LancMoms - December 2012

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In this issue:

LancMoms.comDecember 8, 2012

Mom of the MonthHolly Cummings

LancDad

Whos the turkey?

Moms the Word:Little thingsreally domean a lot

A n a d v e r t i s i ng s up p l e m e n t o f t h e I n t e l l i ge n c e r Jo u r n a l / L a n ca s t e r N e w E r a


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2 DECEMBER 8, 2012 VISIT LANCMOMS.COM Lancaster, Pa

Little things really domean a lot

Back on a Thursday morningin November, I pulled up to thedrive-thru window at Dunkin

Donuts on Columbia Avenue.The young woman who reached

out to me with a cup of hot coffeeand a pound of ground java,refused the cash clenched in myright st.

No charge, she told me,explaining that the man who

as ahead of me in line paid forthe order. It was one of thoserandom acts of kindness, said the

employee, obviously touched bythe gesture as she fought backtears through a smile.

Immediately, my moodbrightened and the day seemedfull of a potential that Id notconsidered minutes earlier. Thatsmall kindness, in turn, promptedme to leave a heftier tip. And Iproceeded into the day tellingone person after another how astrangers generosity altered my

outlook in a very big and gooday.It turned out to be a tting

segue into Thanksgiving, andthe rest of the holiday season. Itreminded me that its often thequiet, less dramatic events inlife that are the most enduringand contagious. So this years

December list is not one ofpackage-wrapping and cookie-baking, but reminders of the

little things in life for which Imthankful and to which I need to

pay more attention. Among them:One extra week between

Thanksgiving and Christmas.Reading glasses.Salvation Army bell ringers.

And lets not pretend we dont seethem when were rushing fromone store to another. Considertossing some coins and cash, no

matter how big or how small, intotheir buckets and wishing theseholiday volunteers a HappyChristmas.

Watching my daughter whileshe sleeps. Cant help myself.

Babies.Eyelid makeup primer.Greek yogurt.The anticipation of Les

Miserables in theaters thismonth.

People who give of themselves.And give. And give some more,even when it seems they should

be running on empty.Hallelujah: The navigation

capabilities on my iPhone. If onlythere was an app to ward off myown recklessness one thatwould keep me from spilling on it,

putting it in the refrigerator, andleaving it at the bank or on top ofthe car.

The hope and joy inherent innew relationships.

A daughter who cant yet drive.The sounds of Tchaikovsky and

Berlin and Handel.Teachers.Old friends, and the safety net

theyve crafted from years ofshared experience.

Hallmark Channel holidaymovies. Im addicted.

Hearing the Nativity story readaloud, again and again.The man who lets you get ahead

of him in the long grocery-storeline, and the mom who watchesover your kids to allow extratime for running all of those extraerrands.

Always and forever, WrigleyField and the Chicago Cubs.

The dog, or cat, who tests therules of the house by chewing

on low-hanging Christmas treeornaments but redeems himself bytreating you like a celebrity everytime you come home.

Pinot noir.The Christmas spirit, which is

best honored when it ignores theboundaries of the holiday season.

Charles Dickens. Tis the

season for A Christmas Carol,but Im still partial to GreatExpectations.

Fuzzy socks.Children who are enamored less

with their gifts, and more with theboxes in which they are delivered.Family ... even those members

who drive us crazy.When the Christmas tree stands

straight, the extension cords reachthe wall and the light strandswork.

The scent of pine.Friends who disagree with my

opinions, political and otherwise,but like me anyway.

Electric carving knives.The unconditional love

of grandparents for their

grandchildren.Its a Wonderful Life and

White Christmas.Glitter, and lots of it.People who work the holidays

so the rest of us dont have to.The honesty of our kids evenwhen its something like, Mom,is your hair really supposed tolook like that?

High heels. Gotta have em.Good health.And all of the random acts of

kindness yet to be.

Barbara Hough Roda is momto Faith and a news editor with

Lancaster Newspapers Inc. Emailher at [email protected] orcall 481-7335.

Barbara Hough Roda

Visit LancMOMS.comCheck out what other

Lancaster Moms (and Dads)are doing and saying.

Forums, blogs, questions, and answers

can be found at LancMoms.com.

Ten-year-old Alex Flaim, of Narvon, reacts to the lighting of the25-foot Douglas r in downtown Lancasters Penn Square latelast month. Its awesome, he said.

Photo: Andy Blackburn

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Lancaster, Pa VISIT LANCMOMS.COM DECEMBER 8, 2012 3

Holly Cummings remembers itlike it was yesterday. She was about20 years old and her boyfriend, RobCummings was getting ready to goto basic training for two weeks. Thetwo met at Lancaster General Hospital

ursing School and had been datingfor about a year. They were veryclose. It was the rst time the two

ere separated and Holly didnt knowhow she would survive. She curled upin a little ball and cried her eyes outfor those two weeks.

Looking back, Holly can say thosehorrible two weeks early in theirrelationship were just a tiny hint of

hat was to come later during theirmarriage.

Rob and Holly married the nextyear and today, almost 15 years laterhave ve children: Gabrielle, 12;Max, 11; Addison, 5; Bethany, 3; andJuliette, 17 months.

During his time in the military, Robhas been away a total of about sevenyears during their 15-year marriage.And though as of last May he hasretired and is home permanently, itis not easy. Rob suffered a traumaticbrain injury while serving in Iraq.

He also suffers from Post-TraumaticStress Disorder. Additionally, some ofthe Cummings children have recentlybeen diagnosed with special needs. As

Holly puts it, Its been a wild ride.When Holly looks back at that

20-year-old girl who fell apart whenher boyfriend was away at basictraining, she doesnt understand howshe is able to handle everything shedoes now: taking care of her children,her husband, and trying to reconnectthem all.

Its been a tough transition, shesays. I cant truly understand what a

ounded warrior is going through. AllI can do is listen. I dont know. I justdo it.

