January/February 2016

January/February 2016 • free
The Story
of Mr M…
Understanding
Asperger’s
‘Frosty Fun’
Places in
Northeast PA
nepafamily.com
10
Steps to Prevent
Teen Addiction
DISCUSSING
THE BIRDS
& THE BEES
1
DALL AS, PA
Martial arts students learn
self-defense skills, patience,
courtesy and respect -and build concentration,
courage and discipline.
Help your child
deal with bullying
by building their
mental strength and
confidence.
EXPERTS IN OFF-SEASON FUN!
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Party Options Include:
Gym Games, Inflatables/Bounce
House, Indoor or Outdoor
Paintball, Indoor Climbing Wall,
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at $99 and
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT!
THE 4TH MONTH IS FREE
5-8 pm on select Fridays
October-March
Pizza and theme activities
Ages 3-13
Quality Care by Trained Staff!
Hapkido Taekwondo Institute
Master Vince Sperduto – 7th Dan
210 Division Street, Kingston, PA 18704
570-287-4290 or 570-760-0077
Visit us online at
www.htkdi.com or email [email protected]
cONTAcT US!
2015 WINNER
(570) 333-4098 or w w w.camporchardhill.com
nepafamily.com
Januar y/Februar y 2016 • nepafamily.com
12 click it
Visit our website for our Private & Cyber School Directory
and follow our Facebook page for fun and frequent
giveaways.
14 the question every parent
dreads
When curiosity opens the doors for a discussion about
the birds & the bees.
8
5.
6.
ily
NEPA
NEPA Family Magazine
P.O. Box 2095
Kingston, PA 18704
phone: 570-714-2828
nepafamily.com
[email protected]
family
nepa
4.
family
family
NEPA
y
Inspiration for your little writer, ski-time savings, school
registration reminder AND brush up with Mr M during
Children’s Dental Health Month.
The Story of
Mr M…
Understanding
Asperger’s
amily
y
16buzzworthy
18 calendar of events
Don’t let the chilly temps prevent you from getting out to
these hot ‘happenings’.
21 steps to prevent teen addiction
A serious concern that requires compassion and
intervention.
23 frosty fun
For a frosty fun time, go frolic at one of
our winter directory destinations.
Publisher
Pamela J. Rogers
Calendar of Events Editor
Terri Yencha
Editor
Kimberley Kindler
Contributing Writers
Jeff Bearden
Angie DeMuro
Sales
Michelle McGrathFenstermacher
Terri Yencha
Published bi-monthly by Northeast Pennsylvania Family Magazine L.L.C.
Distribution
Brandy Lewis
Erin Rother
Graphic Design/Layout
Carol Scholl
Web Design
Alysia Clancy
Visit nepafamily.com to
sign up for our weekly
5 Things to Do This
Weekend e-mail.
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Facebook.
Subscriptions available.
Contact us at
[email protected]
Copyright 2016 by Northeast Pennsylvania Family Magazine, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission
is prohibited. NEPA Family Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers.
The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any
product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss,
expense or liability arising out of the publicationNEPA
of any advertisement.
Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
33
Lewith
&
Freeman
Real Estate, Inc.
Find a Home
for the Holidays.
• Residential Sales
• Buyer Home Search
• Residential Relocation
• MGE Mortgage
• Commercial Sales
• Templeton Abstract Services
• Residential & Land Development
• 6 Convenient Locations
Kingston:
570.288.9371
Shavertown: 570.696.3801
Mountain Top: 570.474.9801
Wilkes-Barre: 570.822.1160
Clarks Summit: 570.585.0600
Scranton:
570.207.6262
Drums:
570.788.1999
Hazle Twp:
570.501.7575
www.lewith-freeman.com
50
Celebrating
Years of
Opportunity
1965-2015
Luzerne County
Head Start, Inc.
Providing a quality education and social experience
for children prenatal to age 5 in Luzerne and
Wyoming Counties.
Nurturing Children and Strengthening Families
Enroll Today!
570-829-6231 • 800-551-5829
Like us on Facebook
www.lchs.hsweb.org
4
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
N
Call Anne for details on packages and offerings
or to schedule a studio tour. 570-430-5045
Cross Valley Center
667 N. River Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18705
www.artnvino.com
Looking to make
the best
educational
choice
Private School
Licensed by PA
Department
of Education
Offering instruction
in Pre-Kindergarten,
Kindergarten
and First Grade
For more information or to register, contact us at
[email protected]
or call the Admissions Office at 570-793-1725
502 South Mountain Blvd., Mt. Top
Enrollment is limited! Enroll today for the 2015-2016 School Year!
www.AnidemAcademy.com
CHACKO’S
Family
Family Bowling
Bowling Center
Center
570-208-2695
195 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA
PARTY LIKE
A PRESIDENT
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for your child?
Choose Pennsylvania’s
most experienced,
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Monday, February 15
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$8 per person includes 2 games, shoe
rental, 1 slice of pizza and a drink
CHACKO’S
Family Bowling Center
570-208-BOWL
Book a child’s bowling party
& present this ad the day of
the party to receive the
Birthday Child FREE!!!
Party must have at least 10 guests for coupon to be valid. Party
must be hosted no later than April 30, 2016. One per party
per visit. Not valid with any other coupons or offers. Chacko’s
reserves complete interpretation of this offer.
www.chackosfamilybowlingcenter.com
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
5
Now enrolling for the Spring semester.
Classes begin January 19!
Get Ready for Success!
Main Campus
1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke
You can still enroll for
college this Spring!
Day, Evening, Online
Classes available!
6
NEPA Family Magazine
APPLY NOW!
