Picnic with the Pops, Columbus Ohio

Picnic with the Pops. A wonderful summer time activity suitable for young and old alike. Our symphony performs outdoors several times in the summer, it's casual, it's fun. Truly a great summer tradition in Columbus, Ohio. Here's a general view of he stage area. You see people in chairs, on blankets, at tables. Some get dressed up, others come casual. Some bring feasts, others bring snacks. Truly it's your choice.
There's always a patriotic concert that's quite popular. We ladies dressed appropriately. Pictured left to right: Karen, Jane, and yours truly-Sandy. This years Patriotic Concert will be July 2, Sat evening.

Hubby and I. You can see coolers and people behind us. Everyone claims a spot and settles in.

People come and picnic before the concert. Gates open at 6 pm, and the concerts begin at 8:15 pm. Price for adults is $20.00 and $8.00 for children, with kids under 2 being free. Concerts are held on the lawn at Chemical Abstracts, 2540 Olentangy River Road in Columbus. Tickets can be purchased ahead or at the gate. Discounts available for groups and early purchases. Coupon books for $160.00 hold 10 no date tickets. The series Picnic with the Pops runs from June 18th through July 30th this coming year.

Sometimes there's dancing! Ernie and I cutting a rug as they say. He always dances better after wine, lol. Entertainment varies. This coming season will host the music of Michael Jackson which I'll make a point not to go to. Didn't like him when he was alive, no reason to pretend I do now that he's gone. Always a favorite though is The Ohio State Marching Band they pull in quite a crowd. Others listed are: The Spinners, Chris Botti, Daryl Stuermer and Phil Collins.

And who doesn't enjoy a pretty sunset while sipping wine and enjoying friends and music!

Do you have outdoor family appropriate concerts in your area? If so, I encourage you to turn off the tv and go. Celebrate the season, get outdoors.

More information available about tickets, tables, and kids concerts by clicking on the link at the beginning of this post.

**This is my P post for Z-A challenge.

Topiary Gardens, Deaf School Park

Flat Stanley here on another fun filled Friday Adventure. Click to enlarge the picture to read the full sign for The Topiary Gardens. It was started in 1989. Hey kids get your pencils out and subtract from our current year and tell me how long ago that was. Do you know what the word Topiary means?

.	topiary - a garden having shrubs clipped or trimmed into decorative shapes especially of animals garden - a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
	2.	topiary - making decorative shapes by trimming shrubs or trees

Did you know that? Isn't it interesting what you can find out looking things up in the dictionary, even the on line dictionary.
This painting comes to life in the form of shrubs. You see people, dogs, umbrellas, and children in the photo. Sorry the picture of the picture isn't very good. There was a lot of glass to shoot the picture through and that caused lots of reflection. People enjoying the shade of the trees, fishing in the pond. Such a peaceful and fun piece of art. This very famous painting is by French Artist George Seurat and is titled, "A Sunday Afternoon on The Ile De La Grande Jatte". Have you ever seen this painting before?
Look closely here. Look where Flat Stanley is. A woman with a bustle wearing a hat is right behind him, and further behind you see two other shapes, two other people! Scroll back to the painting, can you find the lady with the bustle in the painting?

And here's Flat Stanley with a couple taking a walk through the park under the protection of an umbrella. Look around. Do you see other people walking, do you see some sitting under a tree? Do you see a dog on the right side. Look carefully and click to make the photo's larger so you can the details.
Here's a bronze plaque showing this same famous French Painting. Look at all the shapes, they show up perhaps a little better here then they do in the painting.

This fabulous display of art is located 10 acres of land on East Town Street and Washington in Columbus, Ohio; the former site of The Deaf School.

This is a historic area. The Deaf School was started in 1829, enlarge in 1845, one building replaced in 1868, another building added on 1899. In 1908 it added a hospital, and in 1953 The Deaf School was moved to a much larger campus on Morse Road in northern Columbus on 235 acres that had been a golf course. There weren't many schools for The Deaf and this was ground breaking on so many levels, changing the way The Deaf are educated, and live forever.