And she does it so well that she wasasked to be The Family ReadinessGroup Leader to assist other militaryfamilies in her area. Also, in January,Holly plans to go back to school tolearn how to be a Special EducationAdvocate for other military families.Shes already learned so much trying

to navigate the system for her ownchildren and she wants to be bettertrained to help others.

For all Holly has had to endure, shedoesnt want anyone feeling sorry forher. She grew up the oldest of threechildren and with many cousins. Shealso comes from a military familybackground and always wanted alarge family. She says, I signed upfor this.

Holly is also quick to point out allthe community help she receives. Inaddition to her own family, there is thecouple that comes regularly to do heryard work, the Lititz Ladies Auxiliarywho provides meals, and there werethe students from Lancaster BibleCollege who spent a day rakingand playing with her children in theleaves.

Island Lake Camp has also providedher children with no or very low costtime at their camp in Starruca, PA.There have been so many wonderfulpeople who have helped us, she said.

Right now the Cummings familyis working on becoming just that:a family. Holly says, Its beengreat having Rob home. Hes a bighelp and hes awesome. But Hollyunderstands how it can be a littleawkward for everyone. She explainsto him light heartedly, Imagine whatit would have been like for me andthe kids to suddenly show up in Iraqto help you do your job! To further

help in transitioning, the family took atrip to Disney World together and hada wonderful time regrouping. Hollysays, You cant go wrong in DisneyLand!

Holly was nominated to be Mom ofthe Month by the Ladies Auxiliary tothe VFW Post 1463 in Lititz.

Bonnie Tedrow of the Auxiliarysaid, In spite of a situation that wouldtax most of us, Holly is a cheerful,

upbeat, happy woman who alwayscounts her blessings and looks to thegood in anything. We are in awe ofHollys perseverance and her joy inlife and we believe Lancaster Countyneeds to know of her and the manymilitary moms whose sacrices gounnoticed.

~ Maureen Leader

Special Features Writer

Mom of the Month~ Holly Cummings

Holly Cummings with her children, front from left, Addison, 5; Juliette, 17

months; and Bethany, 3. In back are Gabrielle, 12, and Maximus, 11.Photo/Jeff Ruppenthal

Mom of the Month sponsors on page 4

Mom fast factsHolly and Rob Cummings will celebrate

their 15th wedding anniversary onFebruary 15th.

The bulk of Hollys days revolve aroundher familys needs. However, she does

try to do something for herself every daywhether it is reading or simply takinga shower. Alone! Alone being the keyword!

Holly grew up in Philadelphia.Holly likes to scrapbook but admits

she is a little behind in it. She gures shewill have plenty of time later when all ofher children are in school. They are notalways going to be this little.

Holly tries to volunteer at her childrensschool whenever she can.

Holly praises her daughter, Gabriellefor being a big help to her while Rob wasgone.

She says, Everything happens for areason. Count your blessings. Theresalways someone who has it worse.

A special treat for Holly is a bowl ofcherry vanilla ice cream. That just seemsto make everything seem better, she says.

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While pets can add much to youand your familys life, the holidayseason may not be the best time toadd one.

Many people consider pets greatholiday gifts. But in spite of theirpopularity as presents, pets do notalways make the most appropriateholiday gift.

Giving a pet as a present seemslike a great idea, but shoppers might

ant to give it more consideration

before giving a gift that is such aconsiderable responsibility. A puppyat Christmas or a bunny at Eastermay be given with good intentions,but that well-meaning sentiment caneasily backre, ending with the petbeing given up for adoption whenrecipients dont feel up to the task ofraising a pet. In such instances, thecompanion animal pays the steepestprice.

Though it often is, buying a petshould not be an impulse purchase.You see sad eyes looking back atyou from behind a cage door and

ant to give that animal a newhome. However, introducing ananimal into a family is not a decisionto take lightly. You must factor how

ell the pet will t in with the familydynamic.

Do schedules allow for qualitytime spent with the animal? Is it a

nancially good time to care for an

animal that will cost money? Areyou aware of how long the pet willlive? Making those big decisionsfor a person on the receiving end ofyour well-intentioned gift may be

crossing a line. Would you want tohave such a life-changing decisionmade for you?

Furthermore, the holiday seasonis not one ideally suited for makingcareful decisions. People are oftenswept up in emotions and evenstress, and shoppers may not bethinking rationally.

The hectic nature of the holidayseason can be a difcult time for apet to grow acclimated to its newenvironment. He or she may befrightened or take longer to settle

down. Pets often need severalweeks of quiet and constant care to

become comfortable in their newenvironments.Here are some other reasons why

the holidays may not be a good timefor new pets.

* Holiday visitors may frighten thenew pet and he or she may becomeweary of strangers at the outset.

* The activities in the householdmay pose safety hazards for the

young animal. An abundance of richfoods and various decorations couldbe ingested, potentially causingillness.

* New pets should be carefullysupervised around children to seehow they behave. A child may notbe accustomed to handling a puppyor kitten and could injure the animal.Similarly, the pet may be skittish and

lash out at the child. Adults busywith holiday obligations may beeasily distracted and miss how theirchild is interacting with the new pet.

* Once the glow of theholidays wear off, children maybe disillusioned with the newresponsibility that has fallen intotheir hands. They may not like theresponsibility that comes with beinga good pet owner.

Reputable pet breeders and animalshelters often discourage individualsfrom adopting or purchasing pets asholiday gifts. Many organizationsand animal businesses require acareful vetting of potential petparents to ensure the animal will beplaced with a family and in a homethat is suitable.

Animal welfare groups warn

that an estimated 50 percent of petsadopted during the holidays end

up right back at shelters. This canscar the pet. Avoid the temptationof giving a companion animal as apresent.

If it is your intention to gift ananimal, talk to the gift recipientand discuss the pros and consbeforehand. Then you can worktogether and make the right decisionfor all parties involved, including the

pet.

