Rumpelstiltskin

The London Children's Ballet presents a full length classical ballet of Rumpelstiltskin with 58 dancers aged 9-15, a live orchestra and helpful captions to guide viewers through the story.
Rumpelstiltskin is one of the most popular tales by the brother's Grimm. The fairytale begins with a pompous Milliner who boasts to the King that his daughter can turn hay into gold. Of course, the daughter fails but Rumpelstiltskin comes to her rescue by turning the hay into a glittering pile of gold. But in return, he demands that she give him he first born child. Years later, Rumpelstiltskin returns to collect his reward...

Little Mermaid

A mischievous young mermaid takes us on the adventure of a lifetime when she willingly gives up her freedom of life in the sea to become human, gain an immortal soul, and win the heart of a handsome young Prince.  But it will take all of her courage, selflessness, and determination to make her dreams come true by defeating a sneaky sea witch, her devious sea wraith companion, while saving two kingdoms in the process.

THE SNOW MAIDEN Ballet

Act I. The Forest: Deep in the frozen forest lives Father Frost and his beautiful daughter, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden. One day, Misgir, son of a nobleman, accompanied by his fiancée Coupava, comes to the very glade where they live. The Snow Maiden sees that a very special bond exists between Misgir and Coupava, a bond that she has never known. The Snow Maiden loves Father Frost and her friends in the forest, but she is now experiencing a different love; that of a man for a woman. Father Frost warns her that she must not befriend the humans, that only trouble can come from such a friendship. But her mind is set, and she decides to go in search of Misgir.

Act II. The Winter Festival in the Village: At the edge of the city, the townspeople are celebrating the winter festival. One of the young men discovers the Snow Maiden and asks her to join them. Everyone is captivated by her innocence. Coupava and Misgir arrive. The villagers are overjoyed as everyone knows that this is the eve of their wedding, and they are anxious to celebrate. The Snow Maiden approaches Misgir. Annoyed, Coupava leads him away. The crowd disperses. The Snow Maiden is left alone, happy that she has once again caught a glimpse of her beloved Misgir.

Act III. The Wedding in the Czar's Palace: The wedding of Coupava and Misgir is to take place in the czar's palace. The bride, groom, and their parents anxiously await the arrival of the Czar. The Snow Maiden, already weakened by the warmth of her love, enters looking for Misgir. He looks into her eyes, and he realizes she is deeply in love with him. Dazed by what has happened, Coupava and the wedding guests leave. Feeling the warmth of spring sunlight and the love in her heart, the Snow Maiden begins to melt away in the arms of Misgir.

Ballet "La Traviata"

ACT I

Violetta Valéry knows that she will die soon, exhausted by her restless life as a courtesan. At a party she is introduced to Alfredo Germont, who has been fascinated by her for a long time. Rumor has it that he has been enquiring after her health every day. The guests are amused by this seemingly naïve and emotional attitude, and they ask Alfredo to propose a toast. He celebrates true love, and Violetta responds in praise of free love. She is touched by his candid manner and honesty. Suddenly she feels faint, and the guests withdraw. Only Alfredo remains behind and declares his love. There is no place for such feelings in her life, Violetta replies. But she gives him a camellia, asking him to return when the flower has faded. He realizes this means he will see her again the following day. Alone, Violetta is torn by conflicting emotions—she doesn’t want to give up her way of life, but at the same time she feels that Alfredo has awakened her desire to be truly loved.
ACT II

Violetta has chosen a life with Alfredo, and they enjoy their love in the country, far from society. When Alfredo discovers that this is only possible because Violetta has been selling her property, he immediately leaves for Paris to procure money. Violetta has received an invitation to a masked ball, but she no longer cares for such distractions. In Alfredo’s absence, his father, Giorgio Germont, pays her a visit. He demands that she separate from his son, as their relationship threatens his daughter’s impending marriage. But over the course of their conversation, Germont comes to realize that Violetta is not after his son’s money—she is a woman who loves unselfishly. He appeals to Violetta’s generosity of spirit and explains that, from a bourgeois point of view, her liaison with Alfredo has no future. Violetta’s resistance dwindles and she finally agrees to leave Alfredo forever. Only after her death shall he learn the truth about why she returned to her old life. She accepts the invitation to the ball and writes a goodbye letter to her lover. Alfredo returns, and while he is reading the letter, his father appears to console him. But all the memories of home and a happy family can’t prevent the furious and jealous Alfredo from seeking revenge for Violetta’s apparent betrayal.

At the masked ball, news has spread of Violetta and Alfredo’s separation. There are grotesque dance entertainments, ridiculing the duped lover. Meanwhile, Violetta and her new lover, Baron Douphol, have arrived. Alfredo and the baron battle at the gaming table and Alfredo wins a fortune: lucky at cards, unlucky in love. When everybody has withdrawn, Alfredo confronts Violetta, who claims to be truly in love with the baron. In his rage Alfredo calls the guests as witnesses and declares that he doesn’t owe Violetta anything. He throws his winnings at her. Giorgio Germont, who has witnessed the scene, rebukes his son for his behavior. The baron challenges his rival to a duel.
ACT III

Violetta is dying. Her last remaining friend, Doctor Grenvil, knows that she has only a few more hours to live. Alfredo’s father has written to Violetta, informing her that his son was not injured in the duel. Full of remorse, Germont has told his son about Violetta’s sacrifice. Alfredo wants to rejoin her as soon as possible. Violetta is afraid that he might be too late. The sound of rampant celebrations are heard outside while Violetta is in mortal agony. But Alfredo does arrive and the reunion fills her with a final euphoria. Her energy and exuberant joy of life return. All sorrow and suffering seem to have left her—a final illusion, before death claims her.

Flames of Paris Ballet

Act I
Scene 1
A suburb of Marseilles, the town which gave its name to the French National anthem. Through the forest a large group of people are on the move. This is the battalion of the Marseillais who are on their way to Paris. A cannon which they are taking with them indicates their intentions. Among the men of Marseilles is Philippe.

It is by the cannon that Philippe makes the acquaintance of the peasant girl Jeanne. He kisses her on parting. Jeanne’s brother, Jerome, longs to join the Marseillais.

In the distance is the castle of the Marquis Costa de Beauregard, the local seigneur. Hunters are returning to the castle, among whom are the Marquis and his daughter, Adeline.

The ’noble’ Marquis makes advances to the pretty peasant girl, Jeanne. The latter tries to free herself from his pawing, but only manages to do so with the help of Jerome, who comes to hissister’s defense.

Jerome is beaten up by the hunters from the Marquis’s suite, and thrown into a prison cellar. Adeline, who has observed the scene, frees Jerome, and in their hearts a mutual feeling for each other is born. The sinister, old woman Jarcasse, who has been employed by the Marquis to keep an eye on his daughter, informs her adored master of the escape. The Marquis slaps his daughter and orders her to get into a carriage, accompanied by Jarcasse. They are going to Paris.

Jerome bids farewell to his parents. It is not safe for him to remain on the Marquis’s estate. He and Jeanne go off with a detachment of the Marseillais. Their parents are inconsolable.

Volunteers are enrolling in the detachment. Together with the crowd, the men of Marseilles dance a farandola. The men put on red caps in place of their old headwear. Jerome is given a gun by the leader of the insurgents, Gilbert. Jerome and Philippe ’harness’ themselves to the cannon. The detachment moves off to Paris to the strains of the Marseillaise.

Scene 2
The sound of the Marseillaise gives way to an elegant minuet. The royal palace. The Marquis and Adeline have arrived here. The Master of Ceremonies announces the start of the ball.

