Family Fun

A Treasure Trove Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Becky Linhardt Mummies and Pirates and Warriors — oh, my! The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis recently opened National Geographic Treasures of the Earth , an amazing permanent exhibition that is layered with mysteries and real archaeological research. There is no additional charge for this adventure, just step into the “Treasures Transport” to be lowered into the depths of the earth, where you’ll begin your search with the help of trained staff interpreters. When the doors open, you’ll find yourself in an undergroun...

To the Dogs Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Jill Sell Dogs that look like little lambs. Dogs with fur like twisted clothesline rope. Dogs so big you wonder, “How did a bear wander unnoticed into Madison Square Garden?” More than 2,500 canines vie for Top Dog honors at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City , held February 13 and 14, 2012. No other dog show in the world compares to the prestigious Westminster. Established in 1877, it’s America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Best in Sho...

Bear-ing the Cold Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Becky Linhardt “Mom, there’s a bear in the back of this truck!” Expect squeals of delight as young children get an unusual view of the bears at the new Bear Habitat and Town of Glacier Run at the Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky. This is not your average bear exhibit — momma bear, Inga, was tagged three times as a nuisance bear in Montana, and by law, was to be euthanized. But luckily, she and her cubs were offered a home at the zoo. Since the grizzlies and zoo-born polar bear Arki were familiar with human ...

Think Inside the Box Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Becky Linhardt “Think of it as a set of boxes within a box — but with none of the walls of the screening areas touching. The movie experience is isolated to the movie on the screen, no noise from other presentations,” says Shane Smith, director of public programmes at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Ontario . And, oh what magic those boxes contain! After years of dreaming and planning, TIFF opened the Bell Lightbox in September 2010, and immediately began year-round programming...

A Scary Good Time Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Carolyn Walkup What may be the world’s largest collection of handmade scarecrows greets kids of all ages at the 26th annual St. Charles Scarecrow Fest , held October 7–9. Nearly 120,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor festival, when fall’s rich colors only add to the charm of downtown St. Charles, located just an hour west of Chicago. More than 100 scarecrows — created by artists, community organizations and local businesses and showcasing a variety of styles — will be on display throughout Lincoln Park and ...

Please Feed the Animals Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta Do you have what it takes to train dolphins and beluga whales? Don a wetsuit and rubber boots and jump into Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium , where the premier experiential program will have you spending up-close-and-personal time with amazing marine creatures. The Shedd is a world-class aquarium, featuring more than 32,600 marine animals, from snails to whales, as well as the Abbott Oceanarium, a 3,000,000-gallon tank that is one of the largest indoor marine mammal facilities in the world. With the Shedd’s Tr...

(Chow) Down on the Farm Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Sandie Young One farm, six tables and one big sausage frenzy were just the start of the Bob Evans story — the quintessential farm-fresh fairy tale. Now sold in grocery stores and with a spin-off franchise, the family-friendly chain has grown to nearly 600 restaurants serving arguably the best-tasting breakfast food there is. Now that’s a reason to celebrate. Revel in the delicious success at the 41st Annual Bob Evans Farm Festival, held at the Bob Evans Farm in Bidwell, Ohio , October 14–16. The three-day festivitie...

The Midwest Pole Issue: Fall/Winter 2011 Author(s): Ed Condran A visit to the charming small midwestern town of Santa Claus, Indiana , will make a believer out of anyone. Check out the post office — which receives more than 400,000 pieces of mail each year marked for Kris Kringle — to drop in a note with your return address, and you’ll receive a letter with the coveted Santa Claus postmark. Just two doors from the post office is the Santa Claus Museum, which is filled with Santa memorabilia, photos and articles about Saint Nick and the town that bears his name. Her...