Weekender Extended Magazine - November

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The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing 15 East Main St., Shiloh, OH P.O. Box 96, Shiloh, OH 44878 PHONE; 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Editor-in-chief- Kathy Barnett kathy@barnettpro.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden People to See Editor: Lisa Garcia Assistant Editor: Rebecca Embry Assistant Editor: Samantha Bradley Assistant Editor: Lisa Brant Photo Journalist: Kelley Ramsey editor@weekenderextended.com Technical Director - Norman Reed Managing Editor : Social Media Norm@weekenderextended.com Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Subscriptions are FREE! Submit name and email address HERE and also be entered in our drawing for a FREE weekend getaway!

Copyright 2020 by BarnettPRO Publishing All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.

Cover Photo:

With social distancing rules enforced, the corn mazes are open!

Some have hidden money while others implemented scavenger hunts.

Several are featured in this issue.

Up Close: From the Editor

As we approach the end of a challenging year, I realize that our country is fatigued and longing for a sense of unity.

With the discouraging disagreements on how to combat COVID-19, how to politically run our country, or whether or not to travel for the holidays, so many have shared with me how they are just ready to give up. Some are suffering from depression while others are downright fearful of the future. And others are struggling to survive the hardships of the results. Everywhere I turn, there are blank stares while others hide feelings behind their face masks showing only their sad eyes.

So I thought to myself, what inspires me to keep going?

How do I combat the rest of the world and the anxieties of today? For me, finding a new and exciting place to go, something exciting to do, or a special someone to see does the trick.

And this issue didn’t disappoint. As I searched for inspiration, I realized there are just so many choices that I have not yet explored. So I challenge you - all of you - to stop for a moment and browse through the following pages to find your next extended weekend getaway.

Start by making sure to excercise your freedom to vote.

Next, make your list for what it takes you to get inspired to assure a successful holiday season. Then make another list with ways to inspire others to get up and out of their dumps and enjoy. Now make one more list of what you are thankful for this year. Whether it’s at home, with family or friends, or a getaway to rejuvenate and refresh your spirits, just be sure to make it a

Very Happy (and thankful )

Thanksgiving

Kathy Barnett Senior Editor

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Column Feature-Things to Do:

By Kandy Derden Things to Do Editor

Cooking With a Purpose: Inspira Like so many of my generation, I have had a wide variety of occupations.

One of my first jobs was working for a well-known cookie and cracker manufacturer. At age fifteen, I began teaching piano lessons which provided me with pocket money through high school and college. Several months were spent shoveling 33 flavors at a popular ice cream store. This was followed by being a gift-wrapper, free-lance writer, babysitter, dormitory supervisor and mail room clerk. There was also one very busy semester of being a hotel desk clerk while also working as a cashier and salad bar restocker at the busiest restaurant in town. I met a lot of interesting people while employed by a car rental agency at the local airport.

After graduation, my ‘jobs’changed to a career. I was a school teacher for a few years until I got married and moved out of state.

Somewhere along the line, I learned just enough about cake decorating to get a job in a bakery. That led to owning and operating my own bakery for over a decade. Then back to babysitting followed by some private investigative work. It felt like I had come full circle when I opened a music studio which involved a return to teaching. After another stint in the baking industry came another flip flop back into music and education with free-lance writing in my spare time.

Come to think of it, there hasn’t been as much diversity as I thought. It all narrows down to two categories: the food industry and education. Recently, I have combined those two several times. I even had another teacher tell me, “My students really get excited when they see you put on your apron.” What a compliment! That tells me they must be thinking it’s going to be something good.

However, I prefer to think of it as a tribute to my teaching skills as opposed to how much they are anticipating whatever samples are available at the end of class.

So, just what are those teaching skills? There is an abundance

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of information available to teachers in order to help them be organized and prepared for class. But the real key goes much deeper. There are books upon books upon books on the subject, but I believe it can be narrowed down to four simple points which all lead to the same thing. A mediocre teacher tell facts. A good teacher explains things.

A great teacher actually demonstrates and uses illustrations. But a superior teacher inspires their students to greatness! At the very least, these students achieve more than they ever thought possible.

How is this accomplished? Various answers to this question include: being positive, showing interest, offering endless encouragement and truly caring about someone else’s success. If I had to convey all that with a single word, I would select the word ENTHUSIASM!

Enthusiastic is the best word I know to describe a former employee from my bakery days. This woman embraced everything she did with great gusto! Anyone who ever listened to her talk would quickly discover her method of self-expression to be quite colorful. Once she discovered the enjoyment which could be derived from wind chimes, she filled her entire porch with them to provide continual nature-made music. When she cooked, there was no skimping on ingredients.

Included here is the only recipe she ever shared with me.

ation PEANUT BRITTLE

Select a cloudless day with very low humidity for best results. Gather all items needed: a large, deep iron skillet, long wooden spoon, candy thermometer and several cookie sheets or large baking trays. Butter trays heavily. Set aside.

(Optional: cover table or counter with foil, dull side up. Butter foil heavily.)

Have all ingredients measured ahead of time.

2 c. raw peanuts 1 c. clear syrup 2 c. white sugar 1 stick margarine 1 tsp. salt

Combine in a heavy, deep skillet.

Bring to a full boil. Boil approximately 5 minutes, stirring constantly until it reaches the hard crack stage (300 degrees).

Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. soda and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir well.

Pour onto heavily buttered surface. Spread thin. Cool. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

As was her usual style, she didn’t just hand me a recipe card with a list of ingredients. Instead, she spent an entire day working with me to teach me all her little tips and secrets which were not written down. (Most of these have been included above.) We made batch after batch after batch until my shoulders ached and my feet threatened to sue me for divorce. However, her energy was limitless and contagious. The result was the best peanut brittle I have ever had and believe me, I’ve tried a lot of different ones. Most were disappointing.

Now it isn’t a problem because I now know how to make my own. While stirring every batch, I think of her and send her a silent “Thank you.”

May she rest in peace. Because of inspiration from her, I can list candy maker along with all my previous professions.

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Places to Go:

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor

Shopping For Gifts This year Black Friday is bound to become known as the year for ‘Black November’, due to shoppers planning to avoid crowds as much as possible. And how do you fight off other shoppers for that very last bargain on the shelf when you must practice social distancing? We sure don’t wish to be down with COVID-19 during the holidays!

Sales are being promoted already to spread out over the entire month of November amid all the on-going restrictions that limit the number of shoppers allowed in stores.

Retailers are also establishing Black Friday as an online-only event, and are luring bargain hunters online to minimize contact. Walmart has just announced “Black Friday Deals for Days”, where each event will first begin online and only hit stores a few days later.

The Parents Choice Award-winning codeSpark Academy, which has a presence in more than 1/3 of the country’s school districts, teaches the ABCs of coding through a combo of structured challenges and open-ended play.

The app is educational while the open-ended games feel and look like play.They are ideal for athome learning as its self-directed, project-based model allows kids to learn a complex subject like coding at their own pace.

Kids can even learn virtually from their classmates and friends through multi-player modes and sharing completed games and sto-

ries on the platform. codeSpark Academy’s gender-neutral characters and easy to use “no words” interface is perfect for kids in 170 countries just starting to master the basics of technology.

The company is offering special rates available during Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates only. : Black Friday Promo Start Date: 11/16 End Date: 11/29 Promo Code: FRIDAY2020 Offer: $39.99 for 6 months (auto-renew at discounted rate) Special: First 25 customers receive a FREE Ninja plush Link: codespark.com/promo Black Friday Gift Plan Start Date: 11/16 End Date: 11/29

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Promo Code: FRIDAYGIFT Offer: 20% off 12 Month and Lifetime Gift Plans (12Month - reg $89.99, Lifetime - reg $179.99) Link: https://accounts. codespark.com/gift Cyber Monday Promo Start Date: 11/30 End Date: 12/02 Promo Code: CYBER2020 Offer: $39.99 for 6 months (auto-renew at discounted rate) Special: First 25 customers receive a FREE Ninja plush Link: codespark.com/promo Please Note: Special plan for Black Friday/Cyber Monday only.

Not available any other time of year. Discounted rate will be locked in until plan is cancelled.

People to See:

By Lisa Garcia People to See Editor

Jim Brickman Jim Brickman gives the gift of a Soothe Christmas with a new album and groundbreaking virtual tour.

‘Soothe Christmas Vol. 6’ was released ahead of the scheduled Virtual Holiday Concerts.

Acclaimed pianist and songwriter Jim Brickman is well-known for his signature brand of music that calms, uplifts, and inspires. In recent months, the Grammy-nominated musician has offered a lineup of “Soothe” content — from a playlist and podcast to livestreams — that have brought fans together to relax and recharge during these challenging times.

On October 16, Brickman introduces Soothe Christmas Vol. 6, an album designed to offer tranquility along with holiday cheer.

With Soothe Christmas Vol. 6, Brickman sets the scene for a relaxing holiday with family and close friends. Offering the perfect soundtrack for a peaceful season, he explores time-honored favorites imbued with his distinctive calm, from “Oh Christmas Tree” and “Mary Did You Know” to “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

Whether listeners are having a quiet holiday evening in front of the fire, a virtual gathering with friends, or a Christmas dinner with family, Soothe Christmas Vol. 6 sets the scene for a time of warmth and joy. The gentle sway of “Winter Waltz” brings to mind serene traverses through silent snowfall, while “Angels Have We Heard On High” offers a note of joy and optimism during a season of reflection on the months past and the year to come.

In addition to the new record, Brickman will be carrying on his annual tradition of Christmas shows that have delighted the more than 20 million people who have attended his live concerts over the past 25 years. With Jim Brickman’s Comfort & Joy at Home Tour, he will partner with local venues, with a portion of the proceeds supporting that venue.

Fans around the country have the opportunity to support their local theaters as they sing, clap, and laugh along with Brickman’s time-honored style of Christmas joy in an interactive concert experience right in their homes. Tickets for the Comfort & Joy at Home Tour are sold exclusively online at https:// www.jimbrickman.com/tour/.

Tour Dates:

11/29 Lincoln, NE 3pm CT Lied Center for the Performing Arts 11/29 Scranton, PA 4pm ET Scranton Cultural Center 11/29 Oklahoma City, OK 3pm CT For the Arts 11/29 Roanoke, VA 7pm ET Blue Ridge PBS 11/29 Omaha, NE 6pm CT For the Arts 11/29 Honolulu, HI 4pm HST KSSK Radio 12/2 Baton Rouge, LA 7pm CT Manship Theatre 12/2 Wausau, WI 7pm CT The Grand Theatre 12/2 Des Moines, IA 7pm CT For the Arts 12/3 Sarasota, FL 7pm ET Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 12/3 Lubbock, TX 9pm CT Broadway in Lubbock 12/3 Colorado Springs, CO 8pm MT Broadway in Colorado Springs 12/4 Naperville, IL 7pm CT Wentz Concert Hall 12/4 Spokane, WA 7:30pm PT First Interstate Center for the Arts 12/4 Denver, CO 8:30pm For the Arts 12/5 South Bend, IN 4pm ET Broadway in South Bend 12/5 Toledo, OH 4pm ET Broadway in Toledo 12/5 Peoria, IL 3pm ET Broadway in Peoria 12/5 Cleveland, OH 8pm ET Playhouse Square November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -9-

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Things to Do

Alabama Dinner This year, when you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends, you can do it with a holiday dinner that’s made with food products all from Alabama -- from the roasted turkey and cornbread dressing to the sweet potato casserole and the pecan pie.

So to help you plan your Thanksgiving meal, we’ve put together a dinner menu featuring several Alabama-centric food items.

The turkey is the main attraction at Thanksgiving, and what’s more Alabama than a fresh, free-range turkey from Bates Turkey Farm in Logan, an Alabama tradition since 1923?

DON’T WAIT. Schedule your Holiday Turkey Delivery today, and make your Holiday Feast Gobble-icious!

The BATES TURKEY FARM Family has been producing the finest quality turkeys for over 90 years!

BATES TURKEYS are raised the old-fashioned way, FREE RANGE, which means with no preservatives or hormones. They are low in fat, low in cholesterol, high in protein, and at the top of everybody’s wish list! Order online at http://batesturkey.com/ The next item is the stuffing. If the thought of preparing your own cornbread dressing from scratch sounds intimidating, this ready-to-bake stuffing from Carrington Foods Inc. in Saraland will cut down on your Thanksgiving Day stress. The old

Southern recipe features cornbread and toasted white bread blended with fresh celery, onions and diced hardboiled eggs. It is all bound together with savory vegetable oil and whole eggs. It comes ready to be baked up to a golden brown and delicious stuffing.

Order from http://carringtonfoods. com/retail.html Now for the sweet potatoes. They should come from Cullman County.

These farm-grown sweet taters are available from several farms, so check http://alsweetpotatoes.org/farmfriends.html to order.

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without dinner rolls from Troy native

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Patricia Barnes, aka “Sister Schubert.”

These homemade-like quality rolls are a true comfort food any day of the year. There are several variations to order from online at https://sisterschuberts.com/ Save room for dessert. What is Thanksgiving dinner without pie?

The PieLab shop in Greensboro offers made-from-scratch pies including the favorites, pecan, pumpkin and chocolate chess at https://www.thepielab. com/

For more on Alabama, >CLICK HERE

Go, Do, See

Adventures at Sea

By Dennis Rogers Alaska Sea Adventures Owner Toni and I are enjoying some quiet and treasured family time and we are anticipating an exciting 2021 cruising season.

As anticipation mounts, we look forward to helping our guests plan the details of their trip with us, Here at Alaska Sea Adventures, we instituted pre-cruise protocols and communicated with our guests all along the way as they navigated the Alaska mandates prior to their arrival in Alaska. Aboard the Northern Song, we implemented daily protocols, and each day we checked everyone’s temperature and oxygenation and maintained strict cleaning standards during trips and complete sanitation of the boat after each charter. Furthermore, regarding transportation to and from Alaska, we are pleased to report that Alaska Airlines has implemented Next Level Care and is taking many fundamental steps, such as keeping middle seats open, exceeding CDC cleaning guidelines, and waiving change fees, to help guests feels safer and more comfortable traveling at this time.

Spring Herring Extravaganzas 2021

Spaces are still available on our 2021 Spring Herring Extravaganzas, and we’d love to have you join us on these spectacular 9 day/8 night cruises aboard the Northern Song.

These mid-March through early May spring trips feature Southeast Alaska herring spawns and present prime wildlife viewing and unprecedented photography opportunities. During this seasonal reawakening, Alaska’s wildlife springs to life in a feeding and activity frenzy that produces an extravagant crescendo of activity amongst humpback whales, eagles, migrating birds, and abundant marine life.