Rinaldo and Armida, a court ballet, with the Paris stars Mireille de Poitiers and Antoine Mistral:
Sarabande — Armida and her friends. Armida’s forces return from a campaign. Prisoners are led in. Among them is Prince Rinaldo.
Amour aims an arrow at the hearts of Armida and Rinaldo. Variation — Amour. Armida frees Rinaldo.
Pas de deux Rinaldo and Armida.
The phantom of Rinaldo’s bride appears. Rinaldo abandons Armida and sails off in a boat after the phantom. Armida conjures up a storm. Waves cast Rinaldo onto the seashore, he is surrounded by furies.
Dance — Furies. Rinaldo falls dead at Armida’s feet.

King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette make their entrance. Greetings, oaths of loyalty and toasts to the prosperity of the monarchy follow.

The tipsy Marquis chooses the Actress as his next ’victim’, and starts to ’court’ her in the same way as he had Jeanne, the peasant girl. The strains of the Marseillaise are heard from the street. The courtiers and officers panic. Making use of this, Adeline escapes from the palace.

Act II
Scene 3
A square in Paris, into which the men of Marseilles march, among whom are Philippe, Jerome and Jeanne. A shot from their cannon is to give the signal for the start of the assaulton the Tuileries.

Suddenly, in the square, Jerome catches sight of Adeline. He rushes over to her. The sinister, old woman Jarcasse spies on their meeting.

In the meantime, in honor of the arrival of the detachment of men from Marseilles, a barrel of wine is rolled out into the square. Dances get underway: the Auvergne dance gives way to theMarseillaise dance, then the temperamental dance of the Basques starts up, in which all the chief characters take part: Jeanne, Philippe, Adeline, Jerome and Gilbert, the captain of the Marseillais.

In the crowd, flushed with wine, petty brawls break out here and there. Stuffed dolls of Louis and Marie Antoinette are torn to pieces. Jeanne with a spear in her hands dances the carmagnole to the singing of the crowd. Philippe, who is drunk, lights the fuse, there is volley of cannon fire, after which the crowd dashes off to storm the Tuileries.

Against a background of shots being fired and the beating of drums, Adeline and Jerome declare their love for each other. They are oblivious to what is going on around them.

The Marseillais break into the palace. They are led by Jeanne, waving a flag. Fighting. The palace is taken.

Scene 4
The crowd fills the square which is decorated with lanterns. Members of the Convention and new government mount the tribune.

The crowd rejoices. The famous artists, Mireille de Poitiers and Antoine Mistral, who before had entertained the king and his courtiers, now perform the Freedom dance for the people. The new dance is little different to the old, only now, the actress holds the Republican flag in her hands. Artist David is sketching the celebration.

By the cannon, from which the first volley had been fired, the President of the Convention unites the hands of Jeanne and Philippe. These are the first young newly weds of the new Republic

The sound of Jeanne and Philippe’s betrothal dance gives way to the muffled thuds of the falling knife of the guillotine.

The condemned Marquis is led in. Seeing her father, Adeline rushes over to him, but Jerome, Jeanne and Philippe beg her not to give herself away. In order to revenge the Marquis, Jarcasse betrays Adeline, revealing her true origins. Roused to fury, the crowd demands her death. Beside himself with despair, Jerome tries to save Adeline, but to no avail. She is guillotined. Frightened for their lives, Jeanne and Philippe restrain the struggling Jerome.

The celebration continues. To the strains of Ca ira, the triumphant populace moves downstage towards the audience.

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio By Peg Kehret quiz and answers

