Hands-On History Can Be A Fun Pastime

Give your kids a peek into the past this week as the Cheney Cowles Museum presents “Spring Back Into History.”

The event transforms the museum into a hands-on haven of fun and learning for kids on spring break from many area schools.

Living history week at the museum, 2316 W. First, is Wednesday from 1 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year’s event was memorable for my then-3-year-old son who was captivated with the old-fashioned apple peeler in the large kitchen of the Campbell House. My daughter, who was 6, enjoyed twisting wool into yarn at the spinning wheel in the Carriage House.

Youngsters of all ages can enjoy a glimpse into yesteryear through demonstrations of medieval book binding, beeswax candle making, wheat weaving and cheese making. Kids can check out a printing press, spinning wheel and quilting session. There will be hands-on projects such as lace making, flint knapping, butter churning and pine-needle basketry.

Throughout the three days, children will also enjoy making puppets with the visiting Children’s Museum of Spokane. They can climb on the Reverend Baer’s Seagrave Pumper Fire Engine, or watch horseshoeing demonstrations with farrier Lyle Bergeleen.

All living history activities are included with regular museum admission: $4 for adults; $2.50 for children, 6 to 16; or, $10 for families. Wednesday is half-price day.

For more information, call 456-3931.

Calling all heroic hounds

Nominations will be accepted through April 30 for the 43rd annual Ken-L Ration Dog Hero of the Year Award.

Since 1954, the national contest has honored valiant canines responsible for acts of heroism. The contest is sponsored by Heinz Pet Products and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The winning dog will receive a specially engraved food bowl and a year’s supply of dog food.

To enter, send a detailed description of your dog’s heroic deed, along with your name, address and telephone number to: Heinz Pet Products Dog Hero of the Year, P.O. Box 1370, Barrington, IL 60011. Specially trained police dogs and seeing eye dogs are not eligible for competition. All heroic acts must have occurred after Oct. 1, 1995.

‘M’ is for the many…

Congratulations to Jessica Morrison of Ephrata, state winner in the 1997 All-American Salute to Mothers greeting card contest.

Morrison now competes as a semifinalist in the national contest sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants and Family Circle magazine. Her submission was among 51 greeting cards selected from 21,000 entries to best convey participants’ feelings toward their mothers. As a semifinalist, Morrison’s card will be on display at the Empire State Building in New York City throughout May. She also will receive Rand McNally atlas picture books.

If Morrison is chosen as the grand prize winner, her greeting card will be produced by Hallmark Cards and sold nationwide for Mother’s Day. The grand prize winner will also receive a $3,500 prize, plus a trip to New York City.

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