S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M
OCTOBER 2018
Healthy Children Healthy Families Let Our Family Take Care of Your Family
Newborn care – Lactation Services Well child checkups Appointments available 7 days a week Same day “sick” appointments Vaccinations Teen wellness Reach Out and Read participant
www.ppcswfl.com | 239.275.5522
Color the PPC Pals, then bring them into your doctor’s office where we will display them, or use to decorate in your own home.
Physician-Owned. Patient-Centered
www.ppcswfl.com | 239.275.5522 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 3
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE A TRADITION OF
100%
ACCEPTANCES TO COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Join us for OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 19 @ 8:30 a.m.
NOVEMBER 29 @ 8:45 a.m.
Pre-K - 4th Grade
Pre-K - Kindergarten
4 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
TO REGISTER, please visit our website or call 239.415.8945
www.canterburyfortmyers.org Independent PK3-12 College Prep School Member of The National Association of Independent Schools Accredited by The Florida Council of Independent Schools
contents »
swfl
parent&child
20
30
Features
In Every Issue 9
30 the magician
28 teens Theater programs for teens offer affordability and professionalism
How to help your child benefit from music
19 single parenting
36 fall fun Family events are as plentiful as pumpkin spice this time of year. We highlight some of our favorites.
Jack Koeneman, 3, of Fort Myers, holds a chick at Southern Fresh Farms in south Fort Myers. He’ll turn 4 in November.
.COM
42 safety corner
A tribute to a very special type of single parent
Home fires pose a major risk — here’s how to keep your family safe
20 in the kitchen
48 travel
Six ways to reinvigorate the packed lunch
On the cover
ENTCHILD
All ages enjoy the Naples Botanical Garden
17 ask the expert
How to get the information you need to get informed about Issues zthat affect your family
S W F L PA R
26 kid stuff
Tips for actually conversing with a teenager
Keith Raygor uses his magical skills to help children in Southwest Florida
33 election 2018
a mother’s view
OCTOBER
2018
Families get two great destinations in one along the First Coast
23 dining out First Watch impresses throughout Southwest Florida
58 a father’s view Friday night lights differ for each of us
25 youth sports
PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE
Do you have the traits of a positive sports parent?
Other Departments 7 8 11 13
editor’s note online me time 5 things
14 43 52 53
fyi family album around town calendar
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 5
Help Your Child Learn AN EYE ON THE FUTURE Make an appointment today. Your future suddenly became a whole lot clearer. A child’s learning disabilities can be caused by vision related problems, even if the child has 20/20 vision. Visit EyeDocks.com to watch a video about Vision Therapy.
Eye Care Services
• Comprehensive Eye Examinations • Contact Lens Fitting • Glaucoma Evaluations • Cataract Evaluation & Post-Op Care • Genetic Testing for Macular Degeneration • Visual Fields • Opto-Maps
Insurance Accepted
The knowledgeable staff at Fort Myers Eye Associates PA is experienced in working with vision insurance providers. We will work directly with you and your vision insurer. We accept sever types of vision insurance.
8801 College Pkwy, Fort Myers (239) 437-2004 EyeDocks.com
6 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
parent &child
editor's note »
swfl
S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M
Part of the USA TODAY Network
Volume 19, Issue 10 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com President & Publisher 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
Editorial Contributors Echo Copeland, Jim Dwyer, Kira Lewis, Simone Low, Ann M. O’Phelan, Heather L. Mazurkiewicz, Janis B. Meredith, Tracy O’Grady, Shelby Reynolds, Andrea Stetson, Jennifer Thomas Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Nancy M. Solliday Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com Advertising Account Executive Nicole Holey (239) 281-6455 nholey@fortmyer.gannett.com
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.
Member of
Ah, autumn Crisp, cool air. Colorful leaves crunching under foot. Wait … in Southwest Florida? Not a chance. But we have something just as great. October brings lots of family-friendly events: pumpkin patches, festivals, hayrides, haunted houses, the now famous Farmer Mike’s corn maze. We don’t get the natural markings of the seasons here, so we make up for it with big celebrations. We highlight some of the best in our collection of 39 fabulous fall festivals and other fun events. Plus, you’ll find more in our calendar pages, and even more on our website at swflparentchild. com, which, by the way, is undergoing an awesome transformation. We hope to launch our new website soon. In the pages of this month’s issue, we’ll not only bring you lots of fall events, we’ll help prepare for the upcoming election, give you the story behind Keith Raygor’s magic, offer six ways to step up those packed lunches and bring out some great “twilight tech” to help get those little ones off to sleep. So peruse our pages, join us online and enjoy the abundance of family fun this month.
Pamela Smith Hayford, Editor
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 » OCTOBER 2018 » 7
» online
swflparentchild.com Get the latest event information and family news every day at swflparentchild.com.
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
READ US ON ISSUU issuu.com/swflparentchild
Same URL, new look!
Soon you’ll be able to get Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine articles, family-friendly events and more anywhere you go with our new mobile-friendly website. It’s the same URL — swflparentchild.com — but a whole new experience with free access to all we have to offer. Find things to do with the kids, search our events calendar, submit events, get parenting advice, peruse recipes, take in some family travel ideas and more. Look for our new SW FL Parent & Child website to go live this fall.
Miss an issue?SWFL
Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues, too. Just visit swflparentchild.com and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Redefine the Season at the All-new Fall Walk! This autumnal experience will feature lights, music, pumpkin patch, and activities for the whole family. Explore the Garden after hours, get crafty, and show off your favorite costume!
October 26, 27, 28 from 6–9pm Purchase your tickets today at naplesgarden.org
Special Thanks to:
Media Sponsor:
8 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
4820 Bayshore Drive / 239.643.7275
NAPLESGARDEN.ORG
Kira Lewis of Cape Coral is mom to two children, a writer and founder of calmandchaosmama.com and sunshineandhurricanes.com.
a mother’s view » K IR A LE WIS
Conversing with teens
C
How to actually get a back-and-forth conversation going
onnecting with our tweens and teens can be a confusing business. Just as their lives start getting more complex and the challenges and problems they face get bigger, they start to pull away from us. We want them to talk with us and to feel like they can tell us anything, but most of the time our attempts are met with eye rolls, sighs and closed doors. Part of the reason is because most of us don’t fully understand what a conversation looks like to our tween or teen. Sometimes we can confuse a lecture for actually talking with our kids. It’s not the same thing. If we want our tweens and teens to really be open with us and to not hide things from us, we’ve got to nurture a new type of communication with them. Talk less, listen more. There is so much going on in our kids’ lives these days and so many changes. Often what they need most from us is just someone who is willing to let them unload all the crazy going on in their head. They don’t want our commentary, just our ears. Ask open-ended questions, don’t make accusations. Our teens are going to make a whole lot of mistakes. If we jump all over them every time they make a bad choice, we run the risk of permanently shutting them down. Statements like “You were clearly too busy playing
video games to study for that test you failed” aren’t helpful. Their behavior may be upsetting, but what we really need to know is what is behind it so we can help. Questions like “Why do you think you got this grade on your test?” are far less confrontational and more likely to engage your teen in a positive direction. Keep your tone neutral. Adolescence is an incredibly emotional time. Our tweens and teens are going to feel incredibly out of control, which is why it is so important we keep our cool. Yes, it isn’t easy, but we only add fuel to the fire when we use negative or angry tones with them in a conversation. By staying calm, we help them bring things down a few notches so that whatever is going on can be dealt with in a more productive way. Don’t diminish their point of view, try to understand it. We were all teenagers once, and we know how everything can feel like the end of the world during this stage of life. Instead of dismissing their struggles, have them explain what is going on with them and why, so you can better see things from their teenage point of view. Validate their feelings; you can empathize without agreeing with them. Our teens are going to form some passionate opinions during these years, many that we may not share. While we aren’t always going to be on the
same page with them, it doesn’t always have to be about someone being right and someone being wrong. Most of the time, they just want to be heard and acknowledged, but that doesn’t mean we have to change our position. Seek to solve problems with them, not for them. Too often, especially in our helicopter parenting world, when we see our teens struggling, we want to fix things for them. What’s more helpful is equipping them with the tools to cope and find solutions on their own. Ask questions and suggest resources that might be useful and then stand back and let them try to figure things out. Our role should be more as a guide during these years. No subject should be taboo. Yep, there are some squirm-worthy topics that we have to tackle as parents of teens. But no matter how uncomfortable it might make us, we need to help our teens feel comfortable coming to us with anything. Sticking to the facts, not over explaining and only offering advice when asked is the best way to ensure they’ll be willing to keep talking with us in the future, even about the hard stuff. By following these guidelines (to the best of our ability), we create an environment where our children feel safe, valued and respected. This doesn’t mean that they will tell us everything, but it makes it far more likely that they’ll close doors less and open up more.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 9
MIROMAR OUTLETS
®
Voted the Best Factory Outlet Mall, Best Shopping Experience and Best Place to Buy Shoes in Southwest Florida
OCTOBER EVENTS DOG DAZE AT MIROMAR Thursday, October 4 It’s back! BYOD (bring your own dog) for pet-friendly specials and entertainment at participating stores and restaurants. CAR CRUISE-IN Sunday, October 7 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near PLAYLAND, lakeside See your favorite makes and models of classic, exotic and custom cars. COLUMBUS DAY SIDEWALK SALE Friday, October 5 thru Monday, October 8 Enjoy additional savings on already low factory outlet prices. SCIENCE SATURDAY Saturday, October 13 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in PLAYLAND Join Mr. Glen and his team for interactive science projects. MOMS APPRECIATION DAY Wednesday, October 17 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in PLAYLAND Moms receive a coupon for a free drink and treat while their children have fun at FREE Kids Crafts.
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES Friday, October 19 6 to 9 p.m. in Restaurant Piazza MAKING STRIDES WALK Saturday, October 20 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. near PLAYLAND, lakeside Fight breast cancer by raising money during the American Cancer Society Making Strides of SWFL. FAMILY YOGA WITH KATHRYN Saturday, October 20 10 a.m. in PLAYLAND A FREE 45-minute beginners’ yoga class for families with toddlers to tweens. Bring your own mat. KIDS DAY Saturday, October 27 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in PLAYLAND Toddlers to 12-year-olds participate in fun activities and receive free food (while supplies last). DANCING CLASSROOMS FALL EXHIBITION Saturday, October 27 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Restaurant Piazza Fifth-grade students exhibit their ballroom dancing skills.
Go to MiromarOutlets.com for more information.
MALL-O-WEEN
Wednesday October 31 • 6 to 8 p.m. Music, karaoke, trick-or-treating and contests TRUNK–OR–TREAT
6 to 8 p.m. near the Restaurant Piazza, Lakeside Trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk of specialty cars. Presented by The Cool Cruisers of SWFL. TRICK–OR–TREATING 6 to 8 p.m. Children trick-or-treat at participating stores. While supplies last.
CHILDREN’S COSTUME CONTEST (0-12 years) 6:30 p.m. near Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store PET COSTUME CONTEST 7:30 p.m. between Neiman Marcus Last Call and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store
SAVE UP TO 70% OFF RETAIL PRICES! Over 140 Top Designer and Brand Name Outlets including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store
1018-1814
(239) 948-3766 • MiromarOutlets.com • Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sun.: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I-75, Exit 123, Corkscrew Road, in Estero, between Naples & Fort Myers
Copyright © 2018, Miromar Development Corporation. Miromar Outlets is a registered service mark of Miromar Development Corporation.
10 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
me time »
Car line quickies Shop for groceries
Sitting in the car line at your child’s school, you might find you’ve got a few minutes. What’s a parent to do? We’ve got a few ideas
Publix delivers. Using the Instacart app, you can get groceries delivered in as little as an hour. And it’s not just for Publix. Instacart works with other retailers, too, like Whole Foods Market, Costco and Petco. The app includes coupons, lets you see nutrition information and filter by gluten-free and other diets. Delivery fees vary by order and time of delivery but typically cost about $5.99.
Mom so hard The hilarious duo of #IMomSoHard have a book coming out. Moms Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley have been telling it like it is and making moms laugh so hard on YouTube and on live tours for two years. A book was inevitable. It’s due out in April. Pre-order it from your favorite book retailer ($25.99, HarperCollins). In the meantime, enjoy a few episodes in the car line at imomsohard.com.
One and done
DATE
NIGHT
Oh, you have enough time. InstaDri by Sally Hansen covers in one stroke, one coat and dries in 60 seconds, so it’s one and done. Now if only there was Insta-hair, Insta-style and Insta-clean-myhouse. $4-$5 at Ulta, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens.
Get a massage Work out some of that stress with the Mobile Comfort memory foam neck pillow and vibration massage. Two speeds let you adjust it to your preference, and the removeable cover is washable. Go on, you deserve it. Just don’t fall asleep in the car line. $19.99 at homedics.com.
Dinner on a train — and murder. The Halloween season is the perfect time to book a dinner for two on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Choose from “Kilroy Never Showed” or “Dice, Deeds and Death.” A five-course meal is included with the ticket price, which is $79.95 per person, $84.95 on Saturdays. Get details at semgulf.com.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 11
Dental Services
Free Teeth Whitening for New Patients
• Teeth Cleaning • Whitening • Cosmetic Dentistry • Porcelain Crowns • Porcelain Vaneers • Tooth-colored Fillings • Invisalign Clear Braces • Dental Implants • Extractions • Bone Grafting • Porcelain Bridges • Root Canals • Dentures • Partial Dentures
We Accept All PPO Dental Insurance Plans 13691 Metro Parkway, Suite 250 Fort Myers, FL 33912 Hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:30am till 4:00pm Phone: (239) 768-5900 | www.drbeno.com
The only choice
Robin Dawn Dance Academy Est. 1975
Voted Cape Coral’s Best Dance Academy Come Join Our Family of Dancers
Tap • Jazz • Hip Hop • Lyrical • Ballet • Pointe Musical Theater • Acrobatics • Contortion • Circus Equipment
Photo courtesy of Nocera Photographic
932 Country untry Club Blvd Blvd, Cape Coral 239 549.0827 • www.RobinDawnAcademy.com 12 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
5 things »
Twilight tech Some kids go right to sleep. But most of them? Not so much. Here are some ideas for helping your little one sleep tight.
Calm, cuddly snuggle buddy This doll from the Icelandic company RoRo uses the recordings of a yoga mom’s heartbeat and breathing sounds to help preemies, babies and toddlers sleep. The Lulla doll also absorbs a caregiver’s scent, which helps your little one feel even more secure. $69 at lulladoll.com.
Owl give you the stars The Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies nightlight soother emits a warm, dim glow, plays four soft melodies and four nature sounds, and can project a starry night sky. $40 at skiphop.com. Also available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon.com.
Tap the app The Moshi Twilight app, created in partnership with Calm, uses soft music and soothing stories to help children unwind for bedtime. Plus, there’s no need for your child to look at the screen, whose blue light works against sleepy time. Free in the App Store, Google Play or Amazon. Non-subscribers can access a limited number of stories and songs, while a $39.99 annual subscription (or $6.99 a month) gives full access. Get details at www.moshi-twilight.com.
