Indiana Kids

Winter 2012, Vol. 1, Issue 2

Indiana Kids is a quarterly online magazine for kids, about kids and by kids (with a little help from their parents and grandparents.) This online magazine is a family project, founded to teach our own family’s Indiana kids how to work together, how to interview people (which involves a lot of listening), how to interpret and write about what they’ve learned, and to introduce them to many other wonderful and interesting Indiana Kids. We are also promoting the literary arts in Indiana by soliciting creative writing and artwork from kids around the state. Cover photo: Luke and Will Preston, photo by Sara Preston Editor Reilly Kate Anderson, age 14 Staff Writers Sydney Anderson, age 9 Kennedy Miller, age 9 Ty Miller, age 7 Jax Miller, age 3 Artists in this issue Sydney Anderson, age 9 Keylee Fernung, age 9 Rob Anderson, Dad Contributing Poets in this issue Jianna Harrison, age 7 Keylee Fernung, age 9 Chief Toy and Game Tester Ty Miller, age 7 Chief Photographer Ashley Miller, Mom Publisher

Susan Hoskins Miller, Grandma

Meet an Indiana Kid

Olivia Talevski, age 10, Interviewed by Kennedy Miller, Photo by Kennedy Miller

If you could do anything in the world you wanted with nothing to limit you

from doing it, what would you do? I would have the super power of flying.

What is your favorite thing that you do with your family? Play the game Sorry

If you could decorate your room any way you want, what would it look like? It

would be purple with blue peace signs.

What is your favorite color? Blue

Favorite book? Dork Diaries

Favorite TV show? Monster High

Favorite Movie? Superman

Favorite Food? Popcorn

What is your favorite subject in school? Reading

What is your favorite place and why? I like Golden Coral because it has the best

food.

What is your favorite holiday and why? I like my birthday because I like to

celebrate my birth

Interview with Gabby Johnson - Pet Lovers Organic

By: Kennedy Miller

How old are you? 14

How old were you when you started selling dog treats? 7

Do you have any pets? How many and what are they? 2 turtles, 2 cats, 1 dog,

and 1 sugar glider

Why did you start selling dog treats? I wanted to raise money to be able to

contribute to the Humane Society.

Does anyone help you make the dog treats? My parents

Which dog treat is easiest to make? Peanut Butter Barky Bars

Which dog treat is currently the best seller? Peanut Butter Barky Bars

Which dog treat is the newest? The carob treat

How did you come up with the recipes? Initially we looked online and then just

made them organic. Also when at the farmers market and people would ask for a

certain flavor, we would change the formula based on what the customers are

asking for.

What is the first recipe/treat you made? Peanut Butter Barky Bars

How does someone purchase dog treats from you? Our website

(http://www.petloversorganic.com), farmers market and we are in some retail

stores.

What do you do with the money you earn from selling dog treats? A

percentage of the money is donated to Hamilton County Humane Society and the

other money goes towards marketing, equipment, and supplies.

Whose idea was it to create Pet Lovers Organic Bakery? It was my idea.

Initially it was to raise money for the Humane Society but then my parents thought

it would be a good idea to learn some business practices.

What have you learned from your business? How to sell stuff and how to

market stuff.

Movie Review

“A Christmas Story”

Review written by Reilly Anderson

A Christmas Story is a cute movie because Ralphie wants a BB gun but everyone

keeps saying the same thing: You'll shoot your eye out kid!

Poor Ralphie feels ganged up on because his parents and his friends try to prepare

for the holidays when he only asked for one simple present. It is such a cute movie

because everything that could go wrong before Christmas does and it has funny

humor

throughout the

whole movie.

I feel this movie

is for all ages

but it does have

some language

within it.

I'm sure if you

haven't seen

this movie you

have heard of a

leg lamp. Yes,

that is from this

movie.

Overall this movie is cute, funny, and creative because it is seen through the eyes

of Ralphie. If you have never seen this movie I highly recommend it because it is

so sweet and perfect to watch around Christmas time.

Tribute to “A Christmas Story”

Nov. 17, 2012

downtown Hammond, Indiana

-View the movie "A Christmas Story" at the Towle Theater (1:15 pm & 3:30pm) First

come, First served for tickets/availability.

-Visit with Santa & his elves (even the "mean" elf!) on Ice Mountain

-Pictures with Santa sponsored by Centier Bank

-Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

-Arts & Crafts, Direct Sales, and Garage Sale Vendors

-Yummy Food Vendors

-Reading Class with "Mrs. Shields"/Children receive one freebook

-Letters to Santa with "Mrs. Shields"

-Turkey Bowling sponsored by Strack & Van Til & Star Dust Bowl

-Cabela's Shoot your Eye Out Contest

-Create your very own "Leg Lamp" Lamp Shade art project

-South Shore Arts "A Christmas Story" art project

-Kids Games

-Holiday Music/Carrollers

-Adopt a "Bumpus Hound"/Hearts & Hounds Rescue

-Holiday Cookie Baking Contest

-Pink Bunny (not White Elephant) Gift Exchange

-Tire Changing Contest sponsored by T&C Auto

-A Christmas Story Look-a-Like Contest (Dress up as your favorite character from the movie!)

and many more holiday surprises!