Herring, which is a keystone species here in Southeast Alaska, plays a crucial role in the activity. Each trip also includes a personalized early season visit to Endicott or Tracy Arms with tide water glaciers and scenic snow filled fjords. During the trip, our crew will be on hand to make your Alaska dreams become a treasured experience and memory.

Today, Alaska Sea Adventures provides nearly year-round seasonally-focused Alaska experiences, including photography, whale watching, birding, and archaeology tours. For more information, please visit us at https://www.yachtalaska.com.

For More On Alaska, > CLICK HERE November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -13-

Things to Do: Discover the magic and majesty of the season at Bryce Canyon National Park. In addition to offering its extraordinary landscape features and giant, natural amphitheater, the park offers unbelievable stargazing opportunities at night.

Escape to

Opened in 1925 and designated a National Historic Landmark, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only lodge of that era to remain largely intact. The decor and atmosphere maintain that authenticity while tending to guests’ comfort and needs. The Lodge is ideally located steps from the canyon’s rim and hiking trailheads.

Guests are only steps away from scenic viewpoints, fine dining, shopping and park programs.

You can rest easily here because, in addition to using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forever Resorts’ lodges have also implemented several supplemental standard operating procedures.

The historic Western Cabins combine cozy beds and a gas-log fireplace with rustic features like open beams and lodgepole pine walls. These cabins are located in-between the main lodge and the rim of Bryce Canyon. The cabins are organized in groups of two or four with a connecting door, if desired. Each room has two queen beds and can accommodate up to four guests. Because of fire code requirements, we cannot place a rollaway bed or crib in these rooms.

Rooms at the Sunset Lodge are furnished with cozy lodge-style furniture, reproduced from the original Arts & -14- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

Craft Era pieces used in the lodge. This oak and hickory furniture was all made in the USA from sustainable or renewable resources according to the Forest Stewardship Council. The colors and patterns of the wool blankets are based on those used by this area’s Southern Paiute tribe. They were custom-designed for The Lodge and are recognized by their label: Bryce Canyon National Park-The Last Sanctuary of Natural Darkness.

:

Lodge at Bryce Canyon

Rooms have either one king or two queen beds.

Cribs and rollaway beds are available for a small fee. Up to five guests may be accommodated in the queen rooms or three guests in the king rooms.

Forever Resorts is an exceptional collection of destinations providing hospitality services throughout the world. The company focuses on

properties with access to nature and one-of-akind surroundings for vacations. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.BryceCanyonForever.com or call (877) 386-4383.

For more on Arizona, >CLICK HERE November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -15-

Go, Do, See EUREKA SPRINGS - The Holy Land Tour is not like anything you have ever experienced.

Walking through a life-sized replica of the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem into an authentic Marketplace, you will feel as if you are in the actual Holy Land.

The Holy Land Tour provides visitors of all ages with the unique opportunity to experience the people, culture, and history of the ancient Middle East. On this approximately 2-hour interactive Biblical teaching tour, you will explore the ancient Middle-Eastern culture in which Jesus was raised and will meet characters from the time of Moses to the time of Christ.

Everyone in your group will enjoy the educational and inspirational experience of the Holy Land Tour on our comfortable bus. As you tour through the Holy Land, your Guide will explain each exhibit and will stop along the way to allow you to meet Biblical characters who will help you understand the living history of the scriptures. Tours are from 12:00pm to 3:45pm on days of Play performances and there are special guided tours every day but Sunday by advanced reservation. Do not miss experiencing Biblical life with your own eyes with cisterns, sheep pens, guard towers, and a full-scale replica of the Tabernacle.

Each of the individual exhibits in the Holy Land Tour have been researched for historical accuracy and have been recreated as authentically as possible To visit the Holy Land during the off-season, please call 800-882-7529 to schedule your tour or purchase your tickets below. A single guide will take you through the Holy Land on days the play is not performed at 2:00pm except on Sundays, Christmas, and Christmas Eve. The gift shop and Bible Museum (free to see) are open from 9:00am-5:00pm every day but Sunday.

Tickets for the Holy Land Tour are $20 for adults and $14 for children ages 4-11. To purchase online, make reservation or for more information, visit https:// www.greatpassionplay.org/holy-land.html -16- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

Holy La

and Tour

For more on Arkansas, >Click Here

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Go, Do, See:

Inspiring Clarem BERKELEY– Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel, has created legendary fall vacation packages and offerings that ignite inspiration and create experiences that will last for decades. Throughout, November and December, guests of the resort are invited to join the festivities, games and adventure found only on the East Side of the Bay. Lawn Games – Join the fun on the resort front lawn! Learn to play a new game or revisit an old favorite. Try your hand at classic picks, including Cornhole, Ladder Golf or (large format) Connect 4.

Available throughout the weekend.

Weekend Rise & Shine! Saturday Morning Hike – 9 am - Meet at the front doors and join a local guide for a hike through stunning Claremont Canyon Conservancy or striking Garber Park. Space is limited to 12 participants – a first-come, first-serve basis. Please wear appropriate footwear, and bring a jacket or sweater (subject to weather conditions). Water provided.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Yoga - 9 am – Explore a family-friendly outdoor yoga class designed to explore wellbeing through physical movement.

Meet on the resort front lawn.

Yoga class is free of charge, yoga mats provided. Space is limited to 12 participants; please sign up with our concierge by clicking or tapping HERE

Fall Flavors with Chef Arwi Odense (Cooking Demonstration) Saturdays, 3:30–4:30 pm, Limewood Bungalow Refine your cooking techniques with the talented chefs from the Claremont kitchens.

Utilizing the season’s best: Space is limited to 12 participants; RSVP at the following link HERE. There is no cost to participate, sample tasting included.

Shaken & Stirred, the Art of the Cocktail or Wine & Cheese Tastings – Fridays 5:30 pm, Carriage Entrance – Learn from the masters; Craft the perfect cocktail or meet regional artisan cheesemakers and learn how to pair the perfect wine. (Schedule below) • Friday, October 16 – Wines of the Sonoma Coast –Sip three unique wines that highlight the diversity of this remarkable AVA. Wines will be paired with cheeses from Bohemian Creamery.

• Friday, October 30 - St. George Distillery- Explore the variety of different gin styles from this iconic distillery. The class will

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include a tasting of three unique gins as well as a special gin-based cocktail. A few special treats from the Claremont culinary team will accompany this tasting.

Space is limited to 10 participants; please sign up by purchasing a ticket by clicking HERE $25 per person, limited to those 21 years of age and older.

Pumpkin Patch – Looking for the perfect photo backdrop?

Check out Berkeley’s only Pumpkin Tower and other harvest season vignette favorites. This area’s center point will be a hay bale pyramid decorated with pumpkins of all sizes and shapes.

“Pin the Spider on the Web” and life-size cut-outs for the perfect seasonal family photo available.

Cookie Decorating – Saturday, October 24 & 31, 11 am, Front

mont Club

Lawn– Family fun for all ages!

Decorate a dozen cookies in seasonal themes – eat as you decorate or take them home.

Space is limited; please sign up by purchasing a ticket HERE– one ticket provides you with one dozen cookies to decorate. $25 per dozen, icing, sprinkles and all the tools you need to create your edible works of art provided.

Learn to Paint – Saturday, October 24, 2 pm, (Location TBA) – Always wanted to paint your own masterpiece? Here is your chance.

Learn a few techniques and have some fun while following along with our instructor. All supplies provided; just bring your creativity and take home a piece of art!

Requires a minimum of 8 participants; maximum of 12; please purchase a ticket using the following link. $50 per person.

The health and safety of our guests, club members and employees is our absolute priority.

We have introduced intensified hygiene and prevention measures to ensure your safety. The ALLSAFE label verified by Clifton represents our new elevated cleanliness protocols and standards and provides assurance that these standards have been met in the resort. Social distancing protocols and all city/county mandates are carefully followed.

A daily $35 resort fee (overnight guests) includes access and privileges as outlined below: • Complimentary Wi-Fi in public space and guest rooms • Guest Amenity Kit including hand sanitizer, face mask and disinfecting wipes • Daily Sunset Sabering with complimentary sparkling wine, based on availability • Complimentary self-parking A complimentary serving of Rocky Road ice cream at Limewood, following a meal •Daily group exercise classes,

reservations required • Access to tennis courts • Access to outdoor Fitness Pavilion, reservations required • Complimentary local and 1-800 phone calls • Complimentary use of BMW bicycles, subject to availability • In addition to noted seasonal activities, including but not limited to the following: Lawn games /Guided hikes/ Sunday morning yoga Built in 1915, the Claremont offers 276 handsomely restored guestrooms and suites, a celebrated spa and an impressive dining portfolio. The Claremont marks its 100th anniversary with the culmination of an extensive restoration. The iconic urban resort is also home to a private social and tennis club with loyal members who enjoy hotel amenities, fitness facilities and lifestyle programming. fairmont.com | accorhotels.co

For More Information on California,

>CLICK HERE

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Places to Go: A-Lodge Adventure Hotel

BOULDER - If you can now live anywhere in the world and still get your job done, then the timing is perfect for the ultimate long-term work/play/vacation experience in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

What once seemed like it could only be a dream trip, can now be a new reality at the A-Lodge Adventure Hotel. With the debut of the Rocky Mountai Nomad Retreat Packages: three customized longterm packages designed to connect to nature and engage one’s adventuresome spirit while having the ideal space to tackle Zoom calls with no fake virtual background needed.

Answering the call for a new type of vacation experience, the A-Lodge brilliantly combines nature with rustic hospitality,

and both destinations offer plenty of room to be both socially distant, and socially active. Unlike traditional hotel packages that are designated for short two to five-day trips, the A-Lodge Hotel Rocky Mountain Nomad Retreat Packages are designed to host singles, partners and even families for and extended weekend getaway of one week, two weeks or even one month. All guests booking these packages will receive an A-Lodge Adventure Badge that will provide exclusive access to work spaces on property and local discounts, along with Adventure Rental Credits, Early Check-in/ Late Check-out + cool A-Lodge Merchandise.

Located in Boulder Canyon, just two miles above picturesque Boulder, the A-Lodge is the ideal setting to

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recharge, reconnect, and reimagine.

With hiking and biking trails just steps from the A-Lodge grounds, along with fishing, climbing and skiing all nearby, The A-Lodge packages put the Rocky Mountain lifestyle in grasp for city dwellers in need of a change of scenery for inspiration or adventure seekers ready to live the adventure lifestyle 24/7. Featuring just 27 private rooms and suites with private entry, no shared ventilation between rooms and plenty of outdoor space overlooking the Fourmile Creek running through the property, the A-Lodge will serve as a transformational home away from home. To book reservations for A-Lodge or the A-Lodge Adventure Van visit: www.A-Lodge.com, https:// vans.a-lodge.com. 303-444-0882.

For more on Colorado >Click Here

Things to Do

Inspired Hearth Cooking

FARMINGTON - Food in Colonial times was much different compared to what we eat today.

Religious beliefs, traditions, geography, growing season, harvest, and cooking methods all played a role in what was available and how much was eaten with each region developing their own unique dietary habits.

Foodways: Hearth Cooking: Colonial Thanksgiving is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m., November 22, at the Stanley-Whitman House. Join us as Dennis Picard, a local “living history” expert and museum professional, demonstrates how to cook a Colonial Thanksgiving dinner featuring chicken (much more common

than turkey historically), Hasty Pudding, and roasted root vegetables at the hearth in the Whitman Tavern! Perfect for beginners and a treat for the gastronome in your life, spend the afternoon learning hands on or sit back and observe.

Dennis will share anecdotes about New England Colonial life while demonstrating how to start a fire and cook on the hearth. At the end of the session sample the results.

Bring an apron and your appetite!

While at the Stanley-Whitman House, visit the gift shop featuring many unique products handcrafted, some from their garden; enjoy a gallery showcasing beautiful collections; play in the children’s size Wig-Wham or kitchen;

stroll through a charming Colonial-era village along the lovely Farmington River.

Foodways at Stanley-Whitman House Admission is $20-25. Program registration is processed on a first come – first served basis. You may register by phone, (860) 6779222, in person, by mail or online.

Payment options are credit card, check, or cash. For more information or to make reservations, visit online at https://www.stanleywhitman.org/programs or call (860) 677-9222.

For More on Connecticut,

>Click Here

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Places to Go:

Dover Downs

DOVER - Does it take sports activities to inspire you for a wonderful extended Thanksgiving weekend? For the sports enthusiast, get your excercise fix first. Trot yourself over to the 5K run before treating yourself to a Thanksgiving meal at Michele’s or Winner’s Circle Restaurant at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, then stick around for some slot-machine fun.

Wall-to-wall football is on the menu again this Thanksgiving, with a holiday triple-header that usually begins around noon, followed by a late afternoon game, and another in prime time. If you want to watch football on larger-than-life television screens, schedule a great meal at McGlynn’s Pub. The planned special, according to their website, is AYCE Shrimp for only $14.99 after 5 p.m.

Begin your Black Friday shopping at the Dover Mall where you can shop from favorites such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or Old Navy, the hit up the local downtown businesses on Small Business Saturday. Not only can you save money on some great

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deals, Delaware has no sales tax.

For a change of pace, head over to the Air Mobility Command Museum that features more than 30 vintage airplanes, including a presidential aircraft, a helicopter, a bomber, and cargo haulers.

Another great sidetrack adventure is to venture outto First State Heritage Park for a guided tour.

Held on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 to 3 p.m., beginning at the John Bell House. Join historical interpreters in 18th-century clothing as you walk through Dover’s historic Green and learn about the lives and times of the people who lived here across three centuries. Tour the grand, Georgian-style building that has been home to Delaware’s General Assembly since 1933. For more information and to register, visit https://destateparks.com/History/FirstStateHeritage

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Things to Do:

Indulge in Luxury at the Rosen Shingle Creek for Thanksgiving

ORLANDO – Return to Rosen® to enjoy your most treasured holiday tradition or to start a new one, luxuriating with family and friends with one of Rosen Shingle Creek’s exquisite Thanksgiving Day dining and overnight stay offerings.

For your dining pleasure, Executive Chef Jorge Oliveira and his talented team have created three options this year: the traditional extensive holiday buffet that has become the “local favorite;” a hot, ready-to-serve feast pre-ordered and available for contactless takeout or an intimate private family holiday meal served in style in one of the hotel’s posh suites.

With three different dining choices to enjoy Thanksgiving Day, one thing remains clear – each will feature the Rosen seal of excellence and care cooked into each tasty morsel.

Stay and enjoy stellar cuisine and all of the hotel’s world-class amenities with the “Big Four Pre-Thanksgiving Day” package.

For just $75 per night, plus applicable taxes, up to four guests receive four days of posh pampering at Orlando’s most revered AAA Four Diamond hotel. The package includes deluxe guestroom, 20 percent discount on the best available rate on Shingle Creek Golf Club greens fees, 25 percent discount on select dining, complimentary guestroom Wi-FI, complimentary self-parking and never an add-on resort fee! Package is available starting Nov. 20, 2020. For details, visit RosenShingleCreek.com/special-offers/bigfour-pre-thanksgiving-package or call 407-996-9939.

