Going On Faith Spring 2018

ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 21 - NO. 2

SPRING 2018

M A LTA ISLAND

OF

DISCOVERY MUSEUMS OF

MISSOURI FA I T H - BA S E D

T H E AT E R SOUTHERN

TRAVEL GUIDE

Plan your visit at ArkEncounter.com Williamstown, K Y (south of Cincinnati)

KENTUCKY

S

avor ...

THE SIGHTS & AROMAS OF GEORGETOWN.

MALL TOWN CHARM. PURE SMALL

INTERSTATE

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INTERSTATE

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SCOTT COUNTY

GOF

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

[ SPRING 2018 ]

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Museums of Missouri

The Show Me State boasts a wide variety of remarkable institutions.

The Town Oil Built

Walk in the steps of oil barons in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Faith Takes the Stage

Find entertainment and encouragement at Christian theaters.

DEPARTMENTS Columns 6 EDITOR’S NOTES: “Embracing the Long Haul” ON THE COVER: Malta features biblical history sites and medieval architecture. Photo by PhotoWorks

Spotlights

News

14 HOW TO: Book Hotels with CVBs

16 PROFILE:

SOUTHERN

TRAVEL GUIDE 30 Waterfront Destinations 34 The South on the Screen 38 Famous Faces

8 CELEBRATE THE LIFE of America’s Pastor at the Billy Graham Library

Ceci Triska

18 INTERNATIONAL: Malta

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Mac T. Lacy Founder and Publisher

Brian Jewell Executive Editor

Eliza Myers Online Editor

Charles A. Presley Partner

Herb Sparrow Senior Writer

Christine Clough Copy Editor

Donia Simmons Creative Director

Ashley Ricks Circulation

Savannah Osbourn Staff Writer

Stacey Bowman Account Manager

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) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

“I ha

t s o m d the

e l b i d e r c ” . . n . i n e p p a h g thin

uest g y r a r Lib B i l l, a

“Come and see what

“... A Billy Graham Library volunteer noticed I was troubled and prayed with me,” Bill wrote. “I felt God wash over me, and it was just such an inspiring moment to a guy who has had no personal peace for 30 years. That gave me hope and guidance.”

God has done.”

—Psalm 66:5, ESV

Visit Charlotte, N.C., and discover what God can do through an ordinary life surrendered to Him. Walk in the shoes of a farm boy who became pastor to presidents and shared God’s love with millions. Admission is free, and exhibits are state-of-the-art. Come—just as you are. The experience is unforgettable.

A ministry of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

©2017 BGEA

Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:00 • BillyGrahamLibrary.org • 704-401-3200 Reservations required for groups of 10 or more; email LibraryTours@bgea.org or call 704-401-3270.

4330 Westmont Drive • Charlotte, North Carolina

EDITOR’S

NOTES BRIAN JEWELL

EMBRACING THE LONG HAUL

E

very decision I have made today has been with one goal in mind: Tonight, I want to fall asleep sitting up straight.

As I write this column, I’m waiting at a departure gate at New York’s Kennedy Airport.

It’s about 8 p.m., and I’ve been traveling since early afternoon. Two flights down, and one more to go. But the last one is a doozy — a 10-hour flight, departing just after 10 p.m. and flying through the night. When the flight finally lands, I will have bypassed morning altogether and will step off the plane to mid-afternoon in Amman, Jordan.

Jordan belongs on every faith-based group’s travel wish list. Many of the most momentous events recorded in Scripture happened there, and archaeological efforts have unearthed and preserved many significant historic and biblical sites to an impressive degree. Just across the Jordan River from Israel, Jordan is easy to include on a Holy Land pilgrimage. I first visited the country back in 2006 and was impressed by both its history and hospitality.

Jordan and the other lands of the Bible are once-in-a-lifetime destinations for a lot of travelers. But many more won’t make it there even once. And the main thing holding them back is the same daunting proposition that I’m facing now: a long-haul, overnight flight to the other side of the world.

I won’t sugarcoat it — overseas flights are tough. Unless you’re one of the lucky few who can afford high-price first-class tickets, you’re in for a long and restless night in a seat that

quickly becomes uncomfortable. Your sleep is likely to be fitful at best, and there’s a good chance you won’t sleep much at all. When you arrive at your destination, jet lag will set upon you like a fog, and no matter what anybody tells you, there’s no magic cure.

So why am I willing to brave the discomfort, fatigue and airplane food for such a long time? Because I know that an amazing destination stands ready to greet me on the other side.

And great things rarely come easily.

The older I get, the more I realize this truth: Everything wonderful in life comes at a cost, either to me or to someone else. The richest rewards in life are usually the fruit of the hardest work. Big returns start with big investments. The questions we must ask ourselves are whether we’re investing in the right things and what price we’re willing to pay.

There will be moments on this flight when I’ll wish I was anywhere else, namely, at home asleep in my own bed. Likewise, there will probably be times in your ministry or your travel planning when you wish you were doing something else. You might wish that someone else could shoulder the responsibility instead of you or that the job would be less work and more fun.

But here’s the thing: The only way I can experience Jordan is by getting on this plane and enduring the long flight. And the only way for you to experience the best of your ministry, church group or travel program is by digging in, putting on a smile and embracing the challenge.

The struggle is real, but the destination on the other side will not disappoint.

BRIAN JEWELL [ EDITOR ] brianj@grouptravelleader.com

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NEWS WORTHY

Visitors to the Billy Graham Library can see the garden where Graham and his wife, Ruth, are buried.

Courtesy Billy Graham Library

BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY MEMORIALIZES AMERICA’S PREACHER It’s hard to find a person of faith in the United States whose life hasn’t been impacted by Billy Graham.

The famous evangelist, who led large-scale ministry crusades around the globe for more than 60 years and served as an advisor to 12 U.S. presidents, died in February at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, at the age of 99. His legacy as one of America’s pre-eminent spiritual leaders, however, will endure, both in the lives of the millions he touched and at the Billy Graham Library near Charlotte.

Founded in 1997 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the museum is designed to give visitors a look at Graham’s life and ministry — and to reinforce the core of his gospel message — using both interactive, multimedia exhibits and artifacts from his personal life. More than 1 million people have passed through the cross-shaped doors of the library since it opened, representing more than 90 countries.

Groups that visit the library discover Graham’s story on the self-guided Journey of Faith, a series of exhibits covering more than 70 years of Graham’s life, from preaching to his cows as a young man on a North Carolina dairy farm to reaching millions across the world.

Each piece of memorabilia serves as a launching pad for great a story.

A pair of handguns on display tells the story of New York gang members who turned their guns in and gave their lives to Christ at a crusade.

Graham’s decision card shows his early devotion to the Lord.

Visitors especially like hearing about Graham’s relationship with his late wife, Ruth. Items on display include her hand-stitched wedding dress and veil, personal Bible and an especially sweet note from Graham.

Graham was buried alongside Ruth in a gravesite at the library. In light of Graham’s passing, the museum staff is working on a new exhibition detailing his funeral procession and burial. Organizers expect the new exhibit to be open by the first of April. www.billygrahamlibrary.org

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going on faith [ spring 2018 ]

CONFERENCE TO SHOWCASE LITTLE ROCK HIGHLIGHTS GOING ON FAITH

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

All photos courtesy Little Rock CVB

The opening dinner at the Going On Faith Conference will take place at Little Rock’s Clinton Presidential Center.

I

BY DA N DICKSON

t seems only appropriate that the 2018 Going On Faith Conference is going to be held in part of America’s Bible Belt: fascinating Little Rock, Arkansas.

“We are a city of historic churches with roots deep in Christ,” said John Mayner, vice president of marketing and communications for the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is significant and impactful for Little Rock that this Going On Faith group will bring its conference to our Bible Belt city.”

The conference, August 7-9, will be held in downtown Little Rock’s convenient Statehouse

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Convention Center, which is attached to the official conference hotel, the Little Rock Marriott. Travel planners for churches and religious organizations all over the country, as well as travel industry representatives, will pour into the capital city of Arkansas.

They will have a lot to see and do.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this year’s Going On Faith conference and showcase our city with all of this group’s meeting planners,” said Gretchen Hall, CEO of the convention bureau. “Our city has gone through a tremendous revitalization, and we’ve received numerous national accolades for the

city’s attractions and amenities, meeting facilities and service, and our pedestrian-friendly downtown. We can’t wait to share all of it with this group.”

OPENING NIGHT DINNER

The opening night dinner on Tuesday, August 7, is always popular with delegates and will be held in a signature Little Rock venue.

“I can now share with you that the opening event and

Little Rock attractions, clockwise from top left: River Market District; Heifer Village; Arkansas Capitol; farmers market; Little Rock Central High School

dinner will be held at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in downtown Little Rock, and tours will be offered in advance of the dinner,” Mayner said.

