WNC Parent - November 2008

W N C P A R E N T P R E S E N T S W N C M O M . C O M , T H E P L A C E W H E R E L O C A L M O M S C O N N E C T 1

c o n t e n t s

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERRandy Hammer

WNC PARENT EDITORNancy Sluder

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SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS EDITORPolly McDaniel

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STAFF WRITERBarbara Blake

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ADVERTISINGMiranda Weerheim - 232-5980

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Gayle Smith - 232-5886 [email protected]

WNC PARENT DESIGNERKatie Wadington

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2 W N C P A R E N T | N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

When I think of Thanksgiving, there is always a quickassociation to certain foods. For example, Thanksgiving inmy family simply wouldnt be right without Aunt Carolsyams or Aunt Margies stuffing. These traditions have beenin place for many years, and on Nov. 27 of this year, Illdoubtless be enjoying them once again. I have in the pastfew years begun teaching my daughters how to make theyams and a traditional green bean casserole. For stories onholiday traditions and foods, see Pages 3 and 10.

Homemade holiday keepsakes are among my most cher-ished possessions. Things my twin daughters lovinglymade for me are the very best kind of gift. A felt Christmas tree ornament witha picture of their 3-year-old faces on it adorns our tree every year and eachChristmas when I unwrap these ornaments and hang them on the tree, Imreminded that my 15-year-olds were once little. For ideas on making your ownholiday keepsakes, see Page 8.

With the holidays fast approaching, we hope this issue offers you someideas for new traditions for your family and ways to save the ones you alreadyhave.

Traditions and memoriesare a big part of holidays

Nancy SluderEditor

Kids Voices .......................................................16Show and Tell ..............................................23-24WNCmom.com .................................................25Librarians Picks by Jennifer Prince .......................30Story times ......................................................36Divorced Families by Trip Woodard ........................38John Rosemond ................................................40Growing Together by Chris Worthy..........................41Quick Dinners ...................................................42Puzzles .......................................................46-47Parenting in a Nutshell .......................................48Calendar ....................................................50-55

Photo special toWNC Parent.

Thanksgiving traditionsAs families gather and givethanks, many have rituals theyfollow each year.Giving backMany families make charitableacts a focus of their holidaycelebrations.Blending faithsCombining religious back-grounds requires some finessearound the holidays.Make a keepsakeDiscover five ways your familycan help memories last.Saving memoriesScrapbooking and digital ar-chiving helps preserve yourholiday photos.Traditional foodsThanksgiving centers aroundfoods, and many families ex-pect to see certain dishes onthe table year after year.Pumpkin possibilitiesThe fall vegetable is good formore than just pies. Pumpkincrme brulee, anyone?Holiday events calendarFrom Thanksgiving to NewYears, a listing of local family-friendly happenings.

Get craftyChildren can make holidaypresents with these ideas anda little creativity.Friends make youhealthierStudies have found that wom-en with a support group offriends fight stress better.Cooking with peanutsExpand your peanut repertoirebeyond sandwiches.

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The act of celebrating Thanksgiving often hascommon elements: family, food and football. Butmost families have unique traditions that help bondthem together and keep the holiday as a livingmemory.

Thanksgiving has always been our holiday, saidStacey Caskey, teacher at Claxton Elementary andmother of kindergartner, Allison. We may rotatehouses for Christmas or Easter dinner, but everyoneknows that Thanksgiving is at the Caskeys. Brianand I spend weeks searching through all of ourSouthern Living magazines until we get the menujust right.

Cooking collectivelyAllison loves to help cook, Caskey said. She

gets her apron on and is ready to start cookingbright and early on Thanksgiving morning. Mymemories are less about the actual dinners andmore about the great times that Brian, Allison and Ihave spent cooking together in the kitchen.

Special cooking projects are also a great way tobond and celebrate the season. Angie Cullen, anAsheville mother of two elementary-aged girls,notes that her husbands mother throws a ginger-bread house-making party. We use Graham crack-ers, icing glue and every candy under the sun tocreate our little snow-covered cottages. They arereally getting quite elaborate over the past fewyears, trying to out-build and out-decorate eachother.

Often the meal includes multigenerationaldishes, teaching children the importance of tradi-tion and the value of honoring their grandparentsthrough food. Kim Stewart, of Leicester, says wehave my grandmothers cornbread dressing (whichmy mom now makes). We always include rolls,which no one can fit onto their plates or in theirstomachs, and also the obligatory Southern Jell-osalad, sometimes lime with celery and cheese or acranberry/Jell-o/Cool Whip concoction."

Local families may add an Asheville twist totheir meals. Holly Musgrove, of Asheville, cooks hergreat grandmothers traditional chestnut dressing,except she doesnt stuff it in the turkey and she usessoy sausage.

We also get a heritage turkey and use fresh or-ganic vegetables instead of the canned kinds calledfor in the old recipes. I guess its sort of our own

twist on the old favorites, Musgrove said.

Post-meal activitiesFrom football to naps, Asheville families cele-

brate differently. After dinner, we usually gather leaves on the

front lawn and let Allison dive right in, Caskeysaid.

Musgrove noted at some point we usually willplay a little football with the kids and watch someof a game. You cant have Thanksgiving without

football.

Beginning new traditionsAs a recently divorced mom of two 5-year-olds,

Tanya Fletcher is just beginning to create new fami-ly traditions at her parents home in Miami.

I had aunts and uncles come in from PuertoRico, and we were all able to catch up and enjoysome time together, Fletcher said. After the biglate afternoon meal, we all went for a walk to thepark. We always go around the table before digginin and everyone says something that they are thank-ful for. That usually ends up getting everyone teary-eyed. It was fun last year because the kids were ableto contribute with things they were thankful for.

Kim Stewart hosted Thanksgiving for the firsttime last year at her new house, which felt like ahanding off of the generational torch. Too bad Ihavent learned to cook for a crowd yet.

Thankful remembranceDont forget to mark the holiday with a tribute of

thanks. Before we eat we go around the table, andeveryone has chance to share what they are mostthankful for. I love to hear what the children have tosay, Musgrove said.

Caskey added, The love I have for my family iswhat I give thanks for each year.

We give thanksFamilies bond overThanksgiving traditions

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTBack row, from left, are Holly Musgrove, Cameron Kurowski, Neil Kurowski, Jack Kurowski, Paige Cambell, Polly Kurowskiand Lute Cambell. Front row, from left, are Craig Kurowski and Sophia Cambell.

By Lockie HunterWNC Parent contributor

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTAllison Caskey enjoys a post meal romp in the leaves.


Last year on the Sunday beforeChristmas, Jeanine Siler Jones was at aQuaker meeting in Black Mountainwhen she heard about a single momwith two young children who was outof work and unable to buy gifts for herkids.

Siler Jones, of Asheville, met withthe woman and found out more abouther life and circumstances, andlearned what types of gifts her chil-dren might enjoy.

Our family shopped together forher family, and we were able to meet

The family bakes cookies for pris-oners at the Marion Correctional Cen-ter, which has made a real impressionon my girls, Maczka said. They seemto really get the point that eventhough someone has committed acrime and is being punished in jail,they are still loved and are a child ofGod. It is a very powerful message forchildren.

The girls always choose a star fromthe tree at their school to buy presentsand clothes for another child, Maczkasaid. They are very particular aboutnot buying anything that theywouldnt wear, which I think is a greatsentiment, she said.

There are countless opportunitiesin the mountain region for making theholidays brighter for those in need,through longstanding organizationslike Santa Pal and the Salvation Armyto more specialized groups workingwith foster children, the disabled andprison inmates.

Beth Maczka, her husband, ChrisBell, and their daughters Kenzie, 10,and Gaven, 8, have a number of holi-day traditions that involve helpingothers, several of them through theirchurch, the Circle of Mercy, whichmeets on Sunday evenings at St.Georges Episcopal Church in WestAsheville.

her and the kids the next day, SilerJones said. Our kids (15-year-old Pey-ton and 12-year-old Walton) were de-lighted to shop for her young ones,and had a lot of fun imagining theirenjoyment of the gifts.

My kids love Christmas, and itreally did feel to me that they wantedto share that joy of giving and receiv-ing, she said. We also decided togive her a voucher for day care so thatwhen the job she was hoping to getcame through, shed have somethingin place for the kids. And my kids gota feel for the barriers that people facewho are living on the edge, paycheckto paycheck.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTHaley and Laresa Fair sort food at MANNA FoodBank with Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, a program of United Way.

Make a tradition of helpingFamilies spend time at the holidays giving back to the community

By Barbara BlakeStaff writer


HOLIDAY CHARITIESSanta Pal: The oldest toy-giving project in Asheville, sponsored by the Asheville OptimistClub. New toys or monetary donations to help finance prepaid toys can be brought to theSanta Pal office on the upper level of Innsbruck Mall at 84 Tunnel Road, or mailed to P.O.Box 1912, Asheville, 28812. Visit santapal.org for more.Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry: The annual Holiday Angels programmatches needy families and individuals with sponsoring families who purchase gifts forchildren and teens and food for families. Call 259-5300, visit abccm.org, or bring or maildonations to ABCCM, 24 Cumberland Ave., 28801.Salvation Army: The annual Angel Tree is set up at the Asheville Mall and Biltmore SquareMall to allow people to take a name from the tree and buy gifts for children. Food, toys andcash donations also are needed. To volunteer or donate, call 253-4723 or bring donationsto the Salvation Army office on Haywood Street near the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office. MANNA FoodBank: The annual food-donation project benefiting MANNA FoodBank kicks offwith a tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 24 at the Ingles Giving Tree near the food court at Ashe-ville Mall. Food and financial donations will be collected through December at the GivingTree and at all Ingles stores. Financial donations can be mailed to MANNA at 627 Swanna-noa River Road, Asheville, 28805. Eblen-Kimmel Charities: Eblen-Kimmel is seeking sponsors for children, donations of newtoys and clothes, as well as food and cash. Bring or mail donations to 12 Regent Park Blvd.,Asheville, 28805, call 255-3066, or visit eblencharities.org. Hearts with Hands: The Christmas from the Heart project seeks financial donations, newtoys and clothing, and lovingly used stuffed animals. Contact Sandy Ford at 667-1912 [email protected]. Donations can be mailed to Hearts with Hands at 951 Sand HillRoad, Asheville, 28806, brought to the warehouse at that address, or online at heartswith-hands.org. Foster Care Association: Fill the wish list of a child in foster care with toys, items for teen-agers, coats, hats, mittens or gloves. Donations can be brought to Biltmore Square Mall at adonated storefront near the Dollar Tree entrance and the Hospice Treasures thrift store. Do-nations also can be mailed to BCFCA, P.O. Box 17787, Asheville, 28816. Any money donatedwill be pooled to sponsor gifts for children not sponsored.

