Over the weekend, the Exchange Club of Lockport held its 56th annual circus that has more than just a little bit of local flavor to it. Sometimes we get so caught up in chain restaurants and international department stores around here that we forget what it means to enjoy something that was born and bred in Lockport.

When I was growing up, almost everything I watched on television or did in the city was homegrown. I am one of those weird people who used to look forward to the real telethons we used to have in the 70s and 80s, and I would actually watch big chunks of those telethons until the wee hours of the morning. I was a big fan of Commander Tom, and I also loved listening to John Otto on the radio. When we had a huge blizzard, I would turn on WLVL and listen for hours. If it had any kind of local flair to it, then I would much prefer it to any nationally produced program.

Everything you could ever want in a small town circus you will find at the Exchange Club Circus each year. The best part is that the Kenan Arena was packed for the 4pm Saturday show. To me, that means that I get to take my grandkids to next year’s performance as well.

There is something special about taking little ones to something as accessible as a small town circus. My three-year-old grandson was clapping and laughing through the whole thing. He loved watching the aerial gymnast as she put on a show that made my neck hurt just watching it. He even loved the clowns, even though he could not hear what they were saying at all. With the energy that every performer put into their performance, it was impossible for a child not to enjoy what was going on.

My one-year-old grandson was a bit overwhelmed at first. The live band was a little loud, there were a ton of people in the arena, and he had never been around that much commotion in his life. After a while, he started to get the hang of it and there was a smile here and there whenever something funny happened.

There is nothing that beats the look of a child at his first circus. My three-year-old grandson is at an impressionable age where he wants to do everything he sees. After I finally got him to go to a hockey game at the Cornerstone Arena, he announced that he wanted to learn how to skate and play hockey. On Sunday, I was watching golf on television and my grandson was sitting in the chair next to me playing on his grandmother’s Kindle. I looked over at him a few minutes later and he was watching the television intently, and announced that he wanted to “learn how to do that.” So now I get to teach my grandson golf. The kid is turning more and more into me every day. Now I am afraid he will want to be a circus clown. I guess there are worse things.

The point is that if you want to share some family moments in Lockport, there are plenty of homegrown ways to go about it. Cornerstone Arena is creating more and more events every month, and activities like the Exchange Club Circus happen all year round in Lockport.

I’m not saying that you cannot go someplace else for those treasured family memories. I mean, everyone needs a vacation. But I think that people sometimes take for granted just how much there is to do around here and how available family memories are within the city of Lockport.

In the summer there is the Niagara County Fair and Lockport’s Little League baseball games, and in the winter there is whatever is going on at the Cornerstone Arena. Anyone who lives here and wants to pass on what it means to be from Lockport to their kids should consider taking advantage of what this city has to offer. When you take the time to investigate all of your Lockport-based entertainment options, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

+George N Root III is a Lockport resident passing on what it means to be from Lockport to the next two generations. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3 or email him at georgenroot3@gmail.com.

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It used to be that people took my boys for twins all the time.

They do resemble each other a bit, I guess; they both have blue eyes and blondish hair. For a long time, they were even the same height, although I think one has finally passed the other for good.
Lately, though, people think Sam is the elder. They refer to Jim as “your little brother,” and it’s not difficult to understand why. It’s not their stature, or even their relative level of accomplishment. It’s the dynamic between them.

Sam takes care of Jim – not in the way of a parent or adult, but in the way older siblings have. He looks out for him. He encourages him. And Jim, in turn, looks up to him. (When he’s not trying to bait him or otherwise drive him nuts. They are siblings, after all.)

I started thinking about this a few days ago, when I was trying desperately to accomplish a certain task during the evening. Jim was getting frustrated about something; I could hear it in his voice, and I made a mental note to help out as soon as I had my hands free. Then that note of frustration ... vanished.

I glanced over and saw my boys, heads bent together as the younger showed the older how to figure out the problem he’d been having. He demonstrated, then had Jim do it for himself, correcting him when necessary. Then he went back to what he’d been doing before the whole thing started.
It was over in minutes. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

It can’t be easy, being the sibling of a child with special needs.

It is easy, as a frazzled parent, to simply be grateful when you see scenes like the one I described, to realize that you now have a little bit of extra backup in the form of the sibling. And it’s all part of working together as a family, after all.

But there are times things are complicated by that difference in the family. Times plans are derailed because of issues with crowds and sensory issues and the fact that one child needs that constant supervision. Times when the more self-sufficient sibling doesn’t get quite as much attention because the other sibling simply needs it more. And, unfortunately, times when you just have to say, “I’m sorry. We can’t do that because your brother couldn’t handle it.”

And because they help out so often, it can be so easy to take them for granted, to forget that they’re only kids too. They’re held to a higher standard. As parents, you get so used to the younger child acting as the older that sometimes you forget he’s only in elementary school himself.

So, what’s a parent to do? All I can say is, we try really hard to make sure we don’t expect him to step up too much. We say “thank you” and “I appreciate it” when he does. We find ways to work around the things his brother can’t handle, even if it means Jim gets to hang out with his grandparents for a day while the rest of us do something else. If we can’t give full attention at one moment, we always try to do it as soon as we can.

Here’s to the siblings. They’re growing up with an extra dose of compassion and understanding and self-sufficiency. It’s not always easy, but they shoulder the task.

And they’re going to grow into better people because of it.

+Jill Keppeler thinks we could use more compassion in this day and age. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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So, happy St. Valentine’s Day.

We don’t do much for the day. My husband and I will probably go to dinner sometime next month, when the craziness has worn down. Sam dutifully wrote out cards for his classmates. Jim has moved past that.