Thanksgiving Day Buffet

Thur., Nov. 26, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. $59.95 per adult; $24.95 per child ages 4 - 11, both exclusive of tax and service charge. Children 3 and younger eat free.

Complimentary self parking.

Florida residents receive a 25 percent discount. Relish unlimited mimosas while indulging

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in a gastronome feast in Rosen Shingle Creek’s charming and spacious Cafe Osceola. Start with lobster bisque, spiced shrimp boil, dim sum to entrees like Paella Valencia, smoked paprika roasted salmon, citrus brined turkey, Beef Bourguignon and so much more. Accompaniments include sausage and sage stuffing, Yukon gold mashed potatoes and cinnamon and brown sugar marshmallow yams. Chef-prepared stations with omelets, waffles and pastas are topped off by desserts galore from traditional pies to Mom’s Cake Corner to overflowing chocolate fountains.

With more than 60 dishes, there is truly something for every member of the family to enjoy!

For reservations or more information, visit www.rosenshinglecreek.com/thanksgiving

For More on Florida, >Click Here

Places to Go:

Alpine Helen-White County

Have a Bavarian Christmas without leaving the Southeast in Alpine Helen, located north of Atlanta in the Northeast Georgia mountains. The town’s architecture and holiday scenery are so delightful that the Lifetime movie “Christmas Love Letter” was filmed here, with “A Taste of Christmas” airing Nov 20 and repeating through the season. For a nighttime experience, don’t miss the Annual Lighting of the

Village in Edelweiss River Park, 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 27, a no-cost event for the public. The city will follow the CDC guidelines throughout the event.

A German tradition, Helen’s annual Christkindlmarkt offers specialty gift items, decorations, assorted savory foods, drinks and candied treats.

This shopping extravaganza is slated for Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6 at Helen Market Platz.

Join in a Victorian

Christmas in Sautee-Nacoochee at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site.

The house is dressed in period holiday décor; learn about Victorian holiday traditions from docents in their finest 1870s garb. This open house from 4-7 p.m., on Fridays in Dec. is highlighted by twinkling candlelight and live music. www.HelenGA.org.

For more on Georgia

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Things to Do...

To Stay Healthy

To make the most of your holiday, check out all the pie shops, turkey trots, and volunteer opportunities to create an inspirational Thanksgiving extended weekend: Space Bar BOISE - Space Bar Arcade combines two favorite things: old-school arcade games and beer. It’s the perfect, laid-back environment for reunions with friends or to blow off a little steam before a long Thanksgiving Day. Pie Hut SANDPOINT - Not to be mistaken with Pizza Hut, Pie Hut is Spoon University’s top location to buy pie in the state—and we tend to agree. Try the huckleberry pie, pumpkin pie, or apple pie.

They’re all great picks. www.facebook.com/PIEHUT-143227125718582/ Boise Co-Op BOISE - Sure, you could buy your turkey at a nameless big-box grocery store, but why do that when you could support a local business and ethical animal raising practices? The Boise Co-Op offers Mary’s non-GMO turkeys for $2.99 a pound, as well -26- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

as certified organic free-rangeturkeys for $4.29 a pound. https://boise.coop/news/turkeys?rq=turkey Holiday Light Show COEUR D’ALENE - Come see the No. 4 Holiday Light Show in America, according to USA Today’s Readers’ Choice list, and ring in the rest of the holidays in Coeur d’Alene. The show starts the day after Thanksgiving and features over 1.5 million lit bulbs in dazzling displays.

Boise Towne Square Mall The Boise Towne Square Mall is a “Best retail location to shop” in Idaho for this year. With over 145 stores to peruse, many with door buster and Black Friday sales, it’s the Black Friday choice in the state.

Boise Turkey Day Run The perfect opportunity to earn that extra slice of pie during Thanksgiving dinner by running off as many calories as you can earlier in the day!

For more on Idaho

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Things to Do:

Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll

STOP by Plum Creek Nature Center & send off your post-holiday pumpkin with a bang. DROP it off for composting, but not before ROLLING it down Pumpkin Alley. All activities are self-guided & safety procedures have been put into place. Your first stop is to check in at the nature center to ensure your pumpkins are compost ready—free of plastics, candles or other foreign objects.

Does your pumpkin have the “guts”? If so, then head to Pumpkin Alley on the hill to let the good times roll. Set your aim, hit a target, or race your family.

Finally, drop off your pumpkin at the compost station so it may live another day as nutrients for our pollinator garden. Everyone wins!

Stop, Drop, Pumpkin Roll will be held Saturdays & Sundays throughout November. Visitor center hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturdays & noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

No registration is required and the Fee is Free! All ages are welcome.

Plum Creek Nature Center is an accessible facility. The grass-covered hill at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve is 40-feet high and is a short walk from the nature center on pavement and natural surface terrain. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering, or submit a request online no later than 48

hours before the program.

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve is located at 27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL For more information, call 708946-2216 or visit online at the https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/ A Thanksgiving Truths (Zoom Webinar) is slated for Thursday, Nov. 19. It will begin at noon, central time, and hosted by the nature center. Registration for this event is required at this link: https://fpdwc.zoom.us/webinar/ register/WN_Yb0rjR-fSEK6eRXH1vWVdQ

For more on Illinois

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Things to Do:

Thanksgiving Farm Dining

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Places to Go: Jingle Rails

The Great Western Adventure

INDIANAPOLIS - Experience a favorite family holiday tradition unlike any other from November 21st through January 18th. Visit the Eiteljorg Museum to explore Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, a G-scale model train wonderland.

There are nine working model trains that wind through a stunning miniature landscape. The exhibit features miniature versions of local treasures of downtown Indianapolis, including the Eiteljorg Museum, Monument Circle, Union Station and Lucas Oil Stadium. The trains then head through the national parks of the American West, passing legendary sites, including grand railway lodges, Northwest Coast Native villages, and wonders both natural and human-made—Mt. Rush-

more, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Falls, Old Faithful, the Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam and much more. There are nearly 1200 feet of track for the trains to follow.

Be sure to take advantage of the family photo op with a near-lifesize train engine model, made of all-natural materials.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday with the museum cafe open from 11 - 3 with a limited menu. On Sunday, hours are noon to 5 p.m. with the cafe open noon to 3 p.m.

limited quantity each day. If you have a free admission pass of any type, you must call 317.636.9378 or email mhincks@eiteljorg.com in advance to arrange your visit. *Tickets are not refundable and cannot be credited toward the purchase of a membership. Jingle Rails tickets will only be accepted at our admission desk through January 18, 2020. Jingle Rails tickets must be purchased online a day in advance of your visit to the museum.

To make reservations or for more information, visit https://eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/jingle-rails/

Advance tickets are required for all visitors – including donors, members, coupon holders, and Access Pass holders. Tickets must For more information on Indiana, be purchased/reserved online in advance of your visit to the museum. Tickets are available in a November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -29-

>CLICK HERE

Things to Do:

In Morgan County

Loads of fun for the upcoming holidays is in store for those who visit Morgan County during the upcoming holidays:

ed items from local vendors. This year’s Winter Market will take place at the Fairgrounds inside the 4-H Building.

First, a visit to the county’s 100-year-old- Martinsville Candy Store is a must to watch candy canes be made. Watch through the display kitchen display window as they are poured and pulled by hand to make the poular curved Christmas candy. Santa will be present Nov. 28 and Dec. 19. Check out all the other sweet treats while you’re there!

Nov. 7 /Berries & Ivy Country Store, 10 am to 4 pm. The first 50 customers will receive a small gift item from the store. Come see their beautiful holiday decorations.

CandyCane Making

Paint Night

Nov. 15/MARTINSVILLE - The Art Sanctuary in Martinsville will host a fun Paint Night event featuring designs and personal instruction from Heather’s Originals. Cost is $30 per person and class starts at 5 pm

Winter Farmers Market

Nov. 7,21,Dec. 5 - Join the Morgan County Farmers Market Association offering locally grown and hand craft-30- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

Holiday Open House

Fall Family Festival

Nov. 7/The Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle invites your family to their 2020 event where there will be bounce houses, horse rides, a pie contest and lots of fun and games for the whole family.

For more Morgan County Holiday events, >Click Here

For more information on Indiana, > CLICK HERE

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Go, Do, See

Thanksgiving Fun:Des Moines There are some fun and inspirational Thanksgiving events that are scheduled this year. Here are our picks: Turkey Time Family Glow Bowling Party Nov. 15/Noon - 2 p.m at Warrier Lanes. Popular “Mom-approved music” and event is totally alcohol free.

Glow-In-The-Dark Bowling, Concert Lights, and Black Lig hts. A 1-topping pizza and pitcher of soda is included.

Lanes must be reserved and paid for by 6 pm on Friday, November 13. For reservations, >Click Here...

Disney on Ice presents World of Enchantment Nov. 26 – Dec. 6 at the Iowa Event Center. Believing is just the beginning at Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. Miguel aspires to be a musician and journeys through the Land of the Dead to unlock his family’s history. Moana and Maui bravely restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti, Anna and Elsa save their kingdom and the Disney Princesses inspire with stories of strength, determination, and kindness. Share every magical moment filled with breathtaking ice skating and beloved Disney songs and stories that give everyone a reason to believe!

Check here for showtimes and to purchase tickets.

Des Moines Turkey Trot Named as one of the best turkey trots in the country, this event has become a staple for many -32- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

families from around the state. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans have been made to put it in a subscription box. The standard challenge box comes with Trot DSM Knit Cap, Race Medal, Super Sweet Turkey “Buff,” Official Race Bib, and Race App. More information >Click Here

Jolly Holiday Lights Adventureland Nov. 27 – Dec. 30; Closed Dec. 24 & 25 / Open 5:30 to 10 p.m. Come out and celebrate more than 20 years of holiday lights. Bundle up the family and enjoy a 2.5-mile ride through more than 100 magical light displays. 100% of admission fees go directly to Make-A-Wish® Iowa! Since it began in 1995, the event has raised enough money to grant more than 900 wishes to Iowa kids! $20 per car.

Santa’s Rock N Lights Nov. 27, 4:50 to 9 p.m. at Living History Farms Experience over 700 feet of tunnels in this drive-thru animated light show!

Enjoy our techno rainbow tunnel and themed worlds of light including dinosaur world. You can feel safe in this socially distanced, touch-free experience from the safety of your car. Online reservations are required. www.facebook.com/ events/3313831588735837/

For more on Iowa

>Click Here

Go, Do, See

Hays Frostfest

HAYS - You are invited to come and celebrate the GRAND OPENING of an ice skating rink on Nov. 5, 2020! This is only the beginning of an inspirational holiday season in the city named for having the most beautiful downtown Main Street in the state.

The rink will be up during the months of November and December. It will provide a safe, entertaining, and recreational activity for people of all ages. No need to bring your own skates... it’s all included. There will be a small fee to skate to help support the non-profits that are running the rink.

The Bricks in Downtown Hays!

Downtown Hays is the premier shopping district of Kansas and the place you want to be for arts and entertainment.

Frostfest is a season of magic in Downtown Hays from November

through December. It kicks off with Holiday Open Houses Nov. 12-14 and culminates with an Illuminated Parade! Discover your favorite holiday traditions on The Bricks!

Shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, and more all weekend long during the annual holiday open houses on The Bricks! Enjoy great gifts, sweet treats, big deals, special hours and a whole lot more.

THURSDAY - $10 Coupon books to your favorite downtown businesses.

See the event for details.

FRIDAY - DOUBLE TICKETS at all Downtown Dollar giveaway participants!

SATURDAY - Winter Market from 9am-noon!

Illuminated Frostfest Parade December 19 | 6:00p Main Street, Parade will start at 16th Street, Santa will depart from the Fire Station

FROSTFEST EVENTS

Ice Skating Rink at the Pavilion November 5 - February 28

Holiday Open Houses November 12-14 | Business Hours Vary See The Bricks in Downtown Hays Facebook Page for Details and Locations Downtown Dollar Giveaway November 12-December 19 | Business Hours Vary ​ nnual Tree Lighting A Dec. 4 | 6-8 p.m.

Union Pacific Park Pavilion,

For more information on Kansas,

>CLICK HERE

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Go, Do, See...

K

inspiring H

entucky is pleased to welcome the Breeder’s Cup World Championships back to the historic Keeneland racecourse in Lexington this November 6-7, 2020. While there will not be any spectators at this year’s event, the 37th Breeder’s Cup will mark the second time the race has been held at Keeneland, which hosted the race in 2015.

In addition, the prestigious race also just announced that Keeneland will once again host the Breeder’s Cup in 2022 offering another unforgettable homecoming for the championships in the heart of horse country in the Bluegrass State. In honor of Breeders’ Cup making its return to the Bluegrass in 2020, the Kentucky Department of Tourism is excited to share a range of ways to enjoy the state’s Horse Country this Fall with both in-person and virtual offerings.

Home to both the Horse Capital of the World (Lexington) and the Saddlebred Capital of the World (Shelbyville), Kentucky features legendary horse racing tracks, a wide variety of equestrian activities and picturesque working farms where the most prized horses in the world graze on the state’s famed bluegrass. See below for a sampling of ways to explore Horse Country this Fall.

video series, including Foal Play and Behind the Gait. Taking viewers on a virtual exploration of the state’s deeply intertwined history with horses and the responsibility of breeding the next generation of award-winning stallions, Foal Play showcases the hardworking farmers and trainers in the industry.

From adorable foals at Crestwood and Wingswept Farms to the exciting barn calls of Dr. Jeremy Shaba and the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, this series shows what it takes to breed, train and sell the next generation of Kentucky’s famous Thoroughbred and American Saddlebred horses.

Behind the Gait offers an insider’s guide to Kentucky’s horse farms and illuminates some of the state’s lesser known traditions such as the competitions at the Commonwealth Polo Club and educational programming at the Kentucky Horse Park.

rently open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m with enhanced safety protocols.

Visit Horse Country

(Central Kentucky) Guests are invited to get a true insider’s look at the world-renowned horse farms that make up the Bluegrass with Visit Horse Country. Featuring virtual and socially distant in-person tours, Horse Country, Inc. includes a variety of horse farms, equine medical clinics and equine attractions in Central Kentucky. From nursery farms and stud farms, to training facilities and aftercare – visitors are sure to discover something new, including virtual access to several horse farms so guests can visit from the comfort of their own homes.

