Going On Faith Fall 2021

ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 24 - NO. 3

FALL 2021

COLORS OF THE

S O U T H W E ST

FAITHFUL PENNSYLVANIA

M I L I TA RY MUSEUMS PI CTURESQUE

PANAMA

CITY BEACH

GOF

THE MAGAZINE F O R FA I T H - B A S E D T R AV E L

[ FA L L 2 0 2 1 ]

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Faith-Based Pennsylvania

Discover the Keystone State’s religious heritage.

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Tennessee Smokies Military Museums Art of the Southwest This beautiful region never fails to thrill tour groups.

Pay homage to American heroes at these patriotic attractions.

These destinations showcase artistry and creativity.

DEPARTMENTS Columns 6 EDITOR’S NOTES: Preparing for a Comeback ON THE COVER: James Boren’s painting “Out of the Mist” is part of the Southwestern art collection at the Phoenix Art Museum. Photo by Susanne Kremer Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher

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Spotlights 8

HOW TO: Plan for 2022

10 PROFILE:

Conference 12 HOST CITY Panama City Beach makes a great destination for church groups.

Anthony Stacy

34 RETREAT: Wheat State Retreat Center Christine Clough Copy Editor

Charles A. Presley Partner

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Brian Jewell VP & Executive Editor

Ashley Ricks Graphic Design/Circulation

Herb Sparrow Senior Writer

Sarah Sechrist Controller and Office Manager

.

Kelly Tyner VP, Sales and Marketing

888.253.0455

Kyle Anderson Director of Advertising Sales

Going On Faith is published quarterly by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for churches, synagogues and religious organizations. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Going On Faith by sending a check for $39 for one year to: Going On Faith, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Phone: (859) 253-0455 or (859) 2530503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in a ny manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

kelly@grouptravelleader.com

THINK

BIGGER

ArkEncounter.com Williamstown, KY (south of Cincinnati) an attraction of Answers in Genesis

EDITOR’S

NOTES BRIAN JEWELL

PREPARING FOR A COMEBACK

C

omebacks don’t happen by chance. They happen by choice.

By the time this magazine reaches your mailbox, Hurricane Ida will be fading from memory.

The news cycle will have moved on to something else. Armchair pundits on social media will have new issues to argue about.

The people of New Orleans, meanwhile, will be still doing the hard work of creating their comeback.

My first visit to New Orleans was in 2006, just short of a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. The historic size and destructive force of that storm reverberated through the area long after the floodwaters receded. When I visited, many buildings were still damaged, many homes were still vacant, and many locals still faced an uphill climb back to normalcy.

But here’s the strange thing: Despite the challenges the city was facing, I fell in love with New Orleans on that trip.

It’s been 15 years since my introduction to New Orleans, and I’ve enjoyed many return visits to the city and the surrounding area since then. Every time I go back, I find the destination bigger and better, more vibrant and more resilient.

Locals who have been in New Orleans a long time still talk about Hurricane Katrina as a pivotal moment in their lives and the life of the city. But when they do, there’s a pride in their voices. Because despite the evacuation and chaos, they chose to come back.

As I write this, New Orleans is reeling again, walloped by Hurricane Ida. My heart goes out to all my tourism friends in the Crescent City and around the state. They

have a long, hard road ahead of them. But I’m confident they’re going to come out on the other side. Because they’re not the kind of people who choose to give up. They come back. And when they do, the comeback is triumphant.

There’s a lesson here for those of us who don’t live in hurricane-prone areas. Challenges will strike us all at one point or another — for the tourism and travel communities, it feels like we’ve been riding out a hurricane for a year and a half now. But no matter how daunting those challenges are, they don’t have to be insurmountable. We always have the choice to mount a comeback.

I don’t know where you are today.

Maybe you’re a church leader whose community has been battered by the pandemic, social unrest and political upheaval. Maybe you’re a travel professional who has endured cancellations, unemployment and deep uncertainty about the future. Perhaps you’re a travel planner who doesn’t know when you’ll be able to get your group to venture out on the road again.

Regardless of where you find yourself, though, know this: You can choose to make a comeback. It probably won’t be easy. There may not be a road map, and there will certainly be detours and obstacles along the way. Some people won’t understand what you’re doing, and there may be a few who say you’re a fool for trying. They’ll change their tune, though, when you come out on top.

Like a waterfront city building back after a terrible storm, we all have our work cut out for us. But if you’re involved in travel, you’ve never been afraid of hard work.

So what do you say we roll up our sleeves and begin working on our comeback?

BRIAN JEWELL [ EDITOR ] brianj@grouptravelleader.com

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WHEN YOU’RE READY TO RALLY,

WE’RE HERE TO HELP.

We’re here to empower your comeback efforts with these deeply discounted recovery rates!

STEP

WINTER 2021 Jefferson, LA Ohio African American Travel Guide * Faith-Based Attractions Mt. Aetna Camp & Retreat Center, Hagerstown, MD The Heartlands

ONE RUNS IN ISSUES

4

SPRING 2022 Kansas City, KS Maryland Amish Route 66 Potomac Park, Falling Waters, WV The South

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STEP

THREE

FALL 2022 Gettysburg, PA South Carolina International Travel Trolley Tours Miraval Resort and Spa, Tucson, AZ The Southwest * Also included in the Nov/Dec

STEP

TWO

SUMMER 2022 Charlotte, NC Ohio Museums Sightseeing Cruises Little Portion Hermitage, Berryville, AR NE/Mid Atlantic

RATE TOTAL INCLUDES 4 AD INSERTIONS!

CONTACT US! Call or email Kyle to secure your space!

Kyle@grouptravelleader.com

888-253-0455

www.goingonfaith.com

HOW TO

HOW TO PLAN FOR 2022

H

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

ow do you plan for the future when the present feels so uncertain?

Arranging trips for your church group has always necessitated a long lead time. In normal times, many group travel planners work on trips six to 12 months in advance of departure. But these are not normal times. And planning for 2022 is going to be a new experience.

If your group is ready to get back out on the road next year, you need to be planning for those trips now. Here are five tips that will help you maximize strategy and minimize stress while making those arrangements.

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Here are five essential steps for every group and tourism organization to ride the silver wave back to prosperity in 2021.

1

WORK WITH PROFESSIONALS A couple of years ago, you might have planned all your church group’s trips yourself without any help or input from outsiders. But even if you’re proficient at researching destinations, building itineraries and booking reservations on your own, the disruptions in the travel landscape over the past 18 months will make planning trips much more difficult than usual. To overcome those obstacles, enlist professional help to make sure your group is well cared for.

When researching domestic trips, reach out to state tourism offices and local convention and visitors bureaus for the latest information on what’s open and available. And if you want to travel abroad in 2022, it’s essential you do so with a professional tour operator that has the resources to adapt and respond quickly to fluid situations overseas.

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PRICE FOR SMALLER GROUPS Since group travel usually involves a motorcoach or other modes of shared transportation, the price of trips is directly related to the number of people going. If you’ve had a robust travel group in the past, you may have priced your trips based on the assumption that your motorcoach would be close to full. But for a variety of reasons, that’s not likely to be the case in 2022. Some of your regular travelers may not yet be ready to go. Others will be willing to travel but will feel safer in a small group rather than in a large one.

So plan for about half as many travelers as normal, then price accordingly. You can always add seats to a smaller trip if you have enough demand. It’s time to stop thinking about the risks and, instead, focus on the rewards that travel offers for your faith community.

3

BOOK AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE After widespread vaccination efforts made people feel safe about traveling again earlier this year, the surge in pent-up demand nearly overwhelmed America’s travel infrastructure. This, combined with continuing labor shortages, left some hotels, restaurants and other travel companies unprepared to handle their normal volume of group business.