Partly because they don’t make Valentines cards for kids in the subject Sam wanted this year (Doctor Who) and partly because we sort of forgot to even look for an alternative, I helped him make handmade cards this year. Nothing fancy, just heart shapes cut out using a scrapbooking gadget, which he then decorated with crayon and glitter glue. I was ... uh, he was ... quite proud of them.
It happens every year, though. He takes his cards in to school. He brings home cards ... and an absolute plethora of stuff. Candy, including heart-shaped lollipops and Valentines-themed Starburst and other random pieces of sugar. Trinkets. Pencils. (Which are, at least, useful.) The stuff can get quite elaborate. We parcel out the candy, horde the pencils and, feeling somewhat guilty, tend to pitch the rest. (Which also happens with most of the candy.)

What gives, parents?

It’s not just St. Valentine’s Day. It happens on Halloween, some birthdays, occasionally on Christmas. Cheap plastic trinkets (including, a few times, whistles ... who thought that was a good idea?) and sugar. It’s enough to make a parent feel inadequate (for not sending in all the extras) and exasperated at the same time. (Because we neither want, nor need, all this stuff. Neither do the landfills.)

Maybe it has to do with the crackdown on taking in treats for class parties and birthdays. (I understand when it’s an allergy issue; I shake my head when it’s some notion of “healthy” choices. Moderation and an occasional treat are healthy choices.) The decision of what to take (I tended to lean toward Rice Krispy treats or Jell-O Jigglers – remember those?), the moment of proud unveiling in the classroom ... it was a big deal in my elementary-school days.

Perhaps today’s parents remember those days and want to give their kids a modern-day equivalent. I don’t know. But I wish it would stop.

By all means, continue the tradition of St. Valentine’s Day cards, whether they’re Batman- or Star Wars-themed or simply cut-out paper hearts.

But enough with the stuff.

*

So, I could use a hand.

I was talking to a friend about how our go-to picks for dining with children tend to be chain restaurants. It’s logical, really ... you generally know what you’re going to get, they almost always have children’s menus and there are a lot of them around.

But there are also so many good local restaurants in Western New York. Given the choice, I’d much rather patronize them than just another chain.

That said ... sometimes a recommendation makes all the difference.

So, folks, let me know. What’s your favorite kid-friendly, non-chain restaurant in the area? Email me at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

Thanks!

+Jill Keppeler misses the days of sending in school treats. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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I’m taking a brief break from kid hijinks to write a bit about my thoughts on new parenthood and baby showers ... specifically, do’s and don’ts as far as presents go. As always, this is my opinion alone. (Albeit opinion informed by years of parenting.)

So, last week I rattled on about what I saw as four don’ts. Each came with disclaimers. I’m sure these will, as well, but they’re things we found useful, once upon a time.

ONE: Practical clothing.

This was going to be divided up into two or three items, but it really does depend on the time of year and, to some extent, on the baby in question. It definitely did with ours.

Two words: Bodysuits and sleepers. You can never have enough.

(Note: By bodysuits, I mean those little one-piece outfits often called “onesies” – a term that’s actually trademarked.)

They often go under other clothing, but in the summer (or with a child who runs warm, like one of ours did), a onesie alone can be the garb of the day. They wash well, you’ll almost always need one and you can pick up a pack of five or so plain ones for $10-$15.

Want to be fancier? Get them in patterns or colors. Need something a little warmer? You can get them with long sleeves. You can find them with cute sayings on them, or characters. (The boys had one, passed on from older brother to younger brother, with Darth Vader emblazoned on it.)

On the flip side: Cozy one-piece sleepers.

Nothing fancy or frilly. Just a good ol’ terrycloth or fleece or something lighter weight for warm weather. When the parents are too exhausted or too busy or too ... whatever ... they’re a great way to say “Hey! The kid is clothed!” and move on to more pressing things. And I’m pretty sure that they must be more comfortable then many fancier items.

And, as I said before, it’s nice to get an array of sizes. When the kid is moving into size 9-12 months and all the tiny, adorable things don’t fit anymore, the parents will thank you.

TWO: Cloth diapers.

Bear with me. This isn’t just for those dedicated folks who decide to use these for their intended purpose. (Although good for them.)

You’ll see lots of so-called “burp clothes” in baby supply aisles and stores. They tend to be flimsy, colorful, sometimes decorated, and you might pay $12 or more for a package of four.

Skip these. Head for the cloth diapers.

They’re not pretty. They’re just white. They’re sturdy and they’re less expensive. They probably won’t be on anyone’s registry.

They’re the best.

Think about these things will be used for. (And believe me, they will be used.) Do you really want the pretty, embroidered, thin ones? Or do you want the sturdy ones that can be washed frequently without falling apart? With plenty of bleach?

It sounds silly, but these were one of the most useful things we received.

THREE: The little things.

Babies need a lot of big stuff. They need cribs and car seats and highchairs and strollers. But not everyone can pony up the cash for that sort of baby shower gift.

The thing is, babies need a lot of little stuff, too. New parents will find a need for a steady supply of baby wash (for sensitive baby skin) and lotion. Those soft little washcloths are good, too. Again, however, I suggest you go for the simple, inexpensive ones. These things tend to get lost.

So do baby spoons, when the kid is old enough to sample food. We had a pack of study plastic spoons in bright colors that someone bought us. They washed well and if one went missing (perhaps hurled across the room after Sam decided he hated carrots), it wasn’t a big deal. We kept a handful in the diaper bag at all times. Very useful.

If you’re looking for a baby gift and can’t spend a ton, a basket stocked with an assortment of the little stuff can be very helpful and useful. I still remember some of these types of gifts, many years later.

FOUR: Musical toys.

Big disclaimer here: Make sure it’s not too obnoxious and that there’s a volume control. And I’m sure that, as with all these items, it partly depends on the baby and the personality involved.

But if you’re the sort of person who likes to buy toys, even for an infant who hasn’t the foggiest grasp of what a toy really is, music tends to catch their attention. At least it did with my two.

