or be treated in the organization’s territory and not have received a wish before.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKE-A-WISH SOUTHERN FLORIDA

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Andrew Coulter wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” • Eric Martinez wished for a shopping spree. • Kinsley Peacock wished for a Disney cruise.

spotlight |

THE Kinsley Peacock

KIDS Adrian Carralero-Cruz Naples • Age: 4

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKE-A-WISH SOUTHERN FLORIDA

The wish: Adrian loves fire trucks, so Make-A-Wish redecorated his room in the theme, from the bedding to the lamps and even the wallpaper. The big reveal came in October when real firefighters riding real Naples fire trucks brought more gifts, including a real fire hose.

Renel Calixte Naples • Age: 14 The wish: A drum set. Renel loved to play in church and for his family, but his set at home was broken. So MakeA-Wish took him to an FGCU men’s basketball game against North Alabama last February. At halftime, they surprised him by wheeling onto the court a new drum set. His wish came true with lots of fans to cheer him on.

Adele Ayuso Fort Myers • Age: 5 The wish: Adele has a nervous system disorder that causes seizures. She wished for a hot tub to help improve her range of motion, reduce pain and help her sleep.

Andrew Coulter Bradenton • Age: 4 The wish: Andrew wished for a puppy because his favorite show is “Paw Patrol.” Fellow cancer survivor Kinsley Peacock delivered Ryker, a mini goldendoodle, along with a crate, bed and other supplies. The wish also came with vet care.

North Venice • Age: 6 The wish: A Disney cruise. At 5 years old, Kinsley had spent a year coping with cancer. MakeA-Wish gave her a big send off in December 2019 with a unicorn-themed party.

Elizabeth Garcia Naples • Age: 16 The wish: To enjoy a shopping spree. Because her condition required online shopping, Make-A-Wish surprised her by delivering her dream purchases via car parade. On her shopping list: a MacBook Air laptop, AirPods, clothes, shoes, makeup and accessories.

Eric Martinez Naples • Age: 15 The wish: Shopping spree. Because his condition also required online shopping, the car parade made his delivery, too. On his list: an iPhone, smart TV, video games and gift cards to his favorite stores. *This list does not include all wish kids.

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Eric received a drive-thru shopping spree with his mom, Guadalupe, and his siblings, at his side. When asked if he wanted anything else, he said, no, that’s what he wanted all along. Eric tells me he’s now in remission. A surprising effect of Make-AWish is that the feeling of giving is contagious. Take the case of Kinsley Peacock. In 2018, the Peacock family’s world turned upside down when their beautiful girl was diagnosed with a retinoblastoma tumor in her right eye. In April 2020, she rang the bell after completing treatment and is now cancer-free. Between visits back and forth to Miami for treatments, dealing with baldness and the effects of chemotherapy, Kinsley was thinking of others. While making cookies with her family one day, Kinsley, only 6 years old, said she wanted to sell cookies to help the children in the hospital. Kinsley’s Cookie Cart was born. In fact, just this year she fulfilled a wish for 4-year-old Andrew Coulter with a curly-haired, honey-brown goldendoodle pup. Kinsley’s dad, Adam Peacock, says Kinsley finds importance in helping other sick kids. Helping someone feel better, makes her feel better. Now the family pays it forward through Make-A-Wish. In addition to the cookies, they’ve created a website to help educate and raise money: kinsleyscookiecart.org.

The leadership The people who run our region’s Make-A-Wish chapter tend to stay with the organization for many years. Make-A-Wish Southern Florida President and CEO Norman Wedderburn has been with the organization for 22 years (almost 23), from volunteer to a board member, and then CEO. He spoke of the impact of the donors in this area (the group is funded entirely by private donations) and he wanted the public to know that all

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKE-A-WISH SOUTHERN FLORIDA

| spotlight

FROM TOP LEFT: Elizabeth Garcia wished for a shopping spree. • Renel wished for a drum set. • Adrian Carralero-Cruz was granted a room makeover.

funds received in this area stay in this area to fulfill wishes for the children in our community. Although the organization has had to postpone travel and large gatherings — components of wishes that were common before COVID-19 — it continues to fulfill wishes and change lives for sick children.

During Norman’s tenure, MakeA-Wish Southern Florida surpassed the 10,000 wish mark, and he credits donors. At an average wish cost of $6,000, that’s a lot of donations. “The greatest thing is the people. On a daily basis, I am reminded of how many good people there still are in the world,” Norman says.

spotlight |

When asked what is special about the Southern Florida chapter, he says, “the uniqueness of the Southern Florida chapter of MAW is that there is such an incredible supportive donor community. They are loyal.” To date, there has never been a lack of funds, he says. The staff and volunteers are loyal, too. The seniority of the leadership team speaks to this, and the volunteers exhibit stick-to-it-iveness characteristics, as many have been a part of more than 200 wishes. The Southern Florida chapter has expanded several times and has been asked to assist other territories with struggling chapters. They have never declined, Norman says, coming up

with over $1 million to assist other chapters and ensure that no child is unable to get their wish.

The goal The ultimate goal of Make-A-Wish is not only to grant wishes, but to change lives, to give children and their families a mental boost to help give them the strength to push forward. Studies show that children who receive a wish, get a boost to their mental and emotional health. It's not so much the material wish, it's not so much the possession that the child receives, but the experience, a reprieve from focusing on pain. There's

something about making a wish and receiving it that allows the body to feel better — the mental health to be stronger and more positive. Many people have the misconception that these wishes are only for children who are terminally ill and will soon die. That does happen, but many wish recipients are not terminal and go on to become wish grantees later in life. A wish gives a child something to look forward to. As one of the wish recipients told Stu, the best part of making a wish is that he felt normal. Having something to look forward to, being a normal kid, and having fun is all the goal of having a wish fulfilled.

