Some members of our group enjoyed a tour and tasting at D & R Bagels in Solon on Dec. 5 & 6. I was not able to attend, but those who did recommended it highly. The children were able to view how bagels were made, make some of their own, and then enjoy eating the finished product at the end at a cost of $2.00 per child. The staff there were very friendly also.
One mother who took her 2 daughters had this to say about her experience:
"This was a great field trip! The owners of D & R Bagels were very nice and explained the daily routine of the shop in detail. It was fascinating to learn how much dough is used daily and how many bagels the shop puts out. Starting their work day at 2 am and working 7 days a week, including Christmas, the owners showed the kids the dedication it takes to run your own business. The kids got to play with dough and sample freshly baked bagels. My kids are 5 and 13 and despite the age difference, they both found it to be an interesting, fun and yummy trip."
Thank you, Leah, for your personal review!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Harry London Candies
As always, we enjoyed our tour of the Harry London Candy Factory in North Canton. Our tour took place on November 29, and we had a large group in attendance. I don't know why exactly, but it seems that chocolate always draws a big crowd.
Our group was split in two, and while my half toured the facility, the others viewed a video describing the history of chocolate, the science of how it is made and why Harry London's makes theirs the best around. The video is about 20 minutes long and pretty interesting. Of course, it's not as interesting as the chocolate samples we all received on our way into the video room. The samples are what they call "oops!" chocolates. Other "oops!" candies are sent to charities and other places that Harry London's feels can use them. These are mistakes that taste perfectly but don't look the way the QC people want them to look.
The tour began with a walk down the Harry London hall of history, a series of pictures showing the humble beginnings in Harry's basement all the way to the modern facility they have today. We then entered a very warm room dominated by huge tanks filled with melted chocolate. In Willy Wonka style, giant tubes over our heads carried chocolate to anywhere it was needed in the plant.
When we walked up to the observation "hallway" over the main production area, we were able to see the giant vats of chocolate being stirred, and the many people required to produce the best chocolate around. We saw a caramel cutting machine turn a huge sheet of caramel into bite-size pieces and wrap them. We watched orange candies being covered in chocolate on an enrobing machine. There were a number of conveyer belts making different kinds of chocolates. We also saw the machines and the people who wrap all of those lovely chocolates, all of the workers wearing white clothes and hair nets, and not looking even slightly like oompa loompas. They were very friendly, though, and often waved at the kids.
After our tour, we viewed the video and then spent some time (and money) in the store, buying wonderful chocolates and other candies. The adult tickets are also a coupon in the store. I don't know what my favorite is, but I know that once I've had Harry London's chocolate, I'm spoiled for anything else.
The tour costs around $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and runs on the hour most days, so anyone can go. You can contact them on their website or by calling 1-800-321-0444 X119.
Our group was split in two, and while my half toured the facility, the others viewed a video describing the history of chocolate, the science of how it is made and why Harry London's makes theirs the best around. The video is about 20 minutes long and pretty interesting. Of course, it's not as interesting as the chocolate samples we all received on our way into the video room. The samples are what they call "oops!" chocolates. Other "oops!" candies are sent to charities and other places that Harry London's feels can use them. These are mistakes that taste perfectly but don't look the way the QC people want them to look.
The tour began with a walk down the Harry London hall of history, a series of pictures showing the humble beginnings in Harry's basement all the way to the modern facility they have today. We then entered a very warm room dominated by huge tanks filled with melted chocolate. In Willy Wonka style, giant tubes over our heads carried chocolate to anywhere it was needed in the plant.
When we walked up to the observation "hallway" over the main production area, we were able to see the giant vats of chocolate being stirred, and the many people required to produce the best chocolate around. We saw a caramel cutting machine turn a huge sheet of caramel into bite-size pieces and wrap them. We watched orange candies being covered in chocolate on an enrobing machine. There were a number of conveyer belts making different kinds of chocolates. We also saw the machines and the people who wrap all of those lovely chocolates, all of the workers wearing white clothes and hair nets, and not looking even slightly like oompa loompas. They were very friendly, though, and often waved at the kids.
After our tour, we viewed the video and then spent some time (and money) in the store, buying wonderful chocolates and other candies. The adult tickets are also a coupon in the store. I don't know what my favorite is, but I know that once I've had Harry London's chocolate, I'm spoiled for anything else.
The tour costs around $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and runs on the hour most days, so anyone can go. You can contact them on their website or by calling 1-800-321-0444 X119.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Rock Wall Climbing at KSU Recreation Center
On November 16, 2 groups of us went to the Recreation Center at Kent State University to climb rocks!
It was a wonderful experience for the students, from beginners to more experienced climbers. A few of our parents also joined in the race to the top of the wall. Of course, there was no race, but each climber came away with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment.