-A Christmas Story Photo Booth

For more information on the event, including vendor information, contact the council at (219) 512-4298 or visit downtownhammond.org.

More events throughout the season

Free screenings of “A Christmas Story”

Get your parents to take you to Hammond, Indiana this Christmas season, home to the late Jean

Shepherd, narrator of “A Christmas Story,” and author of the book the movie was based on.

Watch free screenings of “A Christmas Story” on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 at noon and 2 p.m., and on

Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the 100-seat In-Vision

Theater. Shows are free and open to the public. The 100

seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Doors will open 20 minutes before the show.

Oh Fuudge Relay Race

The Oh Fuuudge! Relay is a fun relay

competition for mother/daughter teams

as well as father/son.

Saturday, December 8th - Registration

begins at 10am.

*All past winners are ineligible to

win contests.

The relay race depicts the tire changing scene in “A

Christmas Story,” where Ralphie spills lug nuts onto

the street and says the “F dash-dash-dash” word. The

parent/child teams “change a tire” and run through an

obstacle course while holding a hubcap filled with lug

nuts steady.

There will be two age groups based on the child's age:

4-7 and 8-12.

New this year - please bring in canned food/non

perishable items as an entry fee. Items go to the

Northwest Indiana Food Bank.

Write a Theme Contest

"What I Want for Christmas"

Write a theme about what you would like to

receive for Christmas, just like Ralphie

Parker wrote about the BB Gun he wanted.

Essays should be more than 20 words, but not exceed 250. Entries will be judged in three separate age groups: age 9 and younger, 10-18 and 19 and older. Themes will not be judged against other entries, but stand alone entries. Entries can be dropped off at or mailed to: Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, IN 46323. All entries must be clearly labeled with your name, address, day-time phone number and age category. Entries will be accepted until December 12th.

*All past winners are ineligible to win contests.

Mommy's Little Piggy Eating Contest

Mashed Potato Eating Contest The infamous scene in “A Christmas Story” where Randy Parker eats his mashed potatoes like a “little piggy” will be recreated on Saturday, December 15th.

Join the fun and see if you can eat the most mashed potatoes the fastest or just come by to watch the mess unfold!

This contest will have four age categories (4-7, 8-12, 13-17 and 18 and over) where contestants can compete against their peers to win prizes valued at from $50 - $100. Registration starts at 10am.

Please bring in canned food/non perishable items as an entry fee. Items go to the Northwest Indiana Food Bank.

A Winter Scene

Winter drawing by Keylee Fernung of Elwood, Indiana, age 9

Tips to get good grades on your school exams Publishers note: These tips are written by Reilly Anderson, 14, who earned an award when she

graduated from middle school for being an honor roll student throughout all three years. We asked

her to give you some pointers so you can be an honor student, too.

By Reilly Anderson

Since the beginning I have always wanted to do well in school and

achieve great things. Over the years I have learned some great tips that I

would like to share with you.

1. Don't cram the night before tests! This can lead to stressing and

even possibly a bad grade. In my opinion I would ask what kind of

questions are going to be on the test and ask the teacher if the test is over

a specific topic. As for studying, I would start a few days ahead and

maybe make a fake quiz or outline all my assignments.

2. Pay attention! You failed a homework assignment because you were

talking to your friend about what happened over the weekend. If you

don't pay attention in class you may miss an important note that the

teacher said because you were talking. You can still be social but when

the teacher is trying to help the class understand something new, pay

attention.

3. Take notes whenever possible! If the teacher will allow you to use

your notes on a test then you better take advantage of it. Taking notes

will save you from taking all the time it would to outline all your

assignments. If you take really thorough notes then you should be in

good shape.

4. Eat breakfast! Breakfast is an essential part of your morning and if

you skip it, it could mean that you might fall asleep in one of your

classes. Just eat your breakfast and you should be fine.

These are the secrets to success and if you can follow these steps, you

should have no problem paying attention and getting good grades!

Batman drawing by Sydney Anderson, age 9

Batman drawing by Rob Anderson, Sydney’s dad

Both drawings are just in time for the DVD release

of the newest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight

Rises,” which at press time is scheduled to hit

shelves on Dec. 4, 2012.