Another church activity is St.Nicholas Day, where families takefood and gift certificates and leavethem at the door of very needy fami-lies, then quickly disappear before thedoor is opened.

The gifts are anonymous, Bellsaid. The families who receive themhave no idea where they come from.

Noel Nickle, of Asheville, and herchildren Emily, 13, and Luke, 11, sponsorfamilies through Western Caroliniansfor Criminal Justice, an Asheville-based organization that promotescommunity-based alternatives to in-carceration.

Its a great time when kids areworking on their own wish lists to beconscious of kids who dont have thesame resources, Nickle said. But itsalso important that we dont just dothis during the holidays. So manypeople want to help (nonprofitgroups) in November and December,and then its January 1 and those orga-nizations are back to their skeletoncrews of volunteers.

Alex Cury and her daughter, Ra-leigh, a fourth-grader at Isaac DicksonElementary School, will soon begintheir third-annual Death Row HolidayCard Project at the Unitarian Uni-versalist Church in Asheville.

Unitarian Universalists have a longtradition of fighting for abolition ofthe death penalty, writing letters tothe governor asking for clemency andparticipating in vigils and other ex-pressions of their opposition to thepractice of executing human beings.

We thought it would be nice toreach out to the potential victims ofour states death penalty during theholiday season, Cury said, to letthem know were fighting for theirlives, that we believe in their worthand dignity as human beings, to ac-knowledge them as part of the in-terconnected web of all existence, to

let them know we care about them. Sarah W. Catoe, director of Hands

On Asheville-Buncombe (handso-nasheville.org), the volunteer programof the United Way, said there are my-riad ways for families to experiencethe rewards of giving to those lessfortunate, both during the holidaysand throughout the year.

As the holidays approach, it is anatural time to reflect on our bless-ings and consider how we can giveback to others, and its a great time tobegin traditions that last a lifetime,Catoe said. It isnt difficult or time-consuming to help your kids catch thegiving spirit during the holidays. Andonce your children experience howgood it feels to give back, and howgreat it is to spend time with you, theywill want to continue volunteeringthroughout the year.

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKISMickey Shuffler volunteered with Santa Palat Innsbruck Mall. The organization is col-lecting toys to give to needy children forChristmas.


West Asheville parents MindyBeller and Scott Evans will soon begathering Hanukkah candles andbringing out their menorah. Theyllalso be preparing to decorate thefamilys Christmas tree.

Each parent has a different reli-gious background Beller grew upcelebrating Jewish traditions andScott, Christmas. Theyve decided togive their children ages 3, 7 and 8 both.

Because its a lot, we try to keepeach holiday simple, bringing out thedeeper meaning in some ways, Bell-er said. We celebrate Hanukkah bylighting the beautiful menorah can-dles and listing the miracles in ourlives, since Hanukkah is all aboutGods miracles, and we also eatlatkes (traditional, fried potato pan-cakes), play dreidel and share a fewpresents.

At Christmas, we enjoy sharingmusic and a few gifts and attending aChristmas service at one of our fa-vorite churches to celebrate the loveand light that the Christmas story isall about.

No one right wayWhen it comes to interfaith fami-

lies and the holidays, theres no oneway to approach it do what makesthe most sense to you as a family,said Vicki Garlock, who taught childdevelopment and psychology at War-ren Wilson College for 11 years andnow runs the childrens educationprogram at Jubilee! Interfaith Com-munity in Asheville.

The most important thing, shesays, is to be intentional.

Tell your kids whats important toyou and talk about the stories behindthe holidays, she explained.

Katharine Meacham, a professor ofreligion and philosophy at Mars HillCollege who has facilitated interfaithdialogue, agrees.

Be open with your kids, Mea-cham said. Take those serious ques-tions and go deep discuss why

youre lighting the candles or puttingup a tree.

Laurie Pedersen, of Marshall,comes from a Lutheran family andher husband, Paul, is Jewish.

They talk about both Christmasand Hanukkah with their son, who at12 is now asking more questions, shesaid.

The family has a Christmas treeand lights a menorah, said Pederson,who makes Christmas cookies herhusband makes the Hanukkah latkes.

My son enjoys and thinks its allimportant its natural for him; hesalways had both.

Lynne and Stephen Weinrib, ofArden, have raised their 12-year-old

daughter, Claire, in the Jewish faith,while Lynne has a Southern Baptistupbringing. At Claires request, theyare embarking on a family study ofother religions. They celebrate bothholidays.

Its been easy because Lynnesfamily has been supportive, StephenWeinrib said.

BLENDING TRADITIONSInterfaith families find ways to handle the holidays

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MILLERScott Evans and Mindy Beller are raising their three children with traditions from Judaism and Christianity. From left are Isaac, 7, Sarah, 3,and Bethany, 8.

By Pam J. HechtWNC Parent contributor


When one faith dominates

Debbie Cooper, of Asheville, wasraised Presbyterian and husbandLarry Weiss, Jewish.

Bringing up the kids in his faithwas more important to Larry thanme, and Im OK with it, she said.But we have kept some Christmastraditions, like having a tree and cele-brating Christmas with my parents.

Whats worked in our family is ageneral respect for each other andour beliefs its a compromise.

Knowing who they are is a won-derful benefit to children, but everytradition has a unique beauty andeach can be honored, said RabbiBatsheva Meiri of Temple Beth HaTephila, in Asheville, who has spentmany years working with interfaithfamilies. You can celebrate the otherwithout becoming the other thatway, both sides are honored.

When different holidays fall on thesame day, it can be more of a chal-

lenge for some interfaith families.This year, Christmas and the Wiccancelebration of winter solstice, orYule, occur in the middle of theeight-day Hanukkah festival.

Its the first time the holidays haveoverlapped for parents Amanda Dia-mond Ring and Kevin Ring, whohave two small children. Amanda isJewish. And while Kevin was raisedPresbyterian, he actively participatesin their Jewish household.

Were still trying to decide howto handle the holidays this year, saidAmanda. The Rings typically spendChristmas with Kevins parents, whodont celebrate Hanukkah.

Keep grandparents in the loopGive grandparents some holiday

guidelines to follow and, if you needto, do it in a letter, said Mary Hel-ene Rosenbaum, director of the Do-vetail Institute, a national organiza-tion for interfaith families.

Deep down, grandparents may

feel their children will abandon theirtraditions or that theyre going tolose them to an alien world, saidRosenbaum, who is part of an in-terfaith family and has written a bookon the topic. Reassure them by say-ing, Im not rejecting or forgettingmy past I still love our traditionsand memories, but this is what Iwant now.

Knowing who they are is a wonderful benefit to children, but every tradition has a unique beautyand can be honored. You can celebrate the other without becoming the other that way, both sidesare honored.RABBI BATSHEVA MEIRI, OF TEMPLE BETH HA TEPHILA IN ASHEVILLE

RESOURCES FOR INTERFAITHPARENTS Dovetail Institute for Interfaith FamilyResources, dovetailinstitute.org, providesinformation and advice for interfaith families. Our Share of Night, Our Share of Morn-ing: Parenting as a Spiritual Journey, byRabbi Nancy Fuchs. Celebrating our Differences: Living TwoFaiths in One Marriage, by Mary HeleneRosenbaum and Stanley Ned Rosenbaum. The Intermarriage Handbook: A Guidefor Christians & Jews, by Judy Petsonk andJim Remsen.


1. Get thee to a pottery!

Consider making a family plate at one of thelocal make-your-own pottery studios.

Leigh Cohen, of the Claying Around studio inSouth Asheville, suggests creating your own din-ner set for the holidays. A family could create indi-vidual plates for family members and even specialplates for special guests.

Each year the family could produce one moreaddition to the dinner set, perhaps commemoratinga special moment of the year. The plates couldshowcase how the children grow and change artisti-cally. Those with younger children need not worry,as Claying Around is very user friendly, Cohensays, and not much artistic ability is needed.

For something even the youngest family mem-bers could enjoy, consider creating a holiday plattermarked with handprints of the children.

2. String it alongBarry Olen, owner of Ashevilles Beads and Be-

yond, says, we make heirlooms here. Think about creating a holiday piece of jewelry

to be worn throughout the season. Each Thanks-giving, the piece could grow by one wonderfulbead. The beads could represent a milestone thatyear, in terms of color or theme. Olen has a lot ofsymbolic charms, many of them family oriented,ranging from butterflies and unicorns to ginger-breads and peace signs. Reflect on what you arethankful for that year, and Olen will likely have afigurative charm that represents the idea.

