Weekender Extended Magazine

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Places to Go - Feature With Your CityPASS Things to Do - Feature Cooking With Purpose People to See: Nedy

CastingCrowns Mother’s Day Gift Guide

P. 6

Western States

P.14

P. 7

Northeast States

P. 24

P. 8 P. 9 P.10

Southern States

Go, Do, See P.12 Show Me Snakes & Reptiles

Midcentral States

P. 34 P. 38

Eastern P. 46 Cover Photo:

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Since the religious holiday Easter is celebrated this year in April and Spring Breaks are in full swing across the states, this month’s issue features several “inspirational” destinations for the whole family to enjoy. Christ of the Ozarks is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. See P. 35.

The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing Corp. 15 East Main St., Shiloh, OH P.O. Box 96, Shiloh, OH 44878 Branch office: 1515 W. 3rd, Sedalia, Mo 65301 PHONE; 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Editor-in-chief - Kathy Barnett kathy@weekenderextended.com Managing Editor - Norman Reed Norm@weekenderextended.com editor@weekenderextended.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Places to Go Team: Rebecca Embry Samantha Bradley Kelley Ramsey Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden Things to Do Team: Geremy Sowash Beth Cantrell

Jake McFarlin People to See Editor: Lisa Garcia People to See Team: Lisa Brant Angie Offenburger Social Media Editor: Geremy Sowash Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Subscriptions are FREE! Submit name and email address HERE and also be entered in our drawing for a FREE weekend getaway!

Copyright 2021 by BarnettPRO Publishing All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.

Up Close: From the Editor

It doesn’t take very much effort on my part for me to get inspired to travel. It can be the suggestion of a new destination, a different adventure, or a simple phone call from a friend saying, “Let’s Go! It can be the opportunity to return of a favorite destination. It could be an invitation to attend an event.

Actually, it can be almost anything - a simple magazine ad, a television program, or an email message from a friend or subscriber who just returned from their trip with pictures to share. My daily routine for putting this monthly magazine together for you even inspires me to pack my bags and take off to discover new places not yet visited.

It does, however, take quite a bit of effort to get me inspired enough to tackle house cleaning (especially dusting). The promise of company sometimes sets me in motion. But alas, it doesn’t last long. I prefer to set a ladder in the middle of the living room with a bucket of water and make the excuse, “Oh, please excuse my mess...I’m in the middle of spring cleaning.”

Since Spring Breaks are in full swing, the religious holiday Easter is this month, and more and more places are reopening post pandemic, this issue addresses “inspirational” places to go, things to do, and people to see. I’ve learned this topic can address several types of inspiration.

It can provide an educational experience for some, historical reviews for others, or much-needed rest in an atmosphere of peace and solace.

Whatever inspires you to get out and get away for a few days, here’s hoping this issue will help give you some ideas for your next inspirational getaway.

Maybe if I promise myself an extended weekend getaway as soon as my spring house cleaning is complete, that will inspire me to tackle the dustmop and get it done!

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!

Kathy Barnett Editor - in - Chief

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Places to Go:

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor

With Your CityPASS

Save from 35 to 50% to multiple attractions when you visit a U.S. city that partners with CityPass.

The main purpose is to combine the admission prices of the most popular sites in a given location for a hefty discount. It also saves guests time and hassle to manually organize visits to each attraction individually.

Partners Mike Gallagher and Mike Morey started CityPASS in 1997 to offer more than just another discounted attraction ticket.

They planned to create a product that would save money and time, making it more affordable to allow multiple adventures - not just one or two. And out of this partnership between two guys who’d spent much of their respective careers working at, with, or around -6- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

attractions, CityPASS was born.

The CityPASS also helps lead first-time travelors to experiences they might not otherwise know about. So much planning and advance research isn’t needed with the CityPASS. Another advantage is skipping all those ticket lines.

Still family-owned and operated, CityPASS continues to thoughtfully add cities and partner attractions while maintaining focus on creating happy customers. “Leave with more than you came with” is firmly entrenched in the minds of the 50+ staff that work for the company, headquartered in the small mountain town of Victor, Idaho, on the west slope of the Teton Mountains.

Currently, CityPASS is offered for the following destinations:

Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Denver, CO Houston, TX New York City, NY Orlando, FL Philadelphia, PA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Southern California Tampa Bay, FL Toronto, Canada For more information or to purchase our CityPASS for the best discounts, visit online at https:// www.citypass.com

Column Feature-Things to Do:

By Kandy Derden Things to Do Editor

Cooking With a Purpose I have magnetic feet. That’s the only thing I can figure out to answer my question.

You may be wondering, “What is the question?” Okay, I’ll tell you. Here it comes. Ready?

Why? That’s it. That’s all. Why? Why? WHY? I want to know why taking off my shoes is like a beacon in the night summoning my husband to tickle my feet.

Oh, I’ve asked him. In fact, I’ve asked him a LOT! The answer?

Always the same: “Because I want to.” “It’s genetic.” “It’s instinctive. “I can’t resist.” (In reality, he doesn’t even try.) It’s like he is driven to do this. On one occasion, he even said he was inspired to do so.

Inspired? Yeah, right. I find it a little difficult to believe someone can be inspired by feet. But then, who am I to say it isn’t so?

So, what inspires you? Beautiful scenery? Music? Touching stories? Desperation?

In my case, inspiration often comes from unexpected people, places and events. And it is almost always at unexpected times.

For example, my nail tech told me how to make quiche. I have no idea how we got on the subject.

At this point, it no longer matters.

The important thing is what she told me.

The name quiche, being French, makes it sound complicated and fancy. Perhaps that is why the catchphrase, “Real men don’t eat quiche!” caught on so quickly.

Good news! Quiche is versatile

and can be made into a hearty meal even men will love. It’s easy too. The first thing you need to get started is a prepared pie crust. If you don’t want to make your own, you can either buy the frozen ones in the pan or use the premade roll-out dough. Mix six eggs with one can of evaporated milk. At this point, it is time to get creative. Add chopped ham, bacon bits, pre-cooked crumbled sausage or hamburger. Chopped onions, peppers, or mushrooms can be added if desired. Fresh spinach is a healthy option. Most any type of cheese will add to the flavor. And don’t forget salt and pepper to taste. Pour it into the crust and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Since the oven is already on, make

a side of oven-roasted potatoes.

Complete the meal with fresh fruit or a fruit salad.

We found that it was easy to reheat leftovers which can even be eaten on the run just like any other fingerfood.

If you’ve never tried this, it is an eggselent (pun intended) time to do so. ‘Tis the season for maximum egg production which keeps the price low for the next few weeks. There’s a whole lot of protein and nutrition packed into that carton for under $1.00. Take advantage of it!

Come to think of it, perhaps that’s the inspiration for whatever is going through hubby’s mind whenever I remove my shoes: “Alert! Bare feet! Take advantage of it!”

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People to See:

Nedy

Rising Inspirational Pop singer/songwriter NEDY, spreads a message of self-love and strength with the release of her latest single, “Made to Be.” It is easy to get caught up in society’s standards and consider God-given qualities to be scars, especially when bullied for what makes you special. “Made To Be” serves as a guiding light to prove that all should embrace their unique qualities and not give attention to those who make us feel inferior. Dancing onto the scene as a friend offering a shoulder to lean on, “Made to Be” proves that the world needs positive power, just as much as we desire to discover who we are ‘made to be.’ The “Made To Be” lyric video exclusively premiered on Digital Journal and is available to download and stream on all digital services now. STREAM/DOWNLOAD at smarturl.it/MadeToBe. “I wrote ‘Made To Be’ during a time when I

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By Lisa Garcia People to See Editor

was going through a lot of opposition from people around me. Friends, colleagues, and even people who didn’t really know me. I was being hated for just being me and the unique person I was made to be. I wrote this song as a response to those people and also to every person who is going through the same thing.

You are special and unique and no matter what anyone says, your value never changes,” shares NEDY. Along with the release of, “Made to Be” NEDY created the Friends Forever Club, playing hand in hand with the concept of the single to combat childhood bullying and exist as a friend to those experiencing this hatred first hand. This club is a safe space for those going through troubling times of self-doubt fueled by the trauma of bullying. NEDY continues to remain active with fans on social media during various phases of social distancing and has multiple projects in store for the coming months! Fans will not want to miss the iconic force and kind soul that is NEDY.

People to See:

Casting Crowns

With 11 million albums sold to date—including one RIAA Double Platinum Album, five Platinum and seven Gold records, and two Platinum and four Gold DVDs—Casting Crowns remains Billboard’s top selling act in Christian music since 2007. The award-winning group - consisting of Mark Hall, Melodee DeVevo, Brian Scoggin, Megan Garrett, Juan DeVevo, Chris Huffman and Josh Mix - got its start as a youth group worship band originally based in Florida. Today, each of the seven members remain active in ministry at their respective churches.