Who is the author of 'Small Steps: The
Year I Got Polio"? Peg Kehret cover
What did Peg know about polio before
she got it?
It killed or crippled thousands of people,
mainly children, each year.
Chapter
1
How many cases of polio were reported
in the US in 1949? 42,033 Chapter 1
How old was Peg Schulze when she got
polio? twelve Chapter 1
Where did Peg live when she got polio? Austin, Minnesota Chapter 1
In what month did Peg start having
symptoms of polio? September Chapter 1
What did Peg not want to miss on the the
day she started having symptoms? The Homecoming Parade Chapter 1
What time did the Homecoming Parade
start? 4:00 PM Chapter 1
What grade was Peg in when she got
polio? 7th Chapter 1
What was Peg's last class before lunch? chorus Chapter 1
What song was Peg's chorus practicing
for the Homecoming parade?
The lyrics on the inscription on the Statue
of Liberty Chapter 1
What was the first symptom Peg felt of
polio? A twitching muscle in her left thigh Chapter 1
What happened when Peg walked toward
her locker? She collapsed--her legs gave out. Chapter 1
How many blocks did Peg have to walk
home? twelve Chapter 1
What other symptoms did Peg have? Sore throat, headache, hurting back, tired Chapter 1
What was Peg's temperature when her
mom took it? 102 Chapter 1
What was Peg's family doctor's name--
the one who ordered a spinal tap on her? Dr. Wright Chapter 1
What is supposed to happen when a
doctor hits your knee with a rubber
mallet? You leg is supposed to jerk (reflexes) Chapter 1
Where was the special hospital for polio
patients? Minneapolis Chapter 1
What magazine had Peg seen with
pictures of polio patients? Life Magazine Chapter 1
What organization raised money each
year to help polio patients and fund
research? The March of Dimes Chapter 1
When did polio epidemics usually happen
during the year? warm weather Chapter 1
To avoid contracting polio, what did
parents do with their children?
Kept them out of swimming pools and
crowded public places Chapter 1
How far was the special hospital from
Peg's home? one hundred miles Chapter 1
Who was BJ? Peg's dog Chapter 1
What prize did the 7th grade float win? second prize Chapter 1
What did Peg's grandpa do when she left
for the hospital that she had never seen
him do? cry Chapter 1
What was the name of the special
hospital in Minneapolis? Sheltering Arms Hospital Chapter 1
When Peg woke up on her first morning
at Sheltering Arms, what did she
discover? She was paralyzed from the neck down. Chapter 1
Chapter
2
What did Peg want to get, but couldn't
reach for, on the first morning at
Sheltering Arms? a glass of ice water Chapter 2
What is 'intercostal expansion'?
The muscles that expand the ribcage
when you breath Chapter 2
What was Peg's official diagnosis the
first day at Sheltering Arms Acute anterior poliomyelitis Chapter 2
Why were no visitors allowed in to see
Peg? They couldn't risk spreading the disease Chapter 2
After two days, what other symptoms
did Peg have, in addition to being
paralyzed? It was harder to breathe or swallow Chapter 2
What was another name for the
respirators people with polio were put
into to help them breathe? iron lung Chapter 2
What was the other hospital called--the
one with the iron lungs? University of Minnesota Hospital Chapter 2
How many kinds of polio did Peg have? three Chapter 2
What kind of hospital was Sheltering
Arms?
A rehabilitation center for polio patients
who are trying to regain the use of their
muscles Chapter 2
What bit Peg on the cheek because she
couldn't swat it? a mosquito Chapter 2
What is spinal polio? most common--paralysis in arms and legs Chapter 2
What is respiratory polio? difficulty breathing Chapter 2
What is bulbar polio?
most serious, most rare--impairs ability to
talk or swallow Chapter 2
What did they put Peg inside of so she
could breathe easier? An oxygen tent
chapter
3
How does an iron lung work?
Bellows pump air in and out of patient's
lungs chapter 3
How much older was Peg's brother, Art,
than she was? six chapter 3
What were Peg's two favorite dolls? Raggedy Ann and Marilyn chapter 3
What present did Art buy for Peg? a teddy bear chapter 3
Where did Art go to college? Carleton College chapter 3
How often did the nurse tell Peg she
could be turned in her bed? Every 30 minutes chapter 3
Why did Peg want to be turned so bad? her legs hurt chapter 3
Because of her fever, it was very
important for Peg to do what? drink lots of liquid chapter 3
What liquid was NOT allowed for bulbar
polio patients to drink? milk chapter 3
Why weren't bulbar polio patients
supposed to drink milk?
Milk creates phlegm (mucus) in the throat
and could make them choke chapter 3
What were bulbar polio patients not
supposed to eat? ice cream chapter 3
What was the only think Peg could eat or
drink and that finally made her
temperature drop? a chocolate milkshake chapter 3
How did Peg get the chocolate
milkshake? Her parents brought it into the hospital chapter 3
Who was Peg's favorite doctor at the
University Hospital? Dr. Bevis
chapter
4
What color hair did Dr. Bevis have? blonde chapter 4
What did they do with all Peg's
possessions she had in her first hospital
room? burned them so the virus wouldn't spread chapter 4
What did they do with the beds after
polio patients moved? sterilized them chapter 4
Who was Peg's first roommate in the
hospital? Tommy chapter 4
How old was Tommy? eight chapter 4
What was Peg embarrassed to do with a
boy in the room? Go to the bathroom in a bedpan chapter 4
What did Peg tell Dr. Bevis was the
worst thing about being paralyzed? Not being able to paint her toenails
chapter
5
What did Dr. Bevis do to Peg's toes? Painted them bright red chapter 5
What was the promise Peg made to Dr.
Bevis? She would come back and walk for him chapter 5
What knock knock joke did Peg make up
with the name 'Wendy'?`
Wendy toenails are painted, de patient
gets well chapter 5
What was Peg's favorite TV program? Lone Ranger chapter 5
How were Peg and Tommy able to listen
to the Lone Ranger? They brought in a small portable radio chapter 5
What time did The Lone Ranger come on
TV? six-thirty chapter 5
What was the call the Lone Ranger made
to his horse? Hi-yo Silver! Awaay! chapter 5
Who was the Lone Ranger's companion? Tonto chapter 5
What did Tommy call Peg? Kemo Sabe chapter 5
What does Kemo Sabe mean? faithful friend chapter 5
What were the medical treatments that
first helped polio patients? Sister Kenny treatments
chapter
6
Who was Sister Kenny?
An Australian nurse who started the
treatments of hot packs and then
stretching exercises to stretch muscles
back to normal chapter 6
What happens to polio patients' muscles
in the acute stage of polio, when they
have a fever? Muscle spasms tighten the muscles chapter 6
What is it called when patients do
exercises? physical therapy chapter 6
What did Mrs. Crab call Peg's first
physical therapist? Mrs. Crab chapter 6
What did Peg call physical therapy time? Torture Time chapter 6
How tall was Peg at the age of twelve? five foot eight chapter 6
What were the only movies Peg had ever
seen by the time she was twelve? Bambi and half of Snow White chapter 6
Why hadn't Peg seen all of Snow White?
She was afraid of the witch and they had
to leave chapter 6
When was the only other time Peg had
been away from her parents overnight? when she got her tonsils out chapter 6
Who watched Peg when they needed a
babysitter at home? Her grandpa chapter 6
How tall was Peg's school in Austin? three stories chapter 6
What did Peg want to be when she grew
up? Either a veterinarian or a writer chapter 6
How did Dr. Bevis convince Peg to do the
exercises?
He said if she did them, she would walk
again, but if she didn't, she probably
wouldn't chapter 6
What exciting thing happened to Peg on
October 1st? She scratched an itch
chapter
7
How long had Peg been paralyzed before
she was able to move a little? three weeks chapter 7
What could Peg do now that she was able
to have her bed cranked up to sitting
position? read books chapter 7
Why did Peg have to keep her feet flat
against a board at the foot of her bed?
To keep them from drooping forward
permanently (dropfoot) chapter 7
What happens to muscles if a nerve
center is destroyed?
The muscles controlled by that center are
paralyzed forever chapter 7
How did Peg get polio when she never
knew anyone with polio?
Many people had polio with very mild
symptoms, so they never knew they had it. chapter 7
How did BJ sign his get well card to Peg? a muddly paw print chapter 7
What did Peg's friend Karen want to do
at school?
Change the rules so girls could wear pants
to school chapter 7
What musical instrument did Peg play? piano chapter 7
What game did Peg play with Richard? Monopoly chapter 7
Why did Peg have to leave University
Hospital and go back to Sheltering
Arms?
University Hospital only treated acute
cases chapter 8
What did Peg leave for Tommy when she
left for Sheltering Arms? Her radio chapter 8
Why hadn't anyone visited Tommy? His family lived hundreds of miles away chapter 8
What room at Sheltering Arms did Peg
move into? Room 202 chapter 8
How many roommates did Peg have at
Sheltering Arms? four girls chapter 8
How old were Dorothy and Shirley? fourteen chapter 8
Why did Shirley have a double problem?
She had been born with arms that only
straightened halfway chapter 8
How old was Renee? twelve chapter 8
What had all Peg's roommates
experienced that she never had to? Been in an iron lung chapter 8
How old was Alice? thirteen chapter 8
How old was Alice when she first came to
Sheltering Arms? three chapter 8
What condition did Alice have with her
feet?
dropfoot -- her toes pointed permanently
down chapter 8
Why didn't Alice's parents want her?
They didn't want to take care of a
crippled child chapter 8
What happened to Alice when her
parents abandoned her?
She became a ward of the state and lived
permanently at Sheltering Arms chapter 8
What kind of home did Dorothy have
with her parents? A farm chapter 8
What did Peg's father do for a living? Sold meat for the Hormel Company chapter 8
What did Peg's mother do? She was a homemaker chapter 8
What did Peg's grandpa do for a living? Worked in a print shop, setting type chapter 8
Who was Peg's physical therapist at
Sheltering Arms? Miss Ballard chapter 8
What was the big difference between
Mrs. Crab and Miss Ballard?
Miss Ballard was careful not to cause real
pain during physical therapy chapter 9
What did Peg name her wheelchair? Silver chapter 9
What was the name of the Lone Ranger's
horse? Silver chapter 9
How often were visitors allowed at
Sheltering Arms? twice a week chapter 9
When were visiting hours at Sheltering
Arms?
Wednesday evenings and Sundays from
noon until four chapter 9
How long did it take to drive from Austin
to Sheltering Arms in Minneapolis? two hours chapter 9
What snack did Peg's parents bring on
their first visit that made all the girls
excited? potato chips chapter 9
What did the Usems get? A new car chapter 9
What did Mrs. Meany do? Opened an antiques shop chapter 9
What was Steve Gentle doing? Taking piano lessons chapter 9
How many times had Shirley's parents
come to visit her? twice in seven months chapter 9
How often did Dorothy's parents try to
come visit? Once a month chapter 9
What happened when Alice's brother
visited her?
He saw how ugly she was and never came
back chapter 9
What comic books did Renee ask for
Peg's parents to bring her? Little Lulu or Archie and Veronica chapter 9
What did Shirley ask Peg's parents to
bring for her? a bag of marshmallows chapter 9
What did Dorothy ask for Peg's parents
to bring for her? licorice chapter 9
What did Peg's parents bring for Alice? pink lipstick chapter 9
How old was Art? eighteen chapter 9
What had a sorority group elected Art? Campus Dreamboat chapter 9
Who gave Dorothy a bag of licorice? Art chapter 9
What was Peg's one birthday wish? To walk again
chapter
10
What did Dorothy and Renee give to Peg
for her birthday?
a bead bracelet they had made in
occupational therapy class
chapter
10
What did Alice give to Peg on her
birthday? A card she had made chapter 10
What were the names of the nurses at
Sheltering Arms? Willie and Terry chapter 10
What did Miss Ballard switch Peg to
instead of hot packs? hot baths chapter 10
What did they do in OT (occupational
therapy) room?
crafts and projects to strengthen their
muscles chapter 10
What was the name of the occupational
therapist? Jeanette chapter 10
What task did Jeanette give Peg to do? pick up marbles with her toes chapter 10
What did Peg make in OT? a coin purse chapter 10
What did Peg do right before
Thanksgiving? Stood up by herself
chapter
11
What did Peg want to do in Hawaii? The hula chapter 11
What is a hula?
A Hawaiian dance where dancers in grass
skirts sway their hips to music chapter 11
How are walking sticks different from
crutches?
They end below the elbow and have rings
of metal circles at the top chapter 11
Why did it take so long for the walking
sticks to arrive?
They had to be specially made to the right
height for each patient chapter 11
Why was using walking sticks helpful? It helped strengthen leg muscles chapter 11
Where were the walking sticks made? Canada chapter 11
What did Peg start doing every day once
she was able to get from the bed to the
wheelchair by herself? Read to the little kids chapter 11
What was Peg's favorite thing to do in
her wheelchair? pop wheelies chapter 11
What did Peg call the place under her
bed? a supermarket chapter 11
How was Peg able to reach and pull out
cookie containers from under her bed?
With the back scratcher Grandpa had
given her chapter 11
How did Miss Ballard describe Peg to Dr.
Bevis? An exemplary patient and very brave chapter 11
How long was Dorothy sick before her
parents could get her to the doctor when
she started having polio symptoms? Three days
chapter
12
Why weren't Renee and Shirley able to
start Kenny Treatments as quickly as
Peg? They had to be in an iron lung chapter 12
Why didn't Alice get Kenny treatments? They hadn't been used at all yet chapter 12
Who did Shirley miss?
Her Grandma who used to sing her to
sleep when she was little chapter 12
What kind of voice did Alice have? clear, strong, soprano chapter 12
How did Alice know so many songs?
She listened to the radio a lot for
entertainment chapter 12
What did Peg's parents ask for in
December?
Permission to take Peg home for an
overnight visit chapter 12
What kind of car did Peg's parents
drive? A green Oldsmobile chapter 12
Why couldn't Peg stay upright in the
back seat of the car?
Seatbelts hadn't been used yet in
passenger cars chapter 12
Why was it difficult for Peg to get into
her house through the front door? There were two steps in front chapter 12
What did Peg's mom make for dinner on
the night she came home to visit?
macaroni and cheese, green beans,
Waldorf salad, and cream puffs for
dessert chapter 12
What did Peg always ask for on
birthdays or special occasions to eat for
dessert? cream puffs chapter 12
What embarrassed Peg when she visited
home?
Needing help to get out of her wheelchair
and onto the toilet chapter 12
Where did Peg sleep when she visited
home? On a cot in the living room chapter 12
What did Peg discover when she tried to
play piano when she visited hom?
Her foot could not long work the sustain
pedal chapter 12
What kind of instrument did Peg have to
learn to play in Occupational Therapy? an accordion chapter 13
Why did Peg hate the accordion?
It was heavy and awkward, and pushing it
in and out made her arms ache chapter 13
Why didn't Peg's dad use sheet music
when he played piano? He played by ear chapter 13
What did Peg's dad learn to play on the
accordion? Beer Barrel Polka chapter 13
How did Peg's dad learn to play Beer
Barrel Polka on the accordion so well so
fast?
He rented one from the music store and
practiced til midnight every night chapter 13
Why couldn't Shirley sit up for more
than an hour at a time? She had a weak back chapter 13
Who was the teacher at Sheltering
Arms? Mrs. West chapter 13
What did Peg love at school at
Sheltering Arms that helped her write?
a desk that attached to the arms of the
wheelchair chapter 13
What adult books did Peg read that the
librarian at the Minneapolis Public
Library brought?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, War and
Peace, the Scarlet Letter chapter 13
How did Peg stay up with her classmates
at her regular school?
Her mom brought textbooks and weekly
assignments for her to do chapter 13
Why did Peg work so hard to teach
herself history and math?
She didn't want to be a grade behind her
friends chapter 13
Why was Sister Kenny called 'sister' if
she wasn't a Catholic Nun?
Sister is an Australian military term,
equivalent to first lieutenant in the US
Army chapter 13
In what war was Elizabeth Kenny
commissioned 'sister'? World War I chapter 13
How did Sister Kenny develop her
treatments?
In 1903 she put hot pieces of wet fabric
on a sick child to relieve her muscle
spasms chapter 13
Why did Sister Kenny know so much
about muscles?
Her brother's muscles were weak when he
was a child chapter 13
What was polio originally called? infantile paralysis chapter 13
What report did the Australian medical
officials publish in 1938 about Sister
Kenny's methods? That they were mistaken and unnecessary chapter 13
What did Sister Kenny do in 1940?
Left Australia and moved to Minnesota in
the United States chapter 13
What happened to Sister Kenny in
December, 1942?
The Sister Kenny Institute, a place where
they taught her theories and methods,
was dedicated in Minneapolis chapter 13
What did they do with polio patients
before Sister Kenny's treatments?
Put them in splints and casts to keep their
arms and legs straight chapter 13
What is the name of the cramp people
sometimes get in their legs? charley horse chapter 13
What happened to people's muscles
after they were in casts for a long time?
Their muscles withered (got weak) from
not being used chapter 13
How many steps did Peg take on the first
day of learning to use the walking sticks? ten
chapter
14
What did Peg give up after two weeks of
using the walking sticks? Silver -- her wheelchair chapter 14
What kind of songs made Peg feel lonely? Christmas carols chapter 15
What two groups came to Sheltering
Arms during Christmas time with clowns,
music, treats, and magicians? The Shriners and the Aqua Jesters chapter 15
What did Peg beg to do for Christmas?
Go home for two days - Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day chapter 15
What part did Peg play in the Christmas
play? Mary chapter 15
Who played Joseph in the Christmas
play? Kenny chapter 15
Who was the youngest actor in the
Christmas play? A 4 month old boy playing Jesus chapter 15
What did Alice do in the Christmas play? Sang a solo of Silent Night chapter 15
What was Peg's cue word to come out on
the stage during in the Christmas play? taxed chapter 15
What kind of shoes did Peg have to wear
to support her feet? saddle shoes chapter 15
Why did Peg need to try to walk on stage
as Mary without her sticks? There wasn't room to walk with them chapter 15
Who made a decree that all the world
should be taxed? Caesar Augustus chapter 15
What did Dorothy play int he Christmas
play? an angel
chapter
16
What did they use for gifts the wise
men brought for Jesus in the Christmas
play? decorated jewelry boxes chapter 16
How was Peg able to get upstairs to her
room when she visited home during
Christmas?
Art and her dad made a chair out of their
hands to carry her up and down chapter 16
Who else got Christmas passes to visit
home? Dorothy and Renee chapter 16
Who stayed at Sheltering Arms during
Christmas? Alice and Shirley chapter 16
Why couldn't Dorothy go home for
Christmas? She got pneumonia chapter 16
What did Peg's dad want to do with BJ
because he kept wanting to jump on Peg? Put him in the basement chapter 16
What was Peg disappointed about when
she got home?
They redecorated her room--it didn't feel
familiar and comfortable to her chapter 16
What did Dorothy get for Christmas?
A watch and a dress from her great aunt
in Montana chapter 16
What exciting news did Alice have about
her Christmas? Her uncle came to visit her chapter 16
What was 'Clutch'? The hospital newspaper chapter 16
What did Peg's mom want to do with her
toys and books? Donate them to the kids in the hospital chapter 16
Which dolls was Peg unwilling to donate
to the hospital?
her Raggedy dolls, Marilyn, and her Story
Book dolls chapter 16
Which books was Peg unwilling to donate? her Raggedy Ann books chapter 16
What book did Peg see a boy reading
that she wanted to grab from him? Donkey, Donkey chapter 16
What book did Miss Ballard put on Peg's
head?
The Birds of North America bird
identification book chapter 17
Why did Miss Ballard put a book on Peg's
head?
To teach her to stand straight by
balancing it chapter 17
What was the only fashion show Peg had
ever attended?
The mother daughter event at the
Methodist church chapter 17
What did Peg get to do in February? Go home for good chapter 17
What did the girls in room 202 tell Peg
they would miss when she went home? Her parents and her food chapter 17
Why did Peg have to go to University
Hospital before she went home for good? To walk for him chapter 17
What present did Peg's mom buy for Dr.
Bevis? A tie chapter 17
What did Peg do every morning once she
moved back home? exercised
chapter
18
What activity did Peg continue to do
order to strengthen her feet and leg
muscles? pick up marbles with her toes chapter 18
Why was it harder to walk with sticks at
home than at the hospital?
There was furniture and less room to
maneuver chapter 18
What did Peg's want to hear about when
they visited her? What it was like to have polio chapter 18
Why did Peg stop listening to the Lone
Ranger when she returned home?
Tonto and Silver belonged to a different
part of her life chapter 18
How was Dorothy able to move back
home even thought she wasn't able to
use braces?
Her brothers built her a ramp so she
could get in and out of the house with her
wheelchair chapter 18
Why did Peg feel safe and comfortable
with her friends at Sheltering Arms, and
sometimes want to go back?
Everyone there understood what it was
like to have polio chapter 18
What was Peg's first period class? English chapter 18
How did Peg sing differently in chorus
when she came back from Sheltering
Arms?
Her voice had improved, but she used her
stomach muscles rather than her
diaphragm chapter 18
How many months had Peg been gone
from home? seven chapter 18
How long did it take after she got home
for Peg to be able to walk without
sticks? one year
What did Peg do after graduating from
Austin High School? Wnet to the University of Minnesota
Who did Peg marry? Carl Kehret
What was Peg's maiden name? Schulze
What were Peg and Carl's kids' names? Anne and Bob
What does Peg Kehret like writing best? Books for young people
What does Peg still care a lot about and
include in her books a lot? animal welfare
What pets did Peg and Carl take with
them around the US in a motor home?
two cats (Pete and Molly) and a dog
(Daisy)
How many children, grandchildren, and
great grandchildren did Dorothy end up
with?
seven children, 18 grandchildren, 8 greatgrandchildren

