KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers,
A few days ago, my daughter Ella took her first-ever photo of a Trumpeter swan—actually, three of them, as you can see above: two adults and their lone cygnet. She’d been trying to capture one for months, and now that they're migrating, it was finally possible. She was delighted to spot the small swan family moving gently through the mid-November grays and browns of a flooded
field.
By this point in the season, most first-year birds have matured, flown off, and found their way. But the cygnet in Ella’s photo is clearly a late bloomer: still gray, not quite ready to be on his own. Every parent who looks at that image feels something hard to name: the hope that the young one will be ready soon enough to fly, the worry that he won’t be, and the quiet reassurance that, for now, he’s not alone.
Trumpeter swans are special to our family because of The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White’s tender, funny, deeply wise book about Louis, a swan born without a voice. Eventually, Louis becomes a great musician, a trumpeter whose stature befits his name. What’s always struck me about his journey is how he’s allowed to become himself. His parents don’t “fix” him. Aside from providing the materials to set him on a course—his
father famously steals a trumpet—Louis works it out in his own way, on his own time.
Some young people fly early. Others stay close longer. Some wade through swamps for a long time on quests we don’t quite understand. Our job, I think, is to be like those Trumpeter parents: protective, patient, steadfast... and maybe just a little reckless, diving through metaphorical music store windows to get them what they need to begin. Then we stand back bravely and trust that the lens they’re
looking through will reveal the horizon they're meant to find.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers—whether you're tech-savvy or not—to weigh in. Your input will directly shape upcoming national resources designed to help families guide kids wisely and safely. The survey closes soon, so please take 60–90 seconds to be part of this important effort.
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The Cosmic Girls Forum is more than a place to chat — it’s a launchpad for learning. Designed for curious young minds, the forum offers educational discussions, creative challenges, and positive peer connections that help girls build confidence in science, storytelling, and self-expression. Parents can feel confident knowing it’s a space where discovery and imagination go hand in hand.
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Sleigh What!? Santa Claus is arriving at Walden Galleria TOMORROW, 11/14! Babies, children, families, and even pets are invited to whisper their Christmas wishes to jolly-old St. Nick at his temporary home on the lower level near the Apple Store until Christmas Eve! With a giant 25-foot-tall Christmas tree, a cozy fireplace, and presents scattered around, it’s the perfect setup for a holiday card! Stop by Santa’s Workshop today for hours and photo package pricing or find out more HERE.
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Guests who join us on Saturday, November 15, will have the chance to see something very special happening in the Potter’s Shop – we’re going to be firing our kiln! Genesee Country Village & Museum is the only living history museum in the northeast that fires salt-glazed stoneware in a wood-fired kiln as it was done in the 19th century. Even better, you can purchase a piece of kiln-fired pottery! Our gift shop offers a variety of pieces across four historically accurate glaze options. Plus, all options are microwave, dishwasher, oven and freezer safe. And don’t forget, tickets for all our holiday events (including Breakfast with St. Nick and Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinners) are on sale now.
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For 30-plus years, the punk rock popularity of Green Day has defined a generation with anthems like Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Rock out to their rebellious, rhythmic hits when rock musicians join the symphonic splendor of your BPO.
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The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute is proud to host our annual Gingerbread Competition in conjunction with the Gingerbread Village Event! This year’s competition is shaping up to be bigger, brighter, and more magical than ever. Whether you’re entering your own gingerbread masterpiece or just coming to admire the sweet creations, we hope you’ll add this holiday tradition to your to-do list. Competition Categories: Professional, Amateur, College 1, College 2, High School, Middle School, and Children’s. Ready to join in the fun? Online registration is just a click away!
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Enjoy ice skating with your friends and family at the Rink in East Aurora! Your kids will have a blast while you show them how it's done and you'll all get a great, fun workout! Skate rentals are available on a first come/first served basis. Our admission window will be open 30 minutes prior to each public skate. For holiday and weekend night skates, we recommend getting here early especially if your group will need rentals.
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A seasonal favorite open to all ages, this experience allows you to work with hot glass up close while staying on the cool end of the glassblowing iron at all times. You’ll start by choosing the glass colors you want to use for your pumpkin body and stem, and then partner with our professional glassblowers to create your design. You will blow into a blow hose, or use a foot pedal connected to compressed air, to inflate the glass while our experienced glassblower guides and shapes the glass with special tools. After your pumpkin body is shaped, it is removed from the blowpipe, and a stem is added before it is placed in an oven to begin an overnight slow cooling process.
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Open Studio at the Burchfield Penney Art Center is a drop-in workshop on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. Each month, explore and experiment with various art materials and techniques guided by Museum Educator Michaela Worosz. Open Studio welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels to join the fun and express their creativity. Each month, we will delve into a new theme and art material, allowing you to expand your artistic knowledge and skillset. Each creative theme project is designed t
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Celebrate recycling and helping the environment with STEM activities at HCFM! You'll also be able to see Player Piano and Band Organ demonstrations and visit with one of our amazing wood carvers, Steve, who will show you how he does it!
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Stop in the library and color, read stories, play games, or build LEGOs with our friends from Brookdale Senior Living! No registration required- all kids welcome! Individuals in need of an accommodation may contact the ADA Coordinator at access@buffalolib.org within 7 days of the program.
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Who doesn't love treasure hunting? Grab your kids and their friends and learn how to use your smartphone to find geocaches to solve nature mysteries.
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A special Sunday is coming up! On November 16, we're turning the museum into a miniature golf course! 18 unique mini-golf holes will be set up throughout our three exhibit floors for this exciting one-day event. Tee times start at 9:30 and run every 30 minutes until 12pm. The museum will close at 1pm. Space is limited and reservations are required for all!
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Pack up your kids and their friends and bring them to Gratwick Park for this monthly event! Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown to the delight of everyone. Pick up some tips and tricks and make plans to start flying kites with this fun group next time.
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Private and alternative schools in the Buffalo area cater to every educational need and parent philosophy. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in the Buffalo, NY area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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- Family Story Time - Aurora Town Public Library - 550 Main Street, Friday,
November 14, 2025, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Board Game Saturdays! at Kenmore Library - Delaware Road, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 am - 5
pm
- Meet the Grandfriends! at Kenmore Library - Delaware Road, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 - 11 am
- Holiday Craft Show - The Center Church, 7209 Rapids Rd, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10am-2pm
- Open Studio - Burchfield Penney Art Center - 1300 Elmwood Ave, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10:30-2:30
- Bidwell Farmers Market - Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 8 am - 1 pm
- Introduction to Geo-Caching (8+) at Knox Farm State Park - 437 Buffalo Road, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 10 - 11:30 am
- 3rd Sunday Kite Fly at Gratwick Park - Great Lakes Kitefliers Society - 1200 River Road, Sunday, November 16, 2025, 12 - 4 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Buffalo and WNY area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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