To this day, Jim’s musical frog, purchased for him when he was 5 months old, is still a soothing companion for him. Just the other day, I found him sitting with it, listening to a lullaby. (And now that I think of it, I can hear it in the other room as I type this ...)

That leads me to another note: Make sure the batteries can be changed. He had a beloved teddy bear once with which that wasn’t possible. The demise of the music led to many tears and a lengthy (and not entirely successful) hunt for a similar model.

So, there you have it. But remember, every baby, every parent, differs. What we found practical and useful may not work for everyone.

However, nearly seven years after my youngest turned 1, these are still the things I remember. That has to count for something, right?

+Jill Keppeler cannot say enough good things about the practicality of cloth diapers as burp clothes. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

RELATED LINK: 

• DOUBLE TROUBLE: What not to buy ... for babies

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I’ve been thinking about baby showers lately.

Oh, don’t give me that look. There’s no news here. (Except for the fact that there seems to be a lot of other people’s baby news around me recently.) It’s led to some musing about the time when my boys were infants, what we thought we knew before they arrived, and what we learned. These days, I feel like an old pro ... of babyhood, if not the challenges inherent in older kids. (AKA, “Your friend told you WHAT?”)

I mused to some co-workers that I should write a column about the things new parents really aren’t going to need that they nonetheless love to register for, and the things a potential baby-gift buyer can purchase that will actually be the most use. The response was enthusiastic. So I tried to step back in time 7 or 11 years or so, and remember when the boys were tiny.

New parents (and baby-gift purchasers), in no particular order, I suggest you reconsider the following:

ONE: Anything newborn or 0-3 month size.

I’m not suggesting that you never buy the kid anything in this size. Heck, you might wind up needing a number of things. But I do suggest waiting to buy a great deal of clothing in the tinier sizes until after the child in question is born.

Why? Two words: Nine pounds. My eldest son, who was predicted to be quite small, wound up being a whopper. Anything designed for newborns never fit him at all. His brother, a bit smaller, only wore that size briefly.

The new parents certainly might need smaller clothing. But I’d wait to make those purchases until after the baby has arrived. Also, people seem to like to buy tiny clothes. When the kid is entering size 6-9 months and they don’t have near as much in the closet, they’ll thank you.

TWO: Anything complicated or frilly.

Sure, it looks adorable. The parents might get a few cute photos out of it ... before it’s spit up on, peed on, pooped on or other desecrated. Babies produce a tremendous amount of bodily fluids, more than you might ever think possible. And they seem to have a sixth sense for when this will damage a delicate outfit beyond all repair. (Anything that can be described by the word “delicate” should probably be considered a bad idea in general.) You can buy a lot of cute things that are far more practical.

Oh, I’m not going to recommend anyone try to stop grandma from buying the baby’s first suit or Easter dress. (I mean, just stand back if my mom ever gets the word she’s going to have a granddaughter.) But for the most part, this sort of thing might be nice for a few “oooooh and aaaahs” at the shower, but it’s not going to help the new parents out much at all.

THREE: A baby carrier.

I’m finding most of these items come with disclaimers. Some kids love these things. I’ve certainly seen my share of contented babies snoozing away in them while strapped snugly to mom or dad. But they’re one of those things that are best purchased after the baby has arrived and you have a feel for his or her personality.

Case in point: Sam. I purchased a nice carrier before he was born. He was a summer baby, and I had mental images of happy days walking around sunny Buffalo festivals with him safely tucked inside, or peering outside with interest.

Big fat NOPE.

Sam hated the carrier. He hated it with a white-hot passion. When he was small enough to have to ride facing me, he hated it because he couldn’t see anything, and he wanted to see everything. And then when he was big enough to face outward, he wanted to be out, damn it, and preferably mobile.
By all means, think about it. Do the research on the variety and the safety standards so you know what you want. Just wait until you have an idea of the kid’s personality before you actually buy.

FOUR: Stuffed animals.

Again, a disclaimer. I’ve purchased stuffed animals for babies that the kids still love years later. I had a number of precious one in my own childhood. Like most things, stuffed animals in moderation are great.

But though many are purchased, few are chosen. The stuffie that gets picked as a child’s utter favorite companion will be only one of a pure avalanche of plush critters from well-meaning family and friends. And when the kids are, say, 7 and 11, and the time has come to clean out some of the old toys, you have a dilemma.

You’ll find that no one really wants old stuffed animals ... and it really doesn’t feel right to just pitch them. (I’ve seen “Toy Story” too many times.) So, I beg you, make sure you really want to buy that stuffed puppy and that you’re not just picking it as a default present.

There are better things you can buy in the latter case. Check back in next week for my thoughts on that.

+Jill Keppeler doesn’t really miss the baby stage. Much. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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I am now, officially, a hockey mom.

Or is it a floor hockey mom? I don’t think it matters. My younger son is now playing floor hockey in a small local league, and that makes me a hockey mom, as far as I’m concerned. Maybe there are different of hockey-momness (I’m sure there are), but I’m finally in the ranks. This is a day I’ve seen coming to some extent for just about 12 years now.

I’m pleased, and I think my husband may just as excited as the kid is. This should be fun.

But all the excitement, we have our limits. I was talking to my own parents (who revel in their own new status as hockey grandma and grandpa) and I uttered the following solemn vow: We will not be those parents.

“Those parents?” my mom asked me, amusement in her tone. “Who are those parents?”

Given how much they supported the athletic endeavors of my brother and me when we were kids (swimming for me, a variety of things for him), I hastened to reassure her that “those parents” wasn’t a measure of support or enthusiasm. Not really.

But we’ve all seen them. The ones who don’t seem to realize that these are children out there, or that this is a game. That many coaches are volunteers, and so are many officials. That this isn’t the NHL, but a small local league in which the most important thing, right now, is learning.