Ginger the importance of family recipes. Collectingfamily recipes translates from the grandparents thefeeling of home and sense of warmth wherever youare.

For two keepsakes, be certain to include a doughrecipe for homemade ornaments. You can roll outthe dough and cut out the shapes together, Doher-ty said.

5. Mark the momentConsider crafting individual Thanksgiving book-

marks personalized for each dinner guest. Yourchild can help you script the name of the guest onthe front of the card along with a festive holidaydesign. Be creative on the back. Reflect on an attrib-ute of the guest that the child admires. I loveGranddads silly laugh, or I love how Aunt Janalways smells of lavender. Perhaps craft a toast orfamily blessing and write it on the back of the book-mark. The guests can flip the bookmark at mealtimeto recite the toast together. When the day is overthe guests leave with the bookmark as a mementoof the day.

3. Track the days of your lives

A yearly family calendar with photos taken atmajor holidays does double duty as a keepsake anda gift. Angie Cullen, mother of two elementaryschool girls, notes that at Thanksgiving she usuallytravels to Destin, Fla., where her sister lives withher family. Cullen always photographs everyonethat week in various settings (at the beach, duringthe big meal, kids on granddads lap). She thengathers the pictures from Thanksgiving and otherfamily trips to make a calendar to give to her family.

I have done this for almost 10 years now, shesays, and it has become the great unveiling to seethe new calendar. It is fun to flip the calendar eachmonth and give thanks for our time together, espe-cially since my sister and her girls live so far away.

4. Cook up some memoriesDecorate a simple wooden box together and use

it to gather your favorite holiday recipes. Gail Do-herty, author of the cookbook I Cant Believe ItsVegan, notes that she is teaching her daughter

Creating keepsakes5 crafty ideas for making your familys holiday memories last

By Lockie HunterWNC Parent contributor

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTMaking a family platter is a great way to commemorate any holiday.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTBead creations can symbolize memories from a holiday.


It was a wonderful holiday meal,and all the kids were dressed sonicely for the pictures. Its a shameyou lost them.

Family memories are too preciousto lose, so the storage of your familyphotos deserves more than a littlethought. From the low-tech shoeboxon the closet shelf to high-tech harddrives and online services, there aremore ways than ever to protect yourfamily memories.

I buy disposable cameras and gettriple prints, said Heather Brown, ofAsheville. I give one to my mother,send one to relatives, and keep thethird. Brown uses her copy to make

scrapbooks of her son Kalebs mile-stones. Scrapbooking is a popularstorage method that allows familiesto mix photos with text, postcards,and even collectables on one page.

Scrapbooking is fun, but it doestake some time, Brown said. Some-times you just sort of have to maketime to do it, but its worth it.

If you have prints made for scrap-booking or just to keep, store themin the coolest place in a home that isnot subject to high or rapid changesin humidity. Store them away frombright light, and handle them by theedges. Exposure to bright light, par-ticularly ultraviolet light, will dra-matically shorten the time periodbefore color pictures begin to fade.

For digital photographers, there

are quite a few storage options avail-able, ranging from tiny flash drivesbarely as big as your finger to multi-gigabyte hard drives that can storeseveral years worth of photos. Whilemany families just store their photoson the hard drive of the family com-puter, this isnt the best choice.

Hard drives are subject to crash-ing, said Jennifer Mayer, co-ownerof Charlotte Street Computers. Put-ting your photos on an external harddrive that doesnt get as much use asyour computers main drive is safer.

Another option is storing yourdigital images online, at photo shar-ing sites such as Flickr, Shutterflyand Myphotoalbum.com. These sitescan be a great way to share photoswith far-away friends and family.They also offer editing tools andother fun things such as digital greet-ing cards and even digital scrap-

booking, but use caution when stor-ing photos on them. No mater howyou store digital data, you alwayswant to have a backup copy, Mayersaid.

Here are a few tips for storing andbacking up digital photos: Use more than one backup

method. External hard drives can getviruses or crash. CDs and DVDs canget scratched. Its a lot of work tohave multiple backup sources, but itsworth the investment. Dont buy off-brand CDs or

DVDs. Go with a name you can trust.Same with external or portabledrives. Technology changes rapidly, so

be prepared to change with it. CDsand DVDs may well be obsolete in 10years, so all that downloading andburning will likely have to be redonedown the road.

GANNETT NEWS SERVICEGabrielle Mader, 5, works on her scrapbook at home in Appleton, Wis. Scrapbooking is one of many ways to preserve memories.

A picture worth a thousand holidaysOptions abound for preserving your photos

By Rick McDanielWNC Parent contributor


The aromas drifting from the holi-day kitchen can be a time machine,taking you back in a twinkling to yourchildhood. The cinnamon of AuntRuths pumpkin pie, the hint of rasp-berry from Nanas rugelach and thehint of sage from Moms oyster dress-ing all bring back memories of familyrecipes passed down from parents tochildren.

Thanksgiving just wouldnt be thesame without the homemade cranber-ry dressing for some, while Christmaswithout Grandmothers coconut cakewould be unthinkable to many peoplewho grew up in the South.

For Debbie Wilbanks, of Fairview,Thanksgiving always meant the stan-dard fare.

We would have turkey and dress-ing, mashed potatoes and gravy, all thegood stuff, she said. But Christmaswas entirely different.

My mother just got tired of mak-ing a turkey for Thanksgiving and

turning around and doing it all overagain a month later for Christmas,Wilbanks said. So quite a few yearsago, she started picking a differentcountry, and we would have food fromthat country for Christmas.

Wilbanks said that the holiday funstarted weeks before the actual meal,as her mother sat down with otherfamily members and researched foodsfrom the country they would be vis-iting that year.

Weve had spring rolls from China,Italian food, Greek it was a wonder-ful way to spend Christmas, she said.

Although her mother died a yearand a half ago, Wilbanks still con-tinues the tradition with her daugh-ters Abby, 8, and Mary Beth, 6.

Another tradition my mother start-ed was baking a birthday cake onChristmas, to remind us that thewhole reason for Christmas is to cele-brate the birth of Jesus, Wilbankssaid.

For Mary Fierle, of Asheville, whogrew up in Athens, Ga., the holidaysalways brought a wealth of new reci-

pes.My mother would pore over the

recipes in the Atlanta paper, findingnew and delicious recipes to try,Fierle said. But my grandmotherwould always make these cookiescalled cherry winks every Christmas,and I make them each year as one ofour traditions. The kids like to helpmake them.

When families come together bymarriage, food traditions from bothfamilies become part of a new tradi-tion, as Fierle discovered after she mether husband, Tim, who came fromGerman ancestry.

My mother-in-law makes a tradi-tional sweet bread called kuchen,Fierle said. After Tim and I got mar-ried, I got my mother-in-law to showme how to make it. I make kuchenevery Christmas Eve now, so he willhave something to remind him of hisfamilys traditions.

Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer.E-mail him at [email protected].

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTThanksgiving tables will be filled with therecipes that make up family traditions.

New and old traditions fill tablesBy Rick McDanielWNC Parent contributor

W N C P A R E N T P R E S E N T S W N C M O M . C O M , T H E P L A C E W H E R E L O C A L M O M S C O N N E C T 1 1

In the 1966 Charlie Brown Hallow-een classic, a forlorn Linus waits forthe Great Pumpkin that never arrives.Too bad he was in a pumpkin patchrather than at the table, where pump-kins have landed squarely on ourplate.

The vegetable best known for itsrole as a jack-o-lantern now is insoups, pasta dishes, stews, martinis,gnocchi and even desserts.

Pumpkins look intimidating, butthey are much easier to work withthan most people realize and the dif-ference between a fresh pumpkin andcanned is night and day. The flavorjustifies the work, says Chef GregoryLaPrad of Quiessence Restaurant &Wine Bar in Phoenix.

Smaller pumpkins are best forcooking, yielding sweeter and moretender flesh. The cheaper jack-o-

lantern variety also works, as long asthe pumpkin is fresh. If its been sit-ting on the front porch for weeks, donot turn it into a pie.

When shopping, select pumpkinsfree of blemishes and harvested withtheir stems intact, and which feelheavy for their size. Look for a fullfinish to the skin. A shiny skin in-dicates it was picked too soon.

Pumpkins can be stored in therefrigerator for up to three months.

Health experts sing the praises ofpumpkin for its nutritional punch. Itspacked with vitamins and minerals, inparticular, beta-carotene, vitamin Cand potassium.

The words out about the disease-fighting capability of pumpkins, andthat has increased its appeal, saysMelinda Johnson, an American Dietet-ic Association spokeswoman.

Pumpkin pops onto scenein soups, dessert and more

By Karen FernauGannett News Service

Fresh pumpkin martini4 tablespoons or 2 ounces vodka3 tablespoons fresh pumpkin puree1 tablespoon simple syrupDash of nutmeg and cinnamonDash of vanilla pasteFreshly grated nutmeg for garnishIce

Add all ingredients except garnish to a cocktail shaker. Shakevigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish withfreshly grated nutmeg. Makes 1 serving.Source: Chef Gregory LaPrad, Quiessence Restaurant & WineBar, Phoenix.