The staff members were extremely accommodating and helpful with the kids. They were patient with new climbers and very encouraging. Our children were truly reaching new heights in this experience. It was a great way to learn a new sport and step out of our normal comfort zone.
Even planning this trip was a good experience. Communication with the staff was a breeze and they were willing to accommodate whatever our group needed. During the climbing session, they opened a gym across the hall and set out some balls for our little ones to play with. The personal attention was greatly appreciated.
Normal climbing times are available, but renting out the wall is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone who would like to take a group. I plan to return in the spring sometime, since we had such a good response.
It was a wonderful experience for the students, from beginners to more experienced climbers. A few of our parents also joined in the race to the top of the wall. Of course, there was no race, but each climber came away with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment.
The staff members were extremely accommodating and helpful with the kids. They were patient with new climbers and very encouraging. Our children were truly reaching new heights in this experience. It was a great way to learn a new sport and step out of our normal comfort zone.
Even planning this trip was a good experience. Communication with the staff was a breeze and they were willing to accommodate whatever our group needed. During the climbing session, they opened a gym across the hall and set out some balls for our little ones to play with. The personal attention was greatly appreciated.
Normal climbing times are available, but renting out the wall is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone who would like to take a group. I plan to return in the spring sometime, since we had such a good response.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Snow White at North Canton Playhouse
On October 31, a group of us went to see the North Canton Playhouse's performance of Snow White.
It was a wonderful performance played out by only 3 actors in several roles. A usual performance at North Canton Playhouse's daytime shows is quite crowded, but this particular performance had a pleasantly small audience. We were able to sit very near the front of the auditorium. The performers played their roles with enthusiasm and definitely seemed to enjoy themselves. True to a typical N. Canton Playhouse performance, the play was not restricted to the boundaries of the stage. We found ourselves as members of the cast, portraying parts of nature and a few children were chosen from the audience to be dwarves on stage.
After the performance, the children were invited to meet the cast and have photos taken with them.
It was very exciting and fun! Our kids had a great time, which is what I've come to expect from the North Canton Playhouse. A quality, fun and worthwhile trip.
The cost for tickets was $3.00 per seat, no matter the age, but all ages are welcome to attend. My little one enjoys herself as well as the older children.
It was a wonderful performance played out by only 3 actors in several roles. A usual performance at North Canton Playhouse's daytime shows is quite crowded, but this particular performance had a pleasantly small audience. We were able to sit very near the front of the auditorium. The performers played their roles with enthusiasm and definitely seemed to enjoy themselves. True to a typical N. Canton Playhouse performance, the play was not restricted to the boundaries of the stage. We found ourselves as members of the cast, portraying parts of nature and a few children were chosen from the audience to be dwarves on stage.
After the performance, the children were invited to meet the cast and have photos taken with them.
It was very exciting and fun! Our kids had a great time, which is what I've come to expect from the North Canton Playhouse. A quality, fun and worthwhile trip.
The cost for tickets was $3.00 per seat, no matter the age, but all ages are welcome to attend. My little one enjoys herself as well as the older children.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
"Wave Me Goodbye" at North Canton Playhouse
Today's review and information was graciously provided by Charlene, a member of our group from Medina. On Tuesday, members of our group went to see the play "Wave Me Goodbye" at the North Canton Playhouse. Charlene took her 2 teenage sons with her to view the performance and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Charlene!
Here is her review of the play:
The play was good and gave us information we never knew. Their were adults, teens, middle school and elementary school age children in it. It took place from 1940-1945 when Herbert Hoover brought over children from Britain to live with host families from the Hoover company during WWII so they could live without the bombs and horror of war.
The parents of the children portrayed their fears and uncertainty of allowing their children to go across the ocean to the U.S. They sent them not knowing if they would ever see them again or whether the ship they would be sailing on could be torpedoed by the Germans. The play shows the children coming to the U.S. (which took three weeks by ship and then by train to Canton, and at one point the ship was two days late and it was feared that it had been attacked), living with the families for five years and growing up and becoming "Americanized".
When the war ended the children returned home to their families uncertain of what awaited them there other than their families. Some returned to families who had had new children born to them that these children had never met. After returning to Britain, the children wrote to their American families and told them the differences between the U.S. and the Britain they had returned to and what they will miss about America.
At the end of the play, the gentleman who portrayed Herbert Hoover made a small speech and told the audience that before he was asked to play Herbert Hoover he also had never heard this story of the children coming to Canton even though he grew up in Canton. We were told how many of the children later returned to the U.S. to live.
Then we were introduced to a lady from the crowd who was one of the children brought to the U.S. and eight years later returned to the U.S. to live. I apologize I cannot remember her name but we were thrilled to listen to her. She came over the first time to live in Canton when she was small and came with 4 siblings, leaving one sibling at home who was only
four and too young to come. She said that her parents never really told them why they were leaving Britain, and she was very confused as to where they were going,and why her parents weren't coming with them. She answered many questions from the audience.