Sleep tight Sweet, soothing scent Sometimes the best tech is the old tech. Lavender is known for its soothing qualities. The Johnson’s Sleepy Time gift set includes baby care products made with a relaxing lavender aroma and can help soothe baby during the bedtime bath routine. $9.99 at Target.
Footed pajamas keep little ones snug as a bug. The 100-percent cotton Baby Sleep ’N Play from Just One You lets skin breathe while the quilted pattern keeps baby comfortable. $10.99 at Target.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 13
« fyi
Defy lets
grown-ups play
A new Fort Myers gym offers “American Ninja Warrior”-style fun for wanna-be ninjas everywhere, including a Warped Wall, slacklines, foam pits, a ninja course and more than 35 trampolines. Defy Fort Myers opened August 31 inside the former Best Buy at The Forum, 9370 Dynasty Drive. The 40,000-square-foot facility also features dodgeball, aerial silks, battle beams, parkour pits, basketball, angled wall trampolines, a speed course, zip line, rock walls and other attractions. And they have time slots for kids only, ages 15 and older only and all ages. Learn more about Defy Fort Myers at defyfortmyers.com.
Get cash for your candy Local dentists and orthodontists often offer cash for kids’ Halloween candy. The candy goes to military troops serving overseas and local charities. Here are two that offer $1 per pound, limit of $10: Gulf Coast Orthodontics: Dr. Michèle Laboda and Dr. Van Speas buy back candy at the main office, 14361 Metropolis Ave., Suite 1, Fort Myers, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 and 5-9. For every pound kids bring in, the office will also donate $1 to JDRF. Details at drlaboda.com. Children's Dentistry of Naples: November 1 and 5-8. They'll also do a matching a donation to the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples. Details at zerocavity.com.
14 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
CSN senior appointed to state athletic association Community School of Naples senior Parker Weiss was selected to serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee of the Florida High School Athletic Association. He was the only student from Southwest Florida to be appointed this year. Members are chosen based on sports participation, extracurriculars, essay and leadership skills. The committee meets twice this school year to discuss student-athlete concerns throughout the state. Parker plays basketball and football at his school.
New School ‘app’ in Lee County The School District of Lee County is launching a new system to replace communications through ParentLink. The new platform is called SchoolMessenger. Some schools are up and running on the new system while others will be joining soon. To sign up for a free account, visit go.schoolmessenger.com. You’ll need a current email address on file with your child’s school. Details are available at leeschools.net.
Free park passes for fourth-graders Kids in the fourth grade can get free admission for themselves and their families to any national wildlife refuge, national park or forest as part of the Every Kid in a Park initiative. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel is participating. The passes are valid through August 2019. To get the pass, worth $80, visit everykidinapark.gov, print and fill out the voucher, and take it to the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center.
FREE PRESCHOOL Early Learning Coalition of SWFL can help your family with Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten If you live in Florida & your child turns 4 YEARS OLD by September 1, your child is eligible for the VPK program. Some 5 year olds are also eligible.
Dry Tortugas deal It’s probably on your list of Florida places to visit someday: the Dry Tortugas. Well, through December 15, the Yankee Freedom III, the official Dry Tortugas National Park ferry, is offering a deal to save $50 when you book a day trip for at least two adults in advance. Get details at drytortugas.com/ online. Use the code ONLINE18 when booking.
For more information & to register your child: FamilyServicesFloridaEarlyLearning.com
www.elcofswfl.org Serving Collier, Glades, Hendry & Lee Counties | (239) 935-6100 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 15
« fyi (continued) 5 centers earn 5 stars Five of Child Care of Southwest Florida’s learning centers earned five-star ratings from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida this fall. The program rates child care centers in six areas: health and safety, professional development and staff qualifications, the learning environment, screening and assessments, family and community relationships and professional responsibility. The centers that earned the five-star rating are The Children's Learning Center at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Joseph H. Messina Children’s Center in Fort Myers, The Community Children’s Center in Lehigh Acres, Children’s Garden of LaBelle and the Harlem Academy Child Care Center in Clewiston.
33,000 That’s Collier how many b Co oo summ unty Public ks participan er read Library ts in th ’s “ ing e The He adqua program re Libraries Ro ck” rters b ad this ran su 12,488 ch led the w mmer. ay with books.
New books by local children’s authors » “In Time Butterfly” by Amanda Derrick and Jessica Tukaj • As moms and special education educators, Amanda and Jessica saw a need for tools to help parents and teachers develop a child’s social-emotional skills. In this book, Paul the butterfly helps kids realize the value of being unique. The two women were college roommates at Florida Gulf Coast University, and Jessica continues to live in Southwest Florida with her family. The book is $19.95 in hardcover, $13.95 as paperback and $5 as an e-book at
halopublishing.com and major retailers. » “Mrs. O’Leary’s Halloween” by William Bresnan • William Bresnan, a New York City firefighter who retired to Southwest Florida, wrote this fun, spooky tale to teach children the importance of keeping an open mind. $24 at dorrancepublishing.com. » “Unraveling Rose” by Brian Wray • Rose is a stuffed bunny who loves having fun with the little boy she lives with, until she discovers a loose thread. Brian will be signing copies of the award-winning book 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 27 at
Barnes & Noble in the Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. » “The Case of the Missing Crown Jewels” by Robert Martin • A former Fortune 500 executive, Robert Martin lives in Lee County and writes to help adults and the kids they love build strong connections and cope better together during times of difficulty. In this Amazon bestseller, 12-year-old Keira, her Papa and Waffles the puppy try to find the missing crown jewels. The book is now available on Audible, $6.95.
Get Excited About Your Future Be a business owner, reach your goals and experience how exciting life can be when you’re The King of Clean®.
©2018Jani-King International, Inc. |CD0818-0128
239.826.2779 |www.janiking.com/franchise NP-0000964785
16 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Simone Low is the team leader at Baby Rays Early Learning at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples.
ask the expert » SIMONE LOW
Getting in tune together
A
Why music is good for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, and how you can get your child started.
t some point, every parent dreams his or her child is the next Beyoncé, Mozart, Johnny Cash or Luciano Pavarotti (or insert whatever famous musician you adore). Chances are slim that will actually happen, but music may make your child smarter, kinder, better disciplined and simply more fun to be around. Who doesn’t gravitate toward the gal playing guitar around the campfire or wish they were the go-to pop culture music geek among their friends? The benefits of music exposure, exploring it together and even playing an instrument (or two or three) contributes to learning across many domains. As team leader of Baby Rays Early Learning at Seacrest Country Day School, I understand that music can set the tone for all activities and enrich learning experiences. Music can be soothing or stimulating. We use music in groups as well as independent explorations in our infant and toddler rooms. It’s equally important for parents to continue music exploration with their little ones at home. Here are some key things you can do to help develop your child’s budding musical tastes, abilities and/or appreciation. Wee ones (0-18 months) Did you ever find yourself wailing it out with Janis Joplin or busting a rhyme to Wiz Khalifa during pregnancy? That’s a good thing, according
to experts. Hearing is your baby’s first sense to fully develop in utero at 20 weeks. Hearing you sing along to your musical idols helps wire your baby’s brain for language and future sound engagement. Don’t worry about singing off-key. Your baby isn’t preparing to be the next Simon Cowell but is instead concentrating on hearing language cues, patterns and sounds, all things that help form their cognitive potential. GET MOVING
Babies of any age love music; they especially love it when their mom or dad moves and grooves with them. There’s no reason the fun shouldn’t continue at day care. When it comes to selecting an early childhood learning center for your wee one, ask how music is incorporated into their curriculum. Every early childhood learning center should have a musical component, because it is an exciting way to promote speech development, provide organization for cognitive and physical development, and create a learning environment for socialization and leisure interactions. Baby music classes like those by Kindermusik and Family Music Time (both available in Naples and Fort Myers) are great ways to combine these things. From hearing, touching and playing “instruments” to being encouraged to sing and dance along, baby music classes help kick-start your peanut’s mental, physical and musical development.
At home, nursery rhymes are a great way to introduce movement and music to your little bundle of joy. The next time you sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” to them, make sure to incorporate the hand movements. Or be sure to bounce your baby to the beat as you jam to Taylor Swift while cooking dinner. Your wee one will be experiencing rhythm and dance without even realizing it. Callout: The local library is a great resource to hear new music and learn about musicians. Not only can you check out different kinds of music, you can also find a book about the composer or singer-songwriter. Tots (18 months-3 years) Aaahhh, the power of music. If you haven’t already discovered, music can make routine tasks like toothbrushing and picking up toys so much more enjoyable — for everyone. We like to use music as a tool for transition time. It’s a cue for our Baby Rays that they will be moving to a new activity. These little earworms may seem simple — a basic tune and clean rhyme — but they serve a major purpose. They make chores feel fun while simultaneously building your child’s music development. In some cases, task songs may be the first full set of lyrics your child learns and remembers. BARNEY AND FRIENDS
The most ubiquitous of these task songs comes courtesy of that friendly
ASK THE EXPERT We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything. We’ll find the answer. Send your question to editor@swflparentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 17
« ask the expert (continued)
Board Certified Braces and Invisalign All Ages In Office Oral Sedation, Nitrous, IV and Hospital Dentistry New and Transfer Patients Welcome In Office No Interest Financing ICAT & Digital Xrays Teeth Whitening NOW Accepting Adults Se Habla Espanol
Positive, Fun & Friendly Environment Overhead TVs
iPad Treasure Tower
Toys
7117 Congdon Road, Suite 100 Ft. Myers, FL 33908 (239) 418-1444 NP-0000960180
www.wheresmilesbegin.com
• New Born through School Age Children • 18 Years of Private Business • ELC School Readiness Provider
ENROLL NOW!
FREE - Daily 5 Hours VPK starting 11/26/2018
New Enrollment Only!
Certificates available at the office of Early Learning Coalition of SW FL, 2675 Winkler Ave., Ft. Myers
Please save your child’s space for
Summer Camp 2018
ages up to 12 years
Lehigh We are here! Regional * E. Point Dr. Medical Center Lee Blvd. Huntdale St. E Entrance behind CVS
The Best Licensed, Privately Owned Preschool in Southwest Florida. “Give your child the best education” www.mylccc.com Mon-Fri, 6.30 am - 6.30 pm
1491 East Point Drive Lehigh Acres entrance behind CVS
C20LE6549
239-369-5437
18 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
purple dinosaur, Barney. Here’s a sample: Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share At Seacrest, our preschoolers and pre-kindergartners learn about healthy toothbrushing habits with the help of this song (to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”): Brush, brush, brush your teeth Gently round your gums. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Brushing is such fun! You can even turn something that children find aggravating, like sharing. These song ideas come courtesy of preschooleducation. com, but there are a ton of other task songs available online if you do some simple research. One smart solution to incorporate these songs into your child’s daily activities is to print them out and attach them to the bathroom mirror (for teeth time) or playroom wall (for cleaning up) so that letter recognition and, eventually, reading develop naturally in your child’s musical development. Callout: Pandora and Spotify offer free music for your smartphone, tablet or computer. They can be accessed virtually anywhere and have a wide variety of musical styles. Preschoolers (3-5 years) Music should be a buffet for the ears, and now is the time to dig in. Your kiddo will soak up any kind of music — from live performances to scratchy old albums, from arias to mariachi — like a sponge. Take advantage of free or cheap live performances; fairs and festivals, local universities and high schools often have decent performances. Watch concerts on television; PBS has a beautiful array of performances from groups like the classically trained vocalists of Celtic Woman or you can borrow some concert DVDs from the library. Visit a musical instrument store so the kids can see, hear and, in some cases, touch instruments. You can also check out a music school to see budding artists in action. LEARNING TO PLAY
All this exposure may leave your tot wanting more. Don’t be surprised if they ask for lessons, but keep your expectations at a minimum. Most 3-year-olds won’t be able to learn an instrument, but lessons can help them identify a beat, melody or instrument. By the time your mini-Mozart is 5, though, music educators say they should have a strong enough foundation to handle formalized music lessons. Piano and violin are the two most common debut instruments. Getting kids to practice may be a drag, so don’t push it. Talk with the instructor about what they feel is best and work together to develop a plan to continually engage and challenge your child without setting them up for failure. Callout: No need to buy new. There are plenty of options like Craigslist or local buy/trade/sell sites for finding secondhand instruments.
single parenting »
Echo Copeland is a single mom who lives in Southwest Florida.
ECHO COPEL A ND
Our everyday heroes
J
erry has found his calling. By all accounts, he is an honest, kind, compassionate and gentle human being. A hard-working man, he gets up each morning, beating the sun’s rise, and heads to the gym where he puts in the time to work out his body; he needs his strength for what he does. He also takes the time to strengthen his mind. He prays and spends time reading. He is quick with an encouraging word or a motivational message. He purposefully prepares every day for his profession, his mission in life. As much as he loves his job, there are two loves of his life, his children. He works very hard not only to support them financially, but he loves and nurtures them. He does all he can to see them as much as possible. There is nothing that they need, that he won’t ensure that they have. He has two tough jobs: he is a single parent, and he is a cop. We often forget that police officers and sheriff ’s deputies are people, too. Some of them are single parents. I know there is always the concern about something happening where I’m not around to take care of my daughter, especially, as a single parent it is a difficult thought. Jerry puts
himself in harm’s way every day to serve and protect, and he has my utmost respect. In recent years, law enforcement has endured significant bashing. “Dirty cops” is a term used way too often, and the level of disrespect they face on a continual basis saddens me. I grew up knowing one thing for certain, if I was lost or alone, I was to find a police officer, and I knew I would be safe. Not too long ago, the police were considered our local heroes. They were the Batman and Superman of the day, saving lives and putting themselves in danger to protect strangers and keep them safe. The Bible states, “No greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” Our police men and women go a step further, risking lives for you and me, people they don’t even know. They don’t get enough praise or accolades. They are called racists, and riots have ensued because of how “unfair” and “corrupt” people think law enforcement officers have become. Of course, there may be a few unsavory characters, as there are in every profession, but for the most part, we need to highly esteem our men and women in uniform. They give of themselves every
day; their services are priceless. We need to appreciate them more and let them know that we see their sacrifice. When the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11, I remember two very distinct things about that day. I remember seeing the smoke rising from my beloved towers (my sister and I loved them so much we dubbed ourselves TT1 and TT2). The other thing I remember is seeing firefighters and police officers going into the towers, as others rushed out. That image has never left me. Imagine you woke up to find there were no more law enforcement officers. Feel the fear rising in your bones? Do you feel the anxiety in your mind, knowing that if you’re in an accident or if you are in need of help, no one will be there for you? Take the time to thank a local hero, also pray for them. They are our saviors, and still the ones our kiddos can look up to when they are in trouble. When I pass an accident, which unfortunately is almost weekly, I always say a prayer for all those affected, and I don’t neglect to say a prayer for those men and women in a certain hunter green uniform (my favorite color by the way), who rush to their aid. Our everyday heroes.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 19
in the kitchen »
SHELBY R E Y NOLDS
MORE EXCITING (AND HEALTHY!)
