FallPreview

H E R S A M A C O R N N E W S PA P E R S

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The Lewisboro Ledger

Pumpkin picking time!

Jones Family Farms readies for pumpkin season

In

1985, the first pumpkins were sold by

Terry and Jean Jones, of Jones Family
Farms, at their Pumpkinseed Hill farm on
Beardsley Road in Shelton. More than 25
years later, spending a fall afternoon at the farm remains a
tradition for many Connecticut families.
The farmers at Jones grow and harvest more than 50
varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds. People from all
over Connecticut, New England and New York make the
trek to share the view and harvest every fall.
We enjoy celebrating the hard work of an autumn harvest, knowing that the products we sell are Jones Grown
they come from our own farm, said Jamie Jones, sixth
generation farmer and winemaker. We also like that our
farm is a welcoming place for families to come enjoy quality time and make some memories.
Looking at Jones Family Farms Facebook page
(facebook.com/JonesFamilyFarms) it is evident that families enjoy that, too.
The farmers also receive many requests for recipes to
use with pumpkins and squash. Jones Family Farms prides
themselves on growing dozens of varieties of squash,
including the ever-popular butternut, delicata, acorn and
spaghetti squash.
Buying local squash in the fall is a great way to eat
locally throughout the winter. There are so many healthy
and delicious comfort foods that feature squash and we
have tons of recipes were excited to share, said Jean
Crum Jones, who runs the farms Harvest Kitchen Cooking
Studio that offers many cooking classes through the year.
Over the years, Jones Family Farms has themed their
fall harvest yard around family-friendly genres. Fans have
gone on the hayrides, toured the corn maze, tasted the
fresh-baked cookies or danced on the stage while being
surrounded by the worlds of Kings & Queens, Childhood
Games, The Land of Oz, Fairy Tales, Nautical Connecticut,
the Circus and more.
Families love coming to pose in front of many of the
Jones continued on page 4

Every fall, families ock to Jones Family Farms to choose their perfect pumpkin.

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

Good Start & Backpack Giveback programs

Providing supplies for school success

By Melissa Ezarik

WEBE DJ Storm N Norman participating in the stations Backpack Giveback program. Approximately 1,000
backpacks will be distributed this year.

Doesnt every child, even one whose

family is struggling financially, deserve
new gear for the school year? Starting
off with inadequate school supplies
puts kids at a disadvantage right from
the first day of school. Just imagine the
hope that shiny new backpacks, pens
and pencils boxes, markers and crayons, rulers, index cards, lunch boxes,
construction paper, tape and glue, a
calculator, spiral notebooks, and more
can provide instead.
It makes them feel good. They can
actually go back with something, said
Raymond ODonnell, the adult and
youth program director and coordinator of the Good Start program at
Sterling House Community Center in
Stratford.
For nearly a decade, the Good Start
back to school supply program has
served families in need, and it has
grown to give away 300 backpacks to
town residents during each of the past
few years, ODonnell shared. He estimates that about 70% of the backpacks
and supplies are purchased by Sterling
House, with grant money from various
organizations and donations from local
companies and churches. Individuals
also donate both needed items and
the backpacks themselves, sometimes
bringing down backpacks that are
already filled.
ODonnell said with sales at stores
such as Walmart and Walgreens, the
supplies themselves are very inexpensive, making donating to the cause
accessible for many in the community
who want to help.
Whatever they can donate is greatly

appreciated, he said. Its a community

effort, so everybody gets involved.
Teams of volunteers from corporate employees to Girl Scout troops
handle the majority of the bag stuffing.
Backpack Giveback
Thats the case for the Backpack
Giveback program organized by
WEBE108, WICC600 and St. Vincents
Medical Center, as well. This year,
students from the physicians assistant
program at the University of Bridgeport
have volunteered to stuff the approximately 1,000 backpacks being given
away.
Were happy that our voice is
widely heard and can spark motivation
within the community to help others.
We have the resources to facilitate the
support and connect the need with a
solution, said Alissa Balouskus, promotions director for the two stations.
The number of backpacks per year
is typically around 2,000; the first year,
close to 4,000 backpacks were distributed. Churches, Boys & Girls Clubs,
The Salvation Army, and other local
organizations request the backpacks,
and the organizers determine the final
list of recipients based on the request
amount and the organizations mission.
For those requests we cant fulfill,
we match the organizations with others
who contact us, who have items and/or
backpacks to donate, Balouskus said.
So as you wrap-up your shopping
for your own children, consider how
you might also help others in the community get off to a good start.