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Just Plain Crazy
• Face Painting
2015 WINNER
• Body Painting
• Temporary/Glitter Tattoos
• Henna Mehndi
• Zardosi (Glitter Mehndi)
• and more... for all your Special
Occasions, Private Parties,
Corporate and Public Events.
(570) 735-9004
www.justplaincrazyfaceart.com
OPEN HOUSE
Register for 2016-2017
January 19th and 21st
12:30-4:30 or
evenings by appointment
Call 570-675-1220
3200 Memorial Highway www.imbignowlearningcenter.com
• Our programs are approved by
• Full Day Kindergarten
• Kindergarten Extension Program PA Dept of Education and meet
or exceed the PA standards for
for Dallas AM and PM Students
• 3 and 5 Day AM or PM Preschool Early Childhood Education
• Extended Hours and AFTER
• 2 Day Nursery
CARE Available for All Students
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Where Will Your Children
Start Their Education?
• Academic curriculum approved by
PA Dept of Ed
• Foster creativity and imagination
• Encourage social skill development
• Interactive and structured classrooms
• Nurturing infant & toddler programs
• Hands on approach to learning
FREE REGISTRATION
75
$
value
with this coupon
Expires 2/29/16
Call 570-793-1725 to enroll!
www.BuildingBlocksLearningCenter.com
Hwy 315 Wilkes Barre • Mountain Top • Dallas
Programs: Infant, Toddlers, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten & School-Age
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
EOC
7
Our
Asperger’s
Story
Text and illustrations by Angie DeMuro
angiedemuro.com
P
rior to 2013, I had never heard of Asperger’s. I had
heard of autism, although my understanding of it was
very limited: Children who did not communicate and had
severe speech delays. That was my definition of autism.
My youngest son, Michael, was diagnosed with Asperger’s
syndrome when he was 4 ½ years old. Before that
Asperger’s wasn’t in my reality. And then, just like that, it
was all I thought about.
8
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Asperger’s syndrome (also known as Asperger’s Disorder) was first
described in the 1940s by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger, who
observed autism-like behaviors in boys who had normal intelligence
and language development. Asperger’s syndrome is often described
as “high-functioning autism”. Asperger’s Disorder was added to the
American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders (DSM-4) in 1994 as a separate disorder from
autism. What distinguished Asperger’s from autism are less severe
symptoms.
Our mantra has always
been “There is a solution
for everything”.
In 2013, the DSM-5 categorized Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s
Disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders with the
blanket diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Some of our first indicators were Michael’s motor skills delays. He
had trouble sitting unassisted, not crawling and then not walking. We
wouldn’t have been too alarmed had we not had two older children.
We also noticed some sensitivity, such as the sensation of brushing his
teeth and bright lights.
We took Michael to physical therapy during his first year, and that is
when we first began practicing yoga with him. Ever since then, yoga
has helped him physically as well as behaviorally.
Although Michael had motor delays, he began speaking at a very early
age. His speech was clear and it seemed as though there was very little
‘baby talk’. His vocabulary grew rapidly and he often sounded like a
little professor. We also noticed that he didn’t play with toys in the way
that a neurotypical child would. Michael would line small toys up, sort
them by color and create intricate patterns with them on the floor.
Michael started repeating, word for word, things that he saw or heard
when he was nervous. And he memorized with ease lists of bugs and
dinosaurs. He also had (and still has) a passion for books. When he
was very little his attention was drawn to the way the print appeared
on the page and he loved the pattern of words. Now his passion is for
reading those words and coming up with stories of his own.
On December 13, 2012, Michael began wearing a Superman t-shirt.
continued on page 10
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
9
We expose Michael to
lots of things to spark his
interest. We provide him
choices and eliminate
“NO” as an option. This has
opened the door to new
activities, foods and friends.
He has worn this very same style of Superman shirt every day since.
Now, there have been some pockets of compromise, such as on a
special occasion, he will agree to wear a dress shirt for a said amount of
time with the promise of changing back into the Superman shirt.
Our mantra has always been “There is a solution for everything”. We
have averted many meltdowns with this mantra along with his ‘deep
yoga breaths’. Now when he feels himself becoming frustrated, he will
go to these methods on his own, or I can gently remind him.
Soon after Michael was diagnosed, I attended a lecture in Phoenixville,
PA by Cathy Grayson, author of “Parenting Your Asperger Child”.
I spoke with her about parenting and homeschooling Michael. That
provided me a blueprint to work with and from there I’ve read several
books and educated myself on the subject of Asperger’s.
We have always been open with Michael about his diagnosis with
Asperger’s. We also read and talk about some famous and successful
people throughout history that have or had Asperger’s. This builds selfesteem and provides a positive view of Asperger’s.
as large as he needed. Sometimes our handwriting sessions took place
in the driveway with sidewalk chalk. We also began a music therapy
program which includes playing the piano, to strengthen his hands.
We work in small increments of time with a curriculum that covers a
spectrum of subjects, but that are based on Michael’s interests. We are
currently teaching first/second grade. Instead of having a TSS in our
classroom, we have Bigsley, our adopted puppy and therapy dog to-be.
We expose Michael to lots of things to spark his interest. We provide
him choices, and eliminate “NO” as an option. This has opened the
door to new activities, foods, and friends.
Michael is a very visual learner so I began creating small comic strips
(Social Strips) to teach him about social behavior and what to expect
at an event or special occasion. They help him feel comfortable and
lessen the anxiety of going to a new place. This led to my comic strip
“Life with Mr. M.” which is inspired by Michael and focuses on life
with Asperger’s. It’s a Peanuts meets Calvin and Hobbs with Asperger’s!
Mr. M. and Bernard the Fox (his TSS) will be joined with new
characters in 2016: Bigsley the therapy dog and his friends, Maeve and
Goby. Some are educational and some are just funny. These cartoons
are now published in several Autism/Asperger-focused magazines
and Michael reads each one before they are sent to the magazines for
publishing. If he likes it, then it’s a go.
