Story by Matt Young. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – CaryCitizen visited local artist/author Karen Lee at her home studio on the west side of Cary last week. Like so many artists, she is humble, even slightly embarrassed, to have us go through some of her work. She seemed more comfortable talking about her husband, Tim, also an artist (and bluegrass musician).

We talked about raising children for a while and then learned about her.

I commented that none of her art was hanging on the walls. She insisted that it wasn’t “wall material”.  I didn’t agree.

“The Story of Me is a Straight Line”

She never wanted to be anything except an artist. On her web site she describes herself this way:

“The story of me is a pretty straight line. I always wanted to be an illustrator and fortunately that is exactly what I’ve done. Passionately. I also write, garden, read, quilt, make props, and coach Odyssey of the Mind to fantastically creative kids.”

Move to Cary

Karen has been in Cary for 7 years.

Karen was schooled at Columbus College of Art and Design, where she met her husband.

Karen and Tim graduated from the college and then moved to Atlanta at a time when there was lots of migration to the booming Georgia city. There, they lived in a tent for a while and ultimately moved to an artist’s community in Atlanta where Karen worked as a free-lance. After they had a family she got into children’s illustration.

They thought they should move to a place where they could raise their kids.

“We had been to Cary and around this part of North Carolina. At first we were focused on moving to Western North Carolina. We decided that we needed to find a place that would make our move as painless as possible.  We wanted to find a place where there were good schools and activities for the kids, that was safe. We thought Cary provided good value.”

Her Art

Karen has done several illustrations for Highlights Magazine. She did the cover of Highlights’ 1 Billionth Edition, which is now in the Smithsonian Postal Museum. She continues to be an illustrator for the magazine.

Over time she has transitioned from sketching, refining and water color to employing digital methods. She gave us a nice demo of the process which involves a sketch, refining the sketch, scanning, and digitally perfecting and adding color.

Her first book, ABC Safari, which she wrote and illustrated, was originally submitted as a portfolio piece. She later added the narrative. For this she won a Don Freeman Award (Don Freeman is the author of the Corduroy Series of children’s books) and was able to sell the book to a publisher (Sylvan Dell 2007).  The publisher also commissioned her art for My Half Day, My Odd Day and One Even Day.

She has done training, lecturing, coaching and speaking in the past.

But it’s actually “doing illustrations” that gives her joy. That joy is clearly reflected in her art.

Story and photos by Zach Hayes. Part 4 in our Cary Parks series.

Walnut Street Park

As one of the busiest streets in Wake County, Walnut Street is usually associated with traffic, stop lights, and shopping centers. However, in 2002, the Town of Cary decided to change that perception and purchased 11 acres of undeveloped land at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Walnut Street. The result is one of the most interesting and beautifully designed parks in Cary – Walnut Street Park.

It is obvious to even the first time visitor that the Town of Cary paid attention to every detail of this park. The most notable feature here is the intricate brick trail known as the Imaginary Garden Promenade. Starting at the parking lot, guests can stroll down the bench-lined trail that cuts the park in half to arrive at a round pavilion facing Walnut Street. The weaving brick patterns are truly a work of art, accented by sleek silver benches with similar curved lines.

Along the way guests will notice a number of artistically painted birdhouses and large stone dice. Trails then continue from either side of the pavilion: one running along side Lawrence Road back to the parking lot, another circling the backside of the park and providing views of the natural wetlands left intact by the designers.

Adjacent to the parking lot are two sizable playgrounds, each with a picnic shelter. However, sitting atop the rubberized surfaces are no ordinary jungle gyms. Walnut Street Park is the only park in Cary to feature Nexus playground equipment. These futuristic-looking apparatus provide children with new ways to climb, spin and play in ways traditional playground equipment cannot. Of course no good park would be complete without swings, of which six can be found. A more conventional play set provides entertainment for toddlers as well as a large sandbox with metal digging scoops. There is also a set of three balance beams and a collection of plastic platforms to play on. Restrooms are close by along with a water fountain.