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

Happy trails
Autumn hikes for your heart, soul and soles
By Julie Butler
Connecticut is breathtaking in
autumn. And while driving around
leaf peeping is all fine and good, getting out into the weather, breathing in
the crisp air, and taking a long walk or
hike is an even better way to take in
the colors of the season.
Outdoor hiking has a myriad of benefits for both the body and the mind.
Its an all-body, aerobic exercise that
can improve overall physical fitness,
using leg muscles, core body muscles,

and lungs. You set the pace and length

that is a comfortable challenge for
your body. The psychological effects of
spending time in natural surroundings
is also positive and strong.
Hiking is inexpensive and easy to
start, so you can participate no matter how fit you currently are, and it is
always a great idea to get the kids out
and from under the wealth of technoloHappy trails continued on page 5

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Jones continued from page 1

photo-ops year after year. They also
enjoy the games and entertainment
during the annual UNICEF festival the farm hosts the last weekend
before Halloween. Over the years, the
Jones family has been able to raise
more than $100,000 for UNICEF.
Pumpkinseed Hill is a part of Jones
Family Farms and Winery. It is located at 120 Beardsley Road in Shelton,
Connecticut, off Route 110, five miles
North of Shelton Center and two
miles south of the junction of Route
110 and 111 in Monroe. The fall
harvest season goes from the last
weekend in September through
Oct. 31 and is open daily 10
a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Farmer
Jones Hot Line at
203- 929-8425, or
visit jonesfamilyfarms.com.

August 30, 2012

Where to go for apple picking, pumpkin patches, hay rides and corn mazes
Blue Jay Orchards; 125 Plumtrees
Road, Bethel, 203-748-0119: pumpkins, pick-your-own apples, pumpkin
patch/ pick in the field, pumpkin patch/
already gathered from the field, tractorpulled hay rides, honey from hives on
the farm, cider mill (fresh apple cider
made on the premises). Crops are usually available in August, September,
October and November. Open August

to Thanksgiving, seven days a week,

from 10 -5:30. Pick-your-own hours
are seven days a week from 10-5. Pickyour-own apples is from late August
to early November (based on picking
conditions); pumpkins start the last
weekend of September and run through
the month of October. Hayrides to the
pumpkin patch are weekends only.
Jones Family Farms
(Pumpkinseed Hill Farm); 120
Beardsley Road, Shelton, 203-929-8425:
pumpkins, pumpkin patch (pick in the
field), hayrides. Open from 10-5:30.
McLaughlin Vineyards; 14 Alberts
Hill Road, Sandy Hook, 203-426-1533:
pumpkin picking and hayrides available
starting in October. Hours 11-5 daily.
Paproskis Pumpkin Patch and
Corn Maze at Castle Hill; 40 Sugar
Lane, Newtown, 203-426-5487: pumpkin patch/pick in the field, pumpkin

patch/already gathered from the field,

corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, pony rides, and petting zoo. Opens Columbus Day.
Plaskos Farm; 670 Daniels Farm
Road, Trumbull, 203-268-2716: Crazy
Cows Corn Maze open from September
and October. Hours Saturday, Sunday
and holidays from 10-dusk and Fridays
3-dusk.
Silvermans Farm; 451 Sport Hill
Road, Easton, 203-261-3306: pumpkin
patch, tractor-pulled hay rides, pickyour-own apples, gift shop, snacks and
refreshment stand, petting zoo, and
farm animals. Open seven days a week,
weather permitting.
Warrups Farm; 51 John Read
Road, West Redding, 203-938-9403:
pumpkins. Farm stand open Tuesday
through Sunday 10-6, July to October.

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

Happy trails continued from page 3

gy that tends to suck them in and keep
them sedentary and in the house.
REI, the outdoor gear and clothing
store chain, offers the following tips
for hiking with kids that they say they
have heard repeatedly. Among them
are:
Bring plenty of snacks.
When starting, hike short distances and commit to traveling at a childs
pace.
Let your kids invite a friend
along. (Adults become boring. Peers
are cool.)
Let kids participate in hike-planning.
Emphasize fun: play games, look
for treasure, try geocaching.
Seriously, bring lots of snacks and
stop often to let kids scarf them down.
Most of us in Fairfield County live
within driving distance of wonderful
hiking spots. So come on and take

ing of hike for status. No rain date.