By providing Michael the knowledge of what Asperger’s is, he is not
defined by the definition, but rather empowered by his unique way of
seeing and processing the world.
Angie DeMuro is a children’s book author, illustrator and cartoonist. Her
books and comics are inspired by her three
sons. Her comic strip “Life with Mr. M.”
and a tip on Asperger’s can often be found
on the Buzzworthy page in NEPA Family
Magazine. angiedemuro.com
We chose to homeschool because we felt it would be the best place
for him to thrive. And he has. At home he was free to write his letters
10
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Explore
the many Camps
available in Northeast Pa.
Check out the Camp Directory
in our upcoming March/April issue.
The
Moonwalk Guy Inc.
.
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.
Daycare Events
Family Picnics
Birthday Parties
Indoor Parties at
Wright Twp. Fire Dept
Table and Chair Rental
Corporate Events
Visit our Facebook
page for Winter
Specials
.. www.moonwalkguy.com
.
570 868 • 0 386
New Interactive Web Site
2015 WINNER
Voted Best
Private School
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
11
Click
it
2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR
Now enrolling
grades 1-5.
Visit nepafamily.com
for our Private
School Directory P RIVATE
S CHOOL
(inclusive of
DIRECTORY
Schools for
Special Needs
2016
and Cyber Schools).
Check out our upcoming
giveaways!
WIN a cute and colorful
circus puzzle from Alice
& Hamish
OPEN HOUSE
GLOBAL FAIR NIGHT
JAN. 28TH 6:30-8:00PM
• Innovative global curriculum
• Extended childcare hours
• Small class sizes
• Affordable payment options
Located on the lower level of 408 Wyoming Ave. in Kingston.
jennylynn.org • 570-762-2501
The 54-piece puzzle retails for
$20 (ages 5+).
We LOVE this cute
and funky mobile
boutique! Alice &
Hamish not only
provides a unique
shopping experience, they offer adorable children’s
clothing, toys and accessories. Find out where they
will be next at: facebook.com/aliceandhamish
Martial arts students learn
self-defense skills, patience,
courtesy and respect -and build concentration,
courage and discipline.
Help your child
deal with bullying
by building their
mental strength and
confidence.
For this fun giveaway, visit nepafamily.com
Entries will be accepted through January 31st.
WIN tickets to an upcoming
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Penguins game
You will have many chances to
win tickets to root on your favorite
hockey team. Follow us on
Facebook to get in on the action.
THE 4TH MONTH IS FREE
Hapkido Taekwondo Institute
12
Visit nepfamily.com to register for our weekly
5 Things to Do This Weekend email.
12
Sign up for 3 months
at $99 and
NEPA Family Magazine
Master Vince Sperduto – 7th Dan
210 Division Street, Kingston, PA 18704
570-287-4290 or 570-760-0077
Visit us online at
www.htkdi.com or email [email protected]
Januar y/Februar y 2016
The Conservatory
at Wilkes University
COURSE OFFERINGS INCLUDE:
Orchestral instruments
Piano
Voice
Guitar
Classical ballet
(offered by the Degnan Ballet Center)
Indian Classical Dance
Pilates
For more information or to register, call (570) 408-4426 or e-mail [email protected].
GREATER SCRANTON &
WILKES-BARRE FAMILY YMCAS
Where Families Grow Stronger Together!

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FREE PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS: Cardio Kids, Arts & Crafts, Child Watch,
Mighty Mite Sports, Archery, Flag Football, Floor Hockey and more!
UNLIMITED FITNESS CLASSES: BODYPUMP®, Yoga, Power Cycling, Water Aerobics,
Zumba, Kickboxing and so much more!
UNLIMITED ACCESS TO: State of the Art Wellness Centers, Pools, Gymnasiums and
more!
CHILD CARE: Our Early Learning Programs serve infants through youth entering
kindergarten! We also offer before and after school care programs and youth camps.
LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA: FREE program for cancer survivors. The program offers
people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and
social activities!
*Financial Assistance is available!
The Y. For a Better Us.
GS YMCA - www.greaterscrantonymca.org, (570) 342-8115; WB YMCA - www.wbymca.org, (570) 823-2191
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
13
The Question
Every Parent
Dreads
P
arents get basic pleasure from a child’s
inquisitive mind… Why is the sky blue?
Why do I have to eat vegetables? Then, the day
comes when your cute and innocent child asks
that inevitable question that every parent dreads,
“Mommy, what is sex?” Or – in the case of my
wife’s sister who was addicted to reruns of a 70’s
game shows as a child – “What is ‘whoopie’?
Every parent knows this question will one day
be asked. But, regardless of how many times we
prepare our response, it catches every parent offguard. Most parents stammer, stutter and start
to sweat. As their pulse quickens, they struggle
to find the right words to answer this daunting
question.
Every parent knows
this question will
one day be asked.
But, regardless of
how many times we
prepare our response,
it catches every
parent off-guard.
Never Wanted Your Kids to Know about Sex (But
Were Afraid They’d Ask), tells parents that by
neglecting to tell a child about their genitals, it
can give kids the idea that talking about your
private parts is taboo. He explains that it is
much better for their development to tell them
Children who have siblings of the opposite sex
the proper names of their body parts, instead of
can often have questions about body differences
at a very early age (“Why does he have some parts skirting the issue.
that I don’t I have?”). According to Dr. Mark
Is being direct the best way for your child?
Schuster, “Some parents teach their children the
Some children will take the information and
names of every body part except the genitals,
go on about their day; whereas others may be
skipping them, as if they don’t exist.” Schuster,
more inquisitive. For child under six years of
a pediatrician and coauthor of Everything You
What is the right way to approach this delicate
topic with your kids? Depending on the age
of your child, there can be different ways of
handling this.