All parks are peaceful, have places to sit and contemplate, and space to run and romp and explore. This is unique because here you can do all that, and learn about Art at the same time. I encourage you to take the kids and let them stand beside one of the figures, take their photo, and see if they can find where they were in the photo. It's great fun and a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. As always you can teach some math, some history, some geography all the while you're playing with the kids at the park.

See you next Friday for another Fun filled adventure with Flat Stanley.

Franklin Park, Asians and The Civil War

Flat Stanley spending more time in Franklin Park, 1777 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio. This sign doesn't mark something specific happening on this spot, as many historic plaques do. It calls attention to a little known fact. We all know The American Civil War was fought by The Union trying to preserve The United States against The Confederacy. We know one cause of the war was deemed to be states rights, and one cause was to free Black Americans that were living in bondage in The South. But, did you know Asians fought in that war? Asians fought on both sides, despite not being US Citizens. Statistically it's believed more fought on the side of The Union.

The Civil War was fought between 1861-1865. As the sign indicates The Naturalization Act and The Chinese Exclustion Act blocked some who fought to preserve this country from being able to become citizens of this country. Those restriction continued until 1965, when finally all restrictions based on race, and origin were lifted. In 2003 those who fought were posthumously proclaimed to be US Citizens in an effort to recognize their service to this country. 142 years after the start of The Civil War, they were honored by House Joint Resolution 45.

The flip side of this sign lists names of those supposed to be Asian who fought from Ohio. Due to anti-Asian sentiment, many changed their names, changed the spelling of their names and much controversy surrounds this premise. Historians have not been able to document the names listed as really being Asian. In fact, in several cases the names have been found to be German and other nationalities, not Asian. Most aren't listed on muster lists, most weren't given pensions, and therefore the names listed are speculation based on the feeling of some in The Asian Community that the names sounded Asian. A great deal of research has been done by Terry Foenander and others that disproves the list as being accurate.

I found some documentation that indicates a man that went by the name of John Tommy was Chinese and that he fought and died at Gettysburg. Perhaps as time goes on with the help of more research and maybe DNA testing, more information on this topic can be found.

I don't know which group of researchers has the most correct story; but am never the less glad those who fought to preserve this country have finally been given the honor of being United States Citizens.

Flat Stanley plans to return this park another time to see what else he can learn. Until then, he hopes to see you all again next Friday for more Fun on the 25th.

This perhaps is a deep/heavy topic; but I believe you can still make this a family appropriate outing. Discuss with the kids why knowing who fought for the country is important. Do they known someone who is Asian? Can they find Asia on a globe or map? Make a word list, a spelling list. There's always something that can be age appropriate as the kids explore with
Flat Stanley.

Flat Stanley at Franklin Park

Here's Flat Stanley in Franklin park at 1777 Broad Street (Broad & Main) in Columbus, Ohio. "War is Hell", a famous quote from William Tecumseh Sherman. On this site General Sherman gave a stirring and memorable speech to a group of Civil War Veterans in August of 1880.

General William Tecumseh Sherman is probably best known for his "March to the Sea" bringing about the end of The American Civil War. Some folks might argue he destroyed much that didn't need to be destroyed, others felt he got carried away, while others (including many modern day historians) feel he probably saved lives by bringing an end to The War that had cost the country so much. Many feel The March to the Sea is much like the dropping of The Atom Bomb in Japan...the only way to obtain a surrender and put an end to The War. The South had children fighting, old men trying to guard cities, and Slaves forced against their will to fight on The side of The Confederacy...the side fighting to keep them down.

