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Camp Kesem offers a getaway for children affected by parent’s cancer

By
Karen L. Zickes
-
Morgan, Gregory and Nathan Zickes pose with a group of Camp Kesem counselors.

Camp Kesem is a national organization
that is sponsored by more than
80 colleges and universities where
the camps are managed and run by
passionate student leaders. Camp
Kesem offers a FREE week of camp to
children ages 6-16 who have been affected
by a parent’s cancer. My children
attended their first Camp Kesem
in August 2013, just one month before
their father passed away from Stage 4
Pancreatic Cancer. They have since attended
every summer, as well as camp
reunions twice a year. CK has been a
game- changer for our family and we
can’t imagine our lives without it.

What Camp Kesem is NOT

It’s important that people understand
this week of camp is NOT spent
moping, being sad, and constantly
talking about cancer. It’s NOT spent
in counseling sessions and children
are never obligated to share thoughts
or feelings they don’t want to. With
the exception of 30 minute cabin chats
at the end of each day and an Empowerment
Ceremony one evening, the
remainder of camp is like every other
summer camp; kids having fun just
being kids.

Over time, the Empowerment Ceremony
has come to mean much more to
my daughter Morgan. In her words,
“The Empowerment Ceremony has
made such an impact on me because
it was a much needed reminder that
it’s okay to let down your guard and
ask others for help. A reminder that
no matter what happened in my situation,
I could find courage and inspiration
from my friends at camp.”

“A child’s friend through and
beyond a parent’s cancer.”
® -Camp Kesem motto

Camp experiences and activities are
everything you would imagine summer
camp to be; right down to having
camp nicknames. It’s the foundation
of Camp Kesem, however, that makes
it so unique. The children have a bond
of understanding they can’t find anywhere
else. “It allowed me to express
my feelings and to be free from people
who don’t understand how I feel”,
said Lindsey Gutermuth from Indiana.
Along with her siblings, she has
attended Camp Kesem for six summers;
during and after her father’s
battle with cancer.

Nate “Waldo” McCormick, a four
year CK counselor, sums up camp:
“Kids at camp learn that it’s okay to
cry. It’s okay to be sad. But they also learn how to jump right back into
life, and to take on every challenge
that comes their way.” Cody “Mufasa”
Ferrantino was a CK student
leader for four years, and is currently
a CK National Program director. “Going
to Camp Kesem gives campers a
new community built on understanding
and shared experience that will
support them no matter what. When
you’re with your Camp Kesem family
you don’t have to explain what it’s
like to have a parent with cancer or the
challenges of growing up quickly. The
other campers understand and know
what you’re feeling, because they feel
that way too.”

“camp is NOT
spent moping,
being sad,
and constantly
talking about
cancer.”

There’s a camaraderie among campers at Camp Kesem Notre Dame at Camp Storer in Jackson, MI.

Additional information and
registration

Registration for summer 2017 opened January
15. Camps fill up quickly. Through
the Camp Kesem website you can search
for camps geographically. For people
in Northwest Ohio, possible options are
through The University of Notre Dame,
Ohio State University, University of Michigan,
and Case Western Reserve. campkesem.org

Karen Zickes is the mom to three amazingly
brave children and a freelance writer who
resides in Holland, OH.

Cure your cabin fever with the whole family

By
Heidi Borst
-

 

The cold, gray days of winter can quickly lead to boredom. Thankfully, there’s plenty for you and yours to do around T-town to beat the blues and keep cabin fever at bay.

Experiment with Hands-On Fun: Imagination Station

1 Discovery Way | 419-244-2674 | imaginationstationtoledo.org
Kids of all ages can explore the wonderful, and sometimes wacky, world of science at the Imagination Station. This isn’t your average museum— instead of boring exhibits, the hands-on science center encourages running, jumping and playing. Discover the fun of science daily by exploring any of the exhibits, or pick a day to visit to enjoy one of the many special events. During February, look forward to National Engineering Week (February 20-26) or the Paper Tower Challenge by building a newspaper structure that holds up a baseball (February 25-26). Check out the full list of events and exhibits online.