For the athletically inclined, a 1.4 acre open field offers plenty of space for full-sided games of football or soccer. Onlookers can relax at a handful of picnic tables at the top of a nearby hill between the field and playgrounds. A basketball court is in the works (as noted on the map at the park’s entrance), but as of this writing has not been completed. Walkers and joggers are able to keep track of their mileage knowing that 2 ½ laps on the paved trail around the park equates one mile. It is also easy to arrive here on foot or by bike as Lawrence Road is a short distance from the Pirate’s Cove Greenway, which is planned to be extended into the park in the future.

Even though the park is located on one of Cary’s most traveled thoroughfares, it is easy to ignore the traffic with so many fun things to do. With outstanding equipment, incredible amenities and abundant art Walnut Street Park is well worth a visit.

Inventory / Facilities

4 jungle gyms
Sandbox with 2 diggers
4 swings
2 bucket swings
3 balance beams
Plastic platforms for jumping
Padded surface
2 shelters, 4 tables
Restrooms
Water fountain

Brick courtyard, 6 benches

Open field surrounded by benches
3 picnic tables overlooking field

Parking: bike racks, lot, street

Map

Walnut Street Park
1420 Walnut St.
Cary, NC 27511

Map

Cary, NC – In the wake of the performance of Ramona Quimby, here’s the upcoming calendar of Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources summer camps for kids and entertainment for the whole family.

School Out 411

Summer class and camp registration is still open, but hurry. Camps include:

• Arts
• Culinary
• Performance
• Sk8
• Sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Golf
  • Tennis
• Fishing
• Sailing
• Nature

Camps start June 14.  There’s still space available in many (but just a few spaces!).

For more info, visit Schoolz Out 411.

June Youth Program Spotlight

• Matinee Performance – Track 2 (age 6-9), June 1-4, 9 a.m.-noon.  Explore characterization, improv, movement and vocal energy, and create original skits to share.  Course barcode #45503.  Register at http://classweb.townofcary.org/.
• Musical Theatre Touring Troupe (age 13-18), June 21-25, 3-6 p.m.  Rehearse a program of solos, duets and group numbers to perform at the Town of Cary’s July 4 and Lazy Daze events!  Course barcode #45525.

Upcoming Family Entertainment

MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT, Thursdays in June, 7 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheatre ($).  Outdoor movies on the big screen!  For ticket information and movie schedule, call (919) 462-2052 or visit www.boothamphitheatre.org.

NC Symphony SUMMERFEST, Saturdays in June, 7:30 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheatre ($).  Pack a picnic and enjoy the sounds of your NC Symphony!  For ticket information and performance schedule, call (919) 462-2052 or visit www.boothamphitheatre.org.

Summer Sertoma Series presents TRIANGLE BRASS BAND, June 5 & 26, 7 p.m. at Sertoma Amphitheatre.  Marches, musicals, light classical music and traditional brass band tunes.  For more information, call (919) 363-8664 or visit www.trianglebrass.org.

Starlight Concert Series presents MOMENT’S NOTICE, June 11, 7:30 p.m. at Page-Walker Arts & History Center.  An eclectic mix of high-energy jazz.  Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Page-Walker.  For more information, call (919) 460-4963.

Summer Sertoma Series presents TRIANGLE WIND ENSEMBLE, June 13, 6 p.m. at Sertoma Amphitheatre.  Featuring pieces from their current season.  For more information, call (919) 469-4061.

Starlight Concert Series presents OLD HABITS Bluegrass Band, June 25, 7:30 at Page-Walker Arts & History Center.  Originals, traditional bluegrass and familiar cover songs.  Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Page-Walker.  For more information, call (919) 460-4963.

Lucy's Book Club selects books on welcoming a new baby.

Story by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – The Lucy Daniels Center announces the fourth Lucy’s Book Club topic, “Becoming a Big Brother or Sister”.  The list of 10 recommended books, appropriate for ages 0 through 6, are titles that cover the many feelings that accompany welcoming a new baby into the home.

Children often have mixed feelings about the arrival of a new sibling. Lucy’s Book Club has chosen books that support the older child, helping him or her to understand their place in the family in the midst of all of the changes that occur with a new arrival. Some of these books are old classics that I read when I was a child.  Other books are newer, and some I even remember reading to my children.  No matter what the topic, reading with your child creates special memories that will last and foster a love of reading.

The Lucy’s Book Club is designed to support healthy social and emotional growth for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. All books chosen for the bookmark/booklist are readily available in Wake County libraries, bookstores, and online.

