By: Martianne Stanger In the past week, my family has released endangered red-bellied cooter turtles… …enjoyed climbing on all sorts of DPW equipment and collecting some freebies… …watched a police dog exhibition, clamored into police vehicles, potted plants, had faces painted, enjoyed hots dogs, hamburgers, and more… …all for FREE! How? Simply by keeping our … More 5 Places to Look for FREE FUN This Summer!
By: Martianne Stanger For my children, one of the highlights of spring each year is seeing the herring run by visiting local runs as a family and going on annual field trips with an area homeschool group. There’s just something magical about the annual migration of herring back to their breeding grounds. The way … More Follow Those Herring at Local Festivals
By: Martianne Stanger It’s no secret that I enjoy getting outside with family and friends! Little warms my spirit more than adventuring outside with children. credit: Training Happy Hearts There’s just something about spending time outside with my little ones that makes me smile… Credit: Training Happy Hearts In fact, a quick glance through … More Another Reason to Get Outside: Mass Audobon Has FREE Happenings on April 9!
By: Martianne Stanger What a wacky winter we are having so far! Snow one day and spring-like weather the next. But after last winter, I’ll take this any day! The mild, but sometimes seasonal, weather we’ve been having offers so many invitations to do what I love most with family: Get outside! Perhaps snapshots of our … More Wacky Winter Adventures
By: Martianne Stanger Christmas. Chanukah. Kwanzaa. No matter what holiday you celebrate this season, one thing seems to be on many folks’ minds: presents! Which gifts might we might give and which we might receive? My thoughts are no different. As I prepare for Christmas, I, too, think about presents. However, I do not just … More Enjoy the Precious Present This Season
By: Martinanne Stanger Fall fun traditionally brings apple picking, hay rides, walks about cranberry bogs and forays to pumpkin patches. It can also offer ideal weather for getting out and about to explore history! As you put together your fall calendar, I encourage you to check out some of the fabulous free and low-cost options … More 3 Low-to-No Cost Local Spots for Historical Fun
By: Martianne Stanger Although summer is not technically over for about another month, most people are considering it done as back-to-school sales scream, “Fall!” Regardless of whether you consider early September “fall” or the final days of summer, there is plenty of fun to be had outdoors in the next few weeks. I encourage everyone … More 5 Fabulous Reasons to Get Outside for “Fall” Fun
By: Martianne Stanger Last week closed with drama for me as strange, sudden discomfort in my pelvis and back turned to acute pain that landed me in the ER for the day. All’s well now, but, I will tell you, that having such sudden, severe pain come on when I was home alone with my children … More Mom’s Trip to the ER
By: Martianne Stanger This post first appeared in 2012 at the now defunct SPD Blogger Network blog. I am re-sharing it here since the idea makes for a fun and easy DIY activity that can be adapted to any season. Plus, it can be made with children and, then, used just about anywhere — in the … More SPD DIY: Geoboards
By: Mike Stanger The graduation ceremony is over. The cake is cut. Congratulations echo all around. And, then it comes. The ubiquitous question finds its way to the ears of all the recent grads: “Are you going to college?” Many answer quickly and proudly that, indeed, they are. They then go into the details about the … More Dad to Grads: No College? No Problem!
Community Voices for Health 