As a result, some groups that wanted to travel weren’t able to go. To avoid this outcome again in 2022, try to get your group to the top of the reservation list by booking trips as early as possible. Claiming rooms, tickets and restaurant tables for your group now will help ensure you don’t get left out should another inventory shortage occur next year.

4

PRIORITIZE FLEXIBILITY If there’s anything the travel industry has learned since the beginning of the pandemic, it’s the importance of flexibility. Changes in public health conditions or public policy can have ripple effects that disrupt your travel plans. To keep this from causing major headaches, build as much flexibility as possible into your travel packages. Help your customers understand that trip dates and itineraries are more tentative than normal. And prepare them for unforeseen eventualities by recommending — or even requiring — travel insurance. Good insurance options will give travelers the confidence to go ahead and book with you without worrying that they’ll lose their money if they’re not able to travel.

5

COMMUNICATE SAFETY Part of your planning for 2022 should involve communicating with your travelers. When you start talking about group trips, people are going to have questions and concerns. They’ll want to know if you think traveling is safe.

Some will ask if you’ll require vaccinations, and others will ask if you’ll require masks. You can help put their fears to rest by reassuring them traveling is no riskier than going out and about in your own community. Emphasize that vaccinated people have a very high level of protection against serious COVID-19 infection. And be prepared to tell them exactly what measures you’ll take during trips to ensure that everyone feels as safe and comfortable as possible.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ]

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FACES

of FAITH

‘An Opportunity to Serve’

TRAVEL

BY A SHLE Y R ICKS

ANTHONY STACY

[ BRANSON’S BEST RESTAURANTS ]

BY R E B E CCA T R E O N

F

TRAVEL COMPANY: Branson’s Best Restaurants

or Anthony Stacy, working with Branson’s Best Restaurants, a hospitality group in Branson, Missouri, isn’t just about hosting touring groups for meals while they’re traveling — it’s an opportunity to serve God. “The way being a Christian translates to my job is that being a faith-based person, I can connect with groups and not just share with them the best that Branson has to offer, but share the gospel and talk about my beliefs with them,” said Stacy. “A cornerstone of being a Christian is being hospitable and being able to do for others, and it’s a good feeling when I’m able to help people get what they need.”

Stacy grew up in Branson, surrounded by the values of “faith, family and flag,” and started his career by working the front desk at a local hotel. When a sales position opened up, he took it, feeling that his love of working with people was not only part of the job description but one of the things he was born to do.

“That job was a God-given opportunity, and I believe when God opens doors there’s a reason for it,” said Stacy. “That has just exploded in the sense that now,

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33

HOMETOWN: Branson, Missouri

FAVORITE DESTINATION: Branson, Missouri. “I know that probably sounds crazy, since I live here, but there are so many things that Branson offers that you just cannot get anywhere else.”

TRAVEL TIPS TIP 1 Try new things. Local eateries, shows, attractions, etc., often offer things you can’t just get anywhere. Take advantage of that.

TIP 2 Don’t stress yourself out. Traveling is meant to be relaxing. It is easy to stress over the planning that goes into traveling, but do your best to just enjoy yourself.

HOBBIES: Anthony loves spending time with his wife and two sons, serving in his church and traveling.

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TIP 3 Wear a fanny pack. They may not scream “fashion,” but they will be your best friend throughout your trip. They hold everything.

working for a much bigger company, I’m able to help so many more people.”

Being the director of sales and marketing for a restaurant group that accommodates thousands of people and hundreds of groups comes with its challenges: dietary restrictions, a rushed schedule, budget constraints and even groups that arrive tired and in bad moods. But something that Stacy and his colleagues at the four Branson mega restaurants — the Great American Steak and Chicken House, Pasghetti’s, the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House and Whippersnapper’s Seafood Buffet — is being able to accommodate a group’s requests and deliver hospitality that goes above and beyond.

“People come here year after year because they get that hospitality,” said Stacy. “Part of how I serve Christ is that when someone’s having a bad day, I can help those situations by sharing my faith with them.”

Stacy shared a story of a large special needs group has been a repeat customer at his restaurants but whose members arrived one evening feeling down and out.

“We did everything we could to go above and beyond and interact with them in a positive way,” said Stacy. “By the end of the meal, they were hugging us and high-fiving us on the way out of the restaurant, and it was so great knowing that what we did impacted them, let them forget what they were sad about and change their mood 180 degrees. That was probably my favorite day at work.”

Another of Stacy’s more memorable workdays was when a faithbased group was dining in one of the restaurants in a private room and asked him to start the meal by praying with them. He ended up staying for dinner, which turned into a full-fledged church service complete with a sermon and singing.

For now, Stacy is happy to continue to serve the groups he works with and provide the same hospitality he’s been practicing for years, but he’s open to whatever opportunities God puts in his path.

“I love what I do — it’s a huge opportunity to be able to help make a difference in people’s lives because it’s not just a meal, it’s so much more than that,” said Stacy. “I believe that God will let me know if a change needs to happen and a new door opens. My wife and I pray over everything; we live day by day and in the moment.”

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(800) 843-0468 | HU NT S VIL L E.O R G

Anthony Stacy and his family at church

Caffeinating before work

‘A DIFFERENT FLORIDA EXPERIENCE’

All photos courtesy Visit Panama City Beach

White sands, emerald waters and abundant charter fishing make Panama City Beach a popular destination in the Florida Panhandle.

T

BY DA N DICKSON

here is an area of Florida that is markedly different than the rest.

Florida is a popular place. Tens of millions of people visit its top destinations: Orlando, Miami, Key West and the many cities that dot the east and west coasts of the Sunshine State. But in the Panhandle area in the northwest corner of the state, Panama City Beach offers a distinctive experience for groups. This third-tier city of 13,000 residents has 27 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches and is

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less crowded and more affordable without a stepdown in quality.

“The Old Florida vibe is still here in the Panhandle, which means it’s family oriented and less congested,” said Renee Wuerdeman, vice president of sales for Visit Panama City Beach, the local convention and visitors bureau. The Panhandle enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine every year, and its pace of life stands out for many visitors. “It’s a different Florida experience,” said Wuerdeman.

GOING ON FAITH

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Panama City Beach scenes, clockwise from top left: a pool at the Sheraton; a local water park; shopping near Pier Park; diving in emerald waters; Pier Park at night; sunset on the shore

“WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF RELIGIOUS-BASED BUSINESS HERE, WHETHER IT IS CHURCH GROUP MEMBERS EVANGELIZING ON THE BEACH OR YOUTH GROUPS COMING IN TO DO SERVICE WORK.”

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 13

St. Andrews State Park

Gulf World Marine Park

“WE TELL OUR GROUPS THAT WE OFFER A LOT OF VALUE FOR THE MONEY. YOU WILL GET ALL THE AMENITIES OF A FIRST-TIER CITY WITHOUT ALL THE HIGHER COST. WE HAVE LONG BEACHES THAT ARE WIDE AND SAFE, AND GROUPS CAN CONGREGATE ON THEM.”

She loves church groups and will host the Going On Faith Conference September 13-15, 2022. This meeting of top religious travel planners from all over America will take place at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond property.

“We have always had a lot of religious-based business here,” said Wuerdeman, “whether it is church group members evangelizing on the beach or youth groups coming in to do service work. We have always been an attractive site for these organizations.”

“We can’t wait to get the Going On Faith Conference group travel planners here,” she said, “because many of them have not been here since all of the improvements have been made to our hotels, attractions and infrastructure.”