Online shopping has expandedconsiderably in the last severalyears.

Although Black Friday and itsonline counterpart, Cyber Monday,may seem like the best times to gainthe lowest prices on merchandise,it actually could pay to wait alittle longer. So, if you missed thebargains a few weeks ago, do notdespair.

Merchants may offer deepdiscounts on premium items thathavent moved during the last days

of the holiday shopping season,typically between Dec. 21 and 24.This includes big-ticket products,

such as ne jewelry, furniture andtelevisions.

It is possible to take advantage ofdeep price cuts the closer you get toChristmas Day. Keep in mind thatyou may have to pay a premium forgetting those gifts delivered on time,which could offset the savings.

Therefore, it might be a wiseidea to present gift recipients with aphoto of what they will be gettingfor the holidays and deliver the itema day or two later.

Include a dozen or two

homemade cookies with the phototo making waiting easier!

Think twice before givingpets as holiday gifts

Did you know?Online shopping

People have been ringing in thenew year for centuries. It is believedthat celebrating the new year datesback to the ancient Babylonians,

ho celebrated for 11 days withfestivals and other fanfare. Today,many revelers celebrate for just afew hours.

New York City, Disney World

in Florida and Las Vegas areamong the premier New Years

Eve destinations. New York is bestknown for its world-renownedTimes Square celebration in theheart of Manhattan. Millions ofpeople tune into the broadcast thatshowcases the ball drop duringthe countdown to the new year.The tradition of the ball drop maynow belong to New York City, but

it originated at Englands RoyalObservatory at Greenwich in 1833.

Inviting good luck for theupcoming year is often acomponent of New Years Evecelebrations. Some people engagein superstitious activities like eating12 pieces of a certain food orwearing red, a color that is supposedto invoke good luck. The Englishlook to the rst-footer, or the rst

person to step foot into their house,to tell them how next years luckwill be.

Lancaster Pa VISIT LANCMOMS COM DECEMBER 8 2012 5


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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!

www.livesinbalancegym.com

(All Ages!)

Tumbling Classes

Exercise Classes for Adults

315C Carol Lynn DriveWillow Street, PA

400 College Ave.,

Lancaster717.291.3941www.northmuseum.org

2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteriesplanetarium show exploring the Mayan

doomsday prediction. Limited showing!

Visit the Museum Store for all your

holiday shopping.

Join us over the holiday break -

open Dec. 24, 26-31

As the youngest of our threechildren completes collegeapplications and navigates the peaksand valleys of her senior year inhigh school, there are many thingsswirling around in this mothersheart and brain. Its a mixed bag ofreection points:

Im sure it was just yesterday thate brought her home to her big

brother and sister, wasnt it?

Who will she be a year fromnow? Five years? Ten years?

Have we done our best to nurtureher individual talents and strengthsso she can bring about real positivechange in her world?

What quality do I most hope tosee in my children?

These questions arent new forme, as I asked the same ones whenpreparing to send her siblings off to

college. The long list of attributesthat I hope my children possess isntnecessary here, so Id like to focusin on the one quality of characterthat I think is vital to leading ameaningful life. There are alsolots of folks who believe that thisvery trait is the basis for affectingpositive change and promotingcivility.

Empathy ...Walk in my shoes.

See it from my vantage point.Notice when I am hurting.Respond when I have a need.Rejoice with me when I

experience successes.See me as a unique individual

with an intricate and compellingstory.

There are lots of things we justdont have control over, but asparents, we can play a major role

in developing empathy in our kids.This is one of those lessons thatwe must model, and it starts withhow we treat our own little ones.So treating your child with respectand love is step one. Teaching himto name and regulate his emotionsis next and takes about eighteenyears!

A child who can recognize herown emotions grows into a woman

who can read and respond to thefeelings and needs of others. Thenatural outcome of this awarenessand sensitivity is becoming a personwho understands that his actionsaffect those in his orbit and beyond.

In order to develop a desire tohelp others who are hurting and/or in need of physical and materialhelp, its not enough to simplyhave an awareness of the need, youneed to KNOW people in difcult

situations. This requires goingoutside of your comfort zone. Itinvolves giving of yourself and yourtime. It can mean setting aside someof your income to bring about goodthings for others.

You see glimpses of empathywhen your little one offers you herpacier or blankie when you are sador tired. Empathy is exhibited whenhe comforts a little buddy who

plunks down on the playground.In junior high it surfaces when abystander turns into a championwhen a classmate is being bullied.The expression of empathy hasplayed out in different ways in allthree of our kids, as it should sincethey are all unique!

For three years during college,our son spent a few hours everyother week as a Big to his Little

Brother. Kyliek doesnt have adad, but for those three years hehad a Big Brother. They shothoops, visited the zoo (the bigdraw there was the cotton candy!),went bowling, munched on pizza,worked on homework, madeplans and followed through withthem. On the ip side, Sam hadthe privilege of seeing the worldthrough a 6- to 9-year-olds eyesand experiencing a tiny bit of

what a child needs to thrive. Healso developed great respect forhisLittles mom, who is doing atremendous job raising three kids onher own.

In a very different scenario,our college sophomore had acommunity service aspect to herLanguage Abroad experience inFreiburg, Germany. There are alot of destitute communities right

outside the city, Elise says. Therewas a park where homeless peoplewould hang out, and once a weekmy class went there to play soccerand get people in the communityinvolved.

The experience, she says, wasunforgettable. We got to interactwith people who didnt have theopportunity to have fun in theirweek. The soccer games allowed

them to have an outlet in their lifeand interact with other people whonormally would overlook them.