K

To celebrate the state’s storied legacy of Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Department of Tourism recently released several new

Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON - The Kentucky Horse Park is a 1,200-acre working horse farm that offers an inside look at the special relationship between humans and horses. Guests can get up close and personal with several different breeds of horses through barn tours, horseback riding, three museums, daily shows, events and more. For those looking to explore virtually, horse enthusiasts can enjoy the #KHPLIVE programming, where new tours and behind-the-scenes looks are unveiled Wednesdays and Fridays on the Kentucky Horse Park’s Facebook page. The park is cur-

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Old Friends Retirement

GEORGETOWN - A must-stop on any visit to Horse Country, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, provides Thoroughbred horses a relaxing retirement after busy careers racing and breeding.

Founded by former Boston Globe film critic, Michael Blowen, in 2003, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm now serves as a “living-history” museum of horse racing, where every horse has a story to tell. Visitors can also explore the farm online and on its Facebook page while planning a future visit.

Trail Rides

Kentucky invites visitors to get back in the saddle and enjoy the

Horse CouNTRY

best views of the Bluegrass from horseback. Multiple Kentucky state parks offer the option for visitors to bring their own horse for trail riding or even overnight camping. For those who do not own their own horse, there are several stable options that offer guided rides, too. In western Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes guests can trail ride with Rockin U Riding Stables near Wranglers Campground. Simpsonville in central Kentucky is home to Shelby Trails Park, a public park that offers trail riding in addition to

Red Fern Riding Center, a privately-owned riding center that offers lessons, guided trail rides and boarding. For those headed to eastern Kentucky near Pikeville, MuddyBoots and H&M Stables both offer wonderful options to hit the trails.

Kentucky may be best known for its famous bourbon and legendary horse country, but the Bluegrass State offers much more, including a world of outdoor adventure, an explosive culinary scene, fascinating cultural heritage

sites and a vibrant arts and music scene. From the longest known cave system in the world, to its pristine lakes and attractions like the Muhammad Ali Center, African American Heritage Trails and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Kentucky invites you to come visit, listen and explore. Discover the unbridled spirit of the Bluegrass State by visiting www.kentuckytourism.com.

For more on Kentucky

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Things to Do:

Park and Stay

NEW ORLEANS – The highly acclaimed Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton, has announced its “Park and Stay” package for the fall travel season.

Ideally located in the heart of the city’s vibrant Arts & Warehouse District featuring more than 25 art galleries, a variety of museums, and visionary chefs, the hotel is conveniently situated across the street from The National WWII Museum, a top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans The Higgins opened in early 2020 with a conference center, exceptional dining options and a distinct 1940s theme.

The Higgins is a Curio branded hotel by Hilton that provides experiences for the curious traveler.

Some are local legends. Each hotel in the Curio Collection is a masterpiece that reflects the best of its surroundings. Best of all, Hilton Honors points are awarded for

each eligible stay.

With New Orleans moving into Phase III of its “open for business” protocol, travelers are again able to enjoy all that makes vacationing in this historic destination so appealing and inspirational. Plus, the Higgins’ fall season “Park & Stay” travel offer provides guests with an easy to book room rate inclusive of parking at the hotel’s adjacent garage.

Rates as low as $119 can be found through September.

The Higgins Hotel has remained open throughout the COVID pandemic, proudly welcoming guests and first responders alike with specific safety protocols for more intense sanitizing actions and the personalized services a Curio branded hotel is known for. From a nostalgic hotel experience sure to intrigue and delight, to dining and entertainment options at your fingertips, the Higgins Hotel represents home away from home,

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including guest rooms that offer striking 1940’s style décor.

The most popular dining option is the hotel’s Rosie’s on the Roof Restaurant, offering outside deck seating, with penthouse-style views out over the city skyline and of the new Canopy of Peace at the adjacent National WWII Museum. Service is also Covid centric, with no-touch ordering and socially spaced dining.

The Higgins recently instituted the Hilton “CleanStay” program, where guests are offered no-touch check in, no-visit hotel room stays, and a rigorous daily cleaning of all public areas and touchpoints within each guestroom.

For more information or for reservations, visit higginshotelnola. com or call 833-357-1172.

For more on Louisianna

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Things to Do

Go on a Gobbler Getaway If you are tired of sitting at home and need inspiration to get away for the holidays, a great place to start is by having Thanksgiving by the sea In Ogunquit.

Meadowmere Resort has created a special Thanksgiving package for such an occasion. Available Nov. 25-29, start by arriving and settling into the resort with cozy accommodations and amenities to enjoy snow or shine. Take a walk along Marginal Way, then return to the hotel’s central cozy location. Unwind with an evening swim in the indoor pool or head into the village for a Maine craft beer.

On Thursday, begin with a stroll along Ogunquit Beach.

After all, you will need an appetite for the wonderful traditional Thanksgiving meal at your choice of two amazing restaurants: Clay Hill Farm (Upscale American) or Jonathan’s (American Continental). With a wonderful Thanksgiving menu available and the sights of the Fall along the ocean - what better way is there than to celebrate the holiday than with this Ogunquit Maine Thanksgiving Package?

On Friday, rise for an early start and perhaps paddle up the Ogunquit River. Receive shopping deals at both Freeport & Kittery Outlets on our Gobbler Getaway and let the holidays begin! Explore the restaurants of nearby York and Kittery – even Kennebunkport .

Enjoy hiking Mt. Agamenticus or the last bike ride of the season along Shore Road. Return for a

massage in our award winning day spa and maybe treat your feet to reflexology too.

Ogunquit Maine Thanksgiving Package Kittery Outlets Passbook ($500 savings value) Resort accommodations for 2 or 3 nights Freeport Outlets Coupon - Enjoy L.L.Bean & more Cozy Holiday Dinner (traditional menu) at Jonathan’s or Clay Hill Farm Breakfast Thanksgiving Crafts for the Kids, Thursday in the West Meadow Pub Parking for one vehicle

Resort amenity access Extended check-out of 1 p.m. Extra holiday time to unwind Booking code THANKSGIVING Restrictions and Terms of Use Thanksgiving Meal gratuities included. Seating times for Thanksgiving dinner are required. Pricing per person double occupancy.

Subject to availability. To make reservations, visit online at https:// www.meadowmere.com.

For more on Maine,

>CLICK HERE

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Go, Do, See

Wild Caught Oyster Season

CRISFILED, PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- It’s oyster season once again here on the Chesapeake Bay and Handy Seafood is ready for another great season. “Thanks to extensive restoration efforts the bay seems to be growing heartier and more robust every year,” stated Jeff Middleton, Director of Operations at the Handy Plant in Crisfield, MD. Chesapeake Bay oytsers have a consistent salty flavor profile with a sweet finish. They are harvested at the “Sweet Spot of the Bay” where Atlantic seawater mixes with fresh water tributaries. The harvest locations are at South of Cove Point (known as the “Heart of the Chesapeake”), Wicomico River (Native American for “Place where houses built”), Pocomoke Sound (Native American for “Broken Ground River”) and Tangier

Sound (John Smith named Tangier and the surrounding islands the “Russel Isles” after the doctor on board his ship).

Handy partners with local watermen to recycle oyster shells which is necessary for restoration of oyster reefs and sustainbility of oysters in the bay. Chesapeake Bay oysters are rated “Best Choice” for sustainable seafood by Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.

Handy offers a full line of oyster products to wholesalers, restaurants and retailers. The product line includes whole, shucked, half-shell, pillow pack and breaded oysters. Call 866-632-2722 to talk “OYSTER” or place order.

For the general public, oysters are available for purchase on http:// www.handyseafoodstore.com Handy is America’s oldest

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seafood processor and has been supporting watermen families of the Chesapeake for 125 years.

Handy processes oysters at their BRC (British Retail Consortium) http://www.brcglobalstandards. com grade “A” certified plant in Crisfield, Maryland.

Handy Seafood is a family-owned company with 125 years of quality seafood processing.

Products include soft shell crabs, crab meat, crab cakes, seafood specialty items, and oysters. http:// www.handyseafood.com.

For more on Maryland,

>ClickHere

Things To Do:

Plimoth Harvest Feast

Plimoth’s indoor and outdoor history sites (including the Mayflower), and gift shops are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving and 17th-Century Themed Dining is offered on several dates this year, starting Nov. 21.

Fresh ingredients, mouthwatering flavors, festive surroundings, and a sense of history that can be found nowhere else in the world is on the agenda. Make arrangements now for an unforgettable holiday dining experience. Advance ticket purchase is required!

Commemorating 400 years since the first Thanksgiving, enjoy the company of your family and friends, as Pilgrim role players and Native interpreters greet you.

People come from around the

country and the world to be at Plimoth Plantation for these special meals.

The Harvest Feast is a savory two-hour journey into the past with a family-syle dinner. During dinner, you will be entertained with centuries-old psalms and songs with opportunities to ask questions.

The “Story of Thanksgiving” dinner will be served on Nov. 26. For a listing of the complete menu, visit www.Plimoth.org. ndividually plated style dinner service with pre-assigned seating is arranged for you. Due to COVID guidelines, tables will seat no more than six people. Parties larger than six will be divided among multiple tables. All tables will be spaced six feet apart. Tickets are

available on eventbrite.com Prices starting at $47 include two-day museum admission and tax. Museum admission includes: the Wampanoag Homesite, 17th-century English Village, Mayflowe II, Craft Center, Plimoth Grist Mill and Nye Barn.

Plimoth Plantation was incorporated in 1947 as “a memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers” and for the “historical education of the public with respect to the struggles of the early settlers, the expansion of the settlement and the influence of the Pilgrim Fathers throughout the world.”

For more information on Massachusetts

>CLICK HERE

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Go, See, Do:

Inspiring Wine Experience

TRAVERSE CITY - With fall colors at their best and the grape harvest in full swing, November is a wonderful time to experience Traverse City’s premier waterfront resort and most celebrated local winery. West Bay Beach is offering hotel guests a package to enjoy a locally-produced bottle of wine at check-in and a highly coveted VIP reservation for a private vineyard learning tour and exclusive table within the vines at Bowers Harbor Vineyards, boasting an extensive selection of signature wines and spirit ciders.

The Bowers Harbor Vineyards Wine Experience Package includes: ● Double Accommodations ● Breakfast for two ● Bottle of Bowers Harbor Vineyards’ bestselling wine, 2019 Pinot

Grigio ● A unique private vineyard learning tour ● An exclusive table within the vines West Bay Beach, a Delamar Resort, is a 173-room full-service hotel on the Lake Michigan waterfront in Downtown Traverse City in Northwest Michigan. The iconic property, originally built in 1968, is wellknown among generations of locals and visitors for its guest rooms with stunning water views and beachfront patio with live entertainment. Having undergone recent upgrades, West Bay Beach will see future renovations over the next year, elevating food and beverage options as well as service levels. The resort welcomes guests year-round who enjoy being walking

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distance to Downtown Traverse City with its local art galleries, boutique retailers, antique shops, and eateries. Also, within close proximity are many of the best vineyards and wineries in the country, microbreweries, cideries, and Sleeping Bear Dunes, a four-season national lakeshore park offering miles of trails. Among the hotel’s amenities are a 24-hour airport shuttle, an Indoor and outdoor heated pool with sauna and hot tub, free parking, and on-site watercraft rental and nauti-cat sailing charters.

Rates starting at $170. For reservations call 231.947.3700 or visit westbayvailability. Restrictions apply.

For more information on Michigan,

>CLICK HERE

Places to Go: MINNEAPOLIS - Norway House and our warm family, friends, and community members are creating a Gingerbread Wonderland city in our gallery!

Gingerbread (or in Norwegian, pepperkake) is a quintessential feature of the Norwegian holiday season. You will find gingerbread cookies, ornaments, and houses everywhere—in offices, stores, homes, and schools. Some towns and cities in Norway even go so far as to build replicas of their own city out of gingerbread!

Norway House and our warm fam-

Gingerbread Wonderland ily, friends, and community members are creating a Gingerbread Wonderland city in our gallery—a tradition we have come to love, and one that will soon be a part of your family’s annual holiday to-do list, too!

Last year, almost 15,000 people visited Gingerbread Wonderland! This year, due to public health concerns, only a third of those will safely be able to see the exhibit in person. So make your reservations today!

All times listed are by appointment only. Masks are required to enter.

Beginning Nov. 6, time slots are available 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday (Closed Sundays) All tickets include a warm drink & a holiday cookie! General Admission is $10.

The gift shop and Kaffebar will also be open at a limited capacity beginning in November.

To make reservations, visit online at For more information visit https://www.norwayhouse.org

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Places to Go:

Cleveland

Midway between Memphis and Vicksburg on historic Highway 61, Cleveland, Mississippi is known as a hip little town in the Mississippi Delta, one of Southern Living’s “Best Small Towns in 2019” and a Smithsonian Magazine “Small Town to Visit.”

railroad. The Crosstie District, including Cotton Row, can be seen on a paved rail-trail that runs through the city’s quaint downtown, anchored by the Railroad Heritage Museum, home to one of the largest “O” Gauge model train exhibits in the country.

Cleveland is home of the GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, an interactive and engaging attraction including films, memorabilia and more. Mississippi has long been noted by music historians as the “birthplace of American music– blues, country, rock, gospel, pop.”

The museum is a tribute to that history, as well as the history of GRAMMY® and musicians and songwriters nationwide.

Shop famous McCartys Pottery for its treasured items fashioned from Mississippi clay. While you’re there, tour the lush McCarty gardens and dine in their serene lunch hot-spot, The Gallery.

The heart of town, now as in its beginnings, centers around the

This season, a huge Christmas tree and more than 100,000 lights presides over the town’s legendary 50 Nights of Lights from November 14 until January 3, with events planned during the day and on weekends. More than 350 holiday displays, some as large

as 65 feet, will fill downtown and its walking trail, perfect for social distancing and also drivable by car.

Stay at the boutique Cotton House Hotel and have a drink overlooking the colorful sparkle at Bar Fontaine, its rooftop bar and restaurant. Explore the 19 sites of The Mississippi Blues Trail in the surrounding county, including the Dockery Farms home of blues pioneer Charley Patton.

For more information, visit online at www.VisitClevelandMS. com and https://www.50nightsoflights.com/

For more on Mississippi,

>CLICK HERE

Places to Go:

The Newly-Expanded Dutch Country Store

BARNETT - The Nolt family has been serving their customers with groceries from their Dutch Country Store for more than 25 years.

Known for bulk foods, produce, deli meats, discount groceries and surplus, their country store is located at 18268 Kelsay Rd., near Barnett.

Just a year ago at Thanksgiving time, the decision was made to expand the business with a larger facility. Plans were drawn to build a larger structure along the east side of the present store, which would be turned into warehouse space. A larger parking lot for customer convenience would be needed as well.

So the work began. Now, just in time for the holiday baking season and their annual Apple Days weekend, the new store is open and ready to welcome customers.

“It is actually four times the size of our original store,” said owner Ron Nolt. “We actually expanded

each department, so you’ll see a big difference.”

Ron and his wife, Denise, first began their business by raising produce on their farm. As their efforts flourished, more and more was sold until they needed a building to house their products.

