MetroFamily Magazine October 2020

MetroFamily Magazine. OKC Family Fun & Resources. Local events calendar.

OCTOBER 2020

Race Equity in Schools How you can activate positive change Kids & Politics Engaging future voters in the political process Mindful Parenting 5 tips for less stress & a calmer home

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

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26 REAL MOMS OF THE METRO

Features 11 Fall Favorites

Departments 8 Local Family Fun

Find 12 autumn adventures from our advertising partners

5 days of close-to-home Fall Break excitement

16 Kids & Politics

20 Exploring Beyond Oklahoma Outdoor R&R awaits in Arkansas 26 Real Moms of the Metro

Engaging future voters in the political process

34 Race Equity in Schools

How local districts and families can activate positive change

Local activist shares stories from the sit-in movement to today

30 Calendar of Events

On the cover Fall Favorites pages 8, 11 & 30 Kids & Politics page 16 Race Equity in Schools page 34 Mindful Parenting page 40

Virtual & in-person fall fun

40 Family Mental Wellness 5 tools for mindful parenting 42 Super Kids of the Metro

Restore OKC intern cultivates crops and community

4 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

2020

This Month’s Cover Alayna and Diego are Edmond siblings who love visiting metro parks, especially Scissortail Park where their cover photos were taken! Alayna plays soccer, enjoys musical theater with KidsAlive! and loves to act out roles from her favorite movies. The 12-year-old is in the seventh grade and enjoys cooking, shopping and spreading love everywhere she goes. Diego is 5 years old and in kindergarten. He is crazy about cars and monster trucks and enjoys playing soccer, swimming and being outdoors. Alayna and Diego are the children of Diego and Gardenia and siblings to 1-year-old brother Gianluca. H ow are my fellow PSL and fall fanatics holding up? It’s officially my favorite season of the year, but I find myself more often lamenting the things I won’t get to enjoy because of a certain pandemic rather than focusing on all the possibilities that do exist. And my head continues to spin with changes to school situations, political divisiveness and racial inequity plaguing our community. I find myself at a standstill, overwhelmed with situations that feel entirely un-changeable. As usual, the MetroFamily community helps jumpstart me to focus on the positives and empowers me to create change where it’s needed most. As far as those fall family fun plans, my crew may have had to cancel our original Fall Break trip, but travel writer extraordinaire Debbie Murnan comes to the rescue with socially-distant family fun ideas in nearby Arkansas. Our resident guru of seasonal festivity Lindsay Cuomo has reimagined fall fun in the metro, with lists of safe autumnal adventures from Halloween decor tours to outdoor experiences to soak up the best of this season. As I’m feeling overwhelmingly overwhelmed, Dr. Lisa Marotta’s tips and tools for mindful parenting on page 40 are like a breath of crisp fall air, reminding me I do have the time and space to be intentional with my kids and with myself. Instead of getting caught

up in political negativity, I’m going to revel in the lessons of George Lang’s article on talking to kids about politics on page 16, providing my household a powerful, positive framework to engage our kids in discussions and learning opportunities leading up to the presidential election. I’ve had the opportunity over the past months to talk with local leaders about the race inequity that exists in our public school systems in the metro and the responsibility of all parents and educators to actively fight against it. Leaders within various metro school districts and our State Department of Education share the realities and how families can get engaged to create change on page 34. Based on their expert advice, I’m defining my personal action steps to be part of that vital shift toward race equity. Thank you, as always, to this community for helping me and so many others ascertain how we can make a difference. And thank you for helping restore my favorite season. If you need me, I’ll be lighting my pumpkin candles, baking pumpkin-flavored treats and planning my family’s pumpkin patch outings. With gratitude,

2020

Publisher Sarah Taylor Managing Editor Erin Page Assistant Editor Lindsay Cuomo Contributing Writers George Lang Bridget Pipkin Caylee Dodson Art Director Stacy Noakes Senior Project Manager Kirsten Holder Director of Events Marissa Raglin Sales Dana Price Laura Beam Office Manager Andrea Shanks Dr. Lisa Marotta Debbie Murnan Contributing Photographers

Erin Page Managing Editor

tips@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com

MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2019 by Inprint Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

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Proud member of

Also a member of Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Edmond Chamber of Commerce & Moore Chamber of Commerce

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 5

Off the Pages

Feeling spook-tacular? While it’s true some of the traditional fall and Halloween activities won’t be in play this year, we’ve created the perfect opportunity to don those Halloween costumes! Whether silly, sparkly or spooky, snap a pic of your child or entire family and upload to our virtual Halloween Costume Contest . Then vote on your favorites! The winner will receive a weekend holiday getaway to the Gaylord Texan resort in Grapevine, Texas. Second and third place winners will also win great prizes from our sponsors. Visit metrofamilymagazine.com/contests to enter. Deadline: October 31 at midnight. SPONSORED BY

Autumn adventure awaits Pumpkin patches, hayrides and farm fun, oh my! The pandemic may have changed some of the ways we typically celebrate the fall season, but never fear: we’ve got plenty of ideas to celebrate autumn’s arrival. From Halloween décor tours and spooky crafts to fall road trips and socially- distant seasonal activities, find all the fall fun your family can handle at metrofamilymagazine.com/fall-fun.