Their chart-topping songs—including “Who Am I,” “Voice of Truth,” “Praise You In This Storm,” “Just Be Held” and “Only Jesus”—have earned them nine No. 1 hits at radio and four RIAA Gold certified digital singles. In addition, Casting Crowns has appeared on “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Today,” CNN, MSNBC, “Fox News,” “Fox & Friends,” “Huckabee” and more. They also had their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in January 2015. Always looking for opportunities to use their platform for greater good, over the course of their career, Casting Crowns has seen more than 112,000 children sponsored through their advocacy efforts at concerts.

A Night Under The Stars Tour

April 8 - Fla., St. Petersburgh April 9 - Fla., Orlando April 10 -Fla., West Palm Beach April 11 -Fla., Vero Beach April 12 -Ala., Dothan April 15 - TX Beaumont April 16 - TX College Station April 17 - TX Humble April 22 - MO KansasCity April 23 - SD Sioux Falls April 24 - MN St. Paul April 25 - ND Grand Forks April 29 - TX Selma April 30 - OK Tulsa May 1 - AR Charlotte May 6 - MO Hazelwood May 7 - IN Wabash May 8 - KY Louisville

https://castingcrowns.com/tour/ April, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -9-

Mother’s Day Gift Review Matching Family Fashion

Ready to add some spring fashion to your family’s wardrobe after the long winter? If you’re craving color, ruffles, love, and soft/cuddly fabrics or matching outfits for the whole family, then PatPat is the place to go for your spring style.

They have adorable styles for kids of all ages, matching family outfits, new bathing suits, and more! Their easy to use platform offers parents high quality and adorable clothes for the whole family at unbeatable prices.

Price: Varies https://us.patpat.com/

That Blanket Looking for a unique and comfy way to capture your memories?

Maybe a great Mother’s Day gift idea? A new blanket to get cozy by the bonfire? Then check out ThatBlanket! ThatBlanket makes it easy to make a statement by transforming your most sentimental photos into gorgeous, ultra-soft and cuddly, photo blankets printed and produced in the USA. The blankets are unbelievably soft and warm, plus the photos are high quality and vibrant!

Price: $79.99 (& up) https://thatblanket.com.

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Belisa by Lunata

1” Cordless Curling Wand/ & With Clip • Both feature high powered rechargeable lithium-ion batteries • 1” rose gold titanium barrel that creates amazing curls and waves on-the-go that lasts for days.

• The curling iron will hold a charge for 30-35 minutes and reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit with multiple heat settings • The titanium barrel locks in your curls for days!

• Works both unplugged, and plugged in with our new WWC technology. https://lunatabeauty.com// Price: $110

Pang Wangle Bug Repellant Apparel Pang Wangle offers beautiful bug repellant apparel that is earth-friendly and wrapped with style. It’s made specifically for outdoor fun and tropical travel. You’ll pack light, look stunning, and feel terrific when exploring the wonders of different cultures, climates, and environments. All clothing is made with lightweight, renewable

fabrics and non-toxic, odorless Insect Shield.

Based out of New Orleans, the woman-owned company knows about hot, buggy climates. Wrap yourself in luxury with a sustainable brand that is ideal for travel and adventure. Made in the USA.

Price: Varies https://pangwangle.com/ Purlisse Blush Glow BB Cheek Color

The Blush Glow BB Cheek Colors: a buildable liquid blush that will brighten the complexion with a dewy, natural flush. Lightweight liquid formula blends for a natural all-day glow. Infused with hydrating, skin-loving ingredients.

• Leaves cheeks with a natural, flushed glow • Vitamin E nourishes skin • Hyaluronic acid leaves skin dewy and hydrated • Perfect for day and night • Wear alone or over makeup Price: $18 https://purlisse.com April, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -11-

Go, Do, See:

Show Me Snakes W It’s educational.

It’s entertaining.

It’s inspirational.

It’s great fun!

t

Families are craving a funfilled and safe getaway for their Spring Break. Let’s face it; Spring Break isn’t just for the college kids anymore. In this day and age, we all need one... or ...two... or even three extended weekend getaways. So why not blend it together with an exciting place to go, with more things to do, and new peopleto see?

Micky and Tamara Meyer, the founders of Show Me Shows, is busy providing all of the above for you in a location near you. It is a unique experience for both reptile lovers and the reptile-curious. It is a place of friendship and community for everyone attending.

Educational stations, face painting, food, activities, and products needed to care for your reptiles at home. Vendors will be available to help with reptile husbandry and adoptions.

“We envision a world where people value animals and treat them with respect and kindness, humans who have rights as responsible animal keepers, and the diminished fear of reptiles,” explained Tamara. “We feel a responsibility to the reptile community to not only be a memorable experience; but to also inspire passion in education for conservation

in those who love the abnormal pets known as reptiles.

“We make a contribution with every community we serve and create a binding connection with it. We genuinely care about the quality of the reptile community and truly believe in what we are doing.”

Show Me Snakes offers several different kinds of events. They can

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even arrange shows as simple as a birthday party or school assembly to an advanced corporate event or reptile venomfest.

Through Show Me Snakes endeavors to focus on the best practices of care and health of reptiles through the “Show Me Pledge”, Show Me Snakes has been nominated and won numerous awards as well as creating awards

With Micky and Tamara Meyer

to focus on Educators and Vendors who spark passion about researching, innovating, and leading by example of exemplary reptiles husbandry and stewardship in the community.

Be sure to watch the video above.

For more information, complete calendar of events, or to arrange a specific event, contact Tamara or Micky through their website at https://showmesnakes.com.

Upcoming April and May events open to the public are: April 11/ST. LOUIS (BRIDGETON), MO. April 25/DAVENPORT, IA April 24-25/KNOXVILLE, TN May 8/(BROKEN ARROW), OK May 16/ST. LOUIS (BRIDGETON), MO May 23/JANESVILLE, WI May 30/GADSDEN, AL April, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -13-

Go, Do, See Join this Unforgettable Christian Cruise Conference to Alaska with Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Point Ministries From David Jeremiah Dear Friends, Donna and I are excited to invite you to join us for seven exciting days at sea, experiencing the wonders of Alaska. This refreshing week will bring us face-to-face with some of the most impressive wonders of God’s Creation, like the awe-inspiring Glacier Bay or the mountains of Stephens Passage. Our family has traveled to Alaska on many occasions, and this part of the world always takes our breath away!

We’ll enjoy the luxurious accommodations Holland America is known for, along with its gracious service and bountiful cuisine. As we dock at charming ports like Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, we’ll be introduced to Alaska’s unforgettable people and culture, creating memories you’ll cherish forever.

And most importantly, we will devote time daily to study God’s Word and grow our faith. We will laugh, pray and praise God together as we build lasting friendships and deepen our spir itual lives.

I can’t wait to share these moments with you on this very special Christian cruise. We hope you’ll come along for a spectacular week in one of our favorite places on earth!

For More On Alaska, > CLICK HERE -14- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

Places to go

The Spiritual Side of Sedona SEDONA’S WORLDWIDE REPUTATION AS A SPIRITUAL MECCA AND GLOBAL POWER SPOT HAS DRAWN SOME OF OUR PLANET’S MOST AMAZING HEALERS, INTUITIVES, ARTISTS AND SPIRITUAL GUIDES. There is something magical about Sedona and you can feel it when you are out in the magnificence of nature.

It has a way of bringing your heart’s desires closer to the surface so you can listen to and work with them more easily. Come to Mother Nature’s red-rock temples to experience their life-transforming, soul-nourishing work in person. Sedona is a perfect place for spiritual and personal enrichment of the body and the soul.

From healing massage treatments, yoga, spas and salons to hypnotherapy and retreats, surely Sedona has something to offer. Our Sedona Chamber of Commerce Affinity Group, the Sedona Metaphysical Spiritual Association, is a great resource for learning about the spiritual and metaphysical side of Sedona.

Spiritual Tours

Sedona offers many wonderful guides into the invisible realms of heart, mind and soul. Their approaches vary from cutting-edge technologies like Life Coaching and Human Design, to the ancient arts of Astrology and Shamanism.

These guides can help you become more conscious and clear about your secret patterns and motivations. While you’re in Sedona, let them show you how to use the red rocks and the vortex energies to deepen your experience.

Connect with your own divine nature. De-stress your nervous system, listen to your heart’s true desire, and find the clarity to envision what’s next in your life adventure while being supported and guided by a warm and caring professional. For more information or to make a reservation, visit https://visitsedona.com/things-to-do/ tours-sightseeing/spiritual-tours/

SpiritQuest Retreats:

This adventure is a place to go for Healing & Personal Growth Our lives get richer and more whole

as we seek balance and serenity. Our spiritual retreats allow us to assist you in your own raising of consciousness.

We can help you learn to “let it go” and will help you gain more tools to discover your purpose and reason for being. Our staff at SpiritQuest is devoted and committed to helping those who seek to have a better relationship with themselves and others. Our retreats make a difference that will last a lifetime! For more information, visit online at https://retreatsinsedona. com/ You can also shop for unique gifts and healing souvenirs in Sedona. Visit the Mystical Bazaar, Center for the New Age, and Sedona Crystal Vortex.