What kids wish for

• Walt Disney World — 29% • Travel — 21% • Cruise — 20% • Shopping spree — 9% • Meet a celebrity — 8% • Other wishes outside of those categories make up 13% of wishes

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| holiday events

NO SNOW BUT LOTS OF

LIGHTS It won’t be snowing in Southwest Florida for the first time in many years. The annual Snowfest in Collier County — known for dumping a hundred tons of snow made from 1,200 blocks of ice every year so Florida kids can indulge in the northern experience — has melted away. So have the snowy fields and icy toboggan run usually seen in Bonita Springs’ Riverside Park. These events have been canceled due to the pandemic. But the holiday spirit continues to sparkle in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with a large menu of events that will go on with safety precautions and some compromises in place. Here’s a look at some of the happy holiday happenings.

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holiday events |

LEE COUNTY

New this year is a train ride around the art center. One free ride is included with workshop admission.

Festival of Trees

• When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday,

This four-day event features 20 extravagantly decorated trees to peruse, vote for and try to win. The event also includes gifts and goodies. Festivities begin Thursday, December 3. The big wreath lighting starts at 7 p.m. Friday, December 4; Santa and the mayor lead a stroll down First Street to the art center, where the wreath is lit and The Nowhere Band performs. “We are trying,” says Carolyn Johnson, vice president of communications and development at Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. “There will be sanitizing stations, mask recommended signs and capacity limits.”

• When: Festival of Trees viewing

is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. December 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. December 4, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. December 5 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 6. Wreath lighting starts at 7 p.m. December 4. Tree raffle drawing is 4 p.m. December 6. • Where: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers • Cost: $2 to see the trees; free for ages 5 and younger • Details: 239-995-2106, ext. 2247, or goodwilltrees.com

Santa’s Block Party Part of the Festival of Trees, Goodwill’s annual Block Party features fun activities and a holiday workshop where kids create holiday art, decorate a Publix cookie and more. There will also be food, entertainment, games and prizes. Children will not be allowed to sit in Santa’s lap this year, but they can visit at a safe distance.

Tuesday nights we have less people, so people who are being extra cautious can come Monday or Tuesday nights.” This year’s theme is Sounds of the Season and pertains to music.

December 5 • Where: Outside the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers • Cost: Block Party is free; Children's Workshop is $6 per child; vendors will also be selling food. Train ride is $2. • Details: 239-333-1933 or goodwilltrees.com

• When: 5:30-9 p.m. through

Breakfast with Santa Have breakfast with the jolly ol’ man himself, make a craft, write a letter to Santa and take a socially distanced selfie with him. All food items and craft supplies are individually wrapped and available to take home.

• When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday,

December 5 • Where: North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers • Cost: $3 per child • Details: 239-533-7200 or leeparks. org

Holiday Nights at Edison Ford The 45th annual Holiday Nights has a few changes to help make the event fun while keeping people socially distanced. “We are requiring masks,” says spokesperson Lisa Wilson. “We are going to have the tree lighting on the Ford property because there is a lot more room. Around the banyan tree gets a little crowded.” The 60 trees created by Lee County children will also move to the Ford side where there is more room. “We are really trying to think about how people can enjoy this event safely,” Lisa adds. “Typically Monday and

January 3; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. • Where: Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers • Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for ages 13-19, $2 for ages 6-12. Free for members. Guided tours at 6 and 7 p.m. nightly are $30 for adults, $25 for teens and $18 for children. Lee County residents get $5 off on Monday nights. • Details: 239-334-7419 or edisonford.org

Holiday House Winter Wonderland is the theme for the 64th year of this annual event in the historic Burroughs and LangfordKingston homes in downtown Fort Myers. Think cool colors, like pale blue. Organizers have had to curtail and change some of the activities due to the pandemic. One loss: sitting on Santa’s lap. “That is one of the things we had to concede sadly this year,” says Paige LeBoutillier, chair of publicity. “Due to COVID, we did not think it was the right thing to expose Santa or the children to COVID.” Face masks are required, and the number of guests will be limited. The tours will go in one direction with circles laid out on the floor to direct people through the safest route. It will also be limited to the first floor to avoid crowding on the narrow staircase. The upstairs will be decorated in the windows to be seen from the outside. “Through all of this, with every challenge, there is opportunity,” Paige says. “The opportunity for us is to be innovative.” Tours are self-guided. Tickets can be purchased online. Money raised goes back to the Burroughs and LangfordKingston Homes to help pay for upkeep and improvements.

• When: 5-9 p.m. December 9-20

(last tour at 8:30) • Where: Burroughs and Langford-

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 31

| holiday events Kingston Homes, First and Fowler streets in downtown Fort Myers • Cost: $5 for adults, free for ages 10 and younger and military with ID. • Details: fmwcc.net or facebook.com/ HolidayHouseFortMyers

Holiday in the Park

• Details: 239-533-7200 or leeparks.org

Santa Fest Enjoy bounce houses, food trucks, photos with Santa and a movie in the park, 2003’s “Elf.” Movie begins at 6:15 p.m.

There will be no blizzard in the park this year. The annual festival that featured toboggan slides, snow and icy fun has been canceled. Instead, Riverside Park will be decked out in lights. “We are encouraging people to visit and take a holiday stroll and enjoy the lights,” says city spokesperson Debbie Valente.

• When: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, December

• When: December 1 through January 2 • Where: Riverside Park, 10450

COLLIER COUNTY

Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. • Cost: Free • Details: 239-949-6262

A Holiday Time in the Park Watch Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” in the park following social distancing guidelines. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. Santa arrives on a fire truck, so bring a camera to take your child’s photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A North Pole mailbox will also be available for letters to Santa. Free popcorn and cookies will also be available. • When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, December 11 • Where: Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres • Cost: Free • Details: 239-369-1521 or leeparks.org

Holiday Movie in the Park Watch Disney’s “The Santa Clause” on the big screen. Socially distanced family spaces will be marked. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Arrive at 6 p.m. to pick your spot. Popcorn and bottled water will be provided to the first 150 participants.

