Kids Public Radio...An Amazing New Find

Greetings and Happy New Year to all!! I hope everyone had a restful New Year and a gentle re-entry. This morning I awoke with a Raffi song in my head (the ever popular Shake Your Sillies Out), so I decided to do a little web-surfing related to children's music.

Lo and behold I happened on something I nver knew existed! (Bear with me if you have already discovered it). It's called Kids Public Radio (KPR), >www.kidspublicradio.org. It is a not-for-profit website that among other things, streams three channels of 24/7, ad-free, cost-free children's programming, specifically for kids ages 0-11.

The first station I listened to is called Lullabies, very self-explanatory, with beautiful music. The second is called Jabberwocky, and it is all stories for children. I caught the tail-end of "A Slightly Different Cinderella". In this version, Cinderella and her Prince retire to the library for "a good long read", following their wedding. Now I want to hear the whole thing! The third station is called Pipsqueak and it is all children's music. I had a Halloween flash-back listening to "The Monster Mash".

KPR has programing for the primary grades, middle school, and teen audiences. They also encourage parents and teachers to assist children in creating their own radio programs. One example offered was "Chloe's World Kids Porporating News" (not a misspell by the way).

In addition, KPR offers educational programming and links to web radio for children from all over the US and the world. They state that,

"The common denominator for all the programs are a commitment to quality, a love of many cultures, and a profound respect for the intelligence of children"

I am all over that!! Check it out... Have a great week, Karen

Have a Family Friendly Party for New Year's Eve

Greetings Families!

Did everyone enjoy the holiday? Was anyone ready to go back to work? Hopefully this will be a relaxed and easy week for both adults and children as we get ourselves revved back up for the New Year's weekend.

Contrary to the usual idea of adult gatherings, New Year's Eve can actually be an amazing time for parents and children to create a new family tradition and celebrate together. While midnight might be a stretch for the little ones, a fun evening can still be had by all. Even if the adults have plans for later, a family party can happen early in the evening.

Start by having your children help you plan a prepare and simple meal. Finger foods are a great idea, as there can be something for everyone to enjoy; including sliced fruit, veggies, chips and pretzels, dips, chicken nuggets, and cheese chunks. Make your own mini-pizzas are also an enjoyable way for all family members to get what they want. A kid-friendly sparkling beverage can easily be made with fruit juice and club soda.

You might do an art project together by drawing pictures of special family events that have happened over the past year. Really ambitious parents and children might create home made party hats, noise makers, and room decorations.

Rather than watch movies, get the family going with a hot game of charades or take out some of your favorite board games. The eve of the New Year is also a nice time for families to talk about the year to come. Take out large sheets of paper and markers and record everybody's thoughts and ideas for trips, activities, new responsibilities, and resolutions.

Make New Year's Eve a treasured family tradition that both parents and children will always remember.

Karen and the NDCC Staff

Congrats Pat!

Congratulations to Pat Spielman of Spielman's Kidworks in Fish Creek, WI, the winner of Northern Door Children's Centers 2009 car raffle. Spielman won the 2009 smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet and a $5000 cash prize.

For the sixth annual car raffle hosted by NDCC, 1,752 tickets were sold from the raffle's debut at Maifest Memorial Day weekend up until 1:45 p.m. the day of the raffle, Oct. 25, 2009. The drawing was at 2 p.m., with the winning ticket drawn by Krista Church and the raffle audited by Jason Kiehnau of Shenck Business Solutions in Green Bay. 

Spielman is the grandmother of Will Friedenfels, a student in the 4 year-old kindergarten class at NDCC, and Sophie Friedenfels, an alumna of NDCC. 

"This is the first time we've had a parent or grandparent of an actual student at the Center. It's very exciting for us. Patricia and her late husband have been long-time supporters of the Children's Center and we appreciate all they have done for us throughout the years," said Cindy Trinkner-Peot, Executive Director of Northern Door Children's Center.