N
ow that students across Southwest Florida have been back to school for a couple of months, moms and dads may be having a tough time with a common dilemma: How to fill lunchboxes with travel-friendly, healthy food that kids will actually enjoy. Getting creative may be the key.
20 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
One Southwest Florida parent is replacing bread for apple slices, and others are finding new ways to convince kids to eat the dreaded vegetable. Here, readers and foodies in Southwest Florida share tried-andtrue recipes that work for their school kids, including a simple pasta with red sauce or roasted sweet potatoes sprinkled with cinnamon.
We Clean Carpet, Tile, Grout & Upholstery 32 Years Experience!
24 HOU
R
Water Dam Clean-U age We Wil P Your Ins l Bill ura DIRECT nce LY!
WE GUARANTEE IT ALL!
Throw out the bread and use fruit instead, says Betsy Opyt, a North Naples resident who launched a gourmet nut butter company called Betsy's Best.
Fort Myers Cape Coral 239-215-1196 www.captainsteamer.net
Don’t let the title fool you. These gluten-free goodies — sandwiches, cookies and doughnuts — are a healthier treat that are just as tasty for adults. Use any nut butter of your choice to create a variety of flavors.
11495 CARPET CLEANING $
ALMOND BUTTER COOKIE » 1 apple » 2 tablespoons Betsy’s Best Gourmet Almond Butter » Sprinkles or dark cacao nibs Slice apple horizontally in 1/4-inch slices, but do not remove the seeds or the core. Spread Betsy’s Best Gourmet Almond Butter over the top of each slice and sprinkle with sprinkles or cacao nibs.
and apply Betsy’s Best Gourmet Nut and Seed Butter to one side of each apple. Sprinkle granola on one slice and sandwich together with the other slice.
CASHEW BUTTER DOUGHNUT » 1 apple » 2 tablespoons Betsy’s Best Gourmet Cashew Coconut or Cashew Cardamom Butter » Sprinkles
APPLE SANDWICH » 1 apple, cored and sliced in circles » 2 tablespoons Betsy’s Best Gourmet Nut and Seed Butter of choice » 2 tablespoons granola Take two slices of the apple
Core apple and slice horizontally in 1/4-inch slices. Spread Betsy’s Best Gourmet Cashew Butter over the top making sure not to cover the hole. Add sprinkles. — Betsy Opyt, president and CEO of Betsy’s Best
GROUT SEALER
4 ROOM SPECIAL
10 OFF 300 SQ. FT. MIN.
Fort Myers 239.275.8120 Cape Coral: 239.574.1181 With Coupon. Not valid with other offer
Fort Myers 239.275.8120 Cape Coral: 239.574.1181 With Coupon. Not valid with other offer
%
11995 SOFA & LOVESEAT $
25 OFF TILE & GROUT
$
CLEANING
CLEANING 300 SQ. FT. MIN.
Fort Myers 239.275.8120 Cape Coral: 239.574.1181 With Coupon. Not valid with other offer
Fort Myers 239.275.8120 Cape Coral: 239.574.1181 With Coupon. Not valid with other offer
Miguel Argumosa, DMD • Erin Taylor, DMD Nicole Eastham, DMD Board Certified Pediatric Dentists
Three Locations To Serve You! BONITA SPRINGS
9510 Bonita Beach Rd. Ste. 101
239 333.2990
CAPE CORAL
PORT CHARLOTTE
1508 S.E. 12th Terrace
3872 Tamiami Trail, Unit D&E
239 322.5222
941 391.8090
Comprehensive dental care with state of the art facilities equipment for children and those with special healthcare needs All forms of sedation available: Nitrous, Oral, In office I.V. and Hospital Emergencies Welcome!
Fun and Interactive Environment
We Love Kids, Kids Love Us!
www.swfl-pediatricdentistry.com Most Insurance Accepted Se Habla Español
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 21
» in the kitchen (continued)
Getting children to eat vegetables is no easy task, so Liz Dala started early. Liz, public relations director at Reframed Solutions, says she started feeding sweet potatoes to her daughter when she was about 7 months old, and now that she’s almost 2, she asks for them all the time. This recipe originates from her mother-in-law, who prepared the crinkled sweet potato rounds with salt, pepper and fresh herbs (adult version, perhaps?). Liz adds her own twist, though, by sweetening the dish with cinnamon. INGREDIENTS » Sweet potato » 1/2 teaspoon olive oil » Salt » Cinnamon DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Peel and wash sweet potatoes. Slice with ridged
hand-sliced tool, about 1/4-inch thick. Toss sweet potatoes in olive oil until coated, and season with salt and ground cinnamon. 3. On a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, place the potato slices in a single layer so they are not overlapping. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy hot or cold.
Dima Antar feeds her 6- and 8-year-old sushi for lunch. Not the raw fish and nori kind. The banana and tortilla kind. This kid-friendly take on a sushi roll-up employs chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon, sugar and chia seeds for a sweet treat that ends up in Dima’s weekly lunch rotation. INGREDIENTS » One large flour or wheat tortilla » 2 to 3 tablespoons chocolate peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choice) » 1 banana » A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, chia seeds or rainbow sprinkles DIRECTIONS 1. Spread the nut butter all over the tortilla. Peel banana and place on the edge of the tortilla. Fold in the ends and roll tortilla the way you would a burrito. 2. With a straight edge knife, cut the rolled-up banana into small “sushi” pieces. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top of your sushi bites. — Dima Antar, Cape Coral
22 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Annabelle Tometich, food writer at The NewsPress in Fort Myers, detests packing lunches, but she found a solution: “I loathe packing school lunches. “I loathe it with all my being. I hear there are clever ways to make it less of a chore: prepping a bunch of sandwiches on Sundays, divvying up fresh fruits into grab-and-go baggies, things like that. “But I’m a horrible planner, too. “I am, however, a good cook. I love to cook — always have. And I’ve finally (my son is 8, my daughter is 4½) figured out how to use cooking to solve my lunch-packing loathing: just cook more. “I don’t cook any more often, I just cook more food, bigger portions. That could mean boiling an extra box of pasta, cutting up a second head of broccoli or buying a larger steak. “I make more than we’ll eat for dinner, then save the rest for lunch boxes the next day. I don’t do anything fancy to it for lunch. I leave it as is, then throw a yogurt in there and maybe some Goldfish (what kid doesn’t love Goldfish?). “This works well for kids like mine who don’t mind cold food. You can do this with any weeknight recipe, but this insanely simple pasta with buttery red sauce, adapted from cookbook author extraordinaire Marcella Hazan, is a weekly go-to of mine that’s wonderfully delicious the next day.”
INGREDIENTS » 1 28-ounce can of whole or crushed San Marzano tomatoes » 5 tablespoons butter » 1 onion, peeled and cut in half » 1 clove garlic, peeled » Salt and pepper to taste » 1 box pasta (I like spaghetti or rigatoni) DIRECTIONS 1. Combine tomatoes, butter, onion and garlic in a saucepan with a pinch or two of salt and pepper. 2. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to low and cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using canned whole tomatoes, mash the tomatoes with a fork as they cook. 3. Discard the onion before serving. 4. Cook pasta as directed on the box, then serve with sauce. This is a great side for eggplant Parmesan or any Italian-style meat. You can also brown a package of ground beef to make it more substantial. — Annabelle Tometich, food writer at The News-Press
dining out »
Hearty, healthy breakfast and lunch First Watch is a great way to start a day or enjoy a lunch break. BY ANN M. O’PHELAN
W
hen my family hungered for a hearty breakfast one recent morning, all I had to say was “Hey, let’s head over to First Watch.” It didn’t take any arm pulling to pile into the car, and best of all, there was no complaining along the way. We had all eaten at First Watch. Usually, we go to the downtown Fort Myers location, but this time we thought we’d try the one on College Parkway at US Highway 41, a bit closer to home. First Watch offers not only a great breakfast, but a great lunch, too. Healthy and delicious is their focus, and they back up their claim with cage-free egg dishes, multigrain pancakes, breakfast bowls, and veggie burgers and sandwiches. On top of that, they feature seasonal produce from local growers whenever possible. Further adding to the healthy claim, the children’s menu isn’t just full of deep-fried foods. Instead it offers items like fresh fruit crepes for breakfast and turkey sandwiches for lunch ($5.79 each, sides and beverages included). Since our visit was at breakfast, we ordered avocado toast that had the avocado spread on whole grain toasted bread and served with a cage-free egg ($9.59), a quinoa bowl with Italian sausage, cremini mushrooms, tomatoes and kale ($9.49), and two kale tonic smoothies with kale, Fuji apple, cucumber and lemon ($3.99), and also
First Watch on College Parkway in Fort Myers
off the children’s menu, half a Belgian waffle that was served with fresh fruit, sausage (or bacon) and a drink ($5.79). You can also order breakfast items at lunchtime. The setting looks rustic and sort of like an old farmhouse, with natural woods and calm green tones. It’s the kind of setting where you expect food that tastes healthy and homemade, and First Watch delivers that. Plus, the wait staff has always been patient, friendly and understanding, as they know that the youngest ones can’t wait too long for the food. This breakfast was another great meal at First Watch. We’ll be back to try lunch again sometime soon.
FIRST WATCH » Location: While there are nearly a dozen locations in the Fort Myers-Naples area, this article is based on the writer’s experience at 7091 College Parkway, south Fort Myers » Phone: 239-274-5551 » Online: firstwatch.com » Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily » Price range: $7.89-$11.29 » Kids’ menu: Half waffle, bacon and egg, chocolate chip pancake, fresh fruit crepe, French toast, grilled cheese, Hamwich or Turkeywich ($5.79 each, includes sides and beverage). » Tips: Highchairs available. Children’s menu is made to play and color. Seasonal menu, as well.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 23
24 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
youth sports »
Janis B. Meredith, a parenting coach, was a coach’s wife for 29 years and sports mom for 22 years. She lives in Alva, where she writes about raising champions on JBMThinks.com.
TRAITS
OF POSITIVE SPORTS PARENTS Loves child regardless of performance.Your child knows
that they are loved whether they win or lose and that their mistakes do not evoke your disapproval or disappointment. Lets the coaches do their job. Parents and coaches
have different jobs in youth sports — coaches are there to teach, motivate and challenge; parents are there to encourage and support — but they should always be on the same team.
JA NIS B. MER EDIT H
O
f the millions of children playing youth sports, I wonder how many of their parents are positive. I certainly don’t know the statistics, but I have been around youth sports long enough to know what traits make a sports parent an asset to their child’s experience, and not a detriment. Here are 10 of the most important:
Shows gratitude. Positive
sports parents find reasons to be thankful, instead of always complaining about what’s wrong. Find the victories and be grateful for them. Take time to thank the people who make it possible for the season to happen. Avoids comparisons. Compar-
ing your child to another athlete or sibling may seem like an efficient motivational tactic, but actually its impact is short-lived, if it works at all. Learns to let go. Resist the
Supports the team. Find
some way to help the team, no matter how big or small the task. If enough parents do this, things will get done without overloading one parent. Learns from their mistakes.
Part of the wisdom we gain as parents comes when we recognize, learn from and move on from our parenting mistakes.
temptation to always make your child’s path smooth and easy. There are times to step in and help and times to let go and allow your child to figure things out on their own. Thinks realistically. It’s one thing to believe in your child, to support them and let them strive toward their dream; it’s another to force your child to become someone they are not.
Lets their child own the experience. Of
course, your child will be influenced by your desires and interests. But it’s important for your child to carve their own path and be their own person. Sees the bigger picture.
Rewards and accolades are fun, but the most important thing to remember is what your child becomes on the journey of playing sports. Armed with these traits, you will not only give your child a great season, you can be a positive influence on the culture of your team and community.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 25
« kid stuff
NATURAL FUN FOR LITTLE ONES Naples Botanical Garden is a favorite for families with kids of all ages, especially those with a baby and a toddler. BY ANDREA STETSON
26 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
T
he infant is in the stroller, the toddler wants to run and play, and mom and dad want a safe place to amuse them both. One place that meets the needs of all ages is the Naples Botanical Garden. Every section has a shaded sitting area that’s great for resting or nursing. There are lots of lawns for children to run on and for babies to crawl. There are textures and colors to explore, and the ADA-accessible paths are perfect for strollers. “There are so many varieties of experiences they can have,” says the garden’s public relations manager, Renee Waller.
The Caribbean Garden has a cottage with a long rocking bench for mom and baby and musical instruments for a child to play. Nearby are hammocks under a shady canopy. Two chickee huts in the Florida Garden overlook a pond. “Kids really love playing here and seeing the water lilies,” Renee says. On a recent visit, Rebeca and Jonathan Padron and their son, Noah, 4 months, from Miami, relaxed under the shade of a structure in the Asian Garden. “My son loves to go on nature walks,” Rebeca says. “It brings peace to him. He just starts cooing. He loves to go outside, and I think he loves the color green. It’s nice to get away from the normal schedule of work, and if he is not crying, it is a beautiful thing.” Monica Lorenz began bringing her son Aaron, 2, to the gardens when he was a little baby. “We’ve been taking him here since he was 6 months old,” Monica says. “I think just getting him to feel the plants and the different textures and the different colors all over the gardens. It’s only recently that we started going to the children’s garden. We like to go around and touch the different plants and crawl on the lawns. There is shade. We learned these areas very well. We like being able to hop in the café and cool off. We really love it.” When the babies get older, the Children’s Garden offers a huge menu of things to do and explore, from the treehouse to the splash area to the little gardens by the pastel play cottage. Carrie Bloemers, manager of the Healthy Life Center at Coconut Point and mother of a 1- and 3-year-old, has scouted for places to bring her toddler and baby. Some of her top picks are the dinosaur dig at North Collier Regional Park, because it is all shaded, the parks and libraries, and of course, the Naples Botanical Garden. Carrie’s youngsters love the Children’s Garden. She loves that the entire place is stroller-friendly, has lots of seating and is great for nursing mothers. Most of all she likes the sense of safety in the garden. “It is very contained,” she explains. “They can’t get too far away. There are places to sit with the baby, and there is a natural border, so when you are occupied with the baby, your toddler can’t get too far away.”