Burn Some Energy: Fort Imagination at Woodlands Park

429 E Boundary St, Perrysburg | 419-872-8020 | visitperrysburg.com
Fort Imagination is a great family fun destination with a huge assortment of playground equipment, including a large fenced-in playground for children under five. Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean our kids should stay inside. Bundle ‘em up and go play in the great outdoors!

Free Fun for the Family: Family Center at Toledo
Musuem of Art

2445 Monroe St., Toledo | 419-225-8000
Drop in for free themed activities that enliven the world of art for kids up to age 10. The
Family Center is in the education wing near the Plough entrance. Tuesdays & Thursdays
10am-3pm, Fridays 3:30-8pm, weekends noon-5pm.

Adventure Awaits: BG Bounce LLC

1234 N Main St, Bowling Green | 419-494-9327
www.bgbounce.com
With a giant indoor sand box, toddler room, art room, science center, party rooms, nerf wars, paintball arena, dodge ball, arcade game rooms, and food, fun is in high supply at BG Bounce. The one of a kind 65,000 square foot palace of fun is the place to go for learning, fun and competition. An amazing experience awaits, so what are you waiting for?

Embrace the Arctic Chill:
The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

2700 Broadway St., Toledo | 419-385-4040
toledozoo.org
One of the world’s most complete zoos is right here in our back yard. Don’t let the cold weather keep you away; the zoo remains open daily until 5pm. While many of the zoo’s animals go indoors or transition to an enclosed facility, camels, polar bears, wolves, tigers, seals and red pandas all love cold temperatures. These arctic and cold-climate animals are thriving in winter, so go check them out! You can always check in with the reptiles or the aquarium to warm up.

Become a Woodworking
Master: Board and Brush

6725 Central Ave N, Toledo | 419-245-8516
boardandbrush.com
Board and Brush in Sylvania is a DIY wooden sign workshop where you’ll use raw materials
to make your own decorative piece of art. You’ll use woodworking tools (drills, hammers,
mallets, nails, sand paper, paint, and oil based stains) to create your masterpiece, but don’t
worry- beginners are welcome. The studio will guide you along and teach you everything you need to know. Workshops last 3 hours and are better suited for older children and tweens.

Chill at the Stacks: The Toledo
Lucas County Public Library

3900 King Rd., Toledo | 419-259-5380

With a special children’s area, the new King Road branch of the public library is a perfect spot to bring wee ones. Free, weekly programs include Babytime (0-18 months), Toddler Storytime (18 months-3 years), and Family Storytime (Ages 2-5). For children (ages 2-5) who have difficulty sitting through the other story times due to sensory integration
challenges, Sensory Storytime incorporates music, movement, and play! Little learners (ages 2-5) is a program promoting reading, counting, sorting skills, and fine motor development. Or, check out Library Playdate and meet some new friends. Older kids (grades 9-12) can check out programs like the Young Filmmakers Club, a chance to explore different kinds of film making. Yoga classes are available on Saturday mornings. Check out the plethora of
fun and free programs available on the library’s website. Registration is required.

Got Dim Sum?

By
Karen L. Zickes
-

I dim sum, do you? I first experienced dim sum in Cleveland over 20 years ago and I fell in love. Closer to home my family and I have always enjoyed New Empire Restaurant when our cravings strike for Chinese food. Yet I have continually forgotten they offer dim sum. Actually, they are the only Chinese restaurant in the area to offer dim sum, according to manager Yucy Huang. Remembering this when we would arrive for dinner was most unfortunate timing on my part. Until a few weeks ago…

Dim Sum = YUM

Many of you may be wondering what exactly is dim sum. Simply put, it is a Chinese style of cuisine where the food is usually served in steamer baskets or on small plates. Portions are small and shared with others. Therefore, a variety of items are ordered and shared among guests. It is traditionally eaten earlier in the day, and at New Empire it is offered until 4p.m. every day; with a larger dim sum menu offered on the weekends. In the past I had enjoyed dim sum offered from rolling carts around the restaurant Got Dim Sum? New Empire Restaurant offers dim sum By: Karen L. Zickes and you choose from there what you would like to enjoy. However, at New Empire you order from the menu. They bring about 2-3 items at a time so as to not overwhelm you. Be sure to request a menu with photos if you are unsure of many of the offerings. My oldest mocked me for doing so, yet she was also using the photos herself to make her choices. Tea of course, is customary.