Keep tuned in for information and updates on upcoming NDCC fundraising events, including the Holiday Home Tour. Tickets are on sale now at various northern Door County locations and are $20 per person. The tour will be Friday, Nov 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28. Visit our Web site for more information or to order tickets.

Sight-see with Smartie!

Where has the summer gone? I can’t believe we’re already beginning September – I’ll need to start investing in antifreeze pretty soon! It really has been a great summer, packed with tons of fun events, people and festivals. But, it’s not over yet! We still have Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fest to look forward to. I’m counting on the memories made at these events to help keep me warm during the winter months, so don’t disappoint me!

 

For September, I’ll be turning on my heated leather seats and parking at these fine establishments: Thursday, Sept. 3 Associated Bank; Friday, Sept. 4 BAKE SALE at Baylake Bank and on to Northern Grill; Saturday, Sept. 5 Marina Fest; Sunday, Sept. 6 Wood Orchard Market; Monday, Sept. 7 NDCC; Tuesday, Sept. 8 Ace Hardware; Wednesday, Sept. 9 Top Shelf; Thursday, Sept. 10 Sister Bay Mobil; Friday, Sept. 11 Fish Creek B.P. and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Sept. 12 Mueller’s in Fish Creek; Sunday, Sept. 12 Julie’s Café; Monday, Sept. 14 106.9 FM The Lodge; Tuesday, Sept. 15 Liberty Park Lodge; Wednesday, Sept. 16 Top Shelf; Thursday, Sept. 17 D.C. Deli; Friday, Sept. 18 Ace Hardware and Northern Grill; Saturday, Sept. 19 Seaquist’s Orchards Farm Market; Sunday, Sept. 20 Nelson’s; Monday, Sept. 21 Moretti’s; Wednesday, Sept. 23 Top Shelf; Thursday, Sept. 24 NDCC; Friday, Sept. 25 Spielman’s and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Sept. 26 Harbor Wear in Fish Creek (Inside/Outside Sales!); Sunday, Sept. 27 Julie’s Café; Monday, Sept. 28 The Lodge; Tuesday, Sept. 29 NDCC; Wednesday, Sept. 30 Top Shelf.

 

Whew! I know that’s a lot of information to take in all at once. But, don’t worry. I always repost my schedule every week, I just want to give you plenty of time to plan your trip to see me! And don’t forget to get your tickets when you see me on the weekends hanging out with Sam! It’s $20/ticket for a chance to win me, the 2009 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet AND (that’s AND) $5,000 cash. You get the cash and the car if you win! You really can’t beat that!

 

If you haven’t made it to Door County yet this year, make sure you do for our end-of-season festivals. Marina Fest Labor Day weekend in Sister Bay is a must-attend event, along with Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch in October. And, if you’ve already had the chance to enjoy the beautiful Door County summer, don’t forget to come up and see all the amazing colors when the trees begin to turn for Fall. There’s always something for everyone here in Door County year ‘round. So, come enjoy the festivities, and help support NDCC and their important work in early childhood care and education, serving the children and families of northern Door County.

 

To learn more about NDCC, or to purchase raffle tickets, visit us on the Web, e-mail us at ndcc1986@hotmail.com, or call us at (920) 854-4244. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Get Smart - Go WEST

I’ve filled up on fuel, greased my gears, dropped my top (Hey, I’m a convertible!) and now I’m ready to do a few wheelies! So come join me for a wheelie-good time at the Sturgeon Bay West Fest! It’s a festival to celebrate Sturgeon Bay’s West Side, and has everything from food, entertainment, activities for children, and even a showdown at High Noon! Everything will take place on Madison Street, so come check out what Sturgeon Bay’s West Side has to offer, including me, Smartie Smart! I’ll be hanging out at the Maritime Museum near all the kids’ activity tents. Tickets are only $20 each for a chance to win me AND $5000. So check me out while the kids are doing their thing! All it takes to win is one ticket!