As a former sports journalist, my husband has seen and dealt with some stellar (by which I mean, not stellar) examples of the breed. As a former schools reporter, so did I. Never, we promised ourselves. We will never, ever be like that.

We will not yell at the coaches. We will not scream at our child. We will not contradict coaching decisions. If we feel strongly enough about something, we may not register him for the league again, but we will deal with it as mature adults.

I’m all for encouraging my child to do better, to learn more, to play harder. But he’s 7, and this is a game, and he’s still learning the ropes. Do I want him to score? Do I want him to win? Oh, yes. He wants to, too. But right now he’s coming off the floor with his face shining, his hair sweaty and rumpled, and saying “I had so much fun! I want to play again tomorrow!” ... and we’re looking at the 0-6 score and saying, “Great! I’m glad.”

He’s learning to work with a team. He’s learning to listen to a coach. He’s learning the rules and strategy and keeping his commitments. These are all good things. He’s learning to be a good loser. He’ll learn to be a gracious winner. (Eventually.)

It seems like a good league. It seems like a good group. We’re excited. He’s excited. I think this is going to be a good time for all of us.

But this, I promise. We will not be those parents.

+Jill Keppeler is proud to be a hockey mom. And a taekwondo mom. And a track mom. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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I’ll do my best to keep this spoiler-free, but I just saw “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

You have been warned.

I walked into a movie theater today, hand in hand with my younger son, to watch a Star Wars movie. I can’t believe I just typed that. I gushed about my feelings on that matter last week, so I won’t go on for long, but suffice to say that I had tears in my eyes when the familiar John Williams fanfare played and the text started to scroll across the screen.

Plenty of people have reviewed the movie. I tell you that I loved it (except for one certain part that I nevertheless saw coming), and I think J.J. Abrams did his job well. As a parent, here’s what I can offer you that might be a little more unique.

Should you take your kids to see “The Force Awakens?”

If they’re already huge fans, they’ve probably already done so. If you’re on the fence, here’s what we thought.

Timid kids may not like this movie. Sam isn’t fazed by much (“Jurassic World” is his current favorite, and he’s seen all the prior Star Wars movies multiple times), but there were two times, once near the beginning and once near the end, where he hid his eyes for a few minutes. And there is torture here, and pain, and it’s not quite as bloodless as the similar tactics used by Darth Vader in the earlier films. People get hurt. People die.

I know many fans are avoiding spoilers like the plague right now, but if you’re uncertain about taking a child to the movie, my opinion is that you owe it to yourself and your kid to go look for reputable spoilers before making a decision. There was one notable plot point that we sat down to talk to Sam about before we entered the theater. He did better with it knowing that it was coming.

Some of the imagery used for the bad guys evokes Nazi Germany even more than the original movies did. That might lead to some questions. (Which might not be a bad thing as a springboard for a discussion, actually.)

There are some definite moral quandaries, and characters on both sides of the spectrum handle them in different ways. If you have a kid who chews on things like that (I do), keep that in mind. You’re probably going to have to talk about some things.

Now, all that being said, it’s a really good movie. There’s a lot of good action, and some familiar and favorite characters make a return. Sam, who never sits still, barely twitched for the entire two-plus hours. There are space battles, and lightsaber fights, and more humor that I thought would be present. And if your kids have seen the originals multiple times like mine, there are a lot of references they might catch.

Don’t take my word for it. From Sam:

“I loved the lightsaber fight between (censored) and (censored). I loved the music. (Jill’s note: We’ve raised this kid on John Williams.) I thought (a certain moment) was really funny, although (another moment) was really sad. And I really liked BB-8!

“Mom, do you think we could get a BB-8 for Christmas?”

Uh oh.

***

From my household to yours, Merry Christmas!

+Jill Keppeler may be watching “The Force Awakens” again as you read this. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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To all the single parents out there: I don’t know how you do it.

I really don’t. And you have my respect.

Recently, my husband and younger son had an event out of town to attend. My older son and I stayed home. This is the first time Jim and I spent a weekend alone together since March 2005. (When my husband covered the Niagara Falls High School boys basketball team’s state championship game in Glens Falls, but that’s another story.)

Now, Jim is a bit younger than his years, but how hard could it be? I thought. Maybe he’s not quite so portable any more, but it’ll be cool. We’ll see a movie. We’ll go Christmas shopping. We’ll get the groceries. It’ll be fun.

And it was. It was also exhausting.

First thing: I constantly wished I had five more hands. Maybe more. Juggling an armload of items at the store (should have grabbed that cart) and snagging/dragging a boy who’s decided he wants to introduce himself to everyone in the building is ... difficult. Especially when he announces a potty emergency when you’re both at the far corner of the store. And especially when he decides Grandma might just like that extremely fragile-looking glass vase and he needs to inspect it himself.

Second thing: Going Christmas shopping with a young boy is not fun and relaxing. Going Christmas shopping with a young boy is a mix of saying things like “No, I don’t think Grandma wants a Hello Kitty coloring pad” and “That’s a dog sweater; your brother can’t wear it” and “Oh, come ON. You just picked that at random to get this over with!”

Third thing: No matter how many fun things you have planned and no matter how many treats you arrange for, it’s never quite good enough.

In our case, I was asked when Daddy was coming home about 50 times over the course of 30 hours. Daddy got the big grin when he walked in the door. So much for the one who arranged for the movie date, dealt with his upset stomach and cooked his favorite meal. (Yes, I’m pouting.)

Fourth thing: The hardest part was after I tucked Jim into bed. The house was so quiet. Normally, this is a good thing. But there was no one there this time to vent to, to talk to about the day or with whom to hash over the plans for the next.

Eventually, I just had to read until I fell asleep. Never a bad thing, but I’m just not used to it these days.

We’re busy people, in this household. Sometimes we just don’t see each other all that much. But it’s something just to know the other person is there. I had a long, wearying weekend ... but I knew my partner in parenthood would be back at the end of it to pick up the other part of the load again.