Those who know me understand how much I would enjoy eating like this, as I always want one of everything on the menu. Oh how I would love this offered at every restaurant! Dim sum is the perfect way to sample many different types of foods. Varieties of dumplings, fried or steamed, are offered with dim sum and are filled with shrimp, meat, or vegetables. Steamed buns may be filled with barbeque pork or sometimes something sweet.

We tried the sesame buns, but my children were not fans. We devoured a large order of pan fried noodles with chicken and vegetables as well. The beauty of dim sum with a family is that when you try something the kids don’t like, you’re not out the price of an entrée. You are just all the wiser what not to order for them next time!

New Empire, which opened in 1985, has a loyal following of regulars, and an extensive dim sum menu is offered. They tempt you with 18 choices of small items for $2.85, 20 medium items for $3.25, and large items for $3.95. The four of us tried at least nine items and didn’t break the bank. I was one happy mamma on that Sunday afternoon.

Delectable edibles and friendly staff

Before I delve further into tempting your palate with the array of wonderful dishes, rest assured that if you can’t even interest your younger set in trying fried rice or egg rolls, they do offer several American dishes.

My family has enjoyed shrimp egg foo young, chicken fried rice, beef and broccoli, a variety of noodles and General Tso’s chicken. According to Ms. Huang other popular items are the classic Chinese dishes sweet and sour chicken and Szechwan chicken.

Another constant that has brought us back over and over is the attentive and always friendly service. The staff at New Empire is always so helpful answering any questions or making accommodations you may need, and they truly want you to enjoy your time with them at New Empire. No doubt we will continue to enjoy many meals in the future at New Empire and I am certain I will no longer forget they offer a delicious dim sum. I dim sum. You should too!

ToledoFood-FoodReview-DimSum

Bottom Line

New Empire Restaurant in Holland has offered the community authentic Chinese food since 1985. You will always find a friendly staff ready to make your time with them most enjoyable. They offer dim sum until 4p.m. daily with an extensive dim sum menu for the weekend. I assure you that your children will love the opportunity to try a variety of foods, and if not, there is always the standby hamburger and fries to keep a smile on their faces.

Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in c/o [email protected] .

New Empire Restaurant
6540 Centers Drive, Holland
419-868-6565 | www.newempireholland.com
Mon-Thur: 11a.m.-10p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11a.m.-10:30p.m. Sun: 11a.m.-9p.m. 

 

Milk sharing in the internet age

By
Bridget Adams
-
Michelle Bucur nursing her youngest child Shoshana Elisateta

Experts agree that breastfeeding is best for infants, but what if you can’t? Whether you’ve adopted, have to be on medications incompatible with breastfeeding, or have supply issues, a mama down the street (or across the country) with an abundance of milk may be able to help. Milk sharing is becoming more popular, via donor banks, social media, and even wet nursing.

Sharing is caring

Milk sharing is not a new thing. As long as mothers have been having babies, mothers have been sharing milk. More than 70 species of mammals wet nurse or cross nurse other mothers’ offspring. Besides the obvious benefits of offering babies the best nutrition, mother’s milk contains antibodies, hormones, and special sugars that boost the immune system. Infants who consume milk from more than one mother may even enjoy better immunity. Unfortunately, unpasteurized donor milk may also carry diseases, drugs, and other contamination. In 2010, the FDA released a statement officially recommending “against feeding your baby breast milk acquired directly from individuals or through the Internet.” Many parents choose to receive milk from trusted friends or relatives, while others prefer to work with milk banks because they test donors and pastuerize donor milk before it goes to an infant.