Our youngest, still in the nestuntil fall, just returned froman extremely stretching andgrowing experience. Alongwith 20 classmates, Julia spentThanksgiving week in a very hotand buggy destination teachingEnglish to 1st through 5th graders,

playing games at recess andsleeping with (or being wokenup by!) the roosters. It has mademe even more thankful for thingswe take for granted here: theeducational system; our talentedteachers; running drinkable water;hot showers; paved roads; andscreens on the windows to namea few. She adds that witnessingfamilies scurrying back and forth

across the border between theDR and Haiti, simply to get basicprovisions, was very sobering anddisconcerting.

Move out of your comfort zoneand out of the box. It turns intoa give-give situation doesntit usually pan out that way?Intentionally developing yourchilds capacity for empathy movesone more person into the category

of becoming an agent of change inour world.

Kirsten Freitag Murray,Strengthening Families Program:For Parents and Youth 10-14Facilitator and Trainer(Iowa State),is a contributor to the LancMoms.com Ask an Expert feature.

Walk in my shoes ...Developing empathy

Simplify gift giving

Ask anExpert

Kirsten Freitag Murray

(BPT) Overwhelmed by yourholiday shopping list and shorton time? Here are a few tips tocut costs, stay organized, and stillbuy presents that your friends andfamily will love.

1. Stick to a budget. Arrive at the

dollar amount you feel comfortablespending and stick with it.

2. Be prepared with back-up giftcards.

3. Bake simple homemade treats.Show off your culinary skills with

some heart-healthy oatmeal cookies

or your delectable apple pie.4. Give to a worthwhile cause.

Make a donation in the name of thatfriend or family member who haseverything.

Follow these tips for stressfree

holiday giving.

6 DECEMBER 8 2012 VISIT LANCMOMS COM Lancaster Pa


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Musicians entertain the crowd gathered for annual Tuba Christmas and tree-lighting fesivities indowntown Lancaster late last month. Andy Blackburn photo

adie Main, above, looks on as brother Gunnar Main tells Santa Claus what he would like for Christmasuring a breakfast held Dec. 1 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square and hosted by the Mayorsfce of Special Events. Vinny Tennis photo

Derek Weber, 2 1/2, and mom Michelle Weber, of Denver, watch theholiday train display at Garden Spot Village in New Holland. Theexhibit is open to the public 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec.29. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For information,call 355-6000, or visit gardenspotvillage.org.

Jeff Ruppenthal phot

At right: Fifteen-month-oldMalachi Petersheim, Gap,enjoys a cookie at Landis ValleyMuseum.

Jeff Ruppenthal photo

At left: Maddie Baker, 3,talks with Santa Claus at the

Lancaster Mariott at PennSquare on Dec. 1. A breafkasthosted by the Mayors Ofce ofSpecial Events gave children anopportunity to give Santa somelast-minute gift ideas.

Vinny Tennis photo



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By Rochelle A. ShenkSpecial Features Writer

Trains are part of the holidaytraditions of many families.For train lovers of all ages,Strasburg is the place to be.There, trains are both life-sizeand miniature.

The Strasburg Rail Road,hich celebrated the 175th

anniversary of its railroadcharter in 2007 and the 50thanniversary as a touristrailroad in 2008, offers ridesinto yesteryear on its coalburning steam trains. On itsourney to Paradise, the train

passes through the picturesquefarmland that showcases thecountys bounty.

For the holidays, The

Strasburg Railroad offersSantas Paradise Express. Thespecial seasonal train ridecontinues Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16.This holiday tradition providesa fun, relaxing atmosphere forfamilies as they travel on a45-minute ride in an authenticvintage steam train. Santa, hishelper, and musicians strollfrom car-to-car, greeting andentertaining children of all ages.

After the train ride, children aretreated to storybook readings ofholiday classics. Children ages3 to 11 also receive a gift from

Santa and his helper.For some people, the Santa

train is a family tradition; wehave some people who have

been doing the train for 30years. We want people to notonly visit the railroad, but toalso create memories, saysRic Gochenaur, one of the railroads events coordinators.

New this year, the Night

Before Christmas Train runs at7 p.m. on three Friday eveningsduring the holiday season. Itwill make its last run on Dec.14. Were always lookingfor something new, and thists well, comments eventscoordinator Kathy Gochenaur.

This train recreates theexcitement and anticipation ofChristmas Eve. A reader dressed

in a Victorian nightshirt andcap will read Clement ClarkeMoores classic poem, The

Night Before Christmas, aspassengers enjoy cookies andmilk as the train rolls along.In the spirit of the season, kidsmay come dressed in pajamas.This is an old-fashioned storyreading. Theres a reader inevery car, who will walk aroundand read to each child, Kathy

says.Ric adds that each car is

heated with an authentic coalstove and that adds to the

charm of the event. Weretaking a timeless poem from the

past and bringing it to StrasburgRail Road, where our trip toParadise is a journey into amore relaxed era, he says.

After the train ride, childrenare also treated to storybookreadings of holiday classicsaboard the caboose in the

station. Ric explains that thecaboose remains in the stationsince traditionally on most raillines, cabooses were on freightrather than passenger trains.Visitors of all ages can also

enjoy a ride aboard the TinselTrolley, a self-propelled motorcar.

Children may also bring alonga new pair of pjs to donateto Water Street Ministriesfamilies in need. Kathy notesthat just by attending the NightBefore Christmas Train, peoplewill help men, women andchildren who are in need in ourcommunity as $5 from everyticket will support the work ofWater Street Ministries.

Additionally the Rail Road isalso offering a Christmas Feastaboard the Dining Car duringthis event (for an additionalcharge). For further informationabout holiday activities at TheStrasburg Rail Road, pleasevisit www.strasburgrailroad.com.

* * *For those who enjoy

miniature trains, The Choo

Choo Barns Holiday display isa must see. Choo Choo Barn,

just a block away from theStrasburg Rail Road, celebratesthe season with an enhancedholiday display through Dec.

