LancMoms - April 2012

8/2/2019 LancMoms - April 2012

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MOMSTHE WORD:

Muddlingthroughthe tween

yearsMOM OFTHE MONTH:

Vicki KurtzDAY

TRIPPIN:

Rail fun atSteamtown

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Lancaster, Pa.VISIT LANCMOMS.COM2 APRIL 14, 2012

Muddling throughthe tween years

Barbara Hough Roda

I confessed to a friend overunch recently that Im feeling a

bit lonely these days.

My daughter is growing up,and Im keenly aware of the factthat she doesnt need me the wayshe once did.

Gotta be honest: Its aeartbreaker.

Im no longer called upon tostyle her long hair for school-picture day. Shes got it covered,

and quite adeptly thanks tobarrettes and hairspray andYouTube.

Evening storytime once spenttogether between pages craftedby Dr. Seuss and, later, J.K.Rowling are now solely reservedfor her homework or giggleswith girlfriends via cellphone orSkype.

She once thought I had great

fashion sense. Now when weshop, I say little. My style pickstake a beating, but I refuse tobudge in my role as clothingcensor.

Just days ago we coloredEaster eggs, though every springIm sure it will be the last timefor Paas dye and magic markers.The bunny stickers and stuffedanimals once nested in thepurple grass of my daughtersEaster basket were replaced thisyear by dry shampoo and iTunesgift cards. Please, no Peeps, shecoaxed.

I dont help her to navigatethe computer anymore. Shecoaches me on the latest gadgetsand apps while I try to pretendI dont see the occasional eyeolling or hear the deep sighs of

semi-exasperation.

She wakes up to her ownalarm (most days) and feeds

the dog (when I remind her).

She folds her laundry, thoughI still hear myself telling herto put the dirty plates in thedishwasher and to refrain frommaking empty-handed tripsupstairs.

She still needs me to help sewthe ribbons on her ballet shoes.And my chauffeuring duties havegrown exponentially. I know theclock is ticking on that, too.

Deep down, I want mydaughter to be 3 again. Or maybe4, or even 5.

But 12? What a tough age, forher and for me.

She didnt like being 12,author Alice Hoffman writes inThe Story Sisters. It felt likesomeplace between who shedbeen and who she was about tobe. It felt like no place at all.

So I try, really hard, toremember the time I desperatelychased a more mature existencein a hurried attempt to escapechildhood though neitherwanted to lay a claim on me.

Mom friends with girlsin these trying tween times,wedged so tightly by little-girlyears on one end and teenhoodon the other, are a godsend.

We commiserate about ourdaughters silence after school,and our seeming inability tonever say the right thing and todo it at the worst possible times.Moments later, were caughtoff balance by happy chatter atdinner to be followed by tearsbefore bedtime.

And sometimes, out offrustration and weariness, the

biggest meltdowns are our own.The mood swings at bothends of this human equation

create a daybreak-to-lights-outstomach-churning roller coastermany of us could do without.

But we cant, and wont, dowithout our kids.

Anyway, such is life, Im told.And it will eventually thinkyears get better.

So Ill belabor the blessings.My daughter still eagerlyshows up to family meals, andenthusiastically praises my

cooking. Mom, your macaroniand cheese is the best, she tellsme.

Seconds after Ive decidedIm a marginalized mom, mydaughter reaches around mywaist and holds on tightly foran unexpected, but alwayswelcome, hug. Shes still not tooold to be tucked in at night.

Meanwhile, Im working

harder at dusting off my owndreams, a change that would behealthier for the two of us.

Yet Im always at the ready,and we both know it and thatmakes our world a comfortingplace to be.

I was at a park recently wherea group of tween friends hadgathered to play basketball. Mymom is awesome! I heard one

girl proudly announce to her pals.I turned around, realizing that

the words came from my own12-year-old, still looking myway with a big grin on her face.

Really? Awesome? Ill take it.

Barbara Hough Roda is momto Faith and managing editorof the Sunday News. Check outher blog at LancMoms.com. Her

email address is [email protected] and her phone number is481-7335.

Sela Hostetter, 5, and her mom, Voni Hostetter, of Lancaster,listen at a program held at the Lancaster City Library.

Jeff Ruppenthal/Sunday News Photo

Brothers, Steven Stoltzfus, 9, and Steven Jr., 6, fromLancaster County, chat on toy cellphones as they sit in a

pair of Jeeps to be auctioned off at the Penryn Fire CompanyMud Sale.

Justin David Graybill/Sunday News Photo

Check out what other Lancaster Moms (andDads) are doing and saying. Forums, blogs,questions, and answers all can be found at

LancMoms.com. Get a LancMoms.comcard, good for discounts and services.