14
NEPA Family Magazine
age, it is best to set them down in a quiet place
and tell them the truth, but do so vaguely and
in kid-friendly terms.
When the question of, “Where did I come
from” is asked, avoid using the age-old story
about being delivered by the Stork. Explain
it in a way that they can understand and that
makes sense. One example may be to explain
to them, “Mommy and Daddy love each other
and wanted to have a baby to show that love.
Daddy helped me make you, and I carried you
in my tummy until you were ready to come
out.” Many times, this will be all that is needed
to satisfy a young mind.
Children are exposed to more things on
television and online making them that much
more inquisitive about sex at an earlier age.
An older child requires more information to
satisfy their curiosity and deserves a less evasive
response. This is the point at which parents
need to instill and exemplify their family values
by explaining to their children the importance
of love and relationships and how sex then
follows.
During elementary school years, children have
started gathering some knowledge about sex
– whether it is through human interactions
Januar y/Februar y 2016
It’s best to provide
honest information
rather than children
deciding that they need to
‘experiment’ to find the answers.
on movies or television or by simply watching nature shows that have
scenes about mating. This is just a natural progression of growing up.
When the question arises, one of the best things that you can do is to
ask them how much they know and what questions they are wanting
answered. By finding this out, you then have some direction in which
the discussion should take. This information can also indicate if their
questions are actually easy and require an uncomplicated answer.
Without taking their lead, you may find yourself in an embarrassing
moment where you divulge more than what they are ready for.
The most important thing a parent needs to remember is to make “The
Talk” as comfortable as possible for both the child and the parent. There
will naturally be some moments of embarrassment, but try to minimize
those if possible. The next stage of your child’s life is when sex can be
the most confusing. It’s best that honest information is provided rather
than having children decide that ‘experimenting’ will provide them
the answers that are needed. Parents can more easily navigate these
turbulent waters when both parents are working together to fill in the
gaps while emphasizing that sex is a normal and healthy sign of showing
your love for someone. Although not always possible, it’s often easier
if the parents of the same sex as the child (mother/daughter or father/
son) takes the lead when explaining what actually occurs during the act
of having sex. However, don’t be surprised if your child knows more
than you hope that they do. That’s why it’s so important to begin these
discussions when children are young.
CHICCHICMARKET.COM
The parent of the opposite sex (mother/son or father/daughter) is
the parent who can often best teach their child the emotional side
of being in a relationship and how to respectfully treat their partner.
Children should be taught to understand that there is another side to
a relationship, other than the sexual side. Sex should only be a result of
love and should occur until both sides of the relationship are ready and
mature enough to handle any consequences.
The best way for a parent to be able to have these types of conversations
with their children is to develop a strong line of communication at
an early age. As a parent, encourage your children to talk to you at
any time, about anything. This way, the ‘dreaded sex talk’ will be less
awkward and provide one more opportunity for you to grow closer to
your child.
Jeff Bearden, known as “The Get Back on Your Feet Guy”, inspires today’s
youth to stand up to bullying, battle depression and live lives free of alcohol
and drugs through his motivational speaking. As a professional wrestler
for over 25 years, Bearden entertained audiences all over the world. His
message is as powerful as his seven-foot stature: no matter where you are in
your life and no matter what cards life has dealt, you can get back on your
feet and thrive.
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
15
WVIA Public Media Announces the PBS
Writers Contest
BUZZ
It’s time to sharpen those pencils for the annual
PBS Kids Writers Contest, designed to promote the
advancement of children’s literacy skills through
hands-on, active learning. The contest is open to
children in kindergarten, first, second and third
grades and encourages them to celebrate their creativity by writing and illustrating
their own stories. WVIA Public Media will be participating in this year’s statewide
contest with the four regional winners being submitted to WQED in Pittsburgh for
the State Contest. The contest will run from February 1st through March 31st. Visit
wvia.org for more information.
Worthy
12
BUZZ
Save on the Slopes
Adults… Save $5 on your next midweek lift ticket/trail
pass by visiting skipa.com/deals. The coupon
is accepted at more than 20 ski resorts. For
a listing of nearby resorts (plus other fun
winter time activities) check our Winter Fun
Directory on page 23.
grams
Children ages 4-8 with a daily
caloric intake of 1,600 calories
should consumer no more
than about 3 teaspoons
(12 grams) of sugar a day.
Worthy
Children ages 14-18 intake the
most sugar, averaging about
34.3 daily teaspoons… That
equates to an astounding
137.2 grams!
Source: American Heart Association
16
In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month
Increasing Awareness of Asperger’s
Northeast PA’s children’s author, illustrator and cartoonist Angela
DeMuro offers a new tip for parents and caregivers of those with Autism.
TIP #4 Sensory Sensitivity
Many children with Aspergers (High-Functioning Autism) have difficulty
processing everyday sensory information such as sounds, sights, smells and touch.
This is called “sensory sensitivity”. One common sensitivity can be the face and
mouth area, which can make teeth brushing an unpleasant task. One positive
factor is that most children with Asperger’s are very logical thinkers and this means
that they can understand what will happen if they don’t brush. Sometimes simply
explaining what can happen and giving a choice to your child is all that’s needed to
help them work through some sensory sensitivity.
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
The Jewish Community Center
of Scranton
Everyone is welcome!
THE NEW POOL AT THE JCC! SWIM LESSONS, EXERCISE CLASSES & RECREATION!
WELLNESS CENTER & CLASSES: 4,000 square feet of free weights, cardio and weight resistance machines. We
offer a wide range of yoga, Zumba, cardio and coming soon…PiYo!