The Clinton Center, on the banks of the Arkansas River in Little Rock’s River Market District, houses one of the largest collections of U.S. presidential archives in the country. It features 20,000 square feet of exhibition space and showcases American and world history at the beginning of the 20th century. There is a full-scale replica of the 42nd president’s Oval Office, a reconstruction of the White House Cabinet Room and a 110-foot timeline that

“WE ARE A CITY OF HISTORIC CHURCHES WITH ROOTS DEEP IN CHRIST.” — JOHN MAYNER, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau

explains in words, photos and artifacts the significant events that happened during the Clinton administration, 1993 to 2001. There are also exhibits that present the personal side of a presidential family, with an intimate look at life inside the White House.

HISTORY & HELPING HANDS TOURS

An afternoon of local touring is always a highlight of the Going On Faith conference. Although

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 11

the conference is still several months away, the Little Rock CVB recently confirmed that on Wednesday, August 8, there will be four three-hour tours around Little Rock that will show off the city’s outstanding attractions.

Delegates will be able to choose the tour that interests them most.

One excursion is called the Civil Rights Tour and will feature a visit to a historic site in the annals of the U.S. civil rights movement. The Little Rock High School National Historic Site is where, in 1957, nine brave AfricanAmerican students desegregated the all-white high school. But it wasn’t that simple. The Little Rock Nine, as they were called, had to endure ugly taunts and threats from a mob that had gathered in the streets around the building.

The Arkansas governor had ordered the Arkansas National Guard to prohibit the students from entering the high school, but President Eisenhower sent the National Guard to the scene to protect the students and contain the hostile crowds. The nation and the world watched as the events unfolded. The high school, an architectural gem, is still operating and is open for history tours.

Little Rock is part of the emerging national Civil Rights Trail that spans multiple cities and states, mostly in the South. “Our Central High School was named one of the top 10 civil rights sites in the entire country,” said Mayner.

The tour will also include a stop at the Testament Monument on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. It features life-size bronze statues of the Little Rock Nine and depicts them courageously walking into Central High School six decades ago. It was the first civil rights monument to be located on any Southern state capitol grounds. Also on this tour will be the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, a museum that explores the history, life and culture of African-Americans in Arkansas. The museum is in the Ninth Street business

district, mostly black at the time of the civil rights movement, and visitors will see and hear firsthand accounts of life in the segregated South and the legacy of those who experienced it.

Another tour for delegates to consider is the History and a Helping Hand tour. “This tour is more of a focus on people doing good things in the world,” said Mayner. One stop will be at Heifer Village, part of the remarkable global outreach organization known as Heifer International. The tour will likely include education aimed at inspiring, challenging and engaging people to end hunger and poverty around the world and to care for the earth.

The Helping Hands tour will also include stops at some of Little Rock’s historically significant structures and neighborhoods. One, the Old Statehouse Museum, is the oldest state capitol west of the Mississippi and is now a history museum. Another part of the driving tour will be a stop in the city’s Quapaw Quarter Historic District.

SHOPPING AND HOME & GARDEN TOURS

A third excursion at the Going On Faith Conference will be a shopping trip and sightseeing tour. The main stop will be at the new Outlets of Little Rock.

This is the first outlet center in Arkansas and has many nationally known stores and factory outlets. At this open-air shopping destination, store operators offer savings of up to 70 percent.

Next, the delegates who choose this tour will return to downtown Little Rock and

Like the sun breaking over the horizon, our trip to Little Rock was inspiring.

Visiting Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center and learning about the bravery of the Little Rock Nine was a powerful experience, as was touring the Clinton Presidential Center and seeing the Anne Frank Tree sapling. Catching a great exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center and a stirring performance at the beautiful, new Robinson Center — who knew? You can enjoy all this and more in Little Rock.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2018 GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE

Little Rock Central High School > To see more visit LittleRock.com 12

going on faith [ spring 2018 ]

This ad is paid for with state and Heart of Arkansas funds.

visit the Esse Purse Museum and Store in the South Main Historic District. The museum is lovingly dedicated to the evolution of 20th-century American women through the bags they carried and their contents. “A purse is not just a utilitarian bag in which a woman carries her necessities,” said owner Anita Davis. “It is an extension of her personal space, her essence and the other things that make her ‘her.’”

The museum explores concepts of history, art and the feminine mystique. “This place has been written up in a number of national and international publications and is just one of three such museums in the world dedicated to the purse and the women who carry them,” said the CVB’s Mayner.

The fourth afternoon trip around the city is a home and garden tour. There are a number of garden and lifestyle personalities and experts living in the Little Rock area, among them TV’s gardening authority P. Allen Smith. Another prominent gardening professional is Chris Olsen. He has carefully restored the Edgemont House in the Historic Park Hill neighborhood across the river in North Little Rock. It is a private, palatial garden estate and Olsen’s home. It was constructed in 1927 and is listed on the National Historic Register. This Spanish Colonial house has a beautiful view of the Little Rock skyline. The Edgemont House is also available for corporate functions, private receptions and photo sessions.

The Old Mill, also in North Little Rock, is a city park and an authentic reproduction of an old water-powered grist mill. The structure can be found in the opening scenes of the classic 1939 movie “Gone With the Wind.” The park features many sculptures and a treebranch-entwined bridge. Mexican sculptor and artist Dionico Rodriguez created or oversaw each piece, as well as the foot bridges and rustic seats. The Old Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Heifer International has another outdoor attraction — the Heifer Urban Farm — and it is part of the garden tour. This is a three-acre multipurpose garden behind Heifer’s stunning headquarters building. It has grown from a modest community garden into a much larger operation that provides fresh food for several food networks in the area. Heifer applies eco-friendly agriculture practices in its fields and stockyards.

Visitors will meet chickens, pigs, alpacas, goats and other animals that are helping families around the world feed themselves and their families as they, in turn, pass on legacy animal offspring to others with similar need in their village or town.

REGISTER NOW FOR GOING ON FAITH 800-628-0993 www.gofconference.com

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HOW TO

HOW TO S H O P H OT E L S T H RO U G H C V B S

W

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

hen you need to find a hotel for 50 people, it’s nice to have some help.

Taking your church group on the road can be a lot of fun, but the behind-the-scenes work of arranging accommodations in the places you plan to visit can be daunting. It’s difficult to use a travel website to book a large block of rooms, and contacting individual hotels one at a time to ask about rates and availability can be ineffective and time consuming. That’s why savvy travel planners turn to local experts for assistance.

In destinations around the country, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) are staffed with locals whose job it is to help you plan the best trip possible. They can assist in a wide range of ways, from itinerary planning and restaurant recommendations to guide services and welcome gifts. But among the most helpful things that CVBs can do is help you select the best hotels for your group and negotiate with the management to secure the best rates and amenities possible.

Here are 10 steps for taking advantage of this helpful, free service.

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1)

START PLANNING EARLY. Some elements of a trip plan can be put off until close to departure date, but hotel booking is not one of them. Quite simply, if you don’t have hotel rooms, you don’t have a trip. So as soon as you have selected a destination, you should immediately reach out to the local CVB to start the hotel shopping. It’s never too early; you can begin even a year or more in advance. With all the considerations that are to follow, giving yourself and your CVB partners plenty of lead time will make the process easier for everyone.

2)

GET ADVICE ON YOUR TIMING. The price and availability of hotel rooms rise and fall based on a host of factors, but among the most important are local destination occupancy patterns. Rooms will be scarcer and prices higher during peak season and busy travel days. If your group has some flexibility, ask your CVB contact to suggest the best time for your trip. Visiting during a shoulder season or staying on off-peak nights of the week can help you save significant money, and the local tourism staff know exactly when those ideal times will be.

6)

SELECT YOUR SERVICE LEVEL. You know the way your group likes to travel and what kind of service they expect in a hotel, so there’s no use in getting price quotes from full-service business properties if you just need simple rooms and a continental breakfast.

Baggage service is probably important for your group, but room service may not be. Your CVB can narrow down the list of potential hotels based on the level of service you specify.

7)

NAME YOUR PRICE (RANGE). The more rooms you book at a hotel and the longer your stay, the more leverage you will have in price negotiations.

So, though the hotel usually sets the price when you book a single room, you have a much bigger say in the price when booking a tour group. Let your CVB rep know what your ideal price range is and ask whether it’s reasonable for the area.

Then have your rep include your budget in the bid request sent to the properties.

8)

3)

INCLUDE AMENITIES AND DISCOUNTS. In addition to favorable pricing, you can use your buying power to negotiate special amenities or discounts with hotels, and you should note those requirements in the details you provide the CVB in your hotel search. Many groups require a free room or two for the escort and the bus driver. Others might ask for free motorcoach parking, internet access or breakfast buffet coupons if they are not normally included at a hotel.