Get some exercise indoors

If it’s not convenient for you to get outside to get some exercise,

there are always things you can do indoors to get your body

moving. One of the best ways we know is to dance. Here, some

of our family members are dancing to Just Dance 4 on the wii.

But you don’t have to have a wii in order to dance. Just put on

some snappy music and start dancing!

Get some exercise outside An inexpensive piñata can provide lots of outdoor fun and give everyone

plenty of exercise and fresh air. You can also take a walk or a hike, or, if it’s

snowing, go sledding or cross-country skiing.

Kids on

Some Indiana kids have digital bulletin boards on Pinterest. It’s

especially popular with teens. Reilly has a Pinterest page, which is

mostly about fashion, craft projects and manicure ideas. Here are a

few of the photos she has pinned:

Kennedy has a couple of bulletin boards on her

Mom’s Pinterest page. Here are a few photos she has pinned:

Game Review

Headbanz

Review written by Sydney Anderson

The Hedbanz game manufactured by SpinMaster Inc. for 2-6 players is a

great group game for

friends and family. Each

player wears a plastic

headband that holds a

card showing a picture of

either an animal, food, or

man-made object.

Individuals have no idea

what card is on their

forehead and have to ask

a series of questions to

figure it out before the

timer runs out.

When I played with my

cousins, we had a lot of

fun trying to guess what

cards we each had. My

littlest cousin kept

wanting to tell everyone what card they had, so younger kids might need

some grown-up help.

I recommend this fun and exciting game for all families and kids.

Game Review Zingo!

Review written by: Ty Miller

Zingo is a board game similar to Bingo. Two to eight people can play.

Each player picks a board. The board has two sides with 9 pictures on

them. The green side is for beginners and the red side is for advanced

players. There is a Zingo Zinger loaded with tiles. The tiles have a

picture on them. When the Zingo Zinger is pushed forward then back,

two picture tiles appear. If your board has any of the two picture tiles,

you say the name of the tile. If you are the first to say the name, you get

the tile to cover the picture on your board. The first person to fill their

board wins! This game is recommended for ages 4-8 but my whole

family plays, even my 3-year-old brother.

Zingo Zinger

Book Review Title: Kickoff!

Author: Tiki & Ronde Barber with Paul Mantell

Review by Ty Miller

This is a book about

football. It’s a chapter

book. Tiki and Ronde are

twin brothers. In the

book, they are going into

7th

grade and try out for

the football team. Read

the book to find out if

they will make the team

or not.

Book Review Title: One Crazy Summer

Author: Rita Williams-Garcia

Type of Book: Realistic Fiction/Historical Fiction

Review by:

Kennedy Miller

Delphine, Voneneta and

Fern are all sisters and it

tells about them trying

to find their mom who

abandoned them.

I like this book because

it has great voice and

you feel like you are in

the story.

Book Review Title: Out of My Mind

Author: Sharon M Draper

Type of Book: Realistic Fiction

Review by: Kennedy Miller

Melody is almost 11 years old

and the book tells all about her

life. She has a few problems but

she makes the best of it.

I like this book because it has

great voice. It can make you feel

sad, happy, and relieved. If you

like books about realistic fiction

you’ll love this book!

Book Review Title: You Shouldn’t Have to Say Goodbye

Author: Patricia Hermes

Type of Book: Realistic Fiction

Review by: Kennedy Miller

This book is about 13 year old

Sarah. Her mom has cancer and

Sarah is going through very hard

times. She relies on her father and

friend Robin to help her get

through her fears.

I think people that like emotional

stories would love this book.

Kids in the Kitchen

Snow Day Chocolate Chip Pancakes 3 cups flour

1 and ½ Tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons oil

1 cup chocolate chips (or something more healthy like blueberries)

Mix dry ingredients together, then add eggs, milk and oil. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter onto heated griddle in individual size pancakes. Cook until done, then flip and

cook other side.

A Poem By Jianna Harrison, Age 7

Oh the peace

Up in the sky

the air so crisp

oh the country

the sun the hills

oh how merry what

sweet sorrow

Snow A Haiku

By Keylee Fernung, Age 9

Snowflakes are falling

Putting on warm mittens and scarves

Children run outside

Book Spine Poetry Travis Jonker of the blog 100scopenotes.com gave us permission to use his

instructions and examples on how to write poetry from the spines of books

1. Get to a place with plenty of books. A library works nicely,

or a large home collection.

2. Start looking at titles, and see what strikes you. Arrange

and rearrange in your head. The best part of this type of

poetry is the fact that you don’t know where you’ll end up.

3. Have a pencil and paper with you to write down titles that

stand out – you can refer back to them later.