• When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday,

December 12 • Where: North Fort Myers Park, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers • Cost: Free

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19 • Where: Wa-Ke Hatchee Park, 16760 Bass Road, south Fort Myers • Cost: Free; toy donations for Golisano Children’s Hospital encouraged. • Details: 239-432-2154 or leeparks. org

Gingerbread House

Every year The Ritz-Carlton, Naples — that’s the one on the beach — builds a giant gingerbread house in its lobby with more than 100,000 pieces of candy and 2,000 pounds of carved gingerbread. The house goes up the Friday after Thanksgiving and usually opens to the public the following week. This year officials at The RitzCarlton don’t know how many days it will be open to the public because they want to avoid crowds. “The very first week of December it might be available; closer to the holidays we probably won’t be able to manage the capacity,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for the resort.

• When: Call for public opening times and days • Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples • Cost: Free to view • Details: 239-598-3300

Supper with Santa Breakfast with Santa is turning into Supper with Santa. “It’s kind of different,” says Kyle Pryce, supervisor at Immokalee Community Center. Kyle says the event will be held outside due to COVID-19.

• When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, December 5

• Where: Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee • When: Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252-4449 or collierparks.com

Holiday Parade Join the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and enjoy floats and displays from your car for a socially distanced holiday experience.

• When: 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday,

December 9 • Where: Collier County Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave. N.E., Naples • Cost: Free • Details: 239-252-9300 or colliersheriff.org

Cookies and Milk with Santa This event was tentative when we spoke with a Collier County parks spokesperson. The plan is social distancing, face mask-wearing photos with Santa, crafts and Santa letters. For ages 5-12. Registration required.

• When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday,

December 12 • Where: Eagles Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail E., Naples • Cost: $2 • Details: 239-252-3527 or collierparks.com

Holiday Drive-In The city of Naples is planning one holiday event: a drive-in movie. On the screen: “A Christmas Story.” The film will be shown on a 33-foot screen with a 12,000-lumen projector as part of The Naples Players series. At the end of the month, TNP Drivein Movie Night features “Disney’s Frozen 2” (December 29 and 30). For more movie night events, visit naplesplayers.org/drive-in-movies.

• When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 15 (parking begins at 7 p.m.) • Where: 300 Eighth St. S., Naples • Cost: $20 per car for The Naples Players season ticket holders and members of the Naples Zoo or Naples Botanical Garden, $45 for general admission, $60 for VIP parking. • Details: 239-434-7340 or naplesgov. com/calendar/2020-12; get tickets at my.naplesplayers.org/overview/571.

holiday events |

Christmas at Palm Cottage The historic Palm Cottage in Naples gets decorated with traditional holiday décor. The annual activities and 10 Days of Christmas will not take place this year, but guests can still tour the decorated cottage. Masks will be encouraged, but not required. All staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. There will be tours led by docents, selfguided tours and hybrid tours where the docent will do the explaining outside each room and then let guests visit the rooms. The cottage tours are $5 this year instead of $13. “We thought this would be a nice gift to the community to come and visit the cottage all decorated,” says Nancy Holcolm, who is organizing the event.

• When: Wednesday through

Saturday, December 1-26 (closed December 24 and 25); tours are at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. with reservations Wednesday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday (last tour at 3 p.m.). • Where: Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave. S., Naples • Cost: $5 for ages 10 and older, free for younger children and members • Details: Reservations for tours are recommended; call 239-261-8164 or visit napleshistoricalsociety.org.

Teddy Bear Tea “The Teddy Bear Tea is an annual tradition,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for The RitzCarlton, Naples. Oversized teddy bears fill the lobby. A storyteller reads favorite childhood tales while youngsters enjoy hot chocolate, sweet treats and Santa visits. Reservations required.

• When: 2:30 p.m. December 15 and

16, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. December 17-23 • Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples • Cost: $110 per person (includes tax and service charge) • Details: 239-514-6001

Pancakes & Pajamas There will be pancakes, pictures with Santa, crafts and music.

• When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday,

December 19 • Where: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Drive, Immokalee • Cost: $2 • Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY Festival of Lights Holiday Showcase Although an official Lighting of the Village ceremony will not take place this year due to COVID-19, you can see the Village decorated in a million lights and decorations throughout the month. The theme is whimsical, traditional Christmas. There’s also entertainment most days.

• When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday

through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, through December 31 • Where: Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • Cost: Free Details: 941-639-8721 or fishville.com

Christmas Light Canal Cruise Seeing the lights and holiday decorations by water has been a tradition for more than 30 years in Punta Gorda. Cruise the city’s canals aboard a King Fisher Fleet vessel.

• Where: Leaves from Fishermen’s

Village Marina, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • When: 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. December 1-31 • Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for ages 3-11, free for younger little ones • Details: 941-639-0969 or kingfisherfleet.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration Naples and Fort Myers Beach canceled their New Year’s Eve fireworks displays this year, but Fishermen’s Village hadn’t decided yet at press time. The annual fireworks display and celebration is billed as a family-friendly New Year’s Eve, and it usually includes music, dancing, face painting, hair glitter, LED juggling, plate spinning, balloon creations and fireworks at midnight. “Our plan is to do it, but we need to be responsible,” says Kathy Burnam, the marketing and events manager for Fishermen’s Village.

• When: The celebration begins at 6 p.m. December 31; fireworks are at midnight. • Where: Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • Cost: Free • Details: 941-639-8721 or fishville.com

CANCELED The following events have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. • Naples Christmas Parade • Naples Christmas Tree Lighting • Tuba Christmas • Holiday on the Bay and Santa Paws at Venetian Village • Snowfest • Breakfast with Santa in Golden Gate “With COVID, we didn’t think we could do it safely,” says Vickie Wilson, supervisor at Golden Gate Community Center about Breakfast with Santa. “The community center will be decorated with lights so people can just drive by and see it.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 33

| holiday events

BOAT PARADES Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade The 32nd annual parade is set to sail. About 40 boats are expected to be decorated for this yearly event. A map of the complete route is available online.

• When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday,

December 5 • Where: The parade begins at Salty Sam’s Marina and passes by Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Co., the Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill, and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe. It also runs past the Pink Shell Resort & Marina, Moss Marina and Matanzas Inn. • Details: 239-454-7500 or fortmyersbeach.org/events/christmasboat-parade

Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade Boaters are getting ready for the 35th annual parade on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs. “We are looking forward to having a great year,” says Adam Botana, vice president of Bay Water Boat Club and the event organizer. “I think it’s going to be a lot bigger this year. There are so many more people on boats now. We are looking forward to it. We want to spread the Christmas cheer. We have to have something to do. We want to keep the Christmas spirit going.”