Receiving and donating

Michelle Bucur, midwife, owner of Mother Oriented Midwifery in Ypsilanti and mom of four, adopted her oldest child, and received donor milk for him. “I learned about induced lactation and was able to lactate for my son,” she said. “With my next child, since she was biological, I was able to produce enough milk not just for her, but to pump and donate — I’ve been donating since.” She estimates she’s fed or helped feed more than 15 babies, including the one she carried as a surrogate. Bucur gave birth to Valentina in July, and has exclusively pumped — and shipped out of state — enough milk so she can have breastmilk exclusively for nine months.

Any mom that’s done it knows it’s not an easy job to make and pump milk. “While I’ve been mostly lucky to find caretakers who have appreciated my milk… producing milk does indeed cost not just time but money to the person donating it. Your caloric intake is increased, you need many hours of the day to pump, all equipment needs to be cleaned and sterilized after each session. Bags and bottles cost. And then add to that the cost of having to store it.”

Banking milk

Jennifer Tansel, lactation consultant with Wood County Hospital, is a proponent of donating milk through milk banks. Tansel said Wood County is, “one of seven hospitals that give free lab draws for the milk bank. When a mom has 200 ounces of milk she wants to donate, there is a telephone screening, and if she passes then the bank sends a lab kit and mom’s blood is drawn. If the mom passes that test, then the milk bank sends a cooler for shipping the frozen milk. The milk is again tested and pasteurized and distributed to NICUs.” Premature infants, especially, benefit from donor milk, and Tansel notes, “breastmilk can also be used [to help] burn patients because it has anti-viral properties and and white blood cells in it that help skin grafts take better.”

Connecting online

Eats on Feets and Human Milk 4 Human Babies are two groups with similar missions of encouraging community milk sharing, primarily through the Internet. Katie Bollinger, mom of two, helped feed an adopted baby, whose mom she connected with online. She said, “the reason I started donating is once [my oldest] started solid foods he wasn’t nursing as much, but I was still producing a ton of milk. Breastfeeding became so important to me… I saw moms with adopted babies or that were having trouble breastfeeding, it made me want to help.”

The power of giving children the space to become themselves

By
Sam Melden
-

It’s true what they say about your third child getting much different treatment
than your first. Think about birthdays. It’s just so anti-climactic, isn’t it? You’ve
been there before. You have other kids demanding attention, running around
sucking up your time, energy, money and imagination just like that vacuum
cleaner you forgot to run. Who has time to plan a party? Before we develop too
much pity for the short-straws of our families, of course, there is a flipside to all
of this. Your youngest always has more people singing her song because her big
sisters are so excited to celebrate her life. Nothing like when your oldest sat there
alone with his parents watching him eat his first birthday cake; that hardly compares
to being born into a party.

In our family, our youngest child just turned one, which again reminded me of
the word that comes to mind as a baby finishes his first trip around the
sun: wonder. I wonder how it all works? How does a mini human being learn to chew?
How did they agree to play fetch with their parents one day? “You set the spoon on my
tray, I pick it up with interest just before I drop it on the floor. You retrieve it for me,
and round and round we go.” There is so much about this time in a child’s life that
makes me wonder.

I also wonder about heavier things — the future and who they are as people
and who they will become. I wonder about who they will fall in love with and
what instrument they will want to play and what clothes they will wear that will
make us parents crazy? I wonder about their hopes for education and what type
of career they might pursue.

Wonder vs. certainty

Here is the truth: wonder holds the key to this whole parenting game we are
playing; to cultivate and protect a sense of wonder toward our children is one of
the greatest tasks we have. Often I refer to this concept in terms of certainty and
curiosity.

Certainty is the opposite of wonder. When we are certain about who our children
will become we lose the ability to wonder about their future. We simply
fill the gaps, color in the lines and tellourselves a fairy tale that won’t come true.
The parent who lives vicariously through their children risks losing that life when
their child takes a different path. Living through someone else, is no life at all.
Being certain about how your little one will turn out is like closing a million doors
leading all different directions out of a belief that you know best. Years of certainty
and dogmatic belief in a future never realized causes frayed relationships
and shattered expectations.