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Get your Geek on! Our annual event Geekapalooza: A STEAM Festival for Kids is going virtual this year! This exciting series of 10, one- hour workshops is designed to get kids of all ages engaged in hands-on STEAM activities. Geekapalooza launches on Nov. 8, National STEAM Day, and continues through Nov. 13. Watch sessions live or check out the recordings at your family’s convenience. Plus, enjoy prizes, giveaways and our annual “Geek” costume contest!

G ee k apa loo za G ee k apa loo za

G ee k apa loo za plus coupons to use at metro family fun hot spots. Only 100 of these tickets are available, so secure yours soon! Your family can participate in one of two ways: • VIP tickets are $35 per family. Receive a box of materials needed for the STEAM projects, • General admission tickets are $12 per family. Receive a list of simple household products to round up for the STEAM projects.

Geekapalooza is an annual program of Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and MetroFamily, and Girl Scouts can earn badges for their participation in the event. Learn more and secure your tickets at metrofamilymagazine.com/ geekapalooza.

A STEAM Festival for OKC Fam hosted by Girl Scouts of West Oklahoma and MetroFamily G ee k apa loo z

Help us learn about stuttering.

Who? 3- to 6-year-old children who stutter .

What? Your child will receive a speech-language assessment and complete tasks on a computer. eir parent(s)/guardian(s) will ëll out Ruestionnaires about them. Where? Child & Family Stuttering Lab at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Time commitment? A total of 2-3 hours over two sessions. Participants will be compensated for time and travel. Who to contact? Principal investigator: Dr. Katerina Ntourou (405) 271-4214 ext 46069, OUStutteringLab@ouhsc.edu

IRB 9573 Study Title: Attentional bias, effortful control, and childhood stuttering e University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 7

LOCAL FAMILY FUN

5-Day

Explore downtown hot spots! 2

Fall Break Planner It’s no secret that 2020 has been a stressful year. With so many changes in life and school, we all need a little fun to look forward to. No matter when (or how long) your Fall Break is this year, add one or all of these OKC metro outings to your schedule.

Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) is celebrating the grand opening of its new location with the inaugural exhibition Bright Golden Haze , which focuses on artists’ varied use of light. Kid favorites like Star Ceiling , an LED show depicting the night sky, and Black Glass Eclipse are unique examples of the diversity of the interactive medium. The museum is free to visit but advance reservations are required since capacity is limited in the galleries to ensure a safe experience. Afterward, head outside and interact with light in the outdoor installation

BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED.

Bring history to life!

Aqueous by NYC artist Jen Lewis. The Candyland board game-like pathway reflects the sky during the day and at night lights up and reacts to visitors’ steps.

Even though the kids have a day off from school, that doesn’t mean they can’t have fun learning! Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning and play at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s (1700 NW 63rd St) brand new outdoor play space, Liichokoshkomo. The multi-million dollar interactive space tells the stories of some pioneering people who made the West their home. Designed by a movie set company, you can explore a train depot, trading post and different Native structures like towering cliff dwellings and a Kiowa tipi.

Next, fuel up with a picnic at Scissortail Park (655 S Robinson Ave). Afterward, get the sillies out with a spin around the Sky Rink, an outdoor roller skating surface. Or rent a pedal boat and cruise the park’s lake.

Prosperity Junction, a

replica turn-of- the-twentieth- century cattle town, is another kid favorite where families can stroll down main street lined with life-size shops and businesses. Museum staff have fun drop-

Continue your fun with a tour of Myriad Gardens’ (301 W Reno Ave) pumpkin murals! Six gourd-riffic murals crafted out of organic materials make for festive backdrops to celebrate fall with some Insta-worthy pics to round out your day.

in craft activities planned for Oct. 15, 16 and 19. Museum admission is $12.50 for adults and $5.75 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids 5 and under get in free. Just a few minutes to the south, the Oklahoma State Capitol (2300 N Lincoln Blvd) welcomes families for self-guided tours on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the unique architecture of the nearly 100-year-old building as well as public art, the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial and a working oil well. Extend the fun with a stop at Harn Homestead (1721 N Lincoln Blvd), an outdoor museum exploring territorial life in Oklahoma. Don’t miss nearby William Freemont Harn Park (NE 16th St & N Stiles), a farm-themed park with a pretend tractor and a rooster play structure.