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Pumpkin gnocchi withraisins, pine nuts,brown butter and sage2 cups fresh pumpkin puree2 cups roasted potato, peeled4 cups all-purpose flour1 cup golden raisins2 sprigs fresh sage1 cup pine nuts1 teaspoon minced garlic1 teaspoon minced shallot1/2 cup butterSalt and pepper to taste

Use a potato ricer to shred pumpkin androasted potato onto a floured surface. Add2 cups flour; knead ingredients together.Continue working the remaining flour intothe dough. Once completely combined,cover the dough with a cloth and let restfor 15 minutes.Cut a small portion off the dough and useyour hands to roll into tubes. When all thedough is rolled into tubes, cut the tubesinto one-half inch pieces. If desired, shapethe pieces over a wooden gnocchi board.Freeze the gnocchi for use later or prepareimmediately. Fill a large stockpot withwater and bring to a boil. Season with saltand add gnocchi.As the gnocchi cooks, heat a large sautpan on medium high heat. Add butter,garlic and shallots. Saut for about 5minutes, or until shallots and garlic soften.Add the raisins, pine nuts and choppedfresh sage leaves. When the gnocchi beginfloating to the surface of the boiling water,use a slotted spoon to remove from thepan. Strain the gnocchi and add to thegarlic-butter sauce in the saut pan. Gentlytoss the gnocchi in the sauce. Serve in aheated bowl and garnish with gratedcheese. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Source: Chef Gregory LaPrad, QuiessenceRestaurant & Wine Bar, Phoenix.

Caramelized pumpkincrme brulee6 egg yolksThree-fourths cup brown sugarOne-fourth cup granulated sugar1 cup fresh pumpkin puree1 cup milk1 cup heavy creamOne-half teaspoon cinnamonOne-fourth teaspoon clovesOne-fourth teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a sauce-pan, heat the pumpkin, heavy cream, milk,brown sugar and sugar to a simmer. Re-move from heat and slowly add to the eggyolks, whisking constantly to keep the yolksfrom curling. Allow the cream-pumpkinmixture to cool completely. Pour mixturethrough a strainer and stir in spices.Pour the mixture into creme brulee rame-kins. Arrange the dishes into a baking panand place it on the oven rack. Pour enoughhot water into the pan to reach two thirdsof the way up the sides of the cremebrulee dishes. Cover with foil and punchsmall holes in foil. Bake for 30 minute andthen remove a corner of the foil. Recoverthe pan and bake for 15-25 additionalminutes until the edges are set but stilljiggly in the center.Allow the custards to cool completely thencover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.Right before serving, sprinkle sugar in athin even coating on the surface of thecustards. Use a preheated broiler or torchto caramelize the sugar. Makes 6 to 8servings.

Source: Chef Gregory LaPrad, QuiessenceRestaurant & Wine Bar, Phoenix.

LEARN TO PUREE PUMPKINMost recipes call for pumpkin puree. Although canned puree works, fresh is better during thefall harvest season. A 5-pound pumpkin will yield about 4 1/2 pounds of puree. To make puree by steaming, cut pumpkin in half, use a large spoon to remove seeds,pulp and stringy portion. Cut into small pieces and peel. Place in a steamer or metal coland-er that will fit in a covered pot. Put over boiling water, cover and steam until tender, about 50minutes. Puree in a blender or food processor, or put through a food mill. To make by roasting, cut pumpkin into quarters, use a large spoon to remove seeds, pulpand stringy portion. Place the pumpkin quarters in a baking dish. Add enough water to coverthe bottom of the pan to prevent the pumpkin from drying out. Cover pan with a lid or foil.Bake in a 350-degree oven 45-60 minutes. Allow pumpkins to cool slightly, and scoop outflesh. Puree in a blender or food processor, or put though a food mill. Pumpkin puree can be frozen in portions for up to 16 months.Gannett News Service


In the fall of 1621, the religious separatistPilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate abountiful harvest, an event many regard asthe nations first Thanksgiving. It eventuallybecame a national holiday in 1863 whenPresident Abraham Lincoln proclaimed thelast Thursday of November as a national dayof thanksgiving. Later, President FranklinRoosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving shouldalways be celebrated on the fourth Thursdayof the month to encourage earlier holidayshopping, never on the occasional fifthThursday.

271 million: The preliminary estimate ofturkeys raised in the United States in 2008.Thats not statistically signficantly differentfrom the number raised during 2007. Theturkeys produced in 2007 together weighed7.9 billion pounds and were valued at $3.7billion.

49 million: The preliminary estimate ofturkeys Minnesota expects to raise in 2008.The Gopher State is tops in turkey produc-tion. It is followed by North Carolina (39million), Arkansas (31 million), Virginia (21million), Missouri (20 million) and Indiana(15.9 million). These six states together will

probably account for about two-thirds of U.S.turkeys produced in 2008.

689 million pounds: The forecast for U.S.cranberry production in 2008, up 5 percentfrom 2007 and slightly below 2006. Wiscon-sin is expected to lead all states in the pro-duction of cranberries, with 385 millionpounds, followed by Massachusetts (190million). New Jersey, Oregon and Washingtonare also expected to have substantial pro-duction, ranging from 15 million to 50 mil-lion pounds.

1.8 billion pounds: The total weight of sweetpotatoes another popular Thanksgivingside dish produced by major sweet potatoproducing states in 2007. North Carolina(667 million pounds) produced more sweetpotatoes than any other state. It was fol-

Thanksgiving facts

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE


lowed by California (426 million pounds).Mississippi and Louisiana also producedlarge amounts: at least 300 million poundseach.

1.1 billion pounds: Total production of majorpumpkin-producing states in 2007. Illinoisled the country by producing 542 millionpounds of the vined orange gourd. Pumpkinpatches in Ohio, California and New Yorkalso provided lots of pumpkins: Each stateproduced at least 100 million pounds. Thevalue of all pumpkins produced by majorpumpkin-producing states was $117 million.

If you prefer cherry pie, you will be pleasedto learn that the nations forecasted tartcherry production for 2008 totals 177 mil-lion pounds. Of this total, the overwhelmingmajority (135 million) will be produced inMichigan.

769,760 tons: The 2008 contracted produc-tion of snap (green) beans in major snap(green) bean-producing states. Of this total,Wisconsin led all states (293,200 tons).Many Americans consider green bean casse-role a traditional Thanksgiving dish.

13.3 pounds: The quantity of turkeys con-sumed by the typical American in 2006, witha hearty helping devoured at Thanksgivingtime. Per capita sweet potato consumptionwas 4.6 pounds.

$9.2 million: The value of U.S. imports oflive turkeys from January through July of2008 99.3 percent from Canada. Ournorthern neighbor accounted for all of thecranberries the United States imported ($2.1million). When it comes to sweet potatoes,however, the Dominican Republic was thesource of 86.3 percent ($3.8 million) of total

imports ($4.4 million). The United States rana $4.9 million trade deficit in live turkeysduring the period but had surpluses of $15.0million in cranberries and $22.3 million insweet potatoes.

3: Number of places in the United Statesnamed after the holidays traditional maincourse. Turkey, Texas, was the most populousin 2007, with 465 residents, followed byTurkey Creek, La. (363) and Turkey, N.C.(270). There also are nine townships aroundthe country named Turkey, three in Kansas.Source: U.S. Census Bureau


Charlie Brownis a great familyfun movie filledwith Christmasspirit. I love theone scene whereCharlie Browngoes to get aChristmas treeand brings back atiny little tree which almost all the[needles] have fallen off and CharlieBrown thinks its the greatest tree. Butall of the other kids have differentfeelings. If I were you I would checkthis awesome movie out.

Lewis Fierle

My favoritemovie is TheGrinch because itis a Christmasmovie, and also inthe Grinchs cavethere are all kindsof useful junk, andyou can use it forall kinds of stuff. Ilike it because when Max the dogpulls the rope and the Grinch falls allthe way down to the town of Who-ville.

Peter Leota

My favoriteholiday movie isAlvin and theChipmunks. I likethis movie be-cause its funnyand creative. I likethe part wherethey all go to thestore, and Davidinsults the chipmunks, and he saysthat when the chipmunks are bad hewould just want to leave them at thepark. Then he scares a mother whohas a little girl with her. That wasfunny.

Kimberly Vargas

My favoriteholiday moviewould probably beThe NightmareBefore Christmas.It is about this skel-eton that is tired ofHalloween anddecides to captureSanta Claus andtake his place at Christmas. One of myfavorite parts is when the creaturesare making and destroying toys forlittle kids. Its an adventurous moviewith humor and lots of fun and ahappy ending.

Sophie Stansbury

My favoriteholiday movie isHappy New YearsMr. Bean starringRowan Atkinson.Its laughs rangefrom dining on pineneedles to cele-brating New Yearsat 7:30 p.m. Notonly that, Mr. Bean never talks. Themusic in this movie is also funny,ranging from the well known FuneralMarch of the Marionette to a string ofjust one-note ditties to no music at all.Even though this movie has so manyfunny laughs, they still manage toretain their holiday spirit. Even theend ends with a boom!

Atlas Kinzel

My favoritemovie for Christmasis Alvin and theChipmunks. Myfavorite part is whenthe chipmunks arein the Christmastree. I like that partbecause it makes melaugh, and The-odore tries to eat the ornaments.

Ebony Burt

I love stayingup late at night onNew Years Eve,turning on the TV,relaxing on thecouch and eatingbuttery popcorn.We are countingfrom 10 down toone. Ten, 9, 8, 7, 6,5, 4, 3, 2, 1 woo hoo! The ball dropsand the new year starts. Everybodycheers and hollers. Ahhhh, NewYears.

Megan Muchnick

The Grinch isone of my favoriteChristmas movies.I like the partwhere the Grinch ismaking a SantaClaus costume andthe dogs tail getsstuck in the sewingmachine. I also likethe part when theyre going to thetown and the dog is the reindeer andthe sled was going faster than the dogand the dog was sitting on the back ofthe sled and he is so happy. But theGrinch pulls him back to the front.

Amelia Gabriel

A holiday movieI liked when I waslittle was Elf. Ienjoyed the scenewhere Elf waswalking in thewoods and he sawa raccoon. Hethought it was cuteand he went up toit, and it attacked him. I thought itwas funny.

