CONTEST WINNERS: Betsy Bubblegum DVDs

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers. Each will receive a copy of the DVD Betsy Bubblegum's Journey Through Yummi-Land.
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*Laura Adams of Lowell. A reader of the magazine online. Her favorite features are Pondering Parenting, Mom's Plate Date, and the calendar.
.**Heidi Boyle of Webster. A reader for the last 4 years, her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination.
** Pam Koskovich of Natick. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar & Adoption Insights, and the featured articles.
** Karen Peters of Leominster. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar and Day Trip Destination.
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The DVD is the first-ever movie featuring the Yummi-Land Girls. The DVD also contains several special features including a build your own sundae game, a gooey guessing game, a sing-a-long, and sweet secret surprises.If your are unfamiliar about Yummi-Land, here is quick synopsis about it and the DVD movie: When Betsy Bubblegum arrives in Yummi Land for the first time, she is overwhelmed by the super-delicious sights and scents. Flowery fragrances, fruity flavors, and sweet sounds tempt Betsy to explore the mouthwatering metropolis! After returning with her Uncle, Mayor Marshmallow, Betsy meets the Candy Pop Girls, the Flower Pop Girls, and the Ice Cream Pop Girls. Even as she makes new friends and helps out with a major Yummi-Land event, Betsy discovers her own unique talents.The movie is about 45 minutes. Manufacturer's recommended age is 4 an older.
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Congrats to everyone who entered!
To see current contests offered to Bay State Parent readers, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html

CONTEST WINNERS:

The following 5 were contest winners for a copy of the Spiderwick Chronicles DVD.
Shyiesha Brown, Worcester
Cam Smith, Natick
Trinity Carlson, Barre
Grace Knutson, Oxford
Sydney Davey, Sturbridge
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To enter current Bay State Parent magazine contests visit: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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CONTEST: Enter To Win A Sesame Street DVD Featuring Singles & Doubles Tennis Champion Venus Williams

This past weekend, tennis great Venus Williams not only won the singles title at Wimbledon but also the the Doubles title with her sister Serena (whom she beat for the singles title.). Your child can watch Venus and Elmo in an imaginary game of volley & serve and the rest of the Sesame Street gang on Sesame Street: Count On Sports, arriving on DVD July 22nd from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop.


Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with the two companies to giveaway 5 copies of the DVD to readers. To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Sesame SPORTS in the pull down bar.
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. DVDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.

ABOUT COUNT ON SPORTS: Integrating essential concepts into each of the memorable sports segments, this math-tastic presentation is full of numbers, shapes and spatial relations such as short/tall, over/under and forward/backward. With Ernie reporting from ESSN - Ernie's Sports Show News (a parody of ESPN's "Sport's Center") - tiny tikes won't miss a moment of the DVD's amazing athletic adventures such as The Count racing in the Transylvania 300; Prairie Dawn flipping for Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes; Grover shooting hoops with New Jersey Nets basketball star Vince Carter and Elmo serving up a game of imaginary tennis with champion Venus Williams.

Sesame Street: Count On Sports, is about 45 minutes long, will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.93.
About Sesame Workshop: Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org

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CONTEST: Win A Wall-E Soundtrack

Bay State Parent readers can enter to win one of 5 copies of the soundtrack for the #1 movie in the country -- Wall-E. The Walt Disney Records CD features a score written by 8-time Academy Award-nominated composer Thomas Newsman and the original song Down to Earth written and performed by Peter Gabriel. (It's my personal favorite song on the CD.) The soundtrack also includes two songs from Hello Dolly performed by Michael Crawford (It Only Takes A Moment and Put On Your Sunday Clothes and the Louis Armstrong classic La Vie En Rose.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (Finding Demo and A Bug's Life) didn't wait long to ask Finding Nemo collaborator Thomas Newman to compose the music for Wall-E. "The night of the Oscars in 2004 (Finding Nemo) we went out for a celebratory toast at the bar in the middle of the ceremony, and right there I remember saying, 'Okay I've got this idea and it involves Hello Dolly and science fiction.' Wondering if he would still talk to me after that..." Stanton described. The Hello Dolly reference didn't scare off Newman - his uncle Lionel was the conductor for the 1969 film.