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Experience Edmond! Darci Lynne Farmer wowed TV audiences with her ventriloquist act on America’s Got Talent and now the Edmond Historical Society and Museum (431 S Blvd, Edmond) is sharing her story of success from placing first in the Edmond’s Got Talent competition to winning the popular TV show. In this first-ever museum exhibit dedicated to Darci Lynne, families can see some of her first practice puppets and scripts as well as her costumes and tour posters.

Museum hop in Norman!

Learn about the bizarre creatures that roamed the earth even before the dinosaurs at Sam Noble Museum’s (2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman) Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs exhibition. 290 million years ago the land and sea were home to some strange beings, and you can check out what they looked through the vivid artwork, 3D sculptures and fossils on display. Sam Noble has five other galleries filled with engaging sights including a two-story dino fight scene and a record-breaking skeleton of a Pentaceratops with a 10-and-a-half-foot-tall skull.

Nearby is the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse (124 E 2nd St, Edmond), which was the first schoolhouse built in Oklahoma. The structure is free to visit and tours are provided by the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust. Follow them on Facebook for updates on tour dates.

October is National Native American Heritage Month and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman)

has a collection on display with works from six renowned Kiowa artists. These artists created several paintings featuring their culture, acting as agents of cultural preservation while developing their own artistic styles. The museum offers complimentary admission. The University of Oklahoma requires masks to be worn by all staff and visitors when inside university facilities, including these two museums.

Pack up a picnic to enjoy at nearby Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond). For older kids the onsite disc golf course or skate park provide options for active fun, while little ones can explore several playgrounds and watch the ducks near the pond. Or simply take a leisurely stroll around the 5 miles of multi-use paved trails while enjoying the fall foliage. Continue your afternoon outdoor fun at Wings’ annual Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch (13700 N Eastern Ave, Edmond), which features hayrides, pumpkin train rides, a corn maze, pony rides and outdoor games. Pumpkins are available for purchase, and all proceeds benefit Wings Special Needs Community. The festival and patch are

open through Oct. 18 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and admission is $6. Staff and volunteers will wear masks and guests are encouraged to as well. Hand sanitation stations will be available.

Enjoy the outdoors with a stop at Reaves Park (2501 Jenkins Ave, Norman). The park features a large wooden play structure and plenty of space to roam as well as a few geocaching treasures to hunt for.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 9

Level up on outdoor fun! 5

Outdoor fun has been a common theme for 2020 and RIVERSPORT Adventures (800 Riversport Dr) is taking the fun to a whole new level this month. Each Saturday, families can take part in a variety of outdoor-themed excitement in addition to the usual attractions. The Outdoor October event brings in pop-up shops, food trucks, authentic German food and more.

PHOTO BY GEORGIA READ

Nothing says outdoor fall fun more than a

visit to a pumpkin patch and the metro is home to several options! Get your fill of farm fun from hayrides and corn mazes to petting zoos and more. Check out our comprehensive list at metrofamilymagazine.com/ pumpkin-patches.

On Oct. 17, families can take part in a 15-mile guided bike ride and a free bike maintenance clinic and watch Rad , a 1986 BMX movie, with Olympic gold medalist Bart Connor. The following Saturday includes geocaching treasure hunts and free outdoor clinics focused on camping, hiking and cooking outdoors. Admission is free but some activities require a fee. Parking is $5. For more unique adventure, head south to Magnolia Blossom Ranch (2901 NW 16th St, Newcastle) where the cure-all for all that is 2020 awaits: an afternoon with alpacas! Enjoy feeding, petting and playing with these gentle giants while you tour the farm, learn about their care and hear the benefits of their silky-soft fleece. Advance reservations are required and accommodate one family at a time.

#OKCFamilyFun is sponsored by Crestone Ridge.

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10 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

Fall Fun Guide Fall, you come at the perfect time each year — and we need you this year more than ever! The crisp air, smell of pumpkin spice and peeks of autumn colors —and the year 2020 in general — have us ready to infuse our family calendar with safe fall fun. From the spooky to the silly and everything in between, check out these options from our advertisers. Find all our fall guides at metrofamilymagazine.com/fall.

Día de los Muertos October 3 • 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Create a colorful sugar skull rock, a unique twist on a holiday tradition. Make tissue paper marigolds and papel picado, colorful symbols of the holiday, and enjoy storytime. Fall Break Drop-In Activites October 15, 16, 19 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. October 15 • Fall Tree Finger Painting October 16 • Foam Fall Leaf Wreath October 19 • Beaded Pumpkin Free for members or with Museum admission. All activities available while supplies last.