4. Don’t be afraid to use the library catalog to look up titles

with specific words or phrases that fit.

http://100scopenotes.com/2011/04/01/2011-book-spine-poem-

gallery/

Written by Sydney Anderson when she was 7 (She is now 9)

Favorite Read-Aloud Books for Boys The blog www.4tunate.net, written by the mother of quadruplet sons, solicited

readers for their favorite books for boys. Visit the blog for the whole list. Here

are the top 20 of the 65 books they chose:

1. Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

2. The Bears of Blue River by Charles Major

3. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

4. Encyclopedia Brown Series by Donald J. Sobol

5. Sugar Creek Gang Series by Paul Hutchens

6. Jigsaw Jones Mystery Series by James Preller

7. Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson

8. Nate the Greatby Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

9. A to Z Mysteries Series by Ron Roy

10. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

11. Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary

12. Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne

13. Stuart Little by E. B. White

14. Mr. Putter & Tabby Series by Cynthia Rylant

15. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

16. The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C. S. Lewis

17. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

18. The Adventures of Tintin by Alexander Irvine

19. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

20. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Winter Craft Fingerprint Candy Cane

Craft Editor Beth Anderson

Source: Pinterest

Dip fingers in white paint and red paint to make fingerprint

impressions on green card. Glue on a bow to finish.

Holiday Fest 2012 Fort Wayne, Indiana http://holidayfestdowntown.com/

Pinata Paradise Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.

Nov. 17-Dec. 2

Dozens of handcrafted, candy-filled holiday pinatas donated by children and families who want

to share the holiday spirit will decorate the Desert Garden for two weeks then be given to social

service agencies.

Call (260) 427-6440 or visit www.botanicalconservatory.org

$5/adult, $3/child, age 2 and under free

Headwaters Park Ice Rink Headwaters Park Nov. 18 – March 3

Outdoor ice skating rink, Call the rink office at 422-7625

$3 ages 13 & Under; $5 ages 14 & over; $2 skate rental

Santa’s Workshop Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Community Center

Community Center, 233 W. Main Street

Nov. 21, 4 – 7:30 pm

Bring your kids out for free make & take crafts, refreshments, a movie, and a North Pole Stop-n-

Shop where kids can buy gifts for $2 or less.

www.fortwayneparks.org

Free event

Holiday Kick-Off Party Botanical Conservatory

1100 S. Calhoun Street

Nov. 21, 5 – 9 pm

Bring the family to get a free photo with Santa, meet some real reindeer, and enjoy a free cookie

and hot cocoa while you explore the Conservatory’s holiday gardens and light exhibits at their

best.

Call (260) 427-6440 or visit www.botanicalconservatory.org

$5/adult, $3/child, age 2 and under free

Festival of Gingerbread The History Center

302 East Berry, Fort Wayne

Nov. 23-Dec. 9

View over 100 handcrafted gingerbread houses PLUS our new exhibition gallery–Allen County

Innovation!

260-426-2882

www.fwhistorycenter.com

Embassy Festival of Trees Embassy Theatre

125 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Nov. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Beginning with the Night of Lights, the Embassy Festival of Trees is a featured stop in the city’s

annual downtown lighting ceremony, offering the opening of the Harrison Street animated

holiday windows and viewing of the trees.

See for hours and details: www.fwembassytheatre.org

$7 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under

Festival of Trains Science Central, Inc.

1950 N. Clinton Street

Nov. 23-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m;

Nov. 24, Noon-4 p.m.

Climb aboard for holiday fun at Science Central’s 12th Annual Festival of Trains, featuring an

extravaganza of model trains presented by area train enthusiasts.www.sciencecentral.org

$8 Admission, FREE for kids 2 & under; there will be no discounted admissions during Festival

of Trains.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Conservatory Botanical Conservatory

1100 S. Calhoun St.

Nov. 21-Jan. 6; Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, Thurs 10 am-8 pm, with extra hours during

the holidays

From the Dr. Seuss tale comes a new twist on the holidays, where our visitors can join in the

Whoville celebrations and find Christmas in their hearts, no matter what the Grinch might do.

Call (260) 427-6440 or visit www.botanicalconservatory.org

$5/adult, $3/child, age 2 and under free

Words of Wisdom

“You must teach your children that the ground beneath

their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will

respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich

with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we

have taught our children, that the earth is our mother.

Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If

men spit upon the ground they spit upon themselves.

This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man

belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are

connected like the blood which unites one family. All

things are connected.”

-- Chief Seattle

Send us your fiction stories, essays, poems, artwork

and photographs to indianakidsmag@gmail.com.

Stories, essays and poems can be in a Microsoft

Word document or just written in the body of the

email. Photographs should be in a jpg file. Artwork

can be jpg or a pdf file.

Email us at indianakidsmag@gmail.com and tell us

what kinds of stories and articles you would like to

see in future issues of Indiana Kids.