FILE PHOTOS
Naples Botanical Garden Where: 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples • When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays beginning in October. • Cost: $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for ages 4-14, free for children younger than 4. Family membership is $110 for the year. • Details: 239-643-7275 or naplesgarden.org
The Naples Botanical Garden offers a safe place for toddlers and small children to play and entertain themselves.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 27
« teens
IF YOU CAN MAKE IT HERE... Teens find a variety of opportunities in Southwest Florida theater programs, from free instruction to Broadway connections. BY ANDREA STETSON
T
he students get acting, singing and dancing lessons. Then they perform a high-profile show on stage. And, in Bonita Springs, it’s all free. The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs gives young actors who land a part in its student shows all the instruction for free. It’s one of several venues that offer a theater program for teens and tweens, and while others charge tuition, many of their students, too, receive scholarships to defray the costs, such as KidzAct in Naples and the Conservatory at Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers. “We rely heavily on scholarships and sponsoring,” says Kayleigh Campo, the youth theater director at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs. “We just strive to make sure the program is so the kids don’t have to pay. We want them to have this experience, and to be able to learn.” Kayleigh says costs are kept down by having parents volunteer to create costumes and help build the sets. “It is amazing we are getting all this support,” Kayleigh says. “We are getting it from donors and sponsors and people who want to invest in the kids. I find that very special to work here. You don’t see a lot of programs like this.” Parents say the free program allows their children to do more shows than they would be able to if there was a hefty price. They are also happy that free doesn’t mean a lack of quality. “These kids are really good,” says Jennifer Lias, mother of Jaelyne Lias, 10. “I was really impressed when you listen
28 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Teens and tweens get instructions from director Kayleigh Campo at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs.
to them sing.” The actors also get direction from a paid musical director and a choreographer. “She is getting free voice and dance and acting lessons out of the whole thing,” adds Kirstin Vega, mother of Lorelai Vega, 12. Kirstin likes the idea that she can stay and help with costumes. “The other places, you just drop them off and wonder what you are going to do for two hours,” she says. This summer the students performed “High School Musical Jr.” This fall they are working on “Stuart Little.” Kayleigh says while there are auditions, no experience is necessary for the non-musicals. For musicals teens need
some singing and dancing knowledge. “They can come with little to no experience,” Kayleigh explains. “We look to see if they are loud and clear, showing a big character and showing that they are confident. Even a kid with little experience can thrive with theater.” Some 70 to 100 teens and tweens usually audition for shows that feature 30 to 40 young actors, Kayleigh says. Many of the young actors dream of a career on Broadway and say the quality of instruction in this free program is very professional. “It gives you a chance to be a part of it and see what it is like and that helps in such a competitive industry,” says Kristen Noble, 13. “It is amazing that it is free.”
“It gives you a lot of experience with people who have done this many times,” adds Jordan Gersbach, 14. “Because it’s free, there is not this big budget, so you can’t have a dazzling show and sets, but it’s what goes on and it’s the show that counts,” says Lorelai Vega, 12. The teens are also grateful for the opportunity. “I am always allowed to do productions here, because it is always free,” says Abby Ciabaton, 15. “You never have to worry about any money here.” While parents do have to worry about money at other venues, directors stress that parents shouldn’t just look at the price, because there are scholarships and differences in programs.
Scholarships ease cost At KidzAct, a program of The Naples Players, a show like “Annie” costs $500 for three months of instruction. But that’s not necessarily what a family has to pay for a child to participate. “We are heavily scholarshipped,” says Craig Price, education director. “There are a lot of kids that we give a discount to. There is some cost. Everybody has to pay something, but 50 percent of the kids are scholarshipped.” Craig says the experience is worth the price. This summer while the adults were performing “Chicago,” the teens and tweens were doing “Chicago Jr.” They were getting the same instruction as the adults and performing on the same stage. “The teenagers perform with a live orchestra,” Craig says. “They are doing the same shows as the adults with the same orchestra as the adults.” This fall, rehearsals begin for “Annie Jr.” About 80 kids usually audition for 30 to 40 roles. Craig was once the director at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, so he knows both venues.
“Here we are backed by a professional costume, light and set design department,” he explains. “Professionals doing the designing. That is the big difference. Also, you have a music director and choreographer and director that are professionals in their field. That is where a lot of the cost goes. “I was so proud of the program I was able to do in Bonita Springs. All the volunteers would come out and contribute, and that is how it still survives. But I came down here, and it is a theater company. This has been major growth for me. And I see the kids and how they grow through this program.”
Bridge to professional theater The choreographer for a recent production of “A Chorus Line” at the Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers was in the national tour of the show. “We do that with every show,” says Kody C. Jones, director the Florida Rep Education Department. Florida Rep’s Conservatory program for ages 8 to 18 is a highly competitive audition experience where more than 200 teenagers compete for 20 to 30 roles in each show. Those who make the cut pay about $285 for the 6 to 8 weeks of instruction. “The tuition mostly covers the production costs,” Kody says. “We are not in it to make money. We are just in it to hopefully break even and help the young artists.” Kody says 6 to 10 students receive a scholarship for each show. Florida Rep produces three shows featuring teens each year. The next show in the spring is “Newsies.” Kody describes the Conservatory program as a bridge between high school theater and college and professional productions. “It is professional and practical conditioning for a young actor,” Kody explains. “These students are passion-
ate about going into the theater and this bridges them over. We define it as a professional experience. We bring in out-of-town professionals.” That’s what the students love. Chance Cintron, 19, says working with a choreographer who was in professional shows was incredible. “I never really worked with a choreographer that did traveling theater before, and hearing her stories helps you know what you are getting into,” Chance says. Nayda Baez, 19, agrees. “It has been such an amazing experience with all these professional people,” she says. “You get to ask them questions about the business, and they have actually been there, and they can tell you and shape you, and they give you more tools, and you build upon it. They unlock some things we didn’t even know we had.” Everyone from the choreographer to the director, stage managers, designers and crew are all professionals. They also follow the same union equity rules as Broadway. “So they are given the professional experience,” Kody says. “And it raises the bar, and it changes the expectations for the product. We keep the standard bar really high.” Chance likes that professional atmosphere. “The whole Florida Rep team just treats all of the students like professionals,” he says. “They don’t baby you. The opportunities you get at the Rep are incredible.” Kody emphasizes that all youth theater programs in Southwest Florida offer something for teen actors. “We are a professional theater,” he says. “It does not mean better. Everyone has to have an offering. Maybe they are not as fast paced or aggressive or maybe they don’t have the national tour person come and teach them. But they have something to offer. Here they want that professional training. They want that edge.”
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 29
Keith Raygor
30 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
spotlight »
Magical INSPIRATION
GETTY IMAGES
K
More than a magician, Keith Raygor engages imaginations with music and comedy in his performances.
eith Raygor hands an audience member a card and asks her to write down the name of a favorite song. Then, without looking at the card, he asks her to sing the song in her head without making a sound. Moments later Keith is at a piano playing the tune. The audience is amazed. People gasp and ask, “How did he do that?” Keith is more than a local magician. He does more than a musical magical show. He’s a man with an extensive background in entertainment that includes being a stage hand for Bruce Springsteen, Boston, Grateful Dead, The Police, Jackson Browne and others. He was a cruise director and an entertainment director. Now he’s known for his Musical Mindreader show, which he performs throughout Southwest Florida. Keith says he got the idea to do something different from the famous magicians Penn & Teller. “Teller does not speak and Penn talks a lot, and that is their thing that sets them apart,” Keith says. “So I thought, ‘What do I have to offer that other people don’t?’ and that is music. I am the only one in the world that does that.” His show spans a variety of tricks and several ways of
incorporating music into his acts. “It’s about defining an act that makes you unique,” Keith says. “That’s what drove me to the rhythm of magic and the Musical Mindreader. It was a journey of what can I bring to the stage that no one else can. That defines me.” Keith says it’s a lot more than making an audience wonder how he performs a trick. “It’s about engaging people, involving their imagination,” he explains. “I think the automatic response of most people is ‘How did he do that?’ and that is normal, but I don't want to leave them there, because that is not the point. My background is theater, so I am more interested in the whole experience, not just the magic, not just the music, but how does it all come together to fill their hearts. The responsibility of an entertainer on stage is to remove them from their everyday issues for an hour or two and just come together as a group and laugh.” Keith’s career began with drums. “I started drums when I was 7 years old, because my mom needed to find an outlet for my energy,” he says. “Otherwise I was banging on the dining room table.” He was a percussionist in the United States Air Force Band and then traveled around the country playing drums in show bands. But he also has roots in magic.
BY ANDREA STETSON • PHOTOS BY AMANDA INSCORE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 31
« spotlight (continued)
Keith Raygor does a card trick for residents and guests at Cypress Cove in south Fort Myers.
“Magic has been my hobby since I was about 10,” he explains. “It is what kept me grounded when I was on the road playing music. All the other guys were out doing what musicians do. I was always trying to find the local magic store. Back then in the ’70s and ’80s, there were lots of magic shops, and I would buy magic tricks that were made by local craftsmen. By the time I got off the road in 1989, I knew I wanted to try to do magic full time.” Keith moved to Naples in 1989 and began his shows. He does many of his performances at country clubs and top resort hotels. He also does corporate performances, private shows and a weekly show at Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page in Fort Myers. He began his Musical Mindreader act eight years ago. Some of his tricks take months to learn, others take years, and yes, tricks have gone wrong on stage. “But I am happy to say that no one in the audience knew,” Keith says. “That is something that would never happen. If something goes wrong, my job is to make sure I still have a fruitful ending, but it may not be the ending I planned on. That comes from years of having a lot of different tools in my tool box, so I can think of two or three ways to get out of it and make it worthy of being on stage. That is my goal to have the ending just as strong as it would have been.” Keith’s goals are more than a happy ending for his tricks. He also aims to use
32 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
his magic to help others. He was part of the Dramatic Results Troupe, a group that used theater and comedy to conduct corporate training in an entertaining way. Now, besides paid performances, Keith does several for charity. Years ago he did a paid show at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers and saw children with a wide variety of ailments, from cancer to severe injuries. He realized how lucky he was that his own children were healthy. “So I said, ‘I want to come back as often as I can with no charge,’” he says. “So for the next four to six years, I came back. The only thing I told them was I didn't want any recognition for it.” Every year Keith donates a show to the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County to use in a fundraising auction. He does a free show each year for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and for the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee and for KidsCAN, which is part of the Cancer Alliance of Naples. “I am never bored,” Keith says about his busy schedule. He hopes to be even busier when his dream comes true. “I want to take the act to Europe,” he confides. “I want to tour and bring the Musical Mindreader to theaters in Europe. There is something about being over there, and the people over there. It would really resonate with them. That would be a dream life for me.”
politics »
BRUSHING UP ON
ELECTION 2018 The ballots we cast in November will affect Southwest Florida families directly. Here’s how to find the facts. BY TRACY O’GRADY
hen teacher Amyrose Lomele began planning her yearly curriculum, she knew she wanted to incorporate the upcoming election into her lesson plans. “Focusing on issues with students these ages probably wouldn’t capture their attention well,” says Lomele, who teaches fourth grade at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples. Instead, she decided to use the election as a tool to help them develop
research and verification skills. She asked her students to play Factitious, a game developed by a veteran journalist and American University fellow to test users’ ability to detect fake news from real. (You can play at factitious.augamestudio.com.) The game, originally designed for middle and high school students, is age-appropriate for everyone though. It pulls headlines and stories from a variety of sources — some real and some fake -— and users choose if they think the story is real or imagined.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 33
On the ballot
Numerous issues on the midterm ballot affect families directly, from school board leaders to sales tax increases to Florida representatives in Congress. Here are just a few. » Lee County voters decide whether to raise sales tax from 6 percent to 6.5 percent for local schools. » They’ll also decide four seats on The School District of Lee County school board. » Three Collier County public school board seats need to be solidified. » Collier County voters will also decide a proposed sales tax increase, from 6 to 7 percent to fund various local projects. » The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture seat will be hotly contested, especially in the wake of the recent toxic algae and red tide outbreak. » Voters will need to choose a U.S. senator and congressional representatives. » The governor’s race is between former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R) and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D). » As of September 16, nine statewide ballot measures were certified for the November ballot. To find out more about races and issues that may affect you, check out websites like vote411.org (provided by the League of Women Voters), ballotpedia.org or your county’s Supervisor of Elections website (lee.vote in Lee, colliervotes.com in Collier). In most cases, you can see a personalized ballot based on your address so you can do preliminary research on candidates and issues before stepping into the voting booth in November.
34 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
In an age when the term “fake news” comes up often, it’s important we all hone our skills and seek out accurate information before checking the boxes (or circles) on ballots that affect our families for years to come. What is news? How do you find real news as opposed to fake news? How do you tell if a news source is biased or if an article contains some sort of alternative facts or spin? “I don’t trust any one news source, whether it’s on TV, in a paper or on the internet. I read from different sources and try to find the middle story,” says Ashley Justice, a mom living in Bonita Springs. “That’s usually where the truth is, somewhere between either side’s position.” Consuming news should be treated as an active, not passive, endeavor, says Marcel Pacatte, a veteran reporter and editor who taught journalism at Boise State University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. “If you want to understand what’s happening in Syria right now, you can and should Google it, but you shouldn’t simply be satisfied with the main Wikipedia article,” he says. “Follow the footnotes to the source and read those articles, see what the State Department says, go to non-U.S. sources and see what they say about it.” In other words, if you want to find reliable and accurate news sources, you need to actively seek them out. Relying on friends’ shared headlines on Facebook is not active news consumption. But how do you begin to improve your media literacy and learn how to vet sources? Start with The Poynter Institute or the Pew Research Center. Both nonprofits provide tools and resources to help people understand how to practice active news consumption. The Poynter Institute is based in St. Petersburg and is a leading training center for journal-
ists. The Pew Research Center is in Washington, D.C., and offers a wealth of media analysis. The popular Media Bias Chart, created and provided by Ad Fontes Media, is another online tool to determine how neutral or biased news sources, mostly national or international, are. Attorney Vanessa Otero created the chart a couple of years ago and has done several updates to her original findings. Although this is mostly a one-woman job, Otero created a substantial rubric and rating system for analyzing articles, stories and shows from the various media outlets listed on the chart. This chart should not be used as a lone tool to determine where you find your news, but as part of your general active news consumption research. The dangers of social media A new Pew Research Center survey reports 68 percent of American adults say they at least occasionally get news on social media, but most of those respondents (57 percent) say they expect news on social media to be mostly inaccurate. “I don’t trust anything online,” says Laura Spiller, of Naples. In the age of Russian Facebook interference and click-bait headlines, this is not surprising. What is interesting, however, is that even when people get their news from social media, a significant portion of them can’t remember the actual source of the story. This might explain how misinformation is spread so readily. “My advice is to know the source of the information. No one should be expected to have to check information against a second or third source — who has time for that — but if it sounds outlandish, don’t trust it. Question it,” Pacatte says. A 2016 Pew Research Center study of 2,000 American adults shows nearly an equal percentage of respondents get their news directly from a news website (36 percent) or social media (35
« politics (continued)
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! Eye Centers of Florida
We’re In Your Neighborhood
Clearly, the Right Choice
STUDENTS!
percent). Respondents were able to identify the name of the news source they clicked on less than 60 percent of the time, and that percentage was even lower if the initial story link appeared on social media. Where do I go for SWFL election coverage? Finding quality local news coverage can feel challenging, too. Many news outlets have limited time and staff to adequately delve into an issue or candidate, and vetting reporters — tracking their education and experience, for example — may be more than most readers have time. “There are a lot of amazing things about what the internet has done to newsgathering and storytelling, but as far as reliability and accuracy, we’ve gone from having one paper a day and one evening newscast to a constant demand to get something posted to the web site, and so we have robbed the process of any of its innate reflection or pondering,” Pacatte says. To tell you one type of news outlet is better than another might be disingenuous of us, considering that we’re a part of the same company as The News-Press and the Naples Daily News, the two major newspapers in Lee and Collier counties. So we’ll leave that part of the research up to you. The News-Press and the Naples Daily News each have pages dedicated to covering politics and the election. These pages have some overlapping content for things like gubernatorial and congressional races, but both offer in-depth hyper local coverage on topics like school board and commissioner races.