For more on Arizona >CLICK HERE April, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -15-

Places to Go:

Salvation Mountain CALIPATRIA - At 150 feet wide by 50 feet tall, Salvation Mountain is really more of a painted folk art mound. This hillside visionary environment was created by local resident Leonard Knight (1931–2014) in the California Desert area of Imperial County.

The artwork is made of adobe bricks, discarded tires and windows, automobile parts and thousands of gallons of paint. It encompasses numerous murals and areas painted with Christian sayings and Bible verses, though its philosophy was built around the Sinner’s Prayer.

Salvation Mountain is Leonard’s tribute to God and his gift to the world with its simple yet powerful message: “God Is Love.”

Leonard’s passion has lovingly created this brilliant “outsider art “ masterpiece resplendent with not only biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord’s Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner’s Prayer, but also including flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. Salvation Mountain must be seen to be fully appreciated as those who have made the journey will attest The Folk Art Society of America declared it “a folk art site worthy of preservation and protection” in the year 2000. In an address to the United States Congress on May 15, 2002, California Senator Barbara Boxer described it as “a unique and visionary sculpture... a national treasure... profoundly strange and beautifully accessible, and worthy of the international acclaim it receives”.

In December 2011, the 80-year-old Knight was placed in a long-term care facility in El Cajon for dementia. Leonard Knight died on February 10, 2014, in El Cajon. He was able to visit Salvation Mountain for the last time in May 2013; the visit was recorded by KPBS (TV).

Concern was raised in 2012 raised for the future of the site, which requires constant upkeep due to the harsh desert environment. Many visitors were donating paint to the project, and a group of volunteers worked to protect and maintain the site. In February 2011, a public charity, Salvation Mountain, Inc., was established to support the project. In 2013, the Annenberg Foundation donated $32,000 to Salvation Mountain Inc. for materials and equipment to “improve security and strengthen operations”. A 2014 article stated that Salvation Mountain Inc. was operated by the nine volunteer members of its board. As of 2020, the charity is still active and arranged to close Salvation Mountain for some months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit http://www.salvationmountain.us/ -16- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

For More on California,

> Click Here...

Things to Do:

Garden of the Gods

COLORADO SPRINGS - This otherworldly, expansive rock garden is filled with sandstone formations in every shape and size, in amber hues that glow like the sunrise. Follow the 1.1-mile Central Garden Trail to view the park’s most scenic rocks, including the Three Graces, a cathedral-like formation with a trinity of soaring spires, and Balanced Rock, a powerful reminder that even the heaviest things in life can find balance.

Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most popular and free attractions. As a National Natural Landmark since 1971, this public park entices hikers, bikers, photographers, horseback riders, picnickers, wildlife watchers, scenic drivers and others to come and experience the spectacular red-rock formations and views of Pikes Peak.

Just a mile from the park, Garden of the Gods Campground & RV Resort makes a great jumping-off point to explore all the natural attractions in the region.

With family-friendly amenities like a swimming pool, dog park,

playground, game room and WiFi, you might be tempted never to leave its campus.

For a fee, Adventures Out West’s Garden of the Gods/Foothills Jeep Tour takes you through the landmark, as well as other Colorado Springs-area highlights, including Helen Hunt Falls and the historic districts of Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. They also offer Segway tours, which train guests how to ride the two-wheeled wonders before heading out to a oneor two-hour adventure through the park.

Academy Riding Stables in Colorado Springs offers one-, two- and two-and-a-half-hour horseback rides through the park during the summer months. Great for the whole family and all levels of riders, the ride guides you by some of its most popular landmarks, including Kissing Camels, Siamese Twins and Sleeping Giant.

Thursdays from Labor Day through Memorial Day, they offer a two-anda-half-hour ride around the park’s perimeter.

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post’s galleries feature works by local artists, Navajo rugs, pueblo pottery

as well as Colorado gifts and souvenirs. Its Balanced Rock Cafe (named after everyone’s favorite rock formation), has lunch or snacks to keep you fueled up for the park’s trails. The visitor and nature center also has a cafe. Grab a spot on the patio for great views of the park and Pikes Peak in the distance.

Photographers find hundreds of Instagram-worthy angles here. Document each unique spire, jagged outcropping and peak, most of which have been given names inspired by their shapes (think Cathedral Spires, Steamboat Rock, Keyhole Window, Tower of Bable and more).

There are, of course, many other activities to keep you busy, from drives around the park to full-moon hikes, a junior ranger program, rock climbing and more. Check in at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center to get the whole lay of the land.

For more information, visit online at https://www.gardenofgods.com/

For more on Colorado

>Click Here

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Places to Go : Kaua’i LĪHU’E, Hawai’i/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Beginning April 5, Trans-Pacific travelers visiting Kaua’i may bypass the state’s 10-day travel quarantine by participating in Hawai’i’s Safe Travel’s Pre-Travel Testing Program. Travelers will no longer have to stay in an Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) or Resort Bubble property in order to receive a quarantine exemption.

Before visiting Hawai’i’s Garden Island, here’s what you need to know: • Take a pre-travel test from one of the State of Hawai’i’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners within 72 hours from the final leg of departure from the Continental U.S. to Kaua’i (or first point of arrival to Hawai’i if traveler has a layover on another island).

• Tests taken from any other lab will not be accepted. Approved Trusted Testing Partners can be found at: https://hawaiicovid19. com/travel-partners/ • Create a Safe Travels account and complete the mandatory State of Hawai’i Travel and Health form: https://travel.hawaii.gov/ • Upload your negative test results to your Safe Travels account before traveling to Kaua’i.

COVID-19 test results may also be printed and provided by hardcopy. Travelers arriving without uploading or providing a hardcopy of their negative test result will not be accepted and be placed in a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

• Wearing masks are mandatory while on Kaua’i. While post-travel tests are not mandatory, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advise travelers to take a pre- and post-travel test as an added safety measure.

The Hawai’i State Department of Health also encourages all travelers to download the free, AlohaSafe Alert app to get COVID-19 exposure notifications and help keep Kaua’i safe and healthy.

For more information about the State of Hawai’i Safe Travels program requirements, please visit: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ getting-to-hawaii/ For more information on COVID-19 on Kaua’i and the travel rules, please visit: http://www. kauai.gov/COVID-19 KAUA’I – HAWAI’I’S ISLAND OF DISCOVERY Also known as the Garden Island, Kaua’i is green and lush with flora from mountain to ocean. The island offers more than

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50 miles of white sand beach – adding up to more beach-per-mile than any island in Hawai’i. Other Kaua’i natural wonders include 3,567-foot-deep Waimea Canyon (often called The Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the towering 3,000-foot sea cliffs of the Nāpali Coast.

Kaua’i’s abundance of outdoor activities – which includes helicopter and boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, and zip-line tours all offer memorable vacation experiences for the entire family.

Several Kaua’i hotels have committed to supporting post-travel testing to its guests including the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa and Sheraton Kaua’i Resort & Villas For information about Kaua’i – Hawai’i’s Island of Discovery – visit http://www.gohawaii.com/ai.

For more on Hawaii

>Click Here

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Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

St. John’s Cathedral was the dream of Bishop Alphonse Glorieux, under whose direction it was built. In 1884 Father Glorieux, the President of St. Michael’s College in Portland, was appointed Bishop of the newly created Vicar Apostolic of Idaho, for which Boise City was the seat. At that time, only two priests served the entire Idaho territory with its 1500 parishioners.

Bishop Glorieux purchased the site of the present Cathedral, selected the plans of Tourtelotte and Hummel, the foremost architectural firm of the period in Boise, and in 1906 the cornerstone was laid. It was built in stages. By 1912, services were held in the basement and by 1916 the superstructure was completed. It was dedicated in 1921. Beginning in February, a restoration project of the Tabernacle began. The ending result is to restore it to its original, proper, and prominent location in the center of the church.

For your safety during restoration, the Cathedral will be unavailable for daily use from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday through April 30.

Then a 100th year celebration is planned for June 5 from noon to 10 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.boisecathedral.org/

For more on Idaho

> Click Here

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Places to Go:

Mountain Top Ministries BOZEMAN - Mountain Top Ministries uses a Christ-centered, exchanged-life approach that helps people resolve issues and concerns in an environment where the Bible is considered authoritative and sufficient to bring lasting change and healing.

Who can come for counseling?

We meet with people from the local area and with those who fly or drive from up to several states away. We help people regardless of their faith background, including those who profess no faith at all. All are welcome here. However, because Mountain Top is a Biblically-based counseling center, we approach individual and marital issues from a spiritual, Christ-centered perspective. Before you decide to come here, please read the information below and on subsequent pages. If in doubt, call them and they will be happy to answer any questions that will help you determine if their unique approach is right for you.

Sometimes merely getting away from it all is not enough. Located on the shoulder of Wheeler mountain, 13 miles south of Bozeman, Mon-

tana, Mountain Top Retreat offers a beautiful, secluded setting adjacent to the 2.1 million acre Gallatin National Forest. With abundant wildflowers, rushing streams, and high alpine lakes, the region is a hiker’s paradise.