PIN DOWN YOUR TRIP DETAILS. After you have local input on your timing and locations, you’ll need to start deciding some specifics about your trip in order to book the hotel. This includes committing to specific dates or a range of dates for your overnight stays and formulating a good estimate of the number of rooms you’ll need. This is the information CVB reps need to start facilitating hotel bookings.

4)

SET THE TERMS. When you book more than a handful of hotel rooms, many properties will ask you to sign a contract to formalize the arrangement.

There’s nothing wrong with this, but you need to make sure there isn’t language in that contract that could penalize you if your trip doesn’t sell well. When working with a CVB, stipulate that you want bids from hotels with no attrition clauses so they can’t charge you for unsold rooms in your block and with favorable payment terms so you don’t have to prepay the hotel before you have collected money from your customers.

START THE BID PROCESS. This is where the details of hotel bookings begin to diverge from one destination to the next. In some smaller cities, CVB reps might recommend one or two hotels based on your specific information and put you in contact with the sales departments at those properties to finalize bookings. Larger CVBs often have a more formal bidding process in which they submit your booking details to a wide range of hotels in the city and collect price quotes from various properties for your review. If that’s the case, the next several tips will help you get bids that fit your situation best.

ARRANGE CVB SERVICES. Once you have collected hotel quotes and chosen a property for your stay, keep the CVB in the loop about what you have decided to do. Not only does this help them track the effectiveness of their work, but it also allows them to provide extra service for you. Many CVBs will provide welcome gifts for your group or even arrange to have someone from the bureau welcome your travelers when they arrive at the hotel.

They may also be able to help you set up dinner and entertainment at your accommodations.

GET INPUT ON LOCATIONS. If you’re traveling to a small destination with little traffic and only a few accommodation options, the location of your hotel may not matter much. But in bigger cities with far-flung attractions and diverse neighborhoods, it’s helpful to have a hotel where you can come and go conveniently. As you work with the CVB to set up activities, ask them to suggest neighborhoods and locations for hotels that will fit well with the rest of your itinerary.

5)

9)

10)

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FACES

of FAITH

A Pilgrim’s Progress

TRAVEL

BY A SHLE Y R ICKS

Ceci and Jimmie Triska

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE?

John 1:14-18 NKJV “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”’ And of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Triska has been a Texas girl all her life. Originally from the Houston area, she has lived in the small town of El Campo and has run the local funeral home with her family for over 20 years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION?

The Holy Land is Triska’s favorite destination. Her highlights include Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Sea of Galilee.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

Triska prefers to spend her free time with her grandchildren but also enjoys shopping and entertaining, and makes and sells jewelry in her free time.

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CECI TRISKA

[ JOURNEYS OF FAITH WITH CECI ]

BY A SH L E Y R I CK S

I

n 2006, Triska went on her first pilgrimage to Prague, Austria and Italy, following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II. At the time, she thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, not knowing that sharing her faith and joy in the Holy Land would become her second job. After returning from that first trip, her priest asked if she would like to travel to Rome. Triska said it was this trip “when it started settling in my heart, and I started to realize that this is what I wanted to do.” She realized she could share her experiences with others and let them grow a love for the Holy Land as she had.

She began working with another group leader and learned the ropes until 2013; at that time, Select International Tours reached out to her after the owner, who shared a mutual friend with Triska, saw some of her travel pictures on Facebook. It was the start of a fruitful relationship, and she’s maintained a close working relationship with them ever since.

TRAVEL TIPS TIP 1 Pray about it.

TIP 2 Communicate early. Your travelers will get to know you and learn about how they can plan and prepare for this trip, such as walking two miles a day.

TIP 3 Be enthusiastic. Be passionate about what you’re doing.

Passion and enthusiasm are contagious.

Pope Francis

On Triska’s latest trip to the Holy Land, she partnered with a Christian singer from Wisconsin to form a choir and tour Israel. The group sang at the Christmas tree lighting celebration in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Though planning this different type of trip brought its share of challenges, including a longer-than-normal stay, trying something new and different turned out to be a big hit with her travelers. They’re planning on two more trips, one for Epiphany and another for the start of the Christmas season in 2019.

Prayer is at the center of each trip Triska takes, and she attributes her success to this part of her preparation. When she’s putting together a trip, Triska prays about each detail going into the planning and puts faith at the forefront.

“If I start just taking tours instead of faith trips, then I’m not respecting the gift that God gave me to do this,” she said.

Triska also encourages her travelers to incorporate prayer into their experience while traveling in the Holy Land. She gives them the chance to order a rosary before the trip so they can pray the rosary at different religious sites and have a meaningful reminder of their trip when they return home. To help with this, Triska also prepares folders for her travelers before the trip that include information about the destinations, as well as prayers related to the various places they’ll be visiting.

Her hope for her travelers is that they’ll love the Holy Land as she does.

“I want them to love it, to have that change of heart that I had,” she said.

Our Lady of Fatima

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem

Sharing a meal in Bethlehem

Ireland

“IF I START JUST TAKING TOURS INSTE AD OF FAITH TRIPS , THEN I’M NOT RESPECTING THE GIF T THAT GOD GAVE ME TO DO THIS .”

— CECI TRISKA

Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, France

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PASSPORT

STAMPS INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

MALTA

Groups can see early evidence of Christianity in Malta at St. Agatha’s Catacombs in Rabat.

All photos courtesy Visit Malta

BY A S H L E Y R ICKS

WH E R E I N T HE BIBL E ?

Acts 27:39-28:10 The apostle Paul was shipwrecked off the island of Malta about A.D. 60 while on his way to his trial in Rome and remained there for three months.

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N

ear the center of the Mediterranean Sea lies an archipelago that has been frequented by sailors for over 4,000 years. Known to the Romans as Melite, the island nation of Malta is the site where the apostle Paul was shipwrecked after being extradited to Rome from Jerusalem. He spent three months living in Mdina, according to tradition, teaching and healing before continuing his journey. Christianity has been practiced in Malta since that time.

Today the country is a popular tourist destination for Europeans, bringing in 1.6 million tourists, three times more visitors than residents, to the 122-square-mile nation each year. Malta is especially popular with British travelers because English is one of the national languages, which also makes it appealing to American

travelers who want a taste of the exotic without the challenges of a language barrier.

Rabat is popular with faith travelers and history lovers alike for its many historic sites. Rabat’s Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha date to the Roman era and are elaborately decorated with frescoes and murals showing the earliest evidence of Christianity on Malta. The Domus Romana is an excavated villa in Rabat that once belonged to a Roman aristocrat living in the colony of Melite during the first century A.D. Mdina, an ancient walled community nearby, is another great stop for history lovers, with many palaces dating from the medieval and baroque periods. Mdina is unique in that, with few exceptions, cars are not allowed within the city, earning it the nickname “the Silent City.”

TO P AT T RA C T ION S

FOR CHURCH GROUPS • ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, MDINA — The cathedral was founded in the 12th century on the site where the apostle Paul met with the Roman governor Publius.

• GRANDMASTER’S PALACE, VALLETTA — Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the palace is the historic home of the ruler of Malta and is now the home of the president. It is open as a public museum; visitors will enjoy touring the state rooms, the armory and the courtyards.

• FORT ST. ANGELO, BIRGU — Originally built as a medieval castle, the site was used by the Order of St. John as headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta. Later during the British Colonial period, the site was used as a Mediterranean base for the Royal Navy.

• ROTUNDA OF MOSTA, MOSTA — The people of Malta came together to build this church, which includes one of the largest unsupported domes in the world. During World War II, three German bombs hit the church without detonating while the parish was gathered for evening Mass.

• MEGALITHIC TEMPLES OF MALTA — The nation of Malta has seven different megalithic temples that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are among the oldest freestanding structures in the world. The Tarxien Temple Complex is the largest and most elaborate of the seven.

MUST-DO: Groups will enjoy a tour of the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa. The collection includes over 20,000 artifacts covering the area’s maritime history from prehistory to the present.

MUST-TASTE: Travelers will enjoy Malta’s Mediterranean fare. Try a taste of lampuki pie, a Maltese seafood specialty, or aljotta, a fish soup, on a trip to the ancient seaside town of Marsaxlokk.

BRING IT HOME: Malta has been known for its textiles since ancient times. Today, weaving and embroidered handcrafts are popular souvenirs.

PHOTO OP: Your travelers will want to capture the iconic shot of the Valletta cityscape from the water, with or without the fleets of dghajsa — small colorful boats — in the foreground. The best way to get this snapshot is from a harbor cruise or a water taxi ride.