31. Look for 51 hidden Santasand watch as Santas sleigh iesabove the 1,700-square footmodel train display. Enjoy theholiday decorations throughoutthe display including holidaylights and the snow-coveredlandscape. Plus, take a closelook at the zoo animals inTraintown to see how theyregetting into the holiday spirit.

Just like people decoratetheir home for the Holidays, wedecorate the train display. Westart decorating the Tuesday

before Thanksgiving and haveeverything ready for BlackFriday. Last year was our 50thanniversary, so weve beenaround for 51 years; thats whywe have the 51 Santas.

Searching for the Santas isalso something fun for families

as they go through the display,

DAY TRIPPIN:

TRAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

--continued-on-page-7



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, S ,

Family gatherings are

synonymous with the holidayseason. Even those families whohave spread out far and wide oftenmanage to come together at leastonce at the end of the year.

When families include membersho dont live within driving

distance of one another, those whoarent hosting the holiday festivitiesmust plan an overnight stay.Lodging costs can be considerableduring the holiday season becausehotels can quickly ll to capacity.Holiday hosts who want to go theextra mile can invite guests to forgohotels and stay overnight at theirhomes, where guests can spendmore time with hosts and wonthave to worry about nding lodgingthey can afford.

Though its a nice gesture to

host overnight guests during theholiday season, its also one thatrequires a little work on the partof the hosts, who must take timeouf of the often hectic holiday

schedule to prepare their homes

for guests. The following are afew pointers for hosts who wantto ensure everything is ready andaccommodating for overnightguests.

* Take inventory of householdlinens. Depending on how manyguests youll be hosting, you mayneed to stock up on extra linens.If only one or two people willbe staying overnight, you shouldbe able to make due with whatyou have. However, if youll behosting a second family for theholidays, whether its one night ora full week, then you will likelyneed to buy more linens, includingbedding, pillows and blankets.Take inventory of what you haveand make sure you have adequatebedding for each guest, as wellas some extra bedding in case of

emergency.

* Discuss pet allergies. Holidayhosts who have pets shoulddiscuss pet allergies with potential

overnight guests well in advanceof the season. If guests are allergicto your pets, then it might notbe comfortable for them to stayovernight at your home. While mostfamilies would not want to sheltertheir pets on a holiday, doing so is

an option but one that may not evenbe worth it. Pet hair and danderaround the house might be enoughto trigger an allergic attack evenwhen the pet isnt in or around the

home, so sheltering the pet may notbe a solution after all. Discuss thisissue with prospective guests well inadvance of the season so they havetime to nd affordable lodging inthe event that any of them do have apet allergy.

* Stock up on toiletries. Toiletriesare bound to run out if yourehosting guests for the holidays.Before guests arrive, stock up

on these items, including toiletand facial tissue, hand soap, bathsoap, shampoo and conditioner,toothpaste and extra toothbrushes incase guests forgot to pack their own.These items have no expirationdate, so even if you end up buying

more than you need you can alwaysuse them down the road whenguests have long since returnedhome.- continued from page 8

Millions of greeting cards aresent out each holiday season.Estimates suggest that 85 percentof the United States population, orroughly 250 million people, mailsout greeting cards. That adds upto billions of cards going throughthe postal system -- and all in arelatively short period of time.

Men and women who hope tosend holiday greeting cards mustpurchase, prepare and mail the cardsearly enough so they are receivedprior to the holiday. It is never

too early to begin greeting cardpreparation and assembly.

The majority of cards are boughtin boxed packages or groupings ofphoto cards. Gone are the days ofhand-picking individual greetingcards for every recipient. This trendtoward general-theme cards hasstreamlined the process and canhelp senders start their tasks earlierthan ever before. Some people liketo take advantage of post-holidaysales to stock up on greeting cardsfor the following year at a deep

discount. This means they can writethe cards out at their leisure and thensimply toss them into the mailbox atthe appropriate time.

Much in the way people begintheir holiday shopping or decoratingright after the Thanksgiving turkeyleftovers have been stored away,a good majority of people alsobegin their greeting card writingafter Thanksgiving as well. Thosewho want their cards to arriverst will mail them within a fewdays of Thanksgiving. When sent

domestically, it is safe to assumethat cards mailed out up to 2 weeksbefore Christmas will arrive ontime. After that point, you may berisking lateness, particularly forrural delivery addresses unless cardsare sent priority. For those whoneed to mail cards internationally,sticking close to the end ofNovember will ensure they arrive ina timely manner.

People who want to makea statement and not have theirgreeting cards get lost in the crowd

may intentionally mail them lateand lean toward wishing health andprosperity for the new year, ratherthan sending a card tied to a specicholiday. This gives extra time formailing and will set cards apartfrom the many others.

Photo cards have grown inpopularity, and people interested inhaving a professional photographershoot their holiday card photoswould be wise to make anappointment as early as possible.Popular photographers often start

holiday photo shoots in October.Keep in mind that the photographscan take a while to be processedand arrive. For those who are onborrowed time, taking a photowith a personal camera and havingprints made up at a pharmacyor retail store can save time. It isunlikely that professional photostaken in December can be printedand mailed and still arrive on time.Also, be sure to heed copyright lawsconcerning photographs. It maybe illegal to scan an image from a

photographer or photo studio andhave prints made without writtenpermission.

Postage is another thing thatwill have to be considered whenmailing out cards. While manycards fall under the weight and sizelimits of a regular rst class postage

stamp, unusually shaped envelopesor heavy greeting cards may costmore. Rather than have them

returned, it is a good idea to have atleast one card weighed at the postofce to ensure the right amount ofpostage is afxed. Some cards willbe packaged with envelopes thatstate Additional postage may berequired right on the box.

Greeting cards are an important

component of the holiday season.Ensuring they arrive on timerequires planning and sending

Preparing forholiday guests

Tips for getting greeting cards out on time



9/12

Holiday decorating is a big partof the holiday season. Bins aretaken out of the attic or garage, anddecorations are once again giventheir opportunity to shine for several

eeks before being packed awayagain.