Though he has written music for a wide range of films Thomas Newman had never composed for a science fiction film. He brought his on unique style to Wall-E. "He's got a very unique style that often involves a lot of overdubes and mixing after he's recorded the orchestra. And it just allow this fresh palette of sounds to come in," said Stanton. "He really nailed an identity for not only the movie but for the characters and for the moments. I can't imagine it any other way."

If you haven't seen the animated film, here is a quick synopsis: What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (beside collecting knickknacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile WALL-E chases EVE across the Galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures.
The soundtrack it stores on June 24 and the movie opened to box office success three day later.
To win one of 5 CD, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select OTHER in the pull down bar. The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 3 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. CDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.
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CONTEST: Yes You Can, Win It! Bob the Builder DVD Giveaway!

Yesterday was the public debut of Bob the Builder: Let's Build the Beach DVD ($14.99) If you haven't purchased a copy yet, consider entering Bay State Parent magazine's exclusive giveaway contest. The grand prize winner gets a box full of Bob the Builder beach tools to build their own sandcastle plus the new DVD to watch on a day filled with thunderstorms. Four 0ther winners each will receive a copy of the DVD. (For details to enter see below...)

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With summer in full swing and Independence Day days away, Bob the Builder heads to Bobland Bay to embark on some beach-building fun as Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment present the all-new Bob the Builder: Let’s Build the Beach DVD. Bob the Builder and his machine team are always ready to tackle any project. As they hammer out solutions that lead to a job well done, Bob and the Can-Do Crew demonstrate the power of positive thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and follow-through. Most importantly, from start to finish, the team always shows that The Fun is Getting It Done!
The building adventures in Bobland Bay continue in September when 14 new episodes of Bob the Builder – Project Build It, set at this seaside location, air on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).

DVD SYNOPSIS: Join Bob and his Can-Do Crew in Bobland Bay as they welcome exciting new machine team members Splasher and Bristle. Bob is going to need a lot of help to build this new seaside town, so grab your hard hats, buckle up your tool belts and get ready to have some fun with everyone’s favorite builder in these five all-new, never-before-seen episodes:
* “Lofty’s Comet” - Bob and the team are busy building an observatory. When Lofty climbs a mountain to get a better look at the comet, he gets stuck. Will Lofty get back in time to see it with the others?
* “Spud and the Hotel” - When the first guests arrive at the Bobland Bay hotel, Spud helps out by doing every job, with chaotic results. When the new manager arrives, Spud is very pleased to go back to the quiet life of a scarecrow!
* “Tumbler’s Perfect Promenade” - Tumbler wants to help design the new promenade, but can’t come up with an idea. When some friendly animals leave their tracks in his wet cement the Bobland Bay Walk of Fame is born!
* “Clean as a Whistle Bristle” - As Bob and the team prepare for the opening ceremony, Bristle, the street-cleaner, arrives to clean the town. When important items are missing Bob puts the clues together and they all point to Bristle! Is he really the culprit?
* “Super-Splasher” - Splasher, an amphibious vehicle, arrives to take the hotel guests for sight-seeing tours. After a brave water rescue, he becomes known as Super-Splasher. Determined to live up to his new name, he rescues some people who don't need rescuing!
SPECIAL DVD FEATURES include a bonus episode of Fireman Sam™ – “Danger, Falling Sheep” ad a bonus episode of international sensation Fifi and the Flowertots™ – “Stingo Gets Stuck.”

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To enter for the grand prize or the 4 other DVD prizes please fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Bob the Builder in the pull down bar.

*The deadline to enter is Aug. 13 at 11:59 est.

* Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only!

*Winners and their hometowns will be announced on this blog.

*Grand prize winner MUST pick up their prize at the Bay State Parent magazine's main office on Elm Street in Milbury, Massachusetts. The grand prize will NOT be mailed. The 4 DVD prizes will be mailed, upon address verification.

* The grand prize toy package includes bubble blowers, sand tools, and a Bob the Builder Scoop watering can.

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CONTEST: Win A Sesame Street Count On Sports DVD

Sesame Street invites toddlers and preschoolers to get their thinking game on in Sesame Street: Count On Sports, arriving on DVD July 22nd from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street. Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with the two companies to giveaway 5 copies of the DVD to readers. To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Sesame SPORTS in the pull down bar.

The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 EST. Winners' names & hometowns will be posted on this site. DVDs will be mailed to winners, upon verification. The contest is open to Massachusetts residents only.

ABOUT COUNT ON SPORTS: Integrating essential concepts into each of the memorable sports segments, this math-tastic presentation is full of numbers, shapes and spatial relations such as short/tall, over/under and forward/backward. With Ernie reporting from ESSN - Ernie's Sports Show News (a parody of ESPN's "Sport's Center") - tiny tikes won't miss a moment of the DVD's amazing athletic adventures such as The Count racing in the Transylvania 300; Prairie Dawn flipping for Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes; Grover shooting hoops with New Jersey Nets basketball star Vince Carter and Elmo serving up a game of imaginary tennis with champion Venus Williams.

Sesame Street: Count On Sports, is about 45 minutes long, will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.93.

About Sesame Workshop: Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org

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CONTEST: Enter To Win A Lil' BRATZ Party Time! DVD

Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with LionGate for a BRATZ DVD contest.
Three readers of the magazine will win Lil' Bratz Party Time! DVD (available to the public on July 15) ($14.98) To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select BRATZ DVD in the pull down bar. The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 EST. Winner's names & hometowns will be posted on this site. The manufacturer's recommended age for the DVD is age 3-11. DVDs will be mailed to winners.

ABOUT THE DVD: This July, the Bratz are kicking off summer by throwing a party, as Lionsgate releases to DVD an interactive adventure starring the Lil’ Bratz – Bratz Interactive: Lil’ Bratz Party Time! In this DVD, fans of the popular brand can plan a party for their favorite Lil’ Bratz – including choosing invitations, selecting a cake, choosing a theme, etc. After fans have planned the perfect party, they decide the activities to play, the music to dance to and more! DVD Special Features include 4 party activities, 6 music and sing-a-long activities, and 3 music videos.

ABOUT BRATZ: Since being introduced to the market in 2001, Bratz™ has quickly become one of the world’s foremost toy lines and girls’ lifestyle brands, with over 6 million home entertainment products sold. This fall, MGA Entertainment will introduce an all-new Lil’ Bratz toy line featuring a smaller doll, with fully rooted hair down to her toes! In addition, there will be over 40 Lil’ Bratz licensees available at retail this fall including accessories, sleepwear, bedding and party supplies.

CONTEST: Enter to Win Care Bears: King of the Moon DVD

Get ready to help your child reach for the stars! On July 1, Cheer Bear, Tendeheart, and all of the Care Bear cousins invite their friends to join them for an out-of-this world adventure in their latest DVD release, Care Bears: King of the Moon!
LIONSGATE has teamed up with Bay State Parent magazine for a DVD giveaway of this title for Bay State Parent readers. (Details are below).
In the new DVD, Braveheart, Grams, and Champ are ready to lend their paws, and caring gets out-of-this world as they orbit the moon and travel to distant galaxies. But no matter how far they go, friendship and love are always close to home with the Care Bears.
The release features six care Bear stories from the classic television series, available for the first time on DVD, including King of the Moon, The Space Bubbles, Grumpy the Clumsy, The Purple Chariot, The Factory of Uncaring, and The Coconut Crazy.
The DVD will be available in an all-new kid-case package, making it easy for preschoolers to carry all of their favorite Care Bears DVDs with them everywhere.
The DVD will be released to the public on Tuesday, July 1 ($14.99). The DVD running time is 77 minutes.
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CONTEST DETAILS: To enter, fill out the magazine survey form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
Please, select Care Bears in the pull down bar.
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Three winners will receive a copy of the DVD.
DVDs will be mailed to the winners.
The winner's names and hometowns will be posted here.
Contest is open to residents of Massachusetts ONLY.
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CONTEST: Betsy Bubblegum's Journey Through Yummi-Land DVD