Fort St Angelo at night

RESEARCHI N G Y O U R TR I P www.visitmalta.com Xatt L’Ahmar

A Good Friday procession

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 19

A

STATE OF FAITH

MISSOURI ON

EXHIBIT

Courtesy Visit Independence

N AT I O NA L M US E UM S HIGHLIGHT A TOUR THROUGH THE SHOW ME S TAT E

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Missouri scenes, clockwise from top: a pioneer wagon exhibit at the National Frontier Trails Museum; a gallery in hip Columbia; a historic player piano at the National Blues Museum in St. Louis.

going on faith [ spring 2018 ]

By Bill Motchan, courtesy National Blues Museum

Courtesy Columbia CVB

1 ST. LOUIS HIGHLIGHT | LEARNING THE BLUES

KA NSAS CITY

4

CO L U M B IA

2

3

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BY B RI A N JE WE LL

rom St. Louis to Kansas City, museums showcase the best of Missouri.

The Show Me State has plenty to show church groups. From fantastic music museums to art and cultural institutions, a presidential library and even a partial re-creation of the Titanic, museums serve as fascinating anchor attractions in communities around Missouri.

This itinerary starts in St. Louis, heads west to Columbia, in the center of the state, and then continues to Independence and nearby Kansas City. It ends in Branson, in southern Missouri. From there, groups can either continue south into Arkansas or return to Kansas City or St. Louis to depart.

Groups should allow five days and four nights to complete this trip from beginning to end, although they may choose to add an extra night or two in Branson to enjoy more of the city’s entertainment.

St. Louis, the unofficial gateway to the western United States, has a host of museums that are popular with groups. Among the most exciting is the National Blues Museum, which opened to much fanfare in 2016.

This museum highlights the story of blues music in America with exhibits detailing its development and significance. Groups can see instruments and other items owned by famed blues musicians, and try their hand at performing and recording blues music at a series of interactive stations spread throughout the museum.

For more museum opportunities, groups can head to Forest Park, a 1,293-acre park in urban St. Louis that has a number of museums open free to the public. Highlights include the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Science Center, in addition to the St. Louis Zoo. Student groups often make time to visit City Museum, an inventive downtown institution full of whimsical interactive and educational exhibits.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: St. Louis’ most iconic attraction, the Gateway Arch, is a must on any group itinerary in the area. The museum at the arch and the park surrounding it have recently completed an extensive round of renovations and improvements.

MORE INFO | www.explorestlouis.com

2 COLUMBIA HIGHLIGHT | ART AND ANTHROPOLOGY A two-hour drive west of St. Louis, Columbia is Missouri’s unofficial capital of cool. Home to the University of Missouri, this city embraces a college-town energy. The presence of the university also gives visiting groups some interesting museums to explore.

The university’s Museum of Art and Archaeology introduces visitors to artwork created around the world and throughout history.

Highlights include an antiquities collection, classical European and American art, traditional African works and a medieval collection. Two weeks before their visits, groups can arrange docent-led tours.

Also on the University of Missouri campus, the Museum of Anthropology features exhibits and artifacts that highlight human history from around the planet. The collection includes items from as long ago as 9000 B.C., and the museum features the country’s largest holdings of prehistoric Missouri artifacts. Group tours are available with notice.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Art lovers should take some time to browse among Columbia’s numerous downtown art galleries. Local and national artists have works on display in these galleries, ranging from traditional painting to contemporary crafts and folk art.

MORE INFO | www.visitcolumbiamo.com going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 21

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INDEPENDENCE

KANSAS CITY

HIGHLIGHT | REMEMBERING HARRY

H I G H L I G H T | AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE

It takes another two hours to drive from Columbia to Independence, a town in the suburban area just east of Kansas City. Groups that make a stop in Independence can take some time to rediscover the story of one of America’s most endearing presidents: Harry Truman.

Truman lived most of his life in Independence, both before and after his presidency, and chose the town as the site of his presidential library. During a visit to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, groups are introduced to Truman, the unassuming man and unlikely politician who became president after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Exhibits detail the issues with which Truman dealt during his time in office, including the decision to use nuclear weapons to end World War II. The library also has Truman’s private office, unchanged from the days when he used it, as well as his gravesite.

Groups can also visit Truman’s home in Independence, which is preserved as a National Historic Site.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Many early settlers began their westward journeys in Independence, which served as the jumping-off point for the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails. Visitors can relive their journeys at the National Frontier Trails Museum, which has trail artifacts and interactive exhibits.

Straddling the border between Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City is a growing metropolis with a thriving urban energy. A number of memorable museums tell stories of uniquely American history.

The Negro Leagues Baseball museum celebrates the AfricanAmerican coaches, athletes and others who played professional baseball in the days before racial integration of the major leagues. Visitors learn about the history of the Negro Leagues, discover notable players and see artifacts related to the game.

Adjacent to the baseball museum is the American Jazz Museum.

Dedicated to preserving the role of jazz in American culture, this museum gives groups an overview of the development of the musical genre and its migration from the South up the Mississippi River and into the Midwest. The museum includes a performance space where groups can hear live jazz.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Kansas City is home to the Hallmark corporation, and many groups enjoy visiting the company’s headquarters at Crown Center downtown. A visitors center at the site has exhibits detailing the company’s history and how its signature greeting cards are created.

MORE INFO | www.visitindependence.com

MORE INFO | www.visitkc.com

A live performance at the American Jazz Museum

Truman Presidential Library in Independence

Hallmark headquarters

Courtesy Visit Independence

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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Photos courtesy Visit KC

“A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” at Silver Dollar City

5 BRANSON HIGHLIGHT | A TITANIC EXPERIENCE Groups have been traveling to Branson for decades. About 200 miles southeast of Kansas City, the city has become one of the foremost music and entertainment destinations in the country, with dozens of shows and more theater seats than New York’s Broadway district. Since 2006, though, tourists in Branson have also been taking time to visit the Titanic Museum.

Built by John Joslyn, who was part of a team that explored the remains of the Titanic in 1987, this museum features more than 400 artifacts recovered from the shipwreck as well as reproductions of some of its most memorable features, such as the Grand Staircase. Visitors learn about the ship’s impressive size and features, as well as the fateful night on its maiden voyage when the “unsinkable” ship sank in the north Atlantic.

Upon entry, each visitor to the museum receives a boarding pass with the name of a Titanic passenger. At the end of the visit, the visitor discovers whether that passenger survived or perished.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: At Silver Dollar City, visitors experience an amusement park with an 1880s theme. In addition to rides, games and restaurants, the park features a variety of musical entertainment options.

MORE INFO | www.explorebranson.com

Courtesy Silver Dollar City

The Grand Staircase at the Titanic Museum Courtesy MO Tourism

GIVE BETTER Join forces with 160+ member companies and 13,000+ travel professionals to amplify your giving and marketing, and inspire your employees.

Find out more at TourismCares.org

Ad space generously donated.

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In just one day, more than 300 volunteers from 80 companies donated nearly $50,000 in volunteer labor hours to national and state parks in New York and New Jersey.

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 23

TRAVEL

SNAP SHOT

Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve features 3,600 acres of land and heritage livestock.

BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA

BY B RI A N J E W E L L

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Frank Phillips Home

The lodge at Woolaroc

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rank Phillips put Bartlesville on the map.

First established as a trading post in 1874, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was still a small settlement in Indian country at the start of the 20th century. Prospector Frank Phillips arrived in 1905 and found oil, which led to his establishing the Phillips Petroleum Company and building an oil empire in Bartlesville.

Today, groups visiting Bartlesville can enjoy the fruits of Phillips’ labor. As he found incredible wealth in oil, Phillips built incredible homes — both inside and outside the city — that are now some of its chief attractions. For groups visiting Bartlesville, a tour of the city is a journey through Phillips’ life and success.

The best place for groups to start is at the Phillips Petroleum Company Museum.

Exhibits detail Phillips’ early life and entrepreneurial endeavors and chronicle the growth of iconic American roadside brand Phillips 66. Visitors will see plenty of historic artifacts, including an early airplane and Route 66 memorabilia.

Next on many itineraries is a visit to the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, a 3,600-acre site 12 miles outside of town.

All photos courtesy Bartlesville CVB

“It was Frank Phillips’ country home,” said Maria Swindell Gus, executive director of the Bartlesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a working ranch. There’s a huge herd of buffalo that are roaming free and a lot of other wild animals, like water buffalo, goats and prairie dogs.”

Groups can see some of the wildlife on a drive through the ranch before touring the home, which was built as a country lodge with local limestone. Next is the on-site museum.

“It has a fantastic collection of Western and Native American art,” Gus said.

“Phillips amassed a collection of artwork, and the museum has continued to collect and maintain the art. There are some incredible pieces, with lots of Remingtons and Russells, and a lot of beautiful statues and sculptures.”

The Frank Phillips Foundation, which runs Woolaroc, recently acquired the Frank Phillips Home in Bartlesville. The home is preserved as it was when Phillips lived there in the 1920s, complete with original furniture.

In addition to discovering the Frank Phillips story, groups visiting Bartlesville should also take time to visit these other memorable attractions.

PRICE TOWER

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower

Frank Lloyd Wright was the greatest American architect of the 20th century, and travelers can find homes throughout the country designed in his signature style. Bartlesville, though, has a unique Wright building — Price Tower, the only skyscraper that Wright ever designed.