• When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday,

December 12 • Where: Begins and ends at Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Travels up the Imperial River to Flossmor Drive and then comes back. The best place to see it is from the Imperial River Boat Ramp, 27551 S. Tamiami Trail, or the bridge. • Details: bonitaboatparade.com or look for Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade on Facebook.

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Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay The 33rd annual Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay features All That Glitters as its theme. “Hopefully just something bright to close out one of the worst years,” says Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. “Finding what shines for the end of 2020. And looking forward to a better year.” About 25 to 30 boats typically participate in the parade. It’s free to enter. There are lots of prizes for the winners. Masks are encouraged. All proceeds go to the Ricky King Children’s Fund.

• When: 6:15 p.m. Saturday,

December 12 • Where: Parade may be viewed from the Naples City Dock (limited), Pinchers Crab Shack at Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landings, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House and Bayview Park. • Details: 239-682-0900 or miacc.org

Cape Coral Holiday Boat-ALong Cape Coral’s 44th annual Holiday Boat-A-Long features a parade of more than 100 decorated boats and a bunch of holiday activities that have been recreated to keep people more socially distanced. For the first time, people must register for a free ticket to the event. “We normally have 5,000 people,” says Kristin Bean, senior recreation specialist with the city. “This year we are limiting it to 2,500 people that can get their free tickets in advance. For people that don’t get a ticket or don’t feel comfortable coming, we will have a live streaming of the parade so they can watch from home.” This year there will be no arts and crafts for children. Santa will be there, but children will not be allowed to sit in his lap. There will be socially distanced visits with Santa. There will also be holiday music. The boat parade will be followed by a movie in the park. Since “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was

rained out last year, it will be shown this year. Instead of food vendors at tables, there will be food trucks.

• When: The festival begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 19. The boat parade starts at sundown, which is around 6 p.m. Event ends at 10 p.m. • Where: The best place to view is Four Freedom’s Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, Cape Coral, where the holiday festival takes place. • Details: 239-573-3123 or capeparks.org. To register, go to bit.ly/37IP5FB.

The Saturday Night Before Christmas Eve Boat Parade The 20th annual parade is a big one. Every year, it attracts 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and is billed as the Biggest Annual Event in the Isles. The 4.5-mile route is lined with people cheering, ringing cowbells and banging on tambourines. The parade is also unique because it goes only one way and has no big turns. The cheering crowds are only 50 feet from the lighted boats, giving an excellent view of the decorations. Besides decorations, the boats have carolers and performers. About 35 to 50 boats participate in the event. “Every year is special,” says Harris Bowers, who organizes the parade. Use the map on the event page and scout out an empty lot along the route. “Come out the day before or early on parade day and stake your space,” Harris recommends. “The most empty lots are in the Almar area. Last year the traffic was backed up unbelievable. Come early. Bring your lawn chairs. If you show up at six o’clock, you are going to miss the parade.”

• When: 6 p.m. Saturday, December 19 • Where: Punta Gorda Isles, west of U.S. 41; the parade starts in a canal parallel to Almar Drive and ends in Yellowfish Lagoon. • Details: puntagorda boatparade.com

gift guide |

TOP BY ELENA EPSTEIN, DIRECTOR OF THE

NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARDS

HOLIDAY

GIFTS NPPA BUILDS, TESTS AND PLAYS WITH SCORES OF TOYS AND FAMILY PRODUCTS TO FIND THE BEST.

f you’re going to plunk down serious dough, or any dough, for your little ones’ holiday joy, you want to know that the gifts you’re buying are worth it. That they aren’t a struggle for mom or dad to put together. And that they’re fun. The National Parenting Product Awards does all the work for you. Their staff finds lots and lots of toys, opens them up, assembles them when required, tests them and asks kids and families to play with them. Then they make their recommendations. Here are their top holiday gifts. Find more all year long at nappaawards.com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 35

ung

as o nge.

| gift guide

GIFTS THAT

LIGHT THE

WORLD Kindness Cards for Kids: 52 Ways to Make Every Day a Little Better • An insightful

and timely deck that shares different ways kids can practice being kind to themselves, their families, their communities and the planet. Offers a simple reflection or activity that helps develop compassion, empathy, courage and responsibility. $18.95, ages 5-9 and parents, shambhala.com.

.99, ,

'All the Ladies' • Singersongwriter Joanie Leeds’ ninth album features a new collection of songs focused on gender equality, female empowerment and breaking glass ceilings. $10, ages 5-8, joanieleeds.com.

Healthy Roots Dolls • Meet Zoe, who has learned

to love her hair, specially designed with curl power that allows it to be washed and styled with real products. She wants all kids to love their curls, too. $79.99, ages 6+, healthyrootsdolls.com.

UNBOX Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music

• When both grandpas visit at the same time, they can’t understand each other’s language and there is a lot of silence. The grandson’s clever thinking helps find a way for everyone to share the day together as two cultures become one family. $14.99, ages 4-8, apa.org/pubs/ magination.

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THE

SURPRISE Rainbow Jellies • Create

your own collection of squishy characters. Inside the cloud full of surprises, reveal and select a sweet face, tuft of floofy hair and magic goo. $19.99, ages 6+, spinmaster.com.

The Animal • An unboxing

truck where The Animal can claw and climb over anything in its way — including its own box. The Animal transforms from powerful 4×4 truck to beast. The Animal can be placed back inside its box and the entire unboxing can be repeated over and over again. $39.99, ages 4+, spinmaster.com.

gift guide |

Blue’s Clues & You! Dance-Along Blue Plush • This plush includes

Josh’s Handy Dandy Guitar as a controller. Press the button on the guitar for sounds and motion. Blue dances along to the music, moving her head and lifting her ears and paw up and down. $49.99, ages 3+, justplayproducts.com.