EARLY LEARNING CENTER: Learn, swim & gym! Accredited pre-school & child care programs that encourage
natural learning from infant to 5 years old.
CANCER WELLNESS & EXERCISE CENTER: Subsidized program to help cancer patients and survivors continue a
lifestyle that fosters optimal health and wholeness.
JCC of Scranton
601 Jefferson Avenue Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 346-6595
www.scrantonjcc.org
Spend your day on the slopes and the night in bathing suits on our slides!
Split Rock offers a little something for everyone in your family.
you pick the package that’s right for you!
-Lift tickets to: Jack Frost or Big Boulder -H2OoooH! Indoor Waterpark Check out these other • Arcade & Bowling • Movie Theater
great amenities! • Spa Services • Lake View Tavern
SplitRockResort.com/Snow
800.255.7625
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
17
c
calendar of events
All events, dates and times are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm events.
Be sure to check our Calendar online at NEPAfamily.com for additional events!
All events, dates and times are subject
to change. Please call ahead to
confirm events. Be sure to check our
online calendar at nepafamily.com
for additional events.
To submit an event for our January/
February Calendar of events, please
enter event information online at
nepafamily.com (click on “Submit
Yours” at bottom right under Calendar)
by December 1 – or anytime to be
included in our online calendar.
ONGOING
SPORTS:
PENGUINS HOCKEY. Mohegan
Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre. Oct-March.
570-208-PENS or wbspenguins.com.
ARTS & CRAFTS:
KID’S CLINIC. Lowe’s Home
Improvement stores, Arena Hub
Plaza, Wilkes-Barre (570-822-7100),
Edwardsville (570-285-6000),
Viewmont Dr, Dickson City (570344-9200) and Weis Ln, Hazleton
(570-450-6801). Kids ages 7-11 can
create a wood project on second
Saturday of the month from 1011am. Free. Reservations required.
lowesbuildandgrow.com.
KID’S WORKSHOPS. Home
Depot, Spring St, Wilkes-Barre
(570-820-5901) or Commerce Blvd,
Dickson City (570-346-3471). Free
how-to clinics for children ages 5-12
(accompanied by adult) on first
Saturday of each month from 9amNoon. workshops.homedepot.com/
workshops/kids-workshops.
MICHAELS KIDS CLUB.
Michael’s, Wilkes-Barre and Dickson
City. Every Saturday for $2 per child.
Sessions start every half hour from
10-11:30am. michaels.com.
STORYTIME EVENTS:
STORY TIME/READING CLUB
AT THE LIBRARY. Registration
required. Call your local library for
dates and registration.
STORY TIME. Barnes & Noble,
Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre.
18
Tuesdays at 10am and Thursdays at
6:30pm. 570-829-4210 or bn.com.
STORYTIME FOR CHILDREN.
The 21 Day Countdown.
Feb. 7
Barnes & Noble Wilkes/King’s College
Bookstore, 7 S Main St, Wilkes-Barre.
Every Saturday from 11am-noon.
570-208-4700.
JANUARY
9-16 Saturday-Saturday
PENNSYLVANIA FARM
SHOW. Farm Show Complex,
2300 N Cameron St, Harrisburg.
Largest national indoor agricultural
exposition. Admission free; parking
$15. farmshow.state.pa.us.
Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland
Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre. Join Mickey
Mouse, friends and princesses on
THE TORTOISE & THE HARE.
their adventures. Tickets start at $15.
Dundee Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci
Wednesday-Friday 7pm; Saturday
Pkwy, Hanover. Children (grades K-8)
11am, 3pm and 7pm; Sunday
will construct a maze and obstacle
Noon and 4pm; and Monday 1pm.
course for a Russian Tortoise and
mohegansunarenapa.com.
Dwarf Rabbit to explore. $20.
Register online. 12:30-3:30pm. 57015 Friday
735-5452 or dundeegardens.com.
10 Sunday
11 Monday
KID APPROVED PARENTS
NIGHT OUT. Camp Orchard Hill,
MMI VISITATION DAY. MMI Prep 640 Orange Rd, Dallas. Game room
School, 154 Centre St, Freeland. Meet and gym activities. 5-8pm (pizza
faculty/staff and tour campus. 6pm. included). $15/child or $10/child
RSVP. 570-636-1108 or mmiprep.org. for three or more children. Reserve
by noon. 5-8pm. 570-333-4098 or
camporchardhill.com.
12 Tuesday
READY, SET, HOME!. Pediatric
Associates, Tioga Ave, Kingston.
Expecting parents and new
caregivers can learn what to expect
with a newborn. 6:30-8pm. Free.
Registration required. 570-288-6543
ext 3 or kingstonpeds.com.
13 Wednesday
DANIEL TIGER’S
NEIGHBORHOOD. FM Kirby
Center, 71 Public Square, WilkesBarre. Interactive musical adventure
with Daniel and friends. 6:30pm.
570-826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.
13-17 Wednesday-Sunday
DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS
DARE TO DREAM. Mohegan Sun
NEPA Family Magazine
CHIC CHIC MARKETPLACE
TASTING POP-UP. Melt Hot
recreation and activities. 8:30am5:30pm. Registration required.
570-346-6545 or scrantonjcc.org.
ENTRANCE FEE-FREE DAY.
Steamtown National Historical Site,
Lackawanna and Cliff Ave, Scranton.
Entrance fee is waived on this day.
10am-4pm. 570-340-5200 or
nps.gov/stea.
19 Tuesday or Jan 21
Thursday
I’M BIG NOW OPEN HOUSE.
I’m Big Now Preschool/Kindergarten,
3200 Memorial Highway, Dallas. Tour
and registration. 12:30-4:30pm or
evenings by appointment. 570-6751220 or imbignowlearningcenter.com.