Bay State Parent magazine has teamed up with LionsGate for a special DVD giveaway for our readers. To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Make sure to select Betsy Bubblegum in the pull down bar. Four readers will win a copy of the DVD. The deadline to enter is Aug. 2 at 11:59 EST. Winner's names & hometowns will be posted on this site.
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The DVD is the first-ever movie featuring the Yummi-Land Girls. The DVD also contains several special features including a build your own sundae game, a gooey guessing game, a sing-a-long, and sweet secret surprises.
If your are unfamiliar about Yummi-Land, here is quick synopsis about it and the DVD movie: When Betsy Bubblegum arrives in Yummi Land for the first time, she is overwhelmed by the super-delicious sights and scents. Flowery fragrances, fruity flavors, and sweet sounds tempt Betsy to explore the mouthwatering metropolis! After returning with her Uncle, Mayor Marshmallow, Betsy meets the Candy Pop Girls, the Flower Pop Girls, and the Ice Cream Pop Girls. Even as she makes new friends and helps out with a major Yummi-Land event, Betsy discovers her own unique talents.
The movie is about 45 minutes. Manufacturer's recommended age is 4 an older.
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Bee Movie Giveaway Winners

The following readers of Bay State Parent won a copy of the Bee Movie DVD:

Dorcas Abe, Framingham
Marco Arambula, Webster
Oilvia Chizzo, Sudbury
Anthony Hurlbut, Sterling

The contest was published in the May print edition.

To enter current magazine contests exclusively online, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html

For more details on current contests and previous contest winners, visit http://baystateparent.blogspot.com/search/label/contest

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CONTEST: Win a Barney Let's Go to The Farm DVD

Down on Grandpa's farm... well, is Barney. And if he is your child's favorite character, you'll want to enter our exclusive online contest, sponsored by HIT Entertainment! Four readers of Bay State Parent magazine can win a copy of the Barney Let's Go to the Farm DVD (2007, $14.99)
To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html.
Winners will be chosen at random. Only Massachusetts residents can enter. Deadline to enter is July 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner's names and hometowns will be post on this blog. DVDs will be mailed to winners.

CONTEST: Win A Jeff Corwin Experience DVD

Bay State Parent magazine has teemed up with Genius Products to giveaway copies of the soon-to-be released DVD The Jeff Corwin Experience Season 2, which is available to the public on May 20.

In the DVD families, can join wildlife biologist and Jeff Corwin on a globe-spanning quest and ‘experience’ the world’s most interesting and diverse animals and locations. In a vivid adventure beginning in Florida and California and branching out to Guyana, Australia and Tanzania, The Jeff Corwin Experience Season 2 from Animal Planet is both hilarious and educational as its charismatic host ventures up cliffs and through caves to find nature’s most treasured and even most dangerous wildlife from Bighorn Sheep and Giant Anteaters, to Flying Foxes and the Tasmanian Devil.

To enter, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html and fill out the survey form. Please pull down OTHER In the pull down bar and in additional comments write JEFF CORWIN.

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The contest is open Massachusetts residents only. DVDs will be mailed to winner, upon verification. Winners' names will also be posted on this blog.

The deadline to enter is July 25.

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5 Readers Win Go Diego Go DVDs!