Wear appropriate clothes, shoes, and
bring a water bottle. There is a 30 person maximum per hike except where
noted. All hikes easy to moderately difficult. Visit aspetucklandtrust.org.
- Steep Rock Reservation in
Washington Depot. Length: 5.1 miles;
duration: about 2 hours.
- Chauncey Peak and Lamentation
Mountain Trail, Meridan. Length: 2.1
miles; duration: 1 hour.
- The Devils Den Concourse,
Georgetown. This eight-mile hike
through an extensive 1,700-acre environmental sanctuary is perfect for any
level hiker. Take a leisurely stroll past
ponds, streams, gorges and ravines,
taking in the natural formations and
varied wildlife. Or challenge yourself to
ascend the steeper ridges and the view
of the Saugatuck Reservoir.
- Devils Den Preserve, Weston.
One of the largest preserves in the tristate area, the 1,746 acres of the Devils
Den Preserve are home to more than

a hike!
- Aspetuck Land Trust (which
was founded in 1966 to preserve
open space in the towns of Westport,
Weston, Fairfield and Easton), offers
numerous educational and specialty
hikes for adults and children that are
open to everyone and offer a great way
to explore and learn more about the
diversity of the more than 1,700 acres
of open space in our community.
Upcoming hikes include a childrens
hike at Ash Creek open space in
Fairfield on Saturday, Sept. 8, from
10-11:30. Age range is four to 10 year
olds; a parent is required to attend.
There will be an adult fall foliage
hike at Trout Brook Valley in Weston
on Saturday, October 13, from 1-3:30.
To reserve a spot, call or email RSVP
contact with your name, the date(s),
and number in party. If unsure of
weather, call 203-331-1906 the morn-

500 types of trees and wildflowers and

140 species of birds. With 20 miles of
trails ranging from daring to serene,
the preserve is a favorite destination for
hikers, walkers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
- Kent Falls State Park, 462 Kent
Cornwall Road, Kent. Kent Falls Trail
winds one-quarter mile up along the
falls. Although not difficult to walk, it
is steep. There are many scenic vantage
points that can be enjoyed along the
trail.
- Sleeping Giant State Park,
Hamden. Two miles of mountaintop
resembling a large man lying in repose,
the sleeping giant, is a popular feature of the south central Connecticut
skyline. A 1.5-mile scenic trail leads
to the stone observation tower on the
peak of Mt. Carmel which provides an
excellent view of Long Island Sound.
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation,
Lewisboro, N.Y. A 4,315-acre park of
varied terrain and landscapes, with 35
miles of trails for hiking.

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

Making memories on the school bus

One of my most precious memories of the first
day of school growing up
in Weston, was seeing the
big, yellow bus slowly
wind its way around
the corner of the street on
which I lived. It was as if at the
very moment I climbed up the
bus steps, I was at school.
My friends would be saving
me a seat and we had a small
chunk of time on the bus to
asses the physical changes
that had occurred over the
summer in other people and,
of course, in ourselves.
I still got a tiny thrill as I
waited at the bus stop for more

Parenting from
the Trenches
By Julie Butler

than 20 years with one or more of

my four children. Even when the kids
eventually banned me from waiting
with them, I still snuck a peek out the
front door, waiting to hear that familiar squeaking of the bus brakes as it
neared our driveway.
Of all the things my tax dollars
pay for, the school bus was one of the
best: convenience for me and socialization for my kids all in one.