It’s all too easy to take for granted ... and it’s something to keep in mind.

And single parents: I salute you.

I don’t know how you do it.

+Jill Keppeler  is praying for Paris. And Beirut. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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The Lockport Public Library is pleased to announce the start of another session of their Children’s Story Times. Parents may register children now and sessions will begin the week of Nov. 9th. Parents may register children three different ways – by stopping in the library, calling the Library at 433-5935 Ext. 4 or online at www.lockportlibrary.org.

Baby Bookworms
For children ages 9 - 24 months accompanied by an adult. Story time will feature 15 minutes of fingerplays, rhymes and songs followed by 30 minutes of social time and play.
Mondays 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. – Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7

Little Library Time
For children ages 2 and 3 accompanied by an adult. Story time will feature 30 minutes of stories, fingerplays, movement songs, and a craft followed by 30 minutes of social time and play.
For Two-Year-Olds:  Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. – Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8
For Three-Year-Olds: Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. – Nov. 11, 18, 25, Dec. 2, 9

Prime Time Readers
For children ages 3 and up who are ready to sit without an adult. Storytime will feature 30 minutes of longer stories, fingerplays, educational games, and a short movie followed by a craft. Parents will not be in the Orchard but must stay in the Children’s Department during storytime.
Mondays 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.  - Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30 , Dec. 7

Evening Story Time
A drop-in story time for the whole family, featuring 45 minutes of stories, fingerplays, songs, a craft and a movie. No registration needed.
Mondays 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. – Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7

Fabulous Fridays
Have children that  would be in different classes but can only come to the library once? Can't make it to storytime earlier in the week? Try our storytime for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. Come enjoy stories, a craft, and some play! No registration needed.
Fridays 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. (storytime) and 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (playtime) – Nov. 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11

For more information about storytimes and other programs contact the library at 433-5935 ext. 4 or visit www.lockportlibrary.org.

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It’s one of those weeks when my attention seems to be fractured into a million different pieces. So that’s the kind of column you’re getting.

**

There is snow in the forecast this weekend.

Snow. I just typed that and stared at it in horror. After a lifetime spent in Western New York, you’d think I’d be a little more at peace with the notion that cold weather starts early here and snow is not unusual in October. We survived the 2006 October storm (and eight days without power) with a not-quite-2-year-old. I grew up in Cattaraugus County knowing that Halloween costumes had to be capable of co-existing with a snowsuit.

Still. There’s a shudder that runs down my spine when I see that word. But not so much because I hate the cold (I do), but because it’s a precursor to winter – and long days, weeks and months stuck in the house with two active young boys.

We try to get out. We really do. But while one kid likes to sled and build snowmen from time to time, the other hates cold enough to want no part of it. And they’re usually a package deal.

Even with the occasional excursion to some sort of indoor play place, that leaves us in the house a lot. There are toys, and games, and all the usual distractions, but at some point, it gets to be a bit too much.

And then they are, literally, bouncing off the walls.

Yes, that’s the correct use of the word “literally.” I have watched epic wrestling matches in which the living room wall was used as a springboard. And gymnastics in which the ceiling comes into play. And as mentioned a few weeks back, I have uttered the immortal words, “Why did you try to hurtle your brother?”

So if I’m disgusted with the idea of snow this weekend, I have good reason to be. Here’s hoping this winter isn’t as long or as brutal as last year’s.

**

And on that note, your Samism of the week:

We were talking about the snow in the forecast and the idea of a white-out – not being able to see because of so much snow in the air -- came up.

Sam: “I know what a black-out is.”

Me: “Oh? What is it?”

Sam: “It’s when your air conditioners don’t work.”

**

The boys and I visited a local pet store not long ago, stopping in on our way from one place to another just because they both love animals. As so many stores do now, only very small pets were for sale, but there was a section for cats up for adoption through a local rescue organization.

There were about a dozen there. We scratched ears for those who were interested, read the stories on their information cards and wished that my husband weren’t so darned allergic. Sam in particular adores cats.

On the end was Tom.

Tom was a black cat, considerably beat up from a life on the streets, his ears chewed and his face scarred. He crouched in his cage quietly, eyes closed. Sam hunkered down next to him and, when there was no fear or anger, offered his fingers for sniffing. That was all the reaction he got.

But for all the lovely adoptable cats in that room, Tom is all he can talk about.

“He had a rough life, didn’t he, Mom?”

“Do you think he has a home now, Mom? Do you think he’s still there?”

“Is there anything we can do to help, Mom?”

We put some money in the donation jar when we left, but my boy still wonders what will become of Tom. He wonders about all of them. He cares.

If anyone has any suggestions for ways a soft-hearted 7-year-old (with his mom) can help out with the never-ending role of animal rescue in the area, please let me know. Most organizations require volunteers to be much older, but perhaps there is something he can do.

+Jill Keppeler  is proud to be raising a “softy.” Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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The NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition that was rained out on Sept. 12, has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at Kibler Park.

The competition is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 15 and is free. Contestants may register in person at the YMCA, online at www.nflppk.com, or on the day of the event beginning at 9 a.m. Contestants will then be allowed to practice until 10 a.m.

The program emphasizes the importance of daily activity, and the NFL PLAY 60- philosophy matches the YMCA’s emphasis on Youth Development & Healthy Living.

For more information, contact Luke Kantor at 434-8887 ext. 35.

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In case you’ve been hiding under a rock lately, Target stores recently announced that they would do away with “gendered” labeling in their store aisles.

This includes toys (and bedding), but not clothes. Basically, things will just be labeled “toys.” Boys will not be steered specifically to the land of superheroes and trucks and girls will not be steered specifically to the land of dolls and miniature kitchenware.

Yay, Target.