Rustic Roots Pumpkin Patch Through Oct. 31 105340 Greer Rd, Lamont 580-716-3608, rusticrootsevents.com

Rustic Roots Pumpkin Patch features pumpkins and fall décor as well as a 10-acre corn maze, petting zoo with baby animal encounters, corn cannon, hay fort with a giant slide, hayrides, jump pad, games and more. After dark on select Saturdays, the corn maze is haunted and attendees can watch a scary movie in the barn. Admission is $10. Monday-Wednesday, 4-7 p.m.; Thursday- Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. & Sunday, 1-7 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 & 24: maze, 8-10 p.m.; movie, 9-11 p.m.

#HashtagTheCowboy

nationalcowboymuseum.org/kids 1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 11

Staying Active & Connected to friends with Girl Scouts At Home . TM

Ongoing Events

By His Hand Mini Farm Fall Festival & Haunted Trail Oct. 1-31 17801 State Hwy 39, Lexington 405-201-1962 facebook.com/Zech912 Head to the farm for a spooky good time! Explore the pumpkin patch, hop aboard a hayride, journey through a haunted trail (or a mystery trail for younger kids), hang out with farm animals and so much more. Farm, $10; haunted trail, $15. Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, noon- midnight. The Great Pumpkin Patch at Myriad Gardens Oct. 16-25 301 W Reno Ave 405-445-7080, myriadgardens.org While it is not possible to hold Pumpkinville this year, organizers at the gardens have put together a fabulous alternative. Visitors can enjoy brightly- colored murals and mosaics around the grounds as well as corn stalk mazes, a trick-or-treat weekend, pumpkin decorating, fall floral displays, scarecrows and other fun things to do outside at a safe social distance. A variety of pumpkins will be available for purchase. The all-ages event is FREE to attend; participation prices vary.

Storybook Forest Oct. 23-30 Arcadia Lake 7200 E 15th St, Edmond 405-216-7471, storybookforestok.com Fairytales come to life on a fun, not-scary trail filled with roaming characters at Spring Creek Park. Additional activities include story time and a campfire. Admission charged for children; adults in the same car with child(ren) are free. Admission is $12 per child and tickets can be purchased online only. The trail is open nightly from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Steampunk Fall Celebration at The Cowboy Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org Fun and fantasy abound at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Create your own Steampunk accessories, explore the Design-a-Robot maker space and create your own mini bot out of everyday objects, while supplies last. Activities are free with museum admission. No reservations required. In addition, families can enjoy special activities at the museum during Fall Break. Dropin Oct. 15, 16 & 19 to create your own masterpieces from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Day Events

Fall Y’all at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Oct. 17 Oklahoma Hall of Fame, 1400 Classen Dr 405-235-4458, oklahomahof.com Welcome fall with the whole family at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s Fall Y’all celebration. The one-day fall festival will be set up outside, weather permitting, and allow families to come and go as they please. Enjoy pumpkin painting, plantings, crafts, watching Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin and carnival games. Activities begin at 10 a.m. Museum admission is free throughout the day.

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I AM CONFIDENT, INDEPENDENT, RESILIENT AND FUN

SkateGalaxyOKC’s Spook and Roll Oct. 31, 1-4:45 p.m. & 7 p.m.-midnight 5800 NW 36th St 405-605-2758, skategalaxyokc.com Go retro at SkateGalaxyOKC’s Spook and Roll Halloween party. Families can skate to spooky tunes, play games to win prizes and compete in a costume contest! Again this year, families with younger kids can start their festive fun earlier with an afternoon session. Admission is $10 for the afternoon and $15 ($12 if in costume) for the evening. 1-4:45 p.m.; 7 p.m.- midnight. Also check out the family skate night on Oct. 15, fall break day skate on Oct. 16 and all-night skate on Nov. 24.

Yukon’s Pumpkin Harvest Craft Festival Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

TRY A

1200 Lakeshore Dr, Yukon 405-350-8937, yukonok.gov

Yukon’s Dale Robertson Center comes alive with fall spirit featuring more than 45 booths from across Oklahoma selling candles, wood art, needlework, home décor and more. There will also be a bake sale with proceeds going toward Friends of the Park. Admission is free.

CLASS

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Do You Have a Child That is a Problem Feeder?

Fall Break Camps with space still available

Thunder Youth Basketball Fall Break E-Series + Science Camp Oct. 12-16 nba.com/thunder/eseries Kids can hang out with Thunder Youth Basketball coaches for five days of virtual training that will help young athletes of all skill levels grow in the game of basketball. Plus, Science Museum Oklahoma will join the online camp for a daily science experiment! All items needed will be included in the camper’s gear kit, mailed directly to your home. Instructional sessions will be offered live daily (no basketball goal required) with access to recorded sessions and daily challenges. For ages 6-14. $65 per camper. Two sessions: 10-10:30 a.m. & 11-11:30 a.m. Register by Oct. 7. Science Museum Oklahoma Fall Break Camps Oct. 15 & 16 2020 Remington Pl 602-3760 sciencemuseumok.org/fall-camps This year there are two ways to participate in SMO camps: in person and virtually. Both are jam-packed with hands-on activities that explore science. In-person class sizes are limited to allow for social distancing or you can choose to learn from the comfort of your home. For kids in grades PreK-6. $30-$90.

