Homeschooling Mom

Meet Kathy Toby, homeschooler, licensed massage therapist, aromatherapy consultant, mommie-preneur, stage mom, and chicken farmer. Listen as Kathy enjoys a description of family management as a “momager” as featured in the February 24, 2016 cartoon, THE BORN LOSER. Kathy's role as a “momager” includes daily homeschooling lessons to prepare, an in-home massage business to run, a brood of chickens to care for, and lots of afternoon rehearsals to drive to. In addition, Kathy shares how she suffered for 15 years with a misdiagnosed tick-borne illness. Fortunately, she received a correct diagnose and treatment about a year ago. 

Power of Fraternity for Philanthropy

Today, I am conversing with Michele Dawn Lefler. Michele and I are sorority sisters. We are not close in age, we did not attend the same schools, nor do we live near each other. 

Our connection is fraternal. Our common bond is Alpha Phi. We share an appreciation for and an interest in each other because of our sorority connection. I am aware of Michele and her life here in the Cape Fear area because of the network formed by Alpha Phi.

While in college, we were both exposed to the same philanthropic efforts of our fraternity. Heart health has been a long standing campaign for Alpha Phi. My personal experiences with Alpha Phi date back to the early and mid-sixties, whereas, Michele's experiences all have occurred over the last 16 or so years.

Listen as Michele shares her story which powers her desire and drive to support the local Alpha Phi chapter at UNC-W. Heart health for women and the Red Dress campaign are as important today to the young Alpha Phi collegians at UNC-W as the lollipop sales were to the Alpha Phi collegians back in the late seventies at LSU-Shreveport.

Solving the Puzzle by Thinking Outside of the Box!

Meet Carla Mizrahi, M.S.Ed., LCSWA, BCBA. Listen as we hear how Carla has taken her experience and training to provide services around Camp Lejeune to military families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Carla is the clinical Director of Spectrum Learning Solutions in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. Go to www.spectrumlearningnc.com to learn more.

Also, discover Carla's approach to the demands of family life as a single parent of two children and the demands of being self-employed. Carla has found how to balance her passion for helping others with her desire to be a hands-on parent.

What to Say to Someone in Grief

Join me as I talk with Joan Ball Marshall, clinical psychologist and former director of Pender County and Brunswick County Mental Health Centers, concerning the rise in the use of social media to express grief and to comfort those who are grieving. 

This new use of social media to announce the death of a family member or to grieve for a family member can be heart wrenching and very perplexing. 

What do you say, how often should you respond, or even should you respond? Listen as Joan Ball Marshall uses her personal experiences and training to help us understand the grieving process and how it applies to our use on social media. 

Learn ways to respond, to befriend, and to empathize either on Facebook or in person.

Metamorphosis of a Volunteer

Join me as I talk with Annie Anthony, Executive Director of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center and recently featured volunteer in the first StarNews Media Sunday edition of CAPE FEAR CARES. Listen as Annie and I reminisce about and travel along her path to “super” volunteerism.

Enjoy Annie's recollections of her life as a person born to volunteer---Brownies, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Wilmington Children's Museum, United Way of the Lower Cape Fear, etc.

Back in 1997, Annie Anthony, like many women with young children at home, started her local career as a volunteer by trying to improve her community through club work—PTA, Junior League, etc.

Find out how Annie brings her enthusiasm for volunteering to new levels of involvement to help others make improvements in our community.

A Mom with Many Talents

In 2014 WILMA published their “Women to Watch” list. On that list was Sara Westermark. Sara was listed as Singer/Jewelry Artist with Westermark Voice Studio and Sara Westermark Jewelry. However, the WILMA listing only scratched the surface for Sara Westermark. In a recent visit with Sara at her home we learned that she is also a “stay-at-home” mom, health crusader, entrepreneur, and animal rescuer. Enjoy hearing this podcast as Sara describes how she manages all these roles. Listen as Sara talks about her two home businesses housed in her garage and living room, her health issues which are challenging and time consuming, and family life which includes a husband, 2 children, a bird, a dog and lots of cats.