Langston Haden

My favoriteholiday moviewould probably beThe Grinch. Thescene I like most iswhen theyre doingthe contest to seewho can win themost decoratedhouse in the neigh-borhood. The reason I like it the mostis because they put so much hardwork into the decorations.

McKinnley Cox

My favoritemovie is Christ-mas Vacation, ahilarious comedystarring ChevyChase. My favoritepart of the movieis when ChevyChase gets angrywith a crazy driv-er. The lunatic driver continuallyrides his tail on the highway. So ChevyChase spots a big rig and drives hiscar under the truck to get away fromthe crazed driver. When he thinks thecoast is clear he pulls out from underthe truck and runs straight through asnow hill, smack dab into a tree.

West Hunter

My favoriteholiday movie isThe NightmareBefore Christmas. Iwould watch it fivetimes in a row be-cause its the bestholiday movie Iveever seen. I love thescene where hefights the boogey man. He finallydestroys the boogey man and letsSanta handle Christmas. The songsare great, the towns are very inventiveand the plot is fantastic. The anima-tion was probably the best for the yearit came out.

Sanjay Khindria

kids voices

Holiday entertainmentWith the holidays approaching, we asked fifth-graders in Mark Merciers class at Isaac Dickson Elementary School to

tell us about their favorite holiday movie or television show. Heres what they said. Compiled by Staff Writer Barbara Blake.


You can eat apples out of hand ormake apple cider, apple juice, applecider doughnuts, apple butter, apple-filled pastries, breads, cakes anddumplings to name a few treats.

For pies, try Fuji, Granny Smith andStayman; for applesauce: Empire,Golden Delicious; to eat raw: any andall, but Red Delicious is most popularby far.

For caramel or candy apples, athin-skinned apple like Empire, Galaor Red Delicious is best soyoure not biting tough skin aswell as a thick coating.

Harvesting: Late summerto early winter.

Varieties: According tothe U.S. Apple Associa-tion, the 15 most popularvarieties in the nation areRed Delicious, Gala, Golden

Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, McIn-tosh, Rome, Empire, York, Jonathan,Idared, Cortland, Stayman, Newtown

and Northern Spy. New variet-ies such as Braeburn, Cameo,

Honeycrisp and Pink Ladyare gaining in popularity.

Nutrition facts (based on a1-cup serving): 65 calories, 13grams sugar. Provides vita-

min C, potassium, omega-6fatty acid and dietary fiber

(Source: nutritiondata.com)Studies have suggested that regular

consumption of apples, which are richin fiber and flavonoids, may aid inweight loss and memory retention andhelp reduce risks of cancer and otherdiseases.

1 small apple equals 1 cup.For more information: U.S. Apple As-

sociation, usapple.org; National AppleMuseum in Biglerville, Pa., nation-alapplemuseum.com.

Nibble on these tidbits about falls favorite fruitGannett News Service


Through Dec. 24A Chimney Rock Christmas

After the leaves are gone, visitorsto Chimney Rock Park can enjoy un-obscured views of the parks cliffs andforests, and holiday music will beplayed through Dec. 24. Admissioncharged. Call 800-277-9611 or visitchimneyrockpark.com.

Through Jan. 1Christmas at Biltmore EstateCandlelight Christmas Evenings

Daytime celebrations include elab-orate holiday decor and musicthroughout the house. Candlelightevenings feature firelight and candle-light, holiday music and live perform-ances. Estate restaurants feature holi-day menus, and Inn on Biltmore holi-day packages are available. Admissioncharged. Call 877-BILTMORE or visitbiltmore.com.

Nov. 19-Jan. 11National GingerbreadCompetition Display

More than 200 gingerbread worksof art from across the United Statesare on display following the annualcompetition at the Grove Park Inn andSpa. Local residents can view thedisplay for free Monday-Thursday.Call 252-2711 or visit groveparkinn.com.

Nov. 22Asheville Holiday Parade

The 62nd Annual Asheville HolidayParade steps off at 11 a.m. on a newroute. This years parade will begin atBiltmore Avenue, head toward PackSquare and turn onto Patton Avenue.The parade will end at Patton Avenueand North French Broad Avenue.After the parade, meet Santa from 2-4p.m. at Pritchard Park, where he willbe singing his favorite holiday songswith the Biltmore Baptist Churchchoir. For more information, visitashevilleparade.org.

Nov. 28Hendersonville holiday lighting

Join in the Downtown HolidayLighting Celebration in Henderson-villes Historic Downtown at the gaze-bo between Fourth and Fifth avenues,5:30-6:30 p.m. The event will featurean old-fashioned carol singalong, vis-its with Santa and plenty of holidaycheer.

Dec. 2Holiday lights ceremony

The annual lighting celebration atBlack Mountain Neuro-Medical Treat-ment Center, at 932 Old U.S. 70 inBlack Mountain, start at 7:30 p.m. withmusic by the Owen High SchoolChorus. For more information, con-tact Diane Trainor, director of volun-teer services at 669-3152.

Dec. 5Fletcher Christmas tree lighting

The town of Fletcher lights itsChristmas tree during a festival withcarols, storytelling and a visit fromSanta. At 5:30 p.m. at Fletcher Com-munity Park. Free, but donations ofnonperishable food is encouraged. Incase of inclement weather, the eventwill take place at Fletcher Town Hall.Call 687-0751 or visit fletcherpark-s.org.

Great Russian NutcrackerThe Moscow Ballet presents the

Family events abound this holiday seasonCompiled by Barbara BlakeStaff writer

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKISCheck out the entries in this years GrovePark Inn gingerbread house competition,starting Nov. 19.


Great Russian Nutcracker at 7:30p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.Call 251-5505 or visit Ticketmaster fortickets, which start at $24.

Holly Jolly ChristmasCelebrate the season in downtown

Black Mountain with luminaries andcarolers beginning at dusk. Shops willbe open late. Santa will be on hand,and refreshments will be available.Call 669-0706.

Dec. 5-6A Winters Tale

Music, crafts, food and fun at theWNC Nature Centers annual holidayevent from 6-9 p.m. Bring your cam-era, jacket and mittens for a strollalong the trail to see the animals atnight. Enrichment programs and pre-sentations will be provided. Cherokeestories and crafts will be shared bytribal members each evening. Admis-sion charged. Call 298-5600 or visitwildwnc.org.

Dec. 5-6 and 12-1325th annual Dillsboro Festival ofLights and Luminaries

Merchant elves line the townstreets with more than 2,500 candlesin white paper bags. Buildings aretrimmed in tiny white lights, whilecarolers and musicians fill the air withholiday cheer. Santa visits with chil-dren at the town hall. Shopkeepersstay open late and serve hot applecider. Events run 5-10 p.m. both week-ends. Admission is free. For moreinformation, visit visitdillsboro.org or

call 800-962-1911.

Dec. 5-7Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol

The 32nd annual production by

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTDillsboros 25th annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries is Dec. 5-6 and 12-13.

Continues on Page 20


Montford Park Players at AshevilleCommunity Theatre is a tradition forthe entire family with period costum-ing and sets. Performances at 7:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m.matinees Saturday and Sunday. Ad-mission charged. Call 254-5146.

Dec. 5-14A Christmas Story

South Carolina Childrens Theatrepresents A Christmas Story, the taleof Ralphie and his quest to get a genu-ine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas,at The Peace Center in Greenville,S.C. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays, 2and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sun-days. For tickets, visit peacecenter.orgor call 800-888-7768.

Dec. 5-19Lake Julian Festival of Lights

Enjoy a spectacular drive throughdisplays of holiday lights at Lake Ju-lian. Complimentary hot apple cider.A portion of proceeds benefits Bun-combe County Special Olympics.Admission charged. Call 684-0376.

Dec. 6Christmas parade

The annual downtown BlackMountain parade celebrating the holi-

day season begins at 4 p.m. Call 669-2300.

Dec. 6Christmas at the Farm

Experience the Christmas of yes-terday at Historic Johnson Farmsholiday celebration, from noon-5 p.m.Enjoy seasonal music, refreshments,bake sale and a visit and photos withSanta in the Interpretive Center. Dresswarmly for a horse-drawn wagon ridethrough the farm and nature trails.Stop by the barn to visit Chelsea andLester the donkeys and their newbaby April, and the farms Jacobsheep. For $2, guests can purchase ahot dog/drink lunch. Children canmake a Christmas ornament to takehome. Admission is $5 for adults, $3for students K-12 and preschoolers arefree. Historic Johnson Farm is at 3346Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Formore information, call 891-6585.

Dec. 11-14Return to Bethlehem

Now in its 21st year as a benefit forAsheville-Buncombe CommunityChristian Ministry, this production at

Groce United Methodist Church onTunnel Road takes you through theexperience of the Bethlehem market-place as it might have been on the dayChrist was born. Donations requested.Call 259-5306 or visit abccm.org.

Dec 11-13An O. Henry Christmas

Asheville Arts Center presents AnO. Henry Christmas featuring Giftof the Magi and holiday carol fest forthe family. The center is at 308 Merri-mon Ave. For information and tickets,call 253-4000.

Dec. 13Fletcher Christmas parade

The 20th annual parade steps off at10:30 a.m. on U.S. 25 in Fletcher. Forinformation, call 687-0751 or visitfletcherparks.org.

Dec. 12-15The Nutcracker

The lavish production by the Ashe-ville Ballet under the direction of AnnDunn provides an inspiring and mem-orable presentation of this holiday

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTHistoric Johnson Farm in Hendersonvillecelebrates Christmas at the Farm on Dec. 6.

