A HALLOWEEN POEM. MARILYN A. HUDSON

The moon is high in an ebony sky.

It’s spooky out here,

 I cannot lie.

One foot in front of the other I go;

Stopping by houses of people I know.

Something swoops silently over my head!

Screaming and crying:

I know I’m dead!

Screech owls, horned toads, and flying bats;

With this mask I can’t see where I’m at!

Stumbling and bumbling I fall-

Now, I will have no candy at all!

Back on my feet; had anybody seen?

I better hurry,

 after all,

it is Halloween!

cMarilyn A. Hudson

OKC AREA CHURCH PLANS BIG HALLOWEEN EVENT

Mending Hearts Church, OKC,  is hosting their first ever pumpkin decorating contest for their annual fall carnival this Saturday October 29th, 2011 from 6:00 pm -8:30 pm .

We have invited elementary schools from all over the area to participate. The school with the most participants will win a $1,000 prize and the winner from each of our three age divisions will win an iPad 2 32 gig 3G. This event is the perfect opportunity to build school spirit, raise funds benefiting one of our local schools, as well as bring together children from different surrounding communities to display their talent and individuality.

We are asking for you to help us bring acknowledgement to our students, schools, and community by covering this unique event. We would love for the winner’s of each age division to receive recognition for their hard work, in hopes of promoting continuing education. Our prizes were specially selected to give the winners of each division a resource to help them with their school work. We are hopeful that these tools will excite our youth about learning and most importantly help them achieve even greater success in their future.

Our carnival is absolutely FREE and we are excited to throw a family friendly community event, while at the same time promoting education and creativity among our youth. School’s have been asked to register on our web-site www.MHChurch.net/contest by Friday October 28th, 2011 to participate. 

Contest Guidelines:
1. Each entry must be a real pumpkin or a member of the pumpkin family.
2. Objects, paper, and materials of any kind may be pinned or glued to the pumpkins. Participants may also draw or paint on their entries and/or carve designs into their pumpkin.
3. All entries should have an appropriate title.
4. All entries should have family friendly positive themes.
5. To win, one must be in attendance at Mending Hearts Carnival.

Address: 14818 South Peebly Road
Stella, OK 74857
Date: Saturday October 29th, 2011
Starts: 6:00 pm
Ends: 8:30 pm


Age Divisions:
Cloverbud: 1- 4 years old
Beginner: 5 - 8 years old
Intermediate: 9 - 12 years old

Judging Criteria:
All entries will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of creative professionals based on the following criteria:
a. Originality (30%)
b. Creativity of title (25%)
c. Quality of work (25%)
d. Public appeal as determined by public comments received (20%)
Prize:
$1,000 to the school with the most entries into the contest
Cloverbud: iPad 2 32 gig 3G
Beginner: iPad 2 32 gig 3G
Intermediate Prize: iPad 2 32 gig 3G
Suggested ways to increase involvement:
-Print off flyer and put in the kids take home folder
-Send a group e-mail to kids parents
-Give extra credit points for kids that participate
-Advertise on social media outlets and/or web-site
-Include in morning announcements






Our mailing address is:

Mending Hearts Church

5202 E 81st  Tulsa, OK 74133

AUTHOR IS A SPECIAL LITTLE LADY

 The authors is a six year old with a health problem and a bully problem.

 A small child tackles a problem head on and serves as a role model for all children facing bullying, problems, or experiencing being different in any way. 

In charming and sometimes touching first person the author shares the secret world of a child suffering from a medical condition and from peer taunting. Rich in faith, the lessons shared by her parents serve to strengthen not only the child but also the parents. A blunt and open must read for children pre-school to fifth who face any medical conditions, being differently challenged, or other issues. It is also a good introduction for all children and parents about the issues and impact of bullying.

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey is a must have for schools, teachers, families, and anyone who works with children.   Available on Amazon or from the books webpage.  See her website.

NEW BOOK SHOWS LEARNING TO COMPROMISE CAN BE FUN

As a one time children's librarian and media specialist, issue books can often be great for a child to read on their own but less enjoyable to share with a whole group. I remember the frustration of trying to read a book to a whole class to address a specific topic and the boring story, artificial children, or a text simply not designed for reading aloud.

How often I wished for a book that was a good story and reflected real children as it communicated a value.  This delightful new book by author Donalisa Helsley and illustrator Sarah Harkey, is both.   The story chronicles a day when two sisters of different ages cannot decide on a way to play together because they each want their own way.  At the lunch table with Mom and Dad, Mom guides the girls into thinking of ways to solve their own problem.

The Day No One Played Together communicates in clear kid-friendly language about the concept of compromise and does so within the frame work of a meaningful story kids will not just tolerant but enjoy!  

The artwork is soft but strong and clear without being too cute and recognizes the growing diversity of the homes of the 21st century in its depiction of a multiracial family group. Strongly recommended for kindergarten through third or fourth grade collections for storytime or family reading.

Available on Amazon