Visitors to the area often fly into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, just 18 miles away in Panama City. Atlanta, with its myriad connections to cities nationwide, is just a 45-minute flight away. Other visitors will drive into town from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and more northern states via U.S. routes 98 and 231.

BUDGET FRIENDLY

RESORTS SHINE

Getting the most bang for their buck is important to many budget-minded religious groups that invest precious resources to bring their members to Florida.

“We tell our groups that we offer a lot of value for the money,” said Wuerdeman. “You will get all the amenities of a first-tier city without all the higher cost. That includes hotel rooms, meeting spaces and food-and-beverage service. We have long beaches that are wide and safe, and groups can congregate on them.”

Panama City Beach and surrounding Bay County together offer more than 18,000 lodging units. They are wide-ranging and include hotels, motels, resorts, villas, townhomes, condos and bed-and-breakfasts. There is rarely trouble finding the right type of accommodation in Panama City Beach.

This section of the Florida Panhandle was struck hard by Hurricane Michael in the fall of 2018. Panama City Beach has bounced right back, better than ever, in Wuerdeman’s opinion.

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Resorts are an important part of the destination experience in Panama City Beach. The Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort will host the Going On Faith Conference. The property has 200 rooms and 120 villas and features Sheraton signature beds and bedding. There is an upscale full-service spa, a 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, a private beach, heated pools and a large bayside pool deck. In addition, the property has the only Nicklaus Design golf course in northwest Florida.

Another quality resort in Panama City Beach is the gulf-front Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort with 370 rooms and units. It features one-, two-, threeand four-bedroom suites, as well as golf villas. The full-service property has an array of meeting space options available to the planner, who can expect all the necessary amenities as well as full-service catering. The site is flexible for small or large meeting groups. Plans call for a renovation of the nearby boardwalk.

Many smaller hotels in the area have meeting spaces that cater to 40 to 60 people. Often these smaller properties are right on the beach.

Sunset at Pier Park

Bay Point Golf Club

Waterfront dining at the Sheraton

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going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 15

“Panama City Beach is just a great place to hold religious-based meetings,” said Wuerdeman. “The beach and the vibe of the area lends itself nicely to what religious groups want to do when they come here. I think they will be pleasantly surprised.”

SUN AND FUN

Having the beautiful Gulf of Mexico at its doorstep is a real plus for Panama City Beach. Water-related activities and sports are abundant. Sailing, snorkeling, Jet Skiing, wreck diving and boating are just some of the ways people enjoy the gulf. Local providers offer beach chair and umbrella rentals, as well as specialty equipment for activities like paddleboarding and surfing.

“Everything we do here in Panama City Beach revolves around the water,” said the CVB’s Wuerdeman. “We’re laid-back. You’re going to get a very serene experience while you’re here, unless you also like a very lively experience; then we have that too.”

That busy, faster pace may include a trip to the lifestyle center called Pier Park, a 1 million-square-foot, open-air complex with 124 retail stores, restaurants, a sky wheel and an Imax theater, all in one place. There are live music events and festivals throughout the year. Santa is there during Christmastime, and on New Year’s Eve, there’s the annual Beach Ball Drop.

Family entertainment includes favorites like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Wonderworks, Quest Laser Tag, Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park, Gulf World, Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park, Marine Park, Museum of Man in the Sea and enough amusement rides to keep folks dizzy and laughing.

Many visitors prefer a slower pace, and that often includes fishing. The area is the setting for a popular Discovery Channel TV show called “Chasin’ the Sun.” The hosts take guests aboard their small boat and go where the fish are — inshore, offshore, under bridges, up creeks, next to a pier or 50 miles out to sea.

Those catches may end up sizzling in a pan in a local restaurant. You can bring your catch to certain restaurants in the area and have them prepare lunch or dinner for you in their kitchens. That’s one reason why the area is called the Seafood Capital of the South.

SkyWheel Panama City Beach

Schooners on the beach

PARKS AND NATURE “EVERYTHING WE DO HERE IN PANAMA CITY BEACH REVOLVES AROUND THE WATER. WE’RE LAID-BACK. YOU’RE GOING TO GET A VERY SERENE EXPERIENCE WHILE YOU’RE HERE, UNLESS YOU ALSO LIKE A VERY LIVELY EXPERIENCE; THEN WE HAVE THAT TOO.”

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Visitors love to hike, picnic or camp at natural preserves like St. Andrews State Park, which has 1,200 gorgeous acres, 2.5 miles of beaches and two piers for sightseeing and fishing. Water sports are available there.

Camp Helen is another state park with ecology at its heart. It is surrounded on three sides by water and contains an unusual dune lake. The park is designated a historic site.

Conservation Park is another choice, with 24 miles of trails and a lush environment under awnings of cypress trees. It’s fantastic for viewing wildlife, birds and the wetlands from easy-to-access boardwalks.

Frank Brown Park is the scene of the popular Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, a country music extravaganza that features 30 artists who perform over three days.

Not to be outdone, Aaron Bessant Park is the site of the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, which features lots of smooth jazz, with 10 acres of grass, where music lovers can spread out.

A perfect place for lounging

Panama City Beach from above

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A

STATE OF FAITH L AU REL HIG HL AN DS

4 5 P IT TSB U RG H

Courtesy Sight & Sound Theatre

Courtesy St. Anthony’s Chapel

SPIRITUAL SPACES DI SC OV E R A W E A LT H OF RE L IGI OUS ATTRACTIONS ON THIS TOUR OF PEN N S YLVA N I A 18

going on faith [ fall 2021 ]

Pennsylvania faith-based attractions, clockwise from top left: “Queen Esther” at Sight and Sound Theatre; a relic at St. Anthony’s Chapel; Faith and Liberty Discovery Center

By Douglas Nottage, courtesy American Bible Society

1 PHILADELPHIA HIGHLIGHT | FAITH-FOCUSED MUSEUM

PENNSYLVANIA BRYN ATH YN

3 RO NKS

2 1

P H I L A DELP H I A

I

BY J I L L G L EE SON

t shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pennsylvania offers tour groups such a wide range of fascinating faith-based attractions to visit. After all, when English Quaker William Penn founded the colony in 1682, it was with the idea of religious freedom fixed firmly in mind. Rather than persecuting people of different beliefs, he accepted them with open arms, creating a refuge for all in the name of brotherly love.

Today, perhaps thanks to Penn’s unusual vision, Pennsylvania gives groups an inspiring diversity of spiritual spaces to visit, from churches to museums and even a theater dedicated to showcasing stories from the Bible.

This itinerary winds across the Keystone State, beginning in Philadelphia and ending in Pittsburgh. Because they are Pennsylvania’s two biggest cities, they make excellent entry and exit points, whether traveling into them via airports or the interstate. In between, groups will stop in the suburb of Bryn Athyn before heading west to Ronks, in the center of the state, and then farther northwest to Bolivar, in the Laurel Highlands. Group leaders should allow at least three nights for this trip and consider adding two or three more to see additional sights.

Groups can explore how the Bible has influenced the nation from its founding to today at the 40,000-square-foot Faith and Liberty Discovery Center (FLDC) on Independence Mall in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood. Six interactive galleries tell the stories of how visionaries like William Penn, Martin Luther King Jr. and peace activist Dorothy Day found inspiration in the Scripture and encourage visitors to consider how their own lives are affecting the course of history.

Unlike most museums, which are artifact driven, much of the content in the FLDC is experienced through multimedia exhibits. Groups access it using a handheld smart lamp that activates exhibits automatically and collects content, like images and quotes, which visitors can then retrieve at home.