Continued from Page 19


classic. Evening performances at 7:30p.m. Wednesday through Saturday,matinees at 2:30 p.m. Saturday andSunday. Admission charged. At DianaWortham Theatre. For tickets, call257-4530.

Dec. 22-24Hanukkah candlelighting

Join the extended Jewish Commun-ity Center family for singing, stories,blessings and the daily lighting of themenorah at 5:30 p.m. each day at the

JCC on Charlotte Street. The entireAsheville community is invited toattend and learn about Hanukkah atany of the JCCs holiday events. Call253-0701 or visit jcc-asheville.org.

Dec. 29-31Holiday arts extravaganza camp

Three days of hands-on activities atAsheville Art Museum during theschool holiday break for students infirst-fourth grades, from 1-4 p.m. eachday. Admission charged. Call 253-3227,ext. 122, or visit ashevilleart.org.

Dec. 27Kwanzaa celebration

A traditional Kwanzaa feast andlive artists will be part of this annualcelebration at YMI Cultural Centeremphasizing unity of African-Amer-ican families and the lighting of theKinara. From 3-5 p.m., with a specialchildrens drumming workshop 2-3p.m. Donations will be accepted tosupport the YMICCs outreach intolocal schools and the community. Call252-4614 or visit ymicc.org.

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHERAshevilles Jewish community celebratesHanukkah with candlelighting ceremoniesDec. 22-24.


Jackson, 2, and Holden Hipps, 7, with their daddy Shane Hipps at Edisto Beach, S.C. Sub-mitted by mom Stacy Hipps.

Olivia Adams, of Raleigh. Submitted by her grandmother, Peg Adams, of Asheville.

Riley Burnett, 5, left, swings at The Swag in Maggie Valley while visiting his grandparents,John and Charlotte Curtis, in Waynesville. At right, Carlee Burnett, 7, picks apples at TheSwag. Carlee and Riley are from Orlando, Fla.

Casey Roberts, 19, ofAsheville, jumps intothe water at a familyreunion this summer.His 15-year-old sister,Houston, took thephoto. Submitted bytheir grandmother,Elizabeth Miller.

We welcome photos of family, neighborhood,school, church and other social activitiesinvolving children. Send your high-resolutionphotos, along with a brief description of theevent, and names, ages and hometowns ofeveryone pictured. Dont forget your nameand contact information. Send to:Katie Wadington at [email protected] or WNC Parent Photos, P.O.Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS


Shepherd Thomas Wolfe, 16 months, shops at the Brevard tailgate market this summer. He lives with his parentsJennifer Shepherd Wolfe and Marc Wolfe in Birmingham, Ala. Submitted by his grandparents Tom and Brenda Shep-herd, of Hendersonville.

Jack Sloan and his dog, Emma, have a great time playing in the backyard. Submitted by his mom, Rebecca Sloan.

Lacie Har-wood, 5, ofWeaverville,is ready forher first dayof kindergar-ten at NorthBuncombeElementarySchool.Submitted byher mom,Tracie.

Mac Cotten,who was almost2 months old atthe time of thisphoto, getsinvolved in thepresidentialcampaign. Macis the son ofMolly and ChrisCotten, of Apex,and the grand-son of DianeMcDonald andJim Tettambel,Tony Sciara andJill Vargo, all ofAsheville, andMendy andScott Clayton,of Fuquay-Varina.

Brayden Ergle,of Covington,Ga., poses forhis all-starphoto from hiswinning season.He has playedrecreationalbaseball sinceage 3. Sub-mitted by hisgrandparents,James andLenora Garren,of Andrews.


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This is just a sampling of the dozensof forum posts and hundreds of pho-tos posted at WNCmom.com. Visitthe site for more.

Ashevillemommies asksin Indoor kid-friendlyvenues:

Where are some placesthat you take your childnow that the weather iscooling off?

Tonya replies:Growing Young Cafe has drop in child care

for just $5 per hour or all day play, with par-ents present, for just $3. Ive also heard goodthings about High Flight Gymnastics and theHealth Adventure. Check out kidfriendlyash-eville.com for some great reviews.

Catie replies:

I teach childrens yoga and gymnastics classes at the Mont-ford Community center and at the East Asheville Center. Theyare great indoor activities to keep kids moving now that theweather is cooling off. Visit my Web site (risingsprouts.com)and let me know if youd like some more information. I alsohave a profile here on WNCmom called rising sprouts or juste-mail me at [email protected].


With video games, iPods, movieson demand and dozens of televisionstations vying for the attention ofchildren, some might worry thathands-on craft activities are becominga lost art, especially when it comes tokeepsake gifts made from start tofinish with a childs loving hands.

But there are plenty of simple,charming gifts that kids can makewith everyday materials and a littlesupervision from mom or dad. Andgrandma and grandpa, friends andneighbors can be the beneficiariesduring the holiday season.

I have found that most momsdont sew, but they have memories oftheir moms and grandmothers sewingand want that to be a skill and hobby

for their own children, said TracyMunn, owner of Sew Simply Academyin Black Mountain, which offers sew-ing classes for kids age 8 and older (aswell as adults).

Its so exciting to see these youngones just take to the sewing machineand learn how to make pillows, purs-es, even clothes, Munn said.

Daniel Wilson, a staff member atA.C. Moore in East Asheville, saidtheres a big demand for craft materi-als for kids projects, from foam kits to

paint-your-own ornaments to beadingand jewelry-making.

A lot of moms buy these materialsto keep the kids busy at home whiletheyre out shopping during the holi-days, Wilson said. And churches buya ton of stuff so kids at Vacation BibleSchool or Sunday school can makegifts to give to their parents.

Here are some craft ideas for kids.

Get crafty: Let kids make holiday presentsBy Barbara BlakeStaff writer

PHOTOS BY BARBARA BLAKEFoam kits that require only assembling andgluing are popular with young children.

SOME LOCAL CLASSESSeveral businesses in Asheville offer craftand sewing classes for children andadults. Check these out: A.C. Moore, 800 Fairview Road atRiver Ridge shopping center, 299-0777,acmoore.com. Michaels, 111 River Hills Road, 299-0183, and 5 McKenna Road, Arden,684-1961, or michaels.com Sew Simply Academy, Black Moun-tain, 669-3978 or sewsimply.com.


Handsome hangersThis is an attractive and practical gift kidscan make in less than an hour, using clothribbon and recycled plastic shopping bags.You will need:Plastic coat hangers.About 12 plastic shopping bags per hang-er.Tape4 yards of ribbon (1 inches wide) perhanger.

1. To pad each hanger, wrap plastic bagsevenly around it, using short strips of tapeto attach them at both ends. Cover thewhole hanger except for the hook.2. Wrap ribbon around the plastic bag padding, starting at the base of the hook and leaving a1-foot tail extending above it. Overlap the ribbon enough to hide the plastic.3. When you get back to where you started, cut the ribbon so that you have another 1-foot tail,then tie the two ends into a tight bow.Source: familyfun.com

No-sew sachetsEven kids who dont sew can help fashion abunch of these fragrant, colorful sachets, andits a great way to recycle fabric remnants.You will need:Fabric scraps (seasonal or everyday).Fabric glue.Potpourri, like lavender flowers or balsam firneedles.

1. For each sachet, place two matching, 5-inchfabric squares back to back and glue the edgestogether on three sides. Spread the glue closeto the edges to prevent fraying.2. Once the glue is dry, fill the sachet with about a half cup of potpourri. Then glue together theopen edges and again let the glue dry.3. Arrange the finished sachets in multi-colored stacks and tie them together with a festiveribbon or yarn.Source: familyfun.com

Ice candleIn this classic kitchen craft, kids cancombine ice and hot wax to form acool, lacy-looking candle that can bea holiday table centerpiece or aspecial gift.You will need:Scissors, knife, paper towel, largespoon, bowl and large saucepan.Cylindrical cardboard container (saltor oatmeal).Cooking oil.White taper candle.Large tin can.1 pound of paraffin wax.Wooden skewer.Crayon pieces.Crushed ice.

1. Cut off the top of the cardboard container. Use a paper towel to coat the inside with cookingoil. With a knife, trim the bottom of the taper candle so it is the same height as the mold.2. Fill the tin can with the wax and place it in a saucepan filled with two inches of water. Set thepan over low heat. Use a wooden skewer to stir the melting wax. Mix in crayon pieces to get thedesired candle color.3. Pour inch of wax into the prepared mold and immediately stick the taper into the center,wick end up. Hold the taper in place for a minute or two while the wax sets.4. Spoon two inches of crushed ice around the taper, then cover the ice almost completely withmelted wax. Add more ice, then more wax, alternating until the mold is filled.5. Set the mold in a bowl for about an hour (it will leak water), letting the wax harden complete-ly, then peel off the cardboard.Source: familyfun.com

Photo ornamentThis keepsake ornament can be sewn on a machine or by hand, and is a great gift for grand-parents.Print a photo of the child from a computer (needs to be on paper and not a real photo).Cut card stock into shape of Christmas tree, snowflake, star, etc.Cut photo out to appropriate size, place on cut-out shape, and using sewing machine or handstitching, sew all around the edges.Add buttons, rick-rack, lace, glitter or other adornments with strong glue, and add a ribbonloop to hang it by.From Sew Simply Academy in Black Mountain.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT




Secreted behinda fortress of fencesand state-of-the-art security, theWhite Housekeeps its centuries-old vigil over pres-idential life and governance. It is asilent witness to years oftop-secret meetings,planning and policy-making. More humbly, itis witness to turkey par-dons, Easter egg rolling andordinary day-to-day livingof the presidents and theirfamilies. The vicissitudes ofWhite House history are cor-ralled neatly in two new booksfor children: White House Qand A by Denise Rinaldo andOur White House: Looking In, Look-ing Out by various authors.