Buy a Frame at Full Price Get FREE Polycarbonate lenses with Anti-Glare*
Dial **EYE on your Mobile Phone for an Appointment Today!
239.939.3456 | www.ecof.com NP-0000963726
*Patient must be a student. No other discounts or insurance can be applied Other restrictions apply, see store for details. Offer Expires: 9/30/18
Fall into a New Smile! Board Certified Orthodontist Braces & Invisalign® PMS CMYK RGB
476
5497
152
7529
Affordable payment plans Most insurances accepted Call to schedule your complimentary consultation! 239-260-2100 |
2017
For The News-Press election coverage, visit news-press. com/news/electionpolitics. For Naples Daily News election coverage, visit naplesnews.com/section/global/elections.
You can also contact local candidates directly or attend public forums and speaking engagements where questions and answers are encouraged. Civic organizations like the League of Women Voters (with groups in Lee and Collier County) also organize candidate and issue forums for the public. The nonpartisan group encourages residents to get informed and actively participate in government and public policy. The League does not support or oppose candidates; however, it does support or oppose votes on issues. While there are plenty of civic organizations that also hold candidate and issue forums, it’s critical to find nonpartisan groups if you’re serious about practicing active news consumption. And even then, it’s important to follow the lead of the future voters in Lomele’s fourth-grade class and do your own fact-finding.
Peek-A-Boo
SNEAK PREVIEW 3D/4D SNEAK PREVIEW4D Ultrasound
Ultra Sound
Certified Sonographers R.D.M.S. certified sonographer Evening and weekend Evening and weekend appointments available appointments available Friends and family welcome Friends and family welcome
239.274.7743 | 9021 Park Royal Drive, Fort Myers |
ppcswfl.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 35
Jack Koeneman, 3, of Fort Myers, poses at Southern Fresh Farms in south Fort Myers under the cover of the farm’s “pumpkin patch.” Rather than grow the pumpkins on the ground, Southern Fresh trains the vines to climb an arched trellis, creating a tunnel of green and gourds.
36 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
cover story »
FALL FESTIVALS AND HALLOWEEN
HAPPENINGS STORY BY ANDREA STETSON | PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE
Set against a backdrop of palm trees and sunny skies, the signs of fall are bursting through in Southwest Florida. All over, there are pumpkin patches, haunted houses and scary mazes, fall festivals, costume contests and holiday crafts. For the younger crowd, there are family-friendly, non-scary celebrations. For the older ones, there’s the spooky and downright scary. Here’s a look at some of the biggest Halloween and harvest events in Southwest Florida.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 37
« cover story
(continued)
Farmer Mike’s Fall Festival and Corn Maze » Where: Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs » Dates: September 28-October 31 » Hours:
Daytime activities run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October 31. Non-haunted maze opens 6-9:30 p.m. October 5-6. Then the full nighttime fun begins October 11, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. » What to expect: A very popular event. Daytime activities include a corn maze, pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, farm store and paint-your-ownpumpkin. There will be two mazes this year on opposite ends of the field. One is haunted (Farmer Mike’s promises it will be bigger and scarier than ever), and one that’s not scary. » Cost: $12 for the non-haunted corn maze, night or day; $18 for the nighttime haunted corn maze, which also includes admission to the non-scary maze and hayride. Tickets available online in advance (recommended as the farm sells a limited number of tickets for each night). » Details: 239-498-4576 or farmermikesupick.com
Fall Festival at the Farm » Where: Southern Fresh Farms, 8500 Penzance Blvd., south Fort Myers » Dates: October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 » Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October » What to expect: Hayride, petting zoo, vendors, music, food trucks and a pumpkin patch. “It’s just our kickoff for the season and welcoming everybody back, and the kids get their pumpkins, and it’s fun,” says owner Shelly McMahon. » Cost: Free admission; $2 for the hayride; food prices vary; pumpkins priced by size » Details: 239-768-0309, southernfreshfarms@ yahoo.com or southernfresh.farm
Boo Bash at IMAG » Where: IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers » Date: October 6 » Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Spooky Science Show is at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) (IMAG is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) » What to expect: Launch mini pumpkins with a giant sling shot, sink your fingers into pumpkin pie play dough, see a spooky science show that includes exploding pumpkins, bubbling cauldrons and fiery green tornadoes. Kids in costume may trick-or-treat with staff. There
38 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
will be a costume-making station if you don’t have one. There’s also a Mad Science workshop at 12:30 p.m.; to get admission do at least one of these: enter the pumpkin carving contest (bring your carved or decorated pumpkin), donate a new or gently used Halloween costume or donate $10 or more to the IMAG Education Programs Scholarship Fund. » Cost: Included with regular admission, which is $14 for adults, $10 for children and students with ID, free for ages 2 and younger » Details: theimag.org
Lakes Park Fall Festival & Halloween Express » Where: Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers » Dates: Fall Festival runs October 1228; Halloween Express miniature train ride is October 12-30. » Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. for the Fall Festival; the train ride runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. » What to expect: Festival plans include rides, games, pumpkin patch, inflatables, hayrides, scarecrow contest displays, food and the much anticipated spooky Halloween Express train ride, which runs through the Halloween Village. The Scarecrows in the Park contest will also be on display. » Cost: Free admission. The cost of activities ranges from $2 to $14. Parking is $1 per hour or $5 per day Monday-Friday. Parking on Saturday and Sunday is $3 (collected at the gate). The train ride is $5 for ages 6 and older, free for ages 1-5 (must be accompanied by adult). » Details: 239-533-7575
Haunted History Tour » Where: The Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers » When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 and 9:45 p.m. Saturdays. Tours will run every night October 24-31 » What to expect: This 90-minute walking tour explores the paranormal side of Fort Myers. For adults, there’s a new addition. “We are working with two of the bars that we stop at, and they are creating a funny drink, where they get a discount on the odd drinks,” says owner Gina Taylor. For everyone, she says there’s much to see and feel. “It’s been pretty creepy and pretty consistent … The same buildings keep giving us the same paranormal activity.” Reservations required. » Cost: $14 » Details: 239945-0405 or truetours.net
Scream on the Green » Where: Copperhead Golf Club,
20910 Copperhead Drive, Lehigh Acres
» Dates: October 18-20, 26-27 and 31 » Hours: 7-10 p.m. » What to expect: A haunted walk sponsored
by the Lehigh Acres Rotary Club. “It is family-friendly so it is not too scary,” says organizer Fred Elliot. “It is probably one of the most affordable in the area. It has a walk through a portion of the golf course, and it has a cemetery. It is guided by actors, and it’s fun.” On Halloween night, there’ll be trunkor-treating beforehand, starting at 6 p.m. » Cost: $3, or $2 if you bring a canned food donation for the Lehigh Community Services Food Pantry. » Details: 239-369-6161 or facebook. com/lehighrotary
Shell Factory Halloween Bash » Where: Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers » Date: October 28 » Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. » What to expect: Trick-or-treating is 10 a.m. to noon. The costume contest is noon to 2 p.m. Entertainment runs noon to 7 p.m. Anyone in a costume can play mini golf and receive a snow cone for free. Plus, get 20 percent off in the Halloween shop, and there’s a special Halloween fun park package available. » Cost: Admission to the festival is free; admission to the nature park is two for one after 1 p.m. » Details: 239-9952141 or shellfactory.com
Great Pumpkin Patch » Where: Bass Pro Shops, 10040 Gulf Center Drive, San Carlos Park » Dates: October 20-21 and 26-31 » Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 5-7 p.m. Friday, Monday and Tuesday; 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 » What to expect: On all dates, you can get a free framed photo in front of a Halloween backdrop that features Charlie Brown and the other popular “Peanuts” characters. On October 26 and 27, there will be pictures, crafts and a pumpkin toss. There will be a costume contest and parade through the store that starts at 4 p.m. October 27 and 6 p.m. October 31. Trick-ortreating is 3 to 5 p.m. October 27 and 5 to 8 p.m. October 31. There’s a dog costume contest and parade at 2 p.m. October 28. » Cost: Free » Details: 239-461-7800
Haunted Walk
» Where: Sun Splash Festival Grounds, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral » Date: October 27 » Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. » What to expect: The Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral is holding its 21st KidsFest with inflatables, games, vendors, strolling entertainment, a stage featuring local performances and Halloween costume contests. » Cost: Free admission, $2 parking donation. Nonperishable food will be collected for the Cape Coral Caring Center. » Details: 847-6518854, mycapecoralkiwanis.org or kidsfestcc@gmail.com
» Where: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers » Date: October 19-31 » When: 7 to 9:30 p.m. (may stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays) » What to expect: The nature center turns its trails into a scary haunted walk. There will also be photo stations, food trucks and Halloween themed crafts. » Cost: $15 » Details: 239275-3435 or calusanature.org
Promenade Pet Parade & Costume Contest
» Where: Faith Presbyterian Church,
» Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26795 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs » Date: October 25 » Hours: 5 to 7 p.m. » What to expect: Pet costume contest, kids’ costume contest, trickor-treating throughout the stores. » Cost: Free; pet item donations accepted for the Gulf Coast Humane Society » Details: 239-260-8126 or promenadeshops.com
Spooktacular Halloween Cruises » Where: Leaves from Salty Sam’s Marina, 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach » When: Throughout October » What to expect: Hop aboard Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise for a Halloween Spooktacular. The event includes face painting, costume contest with prizes, decorations, trick-or-treating, pirate games and nautical nonsense. » Cost: $25-$45 » Details: 239-765-7272 or floridapiratecruise.com
Family Halloween Festival & Haunted Trail » Where: Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero » Date:
October 27 (Rain date: October 30) » Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. for the festival, 7 to 9 p.m. the haunted trail » What to expect: Candy, trunkor-treat, Halloween activities and food vendors. » Cost: Included with park admission of $5 per vehicle of 2-8 passengers or $4 for a singleoccupant vehicle. » Details: 239992-0311, friendsofkoreshan.org or floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ koreshan-state-park
Cape Coral Community Pumpkin Festival 4544 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral » Date: October 13 » Hours: 4 to 7:30 p.m.; pumpkin patch is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 8-31 » What to expect: “We have a big pumpkin patch that we are wellknown for in Cape Coral,” says Nancy Exline, director of children and youth ministries. “There are lots and lots of things that are free.” There are hayrides, inflatables, games, crafts and a black light puppet show. » Cost: Free admission, canned food for the food pantry encouraged. $5 wristband for inflatables and hayrides. Proceeds go to the summer youth mission trips. » Details: 239-542-2858 or fpcfl.org
Horsey Halloween Fall Festival » Where: Saddlewood Horse Club, 16111 Saddlewood Lane, Cape Coral » Date: October 27 » Hours: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. » What to expect: It’s not only children wearing costumes, but the horses are dressed up, too. “We might do superheroes this year because the ‘Incredibles’ (movie) is out,” says owner Christina Sdrenka. In the past, horses have been dressed as a cow, firefighter and Tinkerbell. “Tinkerbell is always Tinkerbell,” Christina says. “It comes with her name.” The event includes riding, games, horse feeding, treat bags for every child and lunch. Reservations encouraged. » Cost: $20 » Details: 239-738-9300 or capehorses.com
Mike Greenwell’s Safe Trick or Treat » Where: Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral »
Date: October 30 » Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Nineteen local businesses hand out candy on the miniature golf course for ages 12 and younger. » Cost: Free. Pet food donations accepted for local animal shelters. Parking is a $2 donation to benefit a local charity. » Details: 239-574-4386 or greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com
Lee County
KidsFest
Mike Greenwell’s Haunted Hike » Where: Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral » Dates: October 5-6, 12-14, 19-20, 26-27 and 30-31 » Hours: Begins at dark and goes until 11 p.m. » What to expect: The haunted hike is meant to be scary, and Greenwell’s warns it might not be suitable for all ages. “We change it up every year,” says Dana Waters, a manager and special events coordinator. “This year it is an employee choice. Everyone is coming up with the ideas of what scares them. It is a real mix. There is always the clowns and there is always the chain saw guy. It’s scary from beginning to end.” » Cost: $15 regular pass or $20 for fast pass » Details: 239-574-4386 or greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com
Mall-O-Ween » Where: Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero » Date: October 31 » Hours: 5-7 p.m. » What to expect: Trick-or-treating at participating stores throughout the mall. » Cost: Free » Details: 239-9929966 or simon.com/mall/coconut-point
Mall-O-Ween » Where: Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero» Date: October 31 » Hours: 6 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Trick-or-treating at participating stores. Trunk-ortreat by the Cool Cruisers Car Club near WINK Playland. Plus, there’s music and costume contests. The children’s costume contest for ages 12 and younger is at 6:30 p.m. near Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store. The pet contest is at 7:30 p.m. between Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus Last Call. » Cost: Free » Details: 239-948-3766 or miromaroutlets.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 39
Collier County
Haunted ‘Gross’ House and Hayrides
» Where: Collier County Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave. N.E., Naples » Dates: October 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27 » Hours: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; hayride starts at 8 p.m. » What to expect: A haunted house and haunted hayride, pony rides, kids’ games, food vendors. On October 27, there will be a costume contest at 8 p.m. There will also be trunk-ortreating 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. that night. The event includes the teal pumpkin project where children with allergies will be given non-food treats. » Cost: $15 to walk through the haunted house, $5 for the hayride, additional costs for pony rides and food. » Details: 239-455-1444 or colliercountyfair.com
Monster Mash » Where: The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd., Naples » Date: October 27 » Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. » What to expect: Trickor-treating, face painting, balloon art, free photos, arts and crafts. » Cost: Free » Details: 239-961-2975 or venetianvillage.com
Libraries Magical Me: A Harry Potter Extravaganza » Where: Cape Coral Public Library, 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral » When: 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, October 15 » What to expect: A cauldron full of magical activities, including Quidditch, sorting and crafts, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter in the U.S.