Among the many decorationsfamilies use to deck the halls areornaments that were made by hand.This year creating homemadeornaments can be a crafty projectthat helps families make newholiday memories.

Christmas tree ornaments comein all shapes and sizes and oftentell the stories of holiday traditions.There are several different ways tocreate personalized, do-it-yourselfornaments and leave the cheap,easily broken ornaments behind.

Photo ornamentsFun photo ornaments showcase

how a family has changed andgrown over the years. Experimentwith different ways to create theseornaments. You can glue a phototo a ceramic ornament and coverit with decoupage glaze to setit permanently. Try purchasingclear, glass ornaments, thenremove the top of the ornament,

which is usually spring-loaded,before slipping a photo inside andreplacing the top. You also canlaminate a photo, punch a hole inthe top and afx a ribbon.

Ceramic ornamentsThe popularity of paint-it-

yourself pottery has led to anincrease in ceramic and craftsshops across the country. Duringthe holiday season such shops offer

many holiday items that can bepainted. Often the store will thenre the pieces after they are paintedso that they are shiny and hardenedfor display.

Those who want to do theirpainting at home can visit their localcraft or hobby shop, where typicallythere are unnished ceramicornaments that can be painted withacrylic paints found right in the next

aisle. A nishing coat of clear glazewill help protect the ornamentsfrom year to year.

Wood craftsMany of todays craft centers

have expanded to include sectionsdevoted to unnished wood items.Everything from letters to animalcutouts to boxes and rocking horsescan be purchased and nished. Turnkeepsake boxes into painted and

ribbon-adorned gift boxes. Stain atreasure chest that can be used to

store reindeer snacks for Santascrew. Turn small decorative piecesinto ornaments for the tree. Paintand afx wood initials onto stockingholders to identify to whom eachstocking belongs. Crafty individualsalso can turn plain wood plaquesinto signs with fun sayings, such asPark your sleigh here.

Scavenge around the house

Young children can use any

medium for making ornaments.Garlands made of macaroni or

popcorn are traditional. Fabricscraps can be sewn and stuffedwith potpourri for homemade scentsatchels. Hand-drawn pictures canbe made and laminated and hung onthe tree.

The only obstacle with regardto DIY ornaments is a limitedimagination. Homemade items canadd whimsy and a personal touch tothe holiday season.

Few things are as eagerlyanticipated by children as birthdays,

holiday presents and, of course,snow days. When the meteorologistpredicts several inches of snow,most kids go to sleep to visionsof sledding, snowball ghts, andbuilding snow forts.

Should the school district closefor the day, cheers can be heardthroughout the neighborhood.

Although children may revel inthe idea of days off from school

due to snow, parents may not be asenthusiastic.Entertaining children when they

typically should be in class cantake creativity, especially when the

eather is inhospitable. To alleviatebouts of cabin fever or prevent casesof hypothermia, there are many funthings parents can consider. Anddont tell the children, but some areeducational, too.

* Put out bird seed or a suet blockand feed the neighborhood birds.Compare the different species that

come to grab an easy meal. Artistickids can sketch what they see when

looking out the window.

* Shovel a shallow path in thesnow around the yard to create asnow maze. Build snow blinds,behind which kids can hide.

* Gather winter nature items, likepine cones and icicles. Look forfrozen fossils.

* Brew a thermos full of hotchocolate and go sit out with theneighbors who are probably going abit stir crazy as well.

* Check in on elderly friendsand neighbors and offer to shoveltheir driveways and walkways, ifnecessary.

* Pretend you are on a North Poleexpedition and hike through the

neighborhood in a quest to reach thesummit of a mountain or to nd ahidden treasure.

* Use spray bottles or squirtbottles lled with water and food

coloring to draw masterpieces in thesnow.

* Gather a clean patch of snowand pour maple syrup onto it.Allow to harden and then enjoyhomemade maple candies.

* Explore and look for winterplants and other foliage that survivethe chill.

* Grab skates and head to an icerink or solid (and safe) pond.

* Decorate an outdoor tree withstreamers and popcorn garland.

* If its too chilly for a picnic inthe snow, place a blanket on thefamily room oor and enjoy anindoor picnic.

- continued on page 10

Make-your-ownholiday ornaments

Keep the kids busy withsnowy day activities



10/12

On Sunday, I worked in myofce on a column about NotreDames magical season whenWorld War III broke out.

The column would haveexplained how Notre Damefootball ranks as highly among IrishCatholics as any beliefs, valuesand traditions of the family culture.Watching games with my father,

uncles, brothers, sister, nephews,nieces, and cousins is a familytradition that Ive past on to mykids.

But as I typed, Maggies screamfrom our deck sent off red ags andvisions of a trip to the emergencyroom. My ofce beneath thekitchen sounded like a battlegroundas the ceiling shook from poundingfoot stomping and more chaoticscreaming.

It all started when Michael &Maggie, M&M, agreed to share

walking duties for Tanner, ownedby our neighbors away on a huntingtrip. Unlike Maggie, Michael isntfond of dogs but will play nice iftheres money to be made splittingwalking duties.

Michaels day started fantasticallywith an invite to Laser Quest withhis good buddy Logan. Like many9-year-olds, Mike ghts and delays

chores until hes commanded. So, Iwas prepared to play my trump cardNo Laser Quest if you dont getmoving.

But Michael put on his shoesand jacket and obediently headedto Tanners den on the frigid earlymorning. We watched through thewindow his attempt to collar Tanner

but the little butterball resisted andjumped free.

Its comical to watch Michaels

futility in hounding a hound. Itseven funnier knowing Tanner,

a crafty veteran, realized hedreversed roles and could dictatehuman behavior.

Mike reminded me of a NewYork City cab driver on a busystreet: bursting fast, stopping everycouple of feet while constantlyyelling. Tanner moved just in timeto thwart Michaels every advance.