The FLDC, which opened in May, offers groups admission discounts on advance bookings.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Within easy walking distance of the FLDC, Independence Hall is one of the City of Brotherly Love’s mustsee attractions. Tours take visitors into the Assembly Room, where the nation’s Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and delegates from 12 states signed the U.S. Constitution.

MORE INFO | discoverphl.com

An exhibit at Philadelphia’s Faith and Liberty Discovery Center

By Douglas Nottage, courtesy American Bible Society

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BRYN ATHYN

RONKS

HIGHLIGHT | RELIGIOUS ART HAVEN Just an hour’s drive north from Philadelphia is the jaw-dropping Glencairn Museum. The institution’s home is part of its allure: a magnificent Gothic-style castle that boasts spaces like the Great Hall, which soars 74 feet and boasts medieval stained glass and sculpture. The structure, which sits within the confines of the Bryn Athyn Historic District, is equaled in beauty only by the collection it houses.

Group visitors to Glencairn will encounter a cross-section of the museum’s 8,000 works of religious art and artifacts hailing from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as Assyria, Babylon, Mesopotamia and Asia. Perhaps the museum’s most showstopping piece is a stained-glass window from the Abbey Church of St. Denis in France. Depicting the Flight to Egypt, it dates to the 12th century.

Group leaders may want to schedule a special all-day tour of Bryn Athyn, which includes a Glencairn visit, along with stops at the Beaux Arts-style Cairnwood and Bryn Athyn Cathedral.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Like Glencairn, Valley Forge National Historical Park is in Montgomery County. Bring your group to learn about how the Continental Army’s encampment during the winter of 1777-78 changed the course of American history. Gen. George Washington’s headquarters is just one of the park’s historic sites.

MORE INFO | valleyforge.org

HIGHLIGHT | LIVE BIBLE STORIES It’s almost a straight shot 90 minutes west from Bryn Athyn to Ronks, located in the rolling Amish farm fields of Lancaster County. If the bucolic setting doesn’t feel heavenly to groups, taking in a show at Sight and Sound Theatres will. Now in its 45th year, Sight and Sound is known for bringing the Bible to life with spectacular productions that feature a 300-foot wraparound stage, casts comprising dozens of professional actors; live animals that scramble up and down the aisles; and three-story-high set pieces.

“David,” which will open March 12, 2022, and play through the year’s end, tells the tale of the triumphs and tragedies the biblical hero experiences on his way to becoming “a man after God’s own heart.”

Among the technical elements sure to wow groups is a massive 110-foot-wide, 30-foot-tall LED screen.

Speaking of groups, Sight and Sound not only gives groups discounts, it also offers tour leaders a free downloadable planning guide.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Lancaster County is famed for its Amish population, and the Amish Village, a living history attraction, offers groups a way to learn about these very private people. Sights include an authentic Amish farmhouse built in the 1840s.

MORE INFO | discoverlancaster.com

Cairnwood Estate

Courtesy Glencairn Museum

Bryn Athyn Cathedral Courtesy Bryn Athyn Cathedral

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Glencairn Museum stained glass Courtesy Glencairn Museum

Religious artwork at the Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn Courtesy Glencairn Museum

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5

LAUREL HIGHLANDS

PITTSBURGH

HIGHLIGHT | ANCIENT FAITH

HIGHLIGHT | RELIGIOUS RELICS

Tucked away in the lush forests of the Laurel Highlands, Antiochian Village takes about three and a half hours to reach from Ronks, but the drive is well worth it. The village, owned by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, gives groups the chance to learn more about this religious movement founded in ancient Syria. Attractions include a museum, a chapel, a library and a meditation trail.

Inside the candle-lit chapel, groups will discover examples of the ancient Christian art form of iconography on the walls, and the library offers pleasures like a Book of the Gospels in Latin and Arabic that dates to 1591. In addition to Antiochian artifacts and art, the museum features a Titanic exhibit that tells the stories of the Middle Eastern passengers who were aboard the ill-fated ship.

Tour leaders may book themed luncheons or dinners for their groups on the idyllic 300-acre property. Options include a Titanicinspired menu and a menu of Middle Eastern fare.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Fallingwater, designed by America’s most esteemed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Groups can enjoy a variety of tours, including sunset, brunch and collections tours.

It takes only about 90 minutes for motorcoaches to travel from the Laurel Highlands to Pittsburgh, the former steel city that’s remade itself into a tourist hot spot. There awaits St. Anthony’s Chapel, an unassuming building that contains more relics than anywhere else, barring the Sunset at More the Annapolis waterfront Vatican. than 5,000 bits of the bodies of holy people or their belongings reside within St. Anthony’s, collected by the Rev. Suitbert Mollinger, who founded the Chapel in 1880.

Visiting groups will have a chance to see relics, including splinters from the true Cross, a fragment from the Crown of Thorns and pieces of Jesus’ swaddling clothes. In addition, the Chapel also houses pieces of the veil of the Blessed Mother and the cloak of St. Joseph. A tooth of St. Anthony’s, the only bit of his body not in Padua, Italy, is in the reliquary directly below his statue.

St. Anthony’s offers docent-led tours to groups, as well as lunch in the school hall.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Pittsburgh is a city filled with museums, but your group might best enjoy Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Midshipmen at theinU.S. NavalitAcademy Gardens.

Founded 1893, features a 14-room greenhouse and 23 different gardens unspooling over 15 acres.

MORE INFO | golaurelhighlands.com

A poster for “David” at Sight and Sound Theatre

MORE INFO | visitpittsburgh.com

St. Anthony’s Chapel in Pittsburgh

Antiochian Village Courtesy Antiochian Village

The altar at St. Anthony’s Chapel

Courtesy Sight & Sound Theatre

Courtesy St. Anthony’s Chapel

Courtesy Antio Courtesy St. Anthony’s Chapel

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TRAVEL

SNAP SHOT

THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

BY TOM A DKI NSO N

M

By Tom Adkinson

Top: Anakeesta in Gatlinburg offers stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Bottom: Fishing in the Smokies

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going on faith [ fall 2021 ]

ountains are magical magnets. They beckon from a distance, inviting you to come closer. And when you do get closer, they can wrap you in scenes of beauty that live forever in your memory.

That is especially true for the Great Smoky Mountains, the range of mountains that straddles much of the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.

Sevier County, Tennessee, and its three distinct visitor-oriented towns — Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville — are the focus for many group tours because they provide attractions, entertainment, lodging and food, with the bonus of America’s most-visited national park as a backdrop.

“The allure of the Smokies is undeniable,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “The mountains are what make us special. We are so very proud and happy that Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects more than 500,000 acres of wilderness, especially here in the eastern part of the country.”

Downey said many people are sur-

Courtesy Anakeesta

prised to learn that the national park was a gift to the country from private citizens and the legislatures of Tennessee and North Carolina. In the early days of motor touring, a movement began to preserve some Appalachian wilderness and reclaim many acres that had been timbered over and left in ruin.

Pockets of virgin forest remain, and once-ravaged acres have recovered since the park’s creation in 1934. It is one of the most biologically diverse locations on earth, with 1,500 varieties of flowering plants and hundreds of animal species. (Trivia: While black bears are the symbol of the park, the total mass of the park’s roughly 1,500 bears is less than that of the Smokies’ salamander population.)

Tour itineraries around Sevier County provide great views of the Smokies, and local receptives can assist with crosspark trips to Newfound Gap and the Oconoluftee Visitor Center on the North Carolina side.

Here are four ideas to incorporate into future tours to these magical mountains.

Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival

FESTIVAL TIME AT DOLLYWOOD Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction, and with good reason.