The 19-story structure was built in 1956 and is still a working office building. Groups can meet docents for introductions to the tower’s history and explore it on their own. Several floors have been preserved as they were originally designed by Wright, and visitors can sit in some of the chairs he created to furnish them.

WWW.PRICETOWER.ORG

DISCOVERY 1 PARK Oklahoma’s oil production got its start in Bartlesville in 1897 when the Nellie Johnstone No. 1 Oil Well hit a gusher on the banks of the Caney River. That first well operated until 1964, when the site was donated to the city of Bartlesville. Local preservationists soon built a replica of the Nellie Johnstone on the site to recount oil’s role in Bartlesville and Oklahoma history.

The replica well is in Discovery 1 Park. With advance arrangements, groups can have docent presentations at the Nellie Johnstone. After their talks, docents activate the pump, which sends water gushing high into the air.

WWW.DISCOVERY1PARK.ORG

HISTORIC DEWEY Just four miles north of Bartlesville, the town of Dewey gives visitors several ways to connect with the area’s Western history. One favorite experience for groups is a visit to the Tom Mix Museum, which tells the story of the early Western movie star. Next, groups can stop in at the historic Dewey Hotel Museum, which preserves a hotel built in town in 1900.

There are a number of small shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy in Dewey, including one restaurant with a performance area. The Bartlesville CVB can help groups arrange presentations by area Native American heritage organizations to accompany meals there.

WWW.CITYOFDEWEY.COM Nellie Johnstone oil well re-creation

Mountain Man Camp at Woolaroc

Frank Phillips’ art museum at Woolaroc

Tom Mix Museum

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PIONEER WOMAN MERCANTILE About 30 miles west of Bartlesville in Pawhuska, the Pioneer Woman Mercantile attracts thousands of visitors each day. Built by Ree Drummond, who came to culinary fame as a food blogger and host of the Food Network’s “Pioneer Woman,” the mercantile is a restored building in downtown Pawhuska that was constructed in 1910. Today, the 25,000-square-foot complex features a deli, a bakery and a retail shop with country-themed merchandise for sale. Numerous members of the Drummond family spend time at the Merc, as they call it, so fans may get a chance to meet the Pioneer Woman during their visits.

Most of Pawhuska’s overnight accommodations are in bed-and-breakfasts, so groups looking to visit the Mercantile often stay in Bartlesville.

WWW.THEMERCANTILE.COM

Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska

Bartlesville

VISIT OKLAHOMA

Groups Love Northeast Oklahoma’s Center for Oil Barons, Culture & Arts Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve Price Tower Arts Center Phillips Petroleum Company Museum Frank Phillips Home AT&SF No 940 Steam Locomotive Nellie Johnstone No. 1 Oil Well Tom Mix Museum

Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau 26

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VisitBartlesville.com • 800-364-8708

AC T S O F FA I T H

THESE CHRISTIAN THEATERS KEEP GROUPS ENTERTAINED AND INSPIRED B Y K EREN HA MEL

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Christian singer-songwriter Amy Grant performs at Blue Gate Theater in Indiana.

merica’s favorite faith-based theaters share a common purpose: to present stories in a captivating way that leaves audiences encouraged and uplifted.

They each have their strengths: epic musicals, a thrilling version of Christ’s Passion, dinner with a show. But whatever the form, these theaters are proud to be a safe place for groups of all ages.

Jeff Conn, who inspires audiences through comedy shows at his Amish Country Theater, expressed the joy of entertaining in a way where no one cringes at offcolor scenes on the stage.

“One of my favorite compliments is when three generations come up to me and say they all loved the show: the grandparents, the parents and the 6- to 7-year-old kids,” Conn said. “That’s a fun accomplishment, to be a place where you can bring the whole family.”

Here are five faith-based theaters sure to please your church travel group.

Courtesy Blue Gate Theater

[ AMISH COUNTRY THEATER ] BERLIN, OHIO When Conn and his family opened their small comedy barn in Ohio’s Amish country, they wondered whether their sketches would be funny enough to keep people coming back for more.

Turns out, they’re quite funny.

After six years of sold-out shows and laughing crowds, the Amish Country Theater will open its next season May 15 in a new 600-seat theater connected to a similarly themed 81-room hotel and event space. The theater is in Berlin, Ohio, less than five miles from the previous location.

“We had run out of space, and this opportunity just opened up,” Conn said.

“We’ve built the theater so that everyone has a great seat, and the hotel ensures that groups don’t have trouble finding a place to stay and get a great Amish breakfast in the morning.”

The theater draws inspiration from Disney World and the Comedy Barn at Pigeon Forge. A cast of characters welcomes guests to a country theater that looks like a barnyard, complete with a water tower extending through the roof.

The new season will open with two live variety shows filled with characters, comedians, bluegrass music and crowd favorite ventriloquist Ken Groves. Some of the best acts include audience members getting plucked from their seats to take part in the fun.

“With groups, we’re always looking to get the class clown on stage,” Conn said.

“We’re not going to embarrass you, but you’re gonna have a whole lot of fun.” www.amishcountrytheater.com

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Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Bees, Birds &

Butterflies Explore the natural world in Southeast Indiana – where our garden centers, artists, farms, wetlands area, brewery and feed mill offer one-of-akind group experiences and hands-on fun.

Experience the Oxbow Wetlands Finger paint a garden

[ SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRES ] LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, AND BRANSON, MISSOURI The nation’s most popular Christian theater company is all about immersing audiences in the Gospel story. Both Sight and Sound Theatres, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Branson, Missouri, produce Broadway-style musicals on massive stages that wrap around the audience on three sides. All 2,000 seats put you right in the middle of the action.

“For us, it’s hard to believe we’re going on 42 years of bringing the Bible to life,” said Sight and Sound CEO Matt Neff. “From the beginning, it started with a passion for storytelling but, more importantly, a passion for the Gospel.”

More than a million people attend Sight and Sound’s biblical productions each year, and because of that, producers have the resources to give detailed attention to the scripts, the scores and the set and costume design.

“Every time we do a new show, there’s an element of stretching and raising the bar,” Neff said. “We ask how can we most effectively tell the story, and we’re blessed with creative producers, artists and designers who don’t settle.”

The speed at which lighting and set technology has progressed thrills the creative team. Backdrops for “Jesus,” which debuted in Lancaster March 10, are produced on a massive LED screen in perfect color and saturation. The new musical focuses on Jesus’ interactions with people and follows their lives as they change forever.

Groups that visit the Branson location can also book a backstage tour. Members of the cast take groups behind the scenes to see the million watts of lights, 60,000 watts of sound and towering four-story set pieces. www.sight-sound.com “Samson” at Sight and Sound

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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Courtesy Sight & Sound Theatres

[ BLUE GATE HOSPITALITY COMPANY ] SHIPSHEWANA, INDIANA The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre in the small town of Shipshewana, Indiana, is at the heart of the state’s Amish culture. Though the restaurant is already a household name throughout the state, the theater is gaining recognition as one of the best places for family-style entertainment in the Midwest.

For 2018, the Blue Gate has booked 300 shows, 75 different performers and three self-produced musicals. The lineup includes several Grammywinners, comedians, Southern Gospel favorites and other acts appropriate for families. Larger acts play in the 1,200-seat event center, but many shows, including the original musicals, still perform in the Blue Gate’s intimate 350-seat theater.

“Artists tell us the theater is a fun place to perform,” said Andrew Rohrer, vice president of sales and marketing for the Blue Gate. “There’s no seat that’s more than 11 rows from the stage, and the venue isn’t showy or ostentatious. It’s very personal.”

The original musicals tell stories from the Amish point of view and include themes about love and virtue and the benefits of a simpler life. Producers take the shows on the road after their run in Shipshewana.

All show bookings include a dinner option. Blue Gate has become so famous for its homestyle Amish fare that the restaurant now has 1,200 seats, nine dining rooms and a full bakery. www.riegsecker.com [ NARROWAY PRODUCTIONS ] FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA The most popular Christian dinner theater in the Carolinas is focused on producing New York-style shows hosted with Southern-quality charm.

“Our level of hospitality really sets us apart,” said Lora McCoy, theater manager at NarroWay Productions in Fort Mill, South Carolina. “An escort will jump right up onto your bus when you arrive, greet you with a smile and go out of their way to treat you right.” In fact, it’s the performing cast that greets, seats and serves dinner before the show. And no one gets rushed through the meal; guests can take their time to enjoy the food prepared to match the theme of the show.

Though it’s a small theater with only 334 seats ascending from the stage, NarroWay produces several full-blown original musicals, with as many as 125 actors onstage at a time. The company draws from 30 original scripts, original music and a cast of 400 actors. It performs musicals, holiday shows, mystery theater and children’s shows on a rotating schedule that runs year-round.