They added the other departments and kept growing until there was no more room. Today, the four children, Karla, Christina, Donny, and Judy help run the business.

“With the new building, we can better serve our customers and that’s important,” explained daughter Christina. “Our isles are much wider now and we’ve doubled our checkout isles from two to four for faster service.”

There are also larger selections available to choose from, she added. When asked what, if anything, is new, Christina announced the gourmet brand of Javataza coffee has been added. Javataza was founded on a desire to support

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sustainable coffee farming practices that provides value to every party involved in the fresh coffee chain with a “farm to cup” model.

A big open house will be scheduled at a later date. Watch for details.

On Nov. 6 and 7 Apple Days has been scheduled. One of the largest variety choices in the state will be available including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Honey Crisp, Gala, Courtland, Fuji and Jonathan Gold. You can mix and match the varieties also, for the low price of only 43 cents per pound. Apple Cider will be for sale at $5.99 per gallon or $3.50 per 1/2 gallon. Stock up on apple pies; the 8” will be only 99 cents each. Free refreshments will be served both days.

Open hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mon. - Sat. (6 p.m. Fridays).

For more on Missouri >Click Here

November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -45-

THINGS TO DO

Buy a Fruitcake, Give a F “My true love gave to me... a Fruitcake?

By Mallory Furry MindyBianca PR

pus going. Among the work locations is a bakery and jelly kitchen where students offset the cost of their tuition by hand-crafting fruit spreads, fruitcakes and other treats. And you know what? The Is Christmas’s Most Misunderstood Dessert college sells more than 10,000 to 15,000 fruitcakes a Poised to Make a Comeback? year, positive proof that there are at least that many Originally used in ancient Roman times as a snack people out there who truly believe in this Christmas confection. on the battlefields, the infamous fruitcake somehow Fans of the college’s fruitcake claim that this desevolved into the holiday season’s most dreaded sert is different, somehow. Perhaps it’s because they dessert ... and a punchline. As Johnny Carson so eloquently put it, “The worst gift is a fruitcake. There know the cake has been made with love, or maybe they can taste the hopes and dreams they’re supportis only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people ing with each bite. There’s also a strong possibility keep sending it to each other.” that in the 87 years the college has been making this Whether you’re like Johnny and keep trying to unload Aunt Myrtle’s fruitcake onto other hapless re- fruitcake, they’ve truly stumbled upon the perfect cipients year after year, choose to use it as a doorstop recipe. No matter what the reason, this singular item so you don’t have to eat it, or just find ways to avoid has achieved a certain status and amassed quite a loyal following. it all together, the general consensus is that fruitThere are several secrets that contribute to this cake is NOT a treasured holiday classic. But what if cake’s perfection, perhaps of the biggest of all bewe told you we work with an organization that has ing the actual recipe. The college is NOT sharing quite literally been built from people’s passion for it. What we can tell you is that a blend of orange, fruitcake? pineapple and lemon juices is used to help keep the College of the Ozarks is in Point Lookout, Misfruitcake moist and that before being sold, each fruitsouri, just outside our client destination of Branson, cake is aged for six months ... which amounts to six and it’s earned the nickname “Hard Work U.” The more months of flavor and texture being added to an school is a “work college,” meaning that students already special treat. pay for their education by working at jobs around campus. In short, the work they do keeps the cam-46- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

Fruitcake, Eat One Too “Is Christmas’s most misunderstood dessert poised to make a comback?

If we haven’t quite converted you on this fruitcake by itself, College of the Ozarks has created several recipes that feature the cake as the main ingredient in OTHER desserts. You can see all the recipes HERE, but if you’re into wild desserts that involve putting a baked good into another baked good, you’ll want to try the Baked Fruitcake Cheesecake. If you’re a fan of Louisiana cuisine, you might opt for the Fruitcake Bread Pudding. And if you like your desserts in small doses so you feel better about going to town on them on a Friday night, you’ll be most interested in the Fruitcake Butter Cookies.

This legendary fruitcake can be ordered online from the Campus Store and -- as you can see if you visit the site – it has only five-star reviews! The $20 price tag now is a bit more than it was when they started mail-order fruitcakes in 1950 (back then, they sold for a mere $3) but we think it’s worth it.

The college’s kitchen is bustling with activity year-round, so this isn’t just a seasonal item. In fact, because of that six-month aging process, the students aren’t even baking fruitcakes right before the holiday season. But ... you can order the fruitcake, fruit spreads and other tasty treats any day of the year.

We encourage you to rethink your position on fruitcake and give this one some love ... and a second chance.

For more on Missouri

>CLICK HERE

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Places to Go:

T

The I

o commemorate 25 years since it pioneered the online vacation rental business, VrboÂŽ is giving away 25 stays at 25 of its most iconic, highest-rated vacation homes, cabins, condos (and castles!) as op-48- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

tions for con from. To en home stay f all-time favo need to shar to on Instag #VrboTurns

Inspiring Snowbear Chalets WHITEFISH/PRNewswire/ -- The Ponderosa Chalet at Snow Bear Chalets, the World’s First Ski-in/Ski-out Treehouses, located on the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort in Northwestern Montana, has been selected from more than two million property listings globally, as one of Vrbo’s 25 All-Time Favorite Properties in the World!

ntest winners to choose nter to win a vacation from Vrbo’s collection of orites, participants just re a family vacation phogram or Facebook using s25.

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Vrbo’s 25 All-Time Favorite Properties includes properties from three countries and 20 US states. In 2018, Snow Bear was also recognized as one of the 100 World’s Greatest Places and in 2019 as one of the 30 Sexiest Hotels in the World.

Snow Bear Chalets, just 30 miles from Glacier National Park, offers the ultimate luxury accommodations to enjoy hiking, mountain biking and outdoor adventures in the summer season, as well as worldclass alpine skiing all winter long, in slopeside storybook-inspired treehouse chalets.

Complete with swooping beams and a soaring turret covered with 600- fiber-optic twinkle stars in the form of constellations, these magical treehouses are designed with inspired whimsy in the style of Hansel and Gretel meets Harry Potter. Featuring award-winning design, incredible views, private treetop hot tubs, gourmet kitchens, gas fireplaces, high speed Wi-Fi, Sonos, goose down comforters and luxury amenities, these storybook luxury treehouses are located ON the slope, providing true ski-in/ski-out access, for 1 to 22 guests.

And with the completion of seven new chalets opening this December, Snow Bear will then be able to host up to 68 guests in total luxury and privacy, with 10 units.

Especially important during COVID times, Snow Bear not only offers pristine beauty in the best location, but also offers natural physical distancing in a private, remote yet conveniently located treehouses and chalets, perfect for spending safe, quality time with your family.

Since opening in late 2017, Snow Bear Chalets has received international acclaim from global travelers as well as journalists and guests alike, with consistent 5-star guest reviews.

Snow Bear is the dream of entrepreneur Gail Goodwin of Whitefish, Montana. “I wanted to build a magical place in the best location that would give our guests a unique place to truly relax and reconnect with what truly matters and where they would be inspired to leave stress at the front door,” says Goodwin. And the result -50- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

has been purely magical for the hundreds of happy guests who consistently reward Snow Bear with glowing, 5-star ratings.

Located not close to but ON the ski slope, Snow Bear Chalets offers a true ski-in/ski-out experience for those who would prefer to spend their time on the slopes, rather than just getting to them.

From the time y door of your ch slopes in 10 sec There are mo mixed terrain a der skiing in th We’re humbl one of their Pre have been chos

you walk out the front halet, you’ll be on the conds! ore than 3000 acres of and some of the best powhe west. led and honored to be emier Partners, and to sen from more than two

million properties worldwide as one of Vrbo’s 25 All-Time Favorite Properties!” said Goodwin.

Snow Bear provides the ultimate in luxury living for those who choose a unique, decadent holiday experience, and is available as a Premier Partner on Vrbo.com.

For more information or to be spoiled

with a gorgeous mountain escape, guests can also book directly by visiting SnowBearChalets.com.

For more on Montana

> Click Here November, 2020 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -51-

Go,See,Do

Poinsettia Show

OMAHA - Thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich, vibrant color are a glowing and inspirational tribute to the holidays. The Annual Holiday Poinsettia Show at Lauritzen Gardens shows off the beauty of these plants. A 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree, made from more than 700 plants, becomes a centerpiece surrounded by model garden trains.

Visit between Nov. 21 through Jan. 3 when the floral display hall is transformed into a comfy, cozy space that is full of joy, cheer, and of course, the plants. Thousands of vibrant poinsettias, amaryllis, and other festive florals and foliage deck the hall. More than 5000 poinsettias in more than 20 different varieties were grown for the 2020 display. See varieties of multi-hued, deep red, sparkling white and speckled poinsettias

that vary in hue, texture, height and bloom time. Varieties will be replaced as needed to provide an ever-changing display.

Add S’more joy to your visit by toasting a marshmallow at the fire pits in the Family Chill Zone. This gathering place gives families a place to relax, warm up, and to enjoy the winter weather. S’mores kits will be available for purchase at the front desk.

The holiday show has been designed as a one-way experience with ample room to allow for social distancing.

Now open daily 9am - 5pm!

Timed tickets with specified arrival times are currently required for all guests and may be secured online. They are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 3-12.

Lauritzen Gardens is a 100 acre public garden located in the heart of downtown Omaha,

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Nebraska. As a tranquil oasis for personal escape or a destination to learn about the wonders of the natural world, Lauritzen Gardens is a place of joy, beauty, inspiration, education, and reflection in our community.

The garden cultivates a diverse living plant collection, offers creative nature-based educational programs, and executes significant work to conserve endangered plants of the Great Plains.

Please note that the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory and woodland trail are open from noon to 5 pm.

For more information and to make reservations, visit www. lauritzengardens.org

For more on Nebraska

>Click Here

Things to Do:

Dine and Fly

LAS VEGAS – Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is introducing two brand new, exclusive packages featuring a luxury dining experience and a fabulous night flight of the Las Vegas Strip.

The VIP Fly & Dine Luxury Night Out package is a great way to experience the best Las Vegas has to offer. Starting at $199* per person, guests begin the evening with an incredible five-course tasting menu at Mott 32 at The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, a Forbes Travel Guide 4-Star Award restaurant. This contemporary restaurant brings a modern approach to Chinese cuisine. The menu features dishes** such as Hot & Sour Iberico Pork Shanghainese Soup Dumplings, Signature 36-month Acornfed Barbecue Pluma Iberico Pork, Grilled Sea Bass or Stir-Fried Australian M6 Wagyu Sirloin and a signature Maine Lobster Fried Rice served with king oyster mushrooms and edamame. The meal concludes with the Bamboo Green Forest, an elegant dessert with rich Yuzu cream, yoghurt, lime sorbet with matcha sponge cake topped with crispy yoghurt and a white chocolate bamboo.

Following dinner, guests will be transferred via limousine to Papillon’s VIP Las Vegas ter-

minal to begin their helicopter Strip Highlights Night Flight. Guests will experience breathtaking sights of the Las Vegas Strip as they enjoy views of the Luxor’s Sky beam, the Eiffel Tower, the fountains of Bellagio, Doge’s Palace plaza at The Venetian, the 1,000-foot-tall Strat & SkyPod and Downtown Las Vegas.

The second package, the Afternoon Bites + Night Flights, includes a tasty three-course lunchtime menu from Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano at The Venetian Resort. Priced at $129 per person*, this dynamic menu brings flavors inspired by Northern Italian cuisine with choices that include Cremella, Mandilli di Seta, Branzino, Herb Roasted Half Chicken with Reggiano crema, and Slow Roasted Pork Belly. For dessert, guests will choose between a homemade Cannoli or Panna Cotta. This package will also include the exciting Strip Highlights Night Flight.

To book reservations, call (702) 736-7243 or book online – Fly & Dine Luxury Night Out or Afternoon Bites + Night Flights.

For More on Nevada,

> CLICK HERE!

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Places to Go

Mt. Washington Auto Road GREEN’S GRANT - The Glen House, the award-winning hotel in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, sits at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

America’s oldest man-made attraction and the most famous mountain drive east of the Rockies, the Mt. Washington Auto Road opened in 1861 to stagecoaches and later to automobiles.

The dramatic roadway climbs 4,618 feet from the base and reaches more than a mile in the sky to the highest point in the Northeast at 6,288 feet. Both the views to the Atlantic Ocean and the ubiquitous bumper sticker, “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington,” are as popular as ever.

To mark the year of the American road trip, The Glen House has created The Auto Road Weekender package, a true best of the White Mountains offer during one of the most dramatic fall foliage seasons in the country. The package comes with a two-night stay, Auto Road passes for your vehi-

cle and two adults, two adult 4-hour bike rentals from the adjacent Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, a keepsake cooler with two boxed lunches, and two adult souvenir t-shirts.

The 68-room dog-friendly*

boutique property at the base of Mt. Washington is steps from the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, which offers 40 km of biking, walking, and hiking trails. After a ride up Mt. Washington and some mountain biking, guests can take in the brilliant red and yellow foliage from the deck of The Glen House. The Notch Grille offers such New Hampshire brews as Auto Road Ale from Tuckerman

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Brewing Company and serves comfort food such as short rib tacos, Caesar salad, Mt. Washington burger, lobster rolls and steak frites.

The Auto Road Weekender package includes: •Two-nightsStandard Room.

• Auto Road passes for one vehicle and two adults.

•One keepsake cooler with two boxed lunches.

•Two adult souvenir T-shirts.

•Two adult 4-hour bike rentals from the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.

•Starting rate from $229 per night, based on double occupancy for a two-night stay.

• Subject to availability.

• Contact The Glen House for reservations.

Full details are available on the website at https://theglenhouse. com/welcome-back.

For More on

New Hampshire, >

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Places to Go:

Madd Hatter Calling all! Join us on the Best Party Night of the year. Wednesday November 25, 2020 for the Top Rated Thanksgiving Eve event in Hoboken!

HOBOKEN - Thanksgiving Day is one of the best and most exciting days of the year; families are all together, football is on TV, and you’ll be eating one of the best meals of the year! What some don’t know is that the night before is one of the most wild party night. Come hang with us on Thanksgiving Eve to experience a truly unforgettable time. This is hands down the biggest party of the year!

Madd Hatter is known for their

For more on New Jersey >CLICK HERE!

great atmosphere. It’s interior design has a lot of charm to it, and there’s plenty of space to let loose.

There will be a $20 cover at the door to get in if you’re not interested in any packages, but there are a ton of options if you are.

Just to name a few of the packages there’ll be a “Level Up” package which gives you entry plus 2 Bottles of choice, a bottle of Moet, and 1 bucket of Red Bull. If you’re looking for even more than that you can consider The Ultimate VIP package which will give you a crazy 10 Bottles Of Choice, 6 Champagne Bottles, Big Boy Bucket Of Red Bull, and your own space in the VIP Section. No matter what you decide, we’ll have what you need to ensure that you Thanksgiving Eve plans are on point.