Cadence Equestrian Fall Break Horse Camp Oct. 15 & 16 14150 S Pine St, Edmond 348-7469 cadenceequestrian.com

Whether you are new to riding or want to expand your horse skills, learn at Camp Cadence, a day camp that is all about horses. No previous horse experience necessary. Safe camp horses used for indoor and outdoor riding. For ages 5-15. $195. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. SoccerCity Fall Break Camps

Our Certified Feeding Therapists Can Help! Does your child: - eat the same foods every day? - eat less than 20 foods? - cry or fall apart with new foods? - refuse an entire category of food? - eat a dierent meal than the rest of the family?

Oct. 15, 16 & 19 4520 Old Farm Rd 748-3888 soccercityokcity.com

At SoccerCity, kids can have fun and stay active while skill-building. Groups will be divided based on age and ability and kids can attend one, two or all three days. For ages 4-15. Full day and half day options available. $25-$125. 9 a.m.-noon & 1-4 p.m.

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Rustic Roots Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze!

September 26th - October 31st, 2020 Thur-Sat 10am-7pm Sunday 1-7pm

• 10 Acre Corn Maze • Petting Zoo • Hay Fort • Hay Rides • Corn Cannon • Barrel Train & more!

Rustic Roots Events & More 105340 Greer Rd, Lamont (1.5 hrs N of OKC Metro) 580.716.3608 www.rusticrootsevents.com

Now with 3 locations to serve you! Call (405) 840-1686 to schedule an evaluation!

Our therapists provide fun, inventive and playful interventions that address your child's specic needs. We oer physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy. Thank you for voting us Best Special Needs Therapy Service Provider!

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METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 15

Kids & Politics Conversations to spur civic engagement

BY GEORGE LANG

Engaging kids in conversation When parents do not talk about politics with their children or involve them in their voting rituals, their children usually do not become actively engaged in politics. According to a 2016 survey by Care.com, just 10 percent of parents believe it is good to start talking about politics and issues with children at any age, and only 46 percent engage their kids on the subject. Of the remainder who avoid politics at the dinner table, 90 percent of respondents said they did not believe their children would understand. Knowledge is power, and it is always appropriate to give your children that power. In 1973, my family was living in suburban Houston when my teacher at A.J. Martin Elementary School canceled a visit to the Houston Zoo, a long ride by bus on the Southwest Freeway. Instead, our class walked a mile, hand-in-hand, to the recently built McDonald’s, where we were shown how the shake machine worked and enjoyed some hamburgers. Now, anyone who has visited the zoo at Hermann Park knows this was not an equal trade, but McDonald’s was a good way to mollify a class full of disappointed kids. When I asked my parents why the plan had changed, they explained a letter that went out to all parents informing them the school was restricting long-distance field trips due to the energy crisis. Thanks to that McDonald’s trip, I learned about the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and embargoes. I was a kindergartener.

My parents talked to me about politics, and it turned me into an enthusiastic voter. Because the memory is so vivid, I believe my first experience with voting came when I was 4 years old. I remember going into an actual voting booth and only being tall enough to see a little of what was going on as my mother, wearing a long wool coat, pulled a lever that closed a curtain behind us. She flipped levers beside the names of several candidates, and then she pulled the lever again, registering her vote and reopening the curtains. The mystery and solemnity of the voting process was magnified by the mechanical noises going on behind those opaque curtains. I thought it was so cool, and by the time I turned 18, I was particularly bummed when I learned that those hulking machines were things of the past. Connecting arrows with a felt tip pen was decidedly less dramatic, but the process of voting still gave me chills. Throughout my childhood, there were issues of Time and Newsweek on the coffee table and I read them voraciously. I was a weird kid, but I was an informed weird kid whose parents engaged him on current events and made the evening news daily family viewing. Decades later, in 2012, my wife took our son to vote at a nearby church. It was the first time he could understand the importance, the nearly sacred responsibility of casting a vote. By that time, he had witnessed a few years worth of 24-hour news and, even though that curtain was replaced by cardboard dividers, he still thought it was pretty cool.