Children who are just being in-troduced to history will enjoy WhiteHouse Q and A. It is a slim book pub-lished in association with the Smith-sonian. The table of contents is a listof the questions answered in the book.A few of the questions are, Whotakes care of the White House? andWhats it like to grow up in the White

House? and What is astate dinner? Each ques-tion is answered in a two-page spread. Large ar-chival photographscomplement the text.In addition to report-worthy facts like whodesigned the WhiteHouse and why itburned down in1814, young readers

will enjoy reading aboutand seeing photographs of the

bowling alley, movie theater and AmyCarters treehouse.

Our White House is a singular

collection of stories, poems and il-lustrations from more than 100 chil-drens authors andillustrators. The worksreflect the ways theWhite House hasinfluenced or beeninfluenced by peopleand events over theyears. Jane Yolenbegins the collec-tion with an imag-ined conversationbetween John andAbigail Adams, inwhich they critique thenew White House.

Later, a story by Meg Cabot de-scribes a modern teen girls time-traveling to the White House in thetime of Dolley Madison. Author JonScieszka contributes a wry poemabout the appropriateness of the nameWhite House. He ponders, Dontyou think its a bit of a shame/ Thatfor this grand residence,/ home of our

presidents,/ Thats the best we coulddo for a name? Tony Fuciles accom-panying illustration shows an enor-

mous neon sign towering overthe White House. Glowingletters read: Welcome to theMagnificent, Monumental,and Downright CheerfulGrand Palace of the Presidentof the United States. Childrenwho have some knowledge ofkey events in American historywill find this book interestingand useful.

What author Gregory Maguirewrites in the preface of OurWhite House is sound advice for

both books. He beckons the reader tolook at the White House more closelybecause there are as many views,looking in and out of the White Housewindows, as there are eyes to look.

These books are available throughthe Buncombe County Public Librar-ies. Visit buncombecounty.org formore information.

librarians picks

2 titles offer a peek inside the White HouseBy Jennifer PrinceBuncombe CountyLibraries


Today, were talking wind chimes.Ive always wanted to make a gloriousone, but didnt know where to start.

I wanted something over the top, apiece that had layers of texture.Wouldnt you know, I found one atCost Plus (World Market). I boughtthe retail version and worked on it. Bythe time it was finished, no one couldtell it was the same chime. It is per-fectly OK to cheat a bit if you find theright foundation at a store. Take it andmake it your own.

The idea is to use interesting ob-jects. Look through your craft stashfor buttons, old spools, beads, mini-mirrors, ribbons, trims and connectthem together for one wild eye-pop-ping result.

Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelancecraft designer and author. Send yourquestions or ideas to her [email protected] or visit herWeb site, www.craftychica.com.

crafts

Chimes can be a breezeBy Kathy Cano-MurilloGannett News Service

GANNETT NEWS SERVICEWith mini-mirrors, beads, some ribbon andglue, you can customize a store-bought windchime like this one.

Mixed-media wind chime1 wind chime with bottles, glass paint, adhesive leading, six-strand embroidery thread,fishing wire, embroidery needle, assorted spools of thread (can be found at bargainstores), assorted spools of ribbon, mini-mirrors, beads, hot glue.

Untie the bottles from the foundation. Apply the adhesive leading and decorate with glasspaint. Let dry overnight. Reattach the bottles to the foundation. Cut two 24-inch-longpieces of fishing line, and hot glue the mini-mirrors to them, all the way down. Tie eachstrand on the foundation, in between the bottles. Use the needle and embroidery thread tostring beads, spools of thread and charms to ribbons about 24 inches long. Make four ofthese and tie them on in a balanced fashion. Continue adding strands of whatever otheritems you like, such as bottle caps, flowers and even small painted pictures.When hanging, make sure to use a secure hook, because your chime will be slightly heavy.If it is too heavy, reinforce by adding an extra stand.Tip: Use a bit of hot glue on ribbon knots for extra holding power.


Come on, shouldnt kids be playingsports like football and basketball?Isnt Ping-Pong a game for old peopleor just a game for family reunions anda way to pass the time?

Thats not what DeAndre Pattonsaid when I popped in to check outthe Phoenix Table Tennis Club. Heplays at the gym two times each week.

Shouldnt a 12-year-old be outplaying soccer or somethingmore challenging? I askedhim.

I get a really goodworkout when I play tabletennis, he said.

(By the way, if you wantto make a gym full ofsweating, hardworking peo-ple mad at you, call this gamePing-Pong.) Its called tabletennis! Save yourself the angrylooks and save the title Ping-Pongfor the playroom.

James Troogstad, a 10-year-old,plays twice a week as well.

First I go home and do my home-work, and then I come and play,James said to me. Its like baseball.You get to hit the ball hard but have tohit it to one place.

Then there is Bill Baker, the 75-year-old mentor to these kids.

Ive been playing since the KoreanWar, he said with lots of energy. Istarted to play in 1953, and then playeda lot in Germany in 1954.

OK, thats about all the interview-

ing I could take. I was ready for somePing-Pong. Whoops, I mean tabletennis!

I wanted to pick my opponentsfrom the easy victims, warm up andthen move up (after a few games) tothe adult games on the other side ofthe gym.

So, first, I took on DeAndre.Theres no way I could lose to a 12-year-old. The score was 1-1 (I let himget a point to boost his confidence),

and I was looking good. It waswhat happened next when I

knew I was in trouble. Hereturned one of my in-famous and powerfulforehands with a slamright back at me. Finalscore: DeAndre 11, Tom

Kuyper 3.OK, maybe I should

move down and take on littleJames, which I did. I overpoweredhim and took advantage of theyoung kid. Final Score: JamesTroogstad 4, Tom Kuyper 11. I wasall over the 10-year-old. It doesnt

take much to regain that lost confi-dence. (I never did make it over to theadults.)

What a great way for kids to spendtheir afternoons. Table tennis is anawesome way for kids to stay activeand build relationships. It was fun forme to watch these kids interact withsome of the adults who were there,and even better, to watch these adultstake on that mentor role.

E-mail Tom Kuyper at [email protected].

Table tennis unites allages in healthy activity

By Tom KuyperGannett News Service


Having lived in Texas her wholelife, Tish Klein knew no one when shemoved to Noblesville, Ind., with herhusband two years ago. On top of that,she was adapting to being newly mar-ried and, later, to having a new babygirl without her longtime friendsand family.

Then she found StrollerFit, a fit-ness group for mothers that integrateskids in strollers into regular workouts.Before long, Klein, Erin Bradley, Shan-non Mann and others were havingmoms night out, play dates withkids, cookouts and game nights withtheir families.

Ever since I met them and formeda group of friends, it lifted my mood alot, says Klein, 30. It gave me some-thing to look forward to. We talkabout kids, marriage, husbands andwork, the gamut.

Friendships profoundly affect thephysical and mental health of both

women and men, researchers say.Numerous studies have shown thatpeople who report loneliness die ear-lier, get sickmore oftenand weathertransitionswith greaterphysicalwear and tearthan thosewho have asupport net-work.

If you feel isolated, not validatedor accepted by others, there seems tobe a whole constellation of outcomes loneliness, alienation, susceptibilityto depression that results, saysEdward R. Hirt, a psychology profes-sor at Indiana University. This doesntmean people constantly need thevalidation of others, Hirt adds, butthat they need to know that support isthere if they do need it.

Alison Jester can relate to that.Through a shared interest in knitting,

she has grown close to quite a fewwomen over the years, first as a youngmother and now as a 52-year-old part-

time em-ployee at theBroad RippleKnit Shop.Womengather thereor at anothershop forclasses orjust to chat.

As a mother with young children,it was a lifesaver, she says.

Sometimes, family members maybe more prone to giving advice ortelling you what you dont want tohear, says Michele C. Thorne, assis-tant professor of clinical psychologyat the IU School of Medicine. Thatmay not be as good for you as a friendwho listens and guides you, but sup-ports your decisions.

The most important factor aboutfriendships, Thorne adds, seems to bethe perceived satisfaction with those

relationships, not the number of themor what friends do together.

Studies by researchers at OhioState University and Carnegie MellonUniversity have found that peoplereporting strong social supports havemore robust immune systems and areless likely to get infectious diseases,largely because of reduced stress.

Theres a long line of work show-ing that lonely people had poorerimmune functions than their lesslonely counterparts, says Janice Kie-colt-Glasier, a professor and memberof the Institute of Behavioral Med-icine Research at Ohio State Uni-versitys College of Medicine.

In a 2006 study by psychologistTodd Jackson, nearly 400 adults fromthe Midwest completed a series ofquestions related to health practices,stress, depression and social supportthey received from their significantother, family and friends.

For both women and men, havinga highly supportive network of closerelationships was associated withreporting a healthier diet, more exer-cise, less nicotine and alcohol abuseand better adherence to routine med-ical examinations, says Jackson, asso-ciate professor of psychology at JamesCook University in Townsville, Aus-tralia.

One reason for the link betweensocial support and good health prac-tices seems to be that people who feelcared for by others are less vulnerableto the effects of stress and are protect-ed against the symptoms of depres-sion, he says.

As a result, they may be able todevote more time and energy towardself-care, Jackson says. Particularlyfor women, feeling cared for and sup-ported within their close social net-works is particularly important infostering self-care.

Generally, women benefit mostbecause of how they deal with stress.Women are more social in how theycope with stress, while men are morelikely to have a fight or flight reac-tion, says Shelley E. Taylor, author ofThe Tending Instinct and a socialneuroscientist at the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles.