Visit LancMoms.com


3/12

By Maureen LeaderSpecial Features Writer

Perhaps no one has had a

ore moving experience asa mother than Aprils Momof the Month, Vicki Kurtz.

Because Kurtz and herfamily husband, Keithand children, Brandon, 27and Kait, 23, moved about15 times while growing up.

Keith was a youth pastorand his career took them

from Pennsylvania toew Mexico, Florida and

Colorado through the years.Kurtz jokes Every time I

felt like our house needed agood spring cleaning, wed

ove! In fact, Brandonspent the rst three yearsof his life in three differentstates.

Daughter, Kait nominateder mother to be Mom

of the Month. What sheemembers most about

growing up through allthose different moves is hower mother kept the family

close together and also

succeeded in maintaining aclose relationship with herchildren.

But Kait also admires

how caring her mother wasand is towards other peopleoutside of her family. Evenduring some very roughtimes, she was right there

beside whoever needed her.Kurtz simply explains

that is just one of her corebeliefs: If someone ishurting, I want to be there. I

will dedicate every second tobe there, she said. Thatsimportant to me.

As hectic and as trying lifewas for Kurtz while raisingher family and coordinatingall the moves, she alwaysfound enjoyment in it. Andshe also made it fun for herchildren. It was exciting, Iloved it, she said. It madeus closer because there werefour of us. We divided andconquered!

In reminiscing about thosetimes Kurtz also recalled

being able to always make

Lancaster, Pa. VISIT LANCMOMS.COM APRIL 14, 2012 3

Mom of the Month ~ Vicki Kurtz

Vicki Kurtz with daughter Kait and son Brandon.

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- continued on page 11

Bugs...Outside the BoxFebruary 3 - May 13

Featuring heavily armored stag beetles with

jaws as big as your legs and giant butterflieswith a five foot wingspan, nows your chance

to see the intricacies of the insect world -without a microscope!

L PVISIT LANCMOMS COM4 APRIL 14 2012


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The secret to a successfulfamily vacation? Teamwork!

(ARA) When it comes toplanning your familys vaca-tion, you can nd a lot of valuen that old saying teamwork

divides the task and doubles thesuccess. Divvying up planningesponsibilities helps ensure that

one member of the family is notoverwhelmed with tasks, andthat everyone is excited aboutand invested in the trip.

Sharing time together is oneof the most appealing aspects offamily vacations, says Kimber-y Miles, a travel planning ex-

pert with the Myrtle Beach AreaConvention and Visitors Bureau.Families can start their vacationfun early by sharing planning re-sponsibilities. It can be a greatway to teach kids organizationaland planning skills, and makesure everyone takes ownershipof the family vacation.

All age groups can take partn the process, Miles notes. Here

are some ideas for dividing thework and multiplying the en-oyment of the family vacation

planning process:

Start with a surveySuccessful teamwork re-

quires constant communication.Your family vacation team effortshould start by polling the mem-bers. Where does everyone wantto go? Of course, you wont beable to fulll every desire, butyou can come close by encour-

aging everyone to be specic.For example, its not enough

to say everyone wants to go tothe beach, because not all beachdestinations will offer the sameappeal for all family members.Will your family members berelaxing or frolicking on thebeach? Spending the whole tripin the sand and surf, or lookingfor other attractions to round outtheir adventure? Do they want tostay in a busy beachfront hotel,or somewhere quieter and off thebeaten path?

Destinations that offer abroad range of activities have thebest chance of pleasing everyone

in the family, says Miles. Lookfor a location like Myrtle Beach,

where generations of familieshave found something for everymember - from miles of pris-tine beaches and plenty of wa-ter sports, to amusement parks,great shopping and dining, andeven museums and live enter-

tainment.

Research your optionsMany families rely on the In-

ternet for planning and bookingtheir vacations. The Web can bea great resource for informationabout a variety of destinations -from what attractions youll ndthere to how much hotel roomswill cost during your traveldates. Look for family travelblogs and websites that providespecic destination information,visitor reviews, tips and advice.

Dont overlook the value ofword-of-mouth. Check withfamily and friends to see iftheyve visited your destinationof choice, what they thought ofit and what attractions they rec-ommend. All the professional re-views on the Web cant beat the

endorsement of happy, satisedkids.

Assign age-appropriatetasks

Once youve chosen yourdestination, the real teamworbegins. Divide up tasks based oneach family members abilities.Mom and Dad will probably do

the actual booking, but teens andolder kids can pitch in with taskslike prepping the house to be vacant, and researching what to doand see.