What did Dorothy do until she retired?
Senior receptionist at the Courage Center
in Minneapolis - a rehab center for people
with physical disabilities
What did Renee write after she
graduated high school?
A weekly column in the local newspaper
and a history of her church
What did Alice do after she graduated
from high school?
Moved to a home for adults with
disabilities and was secretary for the
United Handicapped Federation in St.
Paul, Minnesota. She also sang in a church
choire
Which sibling did Alice reconnect with
and visit with until she died of cancer in
1993? Her brother
What happened to Shirley?
She died in 1955, five years after Peg left
Sheltering Arms
Where did Peg's brother, Art, graduate
from college?
Carleton College, and Harvard Business
School
Where did Art work as executive vice
president? General Mills
How many children and grandchildren did
Art have? four children, seven grandchildren
Why didn't Peg visit Tommy when she
went to University Hospital to see Dr.
Bevis?
It wasn't visiting hours, and they were
strictly envorded
How was Peg able to find Dr. Bevis years
later?
A school librarian who read her book gave
birth to a premature baby and he was her
doctor. She told Peg where the hospital
was and she found his phone number
What kind of doctor did Dr. Bevis
become after he worked with polio
patients at the Sister Kenny Institute in
Minneapolis? a pediatrician
What was Miss Ballard's first name? Althea
What stuffed animal did Patricia of
Schenectady, New York have when she
was a freshman in college? A monkey named Jojo
What did they do with Jojo so Patricia
could keep him?
Cut his head off and washed it with
alcohol to steralize it. They burned his
blue and yellow body.
What kind of running race was polio
compared to? a marathon
Who invented the first polio vaccine? Dr. Jonas Salk
Who continued work on polio vaccines
and developed an oral one? Dr. Sabin
What did Jo Auchterlonie, a 5th grade
teacher in Wichita Kansas, do with her
students after they read Small Steps?
Had them spend half a day in a wheelchair
so they could feel what it would be like
What PBS special about polio was shown
in 1998? A Paralyzing Fear
What started happening to Peg 40 years
after she first had polio symptoms?
Muscle aches, foot cramps, back pain,
fatigue, and weakness in her arms and legs
returned----Post Polio Syndrome
What do many form polio patients have
to do when they get old?
Return to walking sticks, braces, and
wheelchairs
What does Peg's cane that she uses to
walk have on it? cat faces
Why doesn't Peg give school talks any
more? Because of fatigue and muscle pain
When Carl, Peg's husband, died in 2004,
how many years had they been married? forty-eight
What is Peg Kehret's hobbies?
READING, pumping her player piano,
browsing in antique shops
Where does Peg Kehret live now?
in a log house on 10 acres of forest near
Mount Ranier National Park in Washington
state.
How many grandchildren does Peg have? four
What kinds of animals live on Peg's
wildlife sanctuary? deer, elk, rabbits, and birds
What does Peg's son, Bob, do for a
career?
High school teacher and volleyball and
track coach
What does Peg's daugther, Anne, do for
a career? Gymnastics coach and Girl Scout leader
Who are Brett, Chelsea, Eric, and Mark? Peg's grandchildren
What is Peg most proud of in regard to
her book, Small Steps?
Many children say they appreciate their
own good health and loving families more
than they used to
What city was hardest hit in 1916 when
the first major US polio epidemic
occured? New York City

