Lebanon police gets Eddie Eagle costume

The Lebanon Police Department received a grant recently providing them the official Eddie Eagle mascot costume and program materials to teach the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

The Lebanon Police Department received a grant recently providing them the official Eddie Eagle mascot costume and program materials to teach the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

The Eddie Eagle costume and materials, which are designed for young children, will help them reinforce the program’s lifesaving message, “If you see a gun, Stop! Don’t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult.”

10 Best Easter Egg Hunts for All Ages

Easter is right around the corner and it's time to plan an egg hunt that's memorable and tasty. Here are 10 creative ways to make finding those chocolate eggs or Easter baskets a bit more fun (and challenging) this year.

1. Follow That Bunny!

Create a bunny trail from that leads kids on a path from their bedroom door to an Easter basket. You can use a trail of candy, plastic eggs, or cut-out bunny footprints.

Tip: Wrapped candies work best to keep floors neat and clean. Place unwrapped treats in small bags or cupcake liners and beware of hungry pets who might want a snack.

2. The Egg-cellent Scavenger Hunt

Give each family member a list of several different types of items to hunt down: three pink eggs, a white chocolate bunny, a marshmallow chick, an egg filled with nickels, etc. When the list is completed, give a final clue that leads them to their Easter baskets. (Photo at right courtesy Flickr/nate steiner)

Tips: Hide everything that is on the list as well as a few extras in case some are too hard to find. For kids who can't read yet, use photos or drawings instead of a written list.

3. Dressing in Your Easter Best

Hide party hats, plastic bracelets, silly bunny noses, tutus, and capes along with a few treats like ring pops and candy necklaces. As kids find the items, they must put on the clothes and accessories. Photograph the absurd outfits on each family member (Fido, included) and then do an Easter costume parade around the house or backyard. (Photo courtesy of Istock/dosecreative)

Tips: Hang a sheet or tablecloth on a clothesline as a backdrop for your pictures. Everyone can take turns snapping photos of people standing in their funny costumes in front of the backdrop, like in a photo booth. 


4. Personalized Eggs

Older kids often grab all the treats because they are faster at finding eggs and small prizes. In this hunt, each person has to look for a specific color egg or a prize with their initial on it. Letter stickers from a crafts store are easy to stick on and make each egg unique. Not only does this equal out the distribution of candy and gifts but it allows you to give specific treats to kids based on their interests.

Tips: Have fun with what you put in the eggs. Small games, fortunes, pennies, photographs, and special notes are all great alternatives to jelly beans.

5. String Fling!

Use yarn, twine, or string to create a huge web throughout the house or in a specific room. Kids must follow the string from the starting point all the way to the end as it wraps around furniture, through doorways, and ultimately to the Easter basket.

Tips: Make sure you still have access to places like the kitchen and bathroom as it may take some time to get to the end of the string depending on how long you make it. It is best to construct the web the night before so it is ready to go in the morning, as it does take a fair amount of time to create.


6. The Bunny Treasure Map

In this hunt, the Easter Bunny has left a map to the prizes but the kids will have to put together all of the pieces to find the hiding spot. Draw a map or write a clue on colored card stock or a pre-cut blank puzzle. One side should be brightly colored and the map should be drawn on the back. Cut the map in pieces and hide it around the house. When all the pieces are found, kids must try to assemble the map that will lead them to their Easter basket treat.

Tips: Count how many pieces you have so you'll know when it is time for the kids to start assembling the puzzle. You can also number each piece so kids know how many pieces they are trying to find.



7. Alphabet Eggs

Let the egg hunters work together to find alphabet eggs. Create a designated area where the alphabet lettered-eggs will be gathered and when all 26 letters are found, kids must line up the letters in the order of the alphabet to redeem their Easter baskets. This is a great hunt for kids learning the alphabet and fun for older siblings, too.

Tips: Use a permanent marker to write on plastic eggs or purchase alphabet stickers. Write fun alphabet phrases on the eggs like "B is for Bunny."

8. The Classic Easter Egg Hunt

If spring has sprung in your area, hosting a good, old-fashioned Easter egg hunt outside keeps all the mess out of your home. Plastic eggs and packaged treats can hide in bushes, fences, trees, and even on low roof lines.