Grandparents can help withdriving and packing. Even youngchildren can play a role if you allow them to choose some of thesnacks the family will pack forthe trip.

Encourage everyone tochoose one activity or sight inwhich the whole family will participate in. This will help ensureeveryone gets to do somethingthey enjoy, and the entire teamgets to take part in a variety oactivities.

Teamwork in vacation planning can denitely help makethe workload lighter on parents, says Miles. And it helps

get everyone excited about thetrip - before they even begin thejourney.Be sure everyone in the family enjoys the beach before planning to spend a week or more there.

L P VISIT LANCMOMS COM APRIL 14 2012 5


5/12


By Kirsten Freitag Murray

Peer pressure . . . a distantemory for those of us who bade

farewell to the school hallwaysong ago. Unfortunately not so!

Not only are we guidingour offspring through the dailyandmines of pressure exerted

by their peers, we experience

coercion, some subtle andsome not, from our friends andfamily related to our parentingchoices. Its called parental peerpressure. Maybe you haventeard the term, but you areodding in agreement!

Everyone is doing it.It is whatever your child

opes to be doing too! We areobbied with this from the type of

cereal we grab off the grocery shelfall the way to attending partieswhere alcohol will be present andthe guests will be underage. Weave grown accustomed to this

technique utilized by our kids tobreak down our resolve wereon to them! What happens whenour own friends, family and peersapply the same type of pressureto us? Let her go; everyone willbe there. You dont want her to

feel left out, do you? Cmon, itsa rite of passage.

Many layers are at play here.Our kids are consistently exposedto the values of other families asthey go through their day. Eventhe most nonjudgmental folksave a hard time completelyasking their beliefs and

expectations when it comes toaising children. The parents with

whom we sit while our little onetakes in story time, moms anddads on the sidelines with us aswe cheer for our budding athletes,and perhaps our own siblingswho have kids of their own (ordont!), all contribute their owntake on parenting during thecourse of everyday interactions.The most condent parent will beprone to entertain a tad bit of self-doubt, even on a good day!

So how to boost the parentalcondence level? First of all, youeed to know what the boundaries

are for your clan, and why. Butits not enough for just you tohave that knowledge. You needto state what the expectations areregarding the important things inlife to your children.

Have a family meeting todiscuss and then create an actuallist of your familys values.

(Items needed: paper, pens andchocolate chip cookies!)

1. Begin with each familymember going around the tableand complimenting mom, dadand siblings.

2. What do you hope tocontribute to each other, thecommunity and the greater worldas you live in it each day? (FamilyMission Statement)

3. What do you value mostin life? (Examples: kindness,honesty, education, faith andworship, service to others, tness,time together, etc.)

What guidelines does everyfamily member need to followto honor this mission and thesevalues?

1. Set down a family code asto how you will treat one another

and those outside your family.(Examples: Expression of love,mutual respect, cooperation,communication specics,honesty, integrity, concern for thegeneral well-being of others, etc.)

2. One helpful aspect of aweekly family meeting is tocoordinate schedules and to besure that family time is blockedout, so it doesnt get edged out.

This is a good time to set up aprocess for asking to participatein certain activities.

A strategy that has workedwell in our family is to comewith a full proposal. So, youshouldnt ask, Can Jack and I goto the concert Thursday night?That doesnt give me enoughinformation, and I am alreadybiased against it because it is a

school night. Rather, you shouldinquire (not inform) as to whetheror not you and Jack can attend the

one and only concert being heldwithin 100 miles for the next 10years next Thursday night.

Jacks mom is willing to driveand wait there for us and drive ushome; I have the money for theticket in my bank account; I havealready checked to see that I haveno tests or quizzes on Friday; Ipromise to get right to bed when

we get home.That I could be inclined to

say yes to! Will some peoplejudge my parenting for lettingher go to the concert on a schoolnight absolutely! But I haveoperated within the connesof our family values, so I cancondently tell you I said yes,rather than sheepishly avoidingthe conversation.

Use the weekly familymeeting to plan family time ifyou dont plan for it, it probablywont happen.

Solve problems together inthis setting. But dont use this asa time to talk about individualproblems that is handledas a private matter with eachparticular child.

Articulate your family values,

on an as-needed basis, to theparents of your childrens friends.

1. When your young childis planning a playdate, a meal,or a sleepover at the home of abuddy, you touch base with theparent(s) of that friend. As yourchild matures, the situations willchange. When he is 16 or 18, doyou need to check in with thehosting parents prior to a party?