Madd Hatter has gotten the reputation to be Hoboken’s best party spot, and there’s no way they are stopping that anytime soon. There will also be all of your favorite music which includes Mash-Ups, Hip Hop, Top 40, and EDM. Don’t look any further and come be in the center of all the fun.

Madd Hatter Hoboken is a premier sports bar offering 40+ big screen TV’s, projection TV’s surrounding the enormous island bar. Our full food menu includes everything from casual pub fare to fine dining entrees. Beer being one of our prime focuses, our extensive beer list consisting of over 80 draft and bottled beers, will have something for the beer lover in everyone. Tickets start at $35. https://hobokenmaddhatter.com/

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Places to Go:

Las Cruces

One of this vibrant, active town’s most popular holiday events is the Official Las Cruces Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. In addition to the more competitive 5K and 10K races, there’s also a onemile all-ages fun run, as well as a costume contest, refreshments, and more.

Afterwards, there are plenty of buffet and dinner options, with some local favorites including the Pecan Grill and Double Eagle Restaurant. Since 2009, each member of the The Pecan Grill & Brewery management team is committed to bringing you the best dining experience possible. They are known for their Green Chile Chicken Lasagna and their famous Lava Burger. For a complete menue, visit www.pecangrill.com.

Double Eagle is known as the “crown jewel of the historic Old Mesilla.” Originally built in 1849, many historical events have been witnessed here.

Decorated with period furniture and antiques, a tour before dining is a special treat. The menu features a different special each day off the week.

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out the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History and the Zuhl Museum, then head over to the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument to spot fossils in their natural environment.

Red or green? Hot or mild? These questions can only describe one thing: New Mexico chile. And the best New Mexican chile can be found in the Mesilla Valley. Only in Las Cruces will you find the Chile Pepper Institute – the world’s only international, nonprofit organization devoted to education and research of chile peppers. Travelers can tour the institute’s public Teaching Garden, where 150 of the world’s hottest chiles from around the world are grown.

From national parks and monuments to one of the top-rated farmer’s markets in the country, Las Cruces offers a world filled with natural wonder, year-round excitement, and historic proportions of fun! Start planning your escape to Southern New Mexico today.

For more on New Mexico

>CLICK HERE!

Things to Do: WATCH

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Places to Go:

Inspirational

Holiday Lights NEW YORK /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- LuminoCity Festival, the stunning holiday spectacular of light sculptures, announced today its return to Randall’s Island Park in New York City from Nov. 27 Jan. 10, 2021. Presenting a brand new theme and never-before-seen art installations, LuminoCity will pop-up for 29 nights from 4-10 p.m. and offer visitors a unique opportunity to venture through a wonderland of fantastical ancient civilizations, lush luminated jungles, and mystical towering light art displays over 30ft. high. The immersive outdoor event will be a festive, socially-distanced, and timed-entry experience for guests of all ages.

The sparkling light park invites visitors on a 30-45 minute walking, narrative journey through five distinct sets, which bring to life chapters of an original story starring Lumi, a magical light bulb and the host of the festival.

Guests will be transported to different dreamlike worlds through the Mysterious Forest, Dangerous Dunes, Forgotten Ruins, Hidden Land of Hria, and Mystical Moon Land, all while uncovering a beautiful tale of love, loss and life illustrated by the stunning installations. In the “Pop Culture” area of the park, visitors will encounter 12 light sculptures of famous cat & dog influencers - including @ smoothiethecat - reimagined as the 12 zodiac constellations which play a role in the overarching

Lumi adventure story.

In addition to wandering through 10 acres of the enchanting light park, festival-goers can visit the openair Mini Gallery, which introduces the history and culture behind the lantern-making traditions that inspired the origin of LuminoCity, as well as a behind the scenes look at the light construction.

The Lumi Gift Shop will offer an array of merchandise perfect for holiday gifts and take-home memories. The limited edition Lumi Night Light will be an extra special memento, as guests can carry a spark of light back with them after the event. Food trucks will be on-site and lined up to offer warm treats. The entire experience will be topped off with a glistening 26ft. tall Christmas Tree decked with bulbs, making the perfect backdrop for holiday photos and Instagram posts.

“We are bringing an entirely new event theme, narrative, and experience to NYC this year,” says Xiayoi Chen, Founder of LuminoCity Festival, “We want to create a brief and wondrous

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escape from reality, inspired by an original story we’ve written to guide visitors through the park. It explores the delicate relationship between humans and nature, and will hopefully provoke a deeper consideration of the world around us. We look forward to presenting a safe, well-produced, and heartwarming event for everyone who wants to come get lost among the lights.”

“We are excited to welcome LuminoCity back to Randall’s Island Park and applaud those that worked to ensure this event will be done safely pursuant to guidance from City, State and public health authorities. This

at LuminoCity Festival

family-friendly outdoor art event will surely be a point of light for people this holiday season,” said Deborah Maher, President of Randall’s Island Park Alliance.

The LuminoCity team has worked closely with city and public health officials to prioritize the health and safety of guests while planning the 2020 festival.

Completely open-air event with the exception of the gift shop, where strict capacity will be enforced along with single direction pathways with no re-entry A limited number of tickets will be available for each designated time slot. Time slots will be strict-

ly enforced to maintain capacity. Tickets must be purchased online, as there is no on-site box office due to health & safety protocols.

General Admission - $38 Kids (ages 3-12) - $22 How to Get There: Visitors can arrive via shuttle bus, walking path, driving, or ride share / taxi.

Shuttle tickets sold separately. For the full guide, please visit https://www.luminocityfestival.com/plan-your-visit#gettingthere LuminoCity Inc. is a multimedia entertainment company that transforms captivating stories into multidimensional experiences. By exploring the intersection of art forms, LuminoCity seeks to blur the lines between virtuality and reality when curating unforgettable experiences for all audiences.

In the inaugural year of 2019, LuminoCity proudly held its signature event: LuminoCity Festival, a month-long holiday event with an exhibition of spectacular light art

displays, live performances, and a celebration of cultures.

The inspiration behind LuminoCity Festival comes from the traditional art of Chinese lantern festivals, intertwined with modern design and storytelling.

Zigong City, located in the Sichuan province, is the native town of LuminoCity’s founder, and the epicenter of lantern manufacture and lantern festival production. It is also home to the world’s most skilled lantern artists and hosts an annual lantern festival that attracts more than two million people. LuminoCity is rooted in the Zigong festival industry, as the journey of producing the LuminoCity Festival begins there with the manufacturing of light structures.

By bringing the two-thousandyear history of the Chinese lantern festival to New York City through an extraordinary new light artform, the LuminoCity Festival creates a reality full of magical wonder and thrilling adventure for all to enjoy. With each festival, a new and original Lumi’s Adventure story is written and turned into a larger-than-life light art experience. For more information please visit https://www.luminocityfestival.com/.

For more on New York >CLICK HERE!

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Places to Go:

Holiday Flotilla WILMINGTON and WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH/PRNewswire/ Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, will launch the coastal Carolina holiday season with two long-running traditions, the 38th North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Airlie Gardens’ 16th annual Enchanted Airlie.

Organizers of both events revised their programs to mitigate public safety concerns surrounding COVID-19.

“The Flotilla is happening with a little twist this year,” said Linda Brown, Committee Chair. “Instead of a boat-judging contest with 50,000 people on the shoreline, it’s going to be a dock judging competition from the water. We encourage all residents and businesses on the Flotilla route to decorate their docks with seasonal lighting.

Floodlights and spotlights will impair navigation on the waterways and are not permitted.

The judges will be on the Carolina Runner, judging the docks and homes on the parade route on Friday and Saturday nights, Thanksgiving weekend. Winners will be announced on Sunday with prizes for the top docks.

“We invite our flotilla captains and all owners to decorate their boats and come and see the beautiful docks and homes from the water. See the holiday lights and place your votes for the People’s Choice Award,” said Brown.

“We’ll absolutely light up our two docks and the boats that are on them,” said Baggett. “Our new

tour boat, The Carolina Runner, has plenty of space for social distancing. We plan to take people to view the homes and docks on the parade route throughout the holiday season.”

Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie also begins Thanks- giving weekend, bringing to life 35-acres of night-time forest with more than one million sparkling lights, walking trails, holiday displays, and seasonal music.

“Enchanted Airlie is a beloved tradition and we have worked hard to ensure that we continue that tradition in the safest way possible,” said Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations.

“Tickets will sell out in advance.”

Enchanted Airlie tickets are available online only at https://airliegardens.org/ events/enchanted-airlie/.

The garden gates open Nov. 27-29, and reopen each night, Dec. 4-22. This year there are four one-hour event times each evening – 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 PM.

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For more on North Carolina

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For more on North Dakota

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Go, Do, See: New Flavors

Velvet Ice Cream

UTICA - Velvet Ice Cream, a fourth-generation ice cream maker in Utica, Ohio, and Midwest distributor of premium craft ice cream and novelties has restocked the shelves at grocery and convenience stores with their Seasonal Favorites. Pure Cinnamon and Pumpkin Pie are now back in freezers at grocery and convenient stores. Peppermint Stick will be loaded later this fall. In addition to the Seasonal Favorites, Velvet is featuring Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Sandwiches in retail locations and Apple Pie Cobbler at dipping parlors across their footprint, including at Velvet’s Ye Olde Mill in Utica which is open until October 31st.

“This is the time of year when sweet indulgences are shared with families and friends,” Velvet Ice Cream President Luconda Dager said. “Whether you’re creating special holiday ice cream desserts

with a seasonal flare or simply dressing up your favorite pie, Velvet’s Seasonal Favorites are the perfect pairing with any family meal or gathering.”

Unique and traditional ice cream recipes for family gatherings and holiday parties can be found at VelvetIceCream.com.

Customers are encouraged to take photos of their creations or include their own recipes including Velvet Ice Cream and share on social media with the hashtag #VelvetIceCream and Velvet may share on its social accounts and feature on their website.

In addition to the Seasonal Favorites fall flavors, Velvet premium flavors Kentucky Praline Pecan, Carmel Pecan and Vanilla are huge favorites this time of year – adding something special to seasonal desserts.

For more The Velvet Party Cups, just the right

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size for sharing, have a fresh look and come in new variety packs.

Founded in 1914 by Joseph Dager, Velvet Ice Cream is a fourth-generation family ice cream maker based in Utica, Ohio.

The company’s premium craft ice cream, known for its signature velvety texture, is sold throughout central Ohio and across the region (OH, KY, WV, MI, IN). Velvet produces more than 5 million gallons of ice cream every year from its headquarters on the grounds of Ye Olde Mill. The 25-acre property houses an ice cream museum, restaurant, playground, picnic area and catch-and-releasefishing pond. It welcomes 150,000 visitors per year. For more ice cream recipes, visit https://www.velveticecream.com/recipes PUMPKIN ROLL SUNDAE Ingredients 1 slice pumpkin roll 1 scoop Velvet Pumpkin Pie ice cream whipped cream caramel sauce Either purchase or make a homemade pumpkin roll.

Slice pumpkin roll into ¾ to 1-inch thick pieces.

Place a slice on a plate. Add a generous scoop of Velvet Pumpkin Pie ice cream. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.

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People to See

Nutcrackers Return STEUBENVILLE – As the holidays approach and families search for safe ways to celebrate together, a visit to the Steubenville Nutcracker Village & Advent Market is a delightful option.

More than 150 locally designed and produced Nutcrackers will be on display in Fort Steuben Park and along the streets and storefronts of downtown Steubenville.

Now in its sixth year, the event has been modified to meet all state and local health protocols, ensuring that visitors can maintain social distancing and that all vendors comply with safety guidelines.

At least 50 Nutcrackers will be arrayed 24/7 under a canopy of colored lights and seasonal music in Fort Steuben Park along the walkways to the Visitor Center. These cleverly designed creations depict professions, literary characters, and famous figures from history and entertainment. One hundred more will be widely spaced along the city’s main streets, allowing for drive-by viewing. Among those you can meet (and take a photo with) are local heroes like Moses Fleetwood Walker and Dean Martin (along with the Rat Pack) as well as other characters like Sherlock Holmes, the Phantom of the Opera, the Tooth Fairy, John Glenn, a Steel Worker, Scarlett O’Hara, and of course Clara and the Mouse King himself. Visitors will receive maps showing the location in the Park and on the streets of each Nutcracker and its sponsor.

On the five weekends following Thanksgiving, an Advent Market surrounding the 32-foot Christmas tree is open from 2pm to 8pm (Friday and Saturday) and 1pm-6pm (Sundays) where visitors can purchase a variety of crafts, gifts and food including handmade signs, Amish baked goods, homemade fudge, local honey, Christmas décor, and Nutcracker souvenirs. Locally roasted coffee, hot cocoa and cider, sausage sandwiches, pizza, and Italian fries are among the dishes offered at the Market. Trolley rides, tours

of the 1800 Land Office and Historic Fort Steuben, and special events including a Joint School Drum Line and children’s Lantern Parade are on the schedule.

The Fort Steuben Visitor Center based in the park has been transformed into a holiday gift shop offering books, gifts, puzzles, crafts, toys, ornaments, and souvenirs as well as the collectible 2020 Steubenville Nutcracker.

Sebastian – the singing autistic Nutcracker – stands by the doorway inviting visitors to drop a dollar in his drum to hear a song from Steubenville’s own Dean Martin!

The various shops and businesses in historic downtown Steubenville will have special sales and items to fit the holiday celebration. Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe, Steubenville Popcorn Company, Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, the Prodigal Daughter, and BookMarx Bookstore among others will have extended hours to welcome guests.

“The Nutcracker Village is a phenomenal experience,” remarked city Mayor Jerry Barilla. “We wanted to create a new attraction and through the efforts of many dedicated people the dream came to be. Almost all the activities are free due to generous donations and sponsorships by businesses, organizations, and individuals including Trinity Health System which has made a major funding commitment. Volunteers are involved at every stage and include people of all ages. We are ready to welcome visitors to this magical event.”

The Nutcrackers are designed and manufactured by Nelson’s of Steubenville. Fort Steuben Park is part of the non-profit Old Fort Steuben Project and located at 120 S. 3rd Street, Steubenville, OH 43952. For more information and schedules, visit www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com and www.oldfortsteuben.com or call 866-301-1787.

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Go, Do, See:

The Holiday Magic at CINCINNATI – One of the region’s most popular indoor, family holiday events begins a six-week run Saturday, November 14 and goes through January 3, 2021.

Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction is a magical family experience during which visitors can enjoy 80,000 square feet of holiday fun, all under one roof, all in a climate-controlled environment. This includes the world’s largest indoor G-Scale model train display.

