There is a new after-school option on Wednesdays for K-5 students in the High Country!  Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock is offering an after-school program with a fitness focus, in a fun atmosphere. Ruthie Lile, Recreation Program Coordinator, and Chetola fitness staff will facilitate organized fitness activities and supervised pool play.  The fitness activities include Field Games, Circuits, Yoga, Hiking, Aqua Games, Active Scavenger Hunts and more.

Afternoon Schedule

January 11-May 30, Wednesdays

2:45-3:00 Healthy Snack

3:00-3:45 Fitness Activity

4:00-4:45 Pool Play

5:00-6:00 Supervised Homework Time and Pickup

Fees:

$25 per session for the first child

$20 for each additional child

$15 per child, for club members

Transportation:

If you would like van transportation for your children (from Blowing Rock School only), there is a $2 additional fee.

BONUS:

As an added bonus, families who sign up for a full month of Fitness Fun may use the pool and rec area on Snow Days! We’ve only had a few snow days so far, but you never know how many are in the future!

To sign up, or for more information, call (828) 295-5535, or email catherine@chetola.com

It was the summer of 1992, I had just graduated High School, and was a counselor at a YMCA Camp.  One of my best friends, Kiki, and I had the most fun that summer! More crazy adventures and laughs of any year, before or after. One night, on a whim, we decided to pop the newest Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, in the old VCR. What? You don’t remember VCR tapes? They’re basically like DVDs, only huge and square. Think “bag phone” as opposed to the iPhone.

Anyway, as 18-year-olds with wacky sense of humor, much hilarity ensued as we accused our image-conscious guy friends of being Gaston, and wrote a parody which is forever lost in a box at the bottom of Kiki’s basement. (Do you still have that Kiki?)

So… I was delighted when my three girls and I had a chance to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D at Regal Cinemas in Boone.  I have actually never seen Beauty and the Beast on the big screen, despite it being one of my favorite animated films.  But I wasn’t sure about presenting a hand-drawn film in 3D. It could either be really cool, or kind of cheesy.

Our girls’ night out began with adorable special edition 3D glasses, branded with “Beauty and the Beast,” for the girls.  I was a little disappointed that I just got the plain black ones, but whatevs. As the opening scene unfolded on the screen, I knew that the 3D version of this classic tale was going to be fantastic.

The Story

What better story to present to my daughters, than a strong young woman who sees past narcissistic men, loves learning, and values true beauty? If they grow up to be like Belle, I will be one blessed mother. The comedy is ingenius, the characters endearing, and the scary parts are not too freaky for the 6-year-old. I always laugh when Gaston says, “Every last inch of me’s covered with HAIR!” I always cry when Gaston stabs the Beast, and Belle think he’s dead.  I also appreciated the fact that there is no political propaganda in this movie.  Too many kids’ movies today make me feel like I’m being indoctrinated into the cause d’jour.  But aside from the emphasis on becoming an educated woman, and holding out for true beauty, it was just a great story.

The Look

There’s something about a hand-drawn Disney movie. In this age of Blu-Ray, and animatronics, it’s quaint to know that there is a real live artist putting his vision on paper. Combining the nostalgia of the old-style film with the cutting edge 3D technology was brilliant. It worked beautifully.  When Belle first appeared in her yellow gown to dance with the Beast, we let out a gasp.  But by far, my favorite 3D scene was “Be Our Guest.” The dishes, napkins and food dancing in the air was novel when the movie first came out, but it was spectacular in 3D.

Our Conclusion

The only thing we didn’t like about this movie was when it was over. Seriously, if you’re looking for an excellent night out with your kids (or by yourself for that matter), this movie  is a sure bet. We ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant after the movie, and Ava couldn’t help but use the chips for fangs and pretend she was the Beast.

She asked me to put this picture on my blog, with a talk bubble

Did you see the movie? What did you think?

————————————————————————

Beauty  & the BeastB 3D is playing at the Regal Cinemas at New Market Center. Check the show times here.

I’ve always been comfortable on a stage, as far back as I could remember. I would prefer to be under the lights in front of 1000 people rather than perform for a small group, any day.  I grew up dancing, singing and acting, and for the most part, stage fright doesn’t rear it’s ugly head.  Interestingly enough, I have phone anxiety, so it makes me more nervous to call someone than speak to a large crowd.