Go! Go! Cory Carson Cory’s Stay & Play Home • Explore

FUNWITH

every room with Cory, Mama and Chrissy Carson mini characters in this 360-degree playset. Built just for cars with a pretend bathtub car wash complete with scrub brush, ramps and more. Place any SmartPoint character (sold separately) on the SmartPoint location to hear them talk, play music and light up. $39.99, ages 2+, vtechkids.com.

Hatchimals Pixies Riders • These figures

feature fluttery wings, poseable heads and legs, and come with a matching Glider they can really ride! $14.99, ages 5+, hatchimals.com.

FRIENDS Pets Alive Fifi the Flossing Sloth • Get

ready to floss like a boss. Mimicking one of the most iconic dances of the decade, Fifi’s hilarious floss movements, cute blinking eyes and butt wiggle are sure to get everyone up dancing. $24.99, ages 3+, target.com.

Ryan’s World Mystery Spy Vault • Go on a secret

spy mission with this large surprise-filled vault and discover “Ryan’s World” inspired surprises inside. $39.99, ages 3+, justplayproducts.com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 37

| gift guide

MAKE

THEM

LAUGH

Cool Maker Hollywood Hair • DIY studio

that lets you design your own hair extensions. Load the hair ribbon, press the button and watch as it magically transforms into a cute hair extension. Comes with curler and spray bottle. $24.99, ages 8+, spinmaster.com.

Artsy Fartsy

• From dragons to dog farts, not much is off limits in this fastpaced, hilarious game where you draw, guess and steal clues. $24.99, ages 10+, artsyfartsygame. com.

Kinetic Sand Sandwhirlz Playset • Use the Sandwhirlz tool to reveal a surprise shape and flow of Kinetic Sand. Inspired by the drop and squish play pattern, reload the cylinders again and again for endless play. $19.99, for all ages, kineticsand.com.

Little Live Pets Gotta Go Flamingo • This

potty-trained flamingo sings, dances, chats back, eats and poops. Feed Sherbert his flamingo food and he wiggles his neck. When he sings a signature “Uh Oh, Gotta Go!” jingle, grab the included potty to catch his squishy, neon poop, which is reusable, so you can “do-do” it again. $29.99, ages 4+, walmart.com

Octobo, The Tech Toy That Teaches •

Storytelling meets creative technology with this characterbased play platform that transforms screen time into customized, active play time with lovable interactive plush toys. Filled with games, stories and learning adventures. $139, birth-age 7, thinker-tinker.com.

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Spirograph Scratch & Shimmer • Create amazing art in a whole new way. The glitter gears and wheels can be used with your own pens and markers on regular drawing paper as well. $19.99, ages 8+, playmonster.com.

GET

CREATIVE

KidiZoom Creator Cam • Create awesome videos with

this high-definition video camera kit. Use the included green screen and 20+ animated backgrounds to get chased by a T-Rex, go to outer space or make yourself disappear. Set up your shot with the tabletop tripod/selfie stick and built-in microphone, then use the easy on-screen editing and creativity tools to create trick shots and time-lapse video. $59.99, ages 5+, vtechkids.com.

FUN AND

LEARNING

Telly Jr. Teaching Time Clock • Learn to

tell both analog and digital time using two learning modes. $27.99, ages 3+, thelearningjourney.com.

Roybi Robot • Sleek and adorable with over 500 lessons, including language learning, basic STEM, stories, games, and songs with the power of AI. $199.95, ages 3+, roybirobot. com

High Contrast Baby Pack • A

whimsical collection of seven highcontrast cards and two books that support a child’s development from the earliest weeks of life. $16.99, ages birth+, bananapanda. com.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 39

| gift guide

IMAGINATIVE Real-Action Fire Engine • Features a

ladder that extends to over 2 feet high and rotates a full 360 degrees, a retractable fire hose and more. The truck opens to reveal an exciting command center with all kinds of authentic details built right in — from a radio and a computer to tools and gear. $49.99, ages 3+, lakeshorelearning.com.

My Fairy Garden Fairy Light Garden • A toy

that’s also a real, live garden. It features a charming fairy house that lights up like magic and an area to grow plants and a small pond with a working water wheel. $29.99, ages 4+, playmonster. com.

GAME

PLAY Squeakee the Balloon Dog • An

interactive balloon pet that’s part dog, part balloon. Bursts with personality with over 60 sounds and movements — barking, sitting and scooting. Includes multiple touch sensors and responds to voice commands. $59.99, ages 5+, squeakeepets. com.

BUILDZI • A fast-

stacking, nerve-racking, block-building game. $24.95, ages 6+, ilovetenzi. com.

Disney Hocus Pocus: The Game • Work together to stop the Sanderson sisters from draining the lives of Salem’s children by ruining their potion before the sun rises. $19.99, ages 8+, amazon.com.

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Trailz • A lighthearted take on

a strategy game where teams of shrooms and slugs face off to outsmart and out-maneuver each other. $14.99, ages 7+, playmonster.com.

safety |

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY

A few simple tips can prevent the most common injuries and hazards of the season. | BY FARRAH FISHMAN

he holidays are a time to reconnect with family and friends, but they also can present seasonal safety hazards. Here are some tips to help you keep your home safe this holiday season.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY Between 2011 and 2015, the National Fire Protection Association indicates an average of 200 home fires, per year, started with Christmas trees. Those fires resulted in six deaths, 16 injuries and $14.8 million in property damage. • Avoid electrical fires by purchasing lights from reputable retailers and only those approved by nationally recognized testing labs like US, Intertek or CSA. • Inspect both indoor and outdoor lights for broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections. • Don’t overload outlets with too many electrical devices — this could cause a fire.

HOLIDAY DECORATING TIPS People falling is a serious concern this time of year. Annually, hospital emergency rooms treat about 5,800 people injured from falls involving

holiday decorations. And about 4,000 people are treated for injuries that are associated with extension cords. These injuries include contusions, lacerations, fractures or sprains as a result of tripping over the cords. Here are some tips to make your holiday decorating safer: • Never use furniture as a ladder. • Follow the 1-to-4 rule for extension ladders: for every 4 feet the ladder rises, move the base out one foot from the structure. • Always keep three points of contact on the ladder: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.