It’s a multigenerational place for fun, music, thrill rides, food and glimpses of Appalachian culture.

Festivals and special events throughout the season give tour groups special reasons to visit.

Springtime features the Flower and Food Festival and is a gardener’s delight, and Summer Celebration adds special zest to evening entertainment. The Harvest Fest in autumn features visiting crafters from across the country, as well as thousands of carved pumpkins throughout the park.

Every year wraps up with the excitement of the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.

HIGH ATOP THE SMOKIES

Courtesy Dollywood

Activities, gardens, restaurants and spectacular views are the reward at Anakeesta, an outdoor attraction 600 feet up a ridge above Gatlinburg’s bustling sidewalks. Most people arrive via the “chondola,” a made-up word for a combination chairlift and gondola. There is a canopy walk — 16 suspended bridges — a zip-line and rappelling adventure, shopping and gem mining. A recent addition is AnaVista, a modernistic observation tower with 360-degree views of the Smokies. Take the 84 steps to the top for views that stretch to Kentucky in the distance and 60 feet immediately below, where meandering walkways lace through Anakeesta’s botanical gardens.

THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE Sevier County is steeped in history — Native Americans were here for millennia before AngloAmericans entered the scene — and step-on guides from three receptive operators bring many of the stories alive. A popular tour can be tailored to any group from a collection of 24 historic churches. One church with an intriguing story is Big Greenbrier Primitive Baptist Church. It was on land about to be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so parishioners dismantled it and rebuilt it in its current location in the Shady Grove area. Guides from Tennessee Express Tours, Rocky Top Tours and Smoky Mountain Tours arrange for churches to be open for photography, refreshments and, perhaps, some hymn singing.

The Dolly Parton statue in Sevierville Courtesy Visit Sevierville

The AnaVista Tower and Vista Gardens at Anakeesta

PHOTO WITH DOLLY Entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton is by far the most famous person to hail from this neck of the woods. She occasionally makes appearances at special events inside Dollywood, but she’s always available for photos on the courthouse square in Sevierville. Well, it’s a statue of Dolly, not Dolly herself, but that’s sufficient for many visitors. Sculptor Jim Gray captured Dolly in bronze, perched on a rock and casually strumming her guitar. The statue was unveiled in 1987, the year Dollywood opened. She looks quite at home — because she is.

Courtesy Anakeesta

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G RO W I N G

B Y RAC HEL CRICK

TRAD ITIO N S T H ES E HE RITA GE FA RMS SHOWCASE CENTURIES OF AGRICULTU R E

Groups can explore Ohio’s agricultural history at Gorman Heritage Farm near Cincinnati.

A

griculture has changed a lot over the course of human history.

With fewer people today living and working on small farms, it’s easy to forget just how essential farming is. Heritage farms and agricultural museums teach visitors about the vital industry and how it’s changed over time, giving them the opportunity to connect with nature and the food system. They can also foster an appreciation for the immense role agriculture plays in our lives by encouraging visitors to participate through interactive experiences and demonstrations.

Faith groups wanting to learn all about agriculture can get their hands dirty at these destinations across the country.

Courtesy Gorman Heritage Farm

A livestock encounter at Gorman Heritage Farm

Courtesy Gorman Heritage Farm

New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center

Courtesy Manitowoc Area CVB

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Courtesy NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

[ FARM WISCONSIN DISCOVERY CENTER ] MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN Wisconsin has a reputation as America’s Dairyland, but the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center demonstrates that Wisconsin supplies much more to the food system than just milk. The center, which opened in 2018, teaches groups about the wide variety of foods produced in Wisconsin.

Its many educational exhibits showcase the extent of agriculture’s contributions to the state, including some of its lesser-known crops like Christmas trees and ginseng. The center also discusses sustainable farming practices and advances in modern farming technology.

“Agriculture contributes over $104 billion to our state economy annually, so that is really highlighted here in our facility,” said Abigail Martin, program manager at the center. “Everything from farm to table we’re talking about.”

No one’s downplaying dairy here, though. Visitors can tour the nearby Grotegut Dairy Farm to see what a working dairy farm is like and to learn how dairy cows are cared for. The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center also offers guests the unique opportunity to witness the birth of a calf in the on-site Birthing Barn.

Groups can take self-guided tours through the center’s 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and farming simulations to learn about the agriculture industry. There are also plenty of Wisconsin-produced items for guests to sample, from small-batch premium-quality ice cream to goods at the center’s Farmhouse Store. farmwisconsin.org

[ NEW MEXICO FARM AND RANCH HERITAGE MUSEUM ] LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO Groups seeking to experience the spirit of the Southwest can find an interesting facet of it at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.

The museum, which opened in 1998, was founded to preserve the cultural history of farming and ranching in the state. The museum does just that — with 24,000 square feet of exhibits, 47 acres of land, a variety of livestock and yearround demonstrations, this destination is a great place for those looking to get an up-close look at life on the range.

The museum’s most fascinating feature might be the history of the land on which it was built.

“They were growing food in this region 4,000 years ago,” said Craig Massey, a public information officer at the museum. “It’s got a really long and diverse history in agriculture.”

The area also has a rich history of livestock, as some of the first cattle, sheep and horses in this region were said to have been introduced by the Spanish as early as the 16th century.

Visitors can tour the museum’s many indoor and outdoor exhibits, including replicas of a New Mexico colonial home and a mercantile store, artifacts related to farming and colonial life and unique displays of art. Another interesting feature of this museum is the large number of live animals tended by working cowboys.

Groups can take a livestock tour, where they’ll learn about the different types of cattle, sheep and ponies living on the ranch and get to see demonstrations such as milking cows and spinning wool into yarn. nmfarmandranchmuseum.org

Learning about dairy cows at Farm Wisconsin Courtesy Manitowoc Area CVB

New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum’s chuck wagon display

A calf feeding at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Courtesy NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

Courtesy NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

[ GORMAN HERITAGE FARM ] EVENDALE, OHIO Small, family-run farms are often associated with simpler times, when people were connected firsthand to the crops they grew and the animals they raised.

However, the landscape of agriculture has changed, and fewer of these family farms remain operational today. For groups looking to step back in time, a visit to the Gorman Heritage Farm is in order.

At this farm, just outside of Cincinnati, groups can experience all the charm and beauty of a working heritage farm. It began as a family farm over a century ago and has undergone many changes since. The Gorman Heritage Farm was converted into a nonprofit farm in 2003 to educate the public about agriculture, farming and the environment. It serves as a testament to how farming has changed but also how it has stayed the same.

Visitors can connect with nature and get a glimpse of life on a working farm by participating in some of the day-to-day farm tasks, such as feeding the farm animals, planting seeds and grinding corn. Farm staff or volunteers can take groups on guided tours through the farm’s 122 scenic acres of gardens, walking trails and farmyards, or visitors can explore all the farm has to offer on their own.

In addition to learning about farming practices, guests can check out the farm store, which sells farm-fresh products such as eggs, produce, honey and meat. gormanfarm.org

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[ SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM ] BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA Groups with a passion for history, science or technology will enjoy a trip to the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. What started as a small zoological collection in the late 19th century has transformed into a hub for the preservation of all things agriculture. The museum, affiliated with South Dakota State University, is designed to educate visitors about the history of agriculture and rural life and encourage a better understanding of the connection between our daily lives and the agriculture industry.

Groups can arrange guided tours through the museum’s exhibits, which include a replica of a traditional farmhouse and early models of modern farming equipment. The collections of artifacts from pioneers and early farmers chronicle not only agriculture’s history but American history as well.