Enough about me, you already know I’m weird. What about you? Are you nervous speaking up in a meeting? Do you long to express yourself with acting? Do you want to overome that sinking feeling when you stand at a podium?

Meet Hanna Rasco: wife, mom, talented actor, and theater teacher. She’s offering some classes you might be interested in. Even if you don’t want to audition for Wicked, her class can help in so many ways. Here is all the information:

Whether you are looking to express yourself dynamically onstage, at the podium, in group meetings or in everyday situations this class is for you. Using improv technique you will improve control of your voice, discover techniques to channel “stage fright,” gain confidence, and learn to make your body work for you in a fun, interactive environment. Everyone has within them a unique way of expressing themselves that is compelling to others. Let this class help you find yours.

WHEN:

Thursdays Evenings, 12 week session. Classes begin February 2, 2012
Youth (8th-12thgrades) 4:30- 6:00 pm
Adult 6:30-8:00pm

WHERE:

App Rhythm Clogging and Dance Studio
249 Wilson Drive
Suite 3
Boone, NC 28607

HOW MUCH: $120.00

CLASS LIMIT: 12

Each student will be given the opportunity to perform one monologue and
one scene at an end-of-the-class performance.

CONTACT: Hanna Rasco, hanna.rasco@gmail.com

Hanna has been teaching and directing theatre for the past 10 years. It is
her passion to share her love of performing with others and to help them
pursue their dreams with excellence.

Welcome! If you typed “www.highcountrymomsquad.com” into your browser, or traveled here through a link, you may be a little surprised.  

High Country Mom Squad is now “High Country Parent!” Don’t worry, all of the helpful content is still here, and our new format is even easier to navigate. We hope you will be able to better find any information you need about families in the NC High Country!

Hi Mom Squad readers!  It’s been a long time… Some of you may not even remember a time when I posted frequently.  I’ve been a busy girl.  There’s something I would like to share with all of you that I believe really deserves everyone in the High Country’s time and attention.

This year I was made aware of a service in the Watauga County Schools, called the Food Pantries. You may already know about this, but I find a remarkable number of local parents are as unaware as I was.   Children are identified by need, and discreetly given bags of non-perishable food items to take home to be sure no one goes hungry over the weekend or in the evenings. This is my children’s second year as a part of High Country Dance Studio, and when the subject of our annual community fundraiser was raised this year, the choice was unanimous… we would do something to support this service that is so vital to the children of Watauga County.  We wanted to do more than collect food, though… we wanted to raise awareness for the cause, as well.

When we were asked to host the Blowing Rock Winterfest Kids’ Games, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to make the Food Drive public and get lots of folks, locals and tourists alike, involved in helping the youth of the High Country.   So, we are inviting you – the local families of the area – to choose a way to help and come out and join us for some fun, too.

Here’s what you can do…

• Post a comment here if your business, club, or organization would like to collect non-perishable goods for the Food Drive from now until January 29th.  We will send you a sign to hang on your collection box describing the drive in detail.

• Collect the boxes and cans of food that you have in your pantry but likely will not use soon and bring them with you to the Winterfest Kids’ Games.

Businesses, clubs, and families – COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!!! (this is huge to generate awareness so that the community can band together to help this cause on a more regular basis)…. How do you do this?

Join us on Saturday, January 29th at the Blowing Rock Winterfest Kids’ Games between 10am and 3:30 pm in the Parks and Recreation Room next to the tennis courts to play some games, or make some crafts. Bring your food or monetary donation for the Food Pantries, and prepare for our SNOWFLAKE MARCH for Awareness for the WCS Food Pantries.  Your kids will get to make their own snowflakes to carry in the march and learn some clogging steps from the High Country Cloggers.

They can also make a keepsake frame, play cornhole, play a bowling game, and play some fun dance games.  Local businesses will provide door prizes that we will give away throughout the day, and we will have a great spot for a winter family photo (photo sales will benefit the dancers at High Country Dance Studio).

To wrap up the day, have your kids meet us at 3:15 in the American Legion parking lot behind the park in downtown Blowing Rock to dance down the street with the High Country Cloggers, carrying their snowflakes! Businesses and organizations who have participated in the food drive can bring their collections to the Parks and Recreation Room and are also invited to carry a banner down the street.   Every participant should feel free to entertain in any way possible – dance, sing, or dress up in a costume to show your support!