“Our storylines and scripts are always getting bet-

Artist’s renderings of the upcoming Museum of the Bible Amish Country Theater

Courtesy Amish Country Theater Courtesy Museum of the Bible

NarroWay Productions Courtesy NarrowWay Productions

START PLANNING.

The Great Passion Play

Courtesy The Great Passion Play

ter,” McCoy said. “We’re constantly adding new shows and bringing back old favorites by request.” The newest production is “Samson: The Last Judge,” which tells the biblical story of Samson in both a historical setting and a modern-day setting. www.narroway.net [ GREAT PASSION PLAY ] EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS This summer marks 50 years under the stars for the Great Passion Play in the Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where crowds have packed the amphitheater since the summer of 1968. Organizers are celebrating their semicentennial with bigger special effects, stronger scenes and several throwback costumes.

“We’ve really focused on the last quarter of the play, the climactic scenes from the Crucifixion to the Ascension,” said Kent Butler, marketing director for the Great Passion Play. “We’re using new special effects to bring the miraculous parts of the story to life.” Storms will roll in, clouds will appear, and a mist will spread through the Garden of Gethsemane.

The cast of more than 150, several of whom grew up watching the play, will be fitted in costumes that pay tribute to wardrobes from years past.

Still, the best part of the Passion Play remains unchanged.

“It’s not the 500-foot stage or the elaborate sets,” Butler said. “It’s the backdrop of the sun setting in the middle of summer and the stars shining at night.”

The show opens the first weekend in May and runs through the last weekend in October, with a special commemorative show July 14, the exact date of the inaugural performance. www.greatpassionplay.org

The Fox Cities offer convenience, versatility and venues for every type of meeting. An array of exceptional dining options, 3,200+ hotel rooms and group activities, along with our walkable downtown areas will complete your experience.

NEW in 2018 — Fox Cities Exhibition Center (38,000 sq. ft. facility)

Plus Wisconsin’s Best Shopping!

FoxCities.org/meeting Contact Amy Karas at akaras@foxcities.org or 800. 236.6338 going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 29

COASTLINES

SOUTHERN

TRAVEL GUIDE

The sun sets behind Cockspur Island Lighthouse near Savannah, Georgia.

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GROUPS CAN ENJOY THE ELEMENTS ON THESE SOUTHERN WATERWAYS

BY S AVANNAH OS BOURN

ome people live near the South’s beautiful coastal regions their entire lives and never experience the rich biodiversity that thrives in marshlands, maritime forests and remote barrier islands. Fortunately, there are many experienced boat captains in these areas who offer guided excursions along secluded waterways, where groups can encounter unique ecosystems and wildlife such as manatees, alligators, wild ponies and sea turtles.

For travelers who enjoy more immersive and firsthand experiences on the water, here are five boat tour companies in the South that replace the typical with the extraordinary.

Courtesy Double R’s Fishing and Tours Company

A nesting osprey in Everglades National Park

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CALLING DOUBLE R’S FISHING AND TOURS COMPANY NAPLES, FLORIDA

Courtesy Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure

Based in Naples, Florida, Double R’s Fishing and Tours Company takes groups into the heart of Everglades National Park, a 1.5 million-acre wetland that extends across coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods. Hundreds of animal species inhabit this vibrant ecosystem, including rare and endangered species such as the leatherback sea turtle, the West Indian manatee and the Florida panther.

Gary Eichler purchased the boat tour company in 2006, choosing the name Double R’s Fishing and Tours in honor of his son Garry, who was nicknamed Double R and passed away at age 17.

“Since we run the tours in memory of my son, the most important thing to me is that the kids going out have a great time,” said Eichler.

The company’s most popular offering is a three-hour Eco-Shelling Tour to uncultivated islands and mangroves throughout the Everglades, providing passengers a glimpse of wildlife like dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and alligators. The boat later stops by Whitehorse Key for a 30-minute shelling excursion along the beach.

Mollusks, starfish, sand dollars and conch shells are just a few of the ocean treasures that guests may find.

“My favorite type of trip is when we have grandparents and kids — sometimes three generations,” said Eichler. “They go out and have an absolutely fantastic time and often become repeat customers every year.” www.doublersfishingandtours.com

Courtesy Gulf Coast Gator Ranch and Tours

GULF COAST GATOR RANCH AND TOURS MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI Meeting alligators face to face might sound intimidating, but after visiting Gulf Coast Gator Ranch and Tours, many travelers walk away with a newfound appreciation for the reptilian creatures. Permitted and regulated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the family-owned ranch encompasses 105 acres of protected wetlands along the Grand Bay Estuary in southern Mississippi.

Animal lovers can rest assured that the business is a ranch, not a farm; it does not sell or harvest alligators, but rather provides a sanctuary where visitors can view the animals in their natural habitat.

The species has come a long way since it was listed as endangered during the 1970s and 1980s and then decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, the ranch shelters about 70 alligators, along with migratory birds and other marine life.

Groups can see many of these vibrant animals up close during a high-speed airboat tour of the swamp that is offered seven days a week on the half hour.

During the excursion, guests get the chance to hand feed the gators some “alligator chow,” a marshmallowlike snack that draws the animals without provoking aggression. The ranch also has a walking bridge over the area where many of the alligators are enclosed. www.airboatswamptoursofmississippi.com

CAPTAIN DEREK’S DOLPHIN ADVENTURE TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA For those who have always wanted to see wild dolphins jumping over ocean waves, Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure offers one of the best dolphinviewing experiences along the East Coast. The company is run by Derek Brown, a Savannah native and longtime commercial fisherman. His boat tours travel along Tybee Island and other barrier beaches, where groups can view sights such as Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse and Tybee Island Lighthouse.

Brown’s boats are the only vessels in the area with a special wave-making machine that attracts dolphins and provides incredible photography opportunities as the marine mammals perform flips just feet from the boat deck.

“At times, we can get them playing at the back of the boat, which is the highlight of the tour,” said Brown.

The staff goes to great lengths to ensure their passengers have a quality experience. Occasionally, when a pod of dolphins comes into view after a tour, the crew will make an announcement and allow passengers back onto the boat for free. Tours are offered twice a day, though the sunset tour tends to draw more crowds due to the pleasant temperatures and colorful dusk skies. In addition, Brown described how shrimp boats often return to the bay in the evening, bringing large numbers of dolphins trailing after them “like a bunch of little puppy dogs.” www.tybeedolphinadventure.com

One of nearly 70 alligators housed at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch

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OUTER BANKS ADVENTURES MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA

A dolphin leaps over boat-generated waves.

Courtesy Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure

Paddle-boarding excursion with Outer Banks Adventures

An airboat tour with Captain Jamie Moore

The Outer Banks is a group of barrier islands off North Carolina that are known for their pristine beaches, historic lighthouses and famous shipwreck diving sites. Groups can explore some of these coastal highlights through Outer Banks Adventure, a family-owned airboat company managed by Jamie Moore.

“Saltwater is in my veins,” said Moore, whose family has operated boats in the Chesapeake Bay area for over 40 years. “I could captain a boat before I could ride a bike.”

Outer Banks Adventures offers a wide range of tour options, including sunrise and sunset tours, photography tours, historical tours, eco-tours and paddleboard excursions. The company’s six-passenger airboat covers up to 28 miles of the region, allowing guests to get out and explore remote sandbars and private islands that are often inaccessible to other watercraft. Groups often encounter wildlife such as dolphins, stingrays, ghost crabs and hermit crabs.

According to Moore, every tour experience is different. He described one special tour memory when he spotted several sea turtles entangled in a net and stopped the boat to rescue them.

“I saw something hit the surface of the water and was able to get them on board and perform a quick health assessment before releasing them back into the water,” said Moore. “That was a pretty amazing experience.” www.chesapeakebayadventure.com

Courtesy Outer Banks Adventures

Experience where New Orleans goes to meet and unwind!

Reserve a peaceful retreat from the bustling big city. Just a beat from New Orleans, experience Jefferson Parish. We are home to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and with two convention centers, over 8,000 hotel rooms, themed venues, and attractions we are ready to host your group!

Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. Call 504.731.7083 3 Toll Free 1.877.572.7474 3 VisitJeffersonParish.com

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DAISEY’S ISLAND CRUISES CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, VIRGINIA

Assateague Island’s famous wild ponies

Chincoteague Island is a quaint seaside town on an island of the same name.

From the city docks, groups can access the beautiful 37-mile barrier island of Assateague, which is home to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area that is home to more than 320 species of birds, as well as the famous Chincoteague wild ponies.

Though there are several boat tour companies that service the island, Daisey’s Island Cruises is the oldest and one of the most highly regarded tour companies on Chincoteague. During the company’s two-hour scenic tour, guests can sail around the salt-water marsh and maritime forests of Assateague Island and learn about local aquaculture like oysters and clams while keeping an eye out for roaming bands of wild ponies.