My answer is yes. I ask how many

teens will be there, who will bechaperoning and will the parentsbe checking in on the kids. I askif alcohol will be available. Tooprotective for your tastes? That isa big part of my role, to protectand prepare,even at that age.

2. Model honesty in your ownrelationships with other parents.Rather than saying your child isbusy, tell the other parent why acertain activity isnt in sync with

your family boundaries. Theseare opportunities to discuss ourvalues, and it doesnt have to bedone in a judgmental way. Youcan couch your parenting choicesin wording such as, This is howwe have chosen to handle this inour family. Or, This works wellfor us, but I know other familiesapproach it differently.

The usual suspects for causingdiscomfort when our parentingdecisions dont align with thosearound us can appear in thefollowing situations:

What kids are allowed todrink with their meals

Whether your child willwalk to school, take the bus or bedriven

When homework is to becompleted

How much screen time isallowed

When to get a cell phone When ears (or other body

parts) can be pierced What types of movies can be

viewed Whats allowed on your

childs iPod playlist Which parties can be attended What are the family

expectations for schoolattendance and performance

What is your stance onillegal drug use and underage(also illegal) alcohol use

How many activities can a

child participate in (If our kidshave too much on their plates,meaning over-scheduled, it isup to the parent to help themprioritize and get it under control.)

I am guessing something onthat list resonated with you. Youare probably remembering a time

Peer pressure among

the parenting set?

Kirsten Freitag Murray

Ask an Expert


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6/12


Day Trippin:Rail fun at Steamtown

By Rochelle A. ShenkSpecial Features Writer

Steamtown NHS (NationalHistoric Site), Scranton, is a partof the National Park system. Thesite pays tribute to the era ofsteam locomotives.

Kids love trains, says MarkBrennan, chief, visitor services,and public affairs.

People tend to think thatthe majority of our visitorsare railfans and seniors whoemember the days of steam,

and while they are part of theix, most of our visitors are

families.Steamtown NHS occupies

about 40 acres of the Scrantonailroad yard of the former

Delaware, Lackawanna andWestern Railroad, one of the

earliest rail lines in northeasternPennsylvania.

At the heart of the park isthe large collection of standard-gauge steam locomotives andfreight and passenger cars that

ew England seafood processorF. Nelson Blount assembled inthe 1950s and 1960s. In 1984,17 years afterB l o u n t s

death, theS t e a m t o w nF ounda t ionfor thePreservationof Steamand RailroadA m e r i c a n aInc., broughtthe collectionto Scranton,where it

o c c u p i e dthe former DL&W yard. WhenSteamtown National HistoricSite was created, the yard andthe collection became part of the

ational Park system.The Steamtown collection

consists of locomotives, freightcars, passenger cars, and

aintenance-of-way equipmentfrom several historic railroads.

The locomotives range in sizefrom a tiny industrial switcherengine built in 1937 by the H.K.

Porter Company for the BullardCompany, to a huge UnionPacic Big Boy built in 1941by the American LocomotiveCompany (Alco). The oldestlocomotive is a freight enginebuilt by Alco in 1903 for theChicago Union Transfer RailwayCompany.

Steam locomotives are anexperience that stimulates

the senses. Feel the heat fromthe rebox. Hear the bell andwhistle. Smell the hot steam andoil. Feel the ground vibrate underyour feet. See the one ton driverods turn the wheels. Hear thechuff-chuff of the smokestack.

Theres a lot to see and dohere, but perhaps what drawsthe most attention is whenthe engine comes out of theroundhouse onto the turntable,

says Brennan. Theres usuallyquite a crowd gathered to seethat. We give the turntable aslow spin so that everyone hasa chance to see it. The enginesare so big the size, the noiseand the smell are fascinating tokids; when you see their faces asthe engine turns, their eyes are

so big.When Steamtown was

created, the National ParkService decided to use theexisting portions of theRoundhouse (dating from 1902,1917 and 1937) as a part of themuseum complex. The enginesare on the turntable at about 9:30a.m. and again at 3 p.m.

Steamtown also features

a Technology Museum and aHistory Museum, which explorethe people, history, technology

and lore of steam railroading.The museums include images,artifacts, lms, restored freightand passenger cars and asectioned steam locomotive.

An Education and DiscoveryCenter offers programs for

children ages5 through 10.

Program topicsmay vary, buttheyre hands-on, child-friendlylearning andm u l t i - m e d i apresentations.

A l t h o u g hprograms areincluded in thepark entrancefee, due to spacelimitations, free

tickets are required (available atthe Visitor Center Desk).