Bookmark displays with free, oversized bookmarks listing the current book selections can be found in more than 200 locations including Wake County libraries, preschools, childcare centers, pediatricians’ offices, and bookstores, or downloaded online from www.lucysbookclub.org. Parents can visit the website (funded by the Cisco Foundation) to sign their children up for free book club membership, receive a bimonthly blog, and access a myriad of additional resources supporting each Lucy’s Book Club topic.

Roberta Thomason, Director of the Cary Children's Concert Choir

Cary, NC- Ten years ago, three people got together to spearhead a choral program for the youth of Cary as an extension of the successful adult group, Concert Singers of Cary. 

Roberta Thomason, Joy Ennis and  Steve Mulder began by identifying where they could rehearse and who would be their accompanists. They hired Ruth Pardue, (she currently teaches music at Turner Creek Elementary) to play for the group and The First Reformed Church on Old Apex Road agreed to let them use their space for rehearsals. Cary Children’s Concert Choir was born. They have since moved to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church.

I met with Roberta, whose passion for teaching children is evident as she discussed the musical programs they perform.  She said that in their first season 24 children auditioned and performed in the fall of 2000 as part of The Cary Concert Singer’s Holiday Concert. They didn’t have uniforms yet, but wore white shirts and black skirts or pants. The following spring, they sang a full concert of 12 songs at the Cary Senior Center.

Who Can Join?

Auditions are held each August for children in grades 3- 6.  Only under the most extreme cases will a child not be accepted, I was told.  Once they have auditioned, Roberts explained, they can stay on, with the commitment of at least one semester. Tuition is $125 per semester. The groups typically perform about 8 concerts per year.

New This Year

New this year is the Cary Youth Chorale (CYC) which accepts children in grades 6-8. Roberts said several middle schools lack a chorus, so this group grew out of that need. She uses the 6th graders as a bridge between the groups, and often these children perform in both. This group will sing the popular “Seasons of Love” from Rent as well as a patriotic piece.

What’s Coming Up?

A special anniversary concert is planned May 7th beginning at 7 pm at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church. Roberta was excited to relate how a special piece has been commissioned by Mark Patterson titled, ““Music, Like a Radiant Light” to mark  the anniversary. Another feature of this special concert will be several other pieces written by area artists including ” Let The Earth Resound” by Sally Albrecht and several by Andy Beck, both of Alfred Publishing.

Last year the group traveled to Charlotte to perform with the Charlotte Children’s Choir. This year that group is coming to Cary May 15th to sing  at 11:30 with C4 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church.

Looking toward next season, Roberta was excited to hint at a program including 8 chamber singers coming to teach and share from ECU for the fall and a Nashville strings player assisting with a Celtic/American music program in the spring.

Look on our Calendar for other C4 and Concert Singers events.

"3 Clowns" by Louis Goodtree, 1947.

Cary, NC- Gary Zwerin, otherwise known as Calvin Klown, was once a regular employee of IBM down in Del Ray, Beach Florida. Then he met Kelly Lee, a professional clown, who “took him under his wing” in 1980.

Kelly was teaching IBM employees clown techniques which the corporation used at company family picnics. Gary loved everything about clowning- the make up,  the balloons, the magic tricks…

Clown Camp’s Beginnings

Gary Zwerin a.k.a. Calvin Klown

In 1984, IBM moved Gary up here to work in their Triangle offices. They asked him to teach clown techniques to adults.

In 1992 Gary decided to try his hand at teaching kids and found that it was a lot more fun! His first camp was in Raleigh for 15 children.

From there he moved on to the town of Cary  in 1995, and that was how Cary’s Clown Camp began at Farmington Woods Elementary School. The camp then moved to its current location at Page Walker Cultural Arts Center a few years later.

Juggling, Magic & a Pie in the Face

Gary divides the full day classes into 3 stations by age and ability, each with their own professional clown instructor teaching different aspects of clown lore: Balloon animals, make up technique, face painting, juggling, magic tricks, and improvisation to name a few.

The children spend an hour or so on each station and move on to another. By the end of each day they have checked out 6 fun activities. The highlight of the week is “Wet N Wild” – the day kids come dressed in their bathing suits prepared to get wet throwing pies and buckets of water outdoors to much hilarious laughter.