But then, about four years ago, I

suddenly and insidiously found myself
driving my then-high school freshman
daughter, Jess, to school every day,
leaving the poor school bus to pause
at our driveway expectantly and then
carry on, Jess-less.
It all began when she missed the
bus one morning. She quite enjoyed
the chauffeured ride and I then stupidly started using the lure of the
mommy-drive when mysterious ailments presented themselves and
threatened to keep her from going
to school. I got sucked in of my own
accord, and it, well ... sucked!
I loved riding the school bus in
elementary school, even though my
trepidation as a kindergartner at

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

first challenged that enjoyment. But my

wonderful first bus driver, Mr. Peachtree
(seriously his name!), allowed me for
a time to sit next to him up front, just
inches from the steering wheel. There
was some sort of small steel bench next
to the drivers seat and on my very first
day riding the bus, he helped me up the
steps, picked me up and plunked me
down on that bench. I felt special and
safe although Lord knows by todays
standards, riding up there would be anything but safe!
Riding the school bus allowed my
friends and I precious time to unwind
after school, to learn to be tolerant of the
occasional bully, exchange confidences,
hear the latest joke. As I got older and
into high school, I could doze for a few
minutes in the morning or hold my boyfriends hand in the back of the bus on
the way home.
Admittedly, once I turned 16 and
could then drive my own vehicle to
school, I rather happily gave up my seat
on the bus. Yet, it had served me and my

parents very well for 11 years. And I still,

to this day, miss old, kind Mr. Peachtree.
My youngest child, Jack, began tagging along with Jess for the ride to the
high school two years ago. Back and
forth, back and forth I would go to
New Canaan High, picking Jess up early
when she had the last period free, and
then turning around an hour later to
fetch Jack, and vise versa. It was getting annoying and also so repetitive
that I began to drive on automatic pilot
towards the school, even when I was
merely heading into town for an errand!
I would pass buses and long for the days
of yore.
And now my waiting-at-the-bus-stop
and driving-the-kid-to-school days are
officially over: Jack passed his driving test earlier this month and can now
drive himself to school, freeing me up to
sleep in, even though my slumber will
be interrupted by the sound of a school
bus slowing to a stop across the street as
it picks up the young children who live
there.

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

Norwalk Community College

Launch a new career

Preparing for a new career is a major
decision, but it doesnt have to take a
major investment of time or money.
At Norwalk Community College, you
can prepare for specialized jobs in a just
a few months, or as little as six weeks.
NCC offers a wide variety of credit
and non-credit programs and courses
leading to the education and/or certification required for immediate employment. Many NCC programs are fast
tracks to todays fastest-growing fields,
including health care, public safety,
computer technology and green-collar
jobs.
Complete the four courses and
clinical experience required for NCCs

non-credit dental assistant certificate

and you can earn an average $43,000 a
year.*
After earning this certificate, graduate
Paulina Lesiak became a surgical dental
assistant in a maxillofacial practice in
Norwalk.
I like helping the doctors during
surgery and being part of the team,
she says. The program was affordable,
and close to home, and the NCC faculty
helped me find a job.
One of the top 10 fastest-growing
careers is Certified Nurse Aide. NCC
offers the 108-hour certified nurse aide
course, which includes 72 hours of
hands-on training in the laboratory and

clinical setting. This course is approved

by the Connecticut Department of
Health and upon completion, students
are awarded the required state certificate to work in long-term care facilities.
CNAs earn an average $31,400* annually.
In just six three-hour class sessions,
you can earn a physical therapist aide
certificate and be prepared to help
physical therapists improve patients
functioning after illness or injury. The
average starting salary for this field is
$27,000*. And this certificate program,
which includes hands-on laboratory
experience, counts toward the admission requirements of the two-year phys-

ical therapist assistant associate degree

program at the college.
Love animals? The veterinary assistant
program, consisting of four courses plus
a clinical experience, prepares students
to assist veterinarians with surgical and
dental procedures. This growing field
pays an average of $23,732* a year.
Job openings in the computer and
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NCC offers short-term certification
programs in A+ certification, a credenNew career continued on page 12

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

8 ways to make sure your student

has a great rst semester
By Michelle Sagalyn
president, S4 - Successful Study Skills 4 Students, LLC