A new activity this year isa family friendly interactiveexhibit entitled What Can BeFound Under the Ground in aRailroad Yard. This fun andeducational exhibit will makeits debut April 21. It includesan above-ground dig site with a

dig and match activity wherefamilies and children can dig andsift through a mixture of dirt and

rocks to nd items that matchobjects in the display cases fromthe different time periods of therailroad yard. The exhibit notonly will provide a differentperspective on the railroad yard,but is also intended to engageparticipants by having themthink about the people who

worked and lived in and near therailroad yard.

A Junior Ranger program

enhances childrens visits.There are separate programs forchildren ages 6 to 9 and ages 9to 12. Children receive a bookletand need to nd specied itemsthroughout Steamtowns site.When the booklet is completed,they may turn it in and receive abadge and certicate.

To top off a visit, take one


Lancaster Pa VISIT LANCMOMS.COM APRIL 14 2012 7


7/12


Kids Around the County

Above, left: Jorden Lum, 4, Lancaster, listens at a program at theLancaster City Library.Above: youngsters listen at a program at the Lancaster City

Library.Above, right: Steven Kernen and daughter Alessandra, 5, EastHempeld Township, color at the Lancaster City Library.Below, right: Jaron Bell Jr., 9, makes his way through the soccerdribble at the Asthma Olympics hosted by the American LungAssociation on March 31 at Bright Side Opportunity Center.The event was designed for 6- to 14-year-old children withasthma. Theres no reason why children with asthma cantdo everything other kids can do, said Dr. Laura Fisher, of theAllergy & Asthma Center.

Jeff Ruppenthal/Sunday News PhotosLeft: Eight-year-old Cassie works on her balance as she triesout her brand-new, green bicycle at Masonic Village ChildrensHome in Elizabethtown March 31. The Masons of JerusalemLodge 506 in Philadelphia donated 39 bikes to all 39 childrenresiding at the home.

Justin David Graybill/Sunday News Photo

Youngsters at the Penryn Fire Company Mud Sale.Justin David Graybill/Sunday News Photo



8/12

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Ask an Expert at

Shopping advice:Knowing whats in your food

Dr. Pia FenimoreQuestion: I just discovered a small wart on my 6 year olds hand. Is there a way to get ridof it without using any harsh medicines?

Kirsten Freitag MurrayI have a 3yr old foster daughter who is very difcult, alot of crying,tantrums over

sometimes nothing, especially when she is told to do something or not to do, I have kept adaily log and can not nd a trigger and she is hard to console when she gets like this. Shehad a eval and they told me they had no idea why she is like this or no help with her. Anysuggestions?

Dr. Maria MelitonQuestion: What are your thoughts on giving a baby a pacier? What age should it betaken from the child?

Megan ConklinQuestion: About 6 months ago, I overstretched my mid back while working out. While

Ive rested it and tried going to a chiropractor, it still hurts when I stretch and limits certainmovements. Should I be working on strengthening this area, and if so, what exercisesstrengthens the mid back? Thanks!

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ParentingDevelopmentCoordinator

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Social,relational and/or behavioral

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Find the answers to these questions at .com

(ARA) How do you protect

strawberries from an early frost?Some scientists choose to inserta gene from an arctic ounderso the strawberries tolerate thecold, just like the sh. That maysound a bit strange to you, and

ounting evidence indicatesthat tinkering with nature likethis might even prove harmful.

Its not just about strawberrieseither. The ounderberry isstill lab research, but there are

quite a few genetically modiedorganisms (GMOs) that arealready out on the market, onshelves, and in our homes.According to the GroceryManufacturers Association,

ore than three quarters of allprocessed foods on Americangrocery store shelves containgenetically modied (GM)ngredients. That means that

these ingredients were created

through processes that combinethe genetic building blocks ofdifferent species to producenew foods. In January, the U.S.Department of Agriculture(USDA) added GM sugar beets,a new form of GM corn and GMalfalfa to the list of GM cropsthat can be grown and used infood nationwide.

For shoppers, it can be hardto identify foods with GM

ingredients since manufacturersarent required to label GMfoods. This isnt the case inJapan, Australia and Europe,where GM labeling is mandatory.

But why all the fuss overa label? Recent researchindicates that GM ingredientscan correspond to a host ofpotentially worrisome healthconcerns, like food allergies and

gastrointestinal, reproductive

and immune problems.The American Academy ofEnvironmental Medicine haseven gone so far as to encourageall physicians to prescribe non-GM diets to their patients.

While GM food labeling inthe U.S. isnt required, thereare some ways consumers cancurrently identify non-GMfoods. For example, you canlook for the USDA Organic Seal.