If you want to see some of Sara's jewelry, go to Blue Moon, Crescent Moon, or Spectrum Gallery.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Tableau

On Sunday, February 13, 2000 the last PEANUTS cartoon drawn by Charles Schulz was published in the COMICS section of most major newspapers including the SUNDAY STAR NEWS in Wilmington. The final strip included a letter written by Charles Schulz about his 50 years of drawing Charlie Brown and his friends. Mr. Schulz explained that he needed to retire and that his family did not wish for PEANUTS to be continued by anyone else. But, here we are 15 years later with Charlie Brown and his friends being just as popular and just as sought after as they were in 2000! The PEANUTS Collector Club Facebook page just posted 22 pictures of PEANUTS collectibles available for Christmas at Kohl's. In November, 2015 a new PEANUTS movie was released---THE PEANUTS MOVIE by Schulz.

So as more generations become familiar with Charlie Brown and his gang, I thought that I would resurrect a Christmas tableau that we created at our school back in 1999 when we heard about the coming finale of PEANUTS. We scripted a holiday presentation based on the book, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, by Charles Schulz..The beauty of a tableau is its simplicity. It is easy to create, easy to organize, and easy on budget and time restraints. Basically you present the story using a narrator, simple, familiar holiday songs, cardboard props, and children posed as statues. The scenes are living pictures. Each depiction of a scene is represented on stage by silent, motionless, costumed participants. This entire scenario can be put together in the small time frame between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break. Music and circle times during this short time frame are spent in reading the story, learning the songs, and acting out the scenes of the tableau. Some props have to be created which the children can help paint and decorate during art center time.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Tableau

Book written by Charles N. Schulz

Tableau created by Barbara Downing

Presented by Tot Spot LLC

Scene I

The curtain rises on a snow covered brick wall. Charlie Brown (leaning his chin on his hand and wearing a red hunting hat) and Linus (sucking his thumb and holding his blanket) stare off into space.

Narrator: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel. I just don't understand Christmas.

Scene II

The curtain rises on Lucy sitting in her “psychiatric office.” Charlie Brown is sitting on a stool in front of the office wearing his hunting hat.

Narrator: Lucy, I'm in bad shape. Actually my problem is Christmas. I just don't understand it; instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down.

Scene III

The curtain rises on Charlie Brown holding his head in disbelief because Snoopy is busy with decorating ( Snoopy can be an actor or stuffed animal).

Narrator: Even my dog has gone commercial!

Scene IV

The curtain rises on Charlie Brown and Sally standing inside the house. Charlie Brown, holding a clipboard, writes down what Sally is dictating.

Narrator: Augh! Sally, Santa doesn't want to hear that all you want is your fair share!?

Scene V

The curtain rises on Charlie Brown standing next to a “director's chair” and holding a megaphone as he speaks to the cast.

Narrator: Well, it's real good seeing you all here. As, you know we're going to put on this Christmas play. And the actors must show spirit.

Scene VI

The curtain rises as the cast is acting very “spirited” with legs and arms raised. Charlie Brown is making a fist with one hand, raising his megaphone over his head, and starting to stomp his foot.

Narrator: Now look.... if we're ever to get this play off the ground, we've got to have some cooperation! We need a Christmas tree.

Scene VII

The curtain rises as Charlie Brown and Linus (sucking his thumb and carrying his blanket) stand in front of the trees. (1)

Narrator: Linus, this little green one here seems to need a home

Chorus: “O, CHRISTMAS TREE” (2)

Scene VIII

The curtain rises as Charlie Brown and Linus have placed the real tree on top of the piano. The cast (with arms folded in front of them) rejects the tree by having turned their backs to Charlie Brown and Linus.

Narrator: Isn't there anyone one who knows what Christmas is all about?

Scene IX

The curtain rises as Linus stands in front of the “angel band” (3) with his arms raised to the sky. The cast stares at Linus.

Chorus: “THE ANGEL BAND” (4)

Scene X

The curtain rises as Charlie Brown stands in front of the “stars” (5) holding his real tree.