While the majority of guests come to enjoy the beautiful setting and experience the wide variety of activities in the region, a significant minority come to work through personal, marital, and family problems in a peaceful and accepting setting.

What is Biblical discipleship counseling?

These days, it is hard to sort out the differences between secular, Christian, and Biblical counseling approaches. Follow this link for a brief discussion and explanation of biblical discipleship counseling.

What is Mountain Top Ministries?

Mountain Top Ministries is a member of Network 220. They are also associated with Christian Life Ministries, located in Rapid City, SD. Whether you are taking a large

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family on vacation for a few days, leading a retreat, looking for a weekend getaway with your spouse, taking an extended time for reflection and writing, or seeking onsite counseling, you can reserve one (or more) guesthouses to fully meet your needs. The organization maintains a variety of guest houses ranging from two to six bedrooms that cater to different sized families and groups. Each guesthouse is fully equipped with all the comforts of your own home! Tastefully arranged, rather than crammed together, these guest houses boast a living room, a full kitchen, and a bathroom for every two bedrooms.

Couples enjoy the extra space, families love having a kitchen complete with cookware, and groups find that individual bedrooms allow privacy, while a shared living room fosters better interaction.

For more information or to make reservation, visit online at http:// mountaintopretreat.org/

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Things to Do:

Mountain Biking On Spring Break A five-day camping and mountain biking tour offered by Escape Adventures is a great idea for Spring Break.

Explore one of America’s largest national parks, the 3,373,063-acre Death Valley National Park. Despite its rather foreboding name, Death Valley represents a stellar mountain biking destination with more than 350-miles of roads and trails, astounding wildflower blooms, and mild temperatures Cycle the heart of the Mojave Desert, from Death Valley National Park to Red Rock Canyon, stopping to visit historic sites accessed by 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) roads. Highlights include Spicer Ranch Trails, Titus Canyon, Monarch Canyon, Chloride Cliffs, Stovepipe Wells and Cottonwood Valley. Prices start at $1,495 per person double and include all internal land expenses and services. Electric-mountain bikes are available upon request. For more information, visit https://escapeadventures.com/tour/death-valley-and-redrock-mountain-bike-tour/. High-res-

olution images can be downloaded here.

“When you experience Death Valley and Red Rock by mountain bike, you’ll quickly learn that this is not a place to be endured, but rather a world-class outdoor recreation destination,” said Escape Adventures Director, Jared Fisher. “While big swathes of North America deal with snow and icy roads, we consider it our great fortune to enjoy an exemplary outdoor wintertime adventure in the heart of the Mojave Desert.”

Guests will move seamlessly from one day to the next, camping, and enjoying delicious homemade meals.

The majority of campgrounds feature indoor facilities and showers. In more remote backcountry camping scenarios, Escape Adventures will provide portable toilets and private solar showers. A range of cycling and hiking options are offered each day, and support vehicles are available.

“There is nothing better than rolling into camp to fresh made chips

and salsa, homemade guacamole, and Dutch oven enchiladas,” said Fisher.

“Then making your way to the campfire, sharing your favorite story from the day, and enjoying a cold craft beer before retiring to your tent.”

Day 1-2: Ride the new Spicer Ranch Trails, and finish with a cowboy dinner. The next day, descend epic Titus Canyon into Death Valley. Layover in beautiful Monarch Canyon.

Day 3-4: Climb to the top of Chloride Cliffs, explore ancient mining ruins, hike down Monarch Canyon to the portal view of Death Valley, visit massive sand dunes and Stovepipe Wells, and stop at the National Park Visitor Center. Next day, shuttle to Red Rock Canyon and ride to Bonnie Springs Old Nevada.

Day 5: Ride Cottonwood Valley’s fabulous trail network, nestled below the cliffs of Red Rock Canyon. Shuttle back to Las Vegas.

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Places to Go:

Temple Square Salt Lake Temple, which took 40 years to build, is sacred ground for Mormons. While the interior is not open to the public, you can come to the center of the city and photograph the Gothic and Romanesque building that takes up 10 acres and stroll its landscaped gardens.

Whether you are planning a family adventure or a genealogical journey, expect an inspiring and sacred experience when you visit this 35-acre destination. There are no tours at the present time due to Covid-19 health rules. However, there is a model of the interior of the temple displayed at the south visitors’ center. View the intricate details of each room. Uncover why the temple took 40 years to build and why temples are so important to eternal families. Kids will love exploring the interactive family exhibits also located in the South Visitors’ Center.

View a model of Jerusalem in New Testament times at the north visitors’ center. Follow Christ’s life through paintings in the building, and interact with exciting exhibits.

Enjoy beautiful music played on the 11,623-pipe Tabernacle Organ, considered to be one of the finest organs in the world. Plan to stroll the gardens to enjoy the beautiful flowers. Don’t miss the Rooftop gardens, also available for a visit.

The Legacy Theater is a 500-seat auditorium located inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, featuring short films that explore the lives of Latter-day Saints past and present. Films are shown throughout the day Monday through Saturday.

Choose to dine from any one of the four restaurants within Temple Square and you are in for a tasty treat. There is the elegance of Utah’s premier gourmet buffet at the Roof Restaurant. The view

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alone is worth a visit as you’ll be able to experience a stunning perspective of The Salt Lake Temple and downtown Salt Lake City skyline. Home-style cooking is served from the home of Brigham Young, now named Lion House Pantry. The Nauvoo Cafe is considered Salt Lake’s go-to sandwich stop. Then there is the Garden Restaurant, a polished high-rise bistro which serves upscale Americanfare. Open-air dining is offered during the warmer summer months.

Temple Square is open daily from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. The facilities are accessible and admission is always free. For more information, visit www.templesquare.com.

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People To See: traditionalists, Tracy Lawrence has sold more than 13 million albums and has charted 18 No. 1 songs. He has garnered numerous CMA and ACM awards and nominations, as well as a GRAMMY nomination. Recently, Lawrence released his latest album, ‘Made In America.’ The album is a milestone for Lawrence – penning 8 of the 12 tracks featured.

CASPER - Justin Moore and Tracy Lawrence with special guest Laney Wilson are coming to Casper on the Late Nights & Longnecks Tour at the Ford Wyoming Center on Thursday, April 8. Tickets start at $39.50 plus applicable fees and are now on-sale, available at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Ford Wyoming Center, all SinclairTix outlets locations, online at SinclairTix.com, or by phone at 800-442-2256.

Justin Moore has built a loyal fanbase over the past decade with his traditional Country sound and captivating live shows. Those fans helped boost his fifth studio album, LATE NIGHTS ANS LONGNECKS, to the top of the charts upon its release in July. The lead track from the Arkansas native’s LP, “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” peaked at

No.1 and marked Moore’s eighth chart-topping single on both Mediabase and Billboard charts.

Penned alongside Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill and producer Jeremy Stover, “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” further proves Moore’s skills as a thought-provoking project, KINDA DON’T CARE, earned the singer his third consecutive No.1 album debut and features his chart-topping singles “You Look Like I Need A Drink” and “Somebody Else Will.” It served as a follow up to his second No.1 album release, the GOLD-certified OFF THE BEATEN PATH. Over his 10+ year career, Moore has produced eight No.1’s including “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town USA” and “Till My Last Day” as well as seven Top 10 hits and PLATINUM-certified albums.

One of country music’s truest

Lainey Wilson’s music is by equal measures richly textured and forthright – much like her honeyed Louisiana drawl, which is as likely to offer you a warm word of encouragement as it is to call you on your B.S. Signed to BBR Music Group’s flagship imprint, Broken Bow Records, Wilson has spent years honing her song craft and developing her own “bell bottom country” sound, which is unapologetic, gritty, free-spirited, and exemplary of both her personality and her preferred fashion aesthetic. Her songs and live performances are anchored in straightforward, raw emotion that doesn’t beat around the bush about who Lainey Wilson is - either as a person or an artist.

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Places to Go:

By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor ATERBURY - To some who visit the remains of an 18-acre theme park, inspired by selected passages from the Bible, find inspiration and solace in its existance. Others have reported experiencing an eerie, ghost-like atmosphere from the statues and structures that have falleninto disrepair over the years.

Holy Land USA was conceived

by John Baptist Greco, a Waterbury-based attorney. Greco, a Roman Catholic, founded a volunteer organization called Companions of Christ, with the purpose of creating an attraction that would replicate Bethlehem and Jerusalem of the Biblical era.

Construction commenced in 1955. It opened soon after and welcomed an average of 40,000 to 50,000 visitors a year.

This park did not offer carnival rides, games, or food. Instead, there was huge 56-foot illuminated cross

as a focal point with numerous onrete buildings and statues to depict the Biblical cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. There was a snack bar and gift shop. A huge Hollywood-style sign graced the banks of the village announcing the Holy Land USA destination.

The park closed in 1984 and quickly fell into disrepair. Vandalism took it’s toll on the once popular site until area church officials and community volunteers recently began restoring attractions and repaving roads. In a

turn of events that may be familiar to people of faith, the park appears to be in the midst of a resurrection.