Tips: Hide the eggs before the kids wake up and not the night before as animals may try to eat the treats (including the family dog). Put some prizes in unexpected places that require a ladder to keep little ones in awe of the hopping powers of the Easter Bunny. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/visit hillsborough)



9. Cookie Chase

The hunt is on for cookies of all shapes and sizes. Decorate Easter-themed cookies in advance and place each in a cellophane bag and tie with ribbon. If baking isn't your thing, buy store-bought treats, package them individually, and hide them around the house. When the kids find all their cookies, bring out the milk and enjoy a new tradition: An annual cookie breakfast.

Tips: Starting this cookie tradition can be a great solution for kids with food allergies because you can control the ingredients in the cookies you make. You can also hide undecorated cookies and then have a cookie decorating party as a special breakfast.



10. The Bunny Left Clues!

Let clues from the Easter Bunny lead kids from one egg to the next. Each clue will get them closer to the hiding place where the bunny left their basket. Simply cut strips of paper, write clues, and put one in each egg.

Tip: Make clues age appropriate so they aren't too difficult to figure out. Number the clues or eggs to keep kids on track, as they may want to open clues out of order. (All photos courtesy of Alexis Givens unless otherwise noted)

Cher overcomes costume crisis to kick off tour

Pop superstar CHER overcame a crisis in the costume department to kick off her tour in Phoenix, Arizona as scheduled on Saturday night (22Mar14).

The 67-year-old singer has hit the road for her Dressed To Kill trek, which is slated to be her last ever tour, but she was left battling a number of problems ahead of the launch.

Cher was still undergoing costume fittings just hours before showtime and she burst into tears when she realized her clothes and shoes didn't fit properly, while she also had problems with her wigs and only finalized her choreography on Friday (21Mar14).

In a series of posts on Twitter.com, she wrote, "B4 (before) showtime I was being fitted 4 (for) costumes! Shoe man is punk, No boots, shoes! Learned new choreog (choreography) yesterday. New wigs 2Nite (tonight)! Killed ourselves... No costumes, no shoes, no monologue, hrs (hours) of fittings, nothing fit... right b4 (before) show I was making notes & crying. It wasn't smooth, but it was fun... Very proud of my crew!... It was miracle... Everything was so last min (minute).Some wigs weren't perfect, but some just needed change. Never had costumes on till 2nite (tonight)."

Cher also admits her performance was far from perfect, adding, "I made a new mistake about every 4 min (minutes)... you know... like my fkng (sic) iphone."

The Believe hitmaker was left heartbroken during preparations for the tour when her longtime costume designer, Bob Mackie, stepped down from his role due to other commitments.

Copyright 2014 World Entertainment News Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

7000 people entertained at Children's Day

Her feet couldn't touch the stirrups but that didn't stop 2-year-old Lola Raeburn enjoying a pony ride during Children's Day celebrations.

The Papamoa tot and her family were among the 7000-strong crowd who yesterday enjoyed a day of more than 30 free activities at Tauranga's Historic Village as part of the national day.

Families took the opportunity to introduce their children to everything from karate, cheerleading and magic shows to arts and crafts, pony rides and face painting at the Tauranga City Council event, with organisers saying they couldn't believe how big the crowd was.

TCC City Events team leader Penny Mitropoulos said the event normally attracted a crowd of around 5000, but upwards of 7000 showed up yesterday.

"It is full on, very exciting for the children," she said.

"Each year we get more support. We could not do this without the community's help."

It was a day of firsts for many, including 6-year-old Flynn O'Connell who decided he wants to be "a ninja" after trying out karate at one of the stalls.

"A ninja or a soccer player. It depends on what mum says," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Papamoa mum Fiona Payne took her four children along for the first time and said it was great to have a day out as a family without worrying about the cost.

"We have just had a ball," she said.

"It's a cheap day out for the whole family and it is super exciting."

Four ponies from Trinity Valley were kept busy all day, with a non-stop queue forming from 11am, according to Trinity Valley's Carla Townsend.

"The first time those little faces see a pony and get to jump on for a ride is just amazing," Mrs Townsend said.

"Last year we had two ponies but this year we doubled it because the crowds just keep getting bigger each year."

A team of volunteers from The Incubator set up a freak show featuring bearded ladies and body parts, which also drew the crowds all day.

The Incubator director Simone Anderson said the team wanted to do something a little bit different to celebrate Children's Day.