While aggression and withdrawaltake a psychological toll, friendshipbrings comfort that lessens the illeffects of stress, she says.

Good friends mean better healthBy Barb BerggoetzGannett News Service

Studies by researchers have foundthat people reporting strong social sup-ports have more robust immune systemsand are less likely to get infections dis-eases, largely because of reduced stress.


Whenever he thought about be-coming a father, Emmy Award-win-ning journalist Ed Gordon pictured alittle fellow to play ball with, to schoolon life lessons and to cheer as heducked and dodged and dribbleddown the court to score.

His bundle of joy turned out to be agirl. He had no idea what to do with agirl.

But after daughter Taylors birth 14years ago, he discovered a love deeperthan he knew possible. And learnedhe could and should cheer her on, too.

After Gordon wrote about his ex-perience in Essence magazine in 2006,he was overwhelmed by the volumeand variety of responses and knew hehad to do something to bring moreattention to the crucial bond betweenblack fathers and their daughters.

In September, Gordon, 48,launched a national church and col-lege tour to celebrate black fatherswho have positive relationships withtheir daughters and to encourageother fathers to develop such bonds.

During this tour, men will make apledge to love, support and protecttheir daughters and be a good ex-ample of what a man should be.

Uplifting black familiesSuch efforts are critical to streng-

thening black families, says Obie Clay-ton, chairman of the sociology depart-ment at Morehouse College in Atlantaand lead author of Black Fathers inContemporary American Society:Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategiesfor Change.

Fathers have more impact on theirdaughters success than weve histor-ically thought, in terms of their educa-tional achievement and overall devel-opment, he says. The father is usual-ly the first man in a daughters life andwhat she gets from that relationshipshe takes into her relationships, notonly with males, but with females.

Since Gordons Essence article, hesbeen working to create a multipur-

pose, national movement DaddysPromise focused on black fathersand their daughters. Bounty papertowel manufacturer signed on as anational sponsor and 100 Black Men ofAmerica Inc., of which he is a mem-ber, is a primary supporter.

Im hoping to raise awareness bygetting people to talk about the im-portance of the father-daughter rela-tionship, he says. I also want to sa-lute men who are doing the right thingbecause there are a lot of us out thereand you dont read or hear about themoften enough. And we want to push ornudge those who need it. A real manstands strong by taking care of his

kids.Anton Chastang, 36, of Romulus,

Mich., and father of a 6-year-olddaughter, applauds Gordons efforts.

The relationship between blackfathers and daughters is paramount,says Chastang. That relationship setsthe standard for what youre lookingfor and not looking for in men, bothpersonally and professionally. If fa-thers dont spend time building rela-tionships with their daughters, theyreleaving their daughters to fend forthemselves.

All fathers welcomeAlthough the effort is aimed at

African-American fathers, it is notexclusive to them, Gordon says. Im ablack man, and I have a daughter, sothats what spoke to me. Also, black

men have disproportionately not beenin the homes taking care of our kidsthe way we should.

More than half of all black childrenare being raised in single-parent hou-seholds, mostly by mothers, accordingto the U.S. Census Bureau. About 28percent of American children livewith a single parent.

Although divorced from Taylorsmother, Gordon maintains a strongrelationship with his ex-wife anddaughter, who live in Detroit.

My greatest hope and desire forher is that she become as accom-plished as she can be in terms of herlifes goals, he says. And, more im-portantly, that she is a happy person,secure in the knowledge that I loveher unconditionally. I want her toknow she always has her daddy in hercorner.

Journalist celebratesfather-daughter bond

GANNETT PHOTO NETWORKJournalist Ed Gordon sits with his daughter, Taylor. In September, Gordon launched a nation-al church and college tour to celebrate black fathers who have positive relationships withtheir daughters and encourage other fathers to develop such bonds.

DADDYS PROMISEThis is the pledge Ed Gordons campaign isasking fathers to make and give to theirdaughters:Dear (Daughters name)I make this pledge to you because I love you!I promise to always support you, no matterthe conditions.I promise to keep you safe no matter thedanger; yet let you grow and live your life.I promise to be your rock and give you en-couragement in times of need.I promise to always respect you and live asan example of what a good man should be.I promise to share my knowledge, my mis-takes and my lessons so you gain wisdomfrom my life.I promise, whenever I can, to make your roadsmoother.I promise to answer when you call, be therewhen you need me and even when you thinkyou dont!I promise to show you how important you areto me!I promise that I will always be in your life andbe the best father I can be!(And most of all) I promise a lifetime oflove!!!!!!!Love,Daddy

On the Net: Daddys Promise at daddyspro-mise.com. Visit the site for tour dates.

By Cassandra SpratlingGannett News Service


Buncombe County Public LibrariesMother Goose TimeFor babies and toddlers 4-18 months old.Fairview Library: 10:30 a.m. TuesdaysOakley/South Asheville: 11 a.m. ThursdaysPack Memorial Library: 10 a.m. Tuesdaysfor walkers; 11 a.m. Tuesdays for nonwalkers.Swannanoa Library: 11 a.m. WednesdaysWeaverville: 11 a.m., second and fourthWednesdays of the monthWest Asheville Library: 11 a.m. Mondays.School-age story timeFor childen 5-7 years old.Pack Memorial Library: 10 a.m. Wednes-days, September through May.North Asheville Library: 3:30 p.m. Thurs-daysStory timeFor children 3-5 years old.Black Mountain Library: 10:30 a.m.WednesdaysEast Asheville Library: 11 a.m. Wednesdaysand Saturdays.Enka-Candler Library: 10:30 a.m. Wednes-daysFairview Library: 10:30 a.m. ThursdaysLeicester Library: 10:30 a.m. WednesdaysNorth Asheville Library: 11 a.m. Wednes-daysOakley/South Asheville Library: 10 a.m.Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. ThursdaysPack Memorial Library: 11 a.m. Wednes-daysSkyland/South Buncombe Library: 10:30a.m. ThursdaysSwannanoa Library: 11 a.m. ThursdaysWeaverville Library: 11 a.m. the first andthird Tuesdays of the monthWest Asheville Library: 11 a.m. ThursdaysToddler TimeFor children 18-36 months old.

Black Mountain Library: 10:30 a.m. Thurs-daysEnka-Candler Library: 10:30 a.m. ThursdaysFairview Library: 10:30 a.m. WednesdaysLeicester Library: 11 a.m. TuesdaysNorth Asheville Library: 10 a.m. WednesdayPack Memorial Library: 10 and 11 a.m.ThursdaysSkyland/South Buncombe Library: 10:30a.m. WednesdaysWeaverville Library: 11 a.m., second andfourth ThursdaysWest Asheville Library: 11 a.m. WednesdaysStorylineCall 251-5437 for a story anytime.Spanish Story timeAsheville-Buncombe County Library System,West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road,Asheville. Free story reading in Spanish forpreschool through kindergarten. Parentsneed to remain in the library.Call 251-4990 for more information.

Barnes & NobleStory time: 1 p.m. every Saturday.American Girl Club: Discussion and craftsbased on American Girl stories, 4 p.m. everythird Saturday.Magic Tree House Club: 4 p.m. every fourthSunday with discussion and activities.Call 296-9330 or 296-9326 for more infor-mation. At Barnes & Noble, 83 S. TunnelRoad, East Asheville.

Osondu BooksellersPreschoolers story time: 10:30 a.m. Tues-days. A new weekly story time with teacher,librarian, and story teller Pam Lloyd.Osondu Booksellers is at 184 N. Main St.,Waynesville. For more information, call 456-8062 or visit osondubooksellers.com.From staff reports

Where to find a story time


is the preferred option, but some cats are suited tosupervised outdoor living, meaning theyre let inand out on a schedule and only when people arehome, never left out all night, Brehler said. Whilethere are clearly increased risks to their level ofsafety, when handled conscientiously, many indoor/outdoor cats live healthy, full lives.

Equipment to get startedFood and water bowls; high-quality food; litter

box and litter; bedding; a variety of toys and treats;a twine scratching post - cats use them more andthey help keep their nails filed; cubbyhole hidingplaces you can get elaborate versions at petstores, but a simple box or paper bag can serve justas well.

Vaccinations and other health issuesIf its an indoor cat that never comes into con-

tact with another feline, it will probably only need arabies vaccine annually, Osborne said. Cats thatare indoor/outdoor or come into contact with othercats need a feline distemper, feline leukemia andrabies vaccine annually.

Never give milk or dairy products to kittens or

So youve decided to add a furry, feline friend toyour family. But how do you begin the process?

Pets offer unconditional love and warm compan-ionship, and they ask for little in return. But thereare certain fundamentals that need to be in placebefore bringing a kitten or an older cat home.

First and foremost is finding the right matchbetween a cat and your family.

Good matchmaking is critical to finding theright fit, said Jennifer Brehler, director of opera-tions with the Asheville Humane Society. Theideal match is really dependent on the lifestyle ofthe family or individual, as well as the activity levelof the cat.

A cat that has been in a home with children andother animals may do fine in a family setting, whilean older cat that has not been exposed to childrenor may have health issues may not be suited for ahome with children, Brehler said. Conversely,while a robust and mellow kitten may do great withkids, kittens that are more timid or have a slightphysical build may not be a good match for thehome, she said. Its important to understand thelifestyle of your family to make the best match.

Dr. Lea Osborne, who owns the Pet Vet on Pattonat 2 Hansel Ave. in West Asheville, agreed that find-ing the right cat to match your family and lifestyleis critical, and you should take your time makingthat very important decision.

One visit is not going to let you know what thecats personality is, so you need to visit the cat mul-tiple times, she said. Thin

WNC Parent - November 2008

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