A LITTLE FIRE SAFETY CAN GO A LONG WAY Even with all those Christmas tree fires, cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Most fires occur on Thanksgiving, followed by the day before Thanksgiving and then Christmas day. • Avoid using candles if possible. Consider using battery-operated ones. • Mantels are beautiful when covered with stockings and greenery. But these items are flammable. If you use your fireplace frequently, consider hanging these decorations somewhere else.

Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.

• Be sure to check the Christmas tree — make sure it’s got plenty of water and it isn’t near heat sources. • When cooking, pay close attention to what you’re doing and your surroundings. • Keep a fire extinguisher close by. • Be sure you have smoke detectors at least 10 feet from your stove, and test them monthly.

PREVENT POISONING AND INGESTION INJURIES The risk of poisoning also increases during the holiday period, resulting not only from common household items, but also carbon monoxide. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that the majority of CO deaths occur in the colder months of November through February. • Be sure your child doesn’t have access to dangerous plants. Mistletoe, holly berries and Jerusalem cherries can be poisonous if consumed in large amounts. • Those small button batteries found in toys, remotes, and the like, are VERY dangerous, so make sure children don’t swallow them. • Tiny magnets are also dangerous if swallowed.

Farrah Fishman is a health educator consultant for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 41

| snapshots

FEED THE NEED • Fort Myers Christian

School surpassed its fundraising goal of $50,000 to support the school through a “food-raising” project called Feed the Need. A significant portion of the money raised went toward purchasing, packing and distributing healthy meals to hungry children in Southwest Florida. During a student-led food packing party at the end of the campaign, students packed, sealed and boxed more than 10,000 meals that will be distributed to hungry children and families in Southwest Florida. Photos courtesy of Fort Myers Christian School

42 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

snapshots | BREAKING GROUND • The

Guadalupe Center broke ground October 30 on a new campus in Immokalee. The van Otterloo Family Campus for Learning will feature two academic buildings with multiple classrooms, a library, learning lab, cafeteria and kitchen, playground, administrative offices, mentor lounges, commons areas, a medical and dental suite, outdoor gardens and a student wall of fame. The campus will accommodate up to 154 students in Guadalupe Center’s Early Childhood Education Program, as well as 125 high school students in the collegepreparatory Tutor Corps Program. Here: early childhood education students from the Guadalupe Center. Photo special to SW FL Parent & Child

Send us your snapshots:

Send your images with a brief description and names of the people in them to editor@swflparentchild.com

FEEDING FUR BABIES •

Naples resident and Miss Teen Global United States Cayley McCloskey visited the Norman Love Confections to drop off over 50 pounds of dog and cat food. Norman Love was part of the Humane Society’s Pet Food drive to help pet owners in need. Courtesy of Envy Pageant Productions Inc.

PET SUPPLY DRIVE • Students in Mrs. Melton’s seventh grade

religion class worked collaboratively to organize a school-wide pet supply drive, which kicked off on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Patron Saint of Animals). They surpassed their goal of 350 items with 747 items at final count. Their efforts benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society. Photo courtesy of St. Andrew Catholic School

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 43

| travel

DECK THE PARKS

Florida theme parks turn on the holiday cheer even with social distancing. | BY JENNIFER THOMAS

ach holiday season I look forward to embracing holiday traditions coupled with the sights and sounds of Christmas. From the local neighborhood lights, to the sparkling delights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, to the exceptional and over-the-top North Pole decorations at the theme parks. Our celebrations might be a bit different this season, but the theme parks and resorts are stepping up to the challenge acting as our own personal elves. I’ve had the pleasure of attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resorts nearly every year I’ve lived in Southwest Florida; and although it’s canceled this year, Disney has surprised guests with character cavalcades that include a visit from Santa and a new holiday light display

44 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

on Cinderella’s Castle. SWFL Parent & Child brought you the details on Disney last month. This month, we look at the other parks’ plans. Favorites for my family include Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. We have also stayed multiple times at the Gaylord Palms resort in the Orlando area to experience ICE!, a walk-through carved ice display at 9 degrees, and its Cirque du Soleil Christmas show. While ICE! is canceled, its replacement is bigger than life. Universal Orlando Resort also pulls out all the stops for festive cheer and is known to showcase balloons and floats from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Florida’s theme parks are embracing changes because of the pandemic, but they still aim to thrill. Here’s what’s happening:

travel |

SeaWorld Orlando

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD

When we traveled to SeaWorld for Christmas last year, we were in awe of the Sea of Trees, which change colors as the lights dance to holiday music. SeaWorld Orlando boasts 3 million sparkling lights this year and festivities every night in its Christmas Celebration, which runs through December 31. “With 360-degree views from around the park, there is plenty of space to enjoy with safe physical distancing,” the park says of the Sea of Trees in a recent news release. “Your heart will soar with wonder and delight at this truly awe-inspiring Christmas treat. Plus, a magnificent centerpiece towers 70 feet above the water.” SeaWorld added some new treats to its holiday lineup this season including outdoor ice skating at Bayside Stadium. “You and your family can skate alongside the water of SeaWorld’s central lagoon throughout the day in our beautiful winter wonderland,” the release says. Capacity is limited and skaters must wear crew-length socks and gloves. An additional charge cov-

ers skate rentals, and socks and gloves can be purchased there. The new musical sensation “It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell” features more than 30 favorite Christmas carols and takes place in the Nautilus Theater with limited capacity. Guests can also visit with Santa in SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic for a slightly different traditional photo opportunity. “One party at a time will greet Santa in the expansive family room and have the opportunity to sit (physically distant) in Santa’s sleigh with Santa seated above and behind, separated by a plexiglass partition,” the release describes. Plus, there are new holiday celebrations in the park’s Sesame Street Land. SeaWorld also expanded its holiday celebration with tributes to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. From December 10-18, view the traditional lighting of the menorah throughout Hanukkah. Then December 26 through January 1, celebrate African heritage with the nightly lighting of the Kinara for Kwanzaa.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Another holiday favorite for my family is Busch Garden’s Christmas Town. This year, through January 3, the park touts millions of twinkling lights, a new holiday fireworks display on select nights and the first outdoor production of “Christmas on Ice.” “For the first time ever, park guests can enjoy Busch Gardens’ longest-