"You can't get much different than a good old-fashioned freak show," she said.

Harriot's amazing Carnival costumes for children

TWENTY-TWO years ago Susan "Marion" Harriot walked into the Eccles Village Anglican school with a burning idea to form a children’s mas band.

Several creations, trophies and accolades later and the passion to produce children’s costumes has once more led to her designs being in the finals of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) Junior National competition.

Sitting in her mas camp under the home of her 67-year-old mother Noreen Mills in Whiteland, three generations of the family were together to create mas.

Harriot's daughter, Colleen, who was second in the NCBA's Junior National competition back in 2001 stuck sequins on her six-year-old daughters’ individual costume for the same event.

Harriot's mother, Noreen Mills, was assigned to covering shoes and chest pieces.

Her sister Patsy Mills-Gaynor sat under a bright light and barely raised her head as she worked on a costume while one of the section leaders left the mas camp with papers and instructions from Harriot.

To the music of calypsonian Sparrow in the background, Harriot, 50, recalled that it was over two decades ago that she spoke to the principal of Eccles Village primary to have the school participate in the national carnival competition.

When he realized she was serious about the move, he gave his full support.

This led to the band "Carnival is" which included sections Pan, Tourists, Heat and Maracas Bay.

The section "After Christmas", Mills added, was the "parang section" which was done in green and red.

At that time the children used the money they saved from "Junior Corp" to pay for their $60 - $75 costumes.

Having parents pay a small sum for costumes is a feat Harriot still attempts to preserve.

Working 15 hours shifts alongside her wire-bending brother Patrick Mills, this year the band produced "Gems of the Caribbean", portraying mas in the countries along the archipelago including Crop Over in Barbados, Jab Jab in Grenada and Bacchanal from Jamaica. Other sections highlight natural wonders in some of the countries including Kaieteur Falls in Guyana and beaches from the 365 that surround the island of Antigua.

From the band, Legèn Julian was selected a finalist in the queen's section of the NCBA Junior Nationals and Denzil Jennings who won first prize in this year's Red Cross Junior Kings category was also selected a finalist in the NCBA's junior competition.
Weeks ago, the band also won first place in the medium band section, best school band, the Junior King title and most original band at Guaracara Park, Marabella.

But while Harriot's dream is to have one of her grandchildren collect first prize in a national title, the mother of four said one of her greatest joys was back in 2007 when her son won the Junior King prize at Red Cross. It is a competition she described as the crème de la crème of junior carnival.

"To win at this competition, you feel as though you won the world."
She said that even winning a special prize at this competition shows that, as a mas-maker, you have potential.

Although some of her pictures and published keepsakes of her accomplishments were destroyed by water, Harriot shared with the Express the pictures from newspapers and magazine covers that remained. She easily called out names of sections of bands from years gone by.

Her mother input also added to the memories.
And even as her asthmatic condition tried to take a toll on her, Harriot's desire to create the best production possible was not daunted.

But her love is still met with other limitations.
Mills said that sponsorship has always been a challenge. Over the years she had to depend on the generosity of neighbours who provide water and other soft drinks for the children. This year a businessman in the area provided part sponsorship to the band.

Also, she said, the size of the band, as she headed into a competition, depended on the parents’ willingness to have their children available for mas on the given day. Harriot said if parents had parties they wanted to attend the day before the competition, chances are their children would not participate in the mas.
But she pushes on.

And when Carnival is over, Harriot is on to more designing. This time bonnets for Easter. She is also heavily involved in Best Village Competition where she is also bringing in the trophies.

How to stay safe on Purim

While Purim is a happy holiday that celebrates our deliverance from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, costumes and fireworks can sometimes be dangerous.

Many parents have already purchased their children’s holiday costumes, some of which are fire hazards, and are unaware of the dangers posed by illegal explosives, noisemakers and makeup.

Purim, the holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, is celebrated with costumes, candy, parcels and parties.

Prof. Yehezkel Weissman, head of the emergency unit at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, said that every year, before Purim and on the holiday itself, many children suffering from injuries are brought in, even though the accidents are preventable.

Weissman cited some of the things one should look out for and how to handle the injuries they can cause.