Valuable Skills Taught With a Laugh

One of the most valuable skills taught during the week is the ability to stand up in front of others and perform. Beginning with improvisation, the children work up an original performance that they conduct for their parents the last day of the camp. These performances combine humor and public speaking.

One of the parents said “Actually, doing the skits and being part of the show is some of the most enjoyable times that they have.”

All in the Family

Gary’s grown daughter has been a clown since the age of 10. She is also one of his occasional staff as she raises her children and studies to be a full time teacher at NC State.

Many of Gary’s former students become his employees as well. As they age out of the program at 16, they return to become interns at summer clown camp.

Professional Clown

Gary has loved everything about being a clown since the first time he painted on his clown make-up.

I asked what makes someone a “Professional Clown.” He answered, “someone who does it full time, for a living.”

So Gary took a part-time hobby that he loved and made it into his full time vocation around the time that he worked off site consulting for IBM.

Sounds like it worked out well.

Cary, N.C -  Ever since I got started working on CaryCitizen, I have been continually amazed at the great services and education offered by the Town of Cary.   Middle Creek Community Center at 123 Middle Creek Park Avenue has announced its 2010 functions.   From ballroom dancing to science and math it’s all here!

Basics of Cartooning – Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires and More (age 11-15)
In this two hour workshop you will learn the basics in cartooning. Each class will conquer a new theme exploring manga style as well as the classics of cartooning.
Fees: $21 (R) $27 (N)
Wed Feb 17 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Drop-In Ballroom Dancing
An evening of informal instructional ballroom dancing in February. Partners are welcome but not required.
Fees: $5 (R) $6 (N) per person
Beginner: Fri Feb 5 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Intermediate: Fri Feb 19 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Adult Fitness – From the Couch to 5K
This program is designed for the beginner or intermediate runner who would like to improve their overall health and tackle the sport of running. If you can walk briskly for 25 minutes and want to make the transition to running, this group is for you. You run/walk once per week with the class and will be given instructions for running independently 2-3 more times per week. Emphasis is on individual development culminating in the Cary Road Race 5K on April 10.
Fees: $105(R) $135(N) (20 classes)
Thu Feb 11-Apr 15 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Youth Fitness & Wellness – Stretch-n-Grow, Sports Adventure (age 4-7) T-Ball
Drop off your child for an action-packed, non-competitive fitness and sports activity class. Includes group exercise, games and the fundamentals of each sport.
Fees: $27(R) $35(N) (3 classes)
Thu Feb 11-25 4:45-5:30 p.m.

Preschool Fitness & Wellness – Stretch-n-Grow, Ready, Set Go!
Come and let your kids enjoy 45 minutes of varied activities including singing, balls, parachute play and lots of gym activity fun!
Fees: $27(R) $35(N) (3 classes)
Thu Feb 11-25 10-10:45 a.m.

Stretch-n-Grow, Preschool Fitness (age 2-5)
Drop off your child for a fabulously fun fitness program that teaches kids to enjoy exercise by featuring their favorite movie characters and music.
Fees: $27(R) $35(N) (3 classes)
Thu Feb 11-25 11-11:45 a.m.

Introduction to First LEGO League (age 5-8)
FLL is an international competition held every year to get students excited about learning science, technology, engineering and math. In this class, students will have the opportunity to try out the previous year’s robot challenge and project. They’ll learn teamwork, problem solving, programming, and a variety of information about our climate. This class will meet for a fraction of the time required during a normal season to give the students a taste of the competition without the full commitment.
Fees: $40(R) $52(NR)
Wed Feb 10-24 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Duplicate Bridge
Thursdays and now Tuesdays! are bridge days at the Middle Creek Community Center. Our games are ACBL-sanctioned and are limited to players with fewer than 1000 master points. Questions? Our friendly instructor will be happy to speak with you about the program.
Tue & Thu 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Instructor: Marty Demko 467-4827
$5 (R) $6 (N) (per visit)

Red Cross Babysitting (age 11-15)
What you need to know, and what every parent wants in a responsible babysitter! The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course can help you:
*Interview for a babysitting job, *Choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games, *Perform first aid, *Learn diapering and feeding techniques, *Handle bedtime issues, *Learn tips for having a safe babysitting experience, and more!
Instructor: American Red Cross
Fees: $50
Saturday February 13 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
To enroll, contact the Triangle American Red Cross chapter at trianglearc.com or at 231-1602.