Of course, as with all things, amidst the welling of approval from some people, there was an immediate backlash from others. Target is trying to make their boys into sissy girls who play with glittery things! Target is trying to make their girls into mannish lesbians who like cars! (I so wish I was making this up.)

And how will they know (even some of the less extreme commenters cry) what to buy their children?

Oh dear. However will they manage?

Ladies and gentlemen, you buy your children what they like.

Look, as is fairly obvious from this column, I have two boys.

Boys physically. Boys, insomuch as they tell me at this age, mentally. We have a house full of LEGOs and superheroes and Matchbox cars and firetrucks and Star Wars and Minecraft and all the things that society tells boys they should like. Their interests now just happen to match up with what society tries to tell them they should like. They’re fortunate, that way.

But a few years ago, we bought them a toy kitchen set for Christmas. Both of them love to help me cook and bake. At least a few people I know were amused by this. "Isn’t that for girls," they asked.

No. It’s for boys. Because there are two boys who wanted it and who are playing with it. Your point is?

When I was pregnant with Sam, Jim’s preschool program steered him to dolls for a while. He learned how to treat a baby carefully, how they’re held, etc. Jim was marvelous with Sam when he was an infant, and I have an idea that was a huge reason why. He can still pick up a baby doll and show how to cradle it gently.
We didn’t buy him one ourselves (I wish I’d thought of it), but if we had, all the signage and the packaging and society itself would tell us we were buying him a “girl toy.” We would not be fazed by that. Plenty of people would. And isn’t that a tragedy? Many boys grow up to be fathers, after all.

I can’t quite get away from the feeling that there’s some ingrained sexism at play, too. Girls playing with trucks and superheroes are at least grudgingly accepted. (Although they’re labeled tomboys.) Boys playing with dolls? Much less accepted. As if “girl things” are lesser and weak and foolish. (For that matter, sometimes girls who play with dolls get labeled that way, too, which is equally silly. Play with what you like, kids.)

Personally, I was the sort of girl who didn’t care for stereotypically “girl toys.” I liked Barbie somewhat because I liked her cool car. As a grown up, a woman, a wife and mother, I love LEGOs and comic books and I play video games with my younger son.

And I love to cook and bake and scrapbook and do those stereotypically “girly” things, too. (And glitter? Bring on the sparklies!)

These stereotypes so many people insist on? They’re stupid. They’re lazy parenting. And they’re limiting our children.

No one’s telling your girls they must like superheroes. Only that they can. No one’s telling my boys that they must like dolls, or kitchen sets. Only that they can. And vice versa.

And there’s nothing at all wrong with that. There’s plenty that’s right.

Jill Keppeler loves the fake Target account that was trolling the haters. (Look it up.) Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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There has been much excitement this week. On Saturday, the boys went camping.

Or “camping,” given that it’s an overnight in a very nice camper on the property of good family friends, with the house barely 10 steps away. Still. For them, it’s camping.

As you read this, perhaps, they’re downing a good breakfast, or chattering at their grandparents, or already running around the property playing baseball or tag or some strange game they’ve made up in their own heads.

I can pretty much guarantee that I’ll be sleeping.

Right. My husband and I won’t be there. We’ll have happily turned the responsibility over to my parents for 24-28 hours or so and returned to “Buffalo.” (The city and all the ‘burbs are “Buffalo” to my Cattaraugus County hometown.) We’ll have a nice dinner at a restaurant where we wouldn’t take the kids, maybe visit a bookstore (livin’ it up!), see a movie (“Jurassic World,” I think) and actually get a decent night’s sleep without being interrupted by small boys who decide they’re starving at 3 a.m. (This has happened.)

And I don’t feel guilty about it at all.

I didn’t always feel that way. In fact, I remember one particular anniversary getaway when my somewhat primitive cell phone rang unexpectedly (back when cell phone were for emergencies and not the general mode of communication). We frantically tried to figure out who it was and call back – after all, it could only be some sort of huge catastrophe with the kids, right?

It was about a fantasy football trade.

I still give that friend crap about this from time to time.

There were times I called constantly, just to check up. Were they eating? (Always, yes.) Were they upset we weren’t there? (Always, no.) Were they having fun? Did they miss us? Did my folks remember to take the lengthy list of emergency numbers I’d assembled?

As a newer parent, it didn’t seem right to me to just hand my children off to someone else. Parenthood was a solemn responsibility, right? Wasn’t I failing them?

My mom set me straight on that one.

“You love your kids,” she said. “And you’ll love ‘em more after you get a break from them.”

She’s right.

We’re fortunate that my folks are up to the challenge of taking on our hooligans for a few weekends a year. We’re even more fortunate that they enjoy it. I’m not sure who was looking forward to this camping excursion more, as a matter of fact.

And a break does sound wonderful. The endless cycle of work and responsibility gets to you a bit. We need this.

I guarantee that at some point Saturday night, my husband and I will look at each other and agree that we miss the little demons. It’s anyone’s guess if they miss us. There are s’mores to make and games to play, after all.

They’re on an adventure.

And that’s a good thing.

***

The Niagara County Fair opens Aug. 5 at the fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. It runs until Aug. 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 5 to 8 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 9. Tickets are $5 a day Aug. 5 to 8 and $3 per person or $10 per carload Aug. 9. (A weekly pass is $18.)

We took the boys last year and they had a ball meeting animals (and the 4-H participants who care for them), riding a few rides, dancing to musical performances, learning how to make balloon animals and guzzling milkshakes from the Milk Bar.

This is what a fair should be.

For more information, visit cceniagaracounty.org/mark-your-calendar.

+Jill Keppeler is forever grateful for her kids’ wonderful grandparents. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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Every time someone learns I have two boys, it feels like I get one of two responses.

The first: “Boy, you have your hands full!” (Uh, yes. So do my friends who have girls, or one of each, or other various permutations of parenthood.) And “Wait until they get to be teenagers!”