The museum also educates about agriculture today; interactive exhibits give visitors insight into the breadth of the industry and demonstrate how it affects more than just our food system. Sarah Jacobs, education coordinator at the museum, said that though many of us don’t have close connections to farms anymore, agriculture and its byproducts make our lives easier in ways most of us have never considered.

“We really strive to teach the public that even though you might not be directly connected to agriculture anymore, that agriculture is still a part of everyone’s daily lives,” she said. sdstate.edu/south-dakota-agricultural-heritage-museum

[ ECO CITY FARMS ] PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND When picturing a farm, one typically visualizes hundreds of acres of green pastures. One farm nestled in the urban areas bordering Washington, D.C., proves that farms need only a few acres to serve their communities. Founded in 2010, Eco City Farms is a nonprofit farm with two locations in Prince George’s County dedicated to educating communities about sustainable agriculture in urban areas.

Founder and CEO Margaret Morgan-Hubbard said she created the farm because of concerns about the lack of healthful options for people in lower income urban areas. But her goal was twofold; she endeavored to not only provide healthier options but also inspire individuals to take control of their own health.

“We try to be something that serves the community,” said MorganHubbard. “Regardless of whether they want to do farming or not, we also teach them about growing food and being healthy.”

A visit to either of the farm’s locations gives visitors opportunities for hands-on learning about farming essentials, sustainable agriculture and nutrition. Custom tours can be arranged to allow visitors to explore whatever aspects of urban farms they’re most curious about. Whether it’s composting, beekeeping, building hoop houses or harvesting produce, there are plenty of ways for groups to participate in farming.

Urban farms aren’t intended to replace rural ones, but they do offer some creative solutions to problems faced by many communities across the United States; a visit to this one-of-a-kind farm is sure to inspire optimism for the future of agriculture. ecoffshoots.org

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South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum

Courtesy SD Agricultural Heritage Museum

South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum

Courtesy SD Agricultural Heritage Museum

Pollination at Eco City Farms Courtesy Eco City Farms

Harvesting honey at Eco City Farms

Courtesy Eco City Farms

Eco City Farms in Maryland Courtesy Eco City Farms

HALLS OF

Philadelphia visitors can learn about the struggle for freedom at the Museum of the American Revolution.

HONOR

B Y P AT HEN D ERSO N

T H ES E M US E UM S T E L L THE STORIES OF MILITARY HEROS

Kansas City’s National WWI Museum and Memorial

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Courtesy National WWI Museum and Memorial

Courtesy Museum of the American Revolution

hen it comes to tracing the United States’ vast and rich military history, faith groups have an array of great attractions they can visit.

Places like Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution, Kansas City, Missouri’s National World War I Memorial and Museum and New Orleans’ National World War II Museum focus on specific wars. Other attractions, such as the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia, and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland, offer a look at more specialized aspects of military history.

But these places are not your father’s or greatgreat-great grandfather’s military museums.

Although these five attractions hit the highlights of major wars and military movements, they also provide more personal profiles of soldiers and people on the homefront whose stories are told through fresh tours and modern, interactive exhibits. going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 27

[ MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ] PHILADELPHIA “We are committed to telling the lesser-known stories of the Revolutionary War era, diverse stories that most people never learned in school,” said Alison English, senior manager of group and travel trade sales for the Museum of the American Revolution.

Visitors will hear how the Oneida Indian Nation broke with the Iroquois Confederacy to join the Revolutionary War cause and learn about Elizabeth Freeman, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won her case.

English said the crown jewel of the museum’s collection is George Washington’s headquarters tent, which was the general’s mobile command center throughout much of the Revolutionary War. “It is part of a mixed-media exhibit that includes a film — “Washington’s War Tent” — that explores Washington’s leadership and sets this old tent up as a powerful symbol of our fragile republic,” she said. “It is one of the museum’s best experiences, and it is what visitors rave about the most.”

The museum will debut “Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War” on October 16, and it will remain on display through September 2022. amrevmuseum.org

[ NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM ] COLUMBUS, GEORGIA Groups have a range of experiences awaiting them at the National Infantry Museum, which explores the impact of infantrymen throughout U.S. history.

The “Eras of Infantry” exhibits are organized chronologically in five sections, from the pre-Revolutionary War period through today. According to Tiffany Hoffmann, assistant director of education, the museum’s signature exhibit is “The Last 100 Yards.”

“It takes you through eight key battles, starting at the Battle of Yorktown and working up to current operations,” Hoffmann said. “The really cool thing is that each part includes lifelike figures, each of which was cast to represent an actual veteran that served here at Fort Benning.”

The museum offers special programs that bring in veterans from different wars to speak. But Hoffmann is quick to note that those aren’t the only times when you can hear from former soldiers.

“The other really cool thing for visitors is not just the exhibits they get to see but that there are military members and veterans here a lot,” she said. “The idea that, on any given day, I can have a discussion with a Vietnam veteran or visit with an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran or even talk with our World War II veterans, is really special.” nationalinfantrymuseum.org

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Museum of the American Revolution

Courtesy Museum of the Bible

A Memorial Day parade at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Courtesy National WWI Museum and Memorial

National WWII Museum in New Orleans

Courtesy National WWII Museum

[ NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM ] KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI For an immersive history lesson on “The War to End All Wars,” the National World War I Memorial and Museum in Kansas City, which opened in 1926, is a must-visit.

The museum covers the war in a variety of ways, and its curator of education, Lora Vogt, said some of her favorite pieces in the collection are clothing from different countries. Her list includes a furry German Busby hat with the skull-andcrossbones symbol on it; an ornate South African soldier’s kilt; and a uniform from a member of the Hello Girls, the U.S. Signal Corps’ telephone operator unit.

“We also have a fantastic poster collection that shows the iconography that would become popular later on, including the original Uncle Sam ‘I Want You’ recruitment poster,” Vogt said. “People think of that as World War II, but it originated in World War I.” She suggests that faith planners time a visit for 2022 to coincide with one of the museum’s many special events.

“We have ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and we host the Stars and Stripes Picnic on the Saturday before the Fourth of July,” said Vogt. “We also have Taps at the Tower, which is an entire week around Father’s Day when we do a really unique ceremony that features the playing of ‘Taps’ and some special readings.” theworldwar.org

National Infantry Museum

Courtesy National Museum of Civil War Medicine

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going on faith [ fall 2021 ] Courtesy Museum of the American Revolution

Courtesy National Infantry Museum Foundation

[ NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM ] NEW ORLEANS There’s always something new to explore at the National World War II Museum. The New Orleans attraction opened in 2000 and has gradually expanded to include five main buildings, and a sixth is on the way.

“Our mission is to tell the story of the war: how it was won, why it was fought and what it means today,” said Lisa Ochomogo, the museum’s senior sales manager of group sales. “What makes this such a special attraction is that it tells the American story of World War II, including the stories of both those who fought in World War II and those who contributed on the homefront.”

The Arsenal of Democracy area includes permanent exhibits that cover why the war was fought, and when groups explore the Campaigns of Courage building, which houses the “Road to Tokyo” and the “Road to Berlin” exhibit spaces, they get a better feel for how the Allies won the war. The new Liberation Pavilion building, slated to debut its first phase in the fall of 2022, will focus on what World War II means today.

“Visitors and group travelers are also able to experience the on-site Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, with proceeds supporting the museum’s ongoing educational mission,” said Ochomogo. “The hotel offers meeting and event spaces that are able to accommodate unique events of all sizes.” nationalww2museum.org

[ NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE ] FREDERICK, MARYLAND The world of 19th-century military medicine is the order of the day at this unique attraction. As visitors explore more than 8,000 square feet of exhibits, they find out about the journey of medicine — especially trauma care — from the 1850s through the end of the Civil War. “The museum is different than the other Civil War museums because it is the only one that deals exclusively with the consequences of war,” said membership and development coordinator Kyle Dalton. “We look at what war causes, not just what war is. That necessitates a careful, deliberate interpretation of that history, one that is going to be mindful of the suffering that so many went through.”