Caps from toy pistols should be avoided, as they can cause severe injuries to eyes, ears and skin. If hurt from an exploding cap, wash the affected part of the body in running water, bandage it and go to an emergency room quickly for urgent care.

Children under the age of seven should not have access to small candies, nuts and other hard edible or inedible objects. Watch out especially for small pieces of plastic, which can be inhaled into the lungs.

Avoid unlicensed makeup or homemade costumes – make sure they aren’t flammable or reduce the child’s line of vision. Bought costumes must have the Israel Standards Institution’s seal of approval.

Do not allow young children to use or be exposed to chemical sprays that are liable to hurt their eyes. If their eyes are hurt, wash them with tap water and promptly take the child to a medical facility for treatment.

And finally, limit the amount of your children’s sweets consumption. Don’t allow them to “take possession” of candies, cakes and chocolate and finish them off all at once.

The Health Ministry, which aims to promote healthy habits through its Efsharibari program, advises giving cut fruits, muffins with dried fruits and tea instead of fattening and teeth-destroying sweets and cakes. Homemade granola, unsweetened yogurt and dried fruits are recommended for children over the age of seven. Bite-sized pieces of vegetable pies, whole-wheat crackers and other healthy snacks are recommended for Purim parcels.

Round pieces of chewing gum, hard candies and “Haman’s hats” filled with nuts should not be given to younger children.

Magen David Adom reported that two children’s eyesights have already been damaged from illegal explosives – one boy lost his eye completely.

Anything that explodes or shoots small objects is illegal and should not be given to children, MDA said. Do not put caps in pockets, as they tend to explode even if hardly touched. Do not let costumed children get near a fire of any kind. Masks, if worn, should have large enough openings for children to breathe and see where they’re going. Never allow children to cross streets if they’re wearing a mask or a costume that limits their movement.

Adults should avoid excessive drinking and refrain from driving if they have been drinking.

Children and teens should not be given alcohol. Two years ago, said MDA, an eight-year-old boy lost consciousness after drinking alcohol, and violence may result as well.

Beit Chaverim sets Purim festivities

Beit Chaverim Synagogue will celebrate Purim with services on two days, a traditional children's costume parade and other entertainment at the 85 Post Road West synagogue.

A Maariv service is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, followed by a reading of the Megillah, the story of Purim, the synagogue said. A children's program with ice cream sundaes will follow, along with a cocktail party for adults.

On Sunday, March 16, a Torah service will take place at 9 a.m. and a Megillah reading at 10. The costume parade will follow, along with "Purim Shpiel," an original skit written by Beit Chaverim Rabbi Greg Schindler and performed by synagogue youths, the congregation said. Festivities conclude with a Purim lunch and children's face painting.

All activities are free, but reservations are required for the Sunday lunch. Children also must be registered to participate in "Purim Shpiel," the synagogue said.

For Sunday lunch reservations, call the synagogue at 203-227-3333. To register a child to participate in "Purim Shpiel," email Patrice Stanley at beitchaverimsyn@optonline.net.

Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent costume scared her son Pax to tears

Humanitarian extraordinaire, devoted mother of six and phenomenal actress Angelina Jolie will be portraying one of Disney’s iconic villains, Maleficent, from the classic children's film Sleeping Beauty. Jolie has embraced the role flawlessly to where her children are scared of the Maleficent costume.

According to US Magazine, when her 10-year-old son Pax saw Jolie, 38, in costume, he was upset, in tears and was trying to run away. Jolie thought he was playing around until she saw the tears in his eye.

"I had to take off pieces [of the makeup] in front of him to show him it was all fake and not freak out so much," Jolie said.

Pax was not the only child afraid of the costume. Maddox, 12, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 7, and Knox, 5, couldn’t handle seeing their mother as the classic villain. The only child that wasn’t scared of Jolie’s nefarious role was Knox’s twin sister, Vivian. Vivian is in the film as she portrays the young Princess Aurora.

Since they were so shaken up by Jolie’s costume they asked her not to play the role of Maleficent. Jolie convinced them otherwise by portraying Maleficent in a different light. Jolie succeeded and it led to Pax and Zahara having a cameo appearance in the film when Maleficent places a curse on Aurora.

In regard to her children having cameo roles in the film, Jolie said, “We think it's fun for our kids to have cameos and join us on set, but not to be actors. That's not our goal for Brad [Pitt] and I at all."