The latter isn’t suggesting particular problems with teenage boys. (I believe my friends with girls get the same line, for different reasons, which is a bit stereotypical and annoying.) It’s suggesting problems with my grocery budget.

And I want to tell them, “I don’t have to wait for that.”

Jim, the elder at 10, is small and skinny and gets taken for younger than his 7-year-old brother all the time. And he eats more than my 6-foot-3 husband.

That’s not an exaggeration. Not even a little. This little boy can happily put away mass quantities of spaghetti, multiple sandwiches, giant milkshakes. He likes almost everything, and will eat broccoli more readily than candy (which, oddly, is one thing for which he really doesn’t care).

I used to wonder if he didn’t understand when he was full, but (one) he does stop when/if he gets there and (two) he’s still the same slim kid, so he’s burning it all handily.

Sam doesn’t have the same capacity, but he’s gaining. (Thanks, I’m sure, to his various athletic endeavors.) Recently, he requested some salami for a snack and was told to help himself. When my husband checked the fridge later, there were only a few pieces left. We suspect (another) growth spurt.

Now that summer vacation has begun, “I’m hungry! When’s lunch?” is a familiar cry at, say, 9:30 a.m. … less than three hours after a decent breakfast.

It does make me wonder about what the teenage years will be like. I recall my brother putting away multiple Arby’s sandwiches (another Jim favorite) and entire boxes of cereal as a teen. It’s easy to see that in our future.

So what to do? Divert money to the grocery budget. Shop the farmers markets. Learn what’s cheap and healthy. It’s doable.

And I remember coaxing the tiny baby that was Jim to eat (he kept falling asleep due to health issues) and I can’t help but feel grateful, no matter the state of our pantry.

---

That seems like an appropriate place to segue into a note that the Taste of Lockport takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Ida Fritz Park in Lockport. I’m serving as a judge for the dry wine and dessert categories (with assistance from Sam on the latter), and the bottomless pits, uh, boys are looking forward to sampling a variety of goodies from the vendors.

If you see us there, say hi.

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Bonus note today: Star Wars Night will take place July 18 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo. We had to skip last year, but before that, it was a family tradition for a few years in a row. I have countless photos of the boys with various characters, at the ballpark courtesy of the North Ridge and other organizations. (Sam still talks about the time Darth Vader liked his hat.)

And there’s a fireworks show and on-field Star Wars battle … and, oh yeah, the Bisons play the Columbus Clippers.

As of this writing, only individual tickets remain. Visit bisons.com for more information.

+Jill Keppeler just realized the boys ate all her granola bars. Fortunately, there’s still coffee. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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We went on a trip recently – about 28 miles and 200-plus years.

There was no De Lorean involved, no flux capacitor. Just a family and a car and a little bit of Western New York history.

It started with a different sort of time travel, via a book: A 1965 Hardy Boys adventure titled “The Haunted Fort.” Well-worn and much read, it was my husband’s favorite when he was slightly older than Sam, and when we turned to his old Hardy Boys books for bedtime parent-and-child reading, it was one of the first we picked up.

Every night, we’d read a chapter (or three) of the adventures of Frank and Joe, which more or less stood the test of time with the occasional explanation of archaic language (or the concept of no cell phones). In this case, the brothers were investigating a case of stolen paintings against the backdrop of a New England artists’ retreat … and an old fort with a ghostly legend and a hidden treasure.

Not long in, I told him, “You know, we have a fort a lot like Fort Senandaga not far from here.”

His eyes were huge. “Really? Is it … haunted?”

“Well … some people say it is.” I waited a beat, then clarified. “There are many stories. But I don’t think so. Would you like to visit it?”

“Yes!”

So, a few days after we finished the book, the Keppeler family found itself in the family car, heading for Youngstown and Old Fort Niagara. Jim was just happy to be out and about, but Sam was bouncing in the back seat.

“Is that the fort?” he asked again and again as we got closer, peering at the buildings in downtown Youngstown, or the entrance to the state park. Finally, we made it to the parking lot and I was able to point to the top of the South Redoubt and say, “Over there. There it is.”

“Woooowwww …”

We paid our way, took a brief spin through the museum and, finally, walked into the fort.

The questions came fast and furious. We peeked into the Powder Magazine, looked out from the river defenses and talked about what it would be like to cook in the Bake House. The “French Castle” fascinated him. (I had to tell him the story of the well I remembered from an elementary school field trip. He was very skeptical.)

We climbed the stairs and stood at the top of North Redoubt, looking across the grounds and the lake. He stood on his tiptoes to peer out, leaning his chin on the cool stones.

“This is pretty cool, Mom.”

When you’re 6 years old, the concept of a time before you were born can be abstract, let alone the idea of a time before your parents or grandparents walked this Earth. But standing there, touching the old stones and looking out across the water … I think he got it. I like to think we bridged that gap a bit, that we made history a little more real that day. While we only scratched the surface of the fort’s story, a foundation has been laid.

Of such things – books and stories and a springtime day trip – is a link to the past forged.

***

If your kids love superheroes as much as mine do (Jim’s favorite is Spider-Man, while Sam waffles back and forth between Captain American and an unfortunate fondness for the utterly inappropriate Deadpool), you might want to check out Superhero Night at the Buffalo Bisons game on Saturday at Coca-Cola Field.

The WNY Superhero Alliance will provide costumed characters to meet and greet while the home team takes on the Rochester Red Wings, and the proceeds will benefit the Superhero Race & Wellness Walk (which in turn benefits Compeer of Greater Buffalo and the Mental Health Association of Erie County this year).

Superheroes and a good cause? Excelsior!

Jill Keppeler used to cover Old Fort Niagara events many weekends during the summer, and still loves it there. Follow her on Twitter @JillKeppeler or email her at jillmkeppeler@msn.com.