While it is still officially closed, people still visit the site to pray or offer devotions on the mountain. Many Waterbury residents are Catholic, but people of all faiths have banded together to help rehabilitate the park.

Volunteers have helped remove trees, large rocks, and trash from the site, and a construction company donated their time to repave the winding paths with donated tar.

Mass was held in 2018 with more than 1,000 attending. It was a hit, so the event was repeated in 2019.

Although the park has a long way to go before it’s back to hosting 40,000 people a year as before, there is hope it will return to its original splendor and welcome even more. For more information and updates, call the Waterbury Region Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888-588-7880.

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Things to Do:

3-2-1 Getaway to Chateau Country

WILMINGTON – The Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau is bringing back its “32-1 Getaway” travel offer just in time for spring. The package, a $118-plus value, features free admission for up to four people to three of the area’s top attractions with a minimum two-night stay at any participating hotel.

Sarah Willoughby, executive director of the Bureau, said, “This is an excellent value. And spring into early summer is when our gardens are in full bloom. It’s one of the best times of year to visit Chateau Country.”

The “3-2-1 Getaway” package includes admission for two adults and up to two children (ages 17 and under) to Hagley Museum and Library; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; and Mt. Cuba Center.

It is available for stays now through June 30, 2021.

The package can be purchased directly from participating hotels. Click here for a complete list of hotels offering the package. Many of the hotels are currently offering reduced rates and special offers.

Participating hotels include Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware (accepting reservations June 1, 2021), DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington, Embassy Suites Wilmington/Newark South, Hampton Inn and Suites Wilmington/Christiana, Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Wilmington/ Newark, Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown Wilmington, Homewood Suites by Hilton Newark/ Wilmington South, HOTEL DU PONT, The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa, Residence Inn Wilmington Downtown, Sheraton Suites Downtown Wilmington, and Springhill Suites by Marriott Newark Downtown.

To limit touch points due to COVID-19, tickets will be delivered electronically to guests’ mobile phones.

Reservations are not required at any of the attractions. However, it is recommended that guests call Winterthur in advance if they would like to tour the estate house as space is limited. Go to www.winterthur.org/visit for more information.

All three attractions included in the package are former du Pont family estates and gardens.

Hagley Museum and Library is where the du Pont

story began. The original riverside gunpowder mills and workers’ quarters are located here as is the original du Pont family home and gardens. Visitors can also stroll its 235-acres and follow the Powder Yard Trail along the Brandywine Creek. This trail explains the process of how the DuPont Company made blasting powder and gunpowder. Visitors will also discover the purpose of many buildings and sites throughout the powder yards.

Mt. Cuba Center is home to more than 1,000 native plants, many of which are threatened by extinction.

It consists of 630 acres of historic pastures, fields, ponds, native forests, a woodland wildflower garden, and formal landscapes. In July 2020, Mt. Cuba earned the title of “Best Botanical Garden” in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

At Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the mansion and explore the glorious 60-acre garden on a narrated tram ride or a stroll through its 25 miles of trails. The 1000-acre estate’s reflecting pool (formerly the du Pont family swimming pool) and its playful koi are other highlights. Kids will love walking through the mystical Enchanted Woods.

For more information go to VisitWilmingtonDE. com.

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Places to Go

Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel

Between Rockport’s busy harbor and the fields of Aldermere Farms sits Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel. Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel is a non-denominational outdoor chapel. The chapel can seat 50 people and is a perfect location for special occasions such as weddings, baptisms, and memorials. But even in the absence of a big event, the Chapel is a great place to relax, to think, to meditate or pray, and to paint or draw, and it is open to the public for all of these things.

The site that the Chapel enjoys used to be home to a hotel called Tamarack Lodge, which burned in 1954. The Chapel was built in 1960 by Helene Bok. Part of the stone foundation from the Tamarack has been incorporated into the gardens. Visitors enjoy a formal garden that features annuals and perennials, herbs, and a variety of trees. A spacious lawn provides great spots for picnicking.

Vesper Hill Children’s ChapelA dedication plaque in the chapel reads: This chapel is built to the memory of all young people who have passed through this world and gained God by so doing.

It stands for freedom, thought, prayer, and action. It stands for holiness within the body, and for God in the heart each waking hour. May the Lord bless all young people who come here for spiritual and mental refreshment.

– Helene Bok..

The Chapel is open from midApril through October. Call (207) To reach the Chapel, take Russell 236-6139 for more information.

Avenue out of downtown Rockport. Then turn right on Calderwood Lane. Go past Megunticook For more on Maine, Golf Course. On your right, you’ll see a driveway marked by a boulder with the world “Vesper Hill” inscribed on it.

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>CLICK HERE

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Baltimore

One hundred forty-five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this stunning basilica was constructed in Baltimore — a place where Catholics had been persecuted by the Puritans after fleeing persecution in England. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is today a welcome place for people of all religions. It has been blessed by both Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II, the latter of whom called it “the worldwide symbol of religious freedom.” Indeed, while visiting the basilica, it is hard to remain unmoved by the thought of the many whose cruel persecution inspired the building of this place.

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Things to Do

Take a Tour BOSTON - On your next extended weekend getaway, consider blending the historical gems of this community with the religious side by taking a tour.

Or maybe two or three. There is even a special tour based on the stained glass windows alone at Trinity Church. Founded in 1877, the church has one of the finest collections in the nation and includes pieces from many of the major 19th century American and European glass studios. Trinity Church Boston is designated as “one of the ten most important buildings in America” by the American Institute of Architects. More than 70,000 visitors tour this National Historic Landmark building each year. https://www. trinitychurchboston.org/visit/tours

CTB Tours has tours addressing the religious, historical, ethnic, cultural, educational or medical aspects of Boston. Sample religious tours are the “New England Church History Tour” and “Old North Church.”

Religious tour groups can take an unofficial tour at the Shambhala Meditation Center to learn more about Shambhala Buddhism. They will see the shrine room and can try meditating for a few minutes. Religious tours can stop by for the weekly open house and participate in a half hour of meditation The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture, also offers religious group tours. Experience the historic sanctuary, see the exhibit Reconnect to the Tapestry, and learn about Jewish spirituality, history -28- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

and culture.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, also the Mother Church and world headquarters, offers tours that include The Extension, built in the Byzantine-Renaissance style, and has one of the largest pipe organs in the nation. Religious tours also learn about the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. Mary was an influential American author, teacher, and religious leader, noted for her groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health. In 1908 she launched The Christian Science Monitor, a leading international newspaper, the recipient, to date, of seven Pulitzer Prizes.

Enjoy tours offered by the Freedom Trail Foundation.

The 90-minute “Walk Into History” tour focuses on colonists who contributed to establishing this republic, narrated by a guide in 18th century dress. Through Old Town Trolley Tours, religious tour groups will see sites such as ancient burial grounds and national landmarks including Old North Church and the site of the Boston massacre.

Passengers can hop off and see shops, museums, restaurants and the pub from the television show Cheers.

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Things to Do:

Church of the Woods

Situated on a secluded hilltop, this nondenominational and historic site is one of New England’s most moving and spiritual places. There is a panoramic view of the Grand Monadnock from the openj-air meeting space.

Historic monuments honor the service of American men and women—both military and civilian. Visitors have come from all over the world to explore the extraordinary sanctuary grounds, meditate in outdoor chapels and gardens, and learn about the history of this destination.

Cathedral of the Pines is a nationally recognized memorial dedicated to the memory and

honor of all Americans who serve the nation in search of peace. It is open to the public as a place of spiritual, cultural, and environmental appreciation.

Sibyl and Douglas Sloane III purchased the property in Rindge in 1937 with plans to build homes for their four children. A hurricane severely damaged the property, however, leaving the open view of Grand Monadnock Mountain.

After serving during World War II, their son, Sandy, was killed flying over Germany in 1944. A memorial service was held in the clearing. Many came to that service, which was the beginning of Cathedral of the Pines.

In the following years, all faiths were welcomed. The memorials they buildt each honored their son and all others who served the Nation.

Today there are numerous trails to explore. An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. with a regular service at 10 a.m. in the Rindge Congregational Church.

For more information, call 603899-3300, or visit online at https:// www.cathedralofthepines.org/

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Places to Go:

Grafton Peace Pagoda

PETERSBURG - Celebrating it’s 27th year anniversary, the Grafton Peace Pagoda is a Japanese Buddhist temple of the Nipponzan Myohoji order, built on Mohican scared land. We are grateful that the Grafton Peace Pagoda can continue to be a sacred place of pilgrimage, and place for people of all faiths and backgrounds to come together and pray for world peace . However, for everyone’s safety, the temple and outdoor bathrooms are currently closed.

As of right now, the outside grounds are are open.

