fire Publisher Arthur Horwitz 0, Contributing Writers Lynne Konstantin Mark Lichterman Diane Schaefer Jill Davidson Sklar Copy Editors/Proofreaders Phillip Applebaum Lynne Konstantin Gail Zimmerman Photographers Daniel Lippitt Business Manager Marianne B. Taylor LTh Production Manager Curtis DeLoye Assistant Production Manager Gayle Bald! Production Nancy Cameron, Cathy Ciccone, Marla Cooper, Leslie Joseph, Ralph Orme, Holly Piskie Accounting Manager Linda McCarthy , Office Staff Heather Bondy, Kari Horenstein, Table Kuppe, Sue Maniloff, Susie Sherman, Brigette Thompson Consumer Marketing Manager Deborah Cherrin Fulfillment Supervisor Paula Smith Marketing Manager !liana P. Greenberg Sales Manager Shari Cimino Senior Account Executive Danny Raskin Account Executives Heidi Brandemihi, Theresa Ceccarelli, Ellen Finn, Kathy Johnson, Betsy Leemon, Patricia McMurray, Rick Nessel, Michelle Weyh, Lisa Wylin Advertising Coordinator Robin E. Magness Inside Sales Dharlene Norris Classified Sales Karin Indig PUBLISHED BY: The Jewish News Group of Waterspout Communications LLC President Charles A. Buerger Executive Vice Presidents Arthur M. Horwitz, Sylvia Boyko Stafford Corporate Art Director Robyn Katz Jewish News Editor Phil Jacobs Display Ad Deadline: Monday, 4:30 pm Offices: 27676 Franklin Road Southfield, MI 48034 810-354-6060 General 810-354-6060 Display Advertising 810-354-6069 Editorial Fax 810-354-1210 Advertising Fax 810-3546620 Circulation THE APPLETREE (USPS 275-520) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE JEWISH NEWS AT 27676 FRANKLIN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT SOUTH- FIELD, MICHIGAN AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMAS- TER: SEND CHANGES TO: DETROIT JEWISH NEWS, 27676 FRANKLIN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48034. CCOPYRIGHT 1996 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS B efore I had children ("B.C.," as I like to say), I attended an evening book group that comprised an interesting collection of women of all ages, from all the suburbs, of all walks of life. Each month we would read a book in advance, then dis- cuss it when we got together. I loved hearing everyone's per- spectives, to see how very dif- ferently we interpreted a word, a phrase, an idea. It was, at times, as though we weren't even speaking about the same book. I'm a critical reader, and most of the works we read I thought were just so-so. But one of them I found to be the most moving book. It is called They Came Like Swallows, and it is the true story of a boy whose mother dies. It is a quiet book, but at the end it leaves you with such a profound sense of loss, unmatched in anything else I have ever come across. And indeed, author William Maxwell continues to this day (he's well into his 90s) to speak of how much he miss- es his mother. The title of the book is taken from a Yeats poem reflecting the influence of a mother on her children: They came like swallows and like swallows went, And yet a woman's power- ful character Could keep a swallow to is first intent; And half a dozen in forma- tion there, That seemed to shirl upon a compass-point, Found certainty upon the dreaming air: The Ten Commandments di- rect us to honor our father and mother. It is to be done every day, but many of us also do this by marking Mother's Day on the secular calendar. The Jew- ish calendar affords us such an opportunity with Rosh Chodesh, the new moon. It's a women's holiday and the perfect occasion to give your mother a helping hand. On our Celebrate page, we offer ideas on how to give mom a great Saturday, November 2--11 am Gordon Berg's "Jacuzzi in the Congo" Tour. Join the guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose hilarious songs also have a positive, multicultural message. For Kids ages 5-500. Saturday, November 9 -- 11 am "Oceans of Books" -- Join Maureen Schiffman & her monkey Coco on a journey into the deep, blue sea, & learn all about life in and around the ocean! For Kids ages 4-400. For older kids: Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 pm Wild Wednesday presents: Native American Traditions. Learn to use & make instruments & tools once used by Native Americans. For kids 7 - 11 years old. For Adults: **Wednesday, October 30 -- 7:30 pm** Note date change from last issue. Meet Dr. Laura Schlessinger, radio talk show host and author of Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives, signing her latest best- seller: How Could You Do That?! The Abdication of Character; Courage, and Conscience. To find out more, call or drop by and avid be glad to give you one of our monthly calendars or put you on our mailing list FIND OUT. BORDERS BOOK SHOP Kipling is here. Now. Direct from Europe: Hip Shapes-Hot colors. Kipling is harmony: a sense of style, a sense of humor. A cool confident statement of individuality. Rosh Chodesh. In this month's issue we also take a look at great collectors (The Big Story), popular new toys (in Small Bites), some adorable faces (Family Album) and welcome our first coloring contest winner, Joshua Epstein. Thanks to all of you who took the time to call with your comments about the Apple- Tree. I continue to welcome your suggestions and ideas. You can reach me at (810) 354-6060, Ext. 257. If I'm not in, please leave a message and I'll get back to you. — Elizabeth Applebaum Editor BIRMINGHAM 31150 SOUTHFIELD RD AT 13 MILE (810) 644-1515 BACK TO THE BAG And who does that monkey think he is? APPLEGATE SQUARE Northwestern & Inkster Road (810)357-1800 Mon.-Sat 10-5 • Thurs. 10-8 • PERSONALIZED SERVICE • COMPETITIVE PRICES • 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE O CT O B E R r PUBLISHED BY THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Art Director Debbie Schultz curiquS7 . For our younost readers: HELPING JEWISH FAMILIES GROW Editor Elizabeth Applebaum rygtA