What did some communities do when
families with children fled New York
City?
Tried to keep them out because they
feared their own children would get sick

What United States president got polio
in 1921 and had to use a wheelchair? President Franklin D. Roosevelt

What is Hilltop Cottage?
The home President Roosevelt built in
Hyde Park, New York for his retirement

What was President Roosevelt's dog's
name? Fala

Who was Ruthie Bi?
The daugher of Hilltop Cottage's
caretakers.

Who was Ethel Bailey? Dr. Jonas Salk's research assistant

Where was Dr. Jonas Salk's laboratory
where he developed the polio vaccine?
The University of Pittsburgh, in
Pennsylvania

What kind of polio vaccine was Salk's? a killed-virus polio vaccine

Who funded Dr. Jonas Salk's research? The March of Dimes

What did 1.8 million children do in 1984? Took part in trials of the Salk vaccine

What were the children called who first
tested the Salk polio vaccine? Polio Pioneers

Who led the trials of the first polio
vaccine?
Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr. of the University
of Michigan

What did all the Polio Pioneer kids get
after they tested the vaccine? A tin button

When was the Salk vaccine pronounced
safe and effective? 4/12/1955

What kind of polio vaccine did Dr. Albert
Sabin develop? a live-virus vaccine

Where was Dr. Albert Sabin's
laboratory? at the Univesrity of Cinncinnati

What vaccine replaced the Salk polio
vaccine in 1962? Sabin's live-virus vaccine.

Why did Peg's mom destroy all the
pohots of her in her wheelchair or with
walking sticks?
She didn't want to remember that part of
her life.