In 1978, Native Americans organized “The Longest Walk”,

wherein participants walked cross-country from San Francisco, California to Washington, DC. Accompanying them on their walk, was a Japanese Buddhist Nun from the Nipponzan Myohoji order. Since then, Jun Yasuda has crossed the country four more times on foot and logged in several thousand additional miles for the cause of peace. She walks beating her drum while chanting a prayer for peace Na-Mu-Myo-HoRen-Ge-Kyo. Many times, she has spent days fasting on the steps of the NY StateCapitol in Albany for support of freedom for a Native American activist Dennis Banks. In 1983, during one of her fasts, she was approached

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by Hank Hazelton, a long time activist for Native Americans. Hank had heard of her work and offered her a parcel of land in Grafton, New York, for the purpose of building a “Monument for Peace”.

In October 1985, work began on the structure soon to be called the Grafton Peace Pagoda. After 8 years of toil and struggle, the Pagoda was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1993.Peace Pagodas are a symbol of non-violence dating as far back as 2000 years ago. The Pagoda was built entirely with donated labor, funds and materials.

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People to See: Esther At

Sight & Sound Theatre

STRASBURG - For more than 40 years, story, song, and spectacular staging has been bringing each Sight & Sound show to life.

They take classic Biblical stories and characters like Noah, Samson, Joseph, Daniel, Jonah, and Jesus and craft an elaborate musical production around each that tells the story and the underlying message of that portion of Scripture.

Every show is an epic experience with a meaningful message. It is where edge-of-your-seat action meets heartfelt drama.

Sight & Sound’s unique theater experience begins with a 2,000 seat auditorium, a 300-ft stage

that surrounds the audience on three sides, a cast of 50 actors, state-of-the-art technology, and live animals. Sight & Sound Theatre presents an all-new production in 2021. Set in the opulent (yet perilous) Persian Empire, QUEEN ESTHER is a captivating tale of beauty and bravery. Esther’s ordinary life changed forever when she was taken through the palace doors, entering a new world of royalty and risk. With a crown on her head and a secret in her heart, can she find the courage to trust in God’s plan and believe that she was made for such a time as this?

Experience one of the most

riveting Bible stories of the Old Testament as it comes to life with magnificent sets, special effects and live animals in this brandnew, original stage production from Sight & Sound Theatres Tickets for Queen Esther areonsale now and shows are scheduled now through December 23.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit https://sightsound.com/

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People to See

Roger Williams Visitors to America’s smallest state will find a wealth of historical attractions that preserve its religious heritage. A good place to start is downtown Providence, the capital and largest city. It was here that Roger Williams (1603-1683), the founder of Rhode Island, settled in 1636 on land that he bought from the Narragansett Indians, declaring it a settlement for the persecuted of all religions. advocating separation of church and state in Colonial America. He is also the founder of the first Baptist church in America. He had been banished by the Puritans in Massachusetts for challenging established religion and government, the very reason he had left England for America. His colony also became a refuge for Quakers, Hugenots and Jews.

The three-acre Roger Williams Memorial, a National Park Service site on the spring where Williams settled, is a 4.5-acre greenspace with interpretive panels along brick paths and a small visitor center featuring exhibits and a five-minute film. See the seven-foot-tall, painted papier-mache statue of Williams that stood outside a local bank from 1960-1983.

Beans, corn and squash are grown in the Native American Garden next to the center. On Prospect Terrace, a few blocks up the hill, is a statue of Williams that marks where his remains and those of his wife were reinterred in 1939.

Also nearby is the First Baptist Meeting House, better known as The First Baptist Church in America. A stately, cream-colored church built in 1775 for the Baptist congregation organized by Williams and others in 1638, it is -32- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

affiliated with American Baptist Churches/USA. A blend of English Georgian architecture and the traditional New England meeting house style, this Providence landmark has a classic New England steeple topped by a weather vane and with a Roman-numeral clock on all four sides.

The church’s interior, with a gray-green color scheme, is distinguished by box pews, balcony seating, Palladian windows with shutters, fluted columns and a central chandelier. Guided tours are given after the Sunday service, and the church is open for self-guided tours from Monday through Friday.

The church, right across the river from Providence’s central business district, is part of the East Side skyline and backs up to Benefit Street, which boasts one of the largest concentrations of 18th and 19th century buildings in America, most of them private homes. A stroll on the brick and flagstone walks along this tree-shaded “Mile of History” reveals a variety of architectural styles. Not far away are the historic campus of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

A must-see is RISD’s Museum of Art, which covers the gamut from Egyptian and Roman to French Impressionism and contemporary. For more information, visit online at https://www. history.com/ For more on topics/reformation/roger-wilRhode island liams

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Things to Do

Civil Rights Inspiration

S

everal Alabama cities are home to some of the most important Civil Rights monuments, museums, and historic sites. This includes the Civil Rights Institute and Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Montgomery’s Civil Rights Monument and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Selma’s Voting Rights Museum.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute sits at the corner of Sixteenth Street and Sixth Avenue North, forming the cornerstone of Birmingham’s Civil Rights District, which covers a six-block area. Additional landmarks include Kelly Ingram Park, the Fourth Avenue Business District, and Carver Theater.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute provides an in-depth look at the events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in both Birmingham and the United States, as well as continuing issues that African Americans have faced since. The galleries feature permanent and temporary exhibits on a variety of topics from violent conflict to segregation.

Ninety miles (about an hour and one-half) further south is the city of Montgomer where the civil Rights Memorial stands. It features an an exquisite black granite sculpture commemorating those killed during the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement. The memorial stands in a square next to the Civil Rights Memorial Center, where tourists will find educational displays and exhib-

its, including the Wall of Tolerance.

Another Montgomery landmark is the newly opened National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a six-acre space dedicated to those African Americans who were victims of lynching and other forms of racial injustice.

The memorial includes artwork, sculptures, and monuments, which honor various figures in the Civil Rights movement, as well as a field of 800 monuments each representing a county where lynchings took place.

Go on an adventure hunt to find several important Civil Rights landmarks. The most famous being the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and museum, which was the meeting place of early Civil Rights activits and once the parish of Martin Luther King Jr.

For more on Alabama, >CLICK HERE -34- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ April, 2021

Go, See, Do:

Great Passion Play

EUREKA SPRINGS - The performance begins with the resurrection of Lazarus and continues on through the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem on the day known as Palm Sunday. During the performance you will witness the significant events leading to and including Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven.

You will see the colorful spectacle of the market place, the pageantry of the chariot and camel caravan, and the hustle and bustle of the crowds as they go about their daily activities. You may especially enjoy seeing the live animals on the streets of Jerusalem, the poignant healing, the angel rolling away the stone at the tomb, and the dramatic and exciting ascension of Jesus into the night sky.

Every effort has been made to be historically accurate and true to Holy Scriptures. The Play is performed on a 550-foot-wide, multilevel stage in an outdoor amphi-

theater which has 4,100 individual seats with comfortable backrests.

Besides Easter weekend performances, the 2021 schedule continues on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from May 28 through 30th. Tickets start at $30 per person. However, there are family discounts, youth and children’s rates, and multiple event tickets.

Besides the live outdoor passion play, make sure to plan extra time to visit the History Museum and take a Holy Land Tour. Concessions are available beginning at noon. Starting as early as 6:30 PM - Free performances begin of the Parables of the Potter, David the Shepherd, and the Sculptor.

Enjoy wonderful food in The Great Passion Play’s Great Hall Buffet.

Pulled pork, ribs, chicken, a vegetarian dish, starches and vegetables, a full salad bar and dessert bar, as well as beverages make it not only a convenient place to eat, but also a delicious place to dine. (Some of the dishes do

change!) It’s all-you-can-eat, and it is open to the public! You can come and eat regardless if you have tickets to anything else on the grounds! Dinner is served from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM each day the play is performed.

At this same location, the famous 67-feet- tall Christ of the Ozarks stands tall and proud with outstretched arms overlooking Eureka Springs.

The seven-story statue continues to be one of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks since it was completed in 1966.

For more information, visit www. greatpassionplay.org/

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Things to Do:

See Jewish Museum Sa

Dr. Robert B. Feldman, the New York-based art collector, has promised this large-scale installation by Mira Lehr as a gift to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The artwork, titled Sacred Dreams, is comprised of 183 aerial sculptures that descend from the ceiling of the museum, and is estimated at a value of $300,000.

Photo by Michael E. Fryd (2020).

The installation is currently on view at the museum as a temporary loan from Dr. Feldman, and will become part of the museum’s permanent collection in September.

The museum is centrally located in South Beach, in the heart of Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach. Dr. Feldman previously lived in Florida, and was known for having “one of the most important collections of contemporary art in Florida.”

The 183 aerial sculptures are made of burned and dyed Japanese paper, acrylic, ink, and resin.

“I am honored to donate this major work by Mira Lehr to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU,” said Dr. Robert B. Feldman.

tion of more than 100,000 items.

“This large-scale work now has a permanent home in the community for all to enjoy, including the millions of tourists that visit Miami Beach, at this beloved gem of a museum that is of historic importance in the Southeast.”

“We are very grateful to Dr. Robert B. Feldman for this donation to the museum,” said Susan Gladstone Pasternack, the Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. “Mira Lehr created this stunning installation, Sacred Dreams, specifically with the museum in mind as a result of a personal visit here.