22-24 Friday-Sunday
Yoga, 16 Gateway Shopping Cntr,
THE WIZARD OF OZ, YOUNG
Edwardsville. Yoga and food samples. PERFORMERS EDITION. KISS
6:30-8:30pm. chicchicmarket.com.
Theatre, 400 East End Cntr, WilkesBarre. Performance by 8-13 year old
17 Sunday
cast. kisstheatre.org.
AT THE ROOT OF IT ALL. Dundee
NEPA HOME & GARDEN
Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci Pkwy,
Hanover. Children (grades K-8) will be SHOW. Mohegan Sun Arena at
construction a large “root view” farm Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd,
to watch the plants and roots grow. Wilkes-Barre. Home products and
services. mohegansunarenapa.com.
$20. Register online. 12:30-3:30pm.
570-735-5452 or dundeegardens.com. CHILDREN’S WINTER CAMP
WEEKEND. YMCA Camp Kresge,
18 Monday
White Haven. Stay in heated cabins
“SCHOOL’S OUT” MINI CAMP. and participate in indoor and
Scranton JCC, 601 Jefferson Ave,
outdoor camp activities. 570-970Scranton. Program for grades K-8 with 5052 or wbymca.org.
Januar y/Februar y 2016
23 Saturday
TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N.
FLICK & FLOAT. Greater Scranton Washington Ave, Scranton. Musical
YMCA, 706 N Blakely St, Dunmore.
parable. 8-10pm. 570-342-7784 or
Watch LEGO movie in pool area (bring scrantonculturalcenter.org.
inflatable; limited noodles and tubes).
Free to members; non-members pay a 5-7 Friday-Sunday
guest fee. 5-6:30 pm. 570-342-8115 or
WINTERFEST CAMP FOR
greaterscrantonymca.org.
24 Sunday
ELEMENTARY GRADES.
Camp Orchard Hill, Orange Rd,
Dallas. Outdoor and gym activities
BIRD FEEDER BUILD-IT. Dundee for grades 2-6. $135 per person.
Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci Pkwy,
Register online. 570-333-4098 or
Hanover. Children (grades K-8) will
camporchardhill.com.
make bird feeders with recycled
materials. $20. Register online.
6 Saturday
12:30-3:30pm. 570-735-5452 or
VALENTINE’S OPEN HOUSE
dundeegardens.com.
WORKSHOP. Waverly Community
House, 1115 N. Abington Rd,
28 Thursday
Waverly. Valentine crafts, games
JENNY LYNN OPEN HOUSE.
and cookie decorating for kids of
Jenny Lynn Elementary School,
all ages. $5 donation per family.
lower level of 408 Wyoming Ave,
10:30am-Noon. 570-586-8191 or
Kingston. Enrolling grades 1-5. 6:30- waverlycomm.org.
8pm. 570-762-2501 or jennylynn.org.
29-31 Friday-Sunday
THE WIZARD OF OZ, YOUNG
PERFORMERS EDITION. KISS
Theatre, 400 East End Cntr, WilkesBarre. Performance by 8-13 year old
cast. kisstheatre.org.
31 Sunday
THE ANTS GO MARCHING.
Dundee Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci
Pkwy, Hanover. Children (grades
K-8) will learn about ants and create
an ant habitat. $20. Register online.
12:30-3:30pm. 570-735-5452 or
dundeegardens.com.
FEBRUARY
5 Friday
BROADWAY THEATRE:
JOSEPH & THE AMAZING
7 Sunday
THE 21 DAY COUNTDOWN.
Dundee Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci
Pkwy, Hanover. Children (grades
K-8) can prepare chicken eggs
for incubation; chicks to arrive 21
days later. $20. Register online.
12:30-3:30pm. 570-735-5452 or
dundeegardens.com.
12-15 Friday-Monday
CLARKS SUMMIT FESTIVAL
OF ICE. Downtown Clarks Summit,
enjoy dancing, music, crafts and
refreshments with that special guy
(dad, uncle, grandpa, cousin). Register
by Feb 10. Family members free;
youth members $5/couple and nonmembers $10. 4-5:30pm. 570-3428115 or greaterscrantonymca.org.
14 Sunday
A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE. Dundee
Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci Pkwy,
Hanover. Children (grades K-8) will
learn the history behind Valentine’s
Day and make gifts. $20. Register
online. 12:30-3:30pm. 570-735-5452
or dundeegardens.com.
15 Monday
“SCHOOL’S OUT” MINI CAMP.
2pm & 7:30pm; and Sunday 2pm.
Scranton JCC, 601 Jefferson Ave,
Tickets start at $15; $10 kid seats.
Scranton. Program for grades K-8 with mohegansunarenapa.com.
recreation and activities. 8:30am20 Saturday
5:30pm. Registration required.
570-346-6545 or scrantonjcc.org.
FLICK & FLOAT. Greater Scranton
YMCA, 706 N Blakely St, Dunmore.
PARTY LIKE A PRESIDENT.
Chacko’s Family Bowling Center, 195 Watch “Enchanted” movie in pool
area (bring inflatable; limited
N Wilkes-Barre Blvd, Wilkes-Barre.
noodles and tubes). Free to
$8 per person includes 2 games,
members; non-members pay a guest
shoe rental, 1 slice of pizza and a
fee. 5-6:30 pm. 570-342-8115 or
drink. 11am-4pm. 570-208-2695 or
greaterscrantonymca.org.
chackosfamilybowlingcenter.com.
HENRY AND MUDGE. Scranton
19 Friday
Cultural Center, Shopland Hall, 420
ARE YOU MY MOTHER? FM
N. Washington Ave, Scranton. Show
Kirby Center, 71 Public Square,
11am; $8. Wiggles and Giggles Craft
Wilkes-Barre. School fieldtrip show
Workshop 10am; $5. Pre-register.
for kids in grades K-2. 10am.