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At that same time, the Watergate hearings were being shown daily, and I watched them while most kids watched The Brady Bunch . By the time President Richard Nixon resigned, I could identify John Sirica, the former boxer and chief judge who presided over the trials of Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, by his wiry eyebrows. My young life was impacted by presidential misconduct, the energy crisis, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the recession that followed. The only time I experienced information overload was while watching Dan Rather’s five-part documentary on the nuclear arms race, The Defense of the United States , at age 14. My conservative parents were not prepared for the anti-war feelings that emerged after I watched the documentary’s simulation of a 15-megaton nuclear attack on Strategic Air Command. While those were strange and nightmarish years, our children now live in a time of full-contact political rhetoric on television and social media, global climate change, Black Lives Matter protests against police violence and a deadly pandemic that has been unnecessarily politicized. Compared to my son’s experience of staying home for most

of his 15th year of life to avoid contracting the coronavirus, the 1970s were like summer camp. But Sam was born into a consequential time. When he was 3-and-a-half years old, the United States elected its first Black president. We pointed out President Barack Obama on television and taught Sam to say his name. By the time the 2012 election rolled around, he could talk about the issues with greater clarity than most 7 year olds. As a freshly minted 10-year-old, he was ready to talk when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision that legalized gay marriage in 2015, and we did. We prepared him with the facts, regardless of our being cisgender straight parents, because facts are always more valuable than opinions. Today, I spend a significant part of each week writing about politics, but as a longtime journalist, I back up my opinions with hard facts. As such, most of our discussions at home are fact-based rather than uncontrolled deployment of opinions. My wife and I are political animals, but we ground our political ideals in a foundation of reality. So, when any politician showers their

opponent with ad hominem attacks or a cascade of lies, we back up and try to discern the truth buried in all the shrapnel of political warfare. The results are gratifying since Sam can now watch the news and divine the truth while positively identifying the falsities. This was, to be sure, a gradual process, but sometimes the reality of life in 2020 broadsides parents. A truth tailored to your child’s specific sensitivities is far more effective than a lie, or even simple omission, designed to protect them from emotional harm. By having frequent and casual discussions — not lectures — about current events and politics, most parents can gauge how to approach even difficult talks about race, gender, human rights and the politics that surround them all. Sam is known to his classmates as having strong opinions about all of those things, and as we find ourselves in the midst of an extremely consequential election, he is vocal in defending his principles. Most importantly, he is fully capable of calling me out when he sees me going off the rails and can tell when I am spouting opinions rather than verifiable facts. Everyone in our house has political opinions, but he knows what those smell like.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 17

Part of our continuing rapport over politics involves the teaching of respect, something that is mirrored in the teachings at Sam’s school, Odyssey Learning Academy. Because the school offers narrative reports rather than letter grades, we learn about how Sam interacts with classmates, including those with whom he disagrees politically. He is firm, but he understands that the kids with whom he disagrees

It really just comes down to engagement. If you engage with your children on politics, they will engage with politics as adults. And they will vote.

are not bad people because of their political beliefs. Preparing future voters

In 2020, our politics are unusually disjointed, with deep divisions felt over nearly every current topic. The best thing a conscientious parent can do is have frequent heartfelt conversations, so frequent that they become natural occurrences, so that any political subject is on the table and fair game. Find things that are relatable, and most of all, can be humanized. Every event or circumstance has a human component to it, and it is far more important to see the impact politics has on our neighbors, our friends, our family and people we don’t even know instead of merely objectifying political reality. Every chance possible, kids should be steered toward reliable media sources that do not merely offer “both-sides” journalism but are dedicated to finding and reporting truth. Let them read or watch news aimed at adults, and if they are exposed to social media, always attempt to provide context for the impassioned and occasionally nonsensical arguments they encounter.

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18 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

BY ERIN PAGE Engaging kids in the political process

Even if they’re not watching the nightly news, kids today are likely just as bombarded with information about the upcoming election season as adults. Whether through social media or even what their friends are saying at school, those messages can be confusing and difficult to wade through. Parents can provide safe places for conversation and education to help kids feel part of and informed about election season, as is appropriate developmentally. Use these tips to get kids engaged:

Talk about political ads kids see on TV or social media. Discuss the claims made, how the ad is used to persuade voters and why negative ads are used.

Start with family conversations, first asking your kids open-ended

questions about their opinions on the issues and candidates.

Watch political debates together. Compare media coverage through

Seek out kid- friendly news for younger kids, or watch the

varied outlets and discuss why they differ. Check the credibility of candidates’ claims.

news together with older kids, followed by family discussions.

Talk about candidates’ social media platforms and posts. Ask your child which they are drawn to and why.

Read kid-friendly books about U.S. politics and discuss the election process.

Ask your kids which national and societal issues they are

Discuss the mudslinging and fear-mongering that can accompany

most interested in. Research candidates’ stances on issues important to your child.

any election. Discuss how to determine when candidates are seeking to appeal to voter emotions versus discussing policy.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 19

Fall Road Trip EXPLORING BEYOND OKLAHOMA

Western Arkansas MASON AND AIDEN EXPLORE WHITE ROCK MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA IN THE OZARKS.