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers for winning a copy of Go Diego Go: Moonlight Rescue:
* Michelle Maley of Grafton
* Magdalena Rodriguez of Worcester
* Stephanie Eco of Shrewsbury
* Krista Lajoie of Gardner
* MaryAnn Simpson of Burlington

In Go Diego Go: Moonlight Rescue DVD, 8-year-old Diego, the cousin of Dore the Explorer tells the story of the day he and Tuga were at the beach waiting for the baby sea turtle eggs to hatch. In this 45-minute never-before-seen episode on DVD, suddenly, a big lightening storm comes and breaks Luna (the moon) into four pieces and they drop from the sky. Now, Diego must work to help get Luna back together because once the baby turtles hatch, they’ll need moonlight to find their way into the ocean – their new home. Preschoolers and toddlers will want to stay up past bedtime to watch this night time Diego adventure.
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest (http://baystateparent.blogspot.com/2008/04/contest-win-go-diego-go-dvd.html)
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CONTEST: Enter to Win A Barney Let's Go To the Beach DVD

Bay State Parent magazine and HIT Entertainment has teamed up for an exclusive contest for our readers. Four readers will each win a copy of the Barney: Let's Go To the Beach DVD. ( 2007, $14.99) Let's Go To the Beach with Barney and his pals BJ and Baby Bop with this awesome DVD, if you child is a fan of Barney! When Barney and his friends go to the beach, the group discovers all sorts of tee-rific things to do! From flying kites to wind-surfing to a trip in a sailboat, join Barney for all sorts of fun-in-the-sun activities. For a dino-mite day, by the ocean or the bay, Let's Go to the Beach with Barney! BONUS DVD features include Barney's Jukebox, Build a Sandcastle, and Barney's Sea Shell Mix up.
To enter, fill out the survey at http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html. Don't forget to select the Barney beach DVD in the pulldown bar. The deadline to enter is June 30 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only. Winners names and hometown will be posted on this blog. DVDs will be mailed to winners.
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CONTEST: Win A Go Diego Go DVD

In Go Diego Go: Moonlight Rescue DVD, 8-year Old Diego, the cousin of Dore the Explorer tells the story of the day he and Tuga were at the beach waiting for the baby sea turtle eggs to hatch. In this 45-minute never-before-seen episode on DVD, suddenly, a big lightening storm comes and breaks Luna (the moon) into four pieces and they drop from the sky. Now, Diego must work to help get Luna back together because once the baby turtles hatch, they’ll need moonlight to find their way into the ocean – their new home. Preschoolers and toddlers will want to stay up past bedtime to watch this night time Diego adventure.

Released a couple weeks ago, Bay State Parent magazine is giving away a handful of copies of this new DVD available in stores now.

To enter the giveaway, fill out the form at this link: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html

Make sure to select the Go Diego Go in the DVD pulldown bar.

CONTEST WINNERS: Happy Feet DVD

Congrats to the winners of Bay State Parent magazine's Happy Feet DVD giveaway. Each will receive a widescreen version of the Academy Award winning best animated film. They are:
* Amy Remillard of Groton, who picks us up at the Littleton Library.
* Maura Power of Southbridge, who picks up the magazine at Tri-Community YMCA in Southbridge
* Amy Prince of Sudbury, who picks us up at Mass Gymnastics
* Gladiola DeKing of Milford, who picks up the magazine at her local library
* Julie DiRico of Westford
* Airi Kloren of Shirley, who picks us up at her local library
* Jen Leider of Fitchburg, who picks us up at her son's preschool at Fitchburg High
* Jen Dintinosanto of Clinton, who picks up the magazine at her local library
* Patricia Jobin of Millbury, who picks us up at BabiesRus

Each will be mailed a copy of the DVD.
Thanks to everyone who entered.
Please check the print edition of the magazine, the magazine's Web site -- www.baystateparent.com and this blog for exclusive contests.This month's contest is a personalized DVD, in which your child becomes Spiderman.
To enter, visit www.baystateparent.com

