with Please Touch Museum® Members | Winter 2014
Recipe Spotlight
PTM'S NEW GARDEN
GRILLED CAPRESE FLAT BREAD Our new garden space will contain a large variety of tomatoes! Chef Guillermo shares one of his favorite healthy recipes featuring this delicious ingredient: Ingredients: 2 ripe Jersey tomatoes cored, cut in half then half moons 1 pound fresh mozzarella cut into half-moon slices 1 bunch fresh basil julienne 4 pieces naan or pita bread 2 bunch fresh arugula 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 fresh lemons Salt & Pepper to taste
Over the summer PTM was thrilled to receive a generous grant of $6,000 from the PECO Green Region Program. In partnership with the Natural Lands Trust, the region’s leading land conservation organization, PECO Green Region supports environmental projects that plan for, protect and improve open land in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
2 cups balsamic vinegar reduced to syrup Procedure: Heat a grill or an oven to 375 degrees, Grill flat breads in oven or grill. Arrange tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on flat breads.
From the support of these funds, PTM will develop a garden space, filled with plants indigenous to the Philadelphia region, on the lawn outside Memorial Hall. The Museum’s FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Fellow and ACES students, along with partners at Teens 4 Good, will nurture the space and incorporate it into Museum programs. Not only will the produce be used in Please Taste Café, but the green space will be an active programming site where young visitors are further enriched by outdoor open-ended, process-driven play. For more information on how you can support Please Touch Garden, please contact Stephanie Lim Capello, Vice President of Development, at 215-581-3164 or scapello@pleasetouchmuseum.org.
If using the grill place flat breads away from direct heat and cook until cheese just begins to melt, if using oven place in oven for 10 – 15 minutes. In a separate bowl, place fresh arugula and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add olive oil. Zest one of the lemons into the salad and squeeze both the lemons. Toss well. Present your flat breads whole on platter and top each with arugula salad. Drizzle with some balsamic reduction. Garnish with some large fresh basil leaves.
Meet Juliana Noone Meet Juliana Noone, Please Touch Museum’s new FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Fellow. Over the next two years during her PTM fellowship, Juliana will implement programs and conduct research around the Museum’s Get Up and Grow™ Please Touch Garden initiative, featuring the new garden outside Please Taste Café. In addition to her early childhood education and gardening experience she has also been an Artist-in-Residence at PTM.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: The Rogan-Taylor Family
Here are a few fun facts about Juliana: Q: You might see me around the Museum… A: I’ll be creating and implementing garden and nutrition programming on the Museum floor. I might be making “rainbow stew” or digging for worms. But come next spring you will most likely find me outside playing in the garden! Q: Favorite part of my job at the Museum is… A: So far it has been planning programs and activities. But once the garden gets underway I expect my favorite part of the day will be exploring nature with kids, especially with the children who don’t get the chance to dig in the dirt that often. Q: When I was a kid, my favorite toy was... A: It’s a tough call, but I do remember being fairly obsessed with my Tamagotchi for a while. It was a little yellow egg and it was the first one of those digital pet toys to come out. I had never seen anything like it and it was super interactive which I loved. Plus I think I liked feeling like I had my own pet to take care of and take with me literally everywhere I went.
CAROUSEL AWARD Great news! PTM’s very own Gustav Dentzel Carousel has been named the 2013 winner of the Historic Carousel Award from the National Carousel Association! Our iconic carousel, originally located in Philadelphia’s Woodside Park, was crafted in 1908 by the Dentzel Carousel Company, and after more than 40 years in storage, returned to its hometown to bring joy to new generations in its own 9,000 square-foot glass pavilion presented by The Annenberg Foundation in Memorial Hall. The Historic Carousel Award program, began by the National Carousel Association in 1994, annually honors classic carousels around the country. The National Carousel Association was founded in 1973 in Sandwich, MA by a group of nearly 100 people who shared a common love of the wooden hand-carved carousels. Be sure to take a ride on this nationally recognized piece of Philadelphia history on your next visit!
Q: You have been members for many years, what about your experience has prompted you to continue being a member at Please Touch Museum? A: My kids. Each year we discuss which memberships to renew or to try. The kids always ask for Please Touch. This year I was not going to renew the membership because they are now nine and seven years old but when we came to say goodbye to the museum they asked if we could join for one more year. How could I say no? Having a membership allows us flexibility in our visits to the museum. One of my children has developmental disabilities. If he becomes overwhelmed we can cut our stay short and return another day.
Q: What has been your children’s most memorable PTM experience? A: When my kids were two and a half and less than a year we saw the show Scat Cat Jr. Jamboree for the first time at the old museum on 21st Street. It was the first time I saw something keep my two year olds attention and the first time I saw the delight in his eyes in regards to theater. He sang the songs for weeks after. We have made it a family tradition to see that show every year, even attending this year. We are also huge fans of the End of the Day Parade. Every time we plan a trip to the museum the kids insist we stay until the End of the Day Parade. It is such a nice way to transition the kids to end the day without tears. My personal fondest memory was visiting your cafeteria for the first time. The person greeted us with the question, “are you dealing with any allergies today?” I almost hugged the person who asked, as a parent of a kid with multiple severe food allergies we had never eaten outside my home before. Please Touch was the first place my son safely ate outside of our home.