By denition, USDA-certiedorganic foods cant contain GMingredients. You can also nd anabundance of non-GM optionsin the produce aisle sinceGM ingredients appear mostfrequently in processed foods.Only corn and some varietiesof squash, papaya, sugar beetsand potatoes may come in GMvarieties.

In the

rest of thegrocery store,identifying GMfoods can provemore difcult,however. Thatswhere theNon-GMO Project, a non-protorganization that supports non-GM products and helps educateconsumers about them, comesin. The Non-GMO Project has

a Product Verication Programthrough which products canbecome veried as non-GMO,and earn a seal on packagingthat lets shoppers know the fooddoesnt contain GM ingredients.

The non-prot Center forFood Safety is helping shoppersnavigate the aisles with theTrue Food Shoppers Guideapp, which offers information

on common GM ingredients andbrands to choose or avoid.

Organizations like The Non-GMO Project and Center forFood Safety have gone a longway toward helping shoppers

make informed decisions aboutthe food they purchase, butfor consumers who would liketo see mandatory labeling oGM Foods, the Just Label It!We Have the Right to Knowcampaign offers an opportunityto make their voices heard.

For information, visit www.justlabelit.org.



9/12

, ,

When it comes tosmartphones, laptops andtablets, more women than

en can be found waiting inthose long lines outside theig electronics stores. At the

2012 Consumer ElectronicsShow in Las Vegas, HSNoted that women expressedore interest in many of the

ottest electronic gadgetsthan men.

Women have shown more

interest in tablets, laptops andsmartphones, and are two tothree percent more likely to

ake purchases than theirale counterparts. The only

category where men makep a larger percentage ofinterested parties is with theintent to purchase at-screenLCD televisions.

Parks Associates, aarketing intelligence rm,

was in charge of gatheringinformation from femaleand male consumers anddrawing conclusions abouttheir intentions. The Dallas-ased rm collected surveys

from about 2,000 adults in

late 2011 and found thatwomen are more interestedin tech gadgets than men.

Furthermore, researchindicates that afterpurchasing a top tech gadget,women are more inclinedthan men to learn aboutthe device, participating indigital media offerings, like

watching movies online orplaying games with phones

or tablets.These results might

question conventional

wisdom, but are notnecessarily that surprising.A survey commissioned

by Rebtel, a mobile voiceover IP provider, found thatwomen are more likely touse social media than men.More than 60 percent ofwomen use social mediato stay in touch with their

friends and family members.This reality could be fuelingwomens greater interestthan men in devices thatenable social media anddigital communication.

Whats more, it has longbeen known that womenare the primary consumerdecision-makers in the home,

and more and more women arenow exing their purchasing

power in the tech market.Although personal use

gadgets are at the top of thelist for womens purchases,females have also showna growing interest intech-powered appliances

and other home-related

convenience items.The stereotype that tech

items are a guy thing is

quickly becoming a thingof the past. Women areat the forefront in gadget

purchases and becoming theprime decision-makers onthese types of purchases.

So, what have you boughtlately?

Women surpass menin tech buys

Though men might be more commonly associated withbuying gadgets, the tech industry is not as much of aboys club as one may think. Aside from one consumerelectronic category, women are the consumers most likelyto shop for tech toys.

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ACROSS

1. (K) Football offi-cials

5.Mutts pal9. (K) Owns12.Jai ___13. (K) One of the

Great Lakes14.Joan of ___15. (K) Mark

TwainsHuckleberry16. (K) Add water

to this andmake mud

17.FBI ally18. (K) Felt-tip writ-

ing instrument(2 words)

21. (K) Weak ordelicate

23.Where Gilliganwas stranded24.22nd letter

of the Greekalphabet

25. (K) Wake fromsleep

30. (K) Writinginstrument usedfor artwork(2 words)

35.Despise36.Metal-bearing

mineral37. (K) Prefix for

freeze40.German

submarine42. (K) Writing

instrumentusing inkcartridges(2 words)

47. (K) Showreceivers

48. (K) LukeSkywalkersmaster

49. (K) Not movewith the carrunning

52. (K) Cartoon cry

at the sight of amouse53. (K) Door opener54. (K) Opposite

of bad55. Initials of

Jekylls creator56. (K) Long and

skinny seaanimals

57. (K) They may

come fromchickens

DOWN

1.UK flyers ofWWII (Abbr.)