The imaginative Journey to the North Pole themed walk-through attraction is where visitors are transported to an amazing winter wonderland with snowy landscapes on the way to visit with Santa live on-screen from his home in the North Pole. The walk-through features a post office, a sleigh house, a reindeer barn with Rudolph and an elves’ workshop where Santa’s helpers are busy making toys. Visitors can meet Ms. Claus in her old-fashion kitchen, then, down the hall and into a study, kids can see and talk with Santa live in a virtual face-to-face chat on EnterTRAINment Junction’s exclusive “ZoomFace” virtual teleconferencing system.

Of course, all of the other spectacular EnterTRAINment Junction attractions are part of the holiday-time experience, including the world’s largest -66- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

indoor model train display, the popular, handbuilt 1,000 sq. ft. replica of the historic Coney Island Amusement Park, the weird-and-wacky A-Maze-N FunHouse, one of the world’s largest and most complete marble displays, a giant kids’ interactive play area and the American Railroading Museum.

Visitors entering EnterTRAINment Junction immediately encounter a holiday themed Main Street area, a 1930s’ cityscape trimmed in seasonal lights and decorations. Main Street has a sidewalk café, gift shop, several party rooms for holiday parties and Junction Hobbies & Toys, located just inside EnterTRAINment Junction’s front doors.

The incredible hobby & toy shop has the area’s largest collection of Thomas the Train merchandise, G-Scale, HO and N-Scale trains and accessories, plus Lego, Playmobil, a large selection of Melissa & Doug merchandise and more. Special sale items span the entire Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction run.

Due to Covid-19, EnterTRAINment Junction is following state guidelines for mitigating the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, including extended overnight cleaning and re-cleaning of high-touch surfaces multiple times per day. Restrooms may also be shut down briefly throughout the day to

allow more-frequent cleaning. EnterTRAINment Junction’s associates will be wearing masks, using hand sanitizing stations and maintaining physical distancing as much as possible. “We ask that our guests do the same,” says EnterTRAINment Junction general manager Bill Balfour.

Christmas at the Junction is open daily Nov. 14-Jan. 3, 2021 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Times are Mon.-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon6 p.m. There are special extended hours (closing at 8 p.m. rather than 6 p.m.) on

selected dates: December 4-6, Dec. 11-23 and Dec. 26-Dec. 30). (Closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve). A Do-It-All admission ticket is $17.95 ($15.95 in advance on-line). Kids two and under free.

Parking is free. Be sure to check out website for dates and times.

EnterTRAINment Junction is located at 7379 Squire Court, off I-75 at the Tylersville Rd. exit (#22). For more information, call (513) 898-8000, or (877) 898-4656. Website: www. entertrainmentjunction.com.

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Places to Go:

Oklahoma City Thanksgiving Events

Geekapalooza Nov. 13 – Jan. 4 Edmond Ice Rink opens at Mitch Park featuring ice skating, a Christmas train ride, holiday music and food concessions. $12 with skate rental, $8 without, kids (under 5), $8.

Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 FREE Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s features giveaways, crafts, activities and the chance to meet Santa.

Nov. 21 Craft Fair at Earlywine Park YMCA features vendors selling handcrafted items. Free to attend.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Nov. 24 FREE Turkey Shoot at Oklahoma City Community Centers

(select locations). Kids can compete in a basketball free-throw contest to win a frozen turkey.

Age groups are: 6-8, 9-12, 13-17 & 18+. 5 p.m.

Nov. 25 – 27 Thanksgiving Break Family Skate Sessions at Skate Galaxy OKC (5800 NW 36th St). Admission $6 includes basic skate rental. Wednesday, 1-4 & 7-10 p.m.; Thursday, 7-10 p.m.; Friday, 1-4 p.m.

Nov. 26 Edmond Turkey Trot (various locations) features a virtual 5K and 10-mile bike ride. Families are encouraged to participate at a socially-distant location of their choice. Preregister to receive a shirt. $20 & up.

OKC Turkey Tracks Virtual

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5K (various locations) features a one-mile fun run, a 5K or whatever distance you pick. Registrants get a zip jacket, pumpkin-pie inspired medal and a navy blue beanie. Benefits Toys for Tots. $40.

Piedmont Turkey Trot at the First Baptist Church of Piedmont (15 Jackson Ave NW, Piedmont) features a 5K and one-mile fun run on Thanksgiving morning.

Participation can choose a virtual option and should the need arise due to safety concerns the race could fully transition to virtual.

Benefits Bright Sky Ministries. $20-$25. 8:30-11am.

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Places to Go:

Inspiring Tetherow Resort

BEND — Tetherow Resort has been named a topfive resort in 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, landing at No.5 on the list of the Top 40 Resorts in The Midwest and West following a months-long national public vote. Tetherow jumped significantly from its previous No.7 ranking.

“From our hotel rooms, to our private cottages, we like to think of ourselves as a home away from home, nestled in the heart of Central Oregon with a strong emphasis on sustainability and a true connection to place,” said Chris van der Velde, general manager and managing partner.

Tetherow is a complex of vacation rental homes, event spaces, and a golf course that has all the amenities and comforts of a larger resort, but the intimacy and personality of a smaller hotel...If you’re in the Bend area and a fan of the outdoors, this is the spot to go.”

Located on the coveted west side of Bend, only 18 miles from Mt. Bachelor and 4 miles to downtown, Tetherow Lodges is perfectly appointed on 700 acres of pristine land. The 50 room resort incorporates their connection to place through a variety of sustainable practices and use of locally sourced materials such as the tri-colored basalt mined from the 13th hole of the golf course, used in the patio and pool area. The culinary scene does not fall short on their farm to table experience providing locally

sourced meats and vegetables in a culinary journey of local heritage. Venture outside and various walking trails and an 18-hole Scottish links-style golf course of native grasses lend themselves to a day of play and exploration. One may find there is little reason to leave.

“We worked hard at ensuring we didn’t lose touch of our surroundings, so it’s no coincidence that Tetherow offers an all encompassing experience for our guests,” says Erin van der Velde, Chief Experience Officer. “The high desert landscape provides so much to work with. All we’ve done is taken its gifts and harnessed them to create a truly unique resort.”

Tetherow encompasses 700 acres on Bend, Oregon’s desirable west side. We boast an 18-hole golf course, 50-room boutique hotel, pool, three restaurants, vacation rental homes, event pavilion, golf academy, and various residential neighborhoods.

We are proud of our employees and their dedication to the Tetherow vision. Additionally, we ensure environmentally-sound philosophies and practices are integrated into nearly every aspect of the resort’s development. For more information visit tetherow. com.

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Places to Go:

Extended Weekend in

There’s no better time to take a road trip! Butler County boasts rolling hills, charming towns and breathtaking views, especially in the fall! Whether you prefer to drive, hike, picnic or bike, the scenic landscapes are a sight to see. The best part about these attractions is that you can experience the beautiful vegetation at your leisure throughout the autumn season.

Day 1- Friday 3 PM: Lodging check-in to one of the many hotels in Cranberry Township 4 PM: Stroll along Zelienople’s charming Main Street lined with family-owned shops, boutiques, restaurants, museums and a thea-

tre dating back to 1914.

6 PM: Dinner (dine-in or takeout) at Harmony Inn, a oneof-a-kind restaurant and saloon serving German-infused entrees and handcrafted drinks. Return to lodging for restful evening

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Day 2 – Saturday 8 AM: Breakfast (dine-in or takeout) at Wunderbar Coffee & Crepes, a specialty coffee shop and cafe known for its delicious coffee and a variety of sweet and savory crepes.

10 AM: Tour the quaint town

Butler County

of Historic Harmony, the site of western Pennsylvania’s first National Historic Landmark District, followed by a visit to the Harmony Museum, where you’ll learn even more rich history about the area.

1 PM: Food Tour in Saxonburg; combining the unique history of Saxonburg with a walking and tasting tour through the town.

You’ll enjoy interesting facts and samples from a variety of local restaurants and cafes.

4 PM: Catch some fall foliage with a self-guided tour at Glade Run Lake Conservancy, a 52-acre man-made lake surrounded by luscious woodlands and farmlands. While you’re there, take a hike on the 1.5-mile walking trail encompassing the lake.

6 PM: Dinner (dine-in or takeout) at Domenico’s Ristorante, a family-owned, fine-dining restau-

rant specializing in pasta dishes, chicken, seafood and pizza.

Return to lodging Day 3 – Sunday 8 AM: Breakfast at Bloom Cafe, a casual café located beside Quality Gardens, offering breakfast, lunch, specialty coffee, and housemade pastries.

10 AM: Get breathtaking views of Pennsylvania’s fall foliage at Moraine State Park. Consisting of 16,725 acres of pure beauty, Moraine State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities and is the third largest park in the state.

12 PM: Lunch at Brown’s Country Kitchen, a popular restaurant featuring hearty, home-cooking that includes buttermilk fried chicken, country-style pot-roast and their world-famous pies!

2 PM: Explore Moraine State

Park along the waters of Lake Arthur with a Standup paddleboarding Eco Tour.

6 PM: Dinner at Log Cabin Inn, a rustic restaurant with great views overlooking the woods, and even better food.

Return to lodging NOTE: Please contact your planned stops directly prior to traveling to ensure COVID-19 related closures and changes in operations will still allow for you to visit certain attractions, restaurants, or businesses. We want you to make the most of your visit in Butler County. For more information, contact the Visitors Center directly from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM on weekdays at 866-856-8444.

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Places to Go:

Newport Mansions

Holidays at the Newport Mansions will be more spectacular than ever this year, with a new outdoor experience, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland,” illuminating the mansion and its historic grounds with thousands of lights Experience the wonders of Christmas at the Newport Mansions! November 21, 2020-January 10, 2021 - The Breakers and The Elms will be decorated in their traditional, lavish fashion for Holidays at the Newport Mansions. Admission will be by our regular tickets. The mansions will be closed on Thanksgiving Day

and Christmas Day, open on New Year’s Day. For the first time, the exterior of The Breakers and its landscape will be awash in festive lights, including 28 spruce trees strung with holiday lights along the two driveways; The Breakers façade bathed in colored light; and illumination of the historic paths, shrubbery and trees in varied color schemes as visitors stroll the grounds. The Children’s Cottage will be outlined in lights and visitors will be able to peek through the windows at Santa’s Workshop inside as Holiday music fills.

Interior tours of The Breakers and The Elms are self-guided using the

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free Newport Mansions audio tour app. Guests are encouraged to download the audio tour prior to arrival and bring their own earbuds. For those who prefer not to listen to the audio, one-use printed scripts are available.

Admission to both The Elms & The Breakers, which includes our NEW Sparkling Lights extravaganza on the grounds of The Breakers.

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Places to Go:

Lake Murray Country CAPITAL CITY - Situated in the central part of the Palmetto State and convenient to Interstates I-77, I-20 and I-26, Capital City/Lake Murray Country showcases regional beauty from metropolitan Columbia, historic Newberry, rural Saluda and the vibrant, fast-growing Lexington County. Attractions include wineries and antebellum homes, golfing, culinary masterpieces and holiday lights reflecting on Lake Murray. Holiday Lights on the River, the Midlands largest drive-through light show, runs from November 25-December 31.

Experience the magic from the comfort of your vehicle as Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia comes alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights and 400 animated light displays. Admission: $20/ Cars; $40/Passenger van, trucks w/trailers, limos; $60/bus. Sleigh Bell Stroll, a fun and festive fourmile family fun walk amid the sparkling light displays, is set for Monday November 23 and is $5 per person, 6 and under free. Masks will be required at

registration, which is online at www.icrc.net.

The second annual Carolina Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at the SC State Fairgrounds runs from December 5-27 (closed on Christmas). Admission: $20/car; $35/mini buses (9-24 passengers). Walk off holiday excess at the 170-acre Riverbanks Zoo & Garden featuring two distinct parks with historic ruins along the scenic Lower Saluda River. The nationally recognized zoo houses more than 2,000 animals in natural habitats. Lights Before Christmas runs on plenty of evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. in November and December. Timed arrival tickets are required and must be purchased in advance. Adults $12, $10 children 2-12.

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Go, Do, See...

Adams Homestead MCCOOK LAKE - Take a step back in time and get into the holiday spirit by touring through the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve site buildings decorated for the holiday season. The various buildings will be decorated in a more subtle earlier Christmas decor.

Join in the fun from 12-4 p.m. November14and do a little shopping by visiting our vendors in the visitor center. Homemade goodies and Santa Clause will be there, too.

This event is suree to be great fun for the whole family. Located near McCook Lake west of North Sioux City, the park entrance license iscnot required. Admission is Free.

Spanning 1,500 acres along the Missouri River, this area was donated to the people of South Dakota in 1984 by Mary and Maud Adams, granddaughters of original homesteader Stephen Searls Adams. They envisioned the area as a place where people, particularly youth, could enjoy the land and learn more about the natural world surrounding them. Mary and Maud wanted to give others a “place for inner renewal.�

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve features close to 10 miles of limestone trails that wind through prairie, forest and along the riverbank. With over 100 species of birds, a variety of native plants and a number of different animals, visitors are immersed in nature.

Restored historical buildings include: Lamont Country School, Sha/Adams House, Stavenger Lutheran Church and Brusseau Cabin. Tours of the buildings are available through reservation. For more information, visit online at https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/ adams-homestead-and-nature-preserve/ -74- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ November, 2020

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Inspiration:

Black Bear Village

This $6.5 million expansion atop Gatlinburg mountain includes new overlook with outdoor stage and firepit, dining, and shopping with views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park GATLINBURG/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Just in time for Fall’s splendor in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anakeesta opens the new Black Bear Village, adding even more unique experiences to the Gatlinburg mountaintop destination.

Live music floats from a new bandstand through a spacious gathering area and overlook with seating for more than 150 people. Nearby, the new village’s namesake black bear stands atop a mountain-themed waterfall with water play area for children below. And a

glowing fire pit warms those sitting in its circle, surrounded by a local artist’s river-rock creation and panoramic bar seating.

Each new addition – including a climate-controlled destination restaurant with floorto-ceiling windows – offers priceless views of the Smokies, and together they amount to the greatest and final phase of Anakeesta’s expansion.

“Black Bear Village brings together our vision for Anakeesta as a place to play and relax together outdoors while taking in the incredible beauty of the Smoky Mountains,” Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bob Bentz shared. “When you reach the top of Anakeesta, you first see that we created an authentic and picturesque landscape, and then you find dozens of

opportunities for experiences – from fun adventures to shopping and dining. But when you sit down or look out across the valley, it’s just you and the mountains.”

Anakeesta even named a new take-away café after the explorer acclaimed as the father of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kephart Café offers gourmet hot dogs, flatbreads and brightly-colored frozen yogurt with rainbow edges for guests who order and pick up from its serving windows.