 

The summer is winding down and there’s less than a month left until Labor Day. I can’t believe how quickly the summer has gone. I’ve made a ton of awesome new friends, but, of course, I’m always looking to make more! If we haven’t gotten together yet, let me know! Call my besties, Sam or Sue at the Northern Door Children’s Center, at (920) 854-4244, e-mail them at ndcc1986@hotmail.com or go to our Web site and tell them you want a piece of the Smartie pie!

 

Otherwise, if you’re more of a face-to-face person, find me at one of my many appearances. Just because the summer is slowing down doesn’t mean I am! Me schedule for the next few weeks is: Saturday, Aug. 20 Sturgeon Bay West Fest; Sunday, Aug. 23 Carroll House Restaurant; Monday, Aug. 24 The Lodge; Tuesday, Aug. 25 Sister Bay Mobil; Wednesday, Aug. 26 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!) Thursday, Aug. 27 Nelson’s; Friday, Aug. 28 Liberty Park Lodge and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Aug. 29 Mainstreet Market and The English Inn; Sunday, Aug. 30 St. Rosalias Catholic Church and Harbor Wear; Monday, Aug. 31 Moretti’s; Tuesday, Sept. 1 Sister Bay Mobil; Wednesday, Sept. 2 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!); Thursday, Sept. 3 Liberty Park Lodge; Friday, Sept. 4 D.C. Deli and Northern Grill; Saturday, Sept. 5 Marina Fest in Sister Bay; Sunday, Sept. 6 Wood Orchard Market; Monday, Sept. 7 NDCC; Tuesday, Sept. 8 Ace Hardware; Wednesday, Sept. 9 Top Shelf; Thursday, Sept. 10 Sister Bay Mobil; Friday, Sept. 11 Fish Creek BP and D.C. Ice Cream Factory.

 

And don't forget! You can always turn to 106.9 FM The Lodge and listen for a copy of my schedule too! I can’t wait to see you! 

Get Smart - invest in art!

I have to say, this past weekend was probably one of the most laid back of the whole summer! I was kind of nice to take a bit of a break from all the hustle and bustle of Door County life and take it easy for once! With no big events or festivals in town, I had a little extra time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones, but at much more relaxed pace!

 

But, as always, it’s back to the grindstone this weekend. Saturday, Aug. 15 I’ll be at the Door County Festival of the Arts in Sister Bay. I have to tell you I’m excited for this one, and I just know I’m going to fit in even easier than usual! That’s because I’m a work of art myself. Seriously! I’m not tooting my horn, guys, I really am considered art! Art is right there in my own name! SMART is a combination of Swatch (yes, the Swiss watch company, and also the people who designed me and my family), Mercedes (for Mercedes-Benz, the awesomest car manufacturer, ever) and ART. Did you know the Smart is the only car to be on exhibit at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art? So, I’ll be right at home at the Art Festival, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the artists and art enthusiasts! Look for me at the festival – I’ll be the big piece of art in blue!

 

My schedule for the rest of August is as follows: Wednesday, Aug. 12 Lamperts; Thursday, Aug. 13 Sister Bay Citgo; Friday, Aug. 14 Top Shelf and Door County Ice Cream; Saturday, Aug. 15 Door County Festival of the Arts in Sister Bay; Sunday, Aug. 16 St. Paul’s Church in Juddville and Orchard County Winery; Monday, Aug. 17 D.C. Deli; Tuesday, Aug. 18 Euphoria; Wednesday, Aug. 19 Top Shelf; Thursday, Aug. 20 Spielman’s; Friday, Aug. 21 Fish Creek B.P. and Northern Grill; Saturday, Aug. 22 West Fest in Sturgeon Bay; Sunday, Aug. 23 Carroll House Restaurant; Monday, Aug. 24 106.9 The Lodge; Tuesday, Aug. 25 Sister Bay Mobil; Wednesday, Aug. 26 Top Shelf; Thursday, Aug. 27 Nelson’s; Thursday, Aug. 28 Liberty Park Lodge and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Aug. 29 Mainstreet Market and English Inn; Sunday, Aug. 30 St. Rosalias Church in Sister Bay and Harbor Wear in Fish Creek; Monday, Aug. 31 Moretti’s.