Though that might be the first thing one would think of thinking of Sherman, he was much more then a soldier. He was a businessman, an Educator, an author. He was The Superintendent at Louisiana State Seminary. He was a railroad-man in St. Louis. He was one of 11 children left penny-less when his father, Charles Robert Sherman (member of the State of Ohio Supreme Court), died and left the family nothing to live on. William Tecumseh Sherman, then 9 years old was raised by a neighbor and family friend in Lancaster, Ohio; Thomas Ewing. He later married Ewing's daughter.

There's much controversy and intrigue around his middle name of Tecumseh. Friends called him "Cump", short for Tecumseh and so it would seem that was indeed his name. His father was an admirer of The Indian, Tecumseh. Some records indicate he obtained the name William when he was baptized as a child, other records indicate he received the name William when baptized later in life after moving in with The Ewing family.

The famous quote and speech was delivered on what had been the grounds for The State Fair. Like Schiller Park, these historic park's were used for large public gatherings.

Sherman was born Feb 8th, 1820 and died Feb. 14th 1891. There were several services. A pallbearer at one service in New York had been a high ranking general for The Confederacy. His final service was conducted by his son, Thomas Ewing Sherman a Jesuit Priest in St. Louis. He's buried there in St. Louis at Calvary Cemetery.
Franklin Park is a large 93+acre park open daily to the public. Flat Stanley says come, walk, run, romp and enjoy. This park the original location of The State Fair has much to offer including The Franklin County Park Conservatory. A park with history, and space for all to enjoy. Bring the family and explore.

Spring is approaching and Flat Stanley wants everyone to get out and enjoy a park near them. Look around, explore it. Is there a historic sign? If so, take the time to learn from it. Have the children learn by mapping out the park, or helping you find locations in the park, draw pictures of what they see, make a glossary list of new words presented at the park. Do math by figuring out how far away the park is, how long it took you to get there. Flat Stanleys motto is education is fun, and every experience presents both opportunities. Take advantage of them.

See you next week for more fun on Friday with Flat Stanley on March 18th.

**Don't miss any of Flat Stanle's Adventures, click here

Schiller Park Part III(German Village)

Here's Flat Stanley again enjoy all that German Village's Schiller Park has to offer. Look at this wonderful water fall and Umbrella Girl Statue. Who doesn't enjoy a nice water fall and art in combination? Once again I'll say Schiller Park is far more then grass and trees. There's history, art, entertainment and recreation. Lots of information about history and entertainment in Schiller Park Park I HERE, and yet more HERE in Schiller Park Part II.

Flat Stanley wanted you to see a close up of this wonderful statue.

Flat Stanley loves flowers, here he is in the middle of one of the many beautiful gardens here at Schiller Park. The flower beds change throughout the year and so can be enjoyed month after month. Many flowers have markers where you can learn the names of the flowers which I really enjoy. You can see the red brick walk ways surrounding the flower beds. So inviting.
Maybe you want to sit in one of many park benches and just take it all in. Grab a book and sit and read. It's really an enjoyable place to spend some time.
A close up of some very pretty flowers that seem to attract lots of birds, bees, and butterflies.
A beautiful butterfly enjoying the nectar of the flowers. We don't see many of these beauties anymore; but when I do see them it makes me smile.

There's a pond for those that might want to fish here in the park. The rec. center holds classes for adults and children alike all year long.

German Village has a traditional Haus and Garten Tour on Sunday, June 28th from 9 am to 6 pm. This years tour marks the 50th anniversary of this enjoyable and well attended event. You could enjoy sitting in the park to rest during your tour. Mark your calendars now.

See you next Friday, March 25th for another adventure with Flat Stanley

**Things to do when you visit a park to make it special and educational for the kids
Learn about a flower that's growing
Draw a picture of the park
Draw a picture of flowers
What animals are in the park, draw them
Is there a plaque? Learn about the Park. How did it get it's name?

Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

In Part I of Schiller Park we learned this park is old, has a very long and rich history, was involved in books being burned, involved politically long before being politically correct came into the picture. This park is much more then grass and trees. You expect grass and trees at any and all parks, but this one has much more to offer and learn and enjoy. You can read Part I HERE
Schiller Park named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a man of enlightenment can to this day enlighten all who visit and take time. As you stroll about the park, walk or run about the park, chase children and dogs about the park..........take time. On the paths that surround beautiful flower beds are poetic phrases and quotes to ponder.

When most people think of William Tell, they probably think about Robin Hood and arrows and apples on peoples heads. However here in stone are some of his words to ponder, to contemplate and to share.
There are many quotes in the park. I photographed a few of my favorites. The date on these 2 quotes of William Tell, 1804 I found interesting. You see Ohio became a state in 1803. So, one year later these important words were written. These words are still quite meaningful today, some 207 years after they were spoken.
Now this quote, "In The Sanctuary of Your Heart with God, the words are not as important as faith." This gave me pause. Perhaps this woman who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth kept her sanity during her imprisonment by having her inner thoughts and faith. Queen of Scots, wrongly accused of poisoning her husband, imprisoned and executed...she had a short a tragic life. Schiller wrote a play, a tragedy about her life.
Joan of Arc, how can one not be inspired when thinking about her and her words? When a young women she lead France forces in The Hundred Years War, was captured and sold to The English and burned at the stake at the young age of 19. Years later, she was found innocent. She believed she was lead by visions from God and followed those visions knowing she was in harms way.

Schiller Park can be a quiet place of contemplation, it can be loud and rowdy with children playing and dogs barking, it can be entertaining when The very popular summer Shakespeare Series starts. How fitting is a free Shakespeare in the park program given the literary comparisons of Schiller to Shakespeare?

Take a picnic with you, your blanket or lounge chair to enjoy Summer Shakespeare in the park. Next Friday, March 11th will be the final post, part III of Schiller Park. See you then.

Schiller Park Part I (German Village)

Flat Stanley here in Schiller Park, previously known as Washington Park, and City Park. Schiller Park a large old park has more then grass and trees. Bordered by City Park Avenue, East Deshler, Reinhard Avenue, and Jaeger Street it's a well known spot in German Village in Columbus, Ohio.

The site of family picnics, Shakespeare in the park, large beautiful old trees to sit under and watch the kids and the dogs frolic about, or nap while others fish. This park is active, beautiful and very historical. It's been the place to be, the place to avoid, and happily again the place to be.

Historically it was a place for concerts, for festivals including German Songfests, holidays like The 4th of July. It's even been the spot for The State of Ohio Fair in 1864 and 1865, the Civil War Years. In 1871 it was the place to celebrate the end of The Franco-Prussian War with a Peace Celebration.

A busy, productive and active German-American Community thrived here. Originally the area was called Stewarts Grove. Land purchased here by the city in 1867 was named City Park. Later, on July 4th, 1891 a 25 foot statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller arrived from Munich and was dedicated, and thus the park was renamed to Schiller Park.
Schiller was a renowned poet among other things. Many feel his contributions are only surpassed by Shakespeare.

Anti German sentiment was at a fever pitch after WWI, and the parks name was changed once again to Washington Park. The sentiment against Germany, and German people was high. Lusitania was sunk with women and children on it by The Germans. Innocent women and children were killed/murdered and this point was hammered home. German language classed could no longer be taught. Once popular German singing societies suffered. Street names in the area with German names were changed. Books written in German were burned and banned. Books were burned here in Schiller Park at the base of this beautiful statue, as well on Broad Street in downtown Columbus in 1918. According to some accounts I read German Shepherds, and Dachsunds were taken from their owners and destroyed. Nothing German was to be honored or liked. However, one of this countries biggest hero's came from this very German-American Community, flying ace Eddie Richenbacher; who like many German-Americans at the time changed his name to be less German looking and sounding. Eddie Richenbacher became Eddie Rickenbacher.