Visit http://www.anakeesta. com or call 865-325-2400 for tickets and more information.

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Places to Go: For Inspiration

Rosewood Mansion

DALLAS, PRNewswire/ -Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek®, the inaugural property of the ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® collection, is open with refurbished guestrooms and suites, an inviting lobby and inspired guest experiences as the latest elements of the property’s extensive, multi-year reinvention. Redefining the concept of residential luxury – a concept the Mansion introduced when it first transformed from a private estate to an award-winning boutique hotel 40 years ago – the reimagined property celebrates the original building’s quintessential characteristics and charm while simultaneously incorporating a fresh and convivial sense of style.

Several new, unique services and partnerships further provide the utmost in ease and highlight the Mansion’s Texas heritage.

From custom designed cowboy boots to unprecedented services, the unique offerings deliver the ultimate guest experience while celebrating the property’s distinctive Dallas roots. Together, the artful redesign and exclusive services and amenities create an inspired interpretation of modern splendor that sets a new standard for luxury hospitality at large.

Rosewood Mansion has been a beloved gathering place for the local community and visiting travelers alike, and guests are welcomed to experience the next chapter of the Mansion’s illustrious story,

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said Andrea Gates, director.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek boasts original architecture influenced by 16th century Renaissance Italy and meticulously restored features including handcarved fireplaces, marble floors and stained-glass windows. The mansion’s refined, yet residential atmosphere, highlights the rich history at each turn.

Offering impeccable service and a world-class luxury experience, you can’t beat this destination. For more information or to make reservations, visit https:// rosewoodhotels.com/mansion For more on Texas

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Places to Go:

Thanksgiving Point

LEHI - Thanksgiving Point is a unique destination where recreation, education, and peace come together. It is located twenty minutes south of Salt Lake City, Utah, off Interstate 15. Thanksgiving Point acts as a refuge from everyday life - a unique location showcasing the beauty and majesty of nature in countless ways...from dinosaurs to dahlias.

Thanksgiving Point exists as an expression of gratitude.

It is founded on the belief that all things that come of the earth were created for the benefit and the use of man, to please the eye and gladden the heart, to strengthen the body and enlighten the mind. It promotes enjoyment of nature and invites all to experience beauty and education.

Thanksgiving Point is a non-profit organization. Its primary purpose is to provide a wholesome environment designed to educate and allow a safe haven where families can come and learn together.

Ashton Gardens The heart of Thanksgiving Point is the magnificent 55-acre Ashton Gardens. Each area in the Garden has an individual identity, like rooms in an estate. Visitors will be enchanted by a Rose Garden, Monet Garden, Italian Garden, Secret Garden, Butterfly Garden, vista Garden, Parterre Garden, the Largest Man-Made Waterfall and the

one-of-a-kind Light of the World Garden.

Surrounding Thanksgiving Point’s gardens is an 18hole championship golf course that has already received accolades from the golf world including Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Links. The privately-owned course is open to the public six days a week and takes reservations twoweeks in advance.

An agricultural learning and discovery center, called Farm Country, is home to a charming animal park and demonstration vegetable garden. Large greenhouses and multiple classrooms allow growing and learning to continue throughout the year.

Thanksgiving Point is open six days a week, year-round.

Closed on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Hours are seasonal and vary from venue to venue. It is located along I-15 between Salt Lake City and Provo. Take exit 287 off I-15 and travel west to Thanksgiving Way. For more information, visit online at https://www. thanksgivingpoint.org For more on Utah

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Go, See, Do Outdoor activity meets first-class amenities in a Blue Ridge Mountain getaway.

Looking for a wealth of outdoor activity and adventure along with fantastic scenery, amazing dining choices, live music and on-stage entertainment? Head to the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where the Blue Ridge and the Appalachians converge in Abingdon, to discover relaxation and rugged adventure living in harmony with first-class amenities.

With its enthusiastic drive for historic architecture and passion for the contemporary, Abingdon is a walkable, bike-friendly and drive-able town that’s easy to love. The National Register designated Historic District is filled with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in restored Colonial, Federal and Victorian beauties.

Just blocks away is the renowned Virginia Creeper Trail, one of the best rails-to-trails in the country, offering a choice of vigorous, push-to-the-limit biking or an easy downhill coast and ride.

The Virginia Creeper Trail was named not for the vine, but for the 1880s steam engines that labored up steep mountain grades under heavy loads of lumber and iron ore. Cyclists can start the trail at either end, choosing a leisurely downhill ride from Abingdon to Alvarado Station (and nearby Abingdon Vineyards), or a faster-paced, 17-mile downhill ride from Whitetop Station in Jefferson National Forest. A bike

Inspiring Advent

rental shop offers shuttles from the Abingdon gateway, making it easy to get on the trail. The awesome views of South Holston River and Jefferson National Forest, plus the 47 original trestle bridges, make this rail-to-trail a must-experience attraction. History lovers will also enjoy the trail visitor center in Abingdon where a rare collection of 1950s photos captures the last steam train on the Virginia Creeper rail line. Presiding over the trail is Old Mollie, one of the only two remaining out of more than 100 Class M steam engines once owned by Norfolk and Western.

Here’s a link to eight top bike trails near Abingdon.

Plan on a week to experience even half of the bucket-list adventures in this corner of Southwest Virginia. Through picturesque countryside and mountain drives, the outdoors beckons amateur and expert enthusiasts with kayaking, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, bouldering and rock climbing. Explore more heart-soaring views, waterfalls, rushing waters

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and rugged terrain on day trips within an hour-and-a-half drive of Abingdon.

One of Virginia’s best kept secrets is a unique wonder, the Channels Natural Area, with water-carved sandstone boulders, soaring crevices and labyrinths that compare favorably to those acclaimed in the West, “but with moss, vegetation and trees,” as one enthusiast describes it. Once closed to the public, the channels are now accessible on a vigorous 5.5-mile out-and-back hike.

Just a little farther north,

ture in Abingdon high-

Grayson Highlands State Park is known as the best bouldering site in Virginia, with more than 700 named climbing routes on seven fields. It’s also home to wild ponies. Access the Appalachian Trail through the nearby Mount Rogers National Recreation Area which offers some of the wildest and highest mountain terrain in Virginia. Plenty of less extreme pursuits include horseback riding and seeing wild ponies grazing on the grassy bald knobs offering views all the way to North Carolina.

Within minutes of Abingdon is

romantic cozy indoor and outdoor nooks, intimate bar area and fine ly-rated, yet dining. Abingdon offers a lively under the radar, fly-fish- food scene with 34 independenting. Whitetop ly-owned, chef-helmed restauLaurel Creek, rants serving locally sourced a natural wild ingredients, as well as group- and family-friendly eateries. trout stream, Entertainment includes live ranks as one music at several venues, includof the finest ing the Abingdon Farmers Marin the Southket and the Southwest Virginia east. The Cultural Center & Marketplace, stream offers a soaring glass, wood and stone numerous visitor center and gathering place large pools, showcasing the music, crafts views of the and culture of the region. The Appalachian 1930s-era Barter Theatre, the and Virginia Creeper trails nation’s longest running and one of the last remaining year-round and even professional resident repertory access for theatres in the U.S., offers classics, handicapped anglers. Click comedies, musicals and original productions throughout the week. this link for Craft beer lovers congregate at more outdoor Wolf Hills Brewing Co, an enteractivities and tainment hub serving more than challenges: a dozen beers, along with live https://visitmusic. Taste the perfect marriage abingdonvirof grapes, terroir and viticulture ginia.com/ itineraries/ultimate-outdoor-geta- at Abingdon Vineyards, tucked into beautiful rolling countryside way. along the South Holston River.

Base Camp: Accommoda- For a getaway that includes city tions, Dining and Entertain- comforts and luxury along with the rugged outdoors, Abingdon ment is a Southwest Virginia mountain Head back to Abingdon to playground. For details on where scope out a base camp, where to stay, eat, shop and enjoy, go to accommodations range from www.VisitAbingdonVirginia.com. hostel style to budget-friendly to ultimate luxury. Choose from cabins and cottages on the VirginFor more on Virginia ia Creeper Trail, several B&Bs or the AAA Four-Diamond Martha Washington Inn & Spa, with its

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Go, See, Do

Inspiring Getaw to Hampshire Ct

Welcome to this quiet, natural, two-lane paradise.

This community takes great pride in their heritagewhich is intertwined with the birth of the country, its struggle for union and continued values that embrace a community way of life. As the gateway to the Potomac Highlands, location and resources make Hampshire County a perfect agri-cultural tourism extended weekend getaway.

Day one: Arrive in Romney, West Virginia’s oldest town, to board at the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad depot for a 3-hour ride with a catered lunch in a climate-controlled club car. As you travel through a secluded gorge you will see bald eagles nesting and listen to commentary on the natural and historical sites along the way. (You can also travel by canoe or kayak along this branch of the Potomac River.) After one of these relaxing rides, take a 5

minute drive to the city center of Romney where you can stroll through historic downtown, visit historical buildings and shop at local stores including Andersons Corner (with wine tasting) and the Hampshire County Co-Op & Heritage Marketplace. Time, interest and weather permitting, visit a Civil War trench and an Indian Mound cemetery. Enjoy a feast at the locally owned and operated family diner: Main Street Grill before checking in to the locally owned hotels: the retro

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Koolwink Motel or the full service South Branch Inn. Day two: Rise and shine for a full day of adventures, first stopping off at either the Flying Buck or Flying Squirrel Distilleries for some home grown beverages and food before reaching the Nature Conversancy’s Ice Mountain Preserve. Here you will hike among rare arctic plants with an expert guide (who is also a gourmet bug chef) and/or take a moderate

way ty climb up to a scenic overlook. From there, a short 15 minute trip to Ft Edwards, where you will learn about early settlers during the French & Indian war. After a five minute drive, we will enjoy a home cooked lunch at the River House, the newest cultural arts center that features local farm to table food from the award winning butcher and food store, Farmer’s Daughter. Take a 30 minute scenic drive with another possible stop for ice cream and shopping at The Kettle Stop, before reaching the 19th century resort Capon Springs & Farms. After

checking in to your room, relax on the large porches before feasting at an all you can eat made from scratch dinner which starts at 6pm. Arrive on a Tuesday night and enjoy live local blue grass music, whose story has an agri-cultural tourism twist. End the day with a soak in healing spring water at the resort’s Hygeia Bath House & Spa. Enjoy WV hospitality with an overnight stay at this one of a kind award winning all-inclusive family-owned and operated resort.

Day three: Wake up with an optional 7:45 a.m. polar bear plunge in the award winning Capon Springs swimming pool (65 degrees)!

Participate in the traditional 8:25am flag raising ceremony before feasting on a bountiful breakfast. Take a short resort history tour or a self guided stroll to feed the pigs, where you can also dig for millions of years old fossils. Afterwards, receive a demonstration of the future of golf (FlingGolf!)and then try it yourself! Explore the 4700 acre resort at your leisure: hike or enjoy outdoor sports before heading home with a box lunch.

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Go, Do, See:

Straights Chapel

KOHLER /PRNewswire/ -- Destination Kohler announces the unveiling of Straits Chapel, a secluded non-denominational venue for hosting life’s celebrations, events and milestones.

Straits Chapel was created by Herb Kohler to offer guests a place surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature embodying peace and light. The picturesque setting of Straits Chapel, complemented by its unusual modern design and proximity to Whistling Straits, will captivate guests looking to celebrate as well as seeking a place for inspiring tranquility and meditation.

Nestled in 500 acres of river and foreston the edge of bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, the design features a vaulted ceiling throughout, white steel exterior and interior, and six cascading bells above the entryway. Once inside, guests will be overwhelmed by lake and natural landscape views through a 22-foot tall center window framed by two 8-foot windows.

The chapel includes hand-carved

pews reminiscent of Washington National Cathedral’s elaborate benches; a bell system offering dozens of musical compositions – from somber to joyous; removable artifacts to accommodate guests of any faith; and an interior lighting system with options ranging from bright daylight to candlelight. The dark blue carpeted space seats 150 guests and includes two private rooms – intended for wedding parties or other special event preparations. The “Bride’s Room” includes a full-length mirror, make-up vanities with lights, ample electrical outlets, and a spacious coat room.

“Straits Chapel expands our event venues for wedding ceremonies. It is a memorable and intimate experience,” said Christine Loose, Vice President Lodging and Wellness for Kohler Co. “It is also an exceptional setting for recitals, lectures and celebrations of life.”

Straits Chapel is now open and taking reservations. Shuttle service from The American Club and other Destination Kohler lodging is avail-

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able. For more information, contact Justin Gephart at 920-457-4441.

The Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate profile includes The American Club, which is the only Forbes 5-Star resort hotel in the Midwest and the 3-Star Inn on Woodlake. It has world-renowned golf venues of Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. A sister property, The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa resides in St. Andrews, Scotland, the birthplace of golf, and is recognized as one of the more luxurious resorts in the world.

There are 15 dining establishments from the Four-Star Immigrant Restaurant to traditional pub fare of The Horse & Plow as well as River Wildlife. Many believe the log cabin of River Wildlife has the best country gourmet dining in the United States.

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Places to Go:

Buffalo Bill’s Cody

CODY -– There are a plenty of reasons beyond the town’s 125th anniversary for those travelers to choose Cody and nearby Yellowstone National Park – wide open spaces that make social distancing a breeze, an array of outdoor experiences, authenticity and history among them – and there are also numerous surprises in store at this classic vacation destination.

“Our corner of Wyoming has aged remarkably well since the town’s imaginative founder, Buffalo Bill Cody, decided to build a town here,” said Claudia Wade, director of the Park County Travel Council, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Meeteetse and Powell as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. “While most people already know a little about Yellowstone, and they’ve probably heard that Cody is the rodeo cap-

ital of the world, there are many other surprising adventures to discover here.”

Buffalo Bill Cody passed through the Bighorn Basin for the first time in the 1870s, and it was then that he decided the combination of scenery, wildlife and rich soil as well as the location 52 miles east of Yellowstone would be a perfect spot for a tourism-focused frontier town. After winding down the international performances of his famous Wild West Show, Cody returned to the region and began scoping sites and seeking investors. The town was founded in 1896 and incorporated in 1901.

Wade noted that the region is anticipating another big anniversary in 2022: the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park.

Things to Do...

Visit the gravesites at Old Trail

Town and learn about the tragic conclusion of one of Wyoming’s most famous love triangles between “soiled dove” Belle Drewry and cowboys William Gallagher and Bill Wheaton.

Watch a saddle-maker create a functional work of art – Visit an authentic saddle shop at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and watch a master saddler create stunning and functional leather saddles. It’s harder than you think.

Climb aboard and experience a Cody Trolley Tour. Interactive and entertaining, this hour-long tour introduces the history of the town, traveling by landmarks such as the Buffalo Bill Dam and the Irma Hotel.

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