Fall is officially here and you know all know what that means. Raking. Lots of it. Well, and Halloween is around the corner. Halloween candy and costumes have been out in the stores for weeks, some leaves are already turning colors, and fall plants are in bloom. So one of the big questions to those with children is, “What is your child going to be for Halloween?”  The popular movie characters of the summer are in full force with costume marketing such as Captain Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean, Lighting McQueen with the resurgence of Cars popularity with the movie sequel, Captain America, …

Now that the school year is underway, many sports, religious education classes, scouts, clubs and organizations that have been on summer break are gearing up for the new year. Most of these organizations are run on volunteer hours and wouldn’t be as successful without the commitment of so many people. Most volunteers don’t expect to be specially recognized, but it only takes two simple words to let them know they are appreciated: Thank You. Thank you to service organizations that provide so much to the residents of Northborough. The hours incorporated into the planning of Applefest weekend …

It’s getting dark earlier, it’s cooler in the evening, and school is back in session. These are sure signs that fall is upon us. Just because summer is ending, your family fun never has to stop. Here are some fun fall things in the area to do: Applefest Weekend: Northborough’s annual Applefest festivities will be in full gear starting on Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18. It’s a jammed packed weekend including an Animal Adventures Show on Friday night at Melican Middle School starting at 6 p.m. and sponsored by Northborough elementary schools' PTOs. The Greater Northborough Has Talent…

The images of the twin towers and the aftermath are still fresh in our minds a decade later; probably always will be. The hope for some is that we never take our time with our loved ones for granted. After the events of 9/11, we wanted to feel safe, connect and be with the important people in our lives. Julie Stanwood remembers being at her four-month-old son’s hospital bedside at the time, and said she was confused at first. “I remember sitting in the chair next to Jack’s bed in a room with four other children and their parents," she said. "We were all watching the television and looking at …

While searching for adoption blogs during the journey of adopting her own daughter, Marile Borden realized that there were some great blogs geared towards moms and some really bad ones. In May 2009, after a year of planning the website, Borden’s Momicillin was born. It would bring the best mommy bloggers out there to one accessible place. Since its start, Borden now has seven regular bloggers, has created a Facebook page for her site and has seen a surge of popularity. The Facebook page has over 21,000 followers. “Momicillin has great writers that are validating and entertaining for moms,” …

How do you feel when sending your child off on the first day of school after a super summer break? Do you cry sentimental tears when you realize that your child is getting older so quickly or are they tears of joy that you finally get a little peace and things get back into a routine? The two sides seem to be split down the middle. I admit, I love having my kids home 99 percent of the time. I love spending time with them and getting to know them as the little people they are becoming. We’ve had a great and fun summer together. The first day of school on Aug. 31 will be quiet and I will miss …

Kittens, puppies, bunnies, fish, turtles. There are many options if you are considering adding a pet to your family. Having a pet can have a lot of positive effects, such as boosting self-esteem, keeping you company, and even lowering blood pressure. It can also teach children some valuable lessons. “I think having a pet with a child is wonderful," said local pet sitter, Kristen Pemberton, " It teaches the child to care for something that can't take care of itself. It teaches responsibility and a general love for animals.” If you are searching for the right pet, here are some key points to …

A new job, an expanding family, or building your dream house. There are many reasons why people relocate to a new home. Moving can be exciting but it can also be one of the most stressful things in your life, especially if moving with young kids. Whether moving from one side of town to the other or from another state or country, here are some hints and advice for you if moving with little ones. Expect stress: Joanna Wrona moved from Montreal, Canada, to Shrewsbury about seven months ago. She had a 19-month-old son and was five months pregnant. A long distance move such as Wrona’s can be quite…

It’s great to dip your feet into the water on a hot, summer day. On Wednesday, a group of about 11 kids ages six to ten years old from Northborough and surrounding towns, were not only dipping into the water, but participating in a Water Wise Workshop. The free workshops, offered once a week at three locations for five weeks during the summer, are organized by OARS. A nonprofit organization that relies heavily on volunteers and supporters, OARS has been dedicated to its mission to protect and enhance the natural and recreational features of the Assabet, Concord and Sudbury rivers since 1986. …

Homework, sports, dance classes, music lessons, scouts, and religious education classes. Parents, especially those with more than one child, know how it is often difficult to catch their breath with the many directions they are pulled into throughout the year. They are on the go from the time they wake up until the kids are tucked into bed at night. Although most parents are present with their children through all these activities, it is not the same as the undivided attention your child receives during a one-on-one outing with no interruptions and no distractions. Some experts believe that “…