running holiday show at a new outdoor location on the Festival Stage. This fan-favorite skating production will perform awe-inspiring delights on real ice for physically distant audiences every Friday through Sunday and additional holidays like Christmas Eve,” states the park’s holiday news release. Contact-free, physically distant photo

opportunities are also available with Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Clarice, original Christmas Town characters and Sesame Street friends. Don’t forget to board the Holly Jolly Express, with limited capacity but no shortage of cheer. The Busch Garden’s train celebrates with favorite songs of the season.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 45

| travel

Universal Orlando Resort Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are not letting The Grinch steel Christmas this year. They’re celebrating with him. Through January 3, guests at the parks can catch the spirit of the season with Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new holiday experience that features Macy’s balloons and the mean, green one himself, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. For Harry Potter fans, the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are adorned with themed decorations and lights as the sounds of special holiday performances fill the air. “Guests can hear both magical and Muggle Christmas carols from The Frog Choir comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant croaking frogs, as well

as the unique holiday hits of one of the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensations, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees,” Universal says in its holiday news release. “There will also be seasonal treats, holiday eats and beverages — including the highly-anticipated return of the fan-favorite, hot Butterbeer.” For guests visiting Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventures, The Grinch will make appearances. New this year at Universal Studios is a walk-through experience called Universal’s Holiday Experience Featuring Macy’s Balloons. Guests can get up close to the larger-than-life parade balloons and floats that we’ve seen in past Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. “Guests will stroll along a pictur-

esque pathway where they’ll encounter elaborate floats and stunning balloons inspired by everything from iconic holiday staples like reindeers and the Nutcracker, to characters from popular animated films, including the mischievous Minions from Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions’ films, Gingy the Gingerbread Man from DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Shrek’ movies and the penguins from DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Madagascar’ franchise,” the release describes. “And it all culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus and the opportunity to take a socially distanced portrait with the big man himself.” Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay is closed for the season until March.

Gaylord Palms

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD

Christmas magic isn’t just for parks. Complete your holiday agenda with a stay at the Gaylord Palms, which features the new I Love Christmas Movies pop-up experience. This walkthrough event takes the place of its traditional ICE! spectacular and is at room temperature. The pop-up experience spans 17,000 square feet and features 13 interactive scenes from some of the most beloved holiday movies, including “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Year Without a Santa Claus.” The resort boasts that it makes participants feel as if they’ve stepped right into the movie. The resort also has an all-new, mechanized snowy play place with multiple attractions, including Snow Flow Mountain. Guests can slide on tubes down a plummet slide or hilly ice coaster. The Snowball Build and Blast allows guests to build and toss real snowballs. The Cirque Dreams Unwrapped stage show at the resort is a must-do. You can purchase advance seating or complimentary stand-by. We were fortunate last year that our balcony

46 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

overlooked the stage and we watched from there. “More than ever this winter, friends and families will be seeking places they can go to experience the joy and magic of the holiday season together in a safe setting, and we are looking forward to providing an amazing selection of unique and memorable experiences for them at our (open) resorts in a safe and secure manner,” says Mike Stengel, senior vice president of Gaylord Hotels at Marriott International. Cheers to making new holiday memories and socially distanced holiday traditions.

around town |

Night Lights in the Garden returns This outing can be a romantic date night or a holiday tradition for the whole family. Thousands of lights illuminate the Naples Botanical Garden during the holidays, the onsite Foggy Café sells special holiday items, and festive music fills the air during Night Lights in the Garden, November 27 through January 3 with extended hours (except December 24, 25 and 31). Timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance. Through December 17, cost for adults is $12 for members, $25 for nonmembers; for ages 4-14, it’s $6 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Afterward, it’s $15 and $30 for adults and $7 and $15 for children. Ages 3 and younger are admitted free but a ticket is required.

BRICKLIVE ANIMALS JOIN THE NAPLES ZOO

Some rather unusual animals are loose in the zoo. Made with more than 1.2 million interlocking toy bricks, the BrickLive Animal Paradise exhibit brings more than 30 life-size animal statues to the Naples Zoo. Among them are a 4-foottall lion, 12-foot giraffe, 10-foot alligator, a 4-foot giant panda, 7-foot long elephant and an 8-foot long rhino. At each statue, you’ll also find information about their real-life counterparts. The exhibit is on display through April 4 and is included with regular zoo admission. Get details at napleszoo.org.

Woodcarvers hold free demonstrations Watching someone carve something out of a plain piece of wood can be mesmerizing. At the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach, the Calusa Carvers have begun to hold free woodcarving demonstrations, and all ages are invited. They’re held 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, December 1 and 15. The demonstrations will also feature several Calusa culture replica artifacts.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 47

| things to do TUESDAY, DEC. 1 75th Refuge Anniversary & “Ding” Darling Day » Celebrate the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife Drive is free, plus socially distanced activities for families outdoors along the drive and trails. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. at J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. dingdarling.fws.gov.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5 Family Adventures » Explore everything fun at the Mound House in this outdoor activity led by staff. Mask required. $2, free for members. 11 a.m. December 5 and 19 and 1 p.m. December 22 and 29. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers beach. For ages 5 and older. 239-7650865. moundhouse.org Family Fun Kayak Tour » See birds, dolphins, manatee and other wildlife while paddling through the Estero Bay mangroves. Each family must have a child between ages 6 and 11. Masks required. $25 for ages 13 and older, $15 for ages 6-12; equipment and Mound House admission included. 9:30 a.m. December 5, 1 p.m. December 19 and 23, 9 a.m. December 26 at the Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers beach. Registration required. 239-765-0865. moundhouse.org Naples Christmas Glow Run 5K » Run or walk paths lined with thousands of lights and dozens of lighted characters. Glowing attire welcome. Snowfall at the finish. Remote option available. $39 in advance, $45 race day; family discounts. First wave at 5:30 p.m. Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. runeliteevents.com/ naples-christmas-glow-run-5k.html “The Nutcracker” » A holiday tradition with Gulfshore Ballet and the Gulf Coast Symphony. 7 p.m. December 5 and 3 p.m. December 6. Tickets are $39 and $49. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers. bbmannpah.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 6 Rookery Bay Road Rally » Participants start in their own vehicles at 10 a.m. at the Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, and follow a route that takes them along the Rookery Bay boundary