570-344-1111 or sccmt.org.
570-826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.
304 S State St, Clarks Summit.
Characters, ice sculptures, live music, KID APPROVED PARENTS
parade and horse and carriage rides. NIGHT OUT. Camp Orchard Hill,
640 Orange Rd, Dallas. (See Jan 15)
Free admission. TheABPA.com.
13 Saturday
19-21 Friday-Sunday
KIDS SWEETHEART
VALENTINE DANCE. Greater
MONSTER JAM. Mohegan Sun
Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd,
Wilkes-Barre. Monster Jam trucks
in action. Friday 7:30pm; Saturday
Scranton YMCA, 706 N Blakely St,
Dunmore. Kids (ages 1-12) can
Daniel Tiger’s
Neighborhood
Jan. 13
Broadway Theatre:
Joseph & the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat
Feb. 5
21 Sunday
HORSING AROUND. Dundee
Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci Pkwy,
Hanover. Children (grades K-8) will
learn about horses and experience
leading, brushing, tacking and riding.
$20. Register online. 12:30-3:30pm.
570-735-5452 or dundeegardens.com.
26-27 Friday-Saturday
PIAA DISTRICT II HIGH
SCHOOL BASKETBALL
CHAMPIONSHIPS. Mohegan Sun
Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd, WilkesBarre. Prices and game schedule TBA.
mohegansunarenapa.com.
26-28 Friday-Sunday
SPACE PIRATES, A NEW
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL. KISS
Theatre, 400 East End Cntr, WilkesBarre. Performance by 4-8 year old
cast. kisstheatre.org.
28 Sunday
STARTING SEEDLINGS. Dundee
Gardens, 2407 Sans Souci Pkwy,
Hanover. Children (grades K-8) will
learn about seeds and plants and take
home a few planted seedlings. $20.
Register online.12:30-3:30pm. 570735-5452 or dundeegardens.com.
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
19
Holly Leandri-May, D.M.D.
Family Dentistry
Let us bring out the best in yours!
(570) 287-8950 19 Pierce Street Kingston, PA 18704
20
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Teen
Addiction
I
t’s a startling fact that the U.S.
spends over $74 billion on
criminal and court proceedings
for drug offenders, and only
$3.4 billion on treatment.
Worse yet, addiction is attacking our
future as it holds a firm grip on our
most impressionable generation:
teenagers. There are understandable
misconceptions about prevention and
treatment of teen addiction, but Drs.
Ronald and Cherie Santasiero – with more
than sixty years combined experience –
10 Things a Parent Can Do To
Prevent Addiction
1. Be supportive. This is especially true before a child has an
addiction problem. Try to support everything positive in your child’s life, such
as good grades, excelling at a sport or hobby, helping out a friend or relative
or anything else positive that he or she does. This reinforces the concept of
positive behaviors resulting in positive reinforcement. Do not rely on teachers,
friends or others to support your child’s good behavior. If your child becomes
addicted, be supportive of treatment. Make sure he or she knows you will be
there. Do not enable. Only reward sobriety (cell phones, cars, clothes, etc.)
until after rewards are earned.
2. Teach your child and demonstrate that
negative behaviors have consequences. It is the
parents that help instill a sense of what is right and wrong. Parents are the
most important authority figures. When wondering what to do when your
child is exhibiting a negative behavior, consider how your own parents would
have handled the situation. This may help you realize that you are not as strict
as your own parents once were. Being strict is not the same as being “mean.”
Do not rely on teachers or other authority figures to teach your child right
from wrong. Parents are the most important teachers in this respect.
have shared with us some helpful tips.
NEPA Family Magazine
Continued on page 22
Januar y/Februar y 2016
21
One of the biggest
mistakes of parents
is to assume that
your child “could
never” be involved
with drugs.
10 Things a Parent Can Do To
Prevent Addiction
Continued from page 21
3. Randomly drug test if you have any
suspicion of drug use. It is not mean to drug test an
addicted child. One of the biggest mistakes of parents is to assume that
your child “could never” be involved with drugs. Drug tests can be
bought at local pharmacies for a relatively small cost. If teens understand
from the time that they are younger that drug testing within the home
is normal (via proactive and honest conversations), they won’t flinch as
much when the time comes. If they express that drug testing shows you
don’t trust them, you should respond by explaining that trust is earned.
Many teens initially protest but if they realize that drug testing is the
way it is going to be, they will cooperate. This is a good way to catch
addiction at an early stage; it can also prevent it.
4. Educate yourself about the signs of drug
addiction. Make sure any unusual behavior in your child has
an explanation. You are the best observer of unusual behavior, not the
school, not your doctor and not other authority figures. If you are not
sure whether something is a sign of addiction, do a drug test.
5. Be involved with constructive activities.
Become involved in your children’s sports, hobbies, interests and school.
Reward the good behavior and teach the consequences of bad behavior.
It is easier and more enjoyable to be involved in sports and hobbies than
to be involved in lawyer visits, court dates and counseling.
6. Do not assume it could not happen to
your child. The disease of addiction cuts across all social and
economic levels, all races, all religions, and can happen in any family.
There are things you can do to lower the risk; however, since the
underlying problem in most cases is biochemical, you have to respect
that it can happen to anyone. Believing it cannot possibly happen in
your family could be your biggest delusion.
22
NEPA Family Magazine
7. Try to be a selfless parent. Good parenting is
selfless. It is a combination of rewarding good behavior, teaching the
consequences of bad behavior and being involved in your child’s life.
Being overprotective, overly punishing, too permissive or absent will get
you into trouble and increase the possibilities of a teen who is prone to
addiction.