Guided tours are the attraction’s bread-and-butter group offering. Visitors are paired with well-trained guides, many of whom are former medical professionals who can cater a tour to the specific interests of the group.

“One exciting tour program for next year is a citywide scavenger hunt called One Vast Adventure,” said Dalton. “It will take people across the entire city, and there will be costumed characters and puzzle clues hidden around town. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

Each Saturday and Sunday from April to October, the museum offers the One Vast Hospital Walking Tour, which focuses on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862. Dalton said an additional themed tour is available the first Saturday of the month. civilwarmed.org/nmcwm

2021 SPECIAL EXHIBIT: MARC CHAGALL AND THE BIBLE

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SOUTHWEST

MADE IN THE

ARTS & CRAFTS

The light and landscape surrounding Phoenix and other Southwest destinations have inspired artists for centuries.

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TRAVELERS FIND TREASURES IN THESE REGIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS HOTSPOTS

BY PAUL A AVEN GL ADYC H

hen it comes to artistic inspiration, there’s no place like the Southwest.

The region’s rugged mountains, plains and desert locales have drawn artists of all stripes for centuries. Today, they also draw visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and immerse

themselves in the arts.

From Southwestern and contemporary art to cowboy and Native American crafts, these Southwest destinations offer many opportunities to stroll through art galleries and exhibitions, attend music and theater performances, learn about the artistic specialties of different cultures, meet local artists and participate in arts-and-crafts demonstrations.

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Native American regalia in Gallup Courtesy Visit Gallup, NM

SOUTHWEST

By D.S. Paz, courtesy Visit Phoenix

GALLUP, NEW MEXICO Gallup, New Mexico, is a hidden gem of the Native American arts and crafts scene because of its proximity to the Navajo and Zuni nations. New Mexico itself is home to 19 pueblos that are known for their pottery and silversmithing.

Gallup has more than 100 trading posts, some of the oldest in the northwestern part of the state. They include Richardson’s Trading Post on Route 66, which sells museum-quality Navajo rugs, pottery, jewelry, paintings, kachinas and more, and Ellis Tanner Trading Company, where artisans can bring in their pinyon, jewelry, wool, and rugs to sell.

Perry Null Trading offers Native Americans a place to preserve their historical and ceremonial artifacts, since they don’t have climate-controlled rooms with fire-suppression systems on their reservations. Visiting groups can take a tour of the company’s museum-quality Native American items, such as Navajo rugs, saddles, buffalo hides and jewelry, and learn about how they were made and the different materials the artists used.

Visit Gallup will organize meet-and-greets or arts-and-crafts demonstrations with various artists in the area. But groups should make a point of visiting during the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which takes place the first two weeks of August and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022. The event includes Native American ceremonies, Native dancing, rodeos, exhibits and pageants.

“It allows people to experience Native culture without interfering with religious traditions,” said Jennifer Lazarz, tourism and marketing manager for Visit Gallup.

The Gallup Native Arts Market is held every year and features the work of highly skilled Native American artists in the area. The 2019 market also included Native American dance groups and a fashion show.

Gallup is near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which was home to Native Americans from A.D. 850 to 1250, as well as Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Route 66, with its kitschy shops and restaurants, also runs through the city. gallupnm.gov

DURANGO, COLORADO From its famous Durango-Silverton railroad to its location at the base of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Durango is steeped in both Western and Native American history. The city’s art scene ranges from historic to modern mountain culture, benefiting from the area’s plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities and its proximity to two Native American tribes: the Southern Ute and Navajo nations.

Groups that want to sample the arts and crafts scene in Durango should take advantage of its monthly Artwalk that takes place downtown during summer and fall; visitors can wander gallery-lined streets, meet artists and see craft demonstrations, all while drinking a glass of wine and sampling hors d’oeuvres. Several galleries in the area cater to Native American and Western art. The Toh-Atin Gallery works with several of the area’s top Native American artists to display their work, which includes paintings, pueblo pottery, beautifully handcrafted silver and turquoise jewelry, and Navajo rugs. Sorrel Sky displays contemporary and traditional Western art, as well as Native American jewelry, paintings, sculpture and photography.

The Southern Ute are known for their beadwork, and the area’s galleries are full of amazing examples of this skillset. Durango’s Autumn Arts Festival takes place every September in the city’s historic downtown. It features more than 100 artists and is organized by the Durango Arts Center, a hub for the area’s artists. Durango is a great jumping-off point to visit Mesa Verde National Park and its famous Native American cliff dwellings and arts scene.

Smaller towns in the area also have extensive art scenes, among them Mancos and Cortez. durango.org

Native American art for sale in Durango

Browsing turquoise jewelry in Gallup Courtesy Visit Gallup, NM

A Durango art gallery

By Nick Kogos, courtesy Visit Durango

By Nick Kogos, courtesy Visit Durango

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ELKO, NEVADA

OGDEN, UTAH

Surrounded by natural beauty, Elko, Nevada, got its start with the arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868. Silver and gold miners flocked to the area looking to strike it rich; many pioneers settled down on local farms. Elko was the site of the world’s last stagecoach robbery in 1916 and is still home to several gold mines. Only in the past decade has Elko begun to transform itself from a traditional Western mining town to an arts destination.

The Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum is a great first stop on any visit to Elko because it highlights the crafts that fueled Western expansion, such as saddles, bridles, harnesses and other cowboy gear. Staff members give workshops and demonstrations on traditional Western crafts like leather stamping, silver engraving and rawhide braiding. The Western Folklife Center offers a more modern take on cowboy and Western culture and is responsible for bringing the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering to Elko. The event takes place every January and features Western poets, musicians, artisans and storytellers from across the country. A booth at the event features rawhide braiding, leather tooling and hatand saddle-making demonstrations.

Elko Art in the Park is a two-day event in July that brings in dozens of vendors selling Western art, jewelry, baskets, photography and clothing. Another event, the Elko Band Pow-Wow, takes place every October and highlights Native American drummers and traditional dancers.

Festivals aside, Elko makes public art a priority, with 51 murals that feature traditional Western, Native American and modern designs; 60 large cowboy boots painted by local artists; and Western cutouts made of iron scattered throughout. Groups can take advantage of the area’s natural beauty by visiting Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains or learning about the area’s pioneer history at the California Trail Interpretive Center. exploreelko.com

Surrounded by mountains, Ogden, Utah, is a well-known outdoor destination, with plenty of hiking and biking trails and three nearby ski resorts. But like many U.S. cities, its downtown spaces needed revitalization. That prompted the city to redo historic 25th Street leading up to Union Station, which is now brimming with local eateries, bars, and shops. It also led to the creation of the Nine Rails Creative District in 2018. The goal is to reuse historic buildings and downtown spaces to create places where artists and other creatives can live, work, exhibit, perform and teach. The district is in downtown Ogden, between Grand and Madison avenues, and 24th and 26th streets.

The name Nine Rails pays tribute to Ogden’s history as a major connection point on the Transcontinental Railroad and, later, a hub for nine different rail lines. The area already is home to numerous arts organizations and theaters, including the Ogden Contemporary Arts (OCA) Center, an exhibition space and contemporary art center in the historic Monarch building. It hosts virtual and augmented-reality exhibitions, as well as more traditional art exhibits.