“I really don’t think you can find another place quite like this, with clean, pure salt water and wild horses,” said Scott Landolt, manager at Daisy’s Island Cruises. “There’s only a few other places in the world where you can see wild horses like this.”

Daisey’s Island Cruises also offers an Adventure Tour across the Atlantic Ocean in a six-passenger catamaran that provides a wonderful opportunity for dolphin sightings. Tours are available throughout the year, even during the winter months. Landolt described one memorable experience when he took a group to the island during a snowstorm.

“It was kind of crazy,” he said with a laugh. “But to see the snow on the backs of the horses and on their manes — it was an incredible sight.” www.daiseysislandcruises.com

A pair of egrets on Assateague Island

Courtesy Daisey’s Island Cruises

S T A Y L A F AY E T T E Plan your escape to the Happiest City in America.

L A F AY E T T E T R AV E L . C O M /Groups

800 346 1958 going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 33

SOUTHERN

TRAVEL GUIDE

AS SEEN IN THE

A staff member stands along Boone Hall Plantation’s renowned Avenue of Oaks.

I

THESE DESTINATIONS PLAY STARRING ROLES IN FILM AND TELEVISION

BY S AVANNAH OS BOURN

t’s always fascinating to peel back the curtain of the film industry and learn about the people and places that brought such poignant stories to life. The South boasts myriad film sites that set the stage for cinematic classics, from graveyards to historic plantations and 1950s cafes. When travelers stop by these attractions, they get to experience the romantic or haunting ambiance that captured the imaginations of film producers and often learn fun facts about the making of the films.

Next time you head south for a trip, be sure to look out for these iconic film and television locations.

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NEW ORLEANS CEMETERIES NEW ORLEANS Nicknamed the Cities of the Dead, the famous cemeteries of New Orleans trace nearly 300 years of history, providing a sinister setting of ancient mausoleums and statues surrounded by ornate wrought-iron fences.

“The tombs are all aboveground and very, very old,” said Kristian Sonnier, vice president of communications and publics relations at the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There’s a certain degree of what people call noble rot, which makes them very photogenic, especially if you’re trying to capture a haunting mood.”

SOUTH

The oldest operating cemetery in New Orleans, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 draws a significant number of tourists. It contains the famous tomb of Marie Laveau, the “Voodoo Queen of New Orleans,” as well as a nine-foot-tall stone pyramid that actor Nicolas Cage purchased as his future burial marker. One of the earliest and most notable films shot in this cemetery was the 1969 cult classic “Easy Rider,” which featured a controversial psychedelic sequence among the gravesites that led the archdiocese to ban all future filming at the site, except for documentaries and educational programs.

More recently, the 1994 fantasy film “Interview With a Vampire,” starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, featured one of the cast-iron tombs in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 as the vampire Lestat’s tomb. In 1999, the suspense thriller “Double Jeopardy” also shot a chilling scene in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1; in that film, Ashley Judd’s character is knocked unconscious and locked in a casket. www.neworleans.com

Plantation has appeared in numerous films and television programs, including “American Idol,” “Army Wives” and “Days of Our Lives.” Debuting in 1985, Patrick Swayze’s Civil War drama series “North and South” featured various scenes at Boone Hall Plantation during its nine-year run and remains one of the highest-rated television miniseries of all time.

“Queen,” the 1993 sequel series to “Roots,” brought the hardships of enslaved African-Americans to light while filming at the plantation’s authentic slave cabins. The miniseries served as the breakout role for then-unknown actress Halle Berry. The 2004 classic romance film “The Notebook,” which starred Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, also filmed extensively on the property, using the main house as the character Allie’s family estate. www.boonehallplantation.com

Courtesy Boone Hall Plantation

BOONE HALL PLANTATION MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA Considered one of the country’s most photographed plantations, Boone Hall Original slave cabins at Plantation is one of the most picturesque and historic working farms in the counBoone Hall Plantation try. It was founded in 1681 by major John Boone, whose son later planted the oak Courtesy Boone Hall Plantation trees that grew into the planation’s legendary Avenue of Oaks, a breathtaking corridor Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral of live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The property also features a Colonial Revival mansion and nine original slave cabins.

“It creates a romantic backdrop set in the Old South with the grandiosity of the mansion and the beautiful giant oaks draped with Spanish moss,” said Rick Benthall, director of marketing at the plantation.

Over the years, Boone Hall

The stone vaults of New Orleans’ cemeteries Courtesy New Orleans Metropolitan CVB

“Glorious” describes many a ractions in Kentucky, but none as much as the spiritual sights found in the foothills of Bardstown. Take the Kentucky Holy Land Tour, visit the oldest cathedral west of the Allegheny Mountains, or simply spend time in reflection on the grounds of the Abbey of Gethsemani or the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Motherhouse. Visit Bardstown, KY – the small town with big escapes.

www.visitbardstown.com | 800.638.4877 going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 35

KEENELAND LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY Actress Dakota Fanning on the set of “Dreamer”

Diane Lane and John Malkovich in “Secretariat”

Jeff Bridges as Seabiscuit’s owner, Charles S. Howard

Kurt Russell as horse-trainer Ben Krane in “Dreamer” Photos courtesy Keeneland

In the Horse Capital of the World, Keeneland features one of the most scenic horseracing tracks in the country. Since its opening in 1937, seven horse-themed productions have been filmed at the track, including major blockbusters such as “Secretariat,” “Seabiscuit” and “Dreamer.” The track maintains a historic, parklike aesthetic, eschewing more contemporary features like sponsor logos and stadium lights, which is one of the main reasons filmmakers tend to choose Keeneland over the real-life locations of historic races portrayed in the films.

“We’ve got beautiful stonework, picturesque landscaping and not a lot of the commercialized signage that you would see at more modern sports venues, so that makes it easier for producers to take a step back in time and re-create history,” said Christa Marrilla, Keeneland’s chief marketing officer.

The producers of “Seabiscuit” presented an open call for locals to join the set as unpaid extras, creating special memories for Keeneland staff and Lexington residents.

During the filming of the final race in the movie, filmmakers used over 7,000 inflatable dummies with hats and wigs to simulate the 40,000 spectators present at Pimlico Race Course. The dummies were dispersed throughout the live extras on set and then doctored in postproduction with special effects.

“There’s nothing more alarming than walking into a room full of inflatable humans,” said Marrilla, who participated in the scene. www.keeneland.com

ARCADE RESTAURANT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Founded in 1919 by a Greek immigrant named Speros Zepatos, the Arcade Restaurant claims the title of oldest family-owned cafe in Memphis. Numerous films have shot scenes at this iconic venue over the years, including “Mystery Train,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “The Client,” “The Firm,” “21 Grams,” “Elizabethtown,” “Walk the Line” and “My Blueberry Nights.” The Food Network and the Travel Channel have also visited to film programs on traditional Southern cuisine.

During the 1950s, Zepatos’ son, Harry Zepatos, remodeled the cafe to bring it up to date with the latest decorative trends of the era, adding features such as neon signage, boomerang tabletop designs and bright pastel blues, pinks An Official NASA Visitor Center and creams. This vintage aesthetic is one of the primary IST reasons the restaurant has attracted so many film producers, #1 TOUR ION writers and artists over the past few decades.

ATTRACT A ALABAM “Internally, it hasn’t been changed since the ’50s, and the NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) decor on the inside is authentic — it’s not a recent restaurant recently built and designed to look like the ’50s,” said Caroline Parkes, public relations and communications manager at the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Arcade Restaurant holds one other claim to fame: During the 1950s, the venue was frequented by Elvis Presley.

Modern patrons can sit at the Elvis Booth, where the singer often stopped for lunch to eat his favorite fried peanut-butterand-banana sandwich, an item still featured on the menu in his honor.

Fascinating two- to six-day “The restaurant has significance in the community today immersive camps for all ages: because of its ties to Elvis,” said Parkes. children, families, adults and www.arcaderestaurant.com Huntsville, Alabama • (800) 637-7223 •

•

corporate programs!

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www.rocketcenter.com

TRANS-ALLEGHENY LUNATIC ASYLUM WESTON, WEST VIRGINIA The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum operated as a psychiatric hospital from 1864 to 1994. The Gothic castlelike structure is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in the United States and the second largest in the world next to the Moscow Kremlin. Though originally designed to house 250 patients, the hospital reached a capacity of nearly 2,400 patients during the 1950s, which led to poor living conditions. In addition, many of these mentally ill patients were subjected to cruel experimentation and seclusion.

Today, the asylum is considered one of the most haunted places in America, attracting a number of paranormal television shows, such as TLC’s “Paranormal Lockdown” and the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.” The team from Syfy’s “Ghost Hunters” visited the asylum twice — once for a seven-hour live broadcast and later for its 200th-episode special. Visitors often claim to encounter paranormal phenomenons such as whispering voices, full-body apparitions crouched in corners and disembodied hands tugging at clothing.