W ithout a doubt, the year 2020 has turned our world upside down. The relentless and ever-changing updates on the COVID-19 pandemic have left us weary, frightened and desperately seeking hope for better days ahead. More than ever, time with our family in the outdoors has become sacred and therapeutic, serving as prime opportunity to escape from our homes and yet feel safe while doing so. Whether you are ready for a road trip now or you’re just planning for a future getaway, western Arkansas is an incredible destination to consider. The Ozark Mountains are on full display here, where forest trails frequently lead to stunning overlooks and waterfalls. Bentonville, located in northwest Arkansas, brings a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and indoor spaces to delight in art and delicious food. And with fall on the horizon, the Ozarks are a sight to behold from mid-October to early November, so your family can take in all those glorious colors of autumn along the way. Enjoy our family’s favorite long weekend itinerary!

PATRICK AND DEBBIE MURNAN AT CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM IN BENTONVILLE, ARK.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DEBBIE MURNAN

20 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

CHECK OUT THE ROCK DAM AND EXPLORE UNIQUE CAVERNS IN DEVIL'S DEN STATE PARK.

Day One Fort Smith, Arkansas is a great place to start your trip, located less than 3 hours from the OKC metro area. If you can get there by lunchtime, Rolando’s Restaurante will please both your eyes and your taste buds with the most colorful and beautifully-plated Latin cuisine. Guest favorites include the queso blanco, enchiladas and el plato Cubano. The restaurant’s interior is its own work of art, decorated with vibrant colors and Ecuadorian tiles, but they also have an outdoor dining space and curbside pickup options. Next, make your way north toward Devil’s Den State Park . This iconic park, located in the Lee Creek Valley, is studded with unique caverns and multi-use trails surrounded by the Ozark National Forest. A remarkable rock dam spans the creek next to Lake Devil, where families can fish or rent pedal boats. The most popular trail in the park, especially for small children, is the Devil’s Den Self-Guided Trail. This 1.5-mile loop has several points of interest to keep the kids engaged and excited to learn about their surroundings. The park offers 17 full-service cabins, many built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). They have been modernized with kitchens, heat and air and satellite TV. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you can have peace of mind knowing Arkansas State Parks are taking extra precautions by allowing 24 to 48 hours between guests in all lodges and cabins. Lake Fort Smith State Park is just a 30-minute drive from Devil’s Den for even more exploration. The visitor center offers several fun exhibits for children to learn about pioneer life, including a replica log cabin and covered wagon. Arkansas State Parks require guests to wear masks prior to entering their indoor facilities. For families ready to take in those majestic lake views, the marina at Lake Fort Smith offers boat and kayak rentals.

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS AT LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 21

Day Two

My family members all agree the most incredible panoramic views of the Ozark Mountains are from the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area , which is just an hour away from Devil’s Den and Lake Fort Smith State Parks. Getting there is half the fun! All roads leading in are well-maintained but do have a few gravel sections that some drivers may feel more comfortable traversing in a SUV or truck. Once you arrive, I highly recommend hiking the White Rock Rim Trail, a 2-mile loop that encircles the mountain’s peak and yields breathtaking vistas. Keep in mind, there are several high cliff areas where children and leashed pets need to be monitored closely. We embarked on this hike when our boys were 5 and 6 years old and they did great, so don’t let this warning keep you from exploring the area. Enjoy one of the trail’s four stone shelters along your trek, perfect for a lunch picnic with your family. After an adventurous morning, take a break in the car as you head toward Bentonville , which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away. This beautiful city in northwest Arkansas has been home to Walmart since 1950, after Sam Walton purchased a store in its town square. Our family’s favorite Bentonville attraction is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art , which was founded by Alice Walton, Sam Walton’s daughter, in 2011. Admission is always free for guests and the museum remains open during the pandemic with extra safety measures in place, like required face masks and timed-entry tickets

you can reserve in advance. The museum features a wide range of American art, from Colonial to contemporary eras. The outdoor walking trails are brilliantly woven with sculptural art, evidence of the museum’s mission to appreciate and connect with nature. An original Frank Lloyd Wright home stands proudly in the center of the grounds and is worth touring once it’s safe to reopen to the public. There are lots of hotel and Airbnb options to consider near Bentonville, but we were most impressed with the new Trails Edge Cabins located in Bella Vista, nestled among wooded hills and rocky bluffs, where mountain bikers and hikers have easy access to the Back 40 Trail System. Northwest Arkansas is truly a biker’s paradise with miles of both paved and dirt flow trails as well as several bike parks and pump tracks for even the youngest bikers to enjoy. The culinary scene is expansive in Bentonville, where local chefs embrace the farm-to-table culture, offering guests healthy and unique dining experiences. Crêpes Paulette will satisfy everyone with a wide variety of sweet and savory combinations. Patio dining is available but they also take online orders for curbside pickup. The Preacher’s Son consistently treats guests to exceptional service and artfully crafted meals in a beautifully restored historic church. The atmosphere is ethereal, with natural light pouring in through art glass windows. Head chef Matthew Cooper has a passion for creating rustic and flavorful dishes, many of which are gluten-free.

