Some of my favorite books from childhood revolved around the themes of the tribulations and triumphs of orphaned children. My all time favorites were Lucy Maude Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. There was Louisa May Alcott's Little Men and Jo's Boys.  The protagonists in these stories all achieved happy endings.  Today the need for foster and adoptive parents still exists.  I imagine some of the wonderful people who are inspired to become foster parents must have been brought up on the same books.

May is National Foster Care Month.  Thank you Foster Parents.  "You are making a difference... one child at a time."  Currently, throughout Santa Cruz County, there is an immediate need for individuals and families to help impact the life of a child by becoming foster parents. If you can offer a stable and nurturing home for children needing foster care consider contacting agencies that work to find and support foster families.

Foster children range in age from newborns to 18 years old, and can be placed with a foster family for as little as a few hours in emergency shelter or may stay for months, depending on the type of foster care needed and the preference of the foster parents. Some programs offer foster to adoption paths.

While not everyone is able to commit to becoming a foster parent, there are other ways to volunteer. The foster care system does its best to provide life necessities, but youth often lack birthday gifts, sports uniforms, and other items many children take for granted. You can help fill the void. Visit these agencies and give them a call to see what is needed.

Above the Line       New Families, Inc.       Roots and Wings

Parmalee

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT SCP

The Kid-Friendliest restaurant in town invites you to celebrate Maifest with the family Saturday, May 22, 2-10pm, 9600 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond.

Dancing to the sounds of Al Gruber's Band

Beer Stein Holding, Pretzel Count & Yodeling Contests

Children's Entertainment 3-7pm: Bounce House, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting

Sample Lunch Menu

• Fankfurter ~ German frank on a bun, served with coleslaw
• Ruben Sandwhich ~ Hot corned beef sandwhich with Swiss Cheese and sauerkraut, on rye bread, served with coleslaw
• Corned Beef Sandwich ~ Hot corned beef sandwich on rye bread, served with coleslaw
• Hendle ~ Half chicken with coleslaw
• Teller ~ Two Nürnberg sausages and a choice of one veal or Polish Sausage, with sauerkraut and potatoes
• Weißwurst ~ One boiled veal sausage with a roll
• Käserpätzle ~ Cheese noodles with coleslaw

Sample Dinner Menu

• Bayerisches Spanferkel ~ Roast pig with bread dumpling and red cabbage
• Schweinshaxe ~ Crispy knuckle of pork with bread dumpling and red cabbage
• Leberkäs ~ Veal loaf with sauerkraut & potatoes
• Hendle ~ Half chicken with coleslaw

Dessert All Day! ~ Apple Strudel