It is easy to lose your own identity especially when becoming a new parent. Everything revolves around this new little being requiring so much of your time. As children grow older, and become more involved in other activities, sports and school, moms often don’t make time to do those things that are important to her. Everyone and everything else seems to take priority. How often have you heard yourself say, “Well, that was before kids.” Obviously, life and priorities change once parenthood begins.That is often welcomed and expected. It is important, though, not to lose the connections, …

Splashing around in the pool for hours on end, flagging down the ice cream truck, building sand castles on the beach and running through the sprinkler. Tossing water balloons and squirting one another with water guns, going to the zoo, being able to stay up late to see a movie at the drive-in theater, or having impromptu get-togethers with friends. There are so many things that come to mind as we think back on how we spent our own summers as a kid. It was a relaxing and carefree time. As parents ourselves now, reliving some of these experiences brings back a lot of fun memories. Not only that…

School is officially out and summer vacation has begun. Some kids are enrolled in various camps throughout the area, while other families are taking the days as they come. When rain interferes with outdoor plans or you feel like you are a becoming a referee one too many times, you may need to shake things up. Here are some ideas: See a live performance: Third grade teacher at Peaslee Elementary, Ariella Greenspan, performs in the River’s Edge Players theater group as Mrs. Mayor in Seussical the Musical. A musical by Lynn Aherns and Michael Flaherty based on the works of Dr. Seuss  centers …

Northborough has many talented photographers and three of them agreed to share some of their pointers, philosophies and information about their businesses:  Jennifer MacNeil of Jennifer MacNeil Photography, Sue Teplansky of Teplansky Photography and Kristen Henriques of Photos by KH. Each of these professionals has their own style, personality and approach to photographing children and families which makes them unique. You are likely to see MacNeil and Henriques at Dean Park in Shrewsbury or Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston for their photo shoots. Teplansky prefers taking photos of Lake …

Students will have been hard at work for 180 days of school by the time summer break arrives. They have all learned new skills and grown in many ways during that time. They need the mental break and the time to be just kids during the lazy days of summer. Having two months off from the structure of a school day, where math and reading is not necessarily a daily activity anymore, can actually send some students sliding backwards in those skills. How can parents help their children avoid the summer slide? Peaslee Elementary School third grade teacher, Lisa Miranda, suggested Northborough Free …

Now that the weather is warmer and those huge winter snow banks are a memory of the past, it is officially bicycling season. Keeping everyone safe on the road just involves being alert and following some rules of the road before the pedals are pushed. Bike Check: Your bike is probably a little dusty from sitting in the garage all winter. Before you take it out on the road for the first time, be sure to check the brakes and fill the tires with air. Most kids have grown since last riding their bike, be sure their handlebars and bike seat are at the correct height for them. Safety Gear: The most…

Even if your child has attended preschool or daycare, Kindergarten jitters are common. Kids worry about a lot of different things when entering an unfamiliar situation. As a parent, there are a few specific things you can do to ease their transition to elementary school. Stay Positive. Keeping the topic of school positive and exciting is important. Don't let your own emotions influence your child's feelings about starting school. Be Sensitive. Validate your child's fears and reassure him or her. Point out how he or she has succeeded in new challenges in the past, and will be fine with this …

Children’s bodies are in constant motion and growth and this can make them more susceptible to injury at the bone growth sites such as at the heel, knee, back, hip, shoulder, or elbow. Dr. Danielle Hanlon, who operates Naturally Chiropractic with her husband Hubert, has been practicing chiropractic care since 1995. She has treated an increased number of children in her practice; close to 20 percent of her patients are currently children. She believes that the awareness of chiropractic care is helping parents choose it as an alternative for their children. Hanlon commented that if she is …

Strep throat, stomach bugs, colds, and viruses. This past winter and start to spring has definitely tested everyone’s immune system. Did the thoughts of “not again” go through your mind as you were driving your child to the doctor’s office? Was your child on one antibiotic after another? Did you ever think there might be an alternative? Some parents are considering chiropractic care for their children and believe it plays an important role in optimizing their child’s health. Karen Moriarty, owner and Chiropractor at Northboro Chiropractic Center said that “the number of children under regular…

Chicago schools have banned students from bringing in their own lunches citing that a lunch from the school cafeteria is more nutritious than what most students would bring from home. Of course, this issue has become a big controversy, but also brings up some questions about our own school cafeteria lunch menus. Are the menus as healthy as they should be or could be for our kids? Terri Locke, cafeteria director for Northborough and Southborough public schools, said that a traditional based menu is used, which follows the USDA guidelines. Locke cited that “the difficulty is in giving students …