If you have questions or would like to help, please contact me at amyforrester@bellsouth.net.

I know this is a cause that we, as a community of loving parents, can all get behind.  Please join us in taking care of our children.

Thanks!

Amy

This year, I have taken on a new quest.  Not only am I planning on making most of the Christmas gifts for my family, but I am also trying to use recycled/re-purposed items as much as I can.  (Now, this is totally different than re-gifting that sweater my grandma gave me that I will never wear – that’s an entirely different article ;0)  I’m doing this for a few reasons; 1 – I’m helping the environment by not buying new things.  2 – It saves money.  3 – It’s a challenge, something different, and I can create unique items for my family that mean something!  I’ve spent a lot of time searching online and finding special things to make people and to me, it brings out the the spirit of Christmas!

I will share more of the gifts that I make as they are completed.  For now, I introduce you to the “Record Dish”.  I’m so excited about this dish!  It’s unique and virtually free!   All you need is an old vinyl record – yes, the things we used to listen to music on before Ipods, CD players, and even (gasp) cassette tapes!  You can use any size record for this project depending on how big of a bowl that you want to make.  The full size (33 1/3 rpm) records will make a large bowl, think fruit bowl size, and the smaller (45 rpm) records make a much smaller bowl.  For this gift I found an old 45 and decided to make a catch-all bowl.  You will need a vinyl record, glass bowl, baking sheet, and oven mitts/hot pads.

Here are the directions.

1.  Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees.

2.  Turn your glass bowl upside down on the baking sheet and lay the record on top.

3.  Warm in the oven for 7 – 10 minutes.  As it warms, the record will soften and start to curve downwards – that’s good!

4.  Using your oven mitts/hot pads quickly take the baking sheet out of the oven, move the record, and turn your bowl upright.  Then put the record inside the bowl and form to your liking.  You will need to do this quickly, because the vinyl will re-set quickly.  If you don’t like how it looks, you can re-soften the record by putting it back in the oven.

5.  Let your bowl cool and your gift is done!

For the 45 that I chose, I wanted to cover the opening in the center so it can be used for a change/key bowl.  For this, I cut a small circle of black felt and hot glued it to the bottom side of the bowl.

Next up, a scrabble desk set and tea cup h’ors d’oeurve tray!  Stay tuned for directions and pictures in my upcoming posts!

Ensemble Stage was basically conceived out of necessity and an unfaltering love of the performing arts and the unquenchable desire to share that love with the North Carolina High-Country community. In order to provide the surrounding community with affordable access to quality performing arts, Ensemble Stage was created.

September 10th marks the opening of Ensemble Stage’s first production with an ALL professional cast: God’s Man in Texas.

Faith and egos collide in the age of mass-market religion at Houston’s Rock Baptist Church, “the Baptist Super Bowl”—complete with schools, media ministries, a gym with two pools, bowling alley, dinner theatre, cineplex, retail stores, stadiums, ministries for everyone from singles and recovering alcoholics to seniors and overweight women. A search committee has been formed to find a successor to Rock’s legendary pastor, eighty-one-year-old Philip Gottschall, a vigorous marvel and master strategist both in and out of the pulpit. Young Jeremiah Mears is asked to audition for the job by preaching a month of Sunday evening guest sermons. Jerry grew up listening to his wandering salesman father preach on street corners as “Christ’s rabid dog”—the lives of father and son thus defined by the religion of selling and the selling of religion. Gottschall protects what he has spent a lifetime building at Rock by backing Mears as his replacement; but as Jerry gains a foothold, Gottschall’s grip on his pulpit becomes as firm as his faith. The pastors’ sound man—and sounding board—is Hugo Taney, a reformed wreck of a soul whose youth was wasted with “drinking and all kinds of drugs. Hugo and Jerry discover their lives are astonishingly linked by past events, Gottschall fears their alliance and becomes haunted by “whisperings and secrets.” The Biblical struggle among this trinity of men climaxes during Rock’s spectacular annual electrical Christmas parade; there is a sacrifice, a resurrection and, finally, salvation as God whispers to a listening heart.

SHOWTIMES: September 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 @ 7:30pm; September 12 @ 3:30pm

LOCATION: At Blowing Rock School Auditorium

TICKET PRICES: are $15 Adults, $12 Students/Seniors/Military

Group rates are available.

