July 2019

With July, summer is in full swing and everyone should be relaxed and thoroughly enjoying all that the warm weather has to offer — like working on your tan. The first thing that comes to mind when you think about July is the 4th of July holiday. Say “Happy Birthday, U.S.A.” with a cook out or picnic, and enjoy some beautiful fireworks. America certainly knows how to throw a party, and we get in on the action with an issue filled with fun right from page 1! Settle in to your lounge chair and check out all the summer news while soaking up some rays.

The month starts off with a bang — literally. If you love fireworks, then Connecticut is the place to be with towns all over the state scheduled to have a show. See one, two or 10 to get your fireworks fix. While in the holiday mood fire up your grill for some mouth-watering treats. We share how you can turn ho-hum burgers into a festive feast with a few easy toppings. Kids can get into the party spirit, too, with some fun, patriotic crafts. There’s enough to keep your child busy for a while.

Summer time is a great time to go hiking as a family. With a little planning (and a few snacks) everyone will get in some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. Going on a hike is guaranteed to make your kids happy. And, happiness is contagious. Having a positive attitude can impact everyone around you — a good kind of peer pressure. Something else that has a lasting benefit is music lessons. Learning the piano, guitar or some other musical instrument is more than just acquiring a great skill. It also boosts your child’s brain power. Flexible fingers equal a flexible mind.

With children busy with sports during the school year and the summer month, a leading advocacy group for sports injury prevention is urging parents and coaches to reevaluate safety protocols. Another thing that can cause stress is sending your child off to kindergarten on the first day of school. If you follow these simple guidelines, both you and your child will be prepared for a great sendoff. And before your child can participate in fall sports, and when enrolling in school, they have to visit the pediatrician. If you are looking for a pediatrician for your child, we have tips to assist you in the selection process.

Kids in grades 5-8 might be reluctant readers, especially in the summer. The Prosser Public Library has some great titles that will spark their interest and keep kids reading this month. And, if you’re looking for some July jaunts that are jammin’, the Family Fun Calendar has just what you’re looking for. It’s all here – a month of family fun.

Happy Birthday, America! Let’s get the party started!