LEGO Robotics Birthday Parties (age 6-12)
Program robots and compete in a robot challenge. Invite up to 15 friends for a fun, action-packed robotic party sure to thrill all! What’s more, every guest will leave with a LEGO party favor, A ‘robotacist’ will lead the first hour of the party, leaving the second hour for refreshments and gifts. Cost per party is $175 for Cary residents and $205 for non-residents.

Mad Science ® Birthday Parties (age 6-12)
Book your Mad Science ® Birthday Party and choose from a variety of themes including Rockets, Detective Science, Dinosaurs and more. Then invite up to 15 friends for a fun, action packed 2 hour scientific party sure to thrill all who attend! What’s more, every guest will leave with a unique and exciting party favor. A “mad scientist” will lead the first hour of the party, leaving the second hour for refreshments and gifts. Cost per party is $175 for Cary residents and $205 for non-residents. Call us to reserve your party and choose your theme!

Fusion Birthday Parties (age 3-10)
Supercharge your child’s next birthday celebration by making it a Fusion Party! Your “guest of honor” and up to 25 friends will warm up to dance music and play games like “Freeze”, “Animal Action” and “Wonderball”, or get moving to aerobic tunes with activities like “Red Light/ Green Light”, “Around the World Basketball”, “Musical Mats” and more! The use of ribbons, hula hoops, cones and parachutes adds to the fun. Each Dance Fusion party is 2 hours long. Fitness Instructor Stacy Smith leads dance, games and fitness activities during the first hour. The second hour is set aside for gifts and refreshments.
Cost for each party is $175 for Cary residents, $205 for non-residents.

Stretch-N-Grow Birthday Parties (age 2-7)
Let’s Party…..Stretch-N-Grow style! Register your birthday tot and invite up to 14 children and enjoy a fun, action packed 45 minute class that will include songs, parachute play, ball play and more! After class we will have another 45 minutes for cake and present opening.
Fees: $158(R) $188(N)

Open Gym
The Community Center gym is open year-round for a variety of activities including basketball, volleyball and table tennis. Call us for a schedule of dates and times. A parent must sign the liability waiver prior to youth or teen participation.

For more info:

Contact the community center staff at (919)771-1295 or check out the program brochure at http://www.townofcary.org/depts/prdept/programs.htm .  The facility is attached to Middle Creek High School, near the intersection of West Lake and Optimist Farm Roads.

Cary, NC –  The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood announces its third Lucy’s Book Club topic, “Imagine that!”  The list of 10 recommended books for children and one for parents were chosen by a panel of Lucy Daniels Center educators and Wake County librarians for their excellence in supporting young children’s developing imaginations.

Research shows that the capacity to imagine is a necessary component for the development of higher thinking and problem solving. Books chosen by the panel such as “Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis and “It Looked Like Spilt Milk” by Charles Shaw, inspire children’s creative thinking and encourage looking at everyday surroundings from different perspectives. With an imaginative mind, the possibilities are endless. Children will enjoy reading these books again and again.

The Lucy’s Book Club (LBC) is a free, community outreach program for Wake County children ages birth to six and their parents. LBC is designed to support healthy social and emotional growth for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. All books chosen for the bookmark/booklist are readily available in Wake County libraries, bookstores, and online.  Three of the titles are also available in Spanish.

Bookmark displays with free, oversized bookmarks listing the current book selections can be found in more than 200 locations including Wake County libraries, preschools, childcare centers, pediatricians’ offices, and bookstores, or downloaded online from www.lucysbookclub.org. Parents can visit the website, funded by the Cisco Foundation, to sign their children up for free book club membership, receive a bimonthly blog, and access a myriad of additional resources supporting each Lucy’s Book Club topic.

Photo by larry wfu via Flickr

Backyard Birds
Sunday, August 30th @ 2:00pm
West Regional Library
Cary, NC

This program is family friendly! Join Kari Wonk from the Wake Audubon Society to learn about the feathered friends that love to visit your backyard. Call the library for more info. 463-8500

Photo by larry wfu via Flickr. Used with permission.