For tickets or more info call (828) 919-6196 or go to www.ensemblestage.com

NOTE: This post and the following opinion was unsolicited by Ensemble Stage and initiated based solely on my personal experience.  I know the members of Ensemble Stage to be committed to the community and to the arts. Please share this information with your family and friends so that we can show are support and keep local, grassroots artistic endeavors alive and well in the High Country.

At one time China was one of the most popular international adoption programs.  However in the past few years they have added more guidelines to their adoption procedures.  These guidelines are not meant to deter families interested in adoption, but more to help guarantee the welfare of their children.  As always, this is just an overview, so if you are interested in adoption, please seek guidance from an adoption professional.

About China

Population:  1.3 billion peopleLanguage(s):  Standard Chinese or Mandarin (for other languages see   http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcchina.htm)
Currency: Yuan
Capital:  Beijing

Who Can Adopt

• Married couples between 30 to 50 years old.  The age of the couple will influence the age of the child assigned.
• Couples must be married at least two years.

*Note:  If previously divorced, couples must be married at least five years, and no more than two divorces per couple.

• No more than four children in the home.
• Couples must be mentally and physically in good condition.  Certain illnesses and disabilities may affect adoption eligibility.  See further information regarding health requirements at the U.S. Department of State.
• For further requirements see U.S. Department of State or speak with an accredited adoption professional.

China Adoption Highlights

• Primarily female infants, ages 8 months to 18 months are available for adoption.  In some cases toddlers and boys may be available.  Special needs children are also available.
• The cost for adoption is approximately $20,000 to $30,000.
• The approximate wait time is three years.
• The in-country stay is about two weeks and only one trip is required.
• Children can be adopted from either an orphanage or foster care.
• A home study and post placement report is required for adoption.

If you are interested in learning more about international adoption, please send me an e-mail at thehowellfamily3@gmail.com.

On May 8^th I will be hosting an information meeting about international adoption at the Watauga Public Library.  Send me an email if you are interested in attending.

http://adopt.childrenshope.net/programs/china/index.php
http://www.whfc.org/adoption/china/default.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china
http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm

For all my gluten-free friends, be sure & check Ingles on-line sales pages or in store for a number of GLUTEN FREE items on sale this week including: Bob’s Red Mill, Glutino, Food Should Taste Good, Kettle Chips, and another 1/2 page of General Mills Items:  Chex cereals, fruit rollups, yoplait yogurt and Betty Crocker baking mixes…..Stock up!!

I’ve really enjoyed reading the series on adoptions, but with four biological and two stepchildren of my own, adoption is not an option.  However, I wanted to share another way that anyone can make a significant change in the life of child- child sponsorship.  We’ve all seen the commercials on TV and, if you’re like me, you’ve been cynical about where the money actually goes.

While in Uganda, I got an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of the impact of child sponsorship.  The nonprofit I work with there is headed by a young man who, because of a German sponsor, was able to go to college and now runs empowerment projects in his own village as well as 4 other rural, impoverished villages.  I’ve been to his house and I see how meagerly he lives. I’ve met the children that receive sponsorship through his program and I see how they benefit.    Needless to say, I was sold. I now have 3 “extra” children. I am fortunate in that I get to visit them every year.  With that said, as sponsorship grows in this area, I look forward to being able to deliver gifts, letters, and pictures on my yearly trips.

4 year old twins, Amina and Aisha

Paul, who wants to be lawyer, and I

Here are just a few, locally based ways to help:

• If you are interested in sponsoring a child in Uganda, you can get more information by contacting partnershipuganda@charter.net.

• There will a benefit concert on Sunday, April 18^th at 7pm in I.G. Greer Auditorium on the campus of Appalachian State University.  Admission is by donation and one raffle ticket will be given for each admission dollar donated.  This concert will feature local talents such as Alexis Worthington, Ear Candy, Bruce Robertson, Renee Taylor, and the Andrew Jacobs Trio. Proceeds will benefit the Uganda Service Learning Program, a yearly trip to Uganda to engage in community building projects and educational activities.

• If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities to serve in Uganda or would like to make a join in other efforts such as purchasing livestock for animal husbandry projects (only $20 for a pig!) or hosting bead jewelry parties,  see youth4uganda.com or contact tiffanychristian@youth4uganda.com

I know that each child sponsorship program is different, but I urge you to investigate the options. It may sound trite, but it is true: $1 a day does make a tremendous difference in the lives of many children.