It wasn't until 1930, the park's name once again returned to Schiller Park.

**Stay tuned for a follow up article on Schiller Park, as this area has a very rich history**
The next time you're in a park, look to see if there's a history, you might be fascinated at what you learn.

Free Seats available, Worthington Ohio

Flat Stanleys here with another Fun Friday with Flat Stanley adventure. St. John's Church was formed way back on Feb. 6th 1804. Can someone please do the math and tell me how old this church is? It indicates it's the First Episcopal Church established in the Northwest Territory. The sign tells us the church was completed in 1831. And that the historic graveyard in it's backyard was established with the burial of Captain Abner Pinney. You might know him, since he's a friend Stanley talked about before HERE.
This is the flip side of the sign Flat Stanley is showing you. The alter was brought with the original settlers and is still in use inside this historic little church on the corner of High Street and State Route 161 in Worthington, Ohio. The graveyard has 317 documented burials of which 5 are Revolutionary War Veterans and 7 are veterans of The War of 1812.
The church is The Gothic Revival Style. I've attended a wedding in this beautiful little church. Stanley wanted to show you the sign here beside the door. SEATS FREE! Anyone ever seen that listed outside a church before?
The bell for the church was also brought here by the first settlers and served the community well since it was used for more then church; but school as well. That same bell is perched high across the street from the church in the bell tower of the community's school.

Flat Stanley suggest the kids look for corner stones, and signs at churches near them to see how they are. Do they have a bell in the bell tower? Does the church have a small cemetery associated with it? Have the kids draw a church, discuss why in years past a cemetery was often associated with the church. How the church was used for community events, community meetings and the center of the community.

Kids love blocks, maybe they could build a church with their blocks. As you look for churches you can walk or ride your bikes too point out the various architectural styles.

As always doing activities with kids helps them learn and remember a location or event. Math, coloring, block building and discussion can be done to enhance to experience with so many of Flat Stanley's adventures.

If you missed any, catch up here:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 2, 2010 Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)

Lyme Village, Ohio

On the way to Lake Erie my sisters and I were surprised to find Lyme Village on route 4. We looked to the side of the road and saw a cluster of log cabins and got pretty excited. We pulled in to see what we could see. Lyme Village at 5001 St Rt 4 is just outside Bellevue Ohio. It's a non profit strictly run by volunteers re-created village. (poster shows scenes from the village)

In the center of the village is a 2nd Empire Victoria Home (shown in the center of the above poster) built between 1880-1882. This mansion belonged to John Wright. There are barns, log houses, a Detteram Log Church, an 1836 Greek Rivival style house, and even a one room school house. I purchased a few items at the darling gift shop.I love these single tea pots that include a cup.
*my finger is showing where the pot sits on top of the cup.

The buildings all predict life in The Firelands from 1800 to early 1900's. You can take guided tour to learn what life was like for our early settlers. The tours cost $8.00 and run from 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sat; and special summer Sunday hours from 12-4. There are many special events throughout the year such as Native American Days, Pioneer Days, Victorian Dinners during the Christmas Holidays and more.

I noticed this quote, "Preserving Yesterday for Tomorrow" found it to be very meaningful, and think it fits many of our countries treasures.

The Greek Rivival house belonged to John Seymour and was an important stop along the underground railroad for many escaped slaves as they made they way to Canada to freedom. The one room school house was built in the 1860's and was still being used until 1935 in Oxford township in Erie County Ohio. The school house was moved to the village in 1991.

Many of the buildings were dismantled and moved from other areas in the state to this village in order to preserve them.

Sadly our time was short and we were traveling on what we later learned was the edge of a tornado; so we did not get to take the tour. Though I do intend on returning when I'll be able to spend time and take the tour. I suggest you all put this on your list of things to do with the family. Something here for everyone.

And for fun, look carefully when you exist. The kids will enjoy this LARGE ceramic dog in the yard across the street.