The facility and 300-acre property was privately purchased and renovated in 2007 and has since opened to the public as a historical attraction. Groups can explore the asylum’s riveting history through several tour experiences, including the Criminally Insane Tour, the Cemetery and Farm Tour, and the Paranormal Tour. www.trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com

Arcade Restaurant is the oldest café in Memphis.

By Craig Thompson

Exterior façade of the TransAllegheny Lunatic Asylum

Courtesy Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 37

SOUTHERN

SOUTHERN

TRAVEL GUIDE

One of 54 six-toed cats that reside at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

M

GET TO KNOW FAMOUS FIGURES OF THE SOUTH AT THESE MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES

BY S AVANNAH OS BOURN

any of America’s most celebrated individuals, from world-champion athletes to influential authors and timeless musicians, can trace their roots to the South. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of their family members and local communities, travelers can visit many of the historic homes and museums that commemorate these figures through immersive exhibits and memorabilia.

To draw inspiration from some of the South’s greatest icons, groups can take a tour through any of the following world-class museums.

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ERNEST HEMINGWAY HOME AND MUSEUM KEY WEST, FLORIDA Nestled in the heart of Old Town Key West, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum celebrates the life and legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway wrote nearly 70 percent of his works during his 12-year tenure on the island, including classics such as “A Farewell to Arms,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” “Green Hills of Africa,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.”

SUPERSTARS “Hemingway was highly criticized for his short, concise, almost grade-school manner of writing, but if he were alive today, he’d be one of the world’s best texters and tweeters,” said Dave Gonzales, curator and media director at the museum.

Gonzales said Hemingway’s simple style accomplished two important things for his career.

“For one, the typical blue-collar worker could pick up a Hemingway novel, start it, finish it, no dictionary required. And two, his works translated easily into foreign languages,” he said.

Groups can learn more about Hemingway’s colorful history as a journalist, a novelist, a big-game hunter and an army veteran as they tour the beautiful white limestone home, which features tall yellow shutters and a railed veranda that encircles the second floor. A secondary building on the property contains Hemingway’s personal writing studio and his original portable Royal typewriter.

Guests will also notice many cats roaming the house and gardens. Hemingway was famously fond of cats and kept dozens of them as pets throughout his life. During the 1930s, he was given a six-toed polydactyl cat named Snow White, and its six-toed descendants continue to live on the property. www.hemingwayhome.com

At the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas, groups can delve into the fascinating background of one of the world’s most legendary musicians. Before he became the Man in Black, Johnny Cash grew up in a poor farming community known as the Dyess Colony, an agricultural resettlement colony created by the government during the Roosevelt administration to help destitute farmers recover from the Great Depression.

“His concern for his fellow man, for family and the downtrodden — all of those are values that were shaped there in Dyess,” said Ruth Hawkins, director of Arkansas Heritage Sites at Arkansas State University.

Guests can watch an orientation video about the restoration of Cash’s home in the visitors center, then head to the administration building next door to browse exhibits on the history of the Dyess Colony. From there,

d r o f r e h t u R r e v o Disc Courtesy Ken West Photography

Courtesy Rob O’Neal Photography

The Cash family home in Arkansas

JOHNNY CASH BOYHOOD HOME DYESS, ARKANSAS

STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD ANTEBELLUM HOME TOURS VIBRANT DOWNTOWN DISTRICT CULTURAL ARTS VENUES AGRITOURISM EXPERIENCES MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVALS NISSAN PLANT TOURS MORE THAN 4,200 HOTEL ROOMS OVER 300 RESTAURANTS FREE COUNTY-WIDE PARKING

Courtesy Rob O’Neal Photography

Left: The Ernest Hemingway Home in Key West

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 39

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visitors can take a shuttle bus to the Cash family home about two miles away. The home has been lovingly restored and refurnished to represent how it looked when the Cash family lived there; displayed there are period furniture and household items, as well as a few original artifacts, such as an afghan Cash’s mother made, his father’s shaving mug and the beloved Cash family piano. After working in the field, the family would often gather around the piano in the evening to sing hymns, instilling in Cash an early love of music.

“People often walk out with the comment ‘So now I know where his music came from,’” said Hawkins.

“You can feel his presence in the house and really get a sense of what shaped him.” www.dyesscash.astate.edu

PAUL W. BRYANT MUSEUM TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA It has been 35 years since football coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant passed away, but his legacy remains stronger than ever. In addition to holding the record for national championship titles, Bryant inspired many players and fans beyond the field with his fierce determination and strength of character.

“He taught them to value hard work, that nothing good comes without the sacrifice of your time and effort,” said Ken Gaddy, director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum at the University of Alabama. “His influence on players and fans is his real legacy.”

Bryant earned the nickname Bear during his teenage years when he agreed to wrestle a bear from a traveling circus. After playing football at the University of Alabama, he went on to lead the collegiate football programs at Maryland, Kentucky and Texas A&M. He eventually returned to his alma mater in 1958, where he established an illustrious 25-year career as head coach of the Crimson Tide, winning six national championships and 15 conference championships. When he retired in 1982, he held the record for season wins with 323 victories. He passed away at the age of 69 from a heart attack, just one month after coaching his final game. President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Bryant the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Football fans can learn more about Bryant’s enduring achievements at the Bryant museum. The museum pays homage to Bryant through detailed exhibits on the history of Alabama college football and artistic tributes to his memory, such as a Waterford crystal replica of Bryant’s iconic houndstooth hat. Groups can also step inside a re-creation of Bryant’s office and watch recorded interviews of former players describing their personal experiences with the coach. www.bryantmuseum.com

A trophy awarded to a University of Alabama alumnus

Coach Bryant at the University of Maryland in 1946

A team photo following the 1961 University of Alabama national championship

Coach Bryant’s trademark houndstooth hat and jacket Photos courtesy Paul W. Bryant Museum

58193-Hampton Inn Going on Faith.indd 1

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1/3/18 10:36 AM

JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ATLANTA Overlooking the Atlanta skyline, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum rests on 35 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with a Japanese garden and a lake.

The museum covers the history and accomplishments of the 39th president of the United States, who is best known as an advocate for human rights. Carter is one of only three presidents to receive the Nobel Peace Prize; he was recognized for the extensive humanitarian work he has carried out through the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife, Rosalynn. The Carter Center has made a major international impact through the eradication of diseases like guinea worm, which afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people in 1986 and has since decreased to 30 known cases worldwide.

During his time in office, Carter was an outspoken champion for racial equality, energy conservation and diplomatic relations with foreign countries. He was the first U.S. president to establish trade agreements with China and later played a crucial role in orchestrating the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty of 1978, thus ending a turbulent 30-year conflict between the two countries.

When President Bill Clinton awarded both Carter and his wife the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, he said, “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have done more good things for more people in more places than any other couple on the face of the Earth.”

A few highlights of the museum include a life-size replica of the Oval Office, an immersive “Day in the Life of a President” visual experience on 13-foot screens and a walk-through cabin exhibition on Camp David meetings. Guests can also engage with an interactive map to view areas of the world where the Carter Center works to combat disease and promote human rights. www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

One of Jimmy Carter’s two Grammy Awards

Flowerbeds and pond in the museum garden

Fountain outside the Carter Presidential Center Courtesy Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

OF CHRIST IMAGES MARCH 22, 2018 – JANUARY 5, 2019

BIBLE MUSEUM • COCA-COLA MUSEUM HISTORIC HOME • GARDENS

MONROE, LOUISIANA

going on faith [ goingonfaith.com ] 41 318-387-5281 • bmuseum.org

MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

A visitor tries a punching bag in the boxing exhibit at the Muhammad Ali Center.

Two girls interact with one of the museum’s digital touch screens.

The Muhammad Ali Center lit up at night

The award-winning Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, takes visitors on a chronological journey through the life of one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century: world-champion boxer Muhammad Ali. Known for his wit, confidence and humor, Ali inspired fans in and out of the boxing ring. Growing up in the segregated South, he experienced discrimination and prejudice firsthand, leading him to become an outspoken activist against racial inequality. For many people, he embodied the new wave of black pride that emerged during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Ali famously said, “I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.”

Ali gained international acclaim after winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and went on to become the first and only three-time World Heavyweight Champion.

Groups can watch an orientation video at the beginning of the museum’s exhibit area and then browse sections that highlight Ali’s six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality. Beyond his sports career, the museum also explores Ali’s art, poetry and lifelong humanitarian efforts. www.alicenter.org

Courtesy Muhammad Ali Center

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tops for groups at the top of the state

Left to Right: Ark Encounter, Coppin’s at Hotel Covington, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Garden of Hope, Marriott RiverCenter, Newport Aquarium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Newport Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Smoke Justis, Creation Museum, Ark Encounter, World Peace Bell, Covington, BB Riverboats

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