CONTEST WINNERS: Bob the Builder Extreme Adventure DVDs

Congrats to our 5 winners of the the Bob the Builder: Bob's X-Treme Adventures DVD (which premiered on May 15 and was part of Bay State Parent magazine's online DVD giveaway in May).
The winners are:

* Shawn Bolton of Northbridge


* Diane Cavaco of Bolyston, who picks the magazine up at Shaw's


* Denise Constable of Uxbridge, who picked up the magazine at Southwick's Zoo


* Susan Howard of Sutton, who picks the magazine up at either Chutes & Ladders in Sutton or Goretti's in Millbury.


* Gail Villani of Bolyston





Each will be mailed a copy of the DVD.


Thanks to everyone who entered.
Please check the print edition of the magazine, the magazine's Web site -- www.baystateparent.com and this blog for exclusive contests.
This month's contest is a personalized DVD, in which your child becomes Spiderman.
To enter, visit www.baystateparent.com

Thursday last day to enter DVD contest!!!

Thursday, May 31 is the last day to answer a few survey questions and be entered to win one of these DVDs. To enter, visit: www.baystateparent.com/Common/survey_form.html and make sure to select which DVD you would like to win. Contest is open to Massachusetts residents only. Winners will be announced on this blog in June.

Elmo Helps Kids Cope With Deployed Parents

Over half a million children under the age of 5 are waiting for their active duty, Guard or Reserve, mother or father to come home - the most since World War II. The producers of Sesame Street, along with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, have responded with a television special geared to address the challenges military families face with deployment. This primetime special, hosted by Cuba Gooding, Jr. captures the extraordinary courage and touching vulnerability of both parents and children. In recognition of April as the “Month of the Military Child,” PBS will air a special encore presentation of When Parents are Deployed tonight (April 9).
If you miss the special airing tonight or want to watch it a a more convenient time with your child, the entire program can be viewed online at http://www.sesameworkshop.org/wpad/

The special builds upon Sesame Workshop's recent educational outreach program produced in partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment.
Compelling research illustrates how Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, has been successful in helping children cope with the challenges of military deployment.
In July 2006, Sesame Workshop launched Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment, a bilingual, multi-media outreach kit developed to provide tools and ideas to parents and caregivers on how to help children cope with the process of deployment.
Findings from the survey including a national sample of 367 spouses of active duty, National Guard and Reserves personnel from all five branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard), indicated that after four weeks of exposure to the kit:
* More than 80 percent of families rated the kit as highly appealing, effective, and comprehensible for adults and children.
* Families expressed increased comfort levels in helping children cope with current and future deployments by utilizing suggestions and strategies from the materials.
* Parents reported feeling less depressed and hopeless.
* Families reported that their children exhibited fewer negative behaviors and an increase in constructive family interactions about deployment.
“The evaluation data strongly supports that parents appreciate and want resources on how to support their young children during deployments. I am so pleased that Sesame Workshop undertook this effort to support military parents of young children, and I am especially pleased that careful evaluation was part of the effort from the very beginning,” stated Shelley MacDermid, Ph.D., co-Director of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. “The thoughtfulness with which the developers sought guidance from researchers and other experts as the materials were constructed was instrumental to their success, and today’s findings speak for themselves.”
The Talk, Listen, Connect materials include a DVD for children and adults featuring the Muppets from Sesame Street; a poster for children; and a magazine for children, parents and caregivers that addresses the challenges and concerns experienced during various phases of deployment (pre-deployment, deployment and homecoming).


The kits were distributed to military families by The Department of Defense through Military OneSource various outlets at no cost.
In just the first two weeks of distribution, more than 100,000 requests for kits were received and interest continues each day.
The Talk, Listen, Connect kits are also available online at www.sesameworkshop.org/tlc, where streaming video is being provided by The Department of Defense Quality of Life Information Technology Center.