The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of more than 250 years of Florida Jewish history, art and culture with a growing collec-

After Lehr spent time at the museum, she reflected upon the emotions and inspiration she felt and created these 183 aerial sculptures to interact with the light they create together with our

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acred Dreams

stained-glass windows. The result is truly magnificent.”

Nationally renowned as an eco-feminist artist, Lehr is celebrated for working with imagery from the natural world, creating layered abstract compositions with unconventional materials.

The 60 Minutes television correspondent Morley Safer referred to her as “the mistress of light.”

Sacred Dreams by Mira Lehr showcases the artist’s six decades of art making on Miami Beach. The lush flora of her Miami Beach home (where Lehr grew up in the 1940s) has a profound influence on her aesthetic vocabulary.

“I want viewers to feel like they are walking beneath an aerial garden of luminous, reflecting sculptures,” said

Mira Lehr. “A holy garden of Light, that takes people out of the actual world and transports them onto a spiritual plane,” adds Lehr.

In 1960, Lehr co-founded in Miami Beach one of the country’s first coops for women artists. It was called Continuum and thrived for more than 30 years, blazing a pioneer trail that helped establish Miami’s evolution as an art destination.

for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation. The original synagogue was built in 1929, and the second, built in 1936, was designed by Art Deco architect Henry Hohauser and features 80 stained-glass windows, a copper dome, and a marble bimah.

While reflective of the Jewish experience in Florida, the museum creates understanding of the shared immigrant experience in our multicultural She is known in the art world as “the society.

Godmother of Miami’s art scene” and has mentored many artists through the years.

The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU is housed in two restored historic buildings that were once synagogues

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Places to Go:

Cross at the Crossroads

W

atching over traffic along Interstate highways 57 and 70, the “Cross at the Crossroads” was built for inspirational reasons.

The underlying reason -- was to also out-size every other big American cross out there, especially the giant cross in Groom, Texas, which was both its inspiration and its toughest competition.

The construction crew did it’s job well, as the Effingham cross reined as size champion for 17 years, until a taller onewas erected in Missouri in late 2018.

Now holding “2nd Place” in size, the cross is 198 feet tall and 113 feet wide. It was forged out of over 180 tons of steel anchored in untold fathoms of cement. The cross can withstand winds up to 145 miles per hour. Its stark, slab-sided design conveys the corporate utility of a logo -- no distracting crucifixion blandishments, just the plainest symbol of Christianity.

No two accounts agree on its cost; some estimates range into the multi-millions. But the Cross Foundation that built it says that 20 million people drive past the cross each year, and that a percentage of those people will see it

and become good Christians, and that makes it all worthwhile.

Thrusting heavenward out of easy-to-reach flat farmland, the cross seems even bigger than it already is, an effect not enjoyed by some other crosses that were unwisely built on distant hills (Unfortunately, the view from the top of the cross can only be imagined, as its hollow innards have only a single, off-limits ladder and no way to look out). The massive slab into which it’s anchored is awash in piped-in church music

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and surrounded by monuments for each of the Ten Commandments, which deliver inspirational audio homilies at the touch of a button. Granite blocks, set flush with the earth, serve as simple memorials and as billboards for testimony. “Live 4 Jesus Die is Gain” reads one. Another proclaims, “In These Trying Times a Sign -God is in Control.”

Corvettes at the Cross and the Blessing of the Bikes are two of the seasonal events held at the cross’s Welcome Center and chapel. Volunteers staff the facility in four-hour shifts.

A small theater in the Effingham Cross welcome center shows a video, available for purchase, which recounts the construction. It was “an intricate and delicate ballet,” the narrator says.

“Until the Lord comes back and this world comes to an end, the light of this cross is going to shine for people who travel by.”

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Things to Do:

Candlelight Theatre

Learn all about the history of our 23rd President at this home in Indianapolis. Rated fourth place for Things to Do in Indianapolis, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site celebrates the remarkable legacy of America’s Hoosier President.

ings, furniture and personal presidential gifts and mementos. Enjoy the grounds surrounding the estate which features an array of flower beds manicured by volunteer The museum is a national histor- gardeners. ic landmark situated within easy walking distance of downtown Be entertained Indianapolis and the bustling 16th by the performing Street corridor. The 1875 Italianate arts associates that mansion is exquisitely restored periodically presand has an exceptional collection ent the Candlelight of more than 10,000 artifacts.

Theatre. Creative Daily tours of the property inDirector Donna clude a 75-minute guided tour Wing, Resident through the Harrison house and Playwright James private quarters.

Trofatter and a dedicated company View an awe-inspiring collecof seasoned actors tion of Gilded Age finery, paint- perform a combination of mysteries, comedies and thrilling historically-inspired tales. In this spring season, beginning April 16, guests can participate in helping to solve the mystery of Death in the Library by Jo Smedley. Working in teams of eight, they will interrogate the suspects, gather clues, and solve the crime. A prize will be awarded to the winning team each evening.

Performances will begin at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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online.

The privately operated, non-profit organization receives no direct tax support and is dedicated to sharing the life stories, arts and culture of an American President to increase public participation in the American system of self-government. Find out more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org. .

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Things to Do:

For Spring Break Right about now, we could all use a little xZOOberance! Unwind and celebrate in Indy’s favorite spring festival. Don’t miss it; there are just a few more days to catch the fun - April 8-11.

Live music, art, craft kits, photo ops, and, of course, animals make this a must-do activity. Especially this year.

Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day Thursday through Sunday.

Need a place for the kids to safely blow off steam and overcome a little cabin fever? The Bicentennial Pavilion will be buzzing with live music and dancing, along with spring-centric art and fun, socially distanced activities.

Express your creativity with our take-home craft kits.

Seeking your next epic photo op? Look for larger-thanlife flowers and pinwheels plus the beautiful Living Wall.

And, of course, don’t miss encounters with animals, including goats and chickens. Guests can also have free basic eye screenings presented by Dr. Tavel.

Just want to unwind with a beverage and a snack? Head to the Cheer Garden anytime! We’re offering a fresh, seasonal menu featuring Bavarian pretzels, kettle chips and kid-friendly refreshments. Also, adults can sample wine

slushies from Daniel’s Vineyard, sip cocktails created especially for us by Hotel Tango, and enjoy craft beer and the new Naked Barrel Hard Seltzer from Upland Brewing Co. With this much to see and do, there’s no question: It’s time to say sayonara to winter and ring in the season we’ve all been waiting for. Reservations are required.

Tickets are free for members - enter your membership details during checkout.

In following Mayor Hogsett’s guidelines, guests and members must have a mask with them upon entering the Zoo. Visitors are required to wear a face covering to enter all buildings including restrooms. In addition, the Zoo will require masks to enter the aviaries, participate in interactions at Tembo Camp, Giraffe Feeds, Flamingo Feeds and Flamingo Mingle as social distancing is not possible at these activities. Masks are required to be worn in outdoor areas where social distancing of 6ft is not possible. For more information, visit https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/

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Things to Do:

A Spiritual Journey 1. Camp Algona POW Nativity Scene

Between 1942 and 1946, enemy combatants captured during World War II were held captive in the US. One of the Prisoner of War (POW) camps was in north central Iowa, just outside Algona. Although POW camps in the US have been largely forgotten in American history, Algona has a yearly reminder of the Camp that was just outside the town: a nativity scene that is displayed every year around Christmas time. Learn about the divine inspiration behind this enduring symbol of unity for the people of Algona and those who visit it.

2. Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption

Often referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World,” the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is testament to a young priest’s faith and determination to fulfill a promise. The Shrine is comprised of nine grottos depicting scenes in the life of Jesus. It is considered to be the world’s largest grotto and the most complete man-made collection of minerals, fossils, shells and petrified wood in one place.

3. Trinity Heights

If you’re looking for a sanctuary to get away from everyday hassles — you’ll find it at Trinity Heights in Sioux City. This pastoral setting offers more than two dozen shrines, memorial garden spots and quiet corners for prayer and reflection amidst 14 acres of spacious walkways and soft green spaces. The statues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace and the Sacred Heart of Jesus that grace the grounds are awe inspiring.

There are shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Way of the Saints honoring 60 Saints in the Catholic Church, an Outdoor Cathedral area and Trinity Gardens. Inside St. Joseph’s Center across from the Marian Center Gift Shop you’ll find an

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impressive life-size carving of the Last Supper.

4. Historic Trinity Church

Originally located nine miles south of Manning, Trinity Church served the rural area for 125 years.

In 2006, the congregation decided that the Church could no longer financially survive. Church members and the Manning Heritage Foundation wanted to see the structure preserved so they joined forces and raised funds to move the church to the Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park.

5. Morning Star Chapel

Charles Johann Walensky was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and as a young man, learned the building trade. Walensky was a deeply religious man. When he was 83-years old, he began to build a miniature chapel in his own backyard as a place for people to meditate, pray and relax. The tiny chapel is just six feet wide and eight feet long. The interior is complete in every detail with an altar and pulpit. It has four pews with each just large enough to hold one person. Scriptural text illustrated with oil paintings adorn the walls and the windows are stained glass. The chapel is now located on the Danish Windmill Complex in Elk Horn.