Chorus: “TWINKLE, TWINKLE CHRISTMAS STAR” (6)

Scene XI

The curtain rises as Charlie Brown and Linus are fixing the real little tree. Linus has given the little tree his blanket.

Narrator: Linus is right! It needs love!

Scene XII

The curtain rises as the little tree becomes a beautiful, big tree. Charlie Brown stares at the beautiful, big tree as the chorus rejoices in song.

Chorus:(Finale) “WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS” (7)

THE END

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Narrator: Adult

Charlie Brown: Older boy

Linus: Older boy

Lucy: Older girl

Snoopy: Older boy in costume or large stuffed animal “Snoopy”

Sally: Younger girl

The Cast: Older classmates

Real Tree: Older student wearing “sandwich board trees” (one side fresh evergreen and

opposite side decorated evergreen)

Singing Trees: (Chorus) Younger students

Angel Band: (Chorus) Younger students

Stars: (Chorus) Youngest students

Finale: (Chorus) Characters, The Cast, and Chorus

PROPS

Scene I: Puppet stage with curtains

Snow-covered, cardboard brick wall

Scene II: Puppet stage with curtains

Cardboard “Psychiatric Office” sign

Small stool

Scene III: Cardboard doghouse cutout with a string of Christmas lights

Snoopy character in a costume or stuffed animal “Snoopy”

Scene IV: Clipboard and pencil

Scene V: Director's chair

Megaphone

Scene VI: Director's chair

Megaphone

Scene VII: Pine bough nailed to a board.

Blue blanket

“Tree” headbands

Scene VIII: Pine bough nailed to a board

Blue blanket

Toy piano

Scene IX: Pipe cleaner halos

Paper “Angel” wings

Rhythm instruments

Blue blanket

Scene X: Pine bough nailed to a board

“Star” headbands

Scene XI: Pine bough nailed to a board

Blue blanket

Scene XII: Beautiful, big cardboard decorated Christmas tree cutout

COSTUMES

Scene I: Red hunting hat with ear flaps

Green coat

Yellow stocking cap

Orange coat

Blue blanket

Scene II: Blue “beanie” hat

Blue coat

Red hunting hat

Green Coat

Scene III: Red hunting hat

Green coat

Snoopy costume or large stuffed animal “Snoopy”

Scene IV: Blue dress

Red hunting hat

Green coat

Scene V: Yellow shirt with zigzag

Flannel receiving blankets (shepherd's head gear)

Scene VI: Yellow shirt with zigzag

Flannel receiving blankets (shepherd's head gear)

Scene VII: Red hunting hat

Green coat

Yellow stocking cap

Blue blanket

Orange coat

Head gear for “trees”

Scene VIII: Red hunting hat

Yellow shirt with zigzag

Green coat

Yellow stocking hat

Orange coat

Blue blanket

Flannel receiving blankets (shepherd's head gear)

Scene IX: Yellow stocking cap

Orange coat

Blue blanket

Headgear for “angel band” (pipe cleaner halos and paper wings)

Collection of rhythm instruments for “angel band”

Scene X: Red hunting hat

Green coat

Headgear for “stars” (headband with with star attached)

Scene XI: Red hunting hat

Green coat

Yellow stocking cap

Orange coat

Blue blanket

Scene XII: Red hunting hat

Green coat

Yellow stocking cap

Orange coat

Blue blanket

Flannel receiving blankets (shepherd's head gear)

Blue beanie hat

Blue dress coat

Drop waist dresses

FOOTNOTES

1. Older chorus wearing evergreen headbands.
2. German Folk Song: CHRISTMAS SONG BOOK, Wilmington, NC, November 25, 1984
   

   
3. Younger chorus wearing halos and paper wings
4. Folk Song from South Carolina arranged by Albert DeVito from SOUTH CAROLINA SPIRITUALS
   

   
5. Younger chorus wearing star headbands
6. Piggyback song: TWINKLE, TWINKLE CHRISTMAS STAR sung to French Folk tune from THE JOY OF MUSIC
   

   
7. English Folk Carol arranged by James Harris: WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS: Piggyback song