My boys and I really enjoyed it and I told them that now they know a historical fact that most adults have no knowledge of. Their grandmother was surprised by the story also and she was a young adult during WWII and she knows many historical facts.
Here is her review of the play:
The play was good and gave us information we never knew. Their were adults, teens, middle school and elementary school age children in it. It took place from 1940-1945 when Herbert Hoover brought over children from Britain to live with host families from the Hoover company during WWII so they could live without the bombs and horror of war.
The parents of the children portrayed their fears and uncertainty of allowing their children to go across the ocean to the U.S. They sent them not knowing if they would ever see them again or whether the ship they would be sailing on could be torpedoed by the Germans. The play shows the children coming to the U.S. (which took three weeks by ship and then by train to Canton, and at one point the ship was two days late and it was feared that it had been attacked), living with the families for five years and growing up and becoming "Americanized".
When the war ended the children returned home to their families uncertain of what awaited them there other than their families. Some returned to families who had had new children born to them that these children had never met. After returning to Britain, the children wrote to their American families and told them the differences between the U.S. and the Britain they had returned to and what they will miss about America.
At the end of the play, the gentleman who portrayed Herbert Hoover made a small speech and told the audience that before he was asked to play Herbert Hoover he also had never heard this story of the children coming to Canton even though he grew up in Canton. We were told how many of the children later returned to the U.S. to live.
Then we were introduced to a lady from the crowd who was one of the children brought to the U.S. and eight years later returned to the U.S. to live. I apologize I cannot remember her name but we were thrilled to listen to her. She came over the first time to live in Canton when she was small and came with 4 siblings, leaving one sibling at home who was only
four and too young to come. She said that her parents never really told them why they were leaving Britain, and she was very confused as to where they were going,and why her parents weren't coming with them. She answered many questions from the audience.
My boys and I really enjoyed it and I told them that now they know a historical fact that most adults have no knowledge of. Their grandmother was surprised by the story also and she was a young adult during WWII and she knows many historical facts.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
University of Akron Steel Drum Band
On Wednesday, October 19, we were treated to a wonderful concert by the University of Akron's Steel Drum Band with guest performer Liam Teague. Liam is known as the "Paganini of steel drums." He truly was talented, playing beautifully along with the band and performing one of his own pieces called "Raindrops." I never knew a steel drum, or pan, could sound like that.
The Steel Band was also amazing themselves. These are college students who I'm sure haven't been playing quite as long as Mr. Teague, but still held our attention and awe at the beautiful music they played. They were incredibly talented and their enjoyment of the music was evidenced by their dancing along while they played. Their music was interspersed with lessons about the history of the pan in Trinidad, including some video. Musical selections ranged from typical calypso styles to a portion of Mozart's "Requiem," which you haven't heard until you've heard it played by a steel drum orchestra. I was thrilled, and the girls enjoyed it as well.
The concert was hosted by the Children's Concert Society of Akron, who also sponsor other activities during the school year. Although they recommend the concert for 4th to 6th graders, they had no problem with the different ages involved in a home schooling group. They were very kind and welcoming to us. I would recommend any event they host as very professional and worthwhile. Also, if you can make it to any of the Steel Band's upcoming performances, don't miss it!
The concert was hosted by the Children's Concert Society of Akron, who also sponsor other activities during the school year. Although they recommend the concert for 4th to 6th graders, they had no problem with the different ages involved in a home schooling group. They were very kind and welcoming to us. I would recommend any event they host as very professional and worthwhile. Also, if you can make it to any of the Steel Band's upcoming performances, don't miss it!
Monday, October 03, 2005
US Army's Spirit of America
Another favorite of the day included the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the only unit of its kind in the armed forces. This corps keeps alive the memory of our first troops from the Revolutionary War. I absolutely loved the music they played and their formations were almost as intricate as the drill team.
My daughter especially enjoyed the Backstage Army Broom Team, who had fun spoofing the Drill Team by using brooms instead of guns. They provided a fun, light-hearted way to end the show.
Other stand-outs of the performance included:
* A musical and dramatic re-enactment of American history, complete with real guns and real horses in the battle scenes. Everyone jumped when the first troops actually shot their guns. We weren't expecting it, but it was very cool!
* The US Army Marching Band, which included 4 vocalists. They played quite a bit of music, including a medley of war time melodies.
* A laser light show illustrating the Army's future in combat. A number of people left before this display, but it was worth waiting for. They had soldiers coming down from the ceiling, a simulated helicopter, and lasers all over the place.
For a free show, I couldn't have asked for more. If there had been a charge, it still would have been worth it. We almost didn't attend, due to weather and colds, but I am so glad I decided to go.
If they come around again, be sure to be there!
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