Cultivate curiosity

Now, consider what happens when we cultivate a curiosity concerning our
children. If we can hold on to a sense of wonder and curiosity, we not only guard
ourselves against unmet expectations but we leave open those doors to what is
possible. They are free to explore and travel and meet new friends and form their own
passions and ideas. This, of course, is the risk involved in every intimate relationship.
The more I can remain curious of my wife’s changing interests, needs and desires the
stronger our relationship becomes. Wonder and curiosity lay a healthy foundation in a family, granting permission to grow and explore.

Imagine if we carried this curiosity into other areas of our life ? How might our
relationships with co-workers improve if we left our certainty at the door and
approached their perspective and ideas with genuine curiosity, to truly understand
another perspective? We need this in our political conversation as well. A
bona-fide curiosity about the other side’s political convictions can help us remember
the original intent of our democracy. We all need curiosity and wonder in our
lives, perhaps most of all in relation to the little ones we have been given the
task of caring for and believing in.

When we look at our children with the permission-giving curiosity of a parent,
we create a space for our children to grow. And in that moment we will
find that familiar feeling of wonder that we created this person and we get to
watch them grow and mature and walk through whichever door they choose.
What a wonderful thing.

Here is the truth: wonder holds the key to this whole
parenting game we are playing. I believe, to try to cultivate and
protect a sense of wonder toward our children is one of the
greatest tasks we have.

Your 2017 education guide

By
Kimberly Feldkamp
-
Toledo Education Guide

You want a school where your child can grow, learn and succeed. You also want a place that will be a good fit. And sometimes, it’s hard to choose. Toledo is teeming with great schools and great places for your children to learn. With our Education Guide, find out more about the academic institutions around town and determine which one makes your list.

Cardinal Stritch High School

3225 Pickle Rd., Oregon | 419-693-0465 | katerischools.org
Cardinal Stritch High School and St. Kateri Catholic Academy offer students an atmosphere that promotes faith, family, knowledge and strength to form disciples of Jesus Christ. Serving children from preschool school (starting at age three) through 12th grade, Cardinal Stritch High School and St. Kateri Catholic Academy provide a streamlined, Catholic education for students for 15 years. This allows the school to know students, their strengths and opportunities for growth and to tailor an education that fits their learning style.

Children’s Discovery Center

6450 Weatherfield Ct., Suite 3,  Maumee | 419-867-8570 | childrensdiscoverycenters.com Children’s Discovery Center is a premier early care and education provider, encouraging learning through discovery and exploration. With six centers throughout the area, Children’s Discovery Center believes a creative environment is essential for young children to learn and grow. Centers follow the unique Reggio Emilia early education philosophy.

Christ the King

4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo | 419-475-0909 | ckschool.org
Christ the King School is a Catholic school for children in preschool through 8th grade. Offering a rich curriculum for students in all grades that includes art, technology and music classes, students at Christ the King are being prepared today to be tomorrow’s leaders. Christ the King offers Spanish in kindergarten through 8th grade and is a Leader in Me school practicing the Seven Habits of Effective People. As a community of brothers and sisters, students proclaim God’s teachings through words and actions, while nurturing spiritual growth and academic excellence.

iLead Schools

1615 Timberwolf Dr., Holland | 419-491-7423 | ileadspringmeadows.org
iLead Spring Meadows offers Project-Based Deeper Learning that promotes the development of collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving to prepare children for success in high school and beyond. iLead Spring Meadows creates fun, multi-age K-8 learning environments. iLead is a tuition-free public charter school.

HOPE Learning Academy

4234 Monroe St., Toledo | 419-297-6313 | hopelearningacademy.org
HOPE Learning Academy of Toledo is committed to providing an excellent and accommodating education for children with special needs in grades kindergarten to grade 8. HOPE Learning Academy is a great choice for children who need to learn in a non-traditional classroom setting. Here the research-based curriculum is infused with social growth, sensory integration and art enrichment to cultivate students’ critical thinking, self-reliance and problem solving skills.