 

How many little mambos do you know between the ages of six weeks to 10 years old? Between nieces and nephews, cousins, friends’ kids, and your own, probably quite a few. If you’re a parent yourself, you’ve probably put a lot of time, energy and consideration into where you want your child educated, how you want them cared for and looked after when you aren’t around. In the northern Door County community, more than 50 families trust Northern Door Children’s Center to provide the kind of early childhood care and education they want for their children. NDCC is a not-for-profit early childhood center dedicated to serving working families of Door County. We fundraise 25 percent of our general operating costs every year, keeping tuition fees low, and even providing scholarships to families in need.

 

The car raffle fundraiser now in its sixth year goes a long way toward helping NDCC meet our general operating costs. On average about 2,700 raffle tickets are sold each year. Tickets cost $20 each and this year’s car is a 2009 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet AND $5000 cash prize. So, please help support NDCC and early childhood care and education today. Go to www.northerndoorchildrenscenter.org or call (920) 854-4244 to purchase raffle tickets and to learn more about NDCC.

 

 

 

Get Smart be smooth

My wheels sure have been getting a work out! I can’t believe all the different festivals, parades and events they have here in Door County. But, man, am I loving it! Everyone has been wonderful, and I’ve made tons of new friends, at the Center, throughout the county, and beyond!

 

This past weekend, the Center had the Bill Bastian Bike Ride. It was fun to see all the bikers turn out for such a great cause! Everyone made it back safe and sound, and we had a great turnout for our third annual Bill Bastian Bike Ride. All the volunteers from the Center, as well as the wonderful people from Nor Door Sport & Cyclery did a wonderful job! Lucky for me, I got to give my wheels a brake (er, I mean, break!) while all the bikers got to explore northern Door County! It just goes to show what a supportive community we have here in Door County, and it makes me proud to be a part of such a great group of people!

 

You can tell when Summer is winding down in Door County – the festivals really start to wind down! My schedule for August is: Wednesday, Aug. 5 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!), Thursday, Aug. 6 Euphoria Salon; Friday, Aug. 7 Baylake Bank Bake Sale and Northern Grill; Saturday, Aug. 8 Sister Bay Mobil and Mainstreet Market; Sunday, Aug. 9 Julie’s Café; Monday, Aug. 10 FM 106.9 The Lodge; Tuesday, Aug. 11 Liberty Park Lodge; Wednesday, Aug. 12 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!); Thursday, Aug. 13 Sister Bay Citgo; Friday, Aug. 14 Lamperts and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Aug. 15 Door County Festival of the Arts in Sister Bay; Sunday, Aug. 16 St. Paul’s in Juddville and Orchard Country Winery; Monday, Aug. 17 D.C. Deli; Tuesday, Aug. 18 Euphoria; Wednesday, Aug. 19 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!); Thursday, Aug. 20 Spielman’s Kidworks; Friday, Aug. 21 Fish Creek B.P. and Northern Grill; Saturday, Aug. 22 West Fest on Sturgeon Bay’s West Side; Sunday, Aug. 23 Carroll House Restaurant; Monday, Aug. 24 FM 106.9 The Lodge; Tuesday, Aug. 25 Sister Bay Mobil; Wednesday, Aug. 26 Top Shelf (Farmers’ Market!); Thursday, Aug. 27 Nelson’s; Friday, Aug. 28 Liberty Park Lodge and D.C. Ice Cream Factory; Saturday, Aug. 29 Mainstreet Market and English Inn; Sunday, Aug. 30 Stella Maris and Harbor Wear.

 

And, of course, if you’re too busy to try and find me during the day, you can always call the Center (920) 854-4244 and talk to Sam or Sue, or visit our Web site to download a ticket order form.

 

I hope your summer is going as smooth as a newly paved highway!