What kind of necklace does Peg Kehret
own?
An award necklace with a charm for every
one of the 25 states where she's won the
Young Reader Award.

What stamp did the US Postal Service
issue in 1957?
A 3 cent stamp honoring those who helped
fight polio

What stamp was issued in 1999?
A 33 cent stamp entitled, "Polio Vaccine
Developed"

What stamps were issued in 2006?
63 cent stamps honoring Dr. Salk and Dr.
Sabin


What does a stone carving made around
1500 BCE show?
A man named Ruma, a gatekeeper, at an
Egyptian temple, leaning on a staff. He has
dropfoot.

In what year was the first clinical
description written about polio? 1789 by a British physician

What diseases got more attention than
polio until the big epidemic? diphtheria and smallpox

Why did a German doctor call polio
'infantile paralysis' in 1840? Victims were often children

Where was the first recorded polio
epidemic in the late 1800's? Scandinavia

Where were 44 cases of polio reported
in the United States in 1894? Vermont

How many cases of polio were reported
in the United States in 1916? twenty seven thousand

How many deaths were reported in 1916
from polio? six thousand

What is polio caused by? A virus

How were babies protected even when
they were infected?
They were still protected by their
mother's antibodies and their immune
systems were stimulated, so their
symptoms were mild and they developed
lifelong protection against polio

What are antibodies?
substanced produced by the body's
immune system that destroy bacteria and
viruses.

Why did children get polio more once
sanitation improved?
They were exposed when they were older,
so they didn't have their mother's
antibodies

What did they capture and kill in New
York City in 1916? 72 thousand stray cats

Why did some people only let their
children play outside at night, in the
dark?
They thought sunshine made children
more vulnerable to polio

What part of the body does the
poliovirus attack? Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord

How old was Franklin Delano Roosevelt
when he was diagnosed with polio in
1921? thirty-nine
o
Where did President Roosevelt go for
rehabilitation? Warm Springs, a spa in Georgia


What exercise made President Roosevelt
stronger? swimming

What did Franlklin Roosevelt and his
partner, Basil O'Connor do in 1926?
Bought WArm Springs spa and made it
into a nonprofit foundation for polio
survivors

What did Franklin Roosevelt do in 1928? Ran for governor of New York

How many terms did Roosevelt serve as
President of the United States? four

What great things did Roosevelt do as
president?
Led the United States to victory in World
War II and out of the Great Depression

Why didn't Roosevelt lik photographs of
him in his wheelchair?
People thought disabled people were weak
and unable to contribute to society

What did Roosevelt use when he gave
speeches? high-high leg braces and a can

What did Warm Springs Foundation do
to raise money?
Held Birthday Balls in eight cities on
Roosevelts birthday, January 30, 1934

What foundation did President Roosevelt
establish in 1938?
The National Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis

Who coined the phrase, March of Dimes? Eddie Cantor, an entertainer

What did Eddie Cantor encourage people
to do? Send bags of dimes to the White House

Who starred in the movie, Sister Kenny,
in 1946? Rosalind Russel

What did a group of women in Phoenix
Arizona organize in 1950? A Mother's March on Polio

What did they tell people to do if they
wanted to contribute money to fight
polio during the Mother's March in
Phoenix? Turn on their porch light at 7 o'clock

How much money did they raise during
the first national Mother's March on
Polio? $45,000

What did Peg Kehret and her mom do, a
year after she came home from the
hospital?
Marched in the Mother's March to collect
money for polio research

What was the worst year for polio, with
57,879 cases? 1952

How does the poliovirus get into a
person's body?
Through the mouth, into the digestive
system, then to the bloodstream, and
finally to the nervous system

What is the principal of immunization?
Inject a small amount of a disease to
stimulate the body's immune system to
produce antibodies to fight it. Create
enough antibodies without creating a
severe form of the disease.

What did they test the polio vaccine on
first, before people? monkeys

What did three scientists in Boston
discover how to do with the poliovirus?
Grow it in test tubes instead of live
monkeys so they could make enough
vaccine

Who were John F. Enders, Frederick C.
Robbins, and Thomas H. Weller?
The scientists who invented growing
poliovirus in test tubes, and the winners
of the 1954 Nobel Prize in Medicine

What did Dr. Jonas Salk do with this
polio vaccine that showed how confident
he was of its safety and effectiveness?
Injected himself, his wife, and his three
sons before he gave it to the public

When did President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt die? 4/12/1945

When did they do the field trial for the
polio vaccine? spring and summer of 1954

By how many years did Peg miss the polio
vaccine? six years


What did Jonas Salk say when people
asked him who owned the patent on his
vaccine?
"There is no patent. Could you patent the
sun?"

Within two years of Salk's polio vaccine,
polio cases in the United States
droppped by what percent? 80%

When was Dr. Sabin's live-virus oral
vaccine ready to test?
1959, five years after Dr. Salk's
successful trial

Where was Sabin's vaccine trial held? Russia

How many in Russia were vaccinated with
Sabin's vaccine? 10 million

Why was Salk's injected killed virus
vaccine replaced with Sabin's oral, livevirus
vaccine in 1962? It was cheaper and easier to administer

What did both Salk and Sabin NOT do
which showed how good they were?
They didn't patent their vaccine. They
made it available for the public good.

When was the last case of naturally
occuring poio in the United States? 1979


Why did the US start using Salk's
injected inactivated virus vaccine again
in 2000?
In 1998 a group of parents whose children
contracted poilo by GETTING the vaccine
and not being strong enough to produce
antibodies petitioned the Centers for
Disease Control to stop the use of the live
virus

What is the CDC (Center for Disease
Control)?
A government agency responsible for
preventing infectious and chronic diseases


What did Rotary International, a service
organization, do in 1985?
Made worldwide eradication of polio its
top goal and raised millions of dollars to
buy vaccine and distribute it all over the
world

What four organizations now work
together to eradicate polio?
1) Rotary International, 2) World
Health Organization 3) United Nations
International Children's Emergency Fund
4) Centers for Disease Control

Where did they vaccinate 150 million
children in one day in 2001? India

Where were 90% of the polio cases
reported in 2005? Nigeria, India, and Pakistan

Why is it hard to distribute and
admininster the polio vaccine around the
world?
It has to be kept cold and some areas of
the world don't have refrigeration

A Christmas Carol Ballet

A Christmas Carol Scenario
Prologue
Marley is dead. Seven years before our story begins Scrooge is seen, as a solitary mourner, at the funeral of his business partner Jacob Marley. It is the finality of Marley's death which gives meaning to all the events that follow.

Act 1
In a street in the old city of London, on Christmas Eve, shoppers hurry to buy last minute Christmas presents. Outside the counting house where Ebeneezer Scrooge and the late Jacob Marley have made their money, carol singers arrive collecting for the poor.

Scrooge's clerk, the warm-hearted Bob Cratchit joins them but the re-appearance of Scrooge signals an abrupt end to the festivities.

Inside the counting house Bob Cratchit shivers and suffers under the tyranny of his stoney-hearted master. Even the arrival of Scrooge's affable nephew and his wife has no effect on the embittered and miserly old man.

At the end of the working day Scrooge reluctantly gives his clerk permission to leave but as Scrooge returns to his lodgings he has a disconcerting experience.

In the meantime Bob Cratchit, on his journey home, meets some workmen at Cornhill and stops to join in a light hearted game before hurrying back to his wife and family.

While Scrooge is finishing his lonely supper of gruel the ghost of his dead colleague, Jacob Marley, appears with a terrible warning.