Platforms, OCA’s outdoor art park, will soon feature an interactive, light-based art installation titled Paradboxes.

The Dumke Arts Plaza, coming in November, will be an arts-focused community space, outdoor art gallery and performance venue. The Eccles Community Art Center, housed in an 1893 Victorian mansion, features a sculpture garden, local art exhibitions and the opportunity to purchase local art. It also offers classes on everything from visual to performing arts.

To promote the arts, Ogden hosts the First Friday Art Stroll, which features exhibit openings, artist receptions and live music; Platforms’ eight concrete stages feature many different art forms, including painting, sculpture, music and dance. visitogden.com

An Elko mural Courtesy Elko CVA

Public art in Elko

Elko honoring its Western roots

An Ogden sculpture

Courtesy Elko CVA

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Courtesy Elko CVA

Courtesy Visit Ogden

Phoenix’s First Friday A.R.T.S. Market

PHOENIX, ARIZONA Phoenix, like many Southwestern cities, has a thriving Native American culture and arts scene. Downtown Phoenix is home to the Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community, two tribes that have called the Salt River and Gila River areas home for centuries. Visitors interested in Native American art and culture can visit the area to learn more about the history of the Pima and Maricopa cultures and see how they are thriving today as an entertainment and shopping mecca in the heart of Phoenix. The Huhugam Ki Museum is a great place to learn about the community, with exhibits about the tribes and their ancestors and achievements. Baskets, pottery, photographs and other artifacts are on display, and groups can call ahead for guided tours of the exhibit gallery and traditional outdoor structures.

An outdoor Native Art Market takes place in Scottsdale, Arizona, every weekend during the winter and spring months, beginning November 1. Visitors that want to shop the market year-round can visit the Native Art Market retail shop in Scottsdale every day of the year.

The Heard Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Native American culture and artwork, and the nearby Phoenix Art Museum is also worth a visit. To soak up the natural beauty of the area, groups should visit the Desert Botanical Garden, where they can learn how Native American tribes used certain plants, what they lived in and about the different landscapes surrounding the Greater Phoenix area.

First Fridays take place in Roosevelt Row, the city’s arts district and feature local artists, live entertainment and food trucks. The area is home to many art galleries and locally owned shops. visitphoenix.com

By An Pham, courtesy Visit Phoenix

A hoop dancing demonstration at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort near Phoenix

Courtesy Visit Phoenix

A glass art demonstration in Phoenix

By An Pham, courtesy Visit Phoenix

Ogden’s artsy downtown Courtesy Visit Ogden

When you're ready to book, the team at Visit Chandler is ready to help you. chandlermeetings.com

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FAITH

CENTERED

Church groups can enjoy “the Blob” and other aquatic activities at the Wheat State Retreat Center in Kansas.

WHEAT STATE RETREAT CENTER

Courtesy Wheat State Retreat Center

T

BY K RISTY ALPERT

he first wheat crop was planted on Kansas soil long before the state even had a name, and it was that first careworn crop that would go on to earn the state a nickname that speaks to its residents’ endurance, faith and perseverance. It wasn’t always easy being a wheat farmer in Kansas, where families endured drought, dust and the Great Depression. But through hard work and devotion, Kansas began to flourish as the Wheat State.

It wasn’t long after the Great Depression that wheat production began to thrive throughout the state, and the desire to commune among the golden acres of Kansas grew alongside the state’s treasured crop. In 1950, what is now known as the Wheat State Retreat Center welcomed its first group of guests and set the standard for meaningful meetings in Kansas.

The center now operates through the Christian Retreats Network with a mission “to be a blessing and benefit through camps, conferences, retreats and other activities, to all ministers, members and church groups of the Kansas District Council of the Assemblies of God, as well as to other groups with aligned objectives of the AGK Ministry Network.”

Church group leaders can discover what makes the Wheat State Retreat Center such a special place when they host an event there.

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LOCATION Augusta, Kansas SIZE: 70 acres CAPACITY: 500 overnight guests CONTACT INFO: 833-943-2878 wheatstateretreat.org

LODGING AND VENUES The lodging at the Wheat State Retreat Center consists primarily of dorm rooms with bunks and full-size beds. Planners love the affordable lodging option, and church camp groups appreciate the ability to keep students and friends together in a dorm room. Wheat State also offers three premium cabins for event leadership that each have a queen bed with linens, television and other amenities.

Meeting spaces are available for small gatherings and large conferences, with the largest venue, the Tabernacle, capable of seating up to 500 guests. The Tabernacle features a spacious permanent stage, a sound booth, and lighting and sound equipment. The space also includes its own restrooms and comes with divider walls that can separate the wings into six breakout spaces, three on each side. Each breakout room has a capacity of 40 guests and can be used as a camp office, a nursery or even a green room. The dining room offers a small breakout space on the upper floor that can seat 50 guests, and the northern half of the dining room can have a divider wall put up to create a meeting space for 100 guests.

UNIQUE FEATURES One of the biggest advantages for planners of booking a retreat with the Wheat State Retreat Center is the opportunity to access all the planning and promotional materials from the Christian Retreats Network. All planners get access to Planner Central, a hub of planning and promotional resources that contains downloadable templates for budgeting, registration, flyers and emails. The program also comes with propertyspecific resources like the property map, an audiovisual equipment list and lodging layouts. Planners can access valuable resources like the program’s “Marketing To-Do’s” and “Event Health and Safety Guidelines.”

Aside from the streamlined planning assistance, the Wheat State Retreat Center is the only property in the Christian Retreats Network to have a dedicated paintball course and created pickleball courts. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong, It takes place on its own regulation-size court. It’s fast-paced and has quickly become popular. Paintball is available at an additional cost, but pickleball is included in the regular packages, and adventurous groups can be among the first to play indoor blacklight pickleball.

ACTIVITIES AND MEALS All basic recreation is included in the retreat package. Kids and youth groups rave about the creative games and fun activities offered at the Wheat State Retreat Center. The outdoor covered pavilion has basketball hoops for quick pick-up games, and the sand volleyball courts are equipped with a professional drain system that means games will never get called because of rain. Multiple recreation fields are groomed and ready for any sort of field game, such as the popular Gaga Ball, where players race and duck in this fast-paced dodgeballstyle game. A disc golf course offers the chance for a slower-paced competition outdoors, while indoor games take place at the Lowenberg Recreation Center. The center includes a gymnasium, as well as an attached lounge area outfitted with various billiards and pingpong tables.

Premium recreation is available at a minimal extra cost and includes access to the indoor rock climbing wall, a paintball course, a zip-line course and lakefront activities like “the blob,” a slide and paddleboards. Guests often work up an appetite while at the Wheat State Retreat Center, which is why buffet dining, serving all-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, is standard in all retreat packages.

VENTURING OUT Although there are more than enough activities and fun to be had on-site at the Wheat State Retreat Center, the center’s proximity to the vibrant city of Wichita, Kansas, makes venturing out before heading home easy and enjoyable. It takes roughly 25 minutes to drive from the center to the Old Town section of Wichita, where groups can dine at the many local restaurants or explore the Museum of World Treasures and the Great Plains Transportation Museum. By following the Arkansas River through town, visitors can explore the museum trail of Wichita, which passes by the Exploration Place, Botanica Wichita, the MidAmerica All-Indian Museum, the Old Cowtown Museum, and the Wichita Art Museum.

Groups spending time in Wichita can take a stroll down Gallery Alley in Old Town and check out the Guinness World Record-holding Beachner Grain Elevator Mural in the North End. Groups can get their feet wet with the on-water experiences and hiking trails around Santa Fe Lake, which is just down the street from the retreat center.

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