Moments after I descended back

to my ofce, my Golden RetrieverSkittles realized Tanner was havingall the fun. Skittles and Michaelreside at the bottom of our familysfood chain and torment each otherwhenever possible.

Maggie opened the sliding glassdoor to offer Michael advice ontaming Tanner when Skittles bolted.Her screams served as cheers toSkittles, whose 40-yard dash endedwith a fantastic open-eld tackle of

both Michael and Tanner.M&M were furious, red-faced

and determined to make Skittlespay. Maggie wearing only socks ranafter Skittles who danced, jumpedand mocked his pursuers. My ofceceiling exploded again as my wifeJulie got involved, running to theglass doors to yell at Skittles whohad run 70 yards into the back eld.

I suggested she coax Skittleswith turkey leftover from the

Thanksgiving get-together withgrandma in Virginia Beach. Theboy cant resist dark poultry scraps.I returned to my ofce as Julieried through the refrigerator.

The quiet lasted about 15 minuteswhen M&M entered though thegarage with verbal pitchforks readyto lynch Skittles. Julie had evenwaved a rolled up newspaper at adeant Skittles who led them on achase involving a third dog.

I opened the ofce door Skittles ran under my desk for

cover and found that Julie hadattempted to entice Skittles withleftover pizza. Big mistake, I said,You gotta use turkey!

I couldnt FIND the turkey, shescoffed.

Things nally calmed down.Mike went to laser tag andMaggie complained that my carsmelled when we drove to her 1

p.m. basketball game at LancasterCatholic.I didnt smell a thing until the

ride home and suggested Maggieought to shower immediately. Onceat home I reached in the backseatfor the jacket I wore while runningSkittle at the park a few day before.

Thats when I discovered thesource of the smell. Inside the

pouch of my blue pullover was abag of warm, pungent, leftover,

Thanksgiving turkey.

Holding down the fort

Discover SantasSecret Garden

Preparing for holiday guests

Snowy day activities

Whos the turkey?

Lanc

DadPatrick Burns

Special Features Write

By Rochelle A. ShenkSpecial Features Writer

Hershey Gardens hasintroduced a new family event,Santas Secret Garden, forthe holiday season. An arrayof childrens activities willlink a traditional Christmascelebration with a message thatshares the importance of takingcare of each other and the greenearth. Santas Secret Garden

ill be held Dec. 8, 14 and 15from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

During this event, familiesill be greeted by Santas elves

as they travel along a path oftwinkling lights to discoverSanta and his secret wintergarden. Visitors can exploreSantas Greenhouse, wheretheyll see some of the plantsthat Santa and Mrs. Clauscultivate during the winterseason. Plants include oweringkale, cabbage, and perennials,such as ever reen Christmas

ferns and wintergreen.The Gardens Education

Center has been transformedinto Santas Workshop wherechildren can create take-homecrafts, including reindeer food.Families can visit with Santaat the heart-shaped fountain inThe Childrens Garden, wherehe will present each child witha sapling Norway spruce treeto take home. Guests may alsovisit with Mrs. Claus, listen to

music and warm up by a re.Cookies and hot chocolate will

be available for purchase.The cost for Santas Secret

Garden is included in generaladmission; regular (ages 13 to61) at $10, seniors (ages 62 andolder) at $9, juniors (ages 3 to12) at $7, and children ages 2and younger are free.

For more information aboutHershey Gardens, visit www.HersheyGardens.org or call717-534-3492.

* Clear the house of clutter.Clutter can make a home seemeven more crowded when guestsare staying overnight. Cluttercan accumulate anywhere in thehouse, from bathrooms to a livingroom to the kitchen. When hostingguests for the holidays, you willneed all the space you can get, soclear the house of as much clutteras possible. Put all toys away andclear the common areas of itemslike shoes and clothing that canmake a space seem more cramped.

In addition, clear the dining roomtable of any items that arent neededat mealtime and choose festivecenterpieces that dont take upmuch space.

* Dont be caught off guardby a storm. If guests will bestaying multiple nights, its safe toassume everyone, hosts and guestsincluded, will want to get out of thehouse, be it to enjoy local holidaycelebrations or simply to avoidcabin fever by getting some freshair. But the holiday season gets itsfair share of inclement weather,

including snowstorms. Hostsshould not be caught off guard bya snowstorm, stocking up on itemslike a snow shovel, a snow blowerand salt or a de-icing product forwalkways and driveways before

guests arrive. This will ensureeveryone wont feel trapped insidethe house should a storm arriveunexpectedly.

Hosting guests for the holidaysis no small task. But hosts who

prepare in advance can ensureeveryone makes the most of theirtime together. HL12C766

- continued from page 8

* Rent a movie and cuddle on thecouch under blankets.

* Have a marathon video gamebattle.

* Put on some tunes and dancearound the house.

* Play a classic game, such asTwister or Monopoly.

* Take out modeling clay or

dough and create different playgures or ornaments.

* Whip up a hearty meal together,

giving kids free reign over theingredients.

* Play with toy trucks and cars inthe snow.

* Engage in a snowball ght.

* Find the tallest hill in the areaand test your bravery on a sled.

* Chase the dog around thebackyard. Dogs often like to play

in the snow, too. Throw snowballs(gently) for the dog to catch.

* Sit in sunny windows and read

books silently or to the group.

* Make sock puppets and put ona show.

* Catch up on beauty sleep bytaking a nap under a warm quilt.

* Bake a batch of brownies orcookies.

Snow days dont have to berestless mornings and afternoons

spent locked indoors. There aremany different and fun ways to passthe hours.



11/12

ACROSS

1. (K) Mix batter

5. (K) Type of tree

8. (K) ___-bodiedseaman

12. (K) Bugs Bunnyis one

13.A solid caustic

14.Glanceimpolitely

15. (K) Importanttheater sign

16.Chapter inhistory

17. (K) Supermanslady friend, Lois

18.Not straightfor-ward or candid

21.Equine vote?22.