Scrooge will be condemned to endless torment as a phantom unless he changes his selfish and meaningless way of life. Scrooge buries his head in his pillows to escape the fearful sight.

Act 2
The Ghost of Christmas Past appears and takes Scrooge back to a Christmas of many years ago, to a party in the counting house of Fezziwig & Family, his first employer.

The same party where his first love, Belle, was to tell him that she would not be his wife for he had a greater love than her, ‘I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you.’

Scrooge becomes distressed as he discovers he is powerless to undo the mistakes he made as a young man. He can bear no more and covers the light of the Ghost – the scene fades into darkness.

He is comforted by the Ghost of Christmas Present who leads him to the Cratchit household, ‘They were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented.’

Scrooge is affected by the warmth and love that illuminates the home as Tiny Tim sings a Christmas Song.

The happy family move off with the Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge is unable to follow.

He is left with only the phantoms, who grow more powerful.

Act 3
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leads Scrooge back to the Cratchit home where he finds the family grieving for the loss of their beloved son, Tiny Tim.

Another vision of the future shows three hags ransacking the bedroom of a corpse. Dark scenes crowd on each other as the dead man's effects are disposed of at a grim auction. Finally Scrooge sees the Angel of Death approaching with a tombstone and realises, with horror, that it is his own.

As he throws himself at the headstone it dissolves and he finds himself in his own bed on Christmas morning. There is still time to change!

I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future!’ Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions … the shadows of the things that would have been, may be dispelled. They will be. I know they will!
He dresses frantically and sets off into the streets to prepare for an enormous Christmas feast.

Children and passers-by are all enlisted into helping to bring the best that money can buy and soon a dazzling array of food is assembled for the arrival of the guests of honour – the Cratchit Family.

As Scrooge welcomes them to his party the first flakes of snow begin to fall and the street becomes the scene of a joyful celebration.

Scrooge's journey is complete. The embittered and maligned old man has found the generosity of spirit to regain his lost humanity and to share in the love of his fellow man.

The story ends with an affirmation of peace on earth to all men.

‘God Bless Us, Every One!’

Sleeping Beauty Ballet

The ballet would be based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood". Tchaikovsky was very happy this story had been chosen. It was set in the age of Louis XIV. He would have the chance to write music in the Baroque style.


Together, the Prince and the Lilac Fairy's magic defeat the evil Carabosse. The Prince awakens Aurora with a kiss and the spell is broken. The whole kingdom celebrates the wedding of Prince Désiré and Princess Aurora. 

Paquita ballet complete

Paquita, a ballet in two acts and three  scenes, tells the story of Paquita, rescued from a  massacre as a child by gypsies, who, years later,  while travelling and dancing with the gypsy  band, returns to her home in the Spanish valley  town of Saragossa, and is subsequently reunited  with her family. These divertissements, from  Act II, Scene II, are performed at a ball at the  home of the Comte d'Hervilly (Paquita's  uncle).

Swan Lake Ballet

Swan Lake Op. 20, is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular of all ballets. The scenario, initially in two acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.

Tchaikovsky' Nutcracker Ballet

0:00 Ouverture 1:43 Christmas tree 5:13 March 7:40 Children's gallop and dance of the parents 10:00 Drosselmeyer 14:23 Dance of the grandfather Waltz 18:38 Clara and the nutcracker 21:26 Battle 23:55 Pine forest in winter 28:17 Waltz of snowflakes 35:02 Magic castle in the land of sweets 38:52 Clara and the prince 43:53 Chocolate 45:07 Coffee 48:33 Tea 49:35 Candy canes (Trepak) 50:48 Dance of the reed flutes 53:08 Polichinelles 55:43 Waltz of the flowers 63:04 Pas de deux 68:05 Tarantella (variation I) 69:05 Dance of the sugar plum fairy (variation II) 71:13 Coda 72:41 Apotheosis and final waltz

115-million-year-old dinosaur footprint smash by vandals

Vandals used a hammer to smash a 115-million-year-old three-toed dinosaur footprint in a national park in Australia. Park rangers at the Bunurong Marine Park discovered the damage to the theropod footprint while taking a school group on a tour.

The one-foot wide print was found in 2006 and deliberately left in place to allow visitors to see it in its natural state in one of the world’s few ice-age dinosaur sites.

The identity of the culprits and the possible motive remain unknown, but it appears the vandals were familiar with the footprint.

Broken fragments of the print were found on the surrounding rock platform in which it is embedded.

Palaeontologists made a silicon rubber mould of the print after it was discovered. It is hoped that technicians will be able to restore the print.

The national park, east of Melbourne,  was once roamed by at least six different types of carnivorous dinosaurs.

Thousands of bones and teeth of small dinosaurs and ancient mammals, birds and fish have been discovered since the first items were found there in 1991.

Authorities have appealed to the public for any information about the vandals.


Vandals took a hammer to the ancient dinosaur footprint in Australia, with officials slamming the "sad and callous" act CREDIT:  AFP

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/20/vandals-use-hammer-smash-115-million-year-old-dinosaur-footprint/

Reindeer Chow

Reindeer Chow


Prep: 25 min - Microwave: 1 min - Chill: 20 min

Snack Mix Ingredients:

5 cups sweetened corn & oat honeycomb-shaped cereal or cereal squares
2 cups thin pretzel sticks, broken in half
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (11.5-ounce) package (1 1/2 cups) real milk chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup red and green candy-coated milk chocolate candies

Storage Ingredients:

2 (1-gallon size) resealable plastic food bags

Combine cereal and pretzels in 4-quart bowl; set aside.

Place butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving until butter and chocolate are melted (15 to 45 seconds). Stir until smooth.

Immediately pour chocolate mixture over cereal in bowl; stir until well coated. Spread mixture evenly into single layer on two waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate 20 minutes to set.

Break into bite-sized pieces; place half of mixture in each plastic food bag. Pour 1/2 cup powdered sugar into each bag; seal bags. Shake bags until mixture is well coated. Place 1/2 cup candies in each bag. Seal bags; gently shake bags to distribute candies. Store mixture in sealed bags or airtight container in refrigerator up to 4 weeks.

For longer storage, freeze in airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bags up to 2 months.

Makes 10 cups 

Variations of Marble Bark

Marble Bark

1 package (6 squares) Bittersweet Baking Chocolate Squares or 6 squares Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
1 package (6 squares)  White Baking Chocolate
1 cup toasted chopped nuts or Flake Coconut, toasted, divided


Microwave bittersweet and white chocolates in separate medium microwavable bowls on HIGH 2 minutes or until chocolates are almost melted, stirring halfway through heating time. Stir until chocolates are completely melted.

Stir 1/2 cup of the nuts into each bowl. Alternately spoon melted chocolates onto wax paper-lined cookie sheet or tray. Swirl chocolates together with knife to marbleize.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

Makes about 1 pound or 6 to 8 servings

Variations:
BITTERSWEET Chocolate Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, omitting white chocolate. Use 2 packages (12 squares)  Bittersweet Chocolate or 1 package (8 squares)  Semi-Sweet Chocolate and 4 squares  Unsweetened Chocolate.

GERMAN Sweet Chocolate Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, omitting white chocolate. Use 3 packages (4 ounces each)  German's Sweet Chocolate.

SEMI-SWEET Chocolate Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, omitting white chocolate. Use 1-1/2 packages (12 squares) Semi-Sweet Chocolate.

CHOCOLATE Peanut Butter Marble Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, stirring 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter into melted white chocolate.

CHOCOLATE Mint Marble Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, omitting nuts and stirring 5 to 7 drops green food coloring and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract into melted white chocolate.