School is back in session and it is

important to make sure your student
has a good start. Getting off to a good
start can make the rest of the year run
smoothly. Here are eight ways you can
make sure your student has a great first
semester.
Setting goals
Active and effective goal setting is
the foundation for a clear path to the
higher level of academic performance
required to succeed in high school.
As they learn the discipline of goal
setting, students begin to mature academically. They begin to take more
personal responsibility for their ambitions, choices and decisions. They
learn the skill of prioritizing conflicting
demands and desires in order to create
the outcome they are truly committed
to achieving.
Guiding students in the development of goals is important for several
reasons. Without the benefit of experi-

ence in setting goals, some students

may set unrealistic or impractical
objectives that serve only to overwhelm
them and discourage the practice.
Likewise, students that dont set goals
often dont have an overall focus.
If you sit down with your student
and talk about goals for the semester,
you might be surprised at how seriously they take the challenge. Setting realistic goals will motivate your student to
do well because theyll have something
concrete to shoot for.
For a high schooler, as they learn
the discipline of goal setting, students
begin to mature academically. They
begin to take more personal responsibility for their ambitions, choices and
decisions. They learn the skill of prioritizing conflicting demands and desires
in order to create the outcome they are
truly committed to achieving.
Time management
Students will find it easier to accom-

plish tasks if they can visually see all of

their tasks in front of them in a planner. Students will have fewer worries
about remembering deadlines when
they are engaged in the daily plan.
In the end, this habit will free-up the
brain so it can focus on the task that
must be completed.
Breaking down assignments into
chunks and scheduling them over
time is an essential component to time
management. This requires the student to estimate how long it will take
to complete each piece of the assignment, what materials will be needed,
and to plan accordingly. Breaking apart
projects, tasks and assignments aid in
overall organization and ensures more
productive time for the student.
Active learning and notetaking
Taking notes when reading, as well
as listening, promotes active learning
and engagement, yet many feel that
notetaking is only for classroom/lecture

settings. While it is true that middle

and high schoolers should be taking
notes in class, it is equally important
that they take notes while reading as
well. The act of taking notes promotes
interaction with the material and
encourages better comprehension and
understanding of what is being taught
and learned.
Identifying main ideas
and supporting details
Identifying main ideas and supporting details is key to effective notetaking. Tests and quizzes mainly ask for
regurgitation of main ideas of a text.
Therefore, being able to distinguish
between the two is crucial, but understanding the full picture is essential to
remembering and building knowledge.
Self-advocating
Self-advocacy is the idea of effectiveStudy continued on page 12

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

10

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August 30, 2012

New Canaan Country School

launches full-day kindergarten
Starting this fall, New Canaan
Country School will offer a full-day kindergarten program, providing a range
of educational, creative and physical
activities. The program will run weekdays from 8:15-2:50 (with 12:15 p.m.
dismissal on Wednesdays).
This program will provide a balance of opportunities for children to
play and for direct instruction. Such a
design deepens, extends and enhances
a childs learning experience, said Early
Childhood Division head Beth OBrien.
Literacy will continue to be a mainstay of the kindergarteners daily experience with varied opportunities for language arts instruction, including poetry
and book discussions. Students will also
have ample opportunities to read aloud.
Math classes will reinforce topics including numeration, operations, geometry
and measurement, focusing on problem-solving, reasoning and higher-order
thinking.
In addition, during the added afternoon hours, students will have the
opportunity to study Spanish, music,
library, science, art, physical education and gross motor skill development
working in small groups.
Lunch will be enjoyed in small
groups either in the classroom or in a
common area known as the Piazza.
The New Canaan Country School is a
co-ed day school for students in grades
pre-k to ninth.
More info: countryschool.net.
On location: Country School
oers Expanded Studies Program
Ninth grade students at New Canaan
Country School spend their spring
semesters preparing for one-of-a-kind,
immersive educational experiences. It
starts in the classroom with rigorous
study of a particular subject and in April
expands more fully in the real world
when they go on location for a 360degree view.

Its really not meant to be sightseeing, said Head of Upper School Tim
Delehaunty. Its not just a field trip. Its
an opportunity for the students to take
what theyve been studying and quite
literally expand on it beyond the classroom walls,
Country School students begin taking
single overnight trips in fifth grade and
over the course of their upper school
years take multiple overnight trips. It
culminates in ninth grade when they
spend a week visiting places that directly
connect with their coursework.
Each year, four different Expanded
Studies courses are offered. Students in
the civil rights history course visit specific historical sites such as the Edmund
Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and
are asked to ponder what it might have
been like to stand in that very place in
the 1960s. Students in a marine biology course travel to the Florida Keys to
capture and study the marine life they
studied in text books.
Other courses have covered postKatrina recovery and Cajun culture, culminating in a trip to New Orleans, a history course focusing on the Constitution
and government leading up to a trip to
Washington, D.C., with visits to Senate
hearings and meetings with members
of Congress, as well as a recent trip to
Machu Picchu in Peru, among others.
The New Canaan Country School is a
co-ed day school for students in grades
pre-k to ninth.
More info: countryschool.net.
St. Aloysius School oers variety
of academic programs
Earlier his year, St. Aloysius School
joined with Stanford University to offer
academic enrichment to its students
using an online, interactive program in
mathematics, reading and literature to
meet the learning challenges and inquisitiveness of the gifted student, while
being an excellent tool of review and
study for students of all abilities.
STEM (which incorporates science,