(K) Like thedesert23.Angry and

impatient(2 words)

26. (K) Barnyardbiddy

27.Hairy Himalayan30.Chills and fever31. (K) Cookie

container32. (K) Present

33. (K) Bambismom

34.Completed35.Like mosquitoes

36. (K) Acrobatssafeguard

37.Hitchhikingseed

38.What a straightline goes from(3 words)

44.Countrybumpkin

45.Be faulty?46. (K) It can be

good, bad orbright

47.With a cast ofthousands

48. (K) Train for amarathon

49.Chowderchoice

50. (K) January 2,for one

51.Envision

52.All dried up

DOWN

1. (K) Building fortools

2. (K) Cab

3.Tennesseestate flower

4.Entourage

5.Sorrowful poem

6.Guitars early

relative7.Take a longroute

8.Brass orbronze, e.g.

9. (K) Boyfriend10. (K) Word with

telephoto orzoom

11. (K) ... ___ he

rode out ofsight ...

19. (K)Short sleep20.Ode on a

Grecian ___

23.Short-livedcraze

24. (K) Teamworkspoiler

25.With all ___

respect ...26. (K) Held for a

time27. (K) Affirm-

ative!28. (K) Noahs craft29. (K) Door

unlocker31.Nerves

32.Battlefieldbravery

34. (K) Fox home

35. (K) Young seal36. (K) Sister of

a nephew37.Wind-___

(carried by abreeze)

38.Butterfly stage39.

Sad item, forshort40. (K) Not false41. (K) Not in

operation42. (K) Close by

43. (K) Like abroken horse

44. (K) ValentinesDay color

Created by Timothy E. Parker February 13, 2012

The (K) Clues are for Kids

2012 Universal Uclick

www.universaluclick.com

Can you find the answer to this

riddle within the solved puzzle?

Get it all together?

1-A)Stir

Riddleanswer:

PUZZLE ANSWERS

DR. PIA FENIMORE

Pediatrician withLancaster Pediatrics.Pediatric Health

KIRSTEN FREITAG-MURRAY

Strengthening FamiliesProgram: For Parents andYouth 10-14 Facilitator and

Trainer (Iowa State)

Social, relational and/orbehavioral issues

DR. MARIA MELITON

Pediatric Dentist withM2 Dentistry forChildren & Teens, LLC.Pediatric Dental Health

MEGAN CONKLIN

Certified OrthopedicManual Therapist withHartz Physical Therapy.Fitness, injury preventionand rehabilitation

TERRY EVEARITT

Certified CollegePlanner withCollege FundingAdvisors, Inc.College financial planning,financial aid, and othercollege financing

JOHN HOLTZAPPLE

Safe Kids Certified CarSeat Technician withStadel Volvo.Proper car seat selection,installation andharness placement

.

. .

.

.

i i

.

li

.

Dr. Maria Meliton,QUESTION:My five-year-old still sucks her

thumb at night. Its not throughoutsleep; just when she has herblankie in-hand. Is it true that

thumb-sucking will lead to braces?Should we try to work towardsending it?

Megan Conklin,

QUESTION:My question is about menisci. Iveread that damage often occurswhen you go from squatting tostanding and the menisci dontmove back into place, resulting inbeing crushed. But why didnt theyget back to their proper places? Is

there something inherently wrongwith the knee joint that didnt allow

them to get back to place quicklyenough? Or is it just a freak thing?



12/12

Area artist creates agarden of family delights

By Rochelle A. Shenk

Special Features Writer

Many people know MaryBeth Shenk as one of theowners of Flowers by Paulette.She not only touches the livesof many people through thatavenue, but shes also an artist

ho uses her talents to create

unique pieces with a familyfocus.

One of the items shecreates is the family bouquet an original watercolorinterpretation of a family tree.Each person in the family treeis represented by a ower thatcoordinates with his or her birthmonth; for example, Decemberis holly, June is a rose, and May

is lily of the valley. The personsname is inscribed around theower, and date of birth mayalso be included.

The bouquet can be donein different shapes such asa heart or circle. She saysthat the circle gives the piecemore of a contemporary

look, while the heart lends acountry touch. This piececan commemorate weddings,anniversaries, birthdays or otherspecial occasions, and can beduplicated to present to otherfamily members as well.

A number of years ago mychildren gave me a book aboutthe meaning owers. That gaveme the idea to take it a stepfurther and create the familybouquet as a fun alternativeto the traditional family tree,Mary Beth explains.

Another family-centeredcreation is a customized babyplaque. It includes the babysname and birth informationsuch as date, weight, height andhospital where he or she wasborn. I also work in elementsthat are special to the familysuch as a depiction of theirhome or a special theme, shesays.

Mary Beth also is acalligrapher. She says thatcalligraphy is ideal forframeable items, such as poetry,quotes, certicates, awards,

titles on mattes,

family trees, andname plates.

Calligraphyadds a specialtouch to nearlyanything. Ivenot only doneinvitations andcerticates, butIve done thingssuch as a poem a

grandmother hadwritten for hergranddaughter ora favorite sayingthat someonewanted to presentas a gift, shecomments.

Mary Bethis working on achildrens book

based on a story sheused to tell to herchildren. The book

is tentatively entitled The PurpleKingdom.

Shes also a partner with artistSteve Wilson in MasterpieceMurals. Their 20-yearcollaboration has produced avariety of custom murals. Wedo a lot of murals for childrensrooms theyre often fun andplayful and depict an interest orhobby of the child. Irregardlessof where the mural will belocated, its a custom piece we work closely with the clientto create something to accenttheir area, she explains.

Adding that creative air canspice up home dcor or createa gift that will be treasuredand perhaps become a familykeepsake.

Documents

LancMoms - December 2012