Zombie Apocalypse Survival Program » Where: Cape Coral Public Library, 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral »
40 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Boo at the Zoo » Where: Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples » Dates: October 19-21 » Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (costume contests daily at 1 p.m.) » What to expect: Children who come in costume will get free admission for all three days. Activities include trick-or-treating, education stations, games, music and a daily costume contest with three categories. Guests can also watch the animals tearing into their treat pumpkins. » Cost: Ages 12 and younger in costume get free admission. Regular admission is $22.95 for adults, $14.95 for ages 3-12. » Details: 239-262-5409, napleszoo.org
St. Monica's Pumpkin Patch » Where: St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 7070 Immokalee Road, Naples » Dates: October 16-31 » Hours: 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday » What to expect: The pumpkins come from the Navaho Nation in New Mexico and are a fundraiser for St. Monica’s youth group. There will be photo opportunities. » Cost: Free admission; pumpkin prices vary » Details: 239591-4550
Fall for Naples Festival & Pumpkin Patch » Where: North Naples Church, 6000 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples » Dates: October 12-31 for the pumpkin patch; October 20 for the festival » Hours: Pumpkin patch is open 3 to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fall for Naples Festival is 4 to 7 p.m. October 20. » What to expect: The church sells pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks and has photo ops. This year, the church is also hosting a fall festival with an inflatable corn maze, dunk tank, live music, food trucks, pumpkins, obstacle course and a mega fun slide. “It will be a lot of fun,” says Vanessa Fletcher. “Everyone comes for the pumpkins and we wanted some kind of community event.” All the money goes to children in need for camps and mission trips. » Cost: $10 per person or $30 for a family; prices for pumpkins and gourds vary » Details: 239-593-7600
Pumpkins and Pizza » Where: Veterans Community Park, 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples » Date: October 27 » Hours: 10 a.m. to noon » What to expect: Nonscary Halloween activities and pizza for all ages. » Cost: $10 » Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com
Libraries throughout Southwest Florida host Halloween events. Here are a few highlights. For more, call your local branch or visit their websites. • Lee County: 239-479-4636 or leelibrary.net • Collier County: 239-593-0870 or collierlibrary.org/events All the following programs are free.
When: 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 29 » What to expect: Make paracord
bracelets and practice shooting zombies with Nerf bows and arrows. For ages 11-18.
Not Your Mummy’s Magic Show LEE COUNTY » Where: Dunbar Jupiter Hammon
Public Library, 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers; Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral; Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, and South County Regional Library, 21100 Three
Oaks Parkway, Estero » When: 3 p.m. October 23 in Dunbar, 6:15 p.m. October 23 at Northwest, 2 p.m. October 6 on Pine Island, 2 p.m. October 27 in Estero. » What to expect: Master magician Joey Evans and Alexandra Evans take families on a journey through some of Halloween’s greatest characters and stories with magic, comedy, music and eye-popping balloon creations.
COLLIER COUNTY » Where: Collier County Library
Headquarters, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, and Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples » When: 6:30-7:15 p.m. October 29 at
cover story (continued) » Halloween Howl
Family Halloween Event
» Where: East Naples Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples » Date: October 20 » Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Tricks and treats, costume contest, games, bounce houses and prizes. » Cost: $10 » Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com
» Where: Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples » Date: October 19 » Hours: 6 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Walk through the decorated community center for trick-or-treating. Music, crafts and bounce house. » Cost: $3 » Details: 239-252-4180 or collierparks.com
Spooktacular on Fifth » Where: Fifth Avenue South, 649 Fifth Ave. S., Naples » Date: October 31 » Hours: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. » What to expect: Kids’ costume contest, pet costume contest, princess and pirate face painting station, movies, trick-or-treating up and down the avenue. “It is really going to be kid centered,” says Chelsea Mooney, executive assistant. “There will be kid activities up and down the avenue.” » Cost: Free » Details: 239-692-8436 or fifthavenuesouth.com
Halloween 5K » Where: Golden Gate Community Park, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples » Date: October 27 » Hours: 8 to 11 a.m. » What to expect: Participants are encouraged to dress up in costume for the run. The first 50 participants get a T-shirt. » Cost: $10 » Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com
Immokalee Trunk or Treat » Where: Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee » Date: October 31 » Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Food, music, bounce house, costume contest and spooky fun games. » Cost: $5 » Details: 239252-4000 or collierparks.com
North Collier Halloween Event » Where: North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road N., Naples » Date: October 26 » Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. » What to expect: Music, face painting, bounce houses, food and costume contest » Cost: $2 » Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com
Candy Haunted House Creations » Where: Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd. W., Naples » Date: Octtober 19 » Hours: 5 to 6 p.m. » What to expect: Kids ages 4-11 use an assortment of candy and frosting to create a haunted candy house. » Cost: $12 » Details: 239252-4000 or collierparks.com
Max Hasse Trunk or Treat » Where: Max Hasse Jr. Community Park, 3390 Golden Gate Parkway W., Naples » Date: October 26 » Hours: 6 to 8:30 p.m. » What to expect: Music, face painting, bounce houses, food and costume contest. » Cost: $5 » Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com
Charlotte County Haunting on the Harbor
Headquarters and 4-5 p.m. October 30 at the Naples Branch » What to expect: Master magician Joey Evans and Alexandra Evans take families on a journey through some of Halloween’s greatest characters and stories with magic, comedy, music and eye-popping balloon creations. For ages 5-11. Registration required. » Details: 239-593-0334, 239-5930870 (Headquarters) or 239-2525128 (Naples Regional)
Haunted Hallway » Where: Headquarters Library, 2395 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples » When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. October 22; call for times on October 27, 29 and 31 » What to expect: Back by popular demand, be the first to
experience the behind-the-scenes, frightfully fun “Haunted Hallway.” Wear a costume and you might win a prize. For ages 2 and older. Registration not required. » Details: 239-597-8444
Mad Science Halloween Spooktacular » Where: Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples » When: 1-2 p.m. October 27 » What to expect: Creepy yet fun interactive demonstrations. Make a large spider disappear, melt a witch with a cool chemical reaction, create eerie floating eyeballs and more. For ages 5 and older. Registration required. » Details: 239-252-5135 or 239-2525128
» Where: Downtown Punta Gorda at the corner of US Highway 41 and US Highway 17 » Dates: October 26-28 and 31 » Hours: Festival runs 5 to 11 p.m. October 26-27. October 31 is a Halloween party, 5 to 11 p.m. Haunted house opens at 7 p.m. each night. » What to expect: Billed as Southwest Florida’s largest haunted house, it is more than 6,000 square feet of scares and fun. There’s also live music, costume contests, kids’ fun zone, food and drinks. » Cost: Haunted House admission is $10 for adults, $8 for ages 6-12. Children younger than 6 not permitted. Festival admission is $3 for ages 13 and older, free for ages 12 and younger. Tickets sold for food and attractions. Proceeds benefit Charlotte High School activities. » Details: puntagordahaunting.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 41
« safety corner HE AT HER L . M A ZUR K IE WICZ
How to be fire safe
I
House fires pose a greater risk today than a few decades ago.
f you have a reported fire in your home, you are more likely to die today than you were a few decades ago, according to recent statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency. Fires burn hotter and faster due to modern day furnishings being more plastic-based and the extraordinary amount of electronics found in our homes. These startling statistics demonstrate the importance of fire prevention. As October is National Fire Prevention Month, here are important safety tips to keep you and your family safe, not only now, but throughout the year. LOOK-LISTEN-LEARN The message is simple, basic and essential — three calls to action that citizens can take to reduce their risk of death or injury in a fire and be prepared in the event a fire occurs in their home: » LOOK for places a fire can start. » LISTEN for the sound of your smoke alarms. » LEARN two ways out of each room. Look-Listen-Learn can be used anywhere, including your business or other public place; however, fire profes-
sionals urge you to focus on home fire safety. Since 1980, the fire death rate has increased by 10 percent, with 4 out of 5 fire deaths occurring in home fires. These statistics show there is still more work to be done when educating the public on how to protect themselves in the event of a house fire, and why planning is so important. MAKE AN ESCAPE PLAN A home escape plan should include the following: » Two exits from every room in the home, usually a door and a window » Properly installed and working smoke alarms » A meeting place outside where everyone will meet after they exit » A call to 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone. Make this a family event and go room to room with your kids figuring out ways to escape each room in the event of fire. Give your children permission to take whatever measures necessary to escape the house safely in the event of a fire. For example, give children the go ahead to break a window to escape and guide
Heather L. Mazurkiewicz is the public information and education officer for the North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District, northcollierfire.com.
42 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
them on items in the room that can be used to do so. Communication and setting expectations for actions to take in these situations is vital. SMOKE ALARMS Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. Be sure to install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond. Again, make it a family event, and let your children push the selftest button so they can hear the sound the alarm makes. Knowing the alarm sound, having a plan to escape the home and a pre-determined meeting place is essential in the safety of you and your family when fire strikes your home. Fire professionals are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education. We are proud to take part in Fire Prevention Week, which is also this month, October 7-13. For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw.
Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.
family album »
Surprise blessings » Blessings in a Backpack SWFL Executive Director Cecilia St. Arnold (with
backpacks, left) and “Dancing with the Stars” performer Witney Carson (with backpacks, right) helped surprise students with a carnival and backpacks by Vera Bradley at Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers. Photo special to SW FL Parent & Child
Summer slam »
Owen Pelegrino meets wrestling legends Tito Santana and Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs at a Fort Myers Miracle game July 20. Photo special to SW FL Parent & Child
More first day of school »
Grace and Stephen Clay mark the first day of sixth and fourth grad in August. Photos special to SW FL Parent & Child
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 43
Shofar workshop »
Kids learn how to make their own shofars, which are sounded at Rosh Hashana, at the Chabad Naples Jewish Community Center on September 5. Photos by Dorothy Edwards
44 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
family album »
Send Us Your Snapshots Send your images with a brief description and names of the people in them to editor@ swflparentchild.com
World’s champion » Royal Palm Academy eighth-grader Alexa
Dahl, of Naples, and her horse Undulata’s Satchmo, or “Mo” for short, placed first in their division at the 2018 World’s Championship Horse Show at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. Alexa took her first riding lessons at Bobbin Hollow Equestrian Center in 2012 in Naples. When Bobbin Hollow moved to Ocala, Alexa and her family spent weekends there to continue her training. Photo by Howard Shatzberg/special to SW FL Parent & Child
Welcome, baby » Taylor and Riley Summerall, the Cape Coral girls who graced our cover in March, welcomed a baby sister, Hadley, on August 7. Photo special to SW FL Parent & Child
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 45
Hands on »
Kids take turns petting a baby goat at the Estates Branch Library on September 17. The library hosted farm animals including goats and chickens and gave the kids an opportunity to ask questions and interact with them. Photo by Dorothy Edwards
46 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
family album »
Just another day in Paradise » Shelby Fuller, 6 months, lounges on Bunche Beach in south Fort Myers. Photo by Lady In Pink Photography
Backpacks & smiles » Immokalee elementary and middle school students received backpacks and supplies at the seventh annual Lipman Family Farms Backpack Giveaway and Back to School Event in August. Lipman Family Farms gave away more than 1,500 backpacks, 200 bikes, gift cards and haircuts. Plus, over 2,000 people enjoyed music, games and other activities at the event. Photos special to SW FL Parent & Child
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 47
48 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
travel »
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PELICAN GRAND
Stacey Sather / FloridasHistoricCoast.com
St. Augustine bayfront skyline
Ryan Ketterman for Visit Jacksonville
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
Downtown Jacksonville skyline
When traveling to Northeast Florida, combine the historical wonder of St. Augustine with the urban attractions of Jacksonville. BY JENNIFER THOMAS ouble the fun with a trip to Northeast Florida, where the First Coast cities of Jacksonville and St. Augustine add a dose of history, big city fun and beautiful beaches to your family itinerary. While St. Augustine is a well-known destination to many Southwest Florida families — some schools even take students on class trips to the historical birthplace of our state — the city of Jacksonville just an hour farther gets a bit overlooked. It’s a city that boasts lots of family fun. “Kids of all ages will love to stretch their imagination, explore the outdoors and, most of all, spend time with each other in our fun and affordable destination,” says Patricia Winters, the communications manager for Visit Jacksonville. “Located in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville is home to 22 miles of beaches, the largest urban park system in the entire nation and some of the best family-friendly attractions in the region. From sun up to sun down, there’s always fun to be had in Jax.”
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 49
50 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Jacksonville Zoo
Here are some online resources to help you plan your trip (some sites offer discounts when tickets are purchased in advance): » Jacksonville Kids Free November: kidsfreenovember.com » Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens Spooktacular: spooktacular. jacksonvillezoo.org » Beaches Oktoberfest: beachesoktoberfest.com » Peterbrooke Chocolatier: peterbrooke.com » Sweet Pete’s: sweetpetescandy.com » Tours of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium: jaguars.com/stadium/tours » St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park: alligatorfarm.com » Castillo de San Marcos: nps.gov/casa » Ghosts & Gravestones tours: ghostsandgravestones.com/ st-augustine » Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure: ghosttrainadventure.com
Visit Jacksonville
Cape Coral resident and mom of two Audrey Lovell has spent time in Jacksonville with her family. “It is a big city feel with a lot of variety for all ages. Our favorite thing we did during our trip was to visit the Sally Corporation, which makes theme park rides. We loved seeing the robotics in action and all of the designs,” she recalls. “We also did a tour of the Peterbrooke chocolate factory … the popcorn chocolate cake is a must have.” (Note: Tours are not currently offered; however, visitors can frequent any of the chocolatier locations.) For those with a sweet tooth, Patricia recommends visiting Sweet Pete’s, located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, in an historic renovated building. “This modern-day Willie Wonka factory offers organic, gluten-free and handmade chocolate and candies, as well as candy-making classes and special events,” Patricia says. Families can also tour the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars football stadium. Plus, there’s the beach, parks, the Riverside Arts Market, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary and historic sites, such as Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation. During fall months, Patricia recommends travelers take advantage of the Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens (which boasts the only walking safari in Northeast Florida), the Beaches Octoberfest, and Kids Free November, when the city’s top attractions offer free admission to ages 12 and younger. “During the month of October, the Jacksonville Zoo hosts nightly trick-or-treat experiences for children of all ages. There are animal encounters, family games, and food and drink specials,” Patricia says. “The Beaches Oktoberfest is Florida’s largest annual Oktoberfest. The three-day festival is held at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion, next to the Atlantic Ocean. The family-friendly festival boasts a large variety of German beers, performances daily by national performing acts, food trucks, a 110-foot-plus Ferris wheel, arts and crafts vendors, games and activities and so much more.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PELICAN GRAND
Castillo de San Marcos
travel (continued) »
Prepare your kids for the future!