CHOCOLATE Peppermint Bark: Prepare Bark as directed, omitting white chocolate and nuts. Use 1-1/2 packages (12 squares)  Semi-Sweet Chocolate. Stir in 1 cup crushed peppermint candies.

Chocolate Caramel Walnut Fudge

Chocolate Caramel Walnut Fudge

Prep Time: 10 minutes

3 cups (18 oz.) semisweet chocolate pieces
1 (14-oz.) can Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1 cup chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract


In saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate pieces with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts, caramel topping and vanilla.

Spread evenly into foil-lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm.

Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares.

Makes about 2 pounds

Holiday Favorite Pecan Pralines

Pecan Pralines

2 cups, packed brown sugar
2/3 cup half and half
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup pecans
12 halves pecans


In a 2 quart saucepan, combine sugar, half and half and corn syrup. Stir over moderate heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Reduce heat; cover, cook 5 minutes to dissolve any sugar crystals on sides of pan. Uncover; boil 238 degrees on candy thermometer (soft ball stage). Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Cool to lukewarm. Beat with a spoon until mixture thickens and begins to lose its gloss. Stir in the 3/4 cup pecans. Drop mixture into 12 mounds onto waxed paper. Top each with a large pecan piece. Let stand until set.

Makes 12 pralines

Ritz Mock Apple Pie

The classic pie, featuring Ritz crackers baked in a golden crust,
is perfect for the holidays.

Pastry for two-crust 9-inch pie
36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1 3/4 cups crumbs)
1 3/4 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Grated peel of one lemon
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


1. Roll out half the pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate. Place
cracker crumbs in prepared crust; set aside.

2. Heat water, sugar and cream of tartar to a boil in saucepan
over high heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and peel;
cool.

3. Pour syrup over cracker crumbs. Dot with margarine or butter;
sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll out remaining pastry; place over pie.
Trim, seal and flute edges. Slit top crust to allow steam to escape.

4. Bake at 425 F for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is crisp
and golden. Cool completely.

Makes 10 servings

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION per serving
413 calories, 3 g protein, 63 g carbohydrate, 17 g total fat,
3 g saturated fat, 339 mg sodium, 0 g dietary fiber.

Preparation Time: 45 mins.
Cook Time: 30 mins.
Cooling Time: 3 hrs.
Total Time: 4 hrs. 15 mins.

This recipe created by Nabisco.

Mock Pineapple .. faux pineapple ... diet pineapple... zucchini pineapple

Yes! Finally a way to justify eating ham and pineapple pizza, it's just zucchini.

A lot of people are swapping Christmas recipes on the trim healthy mama messageboards. I am seeing so many ham and faux pineapple recipes. We've eaten many zucchini's on this plan as a family and I'm surprised I've not come across this one yet.

Seems simple. Pineapple juice concentrate, zucchini's cut into chunks, sweetener, and lemon juice. All  you do is combine everything and simmer. You do can these so you might want to make them ASAP if you're planning on using the faux pineapples for New Years Eve.

6 cups unsweetened pineapple juice (reconstituted from frozen)
1 gallon zucchini, coarsely chopped
3 cups sugar
1 1⁄2 cups lemon juice

Combine pineapple juice, zucchini, sugar, and lemon juice in a non-reactive (not aluminum or cast-iron) pot.
Simmer 20 minutes.
Hot-pack in sterilized pint jars, carefully wipe off the edges of the jar and attach seal.
Process in a pressure cooker at 10 pounds pressure for 30 minutes.
After cooker has depressurized, remove jars to a wire rack and let sit, undisturbed 24 hours.

Use it in salads, salsas, desserts, or other recipes calling for crushed or chunk pineapple.

This makes a lot, so you may wish to cut the recipe in half unless you have a lot of zucchini you need to do something with. About 8 16 oz. jars.

(Most people prefer this type of pineaplpe used IN something, rather than eaten on its own out of the jar.)

Arm Cast Application

http://www.casttoo.com/Casttoo.com/Welcome.html


::KNOCK ON WOOD::

I've never had a kid with a broken bone, but I came across this website on Pinterest and I had to share it on the blog.
If you have a cast you can get a custom design. I think that's pretty cool. Starting at $10 for a small, $15 for medium, and 20 for a large cast.

Here is an application video of how to apply a short arm fiberglass cast

https://youtu.be/OipZa7zZ2Vc

Let's watch some Documentaries

http://documentaryheaven.com/category/educational/


I know some of you parents are ready for 2018. The burnout is real! The snow a lot of us had the other day is a sign from the Homeschooling Wizard- that we've been moving along and we need to sit back and enjoy life more!

Well, that's how I'm taking it.

I stumbled upon this site, Documentary Heaven. Its hundreds of documentaries on various subjects.

CATEGORIES

911
Activist
Archaeology
Art and Artists
Atheism
Biographies
Business
Celebrity
Crime
Conference
Conspiracy
Countries
Drugs
Economics
Educational
Environment
Evolution
Gangs
Health
History
Human Rights
Lifestyle
Movies
Music
Mystery
Nature
News & Politics
Performing Arts
Philosophy
Preview Only
Psychology
Religion
Science
Society
Space
Spiritual
Sport & Adventure
Technology
War

If you come across a great one, comment below and we'll all check it out.

Christmas is a time for forgiveness

Christmas is a great time for forgiving. As you make of list of all the things you'd like to give your loved ones, Do you have a list of people you need to forgive in your heart? Forgiveness doesn't have to be a two way street, but if you have that spot open in your heart you'll allow an abundance of love to fill that hole.

This Christmas season has been a reminder that the most important gifts we can give to others, and to ourselves, are to forgive and let go.
Gifts like…
Forgive the mistakes you’ve made. Let go of the guilt so you don’t have to live in the past any longer.

Forgive the people who have hurt you. Let go of the pain so you can open your heart and welcome peace back in.

Forgive your body for the things you don’t like. Let go and free yourself of the idea you have to be perfect.

Forgiveness is not the balancing of karma; it is the setting aside of karma whereby you are given the freedom to make things right without that heavy burden of sin.


The law of forgiveness is also known as the law of containment whereby our misdeeds and debts to life are set aside temporarily until the soul has received enough knowledge of the law and has become strong enough to pay the penalty in full for her past errors.

Often people feel a sense of injustice when problems keep occurring in their lives while their neighbors seem to be able to go through life unscathed.

The answer to this seeming inequality is that when one sets one's foot firmly on the path of the ascension, the soul asks for the opportunity to quickly balance her last remaining karmic debts. The neighbor who seems to lead such a charmed life may not yet have embarked upon the path of initiation and is experiencing a much slower return of karma.

As the saying goes: “You get what you pay for,” and the price for the ascension is high.

Time and time again we have all heard the saying “Let bygones be bygones. Forgive and forget!”

How to say Merry Christmas in different languages

Here is how you say 'Merry Christmas' in a variety of different languages - handy if you're sending a Christmas card to someone who speaks a foreign language - or you just want to add something a little different to your Christmas greetings:

French: Joyeux Noel
Greek: Kala Christouyenna
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Italian: Buon Natale
Norwegian and Danish: God Jul
Latin: Natale Hilare
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Hindi: Bada Din Mubarak Ho
Russian: Srozdezhtovm Kristovim
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Portuguese: Felix Natal
Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko

32 CHRISTMAS CHARADES IDEAS

Here is a silly game that is sure to boost some creativity. At every family gathering there's always downtime. This is a family friendly version.

I just printed out my photo. Cut out the suggestions and glued them to a popsicle stick. Easy enough to store in a ziplock bag. If you have some cute christmas or winter themed tape or ribbon you could decorate the sticks. I plan on storing these away with my christmas ornaments to have on hand for next year.