2.Actor Wallach3. (K) Letter to

a celebrity(2 words)

4. (K) Mountainthat Mosesclimbed

5. (K) 48-Across forone

6. Speed skaterHeiden

7. (K) Not soft orsaggy

8.Cheese madewith goats milk

9.Writers of

dubious talent10. (K) DisneysLittle Mermaid

11. (K) Frighten19.Reflection off

water20.Nothing, in

France21.Agcy. regulating

airwaves22.17th letter

of the Greekalphabet

26.Soak, as flax27.Lyrical poem28. (K) ___ and

downs29.Play

matchmaker31.Norse god32.Hunting canine

(2 words)33.Roth ___34. (K) Allow37. (K) Opposite of

before38. (K) Book of

fiction39. (K) Rhinos

weapons41. (K) Yellowish-

gray

43. (K) Little kid44.Steak sauce

brand45. (K) American

___ (TV show)46.Seizes50. (K) Large piece

of a tree51.Begley and

Begley

Created by Timothy E. Parker June 18, 2011

The (K) Clues are for Kids

PUZZLE ANSWERS

2011 Universal Uclickwww.amuniversal.com/ups

Can you find the answer to this

riddle within the solved puzzle?

It tries to avoid charges?

40-A)U-boat

Riddleanswer:

Holding down

the fort

LancDad

Easter lessonsSpring and Easter season are

the embodiment of the rite ofpassage and ttingly coincideswith our decision to move toLancaster County in May 1999from the Philadelphia area whereI grew up.

We were compelled by the

prospect of lower property taxesand greater home values butconvinced that our forthcomingchildren would thrive in a rural,pastoral setting.

Julie and I each commutedto work more than 100 mile perday and running local errands inLancaster County took us milesnstead of blocks. But so what?

Gas cost 99 cents per gallon in1999!

The trade-off for securityand a simple, uncomplicated lifefor our children meant limitedoptions. But, again, so what? Weeft behind annoying crowds and

tons of trafc; think Route 30 onSaturday afternoon.

Yep, Michael and Maggie ateealthy, locally grown foods and

were growing up themselves in acommunity soaked in traditional

sensibilities of respect andestrained aggressiveness wellbeyond the often unpleasantcompetitiveness found in thecity.

Life was so simple that thekids as toddlers differentiatedthe few stores we frequented:Walmart was the Blue Store,Yoders Market was the BrownStore, and Shady Maple was theWhite store.

However, over the years aculture clash was evident as ourblasphemous babies began tobalk on fresh vegetables. Thekids from their car seats couldspot minuscule McDonaldsgolden arches miles away on theighway horizon.

Maggie had obviouslyaffected a Philly accent asevidenced by her kindergarten

paper in which she spelledwater as w-o-o-d-e-r. Herequests to go to Organdairy

(Oregon Dairy) for ice creamscreamed South Philadelphia.

On the other hand, Michaelhad adopted a local dialect. Heshook his st and mimicked myplayful Three Stooges taglineof Why I Oughta! as Why IYoder!

And any illusion that wewere immune to hostile rivalryand competition crashed downduring an Easter Egg hunt sevenyears ago when Maggies Marchbirthday advanced her to thedisastrous 4-year-old group atthe municipal park. She wasspun, bumped, and spilled herEaster basket leaving her red-faced and crying.

Ill never forget that look.Thats when I realized perhapsI knew all along that you canprotect your children only somuch and that competitivenessand assertiveness are worthy,even desirable traits that childrenmust acquire.

That Easter has resonatedas a sort of graduation dayfor our family and a reminderof how much weve grown.

In fact, Michael, 7, last yeareven directed our home egg-hunt which resulted in anotherunforgettable Easter.

Michaels hidden hard-boiled egg in the patio furnitureumbrella stand went undetectedfor weeks even after I set upthe umbrella and unknowinglypierced the now rotting tie-dyedegg.

Ah, did I forget to mentionthat Lancaster County fresh air?



11/12

the best of even the mostchaotic situations.

One of her goals wither children was to makeemories. Kurtz said, Even

in hard times, we foundlaughter.

During one of the Kurtzfamily moves (Kait was about11 and Brandon was 14), Kurtzemembers, We were in an old

pickup truck. Kait would feede as I drove and Brandon

would navigate. At the time itwas stressful but we look backand the kids still talk about it.

When they talk aboutliving out in Colorado, theyemember: We were in theiddle of nowhere and we built

a ranch. We had cows, pigs andorses. We just did it.

Along the way, the Kurtzfamily always made friendsor always had someone helpthem make their new house a

ome. They were even able tond surrogate grandparents!

Additionally Kurtz wasalso able to maintain her

professional career as adirector of dietary servicesin long term care facilitiesthroughout differentlocations. Kurtz said all theseexperiences while growing

up gave my kids the ideathey could do anything.