FloridasHistoricCoast.com
Create. Code. Enjoy. Finally, during November, to encourage families to experience all that Jacksonville has to offer, the city’s top attractions participate in Kids Free November. Up to 5 children ages 12 and younger get in free with a general admission paying adult. Another must-do while in Jacksonville is learning to surf. “Home to more than 22 miles of beautiful beaches, the surf’s always up in Jacksonville. With calm waves, unique beach towns and a number of year-round local surf camps, Jacksonville is an ideal destination to learn to surf or brush up on your surfing skills,” Patricia says. “Jacksonville is a great destination to catch your first wave.” Northeast Florida also holds the historic gem of St. Augustine. “St. Augustine is the perfect family vacation, because you’ll find something for every age and interest including the Alligator Farm, Castillo de San Marcos and the beach,” says Kathy Catron, director of communications for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “There are a wide variety of lodging options, from multi-family lodging, such as condos, to familiar hotels. All with a range of pricing. Many of the attractions, tours and museums are $10 or less, making for a thrifty vacation.” Fall is festival time in St. Augustine. Events to catch include the Fall Festival at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, St. Augustine Greek Festival, St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, the HOLLER-ween Festival and the First Coast Arts and Crafts show. “Some family-friendly ghost tours are the Ghosts & Gravestones tour and Ripley’s Ghost Train,” Kathy says. “In October, Halloween themed events for kids are the Creatures of the Night at the Alligator Farm, Castillo by Candlelight, the HOLLER-ween Festival, Sykes Family Farms’ crop maze.” Even if you have traveled to St. Augustine, kids will not tire of seeing living history. “Kids enjoy experiencing the re-enactors, cannon- and musket-firing demonstrations,” Kathy says. However, kids also love seeing the hundreds of alligators and crocodiles along with many other animals at the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, and the natural, unobstructed beaches, and visiting the dolphins, sea turtles and sharks at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Popular field trip stops are also worth revisiting, including Castillo de San Marcos, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Fountain of Youth, the trolley ride and Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum. But Kathy also recommends slowing down and taking time to walk the pedestrian-only St. George Street and dine outdoors or take a sunset boat tour. This is one destination that one trip is never enough. “With how many things there are to see and do,” Kathy says, “we often hear people say they just didn’t have enough time to see and do everything they wanted.”
Attend an Open House to learn more!
Ages 6-14
N-BASED AFTER SCHOOL FU AND CODING COURSES CAMPS FOR KIDS AND TEENS
CODE REALLY COOL THINGS
STUDENTS LEARN , LOGICAL THINKING D AN PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS CREATION
! Now Accepting Applications
visit us at www.logiscool.com
hello.pineridge-naples@logiscool.com | 239-673-0051
mainstreetsmiles.com Ft. Myers Cape Coral Naples
Braces Special
Children’s Special
$
99
00 New Patient Exam *
Oral Exam (0150), X-rays (0272) Cleaning (1120), Fluoride (1208)
239.567.9480 239.443.5988 239.963.1135
$
650 OFF 00
Braces for New Patients
*DOES NOT APPLY TO DOWN PAYMENT, CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH INSURANCE. THE PATIENT OR ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. DR. GALLO LIC.# DN20050, LIC.# DN12135. EXPIRES 10/31/18. MAIN STREET CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS COMPLIES WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, OR SEX. ATENCIÓN: SI HABLA ESPAÑOL, TIENE A SU DISPOSICIÓN SERVICIOS GRATUITOS DE ASISTENCIA LINGÜÍSTICA. LLAME AL 1-(888-764-5399) OFFICE NUMBER OR REGIONAL NUMBER (TTY: 1-(888-764-5399) OFFICE NUMBER OR REGIONAL NUMBER). ATANSYON: SI W PALE KREYÒL AYISYEN, GEN SÈVIS ÈD POU LANG KI DISPONIB GRATIS POU OU. RELE 1-888-764-5399 (TTY: 1- (888-764-5399).
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 51
« around town
Warbirds in action
FILE PHOTO
There’s nothing quite like standing on the tarmac at the Punta Gorda Airport while fighter jets roar and swoop overhead, shaking your very core. The Florida International Air Show returns the weekend of October 19-21. There’ll be Don Stamp’s Warbird Review, the McCart Jet Motorsports “Homewrecker” Ford F650 jet truck, the CAF Red Tail Squadron Salute to the Tuskegee Airmen, Fighter Jets MIG17 Randy Ball and more. New this year: American Dream, a Curtiss P-40 with a shark-like grin — the P-40 first flew in 1938 and was used in World War II. In addition to the shows, you can run the runway, too, in the Law Enforcement Torch Run-way 5K, a 3.1-mile run Saturday, October 20 before the show. Participants get a general admission ticket and a T-shirt. Registration for the 5K is $40 in advance, $45 at the gate. Air show performances are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday (followed by fireworks) and noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (gates open at 9 a.m.) Ticket prices vary, depending on the package. There’s a family four-pack for $40 available online. Get details at floridaairshow.com.
Blue is back
The Blue Exhibit has returned to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. The traveling exhibit transforms the museum into a wonderland of blue. Big blue building blocks. Blue light tables for architects on a smaller scale. Blue free play areas. Even blue sensory suits that help the wearer become a blue block. The Blue Exhibit is open through January 21. Entry is included with regular admission, which is $10 for adults, $12 for kids. Get details at cmon.org or call 239-514-0084.
Calling all comics fans
Kids love comics, and this month, the Lee County library system is celebrating this visual form of storytelling with Comic Fest, a day dedicated to the comic book and graphic novel. There will be workshops, games, selfie stations, tech demos, a costume parade and contest, a battle of the teen bands, food trucks and other activities. Comic Fest is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 13 at the Fort Myers Regional Library. Admission is free. The Battle of the Bands final competition follows from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Comic Fest presenters include Ian Verhine, Angela Page and Stephen Hayford. Registration is required for some programs. Check out the full list at leegov.com/library/comicfest.
52 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Run with the Ninja Warrior This is your chance to meet Morgan “Moose” Wright, the Diplomat Elementary School physical education teacher who soared to fame on “American Ninja Warrior.” The school is raising money to expand its playground; the school has nearly 1,000 students and a playground built for half that. The Run for Recess 5K starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, October 27 at the school, 1115 N.E. 16th Terrace, Cape Coral. Moose will lead the pre-race warm-up. Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for ages 12 and younger. Sign up at runsignup.com/runforrecess.
calendar » Tuesday, Oct. 2 Girls on the Run: Lee County Open House » 4:30-6 p.m. Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida is looking to expand programming in Lee County. Parents, teachers, school administrators and volunteers can learn more about this program for girls in third through eighth grades. gotrswfl.org
Wednesday, Oct. 3 “Peter and the Starcatcher” » October 3-28. Sugden Community Theatre, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. The Naples Players present this family-friendly comedy. This telling upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up. 239-263-7990. naplesplayers.org
PRESCHOOL & VPK
Thursday, Oct. 4 “Cape Coral Life” Gallery Show & Reception » 5-7 p.m. Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Free. Families welcome to the opening reception of the “Cape Coral Life” exhibit, which features local artists. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. capecoralartleague.org
Friday, Oct. 5 Art Walk 10th Anniversary Celebration » 6-10 p.m. Downtown Fort Myers. Art Walk celebrates 10 years of highlighting the arts the first Friday of every month. Costumes encouraged but may not include weapons that could be mistaken for real weapons. sbdac.com or facebook.com/ events/283777225553731 Dia de los Muertos: A Juried Exhibit Opening Reception » 5-7 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. Free ($5 donation suggested to support the Alliance). Enjoy art, face painting, interactive art projects, flower crowns, tequila tasting (for the adults, of course) and light refreshments. Show exhibits through November 3. 239-9392787. artinlee.org First Friday Art Night » 7-9:30 p.m. Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Every Friday, learn a new art form. Bring a date or the kids (ages 8 and older). October 5: Masking Tape Witch. November 2: Weave a Basket. Cost is $35. Registration required. 239-213-3058.
DANCE
Celebrating Since 1951
All Ages
Classical Ballet Pointe Tap Jazz Hip Hop Modern Acrobatics Children’s Work
(239)334-3274 www.dancebochette.com NEWBORN CARE
Pepper Ranch Preserve Sunflower Weekend » October 5-7. Pepper Ranch Preserve, 6315 Pepper Road, Immokalee. See the annual blooming display of Southeastern Sunflowers. On arrival, check in at the Visitor Center. 239-252-2495. colliercountyfl.gov/conservationcollier
Saturday, Oct. 6 3K Fun Run, Walk & Roll » 7:15-11 a.m. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. $25 for adults, $15 for children younger than 10. Supports the STARability Foundation’s mission to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities through social, vocational and educational connections to the community. Everyone is welcome. Race starts at 8 a.m. starability.org
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 53
« calendar Boo Bash Science Saturday » 11 a.m.-2 p.m. IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers. Special activities take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. IMAG is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy Halloween-themed science activities. Trick-or-treat with staff. Included with regular admission, which is $14 for adults, $10 for children and students with ID, free for ages 2 and younger. There’s also a Mad Science workshop for an extra donation. Get details online. theimag.org
Saturday, Oct. 13
Movie in the Park: “Coco” » 6-9 p.m. Jim Jeffers Park, 2817 S.W. Third Lane, Cape Coral. Food and ice cream trucks arrive at 5:30 p.m. The Fun Mobile is at 5:45 p.m. Family Music Time at 6:30 p.m. Giveaways at 7, and Disney’s “Coco” is at 7:15 p.m. Free admission. 239-573-3128. facebook.com/ events/1877991122502875
Comic Fest » Noon-4 p.m. Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers. Free. Battle of the Teen Bands follows, 5-7 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. There will be special guests, workshops, games, tech demos, a costume parade and contest and food. leegov.com/library/comicfest
SWFL Pride 2018 » Noon-5:30 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Celebrate diversity with food, drinks and entertainment. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, but no coolers. artinlee.org or prideswfl.com Walk For Wishes Collier/Lee » 7:30-11 a.m. Florida Gulf Coast University Recreation Field, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers. A nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Warm-up with “American Ninja Warrior” Morgan “Moose” Wright at 8 a.m. The 5K starts at 8:30. Family Fun Day runs 9:30-11 a.m. with food, drink, games, face painters and other activities. $30 for adults, $20 for students 12 and older, $15 for children younger than 12 (save $5 by registering in advance). 239- 992-9474, ext. 29, or tlynn@sflawish.org. walkforwishessfla.net
Tuesday, Oct. 9 FSW Fall Open House » 3-5 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College, Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus, 8099 College Parkway, south Fort Myers. Prospective students, their families and the community are invited to learn about the school and meet faculty, staff and students, who will be available to answer questions, help start the financial aid process and provide campus tours. Registration encouraged. fsw.edu/ admissions/events
Friday, Oct. 12 “Ding” Darling Days: Let’s Get Outside Day » 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. Due to budget cuts and staff reductions, the usual week-long celebration is three days this year. Let’s Get Outside Day kicks off the weekend. Enjoy free tours and activities, discounted rentals and guided tours. A free birding tram departs at 8 a.m. (reservations recommended). October 13 is Conservation Day, which includes the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp winners and nature art workshops. Family Fun Day is October 14 with tram tours, wildlife presentations, hot dogs, crafts and other family activities. 239-472-8900. dingdarlingdays.com “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure” » October 12-November 16. Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $19 all ages includes lunch and show. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo on this musical adventure. Lunch is 10:30 and show is 11:30 a.m. October 12, 17, 19, 23, 25, 26, 30 and 31 and November 2, 9, 13 and 16. Lunch is at noon and show at 1 p.m. October 13, 21, 27 and November 10. 239-278-4422. broadwaypalm.com
54 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
Coastal Clean-Up » 8 a.m. Lovers Key Event Field, 8700 Estero Blvd., Bonita Springs. Help clean up local waterways. A light breakfast from Dunkin Donuts will be provided by Doc’s Beach House. After the clean-up, volunteers return for free hot dogs from Buffalo Chips and refreshments. Groups can register online. 239-949-6262. cityofbonitasprings.org
ReptiDay Fort Myers Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo » 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers. Features reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages and merchandise as well as live animal seminars and free raffles for prizes. $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12, free for children younger than 5. SWFL SteamCon » 10 a.m. Araba Shrine Temple, 2010 Hanson St., Fort Myers. $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 4-12. An indoor steampunk and fantasy expo that features authors, craft makers, artists, cosplayers and musicians, along with steampunk-themed activities and a costume contest. Skull Walking Staff Masking Tape Sculpture Workshop » 10 a.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For ages 12 and older. Learn the basics of shaping and applying masking tape onto a bamboo walking stick to create your own “Skull Walking Staff.” artinlee.org Sprint for Students 5K » 8-11 a.m. Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. $35 for adults, $15 for ages 10-17, free for younger children. Benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County, Bonita Springs High School and Estero High School. Trunk or Treat » 11 a.m. Palm City Brewing, 7887 Drew Circle, Suite 130, Fort Myers. Kids can dress up and trunk-ortreat. Then there’s a character parade every half hour. Get your photo taken with Jack Skellington. Reservations suggested. Youth Empowerment Day » 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Free with park entry fee: $5 per vehicle with 2-8 occupants, $4 per singleoccupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. Youth Empowerment Day highlights activities, community opportunities, self-defense training, sports, educational opportunities, volunteering and fun for children. New this year is a 5K to benefit local Boys and Girls Clubs. friendsofkoreshan.org
Sunday, Oct. 14 93X Taco Fest » 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. Each food vendor will have at least one Taco for $2. Live Music and activities for kids of all ages. Cypress Lake UMC Pumpkin Patch » October 14-30. Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, 8570 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Pumpkin prices vary from less than a dollar to more than $30. Photo ops, too. Costumes welcome. “Ding” Darling Days: Family Fun Day » 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. Part of a weekend-long celebration. Free refuge tram
calendar » tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, kids crafts and other family activities. New this year, the Cool Kids Zone provides activities indoors so families can cool off: puppet shows, story, crafts, face painting and a selfie photo station. Birding, boating, tram, paddleboarding, and kayaking activities fill the weekend. 239-472-8900. dingdarlingdays.com
Saturday, Oct. 20
Monday, Oct. 15
Boo at the Zoo » 10 a.m.-3 p.m. October 20-22. Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples. Games, trick-or-treat trail, costume contests and music. Children 12 and younger in costume receive free admission. 239-262-5409. napleszoo.org
Community Camp Day » 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sanibel Sea School, 455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. A free camp to help families manage school holidays. For ages 6-13 and counselors ages 13-17. sanibelseaschool.org
Tuesday, Oct. 16 Movies on the Lawn: “Nightmare Before Christmas” » 7-9 p.m. Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, Naples. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and well-behaved pets for a movie under the stars. No coolers; food, adult beverages and soft drinks are available for purchase, provided by Naples Flatbread.
Wednesday, Oct. 17 Nutrition Class » 7-8:30 p.m. The Family Birth Center of Naples, 2930 Immokalee Road, Suite 2, Naples. Nutrition for pregnancy, lactation, postpartum and family. 239-594-0400. Register by emailing FBCNaples@gmail.com. Pumpkin Patch and Petals » 6:30 p.m. Tipsy Cow Homemade Ice Cream, 25261 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. A floral class for parent and child. Kids decorate a pumpkin while the parent arranges the flowers. $65 per parent and child duo. alicestable.com/events/pumpkin-patchand-petals
Thursday, Oct. 18 Family Math Night » 5:45-7:30 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College, Building U, Room 102, 8099 College Parkway, south Fort Myers. Free. For students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Play fun math games created by the school’s teacher candidates. Registration encouraged; email familymathnight@ fsw.edu. For questions, email jdevine1@fsw.edu. World of Dance » 7:30 p.m. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers. Tickets are $35-$55 with $125 VIP. bbmannpah.com
Friday, Oct. 19 Family Halloween Event » 6-8 p.m. Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. Music, candy, bounce house and more. Come in costume and remember bring a trick-or-treat bag. 239-252-4180. $3 per person. Florida International Air Show » October 19-21. Punta Gorda Airport, 28000 Airport Road, Punta Gorda. See stunning aerial acrobatics, walk through aircraft in ground displays and more. There’s also a 5K on October 20. Air show performances are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday (followed by fireworks) and noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (gates open at 9 a.m.) Ticket prices vary, depending on the package. There’s a family fourpack for $40 available online. floridaairshow.com
Run for the Stars 5K » 7:30 a.m. Jim Jeffers Park, 2817 S.W. Third Lane, Cape Coral. Fundraiser to build a new playground at Saint Andrews Catholic School. All ages welcome. Register at active.com or The Run Shoppe, 1407 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral.