48 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Find more holiday events starting on page 30 and at swflparentchild.com. where various stops have fun activities. Awards and activities at the end. $40 per vehicle ($10 per person for groups in commercial vans or buses). rookerybay.org/rally

THURSDAY, DEC. 10 Home School at Edison Ford » Grades 4-8 explore Earth Science at 11 a.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost is $10 per session or $60 for the series for members, $15 and $95 for nonmembers. edisonford.org

SATURDAY, DEC. 12 Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club Christmas Tree Festival » Two days of silent bidding on custom Christmas Trees and holiday wreaths. Friday night is a cocktail event. Saturday, the festivities begin at 1 p.m. and feature a holiday vendor market, bake sale and Santa. Chili cook-off at 4:30 p.m.; purchase tastes and votes for $5. Woman’s Clubhouse, 175 Sterling Ave., Fort Myers Beach. Free admission. Endless Trails Holiday Mini Horses » Look for mini-equines around the mall, 11a.m.-1p.m. December 12 and 19 at Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Free. Families Unplugged: Gingerbread Houses » Decorate a gingerbread house for the holidays, 10 a.m. at the Bayfront Center YMCA, 750 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. skyymca.org Jingle Slam & Home Run Derby » Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free games and a raffle table, 2-8 p.m. Then a Christmas-themed Home Run Derby open to all players ages 6-18. $10 to register for the derby. North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Fort Myers.

SUNDAY, DEC. 13 for King & Country’s “A Drummer Boy Drive-In: The Christmas Tour” » Recording artists for King & Country bring their Christmas tour to Hertz Arena. 6-9 p.m. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everglades Parkway, Estero. $100-$350 per car.

THURSDAY, DEC. 17 “Ebenezer Junior” » A stage show by Gulfshore Playhouse’s after-school theater group STAR Academy. The cast are students ages 8-18. Tickets are $20. Shows at 7 p.m. December 17-19 with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gulfshore Playhouse, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19 Family Activity Day — The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs invites families to see the exhibit “Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints” and participate in an art project. 10 a.m.noon at the Center for Visual Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. artcenterbonita.org

MONDAY, DEC. 21 CFABS Holiday Youth Camps — The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs hosts art camps while school is out. Full-day and half-day sessions. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. December 21-23, December 28-31 and January 4. Center for Visual Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989. artcenterbonita.org

MONDAY, DEC. 28 Backyard Botany Camp in a Box School Break Camp — When School is out, the “Wild Wizard” is in. At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ camps, students explore topics in STEAM, history and nature. This new “Camp in a Box” brings the experiments and activities home. Supplies and support from staff are provided. Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For grades 1-6, December 2831. edisonford.org

FRIDAY, JAN. 1 First Day Hike — Start the new year with a hike along Black Island Trail. 10-11 a.m. Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Reservations required. 239-463-4588. Regular entrance fees apply.

voices |

THE NEW NORM Moms know how to roll with changing times. We’ve been doing it since our kids were born. | BY CHERYL BASHANT-THIRT YACRE

hat is the new norm? Aging and conquering all the challenges involved with raising children into adults gives a whole new meaning to the new norm. I’m not referring to the continuum of this pandemic life, but the one that comes with life-altering changes. My generation started raising our families in our mid- to late20s. The ensuing 20-plus years are spent having our identities morph from an actual individual person to “mom.” Your name no longer has meaning because you’ve slowly over decades lost the person you were, that independent adventurer who had one thing they had to be responsible for, to every moment consisting of family life. You sacrifice sleep; you forego eating; your social life consists of carpools, homework, practices, games, sleep overs, and the like.

Then suddenly, after years of praying that you will survive the teen years, like a slap in the face, off they go to college. You cringe and hope that you did your job well enough and that they will make it out there without you to take care of everything. Meanwhile, they’ve been planning their great escape since they were 10. You’re then hit with the realization of now what? The days are longer, the silence is actually more deafening than the chaos of 15 of their closest friends hanging out. OK, so you manage to survive that and find a new norm. The quiet norm. The WOW-I-get-to-pick-what-Iwant-to-watch-on-television norm. Then, for some of us, that journey that you were ready to take shoves a new norm your way: having to be single after raising your children. But that’s not entirely the new norm. You’re adjusting to the empty nest syndrome, being single, creating a

career after years of diaper changing, school meltdowns, the youth dating dilemmas, new drivers, school dances, the never-ending standardized testing, SATs, what college do they apply to — it’s endless — but now you’re learning to live the new norm during a global pandemic. Well, the new norm is proving to have an entirely new meaning. Thanks to your ability to adjust at the drop of a dime from your years of practice having but one identity being mom, you’ve become a pro at accepting and just restructuring. The new norm is that nothing is considered normal. Who created the term normal? Who decided what was normal and what was not? My new norm is my kids come home for visits from college and our time is filled with laughter and free of drama. My personal time is spent however I want to and whenever I want. I’m embracing the quiet moments. My new norm is whatever I choose it to be.

Cheryl Bashant Thirtyacre is co-owner of All Custom Detail, LLC, mother of two college-age boys and an avid writer.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 49

| last look

RAIN OR SHINE Cape Coral residents Hazel Edison, 5, and her brother Elijah, 2, hold hands as they go for their lunch walk November 9. The kids, along with both parents who are not visible in the photo, go for a daily walk to exercise together as a family. During this walk, they had to brave a bit of rain as the weather was impacted by Tropical Storm Eta. PHOTO BY RICARDO ROLON

50 » DECEMBER 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » DECEMBER 2020 » 51

Your heart care heroes.

Dedicated to saving little lives every day. leehealth.org/pediatric-cardiology

Because every child is special.

SWFL Parent & Child December 2020

Articles inside

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travel

gift guide

holiday happenings

dining out

kid stuff

ask the expert

safety corner

teens

in the kitchen