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By +Scott Leffler 
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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The East Niagara Post family of contributors will grow by one on Mother's Day as former Greater Niagara News reporter and editor Jill Keppeler will bring her much-loved column "Double Trouble" to ENP.

Jill Keppeler's sons are the namesake for her column, "Double Trouble,"  which she will write for East Niagara Post following a seven-year run with Greater Niagara News. (JILL KEPPELER / CONTRIBUTOR)

Keppeler, a lifelong resident of Western New York, will focus on parenting and family activities in the region. She describes her column as "a general parent-type column: part musings (some serious, most not) on parenthood, with a significant dash of 'what to do with your family in Niagara County and Western New York.' "

A freelance writer and public relations coordinator, Keppeler worked for Greater Niagara News for nearly 15 years, most recently serving as Sunday lifestyle editor for the group, which included the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, the Niagara Gazette and the now-defunct Tonawanda News. She also served as a reporter, page designer and/or copy editor for the company at various times.

Throughout her life, Keppeler has lived in four of WNY's counties and, to one extent or another, covered six as a reporter for local newspapers. She grew up in Cattaraugus County and has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from St. Bonaventure University.

Jill, her husband Eric and their two sons, ages 10 and 6, live in the Town of Tonawanda.

"Double Trouble" will appear each Sunday on ENP following its Mother's Day debut.

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The Lockport Family YMCA is holding a free community event today to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families, features activities such as, games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.  

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,300 Ys across the country, aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long – a critical out-of-school time for kids’ health. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles – or gaps – that prevent them from reaching their full potential, related to hunger, water safety, learning, safe spaces to play, and health. Each year, the Y helps over 9 million youth nationwide “hop the gap” and achieve more, providing a safe to place to learn, stay healthy and build friendships.

“The Y is so much more than sports, swimming, and a place for kids to hang out. We support families in their efforts to instill healthy habits at home,” said Laurie Ferris, Youth Director, Lockport Family YMCA.  “We know that it can sometimes feel like a challenge. So at Healthy Kids Day, we’ll encourage kids to stay physically and intellectually active all summer long, and give families tips they can easily replicate at home. It’s free and open to the community.”

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• Try, try, repeat – There are many great tasting fruits and vegetables that many kids have never heard of, let alone tried. Grab a new fruit or vegetable and encourage everyone in the family to try at least a bite.
• Play around town – Challenge the family to play on a different playground every week. Identify playgrounds at a variety of parks; expand definitions of playgrounds to include nature trails, a nearby stream, and a bike path. 

Families at play for an hour a day – From walking to gardening, or swimming to shooting hoops, make playful movement a part of your family’s day. To get 60 minutes of moderate activity throughout your day just add 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there.

The Lockport Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day at 19 East Ave. started with a Free Aerobic Class at 8 a.m. followed by a Free Water Fitness class. There's still plenty to do today, though:

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

• Niagara County Sheriff Dept. Child Safety Seat Inspection 

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Fitness Screening – height, weight, BMI, strength & flexibility measured for 6 year olds plus.
• Sports Challenge (Hockey & Racquetball) – test your sports and game skills, while you learn a few new skills for the 12 year old and under crowd.
• Health & Youth Fair – local community agencies will share their youth & health tips!
• Youth Agility Test – Lockport City Firefighters will test your abilities!
• Preschool Fun - exercise with our Preschool staff and take home a YMCA craft project!
• Healthy Snacks – learn more about nutrition and make your own healthy snack with help from our School Age Child Care Staff!
• Youth Fitness Center Orientation – tour the fitness center & learn the YMCA Fitness Policies for teens.
• Outdoor Education & Nature Activities – get ready for summer with Camp Kenan staff.
• Lobby Games – learn the skills & rules of lobby games from the YMCA Teen Leaders Club.
• Basket Raffle (All Day Long) – to benefit our Annual Support Campaign

1:00 – 2:00 PM

• Hot Shot Hoop Shoot – test your scoring abilities and join in the fun!

1:00 – 4:00 PM

• Family Open Swim – enjoy free time for the whole family in the Y pool.

2:00 – 4:00 PM

• Family Open Gym – spend some quality family time shooting hoops!

Those who join the Y this weekend will have the joiner fee waived —a $25 - $75 savings.  There will also be raffles, giveaways, prizes, family fun and more!  For more information, contact the Y at 434-8887 or visit www.LockportYMCA.com.

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NEWFANE — The Newfane Libary will hold a Santa's Workshop craft fair from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Their 10th annual holiday extravaganza will feature free activities for kids and the ability for children to act as elves as they make and wrap gifts for the upcoming holidays.

Refreshments will be served.

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A free workshop that explains and explores the many changes youth undergo during their transition into adulthood will be held at 6 p.m. at the YWCA of Niagara.

The snapshot session is designed to help adults help youth to build a positive identity, increase their self-esteem, develop a healthy body image, and respect diversity.

The program, offered by Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties is called “Understanding Adolescence: Supporting Our Young People.” It is open to parents, guardians, caregivers, grandparents, role models and youth service providers. There will be free coffee and light refreshments as well as the opportunity to talk with experts in their field.

If you can’t make it to this one, don’t fret. It will be offered again on Nov. 20.

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The Lockport Public Library Children's Department will host a Kaleidoscope making program with Explore & More Museum from 2 - 3 p.m. Monday in the Community Meeting Room.

Children ages 7-12 are invited to uncover the science, history and artwork or Kaleidoscopes. Participants will learn about the history of the Kaleidoscopes while exploring light refraction and reflection. Various types of Kaleidoscopes will be displayed for children to explore. Every participant will leave with a Kaleidoscope that that they have built.

To register for this program or for more information about upcoming events at the library, call 433-5935 ext. 4, stop in the Children’s Department or visit www.lockportlibrary.org.

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