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

August 30, 2012

technology, engineering and mathematics into one learning experience) is

included in the core curriculum at the
school. In fifth grade science, the students last year explored the premise that
the seasons on Earth are caused by the
tilt of the Earths rotational axis.
Distinguished as a Blue Ribbon
School for its students high achievements in reading and mathematics, 34%
of its students qualify for prominent
educational programs such as those

sponsored by Johns Hopkins University

and the People to People Youth
Leadership Forums. Students also learn
computer skills and work on crosscurriculum projects in the technology
center or in the Smart Board-equipped
classrooms using portable laptops.
They develop expertise in the use of
MacBooks and the Microsoft Office suite
of programs.
Daily religious education, a spirit
of community service and the buddy

11

system in which the lower school

students bond with their upper school
buddies creates a safe learning environment in which the St. A children
thrive. Music and art are integral components of the educational program and
are woven into the fabric of classroom
lessons. The music program and performing arts also support the schools
liturgies and musical productions.
Junior varsity and varsity volleyball
and basketball, as well as fall and spring

cross country and soccer teams, enhance

the student life.
St. Aloysius, a Roman Catholic,
co-educational school for grades kindergarten through eight adheres to its
mission statement: a community permeated by Catholic teachings and values,
where academic excellence is promoted
through the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development of each
student.
More info: 203-966-0786, ext. 109.

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

12

Study continued from page 9

ly communicating ones own individual needs
and concerns. It is the ability and willingness to
say I have a problem and I need some help.
The student that self-advocates will have less
stress and will better be able to learn new and
innovative ways to approach their schoolwork
because they will ask for it.
Doing homework
Another way to ensure success is to make
sure your student is doing their homework.
Homework usually is an important component
of the final semesters grade so it is important to
make sure your student does their homework
and turns it in at school.
Particularly for middle schoolers, homework is a great way for your student to start to
assume independence and responsibility. The
best way you can assist is by making sure that
a routine is established and a distraction-free
environment provided.
Distraction-free study space
It seems obvious yet cannot be stressed

August 30, 2012

New career continued from page 8

enough. Students should study in a quiet

distraction-free space. This means no television, no texting, no online time unless its
strictly for homework purposes. One effective technique is to remove all of temptations.
For example, if your student has a cell phone,
you might consider holding on to it until their
homework is finished.
Using study skills
Learning study skills and applying them
correctly are critical to the development of a
students confidence. There is no question that
with a more organized, efficient and time- managed approach and application, students will be
more successful. If students can learn effective
study skills to apply to their academics, they
will feel more comfortable and confident in
their work.
Your student can have a great semester with
the right support and motivation. Every student
wants to succeed; they just need the tools and
determination to achieve their goals.
More info: S4 - Successful Study Skills 4
Students, LLC, Southport; 203-30-S-K-I-L-L (203307-5455), successfulstudyskills4students.com.

tial needed for becoming a computer service technician;

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), computer programming,
web mastering, web design, and computer graphics certificate (Macintosh). Each of these certificate programs requires
only five non-credit courses for completion.
Job opportunities in the public safety industry have
increased in response to global terrorism and the expansion of global commerce. A former U.S. Secret Service
agent teaches the two-session Security Officer Certification
program at NCC, as well as a six-session Special Security
Officer Training program and other security industry courses.
The college also offers short-term programs in green
industry jobs. This growing field prepares Connecticuts
workers to assess and retrofit homes and buildings to
become more energy-efficient. Environmental science and
protection technicians earn an average $51,376*. The colleges Building Energy Efficiency Worker Training certificate
can be completed in just six weeks.
More info: NCC Division of Extended Studies and
Workforce Training at 203-857-7058, ncc.commnet.edu.
*(Salary averages listed reflect Connecticut Department of
Labor Data for Fairfield County.)