Lial Catholic School

5700 Davis Rd., Whitehouse | 419-877-5167 | lialschool.org
Sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Lial Catholic School focuses on Gospel values and the formation of the whole child from ages six to 14. Lial is committed to academic excellence and the development of life skills necessary for each child. Lial Catholic School’s campus includes 96 wooded acres, which is the perfect environment to promote interaction among classrooms, open spaces for thought and creativity and reflection of God’s creation. This unique classroom structure is just one part of Lial’s dynamic approach to teaching and learning

Maumee Valley Country Day School

1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo | 419-381-1313 | mvcds.org
Maumee Valley Country Day School is an independent, co-educational school for preschool through grade 12 that challenges, supports and prepares students for success academically and in life. MVCDS encourages and inspires respect for others and develops creativity, collaboration, communication critical thinking and character in every student. More than 500 students attend school on the 75-acre campus. There’s a 9:1 student to teacher ratio and 100% of graduates attend college.

Penta Career Center

9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg | 419-666-1120 | pentacareercenter.org
Penta Career Center is a high performing career-technical school that provides options and opportunities for all students, with real world learning and partnerships with businesses and industry. Penta serves high school students in grades 10-12. There is also a Penta Adult Education program that serves adults 18 and over. Penta offers 30 programs for students at its campus in Perrysburg Township and through various programs at satellite locations within its 16 member school districts. At Penta, students spend half of the school day in their chosen career-technical lab and the other half in their academic classes.

St. Francis de Sales High School

2323 W. Bancroft St., Toledo | 419-531-1618 | sfstoledo.org
A Catholic college prepatory school for young men, St. Francis de Sales promotes the academic, spiritual, social and physical development of students in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, who challenges “be who you are and be that well”. St. Francis has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Catholic Schools in the country, with a highly accredited AP program. At St. Francis, students have the opportunity to experience their faith in profound ways through volunteer projects, mission trips and religious retreats.

St. Ursula Academy

4025 Indian Rd., Toledo | 419-531-1683 | toledosua.org
At St. Ursula Academy every hero has a story. Academic Excellence, All-Girls, Faith Formation, Individual Attention, and Leadership are just some of the chapters in SUA’s book. This Catholic college prep school serves grades 6 through 12 and is Toledo’s oldest all-female, fully accredited Catholic school. St. Ursula Academy fosters a learning environment that develops young women of wisdom, service and faith so that each is empowered to embrace the challenges of the world with leadership, courage and compassion.

Toledo Christian School

2303 Brookford Dr., Toledo | 419-389-8700 | toledochristian.com
Toledo Christian School provides students with a safe, nurturing environment where they can excel academically, grow spiritually, and thrive relationally. Students have ample opportunities to play multiple high quality sports while participating in an outstanding fine arts program. Toledo Christian’s mission is to Educate, Disciple, and Prepare students to follow Christ and impact culture. Graduates are well-equipped to confidently step into the next phase of their lives.

Trinity Lutheran School

4560 Glendale Ave., Toledo | 419-385-2301 | trinitylutheran.org
Trinity Lutheran School is a non-public school chartered by the State of Ohio and accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation Agency. Founded in 1874, Trinity Lutheran has continued to offer quality Christian education to students from preschool through 8th grade. Computers, arts and music classes are available to all students. Extended care is available.

West Side Montessori

7115 W. Bancroft St., Toledo | 419-866-1931 | montessoritoledo.org
For 40 years, West Side Montessori has been inspiring the development of individual children in a safe and supportive environment that gives them the freedom to explore, create and become independent learners. West Side Montessori nurtures a love of learning and discovery, opening the path to a lifetime of exploration and adventure. One of only five accredited Montessori schools in Ohio, West Side Montessori offers programs for children thirteen months through eighth grade. Each year students build upon their academic successes and life skills.

 

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