Jolie also talked to Entertainment Weekly about her double mastectomy she received in 2013.

"I'm very happy I made the decision," Jolie said. "I was very fortunate to have great doctors and very, very fortunate to have a good recovery and have a project like Unbroken to have something to be really focused on, to be getting healthy for, and to be able to just get right back to work."

Maleficent is set to hit theaters on May 30.

“Kiddies Carnival” in Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria 2014

Carnival is not just for grown-ups. Children too, take the pleasure of taking to the streets and letting themselves be carried by the joyful blur of carnival. In the coming edition of the 2014 Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, children will get their chance to strut their stuff on stage in costume just as fabulous as the grown-up versions.

The Seychelles Tourism Board, the main organizer of Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria, has introduced a “Kiddies Carnival” or children’s carnival to spice up the traditional family fun day organized for Sunday, April 27, the last day of the carnival.

The Seychelles Tourism Board has brought on board Lima Calbio, the well-known entertainer from Trinidad and Tobago, to work on the “Kiddies Carnival.”


The “Kiddies Carnival”” is open for school children only, aged 5 to 12. All schools will be given a theme to work on. They will make their own costumes with locally-made fabrics. On the day of “Kiddies Carnival,” they will show their moves across the stage in their brightly-colored costumes before a panel of judges and also the local and international media present to cover Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria. Colorful costumes, biggest band, and teams which portray the real carnival spirit will be awarded with prizes. Lima Calbio said she will work closely with the schools to make this first Seychelles “Kiddies Carnival” possible.

“Children need to be embedded with the spirit of developing their creativity. “Kiddies Carnival” is a good example where we will make it inexpensive for schools to come out with fascinating costumes,” Calbio added.

Kiddies carnival is encouraging children to promote the concept of recycling materials. Nathalie Didon, Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said that “Kiddies Carnival” is promoting an environmentally-friendly approach among the children.

“What we’re anticipating is to promote an environmentally-friendly approach to carnival, where school children will be parading by making use of the three Rs - reduce, recycle, and reuse - to prepare their costumes. ‘Kiddies Carnival’ is also there to inculcate the culture of Seychelles carnival in our children,” Nathalie Didon said.

The venue of “Kiddies Carnival” is yet to be determined. However, Lima said that she is working on her “jumpin’up” and “wave” concert for children, as a build-up to “Kiddies Carnival.” Dates and venues of the concert are not yet confirmed, but Lima said that it will take place a week before the official opening of Carnival International de Victoria. Lima said the popular Petit Amour Villa is on board to sponsor flags to a children’s concert for which she is calling on other sponsors to support the “Kiddies Carnival.”

PHOTO (L-R): Nathalie Didon, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Lima Calbio interviewed by Seychelles press on “Kiddies Carnival.”

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
Source: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture

The show must go on: Fire destroys acting company's costumes

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- A house fire on James Island gutted the inside of a home belonging to a beloved children's costume designer.

The fire left one family without a place to live, but also took the costumes and fabric for an upcoming Charleston Youth Company production.

But even with a show on the line, the company is making sure it first takes care of one of their own.

"I was devastated and I got here and everybody kind of came together to do as much as they can to help Beth and help get costumes and all of her equipment," said Emily Lanter, member of the senior company. 

Beth Hyams is the costume designer for the Charleston Youth Company.

Beth and her family escaped the house fire Tuesday but lost dozens of finished costumes and all of the fabric and equipment for future costumes.

Lanter said Ms. Beth is a critical member of the team at the company and the students are planning to do whatever they can to help.

"We're going to have sewing days, where we come in and help Beth sew different costumes and get everything to do with the show," said Lanter. 

Chuck Long, the company's producer and founder, said it took no time for the arts community to come together.

"Within I would say 15-20 minutes, she had sent out a text to our Board of Directors, and our Parent Advisory Board. It was just unbelievable how fast people were organizing and doing things and putting things together for Beth," said Long.

He said he met with Hyams and they made a plan for what to do next.

"I told her, 'You just go ahead and re-order everything get whatever you need to get,'" he said. "'I said, 'The show goes on.'"

The company still has a few weeks until the next performance.

The performance will be at the Sotille April 25 and 26.

Long said they are looking for extra hands to help sew the new costumes. If you would like to help, you can email him at cycinfo@knology.net.