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

13

August 30, 2012

Juggling multiple kids and multiple spor ts

By Greg Reilly

The dog days of August are probably the least busy time of the year for
local parents, and its often welcomed
after a hectic June usually consists of
preparing their children for final exams
and graduation parties and a July filled
with managing summer camps, all-star
baseball tournaments and swim meets
(sometimes all in one day).
All the camps and summer sports are
typically over by the end of July, leaving
August as a time to just chill, maybe to
take a vacation or just enjoy not having too many scheduled commitments
for a change. But Labor Day is right
around the corner, and the hectic life of
Fairfield County parents will ensue once
again.
Back-to-school shopping is no easy
task, especially when many parents are
likely to have three kids going to three
different schools and playing three different sports. Its not easy to keep track
of.
Parents come in at least twice,
Patrick Charland, a manager at the
Darien Sport Shop said. Sometimes
youll see them four or five days in a
row and I can think of one person that
comes in every single day.
Its not easy to remember everything
kids need, between cleats and sneakers, what size soccer ball they need and
what color socks they are supposed to
have.
Steve Zangrillo Jr., also a manager at
the Darien Sport Shop, says the coaches
usually give parents a list and the local
sports leagues will give him a list so he
knows what to have in stock when the
players come in.
We provide a lot for Darien football, Zangrillo said. We know exactly
what the kids need when the parents
dont always.

will probably do 1,000 ski rentals

between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15.
Once the shopping is done, thats
only half the battle. Getting your kids
to all there activities in no easy chore
either.
Its a lot of juggling, Hynes said.
My calendar is the biggest thing for me
knowing where everyone needs to be
on a certain day and what time. If there
are some schedules that are really close
together, or possibly at the same time, I
make sure I can be there or I ask someone to help carpool so I can get everyone where they need to be.
On the plus side, there is no shortage
of stores in the area to shop, whether its
the Darien Sport Shop, Sports Authority,
or places like Athletic Shoe Factory.
Despite the added stress of youth
sports, active kids are happier kids. And
happy kids make happy parents.

Busy mom Stephanie Grise with her equally busy kids, fron left, Michel, Riley and Grifn.

The fall sports in high school are

cross country, soccer, field hockey, football, swimming, and volleyball. While
the schools provide football pads and
helmets, the athletes are on their own to
get their own mouth guards, faceguards,
goggles, shin guards, and kneepads.
And those are only high school
sports.
Debby Hynes of New Canaan has
three kids ages 13, 12, and nine. One is

Julie Butler

playing baseball in the fall, one is taking

dance, and the other will be horseback
riding.
I usually have to do shopping in
a lot of different places, Hynes said.
Sports Authority is our main one. Ill
also see if we have friends that have
some equipment that we can borrow.
Some parents even start thinking about winter sports right now, as
Charland says the Darien Sport Shop

Athletic Shoe Factory

2475 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield
3 Forest Street, New Canaan
1560 Post Road East, Westport
Darien Sports Shop
1127 Post Road, Darien
203-655-2575
Bobs Sports/S&B Wear
96 Park Street, New Canaan
203-966-1646
New Balance
128 Main Street, New Canaan
203-801-0050
Bruce Parks Sports
104 Mason Street, Greenwich
203-869-1382
Sports Authority
444 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk
203-838-2583

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 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

14

August 30, 2012

2012 fall fashion goes wild

What-to-wear when its back-to-school
by Lois Alcosser

black, and purple nail enamel has been

pushing red and pink into the archives
folder, whats happening in clothing is a
show of individualism. Its what Vogue
Teen calls Extreme expressions of personal style. Translated, this means that
the unexpected is coming into its own.
Imagination, daring and humor
are cooler than cool. Bold striped Ts,
ruffled denim mini skirts and orange
tights. Or yellow pants topped with
black and white checks and a fake-fur
vest. (Littlejohns in New Canaan says
they have been selling pretend-fur vests
like crazy.) Maybe its just for fun, but
some of the headgear for fall is enormous. This is probably a fashion magazine prop-idea, but it will probably be
knocked off to something less bizarrely
huge, but still ... big.
Anything goes
Whats coming up is a statement of
un-plainness. Individuality. A touch of

Kylie Pulkwonik, 18, wears a typical teen fashion look for the fall: sheer polka-dot blouse under a camisole and skinny jeans, accessorized with studded bracelets and an oversized, studded clutch.