Q: PTM is celebrating 5 years at Memorial Hall this year, what would be your birthday wish for PTM’s next 5 years? A: I hope Please Touch continues to be a wonderful place for families with kids of all ages to have fun and learn in Philadelphia. For me having Please Touch nearby is one of the best things about being an urban family.
Storybook Ball, 2014
presented by The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation
“My daughter has been asking to go back to the Ball since she walked out the door. She loved every minute and did not want to leave. We will definitely be making this an annual event! Thank you for helping create such wonderful memories which will be cherished for years to come!” Join us for an enchanted evening at this year’s Storybook Ball, taking place on Saturday, March 15, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.! Children and their grown-ups are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook characters. They will enjoy themed entertainment, delicious cuisine, a dance party in our ‘grand ballroom,’ Hamilton Hall, and so much more! Celebrate stories and explore the Museum after-hours during this truly magical evening. For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Margaret Walker, Events and Special Projects Manager, at (215) 581-3175 or mwalker@pleasetouchmuseum.org.
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Kids Shop at Please Touch Museum
FEATURED ITEM! The PTM Kids Shop is thrilled to be carrying Lottie Dolls™, an innovative new fashion doll aimed at girls ages 3-9. This awardwinning doll is a wholesome alternative to other dolls, since she has a “childlike body,” does not wear makeup, jewelry or high heels and can stand on her own two feet. The message behind Lottie Dolls is to let girls be girls, do all of the activities a child of this age would do, not grow up too quickly, and present a healthy view on body image. Come check out the Lottie Doll display, exclusively in the PTM Kids Store, during your next Museum visit!
NATURALIZATION EVENT AT PTM Please Touch Museum hosted a Children’s Naturalization Ceremony on Monday, October 21, 2013. Nearly 150 participants, including children and their family and friends, attended. The ceremony, conducted by the United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services, was a very special event where children took the Oath of Allegiance to become United States Citizens. PTM’s Education and Family Learning Department provided logistical support and our own Pinky was one of the speakers. Pinky “interviewed” PTM’s Vice President of Education, Trapeta B. Mayson, about her experiences as a naturalized citizen of the United States. Trapeta was born in the West African country of Liberia.
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Countdown 2 Noon® supported by Woodloch Pines Resort.
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Children and their families enjoyed the museum. For many, it was their first time at Please Touch, but from the smiles, it certainly won’t be their last.
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Tuesday, December 31, 12:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m.
PLEASE TOUCH PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS: “Pinch Bear “
December 7 – February 2
“Gram Adele“
February 8 – April 20
Born on a summer’s night from the dust of a falling star is the Pinch Bear, a bear who will never grow bigger than her original size. One day a seemingly fearsome giant comes to town. When all others are too scared to leave their houses, the Pinch Bear rallies. What she discovers when she confronts the “monster” teaches Pinch Bear a valuable lesson.
GRAM ADELE is a puppet show all about a wise, old, magical woman who has a mysterious pot that cooks all by itself when you sing the magic song. Trouble ensues when her helper makes the magic pot cook even though he doesn’t know how to make it stop.
Support for Please Touch Playhouse provided by: Boeing, Independabce Foundation and PNC
On Tuesday, December 31st, visit PTM for a family oriented twist on New Year’s Eve. Join visitors, members, and staff to celebrate the New Year with the little ones without keeping them up until midnight! Supported by Woodloch Pines Resort, the PTM New Years ball drops at a family-friendly hour. Enjoy special New Year’s Eve- themed activities, music, dancing, and more. Countdowns’ take place at Noon and 1:00 p.m. and feature an interactive show that hones counting skills while fostering number comprehension and learning through play. Join our host King Countdown as he rings in the New Year, PTM Style! Centennial Guild Members receive ten (10) complimentary tickets, VIP parking, and a private entrance to this event! To join, renew, or learn more about the Centennial Guild, please visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org, or contact Meg Clifton Mitchell at mmitchell@pleasetouchmuseum.org or (215) 581-3166.
WHAT'S HAPPENING at PTM? January 8 Target® First Wednesday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
January
Wednesday of the month for January to not conflict with New Year’s Day.
January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – PTM will be open normal hours from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
February
*Note – Target First Wednesday will be on the 2nd
Febuary 5 Target® First Wednesday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
March 5 Target First Wednesday 4p.m. – 7p.m.
February 15 Clifford the Big Red Dog appearances at 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m. to celebrate author Norman Bridwell’s Birthday
March 15 PTM’s Storybook Ball 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
February 17 Presidents Day – PTM will be open normal hours from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
March
January 1 New Year’s Day – PTM will be open from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m.
Dates and times are subject to change. For up-to-date listings visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. Postage
PAID
Phila., PA Permit No. 1743
4231 Avenue of the Republic Philadelphia, PA 19131
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4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa 19131 215.581.3181.pleasetouchmuseum.org