Now Brandon andKait are adults and Kurtzand her husband are nowgrandparents to Kaits almosttwo-year-old son, Kayden.

The couple moved backto Pennsylvania in 2010 to

be closer to family. Theypurchased a farm houseand Kurtz is very busyrenovating and redecoratingit. She wants there to be roomfor everyone, including, shesaid, future grandchildren!

Probably, she says, oneof the most important jobsis getting the playground

nished.Daughter Kait says about

the house, Its turning fromjust that house on the cornerto the house that peopleadmire as they drive by.

Kurtz still enjoys a specialrelationship with her grownchildren. Recently Brandonasked her to go house hunting

with him and has also askedher for help in decorating hisnew home.

Kurtz said it is a neatturnaround. She said,Even though you have anadult relationship with yourchildren, they will alwaysneed their mom.

And Kurtz especiallyloves being a grandmother.She said it is different than

being a mother because youcan just love more freely.

At this stage in her life,Kurtz says she has moretime and her chores can wait.Plus, she doesnt have tothink about discipline, just

being with her grandson andloving him to pieces!

- continued from page 3Mom

Vicki Kurtz currentlyworks part time as an ofcemanager. She appreciatesthe exibility her job offersher.

... loves to work outdoors

and especially loves to workon her homes landscaping.

... is looking forward toa total kitchen renovation.

... is a talented singerand can also play piano.

... loves to read.

... uses texting as aquick and easy way tocommunicate with her

friends and family.Favorite television

shows for Kurtz includereality shows like Survivor,The Amazing Race andCelebrity Apprentice. I

like to people watch, shesaid.

Favorite foods for Kurtzare a good steak or Italiandishes.

She enjoys cooking nowthat she has more time inher life. She likes to cookusing fresh ingredientsfrom Roots Market.

Mom of the MonthDetails

2750 Weaver Road, Lancaster www.montlanc .com

717-560-0815 Ph 717-560-0817 FaxAges 20 months thru 6th grade

Karen Rubenstein, Director ~ [email protected]

Educating Lancasters Children for over 25 years!

of the various rail excursions.The Scranton Limited Short TrainExcursion gives visitors a chanceto experience riding in an historic

commuter car (the cars were builtbetween 1915 and 1935) behindeither a vintage steam locomotiveor an historic diesel-electric

locomotive. The trip gives anoverall view of the railroad yards.Due to work in the railroad yard,different routes may be used. TheScranton Limited rides beginApril 28, departing at 10:30 and11:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:15

p.m. on Wednesdays through

Sundays (cost is $5 per person inaddition to park entrance fee).

Daily admission fees forSteamtown are $7 per adult; free

for children ages 15 and underaccompanied by adult. During

National Park Week Saturday,April 21 to Sunday, April 29 theentrance fee is waive; all indoorand outdoor exhibit areas and

park museum are included in theFee Free Week.

For information and a scheduleof excursions and special events,visit http://www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm.

when one or more of these issuescaused conict in a relationship

with another parent. You havebeen labeled as too lenient insome situations and far too strictin others.

When we decide to form ourown families, we bring baggagefrom our childhoods, both goodand bad. We bring both healthyand faulty ideas and practices fromour family of origin, our personal

feelings of inadequacy and, ofcourse, our deepest beliefs andvalues.

Possessing the ability to shareour values with the folks whoare raising their kids alongsideours is important. It gives us theopportunity to evaluate our valuesand practices as we talk aboutthem in a nonjudgmental way.

Who knows maybe my ideais just what my friend needs thisweek. Or perhaps I havent looked

at the big picture, and I need totweak some things in my parenting.By being intentional about howyour family will function best,

you can then be condent in yourparenting choices. Condent ... Ididnt say perfect!

Kirsten Freitag Murray,

Parenting DevelopmentCoordinator with CompassMark, Inc., is a contributor to theLancMoms.com Ask an Expertfeature.

- continued from page 5

- continued from page 6

Day trip

Kirsten Freitag Murray

1 cup oats1 cup skim milk1/2 cup all-purpose

our1/2 cup wheat our

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

1 teaspoon bakingsoda

1 dash salt1 teaspoon cinnamon2 egg whites1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup applesauce1 teaspoon vanilla

extract2/3 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375F and spray mufn tinsto grease. Soak oats inthe milk for several minutes.Sift together the our and dryingredients. Mix together theegg, sugar, applesauce andvanilla.

Blend the wet ingredientsand the oats. Fold in the dryingredients, then the raisins.

Spoon batter into mufn tins.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Oatmeal raisin mufns



12/12

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LancMoms - April 2012