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People to See:

t BRANSON - Bring the entire family to the famous Sight & Sound Theater to witness the life of JESUS. Coming for the first time to Branson, this show tells the life history of the most iconic Biblical figure and how he began his teachings. Bringing the word of God to the stage, this inspiring performance travels alongside Jesus and the miracles that he performed, from saving fishermen from the raging sea of Galilee to touching the lives of those who are most unexpected. Meet figures like Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Nicodemus. The ever-inspiring message of love, faith, acceptance, and salvation of this theatrical event will delight and inspirit each live audience member who witnesses its splendor.

Sight & Sound is known as the most famous Christian theater in the world. Known for productions such as Joseph at Sight & Sound, Noah the Musical, Miracle of Christmas, and Samson, Sight & Sound strives to make every experience memorable. The theat-

er can seet 2,000 guests and boasts A Sight & Sound Theater show an astonishing 300-foot stage that is a must, and the JESUS show is surrounds the audience from sure to impress. Experience the three sides, giving an immersive Bible and the history of Christianand spectacular experience! ity in a brand new way via origiBy making use of special efnal music, talented acting, and a fects, a state-of-the-art sound and moving show experience. You and lighting system, beautiful backyour loved ones are sure to have a drops, elaborate costumes, a cast fantastic time getting inspired by of talented live actors, and even the works of JESUS at Sight and live animals, the theater creates Sound Theatre, a musical stage an immersive experience. Visitors adventure that is truly unlike any can even choose to purchase the other you’ve ever seen before! show on DVD or take a gift home Create the perfect getaway in from the gift shop. Each theatrical Branson and discover the Bible in production is painstakingly creat- a unique way. After you’ve wited, so a visit to this theater is sure nessed the inspiring story of Jesus to be a dazzling time.

Christ, there are plenty of other With its original music, massive great attractions, activities, and sets, and an energizing script, hotels to add on to your itinerary each show brings an element of to create lasting memories in the originality that viewers will not Ozarks. find anywhere else. Established Tickets and more information by the Eschelman family, the are available at https://www. theater prides itself on its shows sight-sound.com/ in both Lancaster and Branson.

Each show takes years and years For more on Missouri to put together as every element is carefully curated to create an unforgettable time for visitors.

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Go, Do, See

Great Wolf Lodge is preparing to celebrate the season of rejuvenation and renewal with Spring Breakout (Feb. 26-May 2, 2021), a family-reawakening experience in the toasty-warm embrace of its indoor water park resorts.

During Spring Breakout, Great Wolf Lodge is partnering with One Tree Planted to help ensure the lush forests depicted within its resorts continue to thrive for future generations to enjoy. Great Wolf Lodge is supporting the non-profit’s tree planting efforts with a $100,000 donation to plant 100,000 trees in the U.S., and hopes to spread awareness through educational guest programming.

“While winter continues to have a tight grip over much of the country, at Great Wolf Lodge the sights, sounds, scents, and importantly the warmth of spring are in the air during our Spring Breakout celebration,” said Brooke Patterson, senior vice president of brand experiences for Great Wolf Resorts. “The forests come to life in the spring, and we are excited to launch our partnership with One Tree Planted during Spring Breakout and help replenish the forests as well as provide families the opportunity to learn more about the importance of reforestation.”

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multiplier effect, and something kids can understand in a tangible way,” said Diana Chaplin, canopy director at One Tree Planted.

“Families are craving a fun-filled and safe getaway for their upcoming spring break,” added Patterson. “With health and safety protocols in place with our Paw Pledge Program and new family-friendly activities as part of our Spring Breakout celebration, our resorts offer families a safe, close, convenient and importantly fun place to spend quality time together this spring.”

Spring Breakout activities sprouting across North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts include: • Digital Scavenger Hunt: Families can learn about the importance of trees and join the pledge to plant 100,000 trees with One Tree Planted by completing activities around the resort to earn a certificate, available on mobile devices.

• “Tree to Be” Yoga Tails: Families stretch, flex and breathe in fun exercises designed to stimulate energy, imagination and self-expression.

• Spring-Themed Crafts: Kids can let their imagination run wild with activities such as Make Your Own Moochi Hand Puppet, Beaded Butterflies and Dragonflies, Butterfly and Bead Rings, Spring Breakout Coloring Sheets, Spring Breakout Button Making

e:

and more.

• Spring Jamboree, Dance Party & Storytime: Guests will gather in the lobby for Spring Jamboree, with a sing-along to the new Sunshine Celebration theme song. To awaken spring, guests launch into dancing the Spring Dance, chanting the Spring Breakout motto, and showcasing the Spring Cheer of their newly created arts and crafts. That flows into a lobby dance party complete with a spring shower of bubbles and Great Wolf’s nightly storytime tale: Isn’t Nature Great.

• Character Photo Ops: Families can marvel in the whimsical spring decor providing Instagrammable moments throughout the resort, while spotting Great Wolf’s lovable characters roaming the resort and capturing memories and photo ops against springtime backdrops.

One Tree Planted: Supporting Reforestation Efforts in the U.S. Great Wolf Lodge has committed to plant 100,000 trees with a $100,000 donation to One Tree Planted, supporting their mission to create a healthier climate and protect biodiversity. Guests learn about the importance of trees to a healthy eco-system in a fun way – as part of a resort-wide digital scavenger hunt activity. Each activity takes guests to a different area

of the resort with an amusing challenge, while also providing interesting facts about trees. Complete the challenge and guests are rewarded with a digital certificate that recognizes them for joining Great Wolf Lodge’s pledge and commitment to plant 100,000 trees.

In addition to Great Wolf Lodge’s $100,000 commitment, guests can make an incremental contribution through a special “add a dollar” campaign at the resort’s Buckhorn retail outlet. Every $1 donated will equal one tree planted with 100 percent of the contributions directly benefiting One Tree Planted.

Great Wolf Lodge wants to invite all families to learn more about the importance of trees and has developed an “at home” version of the scavenger hunt which is available for download on its blog (greatwolf.com/blog). As they complete the challenges at home, guests can upload their photos to social media using #GWLOneTreePlanted to join in the fun.

To learn more, please visit www.GreatWolf.com/ OneTreePlanted.

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Go, Do, See

T

he Book of Genesis comes to life at The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, locatet on I75 half-way between Cincinnati and Lexington. The Encounter features a Noah’s Ark that is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high — the exact dimensions described in the Bible. The Encounter is a family-friendly interactive exhibit that is sure to answer questions common and not-so-common that people might have about the story of Noah and the flood.

Inside, there are three decks containing beautifully crafted exhibits that will inspire you as they help bring the story to life.

Ark Encounter is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, built in part by skilled Amish craftsmen from standing dead timber..com/ In the Living Quarters section (at right), find out how Noah and his family might have lived on the Ark, from cooking food to sleeping, recreation, and even gardening!The account was recorded by Moses and is found in Genesis 6–9.

The animals were sent two by two and housed in the ark by Noah.

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Besides taking a tour through the ark, be sure to explore the family playground, built for kids of all abilities. Soar across gorgeous valleys on a zip line tour. Then spot some exotic animals at Ararat

Ridge Zoo,

For tickets or tion, visit online encounter.com/

Livin insid

By Norman Reed Managing Editor

more informae at https://ark-

ng quarters for Noah and his family are shown de the Ark.

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April, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -47-

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Places to Go:

Billy Graham Library

Located on 20 acres near Charlotte is the Billy Graham Library, an inspiring testament to the work of one of America’s best-known evangelists. The library is housed in a 40,000-square foot building styled after a dairy barn (Graham’s father was a dairy farmer). Enter through the cross-shaped entrance and you will find multimedia presentations, photographs, and various memorabilia items documenting Graham’s fascinating evangelical journey.

Don’t leave without strolling through the memorial prayer garden and the restored home in which Graham lived as a child.

Built on the same property as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, right off of Billy Graham Parkway, the Library is organized around the themes of “The Man,” “The Message,” “The Ministry,” and “The Mission” with the message being pre-eminent: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ministry is taking that message to the ends of the earth.

The Journey of Faith focuses on what God did in the life of a young farm boy who grew up in rural North Carolina, committed his life to Jesus Christ at a local revival and, through God’s grace manifested in him,

became what many consider “America’s pastor” and evangelist to the world.

“We are not lifting up or pointing to Billy Graham,” says son Franklin Graham. “We are pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Throughout the tour, visitors hear the Gospel presented and have opportunity to respond to the message.

The Billy Graham Library is not a memorial, nor is it a museum. The Billy Graham Library is a ministry, prayerfully planned with the intention of communicating the unchanging, life-giving message of Jesus Christ to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who may never attend a Crusade.

The Journey of Faith tour takes approximately one and a half hours to complete. To make your visit as meaningful as possible, the last complete tour of the day will begin at 3:30 p.m. Open hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, visit https://billygrahamlibrary.org/ For more on South Carolina

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