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22 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

OUTDOOR WALKING TRAILS AT THE CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM IN BENTONVILLE ARE STUDDED WITH SCULPTURAL ART.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 23

Day Three Before heading home, consider exploring a family- friendly trail that leads to alluring waterfalls and creeks within the Tanyard Creek Nature Park . Nearby, step inside the Cooper Chapel , an awe-inspiring cathedral composed of glass and steel where towering arches create transformative light and shadows. For a more historic experience, families can even visit a former Civil War battlefield at the U.S. Pea Ridge Military Park . Cell phone driving tours are available for guests to learn more about the significant people and events of the Civil War era, or you can stretch your legs on some of the site’s hiking trails. Your drive home will take you right though Siloam Springs, a perfect place to stop for a mid-day meal at Fratelli’s Wood Fired Pizzeria , conveniently located within walking distance from the city parks surrounding Sager Creek. Expect plenty of shady places to picnic with your family while enjoying the views of cascading fountains and stately trees. After a trip like this, you’ll see why Arkansas is called “The Natural State.” It’s an ideal place to renew your family’s wanderlust spirit while sharing some incredible outdoor adventures together.

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24 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

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METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 25

REAL MOMS OF THE METRO

Ruth Rolfe’s story o f aTnhAe h ecat irvti s t Ruth Rolfe was 14 years old when she saw a story on the evening news about a group of students participating in sit-ins to protest policies of segregation. Inspired to action, she told her parents she wanted to get involved. It was 1958 in Oklahoma City, and Rolfe’s father, actively engaged in the NAACP, connected his only child with civil rights activist Clara Luper. Rolfe would spend the next three years advocating for Black community members to have access to formerly white-only restaurants, amusement parks, swimming pools and other community resources. Rolfe would take lessons learned from powerful civil rights activists, including Luper, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., her parents and other local leaders, to form her own life as an advocate for equity and equality. Her careers with the Community Action Agency and as a diversity officer with Cox Communications and her volunteer efforts for causes like voter education and access for people with disabilities, inspired by her son Jarvis who has Down syndrome, were sparked in the young teen’s eyes and heart, desiring to affect positive change.

The sit-in movement What stands out most for Rolfe about the sit-in movement in Oklahoma City is the spirit and camaraderie among the students and the loving leadership from Luper. During the summer, the various teams of local youth would participate in sit-ins six days a week. During the school year, the work continued on Saturdays. The students divided into teams and walked to various restaurants that served whites only, protesting peacefully by sitting at lunch counters or tables, waiting to be served. “We really just wanted to sit at a restaurant and have a hamburger and a Coke,” said Rolfe. “It was frustrating, seeing other people have access to what we didn’t just because of the color of our skin.” But there was much more to the movement than the public demonstrations. The students met weekly at Luper’s home to learn history, the importance of which was emphasized often by the students’ disciplined leader, and receive training in non-violence. There was strategy and precision behind every move the group made.

BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS BY FOTO ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY AND COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

26 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020

“She was tenacious,” said Rolfe of Luper. “She always expected us to do our best. She taught us to speak well, she included prayer in what we did, she did not mind speaking up and speaking out. She was very brave.” Rolfe wasn’t afraid during the sit-ins, mostly because the students traveled in a group and were trained in responding non-violently when words or actions escalated among staff or patrons. When the sit-ins became intense, the group sang freedom songs, which kept them grounded and focused and gave an outlet for their anxiety. The Oklahoma City group was not subjected to as much violence as they witnessed in other parts of the country, where youth protesters were met with water hoses and dogs. But the work was not without repercussions. “I was arrested, oh, a couple of times,” Rolfe recalls. “We were not put behind bars but taken to the police station and kept in a group.” Rolfe’s father, along with an attorney and other leaders from the NAACP, would arrive to get the students and leaders released. One of Rolfe’s favorite parts of her work with the group of youth was the opportunity to travel to the NAACP national conventions, for which the organization and Luper chartered a bus. For some students, it was their first trip away from home. Rolfe attended conventions in Indianapolis and Atlanta and participated in the March on Washington in 1963. Rolfe relished traveling to new places, witnessing presentations by leaders in the Civil Rights Movement and hearing those leaders discuss strategy in various meetings. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. signed Rolfe’s high school yearbook in Atlanta in 1962. Over the course of Rolfe’s three years participating in sit-ins, she witnessed some restaurants changing their policies and opening to Black community members. As more restaurants desegregated, the group also focused on gaining access to amusement parks and pools.

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ROLFE (STANDING ON THE FAR RIGHT) PARTICIPATES IN A SIT-IN AT BISHOP'S RESTAURANT IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN 1963.

nationalcowboymuseum.org/kids 1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2020 27

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