Fairy Tea Party » 11 a.m.-noon. Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral. Enjoy treats, tea sandwiches, punch and tea in the butterfly garden. Feel free to wear fairy or butterfly wings. $15. To register, call 239-549-4606. Fall for Naples Festival » 4-7 p.m. North Naples Church, 6000 Goodlette Road N., Naples. $10 per person or $30 for a family. Features inflatable corn maze, live music, dunk tank, fun slide, obstacle course, food and pumpkins for sale. Family Yoga with Kathryn » 10-11 a.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In WINK Playland. A free 45-minute beginners’ yoga class for families. Making Strides Walk » 7:30-10:30 a.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Lakeside near WINK Playland. Help finish the fight against breast cancer by raising funds for and walking with the American Cancer Society. YMCA Fall Festival » 5:30-8:30 p.m. Greater Naples YMCA, 5450 YMCA Road, Naples. Free fun for the whole family. A kid-friendly haunted house, carnival games, bounce house, trick-or-treating, costume contest, food and more. 239-9633771. facebook.com/events/1388525557945887 Spaghetti Dinner and Pumpkin Patch » 4-8 p.m. Fort Myers Villas ELCI, 2316 Sunrise Blvd., Fort Myers. Pick out a $5 pumpkin and get some fall snapshots and enjoy a dinner of pasta, salad, bread, dessert and drink. Dinner is $20 for a family of two adults and two or more children or $7 for ages 16 and older, $5 for ages 4-16 and free for children younger than 4. fortmyersvillas.org Walk/Fun Run to Prevent Child Abuse » 7 a.m. Pelican Preserve, 10571 Veneto Drive, Fort Myers. Fundraiser for the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. Registration begins at 7; 3-mile run/walk begins at 8 a.m. Leashed dogs are welcome. Afterward, enjoy music, snacks and giveaways. Proceeds help provide emergency help for families to meet the basic needs of children, such as clothing, car seats, diapers and other supplies. 239-226-1524, email info@cnswfl.org or childnetswfl.org
Tuesday, Oct. 23 Breastfeeding Class » 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Family Birth Center of Naples, 2930 Immokalee Road, Suite 2, Naples. Learn how to successfully breastfeed your newborn, pump and transition to returning to work while breastfeeding. 239594-0400. For fee info and to register, click on “classes” at naplesbirthcenter.com or email FBCNaples@gmail.com. Home School Nature and Science Programs » 1-2:30 p.m. Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral. Learn about terrestrial biology and make a craft related to the topic. Shoes and clothes appropriate for outdoor exploration required. For ages 4-15. $5 per child. 239-549-4606.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 55
« calendar Thursday, Oct. 25 Haunted Happenings » 5-8 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College, Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, Building B Community Room, 1092 E. Cowboy Way, LaBelle. Florida SouthWestern State College hosts family-friendly Halloween events. Families are invited to trick-or-treat and enjoy spooky activities. Only ages 12 and younger are permitted to wear masks and/or carry fake weapons. Free. 863-674-6001. fsw.edu
Friday, Oct. 26 Fall Walk » 6-9 p.m. October 26-28. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Lights, live music, family activities, a pumpkin patch and more. Costumes welcome (no masks). For members, tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 18 and younger. For nonmembers, $20 for adults, $10 for ages 14 and younger. Free for ages 3 and younger. naplesgarden.org Haunted College » 5:30-7:30 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College (Charlotte campus), Building O, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda. Florida SouthWestern State College hosts family-friendly Halloween events. Families are invited to trickor-treat and enjoy spooky activities. Only ages 12 and younger are permitted to wear masks and/or carry fake weapons. Free. 941-637-5634. fsw.edu Holiday Youth Workshop: Freaky Friday » 3 p.m. Fleischmann Park Community Center, Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. For grades K-5. Make a craft and have fun. $25. Registration required. 239-213-3020. Trunk or Treat » 6-8 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church, 705 Leeland Heights Blvd. E., Lehigh Acres. Food, bounce houses and more. Free. Wicked Walk » 6-10 p.m. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers. $10 for adults, $5 for kids. A theatrical experience to raise money for Lee County Public Schools and arts education. Teachers have helped their classes create art pieces, installations, skits, musical performances and more to conjure the ghosts of Fort Myers’ past. There will be a Ghoul Gala on October 27 to raise additional money for the schools. 239-333-1933. sbdac.com
Saturday, Oct. 27 Dancing Classrooms Fall Exhibition » 11 a.m.-noon. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. In the Restaurant Piazza. Fifth-grade students from Lee County Public Schools exhibit their ballroom dancing skills. Family Halloween Festival & Haunted Trail » 4-9 p.m. Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Free with park entry fee: $5 per vehicle with 2-8 occupants, $4 per single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. At the festival, which is 4-7 p.m., kids trunk-or-treat with community businesses and enjoy games and live music. The Haunted Trail is 7-9 p.m. Rain date for both is October 30. friendsofkoreshan.org Halloween 5K » 8-11 a.m. Golden Gate Community Park, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples. $10 per person. Dress up in costume for a chance to win prizes. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts 8. Run for Recess 5K » 8 a.m. Diplomat Elementary School,
56 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
1115 N.E. 16th Terrace, Cape Coral. Morgan “Moose” Wright, the Diplomat Elementary School physical education teacher who soared to fame on “American Ninja Warrior,” leads the warmup for this fundraiser 5K walk/run. Proceeds help expand the school’s playground. Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for ages 12 and younger. runsignup.com/runforrecess. Trunk or Treat » 6-8 p.m. Fort Myers Villas ELCI, 2316 Sunrise Blvd., Fort Myers. Free. A not-so-spooky trick-or-treating experience in the park with playground, free games and prizes, and food (for purchase). fortmyersvillas.org Trunk or Treat at Growing Room » 10 a.m.-noon. Growing Room, 25151 Bernwood Drive, Bonita Springs. Dress in costume and enjoy a fall festival and trunk-or-treating, an inflatable slide, face painting, balloon art, games, snacks and photo area. 239.495.0045. growingroomchilddevelopment.com “Unraveling Rose” Book Signing » 10 a.m.-noon. Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail N, Naples. Children’s book author Brian Wray will sign copies of his awardwinning book, “Unraveling Rose.”
Sunday, Oct. 28 Craft, Vendor & Art Festival » 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. Live music, food trucks, vendors, crafts, local artists, face painting and costume contest (at noon) for ages 12 and younger. Free admission. facebook.com/localladiessouthflorida Symphony Spooktacular Family Concert » 1 p.m. Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919. The Gulf Coast Symphony performs. Costume contest. Musical Discovery Zone. Concert begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. gulfcoastsymphony.org Italian Fest 2018 » 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Entertainment, raffles, games for the kids and adults and plenty of food and drink. Free; donations to Harry Chapin Food Bank welcome. 239-332-8158. artinlee.org
Monday, Oct. 29 Teen Challenge Fort Myers “Alive” Banquet » 6:30 p.m. McGregor Baptist Church, 3750 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. To raise awareness about the drug epidemic and support Teen Challenge Fort Myers, a program that is fighting on the frontlines in the war against addiction.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 Fright Night » 6-8 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College (Lee campus), Building U, Room 102, 8099 College Parkway, south Fort Myers. Florida SouthWestern State College hosts family-friendly Halloween events. Families are invited to trick-ortreat and enjoy spooky activities. Only ages 12 and younger are permitted to wear masks and/or carry fake weapons. Free. (After 8 p.m., the event will only be open to current FSW students.) 239-489-9246. fsw.edu Mike Greenwell’s Safe Trick or Treat » 5-8 p.m. Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. Free. Kids 12 and younger dress up in costume and trick-or-treat on the miniature golf course. Pet food donations encouraged.
calendar » Wednesday, Oct. 31 Haunted Happenings » 6-9 p.m. Florida SouthWestern State College (Collier campus), Building N, Room 148, 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples. Families are invited to trick-or-treat and enjoy activities. Only ages 12 and younger are permitted to wear masks and/or carry fake weapons. Free. 239-732-3706. fsw.edu Mall-O-Ween » 6-8 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Music, karaoke, trick-or-treating and contests. Costume contest for ages 12 and younger at 6:30 p.m. near Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store. Mall-O-Ween » 5-7 p.m. Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. Trick-or-treating at participating stores. Free.
Friday, Nov. 2 Life-size Candyland » November 2-3. Grow Church, 15300 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Experience a life-size Candyland. Times are 6-8 p.m. November 2 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. November 3. Free, but registration requested. 239-304-5483. growchurch.com Baby Basics Champaign Brunch & Fashion Show » 10:30 a.m. Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Fundraiser for Baby Basics of Collier County, a volunteer organization that provides free diapers low-income, working families in Collier County and Bonita Springs. $100 per person. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. babybasicscollier.org
Saturday, Nov. 3 Camp Out at Jaycee Park » 2 p.m. Jaycee Park, 4125 S.E. 20th Place, Cape Coral. Camp with your family under the trees along the river. Bring bikes and scooters and do your own thing or join in the organized games. There will be a community campfire after dark for s’mores. BYO tent, family, food and camping gear. $20 per tent. Register by October 30. Check-in starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. Check-out is 10 a.m. Sunday. 239-549-4606. Flip Flop Family Scavenger Hunt » 10:30 a.m. Sanibel Sea School, 455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. An event to raise money for scholarships. It’s a whole-family, island-wide scavenger hunt. $25 per ticket. 239-472-8585. sanibelseaschool.org WINK Taste of Lee » 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., Fort Myers. Taste food from more than 25 vendors and listen to live music. Climbing wall, bounce house and craft tables for the kids.
Sunday, Nov. 4 20th Annual Fishing Derby » 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Olde Fish House Marina, 4530 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. $75 per adult angler. A Fund Raiser for Pine Island Elementary School. Also a children’s fishing derby for grades K-5. eventbrite.com/e/20thannual-pine-island Taste of the Town » 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Restaurants serve “tastes” of their best dishes. Music and children’s entertainment. “Tastes” cost $2 to $5. Chairs, umbrellas and beach towels permitted. No coolers, pets or outside food and drink. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for ages 12 and younger. Free parking. VIP tickets are $60 each or $100 for two. Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Fort Myers. jlfm.org
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 57
» a father’s view JIM DW Y ER
Jim Dwyer is a Southwest Florida father of three boys.
M
y kids have different personalities and in almost every situation that reveals itself. When my oldest son was a sophomore, I started taking football pics at the high school. I was eventually invited on the sidelines by one of the coaches, and I have been doing it ever since. The parents love the shots of their kids, but the coaches don’t want a bunch of people roaming the sidelines, so I have kind of become the de facto team photographer. I love being right down on the field for all the action, but I respect that photos for the parents is about the last thing that the coaches are concerned about on game day. They are there for a competition. As long as I stay out of the way and Ryan Dwyer kind of make myself invisible, I am tolerated. That suited my oldest son, Jimmy. He had an amazing ability to the coaches, I certainly didn’t press the issue. completely, thoroughly ignore me. I When Tiernan started playing football, didn’t do it often, but when he had a the situation was slightly better. He was good play and came off the field, I would smart enough to know that I wouldn’t try to get his attention to just give him make a scene. He would catch my eye at a smile or a thumbs-up. But in the three some point during the game or if he had years I was on the sidelines with him on a play and would give me a small wave the field, I think that worked one time. or thumbs-up. That was it, and frankly After that, he would simply pretend he all I was looking for. It seemed that never heard me and keep his eyes on the whenever I wanted to give him a little field. Given my desire to be invisible to encouragement, he would almost sense
58 » OCTOBER 2018 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM
it, look at me and we would have our moment. It was always just enough to let him know I was there with him. Ryan doesn’t share his brothers’ modest nature. He is now on the field, and I am again on the sidelines, doing my best to stay out of the way of the coaches and players. Ryan has fun no matter what he is doing. He is the kicker for the team and will excitedly run out on the field whenever there is a punt or an extra point attempt. He lets the ball fly, and almost each time, he comes off the field to find me. “Hey Dad, did you see that?!” Of course, I saw it. I have seen nearly every play on that football field for the past seven years. I am sure not going to miss my own son. For Ryan, it’s not enough for me to just say I saw the play. He wants me to show him the pictures right there on the sideline, in the middle of the game. I have had to explain to him that he is destroying my cloak of invisibility. But even if I get kicked off the sidelines, it is worth it to have my son so excited and happy to share it openly with me. I love being in the action for these games. It is a time that I think each of my sons will treasure. I hope when they think back on it, they remember their dad, right down there with them, doing his best to be invisible to everyone but them.
GETTY IMAGES
Friday night lights
Join us for Open House OCTOBER 15 @ 9:30 a.m. Grades 5-12
Need-Based Merit Scholarship Testing DECEMBER 8 or DECEMBER 10
For current 5th and 8th grade students entering grades 6 and 9 in 2019-20
TO REGISTER, please visit our website or call 239.415.8945 www.canterburyfortmyers.org “My Canterbury education has given me everything, and it has made me into who I am today. Canterbury has taught me how to be thankful for and utilize the gifts I have, how to strive for a goal and reach it, and how to make the most of an opportunity.” Michael Morell ’18 Canterbury, Class of 2018 United States Naval Academy, Class of 2022 Independent PK3-12 College Prep School Member of The National Association of Independent Schools Accredited by The Florida Council of Independent Schools
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » OCTOBER 2018 » 59
‘‘hello’’ Lee Health says hello to Coconut Point!
Announcing Lee Health’s comprehensive health and wellness destination. Coming Soon • December 2018 Lee Health – Coconut Point serves a thriving community that has been hungry for health care,
Coconut Point Mall
and our new 31-acre, state-of-the-art campus delivers. Lee Health – Coconut Point
ut Rd Cocon
is a 163,000-square-foot cutting-edge health and wellness village offering a
Lee Physician Group Women’s Health (OB/GYN) Rehabilitation Outpatient Services
Health Center Blvd
Via Cocon ut Point
24/7 Emergency Services
il US 41 - S. Tammiami Tra
glimpse into the future, including:
Blvd lony n Co Pelica
For more information, go to leehealth.org/coconut-point
©2018 Lee Health • 1450-01 • 8/18
leehealth.org