8. Look for signs of abuse by friends or
relatives. If your child acts strange around a relative or friend, or
seems to not want to be around them, don’t overlook a possible abusive
situation. Just as addiction can be possible within your home, so can
abuse. Abuse is pervasive in our society at all levels. Often, the abuser
will threaten the child; therefore the child fears sharing with others
what’s occurring. To cope with the abuse, a child may turn to drugs or
alcohol.
9. Help build self-esteem in your child. Low
self-esteem and a biochemical propensity for addiction is a lethal
combination. Self-esteem issues are pervasive in addicted teenagers.
It is up to us as parents to find the good in our children and build on
that. Everyone has positive qualities and it is up to us to discover and
recognize them within our children.
10. Never take drugs with your child. Do not
believe that your child should be your friend in the same way you are
friends with people your age. It is true that sometimes a child can be like
a friend, but a teenager may misinterpret this. They might believe they
should be able to do whatever you do. If you use drugs with your child, it
can only lead to negative consequences and loss of respect for you. If they
become addicted (or become injured due to drug use) your child will
likely have issues of anger… and you will forever have feelings of guilt.
With extensive experience and education, Drs. Ron and Cherie Santasiero
have more than sixty combined years in medicine. Since 1995, Ron and
Cherie have been treating addicted teens and offering integrative care at
their practice, The Sedona Holistic Medical Centre. Authors of Addicted
Kids; Our Lost Generation: An Integrative Approach to Understanding and
Treating Addicted Teens, more information can be found on santasiero.com
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Get Out and Have Some
Frosty Fun
this Winter
Ski, Snowboard &
Snowtubing
Big Bear at Masthope Mountain
Lackawaxen, 570-226-8585
ski-bigbear.com
Blue Mountain
Palmerton, 610-826-7700
skibluemt.com
Indoor Ice Skating Rinks
Revolution Ice Centre
12 Old Boston Rd, Pittston
570-883-1100, revolutionicecentre.com
Camelback Mountain
Tannersville, 570-629-1661
skicamelback.com
Eagle Rock
Blue Mountains, near Hazleton, 570-3841522 or 570-384-6500 (snow report)
eaglerockresort.com
Elk Mountain
Union Dale, 570-679-4400
or 800-233-4131 (snow report)
elkskier.com
Toyota SportsPlex
38 Coal St, Wilkes-Barre
570-208-9471, toyotasportsplex.com
Winter Activities
at local State Parks
Frances Slocum State Park
565 Mount Olivet Rd, Wyoming
570-696-3525, dcnr.state.pa.us
Jack Frost / Big Boulder
Blakeslee, 570-443-8425
jfbb.com
Montage Mountain
Scranton, 570-969-7669 or 855-SKI-SWIM
montagemountainresorts.com
Shawnee Mountain
Shawnee on Delaware, 570-421-7231 or
800-233-4218 (snow report)
shawneemt.com
When conditions allow, ice skating and ice fishing
are permitted on the frozen lake; the campground
road and day-use areas are popular for crosscountry skiing; and a good slope for sledding is
west of the swimming pool.
Hickory Run State Park
1137 Honey Hole Rd, White Haven
570-443-0400, dcnr.state.pa.us
Thirteen miles of designated trails (marked with
blue blazes) available for cross-country skiing and
21 miles of designated trails (marked with orange
blazes) for snowmobiling. When conditions permit,
Sand Spring Lake is available for ice skating (ice
thickness is not monitored).
Lackawanna State Park
Dalton, 570-945-3239, dcnr.state.pa.us
The maintained ice skating area is in the cove just
south of the fishing pier. The ice is cleared and
depth is measured. Most of the Lake is open for ice
fishing, except for the ice skating area. Snow Shoes
available for loan.
NEPA Family Magazine
Januar y/Februar y 2016
Nescopeck State Park
570-403-2006, dcnr.state.pa.us
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted
on all trails throughout the park.
Ricketts Glen State Park
695 State Route 487, Benton
570-477-5675, dcnr.state.pa.us
When conditions permit, cross-country skiing is
available on hiking trails and many trails also allow
snowmobiles after the end of deer hunting.
Family Fun
Crystal Cabin Fever
Sculpted Ice Works, 311 Purdytown Turnpike,
Lakeville
570-226-6246, crystalcabinfever.com
A 50-foot dual-run ice slide, ice carving
demonstrations, interactive ice displays, and ice
carving competitions from February 5 to 28.
Ice Toboggan Slide
Route 42 at the top of the hill, Eagles Mere
570-525-3455, eaglesmeretobogganslide.com
Friday 6:30-9:30pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday
10am-6pm. Toboggan (five adults) $25 per hour
(2-run guarantee). No reservations.
Ice Fishing
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
570-477-2206, fishandboat.com
Free family ice fishing programs at various state
and local parks. No fishing license required and
all equipment and bait provided. Pre-registration
required and children need to be accompanied by a
parent or guardian. See website for scheduled events.
23
Register now...
for our visitation night and entrance exam
Visitation Night: 6 p.m., Jan. 11, 2016
Entrance Examination: 9 a.m., Jan. 30, 2016
MMI features faculty and staff dedicated to preparing students for college and
beyond. In addition to our classrooms, our campus includes a state-of-the-art library
and learning resource center, as well as dedicated athletic facilities for a variety of
indoor and outdoor sports. We invite you to tour MMI’s Freeland campus today!
Classes start in the 6th grade
11:1 average student-to-faculty ratio
Financial aid available to those who qualify
Educating area students for more than 135 years
Call today to schedule a tour, RSVP for
visitation night or to schedule your child
to take the entrance exam.
www.mmiprep.org
570-636-1108
grades 6-12