The pundits predict that parents will

inspect their kids closets closely this
year, to make sure none of last years
wearables are forgotten. But having
some new clothes for the new school
term is as traditional and essential as
a sharpener is to a pencil. Though the
charts indicate that this years back-toschool clothing expenditures will be
about the same as last year, more will be
spent on shoes.
A new outfit for the beginning of
school is almost a rite-ofpassage,
though having a budget and sticking to
it is more pressing than usual. That said,
manufacturers are still very much in the
business of creating as much temptation
as possible.
The main idea for girls seems to be
something, anything to look different.
Different that is, from the rather plain,
polite look of a nice pair of blue jeans
and a solid color, long sleeved, conservative T-shirt. Just as blue, green, yellow,

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

15

the wild. In other words, the point is to look as if

youve had fun getting dressed. Youre expressing
yourself extremely.
Suzanne Zarrilli at Wish List sells 30 brands of
jeans, but therell also be some new harem pants.
Classic denims, of course, but lots of embellishment ruffles, sequins, lace. Layering continues
to be the way to dress for
style, comfort and creativity. The ingredients for layering make for lots of mixand-dont-match outfits.
Once again, the color
story is brilliant. Pink, purple, yellow, green. Not the
traditional fall hues, though
navy blue is a color-indemand and black is chic
from five years old and up.
Color Blocking is the
new look in teen and tween dresses, according to
Mary Perkins of Dress Code. Vibrant color squares
artfully placed. Purple and pink, pale green and
orange, tan and orange, in a silly fabric. A new
trend, she says, is wearing dresses with boots,
instead of the usual jeans.

August 30, 2012

Where-to-buy

Erica at B Chic in Wilton predicts therell be

those jewel-tone denims which started appearing
this past summer, but now have a fall flavor. Hats
are going to be considered part of the total outfit.
We have jackets and leggings of pleather, which
looks like the real thing but is much more fun.
Girls, naturally, are more obsessed (or more
outspoken) about how
they want to look, but boys
arent immune to the persuasive power of clothing.
However, they still want
to look like each other
as much as possible and
wearing a plaid or checked
shirt is, so far, about as daring as theyre going to be.
(With many exceptions, of
course.)
What boys put on their
heads and on their feet are somehow more important than whats in between.
So the classrooms and corridors are going to be
a bit carnival-like, but the basic elements prevail: it
should fit, it should be as wrinkle-free as possible
and it should make the wearer feel attractive.

Island Outfitters
80 Main Street, New Canaan
203-594-7704

B Chic
78 Old Ridgefield Rd.
Wilton
203-210-7037
Candy Nichols
67 Elm Street, New Canaan
203-972-8700

The point is to
look as if youve had
fun getting dressed.

Shoes n More
121 Elm Street, New Canaan
203-972-8484

Caren Forbes
111 Main Street,
New Canaan
203-966-7777
Chillybear
180 Sound Beach Avenue,
Old Greenwich
203-622-7115
Darien Sport Shop
1127 Post Road, Darien
203-655-2575
Dress Code
578 Post Rd. East,
Westport
203-557-4646

Littlejohns
120 Elm St. New Canaan
203-203-966-2466

Suburban Couture
110 Main Street,
New Canaan
203-438-5237
WishList
606 Post Rd. East, Westport
203-221-7700
350 Greenwich Ave.
Greenwich
203-629-4600
1101 Boston Post Rd. Darien
203-655-0050

Fairfield Prep invites you

to Open House

OPEN HOUSES:

October 14, 1:00 pm

October 30, 9:30 am

Open House

To RSVP and learn more, please

email admissions@whitbyschool.org

Entrance Exams

Sunday, September 30, 24 p.m.

Saturday, October 13, 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 3, 8:30 a.m.

Fairfield College
Preparatory School

Create your online admissions account at

www.fairfieldprep.org/admissions

 Fall Preview Hersam Acorn Newspapers

16

August 30, 2012